Captain Nic del Vedova: More a Stern Talk, Really

[Tony Colella]

(( The Celestial Temple Pub, Deep Space 14 ))

After learning quite a bit more about the young lieutenant, Del decided simply to ask the question that had coalesced as the most important.

Del Vedova: But you want to do this?

That, more than anything else, was the crucial piece. Did Nilsen want to be a diplomatic officer?

Nilsen: (quickly; certain) Yes, I really want to do this.

Del leaned back in his seat and spread his arms wide.

Del Vedova: Well. There you go, then.

Nilsen: I mean, the thing is, I've fallen into everything I've done. I started training as a pilot, then I did SARS training, got kicked out of that, so fell into the HCO track, then got assigned to the 'Oumuamua, worked on Project Fort and ended up becoming roommates with the future chief of operations, which led me to becoming Assistant Chief.

Del Vedova: (noncommittal) So it goes, sure.

Nilsen: As he said, I've ended up as a circumstance of convenience.

Del Vedova: I suppose that's one way of looking at it. Is that what you think?

Nilsen: I mean. I've fallen into every role I had, the SARS training team, the HCO track, then the Operations roles I've done (beat) I've just fallen into them. And now, I want to do something for myself. (beat) I want to do something deliberately.

Del Vedova: (a smile) And so you would be. Although, if you're open to a different interpretation, I would say you've done an admirable job of adapting to whatever challenges you've encountered. That's an ideal quality for a Starfleet officer. Since diplomacy is what you want to do now, I don't see anything wrong with that. But I also don't think you need to judge yourself too harshly for the choices you've made thus far.

Nilsen ducked slightly and hid his mouth, and Del smiled again, slightly. He hadn't gone this exact route with his career anxieties, but he certainly had experienced his version of those same anxieties in his time.

Del Vedova: And I feel like I know you well enough now to encourage you to take pride in what you've accomplished.

Nilsen: Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the entire life story. (deep breath)

Del Vedova: (with a laugh) It's fine, it's fine. How else was I supposed to tailor my excellent advice? I should have gone into counseling.

He winked, to let Nilsen know he was just kidding.

Maybe. There was always time for another career change.

Nilsen: Response

Del Vedova: Well, then, tell me what you're going to do. I assume you'll talk with Rouiancet?

It would help, Del thought, to have a plan in mind, even if the Butler was shipping out soon. Maybe it'd have to wait until Nilsen could corner his captain, but knowing what to say then would be half the battle.

Nilsen: Response

Del Vedova: (a nod) Sounds like a plan to me. (beat) And, how's this, I'll even pay for the drinks this time.

Nilsen: Response

Del Vedova: Ah, but you haven't heard my condition yet. We have to do this again, when we're on the same ship or station, so that you can tell me what's happened in the interim.

Del lounged back again, feeling confident in the belief that he'd actually, maybe, done something worth doing in talking with Nilsen. Who would've imagined it, back when Nilsen had run him down?

Nilsen: Response

Tags! and END SCENE for del Vedova!

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Captain Niccolò del Vedova
Commanding Officer
USS Hirschfeld
V238208LV0
he/him/his (player & this character)