Lt. Cmdr. Lhandon Nilsen - Diplomatic Solutions Inc
Lhandon Nilsen
(( Local Authority Building, Thren, Koreli IV ))
Lhandon found himself enjoying this in a strange way; it was turning back into an operations problem. In his mind, supply chains were forming and the two representatives were answering his questions.
Nilsen: Welcome back, gentleman? It’s a great little town, isn’t it?
Lee: Yes indeed sir.
Orval: Ah, gentlemen! Come, come.
Lee: Apologies for the interruption. Where were we?
Colt: ::to Nilsen:: The town offers much in the way of hospitality.
Lhandon's attention was on that of the two representatives. Orval gestured for the group over, and Nilsen wasn't sure what Nara made of that.
Nara: Even with our recent struggles, community and hospitality are core tenets of our culture.
He had certainly been a beneficiary of that. When Nilsen was on the run, hunted by King Toal'Dius, the self-appointed supreme leader, it was the Danni of the Gardens of Harmony that shielded him.
Nilsen: And it is something which the Danni does better than most. Lieutenants we’ve been discussing the finer points of operations
One might almost say that Nilsen was speaking with a certain amount of glee! Operations were fun.
Nilsen: The supply lines are overseen by a regional coordinator - they are a single person, but they have assistants to help them. Orval here said that he tracks his crew's work. The faults with the water purification units come down to ::looking at his padd:: missing components, such as filtration and membranes and power couplings, and as these two have said, parts that could be taken out, sold separately or installed elsewhere.
He then considered how to conclude the report.
Nilsen: Such as the black market
Lee: I see. Who looked at the water purification units? Who inspected them and who received them initially?
Colt: And were the units scheduled for distribution commercially or publicly?
His eyes glanced to Pelk, whose handkerchief was dabbing his wet forehead. Lhandon knew a lot about the Danni, but he wasn't acutely aware of their biology, so he couldn't make a determination. In humans, that would be seen as nerves.
Orval: Ah, yes, the water units. Unfortunate business, that. I processed them at the Kaej hub personally. Everything looked fine on the manifest: sealed containers and proper Federation markings. Nothing out of the ordinary.
At the same time, Nara relaxed.
Nara: As you can see, it is a mystery.
Nilsen: Quite.
Lhandon paused to allow his people more space to probe.
Lee: Hm…interesting.
Orval: And to answer your question, err... (squinting at the rank pips of Colt)... Lieutenant? Mixed distribution. Some communities in my region prefer to share agricultural obligations rather than individual family ownership.
Nara: Those purification units are important. The smaller villages are struggling with water contamination from the Zet mining operations.
He nodded.
Colt: ::huffs:: I believe we have bigger issues then some purification units. We have to deal in the larger picture.
Lhandon did not expect the huff from Colt. He chose to see what would happen. The villages suffering from water contamination should be the priority.
Nara: The larger picture is there is either a rampant corruption scheme that we have not been able to detect or the Federation are picking favorites on communities to receive aid. Either way, people are hurting.
The other delegate raised his hands, which to Lhandon looked as if he was reminded that he should take offence
Orval: Now, now, Nara. Let us not jump to conclusions about corruption or cast blame on our distinguished guests. Surely there is a reasonable explanation.
Nilsen: I think it's best that we stick to the facts; everything must be taken into account, however. We can't discount any possibility. I think we all hope that there is a reasonable explanation. What I can assure you is that we do not pick favorites. I think the Lieutenant may be considering a security precaution.
Lee: Response
Nara: That is a reasonable precaution. I would ask only that the arrangement be framed as collaborative rather than punitive. These communities have been through enough without feeling like suspects in their own relief effort.
The other delegate crossed his arms.
Orval: I take no offense to the Federation offering its aid. None whatsoever. But I want it noted that my crew has been above reproach throughout this entire affair!
Nilsen: I can assure you, no one suggested anything of the sort.
Lee: Response
Colt: ::clears throat:: Delegate Pelk, all we ask is you allow us to do our job.
Colt's voice had an edge to it, and Lhandon held his hand out slightly; someone like Colt was helpful to have, as his honesty could cut through some of the diplomatic chaos.
Orval: Huh. Where did you find this guy? Sounds like a Zet.
The tension in the room was rising very quickly to something that could be combustible. Lhandon needed to avoid that, but intervening too early would set things off even more. Nara sighed through gritted teeth, yet Lhandon wondered if Colt was the spark, or just the bark.
Something else would be the lighter.
Nara: Pelk...
Nilsen: Perhaps, we need to change our focus from reasons why this has happened to preventing this from happening, and what we can do to make sure that the supplies get to where they're needed. Relook at how we coordinate things.
He was sure to repeat himself in the same sentence to drive his point home.
Lee: Response
Orval: Fine! Fine! But it is a waste of time. I swear on the life of my beloved mother-in-law, may her soul rest in perpetual turmoil, that my people are not the problem here.
Nara: How would this coordination look? Would Starfleet officers track the shipments from a distance or travel with them?
Nilsen: Travelling with the shipments is one possibility. I would certainly recommend that in the short term. It's not sustainable long term. The goal would then be to build up and withdraw to ensure things are able to run with as little intervention as possible.
Lhandon also knew the visibility would go a long way to help the rest of the operations teams see what was going on and also to show the Danni that they were taking them seriously.
Lee/Colt: Response
Nara: Will that not be too obvious?
Nilsen: That’s the idea. Something as viable as that will show that we’re looking
Pelk did not seem impressed, and Nara nodded as the festivities outside provided the soundtrack.
Lee/Colt: Response
Nara: Gentlemen, I believe we have a plan of action. A first step at the very least. We can work out the fine details later. Do you have any additional questions for myself or Coordinator Orval?
Lhandon hated unanswered questions, but this would have to be one of those times. He would prepare questions later and send them through various diplomatic channels.
Nilsen: I think that is a good place to pause. We have a plan of action. Lieutenants, anything else?
Lee/Colt/Nara/Orval: Response
The first officer nodded and stood up, reminding others unintentionally that he was one of the tallest beings on the planet.
Nilsen: We'll obviously be in contact. I'll make sure that the FDC is informed, and you should see our people with the shipments very soon.
Lee/Colt/Nara/Orval: Response
Nilsen: Likewise, I'm glad we could at least find a possible solution. You'll be informed of all the arrangements, and I'll make sure you are both involved in them too.
Lee/Colt/Nara/Orval: Response
That they did. Someone in the personnel department was going to want to murder Nilsen, but that was okay, he thought. This was important, and he would rather use Starfleet personnel to get this sorted, to shed more light on what was happening and to show the Danni that they were doing something about it, than just have the shipments sent blindly into the dark.
This First Officer stuff seemed like it was doable.
((OOC: This feels like a natural end. I’ll catch up with you folks on Discord over the weekend…let us talk…do join me in a good evil chuckle! Muahaha!!!!))
[End Scene for Nilsen]
Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Executive Officer & Senior Diplomatic Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)