Lt. Cmdr. Lhandon Nilsen, Lt. Cmdr. Toxin Arlill, & Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Reflections In The Mirror" (Part III)
Lhandon Nilsen
(Botanical Arboretum, Lower, Deck 9, USS Octavia E Butler)
Lhandon almost couldn't contain his giddiness, which helped hide what was ruminating in the heartbreak and stress he could feel in his chest. This awards ceremony was going to be something special, and he had to avoid grabbing them all by the hands and practically skipping down the stone path. He was less solemn, instead smiling - a smile that hid his regrets and his feeling that he needed to make amends. He had asked for this group specifically. He got to the part where their stones were and stopped just short, pointing down the path.
Nilsen: Okay, okay, so this is all Peri’s idea. What we’re going to do is head down this path. Each of you has a spot you’ll make your way to.
He turned to face the four, somewhat like the proprietor of a chocolate factory with numerous OSHA violations who had been eager to showcase his latest contraption. The diplomatic dress uniform, which was purple to match his new department, had done nothing to dispel the notion that, at the very least, Lhandon's father could have been regarded as the owner of the chocolate factory.
Lhandon's last duty as acting second officer was to recognise the crew with whom he had served.
Nilsen: You’ll stand on that, magic happens, and then I’ll say really nice things about you. How’s that sound?
Richards/Saa/Forsyth/Caras: Response.
Before them stood the six-foot-four, broad-shouldered gym bro, his baritone voice, soft and rising, which would have sounded Eastern European to an untrained ear, had greeted them all. His home planet of Gault traced its roots to a group called the Siberian Collective. Those individuals, dreaming of peace in the wake of World War III, had lived on through their descendants. Lhandon would one day follow the family line and find out where on Earth exactly his family had come from.
Nilsen: Katsim, for someone who hates social interaction, you’ve sure picked the flashiest awards.
Lhandon wouldn't have admitted this, but he had spent the past two days stressing over the order in which these awards would be presented, making a welcome change from his other source of stress. The question he had faced was where to place one of his best friends. He had started with someone who did not have that title, but rather someone he wanted to inspire.
Nilsen: Forsyth, you first. Step forward, please, onto your stone.
As she did so, a beam of light illumined Forsyth, emanating from the stone itself.
Nilsen: Katsim, for someone who hates social interaction, you’ve sure picked the flashiest awards. ::Beat:: Lieutenant Junior Alex Forsyth, I hope these medals that I am about to give you inspire you to have confidence in yourself. I hope you can step up in the future and build on that confidence and one day put your anxiety to one side and become a damn fine officer. I am, however, proud to call you a friend.
Forsyth: Response
Nilsen: For your awesome EMP burst, and applying that to our situation in a way I didn’t even know we could, in the finest traditions of other tactical officers before you, such as my fellow Gaultan, Worf, I give you the Intelligence Star. And for working across all of the teams, be that Arlill’s team or mine on the bridge, in such a way that your contribution helped push us all towards our goal, I give you the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Forsyth: Response
Then Lhandon had gestured to the next stone in the path.
Nilsen: Lieutenant Anton Richards, you’re up.
Lhandon gave Anton a moment to make his way to the stone and as before, his stone lit up too.
Nilsen: Unlike Mo, Sevantha, or Alex here, you and I have not struck up a friendship; in fact, in one of the few times we have worked together, particularly last year with the business with the crate, we perhaps had our fair share of suspicion of each other. I hope to put that aside and move forward, and one day, also be able to call you a friend. After all, you did help Mo get off the Trillian the first time, and I know you wanted to chase after him when he beamed aboard the Trillian for a second time.
Richards: Response
He reached for the boxes and opened them one by one, presenting each to Richards.
Nilsen: You hide your intelligence behind humour - a humour that, I won’t lie, helps make me feel at ease. For your quick thinking, and for the invaluable knowledge you gave us on the Collectors and the Reclamators that gave us the edge in that mission, I give you the Intelligence Star. For your investigation skills and the support you gave your team, I give you the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon. And finally, for sheer kick-assery, I give you the Legion of Merit.
Richards: Response
After he handed off the awards, he moved forward to the next stone.
