LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - That One Medal No One Wants

[Lhandon Nilsen]

((The Writer's Room, Deck 8, USS Octavia E. Butler))

o0 Maybe he’s just distracted, yeah that will be it. It’s a big day, he’s in his own head. We’ll have to do something outside for work soon, that will cheer him up 0o

The awards had gone swimmingly, and word had spread around the ship that Kessler was back. Lhandon thought back to the last time he had seen the now returned officer. It was in the mission pod of the Oumuamua on his first mission when Lhandon had helped to reconfigure (read: jury-rig by jumping on a torpedo to reach a panel) the pod from a tactical to a scientific mode. Word also suggested that Michele wasn't happy with Kessler.

There might have been some drama, which would have been entertaining. A table flip, perhaps? What fun!

Commander Rouiancet had approached the table and taken the chair that was offered. Lhandon was clearly happy to see her, as were some of the other operations personnel. There was a sense of "one of us" when she arrived. She had done her time in other departments and had spent a considerable amount of time as an operations officer.

Rouiancet: (a nod to Nilsen) Congratulations again on your new position, Lhandon. (a slight grin) Or, I should say, your new new position, now assistant chief of the whole department, rather than assistant to the chief.

This lifted his heart with joy, and he smiled.

Nilsen: It means a lot to me Ro, it really does. I’ll be the most kick-ass Assistant chief ever, just you watch.  Besides, someone's gotta remind this fella to take a break and keep him out of trouble ::nudging and smiling to Toxin::

Clearly, it was partly in jest, but there might have been a hint of truth there. Aside from a certain secret society, the two hadn't spent much time together outside of work, and Lhandon had started to feel the drift happening as they were in danger of going from brothers to colleagues.

Arlill : Responses

She had reached back for the first ribbon she wanted to bestow at this table, and Lohkina had handed it over immediately. It had been a twin of the red-on-black ribbon and her tone had again become heavier. Lhandon had known what this was and part of him had wished he could say no and refuse it; but as it was passed to him, that thought was dismissed, in part by the words she had said.

Rouiancet: I just told Aine this was well, but -- Lhandon, this ribbon isn't a cause for celebration, but is rather a recognition for you, and everyone who might see your service record or ribbon cluster, of just what you've been through, and something of the tenacity you possess.

The ribbon that no one wanted was acknowledged with a sigh from Lhandon as he nodded at Rouiancet's words. It was a recognition of a heavy duty, a ribbon with significant weight. She was right – it wasn't a cause for celebration. Lhandon had hoped, with all his heart, that it would be the last one he would ever receive.

He considered his words for a moment, and dropped the casualness and went formal, just for a moment, he seemed to help.

Nilsen: Thank you sir. That recognition does erm….::stuck for words:: it helps. 

Arlill: Response

A Romulan was behind her and had been assisting Rouiancet with this. She had smiled up at her and collected a more visually complex item -- red and green stripes against black on two triangular halves, separated by a border of gold.

Rouiancet: It means a lot to me, as such a new CO, to know that I can count entirely on the officers under my command. Toxin, when I assigned you to lead the marine team to Cheyd'lang, I knew that you could do it -- but you exceeded my expectations, and showed me and your team just what to expect from you in the future. This is the Leadership Excellence Ribbon, and you've earned it, and then some.

Arlill: Response

Nilsen: Congrats Tox. You really do deserve that.

After Rouiancet had left them to their own devices, Lhandon nudged Toxin.

Nilsen: That suits you, Mr. Excellences in leadership of the almighty operations order.

Arlill: Response

Nilsen: Hey look, we gotta do something this week, before the next mission. Can’t be all work and no play right?

Arlill: Response

Nilsen: We gotta say hi to our new HCO as well. I think you’ll like him He ain’t here yet but I half suspect he’ll be going for our shuttle speed records.

Arlill: Response

Later on that week, Lhandon had made it a point to introduce himself to his replacement, a new Bajoran HCO ensign officer who had already gained a little experience in the Gamma Floatila but had now transferred to the OEB. He had to check the personnel list and double-check this officer's name because he didn't have a Bajoran name, at least not fully. He had a human name and a human family name, and the only hint of his origins was his earring and his Bajoran name now in the middle.

And there was something familiar about his name.

He certainly had a story to tell, but that could wait for now.

((OOC1: Erik, up to you if you want to go further or just leave it here.))

((OOC2: This is maybe a new PNPC for me, others have not quite landed as I want them to, and I’ve been struggling to vibe with my previous ones, so trying a different approach this time))

Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)