Lt. Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Two Pips Now
Lhandon Nilsen
(( Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))
If anyone hadn't seen Lhandon's new hair, they would have now as he took his place in the solar sail observation hall. Gone were the curly locks that most knew him by, replaced with shorter trimmed hair that was even all around.
Lhandon was there for the food. Being a fan of big feasts like this, he took delight in perusing the menu.
First were the appetizers: the Hasperat Rolls — spicy vegetable-filled wraps, balanced with the cool, refreshing notes of Kava juice. Next, they had the Jumja Stick Salad — mixed greens adorned with candied Jumja fruit, all brought together by a Bajoran spring wine vinaigrette. And finally, the Mapa Bread with Veklava Spread — A traditional flatbread that served as a canvas for a luscious sweet berry compote.
The appetizers were certainly doing their job, and already he could feel his stomach grumble as he couldn't wait to tuck in. But before he could do so, he read the rest of the menu.
The main course was an extravaganza, a trio of Bajoran-inspired delicacies. First, the Larish Pie: a perfectly flaky crust, enveloping carefully seasoned vegetables and aromatic Bajoran spices. For those seeking a more rustic experience, on offer were the Katterpod Beans with Alvas. These slow-cooked legumes were complemented by the sweet and tangy notes of roasted Alva berries. And for those who preferred the surf, they offered the Foraiga. This succulent cave-dwelling fish was grilled and it's delicate flesh was enhanced by a subtle smoky flavour. It was served alongside vibrant Klavaatu greens.
Sadly, Lhandon couldn't eat it all. The intention was that each person would pick just one from each course. He looked at the kitchen, and his heart was torn between wanting to devour everything on offer and wanting to offer his services to help in the kitchen and produce the food.
Then his eyes drifted down to the desserts, and he wished for an exception to the rule as a huge grin was painted on his face.
First were Groatcakes — delicate sweet griddle cakes, perfectly golden and crisp, adorned with a glistening cascade of amber kava syrup. Then a Deka Tea Sorbet — Bajoran Deka tea, crafted into a silky, icy delight. And finally, Moba Fruit Tart — a thin pastry shell cradling a filling of sweetened Moba fruit.
All this reminded him of Nera Ay, a fellow cadet who was a year below him. He lost contact with the cadet, but knew that said cadet would have loved this.
Sitting opposite him was Lt. Toxin Arlill. The two had not spoken a word. A random ops officer came by the table and put his hand on Lhandon's shoulder, in part to get his attention. Lhandon smiled widely and greeted the officer warmly; it was one of the newer officers who was assigned to Gamma Shift.
Lhandon's eyes then glanced over at Eli, and he tried to send a cheeky look over at his boyfriend who was sitting at the engineering table.
Looking over at Eli, he almost didn't notice that the now Captain Rouiancet had entered the hall, and he almost jumped as she spoke.
Rouiancet: Thank you all very much for spending your last night of shore leave with your friends and crewmates aboard Deep Space 14. Before we begin our next mission, I want to focus on you and celebrating your achievements. I'd like to begin by awarding each of these pips to a different officer. I'll ask them both to join me up here now: Lieutenants, Junior Grade Karen Stendhal and Lhandon Nilsen.
o0 What? Me 0o
Lhandon let out a nervous laugh, and after putting his hand on a petty officer's shoulder as they smiled up at him, he headed up to the stage. Joining him was Lt. Stendhal, someone he'd gotten to know over the past few months after their first meeting had come about because the computer was giving Nilsen some attitude.
A smattering of applause and some slightly uncouth cheers coming from ops were halted by Rouiancet.
Rouiancet: Please hold your applause until after my remarks.
Lhandon and Karen were guided into position to face the officer, Avander directly to his right.
Rouiancet: Counselor Karen Stendhal. The care and professionalism you've shown to the crew of the Octavia E. Butler is a credit to your duty post. You are a wonderful example of an officer, not only in the skill and knowledge you demonstrate in the course of your duties, including as a member of the away teams and shuttle crews you participated in during this mission. You likewise do your people proud, as your courage and willingness to dive headfirst into mindscapes and mental back alleys puts you in dangers I don't think anyone else can fully appreciate. Finally, I understand your dedication to your calling extends even to your leave time, when you used some of your downtime to help your crewmates. You have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Stendhal.
