Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - You Always Did Have A Temper
Thomas Sanderson
((Secluded alleyway, Denali Station)
He didn't want to unleash his rage anymore that day. He paced around the alleyway, wishing he hadn't given up smoking.
Nilsen knew he hadn't done well. He had hoped that crossing the line would distract from the asteroids; he had hoped that saving the Orion ship would distract from the asteroids.
He kicked a nearby trash can
This was his dream, he got to be a racing pilot
o0 WAY TO MESS IT UP LHANDO 0o
He found a wall, put his back to it, and crouched down. He didn't cry; he didn't want to.
He stayed like this for a little while, just breathing. Slowly, he figured he could go and see how the other teams were doing before he went back to the Lady.
Lhandon could really use a smoke right now.
He eventually got up and figured that he should do something, anything is better than this. o0 Pathetic 0o
He left the alleyway.
(( Pit Area, Denali Station))
The Pit Area had been alive and bustling with activity. Parts had been on trolleys being carted around, medical staff had flown by, and the press had been around. Nilsen had done his best to avoid them. Something had been yelled over the PA system, but he had paid it no mind.
Then a voice spoke to him.
Johanas: You always did have a tempter.
Lhandon stopped in his tracks. He knew that voice all too well, the harsh Norwegian accent of someone who once meant the universe to him.
Nilsen: Finn?
Nilsen had turned around to see that he had walked straight past Finn. The two had faced each other, with Finn being a tad shorter than Lhandon at 6’, but wearing a standard green marine uniform. Short dark hair and green eyes, gave an almost cheeky smile to the taller curly-haired HCO.
Johanas: They used to be such cute little tantrums.
For a moment, Nilsen had forgotten he was standing in the pit area; it was as if he had been standing in a silent corridor. For that moment, it had been just the two of them. o0 I was going to text you 0o
Nilsen: Cute ain't the word I'd use.
Nilsen kind of smiled, he could feel his temper receding. He relaxed a little, his heart rate went from panic and anger to a state less than nerves. o0 Have I…have a chance again? 0o
Johanas: I thought that was you but I had to find out. What are you doing flying that bucket around?
Nilsen: She's a fine ship, we wanted to see if we could get her around the course. Turns out we could ::slight smile::
Johanas: Well, you did and then some. They with you? ::nodding to the Foxy Lady::
Nilsen: Who? Oh, Arlill and Vomek, yeah, they serve with me on the Oumuamua.
Johanas: The Oumuamua?
Nilsen: Luna class, in the gamma quadrant. I'm one of the HCOs
Johanas: Who did you bribe to score that? :: smirk:: They let you fly again?
Nilsen let that jab pass.
Nilsen: Yeah, I can fly again.
They had then stood in silence for a few moments before Lhandon had spoken.
Nilsen: you know…I never got to say sorry for what I put you through.
Johanas: it was something. What happened to you after we broke up?
Nilsen: erm, I got kicked out of Echo Squad, but had enough credits from my Helm/Nav major to shift that to comms and ops. Then kinda become an HCO. Ended up on the Oumuamua straight after graduation.
He paused for a moment, wondering what else to tell Johanas. “I want you back” was the prevailing thought. He wanted to yell it out so badly, he wanted to profess to everyone around that he loved that marine with every ounce of his being, instead he said just said:
Nilsen: Still in green I see. I kinda miss it.
Johanas: Nah, gold looks better on you.
Nilsen: Thanks, I guess.
Another pause.
Johanas: You still cook?
Nilsen: Yeah, still there.
Johanas: Surprised you didn’t set up your own restaurant
Nilsen: I nearly did after…you know
Then another shared silence
Nilsen: So you, stayed the course?
Johanas: Yeah, fully-fledged marine now.
Nilsen: That’s good, I remember it's all you wanted.
Johanas: It was, I nearly lost it after you…
Nilsen: Yeah, I…I didn't mean for that to happen
With some kindness
Johanas: I know.
Not forgiveness, but it was something.
Nilsen: erm, do you want to get a drink maybe, or…
Johanas: No, sorry farmboy, I just had to see if was you.
Nilsen’s body language sunk.
Nilsen: Yeah, that's…okay.
Johanas: I'm glad you landed on your feet. You did always have a knack for that. Have fun in the Gamma Quadrant Lhando.
Finn slaps Lhandon on the shoulder.
Johanas: Well farmboy. It's good to, see you're okay.
Finn's hand had stayed on Lhandon’s shoulder for a moment and the two had locked eyes. Nilsen smiled.
Johanas: Have a good life Lhando
Finn had let go of Lhandon's shoulder, returned the smile, and walked away.
Nilsen had wanted to yell out "I still love you." He had wanted to run over and bring the marine back into his life. He had wanted to be with Finn so badly that he would have gladly given up the posting on the Oumuamua and the race with the Foxy Lady for one more moment with him.
He had looked down at the floor as his senses returned to him. It wasn't to be, not then.
He had thought that maybe, just maybe, if he had known that Finn was there watching, the race might have gone differently. He might have even kept his temper in check.
But instead, for Lhandon, this race had been a disaster.
o0 Come back Finn 0o
Nilsen turned and started walking, unsure of his next destination.
o0 Please! 0o
Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO
USS Oumuamua
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)