Lt. Cmdr. Lhandon Nilsen - Palace Fit for their Crew Part 3
Lhandon Nilsen
((Part 3))
(( Palazzo Level 6, I-Dorf Kiyoria, I-Kiyo Dyson Ring ))
Nilsen: Ro, you remember Etan?
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
From Lhandon, a simple admission.
Nilsen: I understand now.
Rouiancet/Arill: Response (optional)
He looked to Toxin, who he knew also understood the weight of that admission. Lhandon wondered, however, if he would have put two and two together at this point.
Nilsen: Evening folks, I trust you're all having a great time.
He looked mostly towards Richards and Riley, who together sounded like a legal defence team. JoNz was on the table too, but he was saving her for last, partly because he wanted to make it brief and partly because, at least for the logistics of this, it would be a lot easier.
Riley/Richards/JoNz: Response
Nilsen: I hope you don't mind the interruption. I've got a few things for you. Riley, can you please stand for me?
He then turned to the box, which was being held by Toxin and reached for the Emerald and Sapphire ribbon.
Nilsen: You correctly deduced that the lush landscapes your team was seeing were not teleportation or time travel, but recorded memories, and you used historical context to date the civilisation. You also provided technical analysis of the central artefacts, identifying the crystal not just as a light source, but as a specific piece of engineering, which guided your team to interact with it safely. In addition to all of that, your tireless work afterwards, which did not go unnoticed, made the appointment with the I-Kiyo Historical Academy a lot smoother, and we would have been lost without you, mate. This does not do all of that justice, but I present you with the Scientific Discovery Ribbon.
He pinned the ribbon to Riley's service rack and then offered a hand to shake. As he did so, Lhandon also said,
Nilsen: And what's this I hear from my little birdies about a Squares team needing a centre?
With a sly little wink.
Riley: Response
Richards/JoNz: Response
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
After that, he then turned to someone who had once been at arm's length, but after the adventures with his alt, and then the adventures down on the planet, was now at elbow's length.
Nilsen: Lieutenant Commander Richards. You're up, mate.
Lhandon prepared the next batch.
Nilsen: I think the two of us got to know each other a little better during the last mission, and that's one of the many things I'm grateful for. You not only kept my team safe—you were the glue that held us together. You helped us understand what and who we'd found, while also helping Kaelith understand us. Despite Kaelith being an unknown variable, you worked in tandem with the entity to achieve a common goal. In recognition of that, I present the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Lhandon presented the darkest of the ribbons, a ruby and silver ribbon with a gold bar down the middle.
Nilsen: But beyond that, you solved Kaelith's puzzles long before I did. Your persistence and ability to make connections that others missed helped you crack them, while I struggled. You understood both the literal and emotional requirements of each puzzle. You also helped shift our encounter with Kaelith from a potential security threat to a scientific exchange by putting Starfleet's best foot forward. For this, the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon.
This ribbon was a dark navy with two bold blue lines flanking either side.
Nilsen: And finally, the work you did down there has not gone unnoticed. For your part in helping the I-Kiyo learn more about their past, I present you with the Scientific Discovery Ribbon.
He affixed the final ribbon to Richards and then held out his hand to shake.
Richards: Response
Riley/JoNz: Response
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
He then sighed slightly, just subtle enough that those who knew him knew that there was something else on his mind. His words were lukewarm as his voice had a little less gusto behind it.
Nilsen: Ensign JoNz, please stand.
He did not give her time to finish standing. Business was to be had.
Nilsen: During the time that the bridge was locked down, you were part of the team that helped to bypass the systems and make retaking the ship easier. The modifications of your tricorder made my old ops heart happy. Further, you helped to stabilise Kaelith and engineered a solution to stabilise his power matrix using the tricorders. For that, I give you the Innovation Ribbon.
The blue ribbon was presented, and he warmed just a little bit.
Nilsen: You are also directly responsible for the breakthrough that allowed Arill's away team to interact with Kaelith. You suggested that your team use different frequencies to try and access the holographic interface, and you once again reprogrammed your tricorder to do that.
He glanced towards Arlill as he said that.
Nilsen: You also displayed exceptional intuition in helping your team understand the interface of the ruins and unlocking areas that had previously been inaccessible. For this, the Scientific Discovery Ribbon.
JoNz: Response
Riley/Richards: Response
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
Nilsen: There is one more thing. Three weeks ago, we had a conversation in my office that neither of us enjoyed.
He paused. Three weeks were a tricky purgatory. He let the memory of the reprimand sit between them for exactly two seconds. Then, his shoulders loosened just once.
Nilsen: In recognition of your continued service to this ship, it is my honour to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the privileges and responsibilities therein. We promote people for two reasons. One is a reward for what they’ve done. The other is a down payment on what they’re going to do.
The words were professional, correct, and stripped of all warmth. Room temperature at best. The pip sat between his fingers a beat too long before he finally attached it.
Nilsen: Congratulations, Lieutenant. You earned this. Don't make me regret it.
JoNz: Response
Riley/Richards: Response
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
Then, with a bigger smile, like he was rebooting a system, he spoke to the others.
Nilsen: I hope you all enjoy the rest of the evening. Don't forget to thank our generous hosts when you see them around.
JoNz/Riley/Richards: Response
The trio left the group in peace, and then Lhandon moved them to the side to speak to the three of them. As soon as they were out of earshot, Lhandon’s shoulders dropped three inches. He let out a breath he felt like he’d been holding since he walked into the room, moving Lia and Toxin slightly to the side.
Nilsen: I hated telling her off that day, but I know she can do so much better.
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
Nilsen: Honestly, it was like Etan was talking. We should rock up to the Oumuamua to give him a shock - I'd love to see the look on his face. I've not spoken to him since he's taken the big chair. See if he's actually sitting in it or just hovering ominously above it.
A slight smile on his face.
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
Nilsen: If that's everything, I hope you two enjoy your evening too. You both deserve it.
Rouiancet/Arill: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Second Officer & Senior Diplomatic Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)