JP Lt Herrick, Ltjg Nilsen, 1lt Maxwell, Ens Yinn, Ens Kovacs, Zarah Johnson - JOPA 404 pt4
Lhandon Nilsen
((Lhandon’s Quarters, Room 4, Deck 4))
The crew had regrouped back at Lhandon’s quarters after the risky exercise of carving their names into the hull, and thankfully Zarah was with them. As Josh looked around, he realised he hadn’t been the only one sweating during the ordeal.
Toxin would have preferred to return to his quarters instead of to Nilsen’s quarters, but he was a team player and knew this was his last JOPA so he persisted and followed the JOPA crew back.
Herrick: Well, this isn’t a JOPA meeting I’ll be forgetting any time soon.
Yinn: Just once, can we get together socially without one of us almost dying?
Arlill: No one was gonna die, she’s fine.
After a harrowing experience like that Toxin could use a few minutes drama free.
Maxwell: Where’s the fun in that?
Zarah snorted, taking a bottle that appeared in the replicator and popping off the top. She couldn’t understand why it was included since whoever wanted to drink it would just remove it immediately, but that was just the program. Flicking the bit of metal back into the replicator, she tilted her head back as the liquid that was sweet, earthy, and spicy all at once trickled down her throat. Taking a break after the long draw, she motioned toward Toxin.
Johnson: It’s not something I want to repeat, but yeah, I’m fine! You guys took good care of me.
Now that it was all behind her, Zarah could laugh about it, even if not much time had passed just yet.
Kovacs: Of course, us lower deckers gotta have each other's backs!
Herrick: But, before we let everyone go, there is one last surprise.
Toxin was just about to head for the door and Josh’s comment stopped him in his tracks, he turned back to the crowd.
Trying to navigate their rocky past had been somewhat challenging for the Lhandon and Josh as they struggled to find their rhythm, but they had a common interest in mind. Planning in advance to make Toxin’s last JOPA was memorable, even if Zarah almost becoming an interstellar object had checked that off the list.
Nilsen: That’s right, is a erm…Josh?
Nilsen and Herrick: (simultaneously) … a brand new unofficially official Operations tricorder!
Starfleet had not ever officially released a spec sheet on an Operations-focused tricorder, but Josh had remembered when Arlill had been heartbroken at the loss of the device back on Alpha Brenkelvi II. Lhandon had done most of the heavy lifting, the engineer just sparked the idea and helped make sure it functioned well. He wondered if Arlill would notice the JOPA easter egg.
Toxin was rendered speechless, for once, he really had nothing to say, he was expecting some sort of simple goodbye gift for leaving JOPA but nothing like this.
Glancing over his shoulder mid-pour of a glass of brandy, Max smirked a little.
Maxwell: Oooh, shiny! Are they Marine proof?
Arlill: I… I don’t know what to say. (beat) ::taking the tricorder::
This tricorder was larger than your standard one but smaller than the full sized TriPADD, which he kind of preferred, the other one was bulky but the traditional ones were underpowered and not as capable. This one seemed significantly better, at least at first appearance. He would not be sleeping tonight, rather he already had plans of tearing this thing apart to master the inner workings and then reassembling.
Eli watched the Bolian/Tellerite take the device with care, Eli wasn’t exactly sure why a operations-focused tricorder was a good gift for leaving JOPA, but assumed Herrick and Nilsen knew better.
Johnson: Looks like you’ve got a new toy!
Kovacs: (smiling) Better put it through its paces to make sure it works; at least you’ll know who to go to if you need a refund.
oO Henri: Wow, that was a very thoughtful gift, do you think Nilsen is trying to butter you up? Oo
Arlill: Thank you guys, this is amazing, I love this, I’m (beat) I’m speechless.
Johnson: It’s going to be weird going to JOPA without you.
But that was how things went. Toxin had gotten his promotion, and now he was no longer a ‘Lower Decker’. Technically, neither was Zarah, but she was sort of an honorary Ensign, right? She certainly counted herself.
Maxwell: Aye, you’re one ae “them” now….
He grinned, wilfully ignoring the fact that he also used to be an upper decker. One of the gently teased “them” from above.
Herrick: But a good step nonetheless, don’t forget us on your rise! I’m sure you’ll be commanding a ship in no time. Department chief isn’t a far step to first officer, and then a captaincy is right around the corner..
Nilsen: Captain Arlill, I like the sound of that…just don’’t leave Commander Nilsen behind right?
He had a little smirk to himself.
Johnson: How about a toast?
It seemed fitting considering the situation and what was going on. Toxin was moving on without them in one way, but it wasn’t goodbye forever. Still, he deserved to be recognised and honoured.
Kovacs: ::poking Lhandon:: You do the honours!
Nilsen: Erm…to Toxin, the best goddamn cheif of ops, and my brother.
Herrick: Hear, hear!
Maxwell: Slainte!
Lifting her bottle, Zarah grinned, her eyes twinkling. As she lifted her
Johnson: Even though you’re no longer JOPA, Toxin, you’re still our friend. That will never change.
Max reached over to give Arlil a friendly dig in the arm.
Maxwell: Unless you start trying tae hunt us down.
Kovacs: Then ::wearing a mischievous smile:: you’ll be JOPA’s next target!
Nilsen: Right folks.
Lhandon places his PADD on the side and set it to take a picture with the self-timer, 10 seconds.
Nilsen: Say cheese everyone…I think.
The picture was soon taken, perhaps no perfect but it didn’t matter at the point. Later that week, Lhandon would get the picture printed out and framed, it would live next to his ribbon box, the model of the Oumumuma whose origin is still unknown and pictures of his entire family, and maybe one day, if his ambition lead him the right, in the ready room of his own ship…but for now…this was a moment, just for him and his friends, his big brother from another mother was here, and it felt like nothing can go wrong.
Maxwell: oO Formaggio! Oo
Offering up a broad smile for the picture, Max waited for the flash before looking around at the other assembled members of the group.
[End]
******
1st Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell.
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Octavia E Butler: NCC-82850.
O239311AM0
&
Ensign Yinn
Science Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240011Y12
&
Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick
Acting Chief Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)
&
Elijah Kovacs
Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
he/him/his (player/character)
&
Zarah Johnson
Civilian
USS Octavia E. Butler
M239008AD0