Lt. JG. Elijah Kovacs: The Not-So Surprise
Mark P
((The Celestial Temple Pub, Deep Space 14))
Strange.
That’s how it felt being here with Lhandon in this moment. In all the chaos that happened on the Butler, followed by the diplomatic officer’s brief stint aboard another vessel and his own double duty on the OBE’s repairs, this was the first actual conversation they were having in months.
It seemed easier to talk about anything but them. He’d commented on the wine, the repairs, and now something that had caused a brief spark of excitement. He pointed it out to the Gaultan, I-Kiyoan Spice Petals.
Kovacs: Have you seen this?
Nilsen: I ain’t. You wanna try it?
Eli gave a simple nod. The order was sent through to the kitchen, and one to the bar as Lhandon tacked on an IPA.
As a quiet settled in between them, Eli looked around the pub. Bajoran design elements and less-than-subtle nods to the prophets were evident in the bulk of the decor. Even the doors were a nod to the enclosures that held the orbs.
Nilsen: I like it here; this is a nice little spot.
The silence threatened to seep back in.
Kovacs: So… ::taking a sip of wine:: your time on the Amity went well?
Nilsen: (nodding) If anything, it won me lots of brownie points with the FDC, and it's not every day you get to be an ambassador's right-hand man and move 150 people to a new job. Didn't think Ops and Diplomacy would ever cross.
Kovacs: I think ::resting his glass down on the table:: as you grow in your career, and perhaps cross more disciplines, you might find yourself seeing more parallels than not. I’ve been thinking about how our cap’ has a background in ops, medical, and command. Along with being posted to nine separate ships.
He elected not to share that this was what had prompted his own transfer request. Or, at least, not yet.
Kovacs: It sounds like a lot of work though, good work. Was that what you were primarily focused on over there?
Nilsen: I did do some other things, but I can’t talk about them here. You know it’s other governments and all that….But I did make the news, though. (pulling up the article) I got the quote right at the end.
The junior lieutenant took a read through the article, scanning for Nilsen’s name. The commentary around the Interlink was concerning, and he decided he didn’t need that energy in his life. He flicked the screen downward until the quote appeared.
The establishment of a new embassy is always a great step for the Federation Diplomatic Corps,” comments Lt. Commander Lhandon Nilsen, a Diplomatic Officer who travelled the region as part of Turnbull’s entourage. “Amity, of course, played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork, and now it’s time to grow bigger and beyond the Outpost. This embassy signals the FDC’s commitment to serving the Delta Quadrant.
Kovacs: ::smiling warmly:: Congratulations, quite an accomplishment for your record. Particularly at 25.
He wasn’t jealous of Lhandon’s success; instead, he was wondering when his own spotlight moment would appear.
Nilsen: It’s erm…yeah, it’s a good thing. I'm basically a diplomatic rockstar now…I don’t mean to handbrake turn, but I’ve missed you. I don’t think I’ve said that yet.
And Eli missed Lhandon. Right? Missed... yes. But he suspected it was a different flavour and intensity than his counterpart. Lhandon continued on. More so pleased with the return of a familiar and fond presence.
Nilsen: Yeah, I'd normally have said it a hundred times. I guess that time away helped make me a little less neurotic. So erm...What's new in your life?
Accompanying the question was a short and awkward laugh. In truth, there was only one newsworthy item worth sharing. Eli polished the glass off, willing the words to come out to the point that they tumbled out in a rather rushed fashion.
Kovacs: I’ve accepted a transfer to the Thor.
Nilsen: Response
Surprisingly, Lhandon was unsurprised.
Kovacs: You knew?!
Nilsen: Response
Their conversation was briefly interrupted by the small dish of spice petals being set down between them. As the plate made contact with the table, the petals started to rise and fall, dancing around hypnotically while waiting to be plucked from the air.
Kovacs: Officially, next week. But they’ve indicated that they needed more help than they expected, so they’re trying to advance the date or at least split my time until then.
Nilsen: Response
And there it came, the question Eli knew was coming.
Tags/TBC
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Lieutenant JG Elijah Kovacs
Engineering Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)