Nilsen: Lieutenant Sevantha Saa, you’re next.
Just as before, he gave Sevantha a moment to make her way to the stone. It too shone brightly!
Nilsen: Sevantha, you are someone I consider to be a friend. I recall when you first came aboard and we explored my damaged memories together. I didn’t expect that later you would be stranded on a planet with me, watch me die - ::as a side:: by the way, everyone, I’m immortal -::laughs:: and become one of my trusted friends.
Lhandon had started to struggle for his words. He took a moment to pause, and he looked down. He wanted to keep the smile up - he liked the smile, he liked that Lhandon - but the more he spoke, the more the real Lhandon showed through
Nilsen: Unfortunately, as I stepped up into command for the first time, I was not clear with my orders, I caused you confusion, and further, I pushed you too far - something I had no right to do. I would like to wholeheartedly apologise, and I’d like to recognise both that and your contribution to the mission with these awards.
As he spoke, his right eye watered, and he had to sniffle in a vain attempt to hide his emotions. The tear betrayed him and rolled down his face. He looked down and wiped it away with his finger before resuming.
Saa: Response
Nilsen: You kept the pulse of the crew. You were an advisor, a tactician, and in everything you did, you pushed for the most peaceful resolution. For that, I give you the Unity Ribbon. For the horrific injury you received, which is my fault; it was my orders that brought Z’Mat to the observation room - it was I who put you in harm's way. I hope you forgive me. I present this: the Purple Heart. And as I do so, I give a promise - I will never put you, or any of my crew, current or future, in a situation where the risk is so obvious ever again.
Saa: Response.
Lhandon gave a smile - a smile that was difficult to keep painted - and he hoped with all his heart that for the mistakes he had made, she forgave him.
Nilsen: Finally, the last stone, Lieutenant Junior Morro Caras, step forward, please.
Morro did so. Lhandon's debate about the order had hinged on where to put Morro. Should he have opened strong with words that expressed what the Orion meant to him? Or leave him until last? Lhandon had opted for the latter, and as he stood before Morro, he took a deep breath. The tear from before threatened to make an appearance again.
Nilsen: Morro, you’re one of my best friends. Heck, I love you like a little brother. I can’t imagine life without you. And while what you did was reckless as all hell - and made Ensign Nilsen look like a cautious nanny - your heart and your reasons were sound. You made a mistake and you tried to fix it… even if it did raise my blood pressure. Mo. You’re one of the bravest men I know.
A second tear hit his cheek. Lhadon breathed in deeply as he spoke. He had so much pride for Morro and hoped that Morro could see that.
Caras: Response
Nilsen: I know we talked earlier, Mo, but I feel the need to say it again. It was my orders that brought Z’Mat to the bridge. It was my misjudgment that led to Sevantha’s injury, and it was my orders that meant your sister could get free and ::struggling for the word:: she hurt you, Morro. I can only ask and beg for your forgiveness, too.
Caras: Response
Nilsen: From Peri, she gives you the Captain’s Commendation. And from me, for your investigation work and your keen mind, I give you the Intelligence Star. For your leadership skills and leading your team through that entire investigation, and overcoming both the personal and professional challenges that you were forced to face, I give you the Leadership Ribbon. And finally, for your sheer dumb bravery, I give you the Silver Star.
Caras: Response
He affixed the final medal to Morro's chest and gave Morro a smile, but then paused for the briefest moment. The tears dried up to make way for that smirk which came across his face - one anyone who knew him would recognise meant he was up to something.
Nilsen: I’m not finished.
He reached into the inside pocket of his dress uniform.
Nilsen: While I know you’re maybe stepping down as co-chief, I understand your reasons. I don’t want you to close that door fully. You are the most amazing engineer. You have earned this a hundred times. In fact, I begged to be the one to give this to you. It is my honour to say, Morro Caras, you are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with all the responsibilities and privileges that come with it.
With an extreme level of pride and joy, Lhandon affixed the solid pip to Caras’s collar.
Caras: Response
Nilsen: Alright, everyone, enough crying, group hug. Come on, bring it in. ::beat:: now who was it that said I was an old fossil ::laughing::
Caras/Forsyth/Saa/Richards: Response.
Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Senior Diplomatic Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)