Avander smiled, as did Rouiancet, both visibly proud of Karen. Lhandon had made a mental note to ask about the mindscapes. Ever since Alpha Brenkelvi, he had appreciated what the brain and consciousness could do, and he suspected she might have some insight for him to understand his own somewhat unreliable abilities gifted to him by the ascended Bajorans from that planet.
Promontory: (sincerely) ****Congratulations Lieutenant!
Nilsen: Congrats Karen. You deserve this.
Stendhal : Responses
Then it was Lhandon's turn. He stepped forward. Avander was only a few years older (plus a little more thanks to a three-year time-traveling jaunt), but Lhandon saw in Avander someone wise, someone to follow in the footsteps of, an example of who he could be when he finally grew up... and someone who didn't look a day over 23.
Rouiancet: Now, then, Lhandon. I'm particularly proud of you, since I've watched you grow from an uncertain ensign aboard the 'Oumuamua to the assistant chief of one of the most important departments on the Butler, and now as a full lieutenant. I hear, too, that not only did you demonstrate time and again your knowledge and growing experience of and with operations systems, you're also turning out to have a real flair for diplomatic matters. (beat, slightly dry) Not that there was much to liaise with in this mission -- (normal) but even so, you have likewise put in the work, the time, and the energy to have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Nilsen.
The smile was instant. Those words from Ro had meant more than he could express. His face had flushed a little, and everything she had said was right. When he had first met her, he had been just a little ensign who had no direction, and by some luck, the tide had taken him to the Oumuamua. In the past year, he had grown, and the words she had said reflected that, bringing it to the forefront of Lhandon's thoughts. Then she had described his newfound diplomatic skills, something he was proud of beyond measure, and something that had hurt when Toxin had attacked it during their... he hadn't even known what that had been.
But that hadn't been the time for such thoughts, and the memory of that moment hadn't even crossed his mind. Not that he had moved on, far from it, but rather he had boxed that away and chosen to live in the moment. This moment had been damn nice. His hollow pip had been replaced by a solid pip.
The pips were swiftly replaced, and Lhandon stepped back in line.
Promontory: Congrats kid!
Nilsen: Thank you sir, this…it means a lot, thank you.
Stendhal: Responses
And somehow, Avander calling him kid had felt like all was finally well in the universe, particularly after the chaos of the previous mission.
Rouiancet: Now, before Commander Promontory calls up our next two promotees, please join me in a round of applause for these two fine officers!
Promontory: Here here!
He saw Avander's hand go high in the air as if he wanted to show his appreciation to the people at the back of the room, and he hoped, nay he knew, that Rouiancet was proud of him. This moment for him, looking back, would be one of those moments that he wouldn't just remember but also would cite as a moment that cemented that he was staying in Starfleet.
Perhaps also in this moment, his prefrontal cortex developed fully. He felt like growing up was happening; he wasn't the boy from the past who got away with petty crime and vandalism anymore.
Lhandon wore a smile on his face and looked around the room before briefly looking down to ensure he didn't fall off the stage.
Nilsen: ::To Rouiancet and Promontory:: Thank you sirs. I’ll erm…
Stendhal: Responses
He didn't need to finish the sentence, for it didn't need to be said, and if he had stayed even a moment later, he would have been encroaching on the time of Qurgh'Loq Yinn and Anton Richards. Lhandon was so happy to see these two following suit and heading up for their own promotions.
He got back and was greeted with enthusiasm from ops that would be akin to a rugby team celebrating a massive win. The operations officers erupted, with several jumping to their feet, whooping and cheering.
Another ops officer playfully ruffled Lhandon's now short hair as he passed, while others patted him on the back with enough force to nearly knock him off balance. They pulled him into bear hugs and raised imaginary toasts with their water glasses.
Their enthusiasm likey drew amused (and some slightly exasperated) looks from the other departments. But the ops team, and in particular gamma shift, didn't care – Lhandon had been promoted, and they were determined to celebrate in true ops fashion, protocol be damned.
Toxin Arlill was still at the table. The rift that had formed between them had become that of the Grand Canyon, but Lhandon didn't notice if Arlill had said or done anything.
Lieutenant Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)