JP: Ensign Nilsen, Ensign Kovacs, Lt Herrick, LT Arlill, Z.Johnson, Ensign Yinn, 2Lt Maxwell - JOPA: Insert Coins To Play. (Part 3)
Lhandon Nilsen
(Holosuite 1, Deck 5 USS Oumuamua)
Lhando was enjoying this vibe, it was a bit of an absurd situation for some of the officers, particularly those who didn’t have the same reference point to old earth culture that he had, but he was glad to see that others were diving in, and enjoying the party. He made his way around the room and found Maxwell who was currently battering away at the paddle-buttons on a pinball table.
Nilsen: Hey, Max
Maxwell: Alright, pal? ::He glanced up briefly.:: Something on your mind, aye?
Nilsen was glad to have Maxwell along, the marine was there for his first mission and he’s been somewhat of a rock to the HCO over the past half a year. Maxwell has also been the taste tester for every single one of Nilsen’s concoctions. Nilsen leaned against the pinball machine that Maxwell was using.
Nilsen: So erm, you remember we planned that thing to happen to the shuttle, you know, the thing.
Maxwell: Aye, the “thing”.
Max managed to suppress a snort of laughter as he continued to hammer at the buttons.
Nilsen: Yeah, it didn’t happen.
Maxwell: Didnae happen? Bottled out did ye?
Missing his press by a fraction of a second, the last ball dropped between the buffers and ended Max’s game. Third highest score on the table wasn’t bad, and Max took a step back from the machine.
Nilsen: I erm, had a moment, at the end of Denali and forgot all about it.
Nilsen laughed a little, trying to hide that the Denali Invitational wasn’t a great showing for the HCO, he himself can’t explain what happened, and the only words he had was “I lost control. I lost my temper”
Maxwell: A moment?
He didn’t receive any answer, as Nilsen’s expression seemed to indicate that there was another - more pressing - issue bothering him.
Nilsen wanted to ask about his temper, to ask can Maxwell help him control it. He shifted the conversation to someone else that was worrying him.
Because of course, there is something else worrying Nilsen.
Nilsen: Max, when I, or rather when Torka was speaking to those Bajorans, they mentioned everyone in the away teams, and they erm, you got a mention too.
Maxwell: People talking about me? I deny everything. ::He threw out a lop-sided grin before continuing.:: So, what was said about the away teams?
Nilsen smiled a little bit but then looked up to remember what was said
Nilsen: I’m freaking bricking myself here, cos ours…they said “Deykn is not Dakhur, Dakhur is not Deykn. Deykn will protect Dakhur in the future.” to translate, Deykn is a soldier, Dakhur is a farmer, me.
He held back to the part which preceded it, the bit that said he looks up to Maxwell, the part that said “Dakhur wants to be in the image of Deykn, but he is not, and will never be Deykn”
A soldier and a farmer? That pretty accurately described the current duo. Max was a Marine, and he knew that Nilsen came from a farming community. But what was meant by Nilsen would never be Max? That was fairly obvious as they were two completely different people, and it wasn’t like Nilsen couldn’t undergo Marine training. After all, Max was essentially a re-branded Tactical Officer.
Maxwell: I’m no following you lad. They said that you’re no me, and I’m no you…..?
Nilsen: I know it sound ::Struggling for the words:: that sounds, I don’t know, something about the way they said it. I mean, it’s like they knew something, and I know it’s your job, you signed up for this, but you’re also me mate, and I don’t want you like putting yourself out for me when I…::slight laugh to hide the pain:: do something stupid.
Max scratched at his beard for a moment thoughtfully.
It hadn’t really been his decision to “go Green” and he had been under the impression that he would be returning to 118 after his debriefing by Intelligence. If not to his old job as CTO, then at least back to the Tactical Department.
But plans were afoot to reunite his little family, and there were new friends to be made aboard the Oumuamua. One of whom stood before him, and was clearly troubled.
Max clapped the young HCO officer on his shoulder and grinned again.
Maxwell. If you’re no gonnae stand up fae your pals, then who?
Nilsen: Yeah, who better?
A sense of peace came over Nilsen.
Maxwell: So, get it tell’t. What’s got ye crabbit?
Crossing his arms, Max leaned against the pinball machine as he listened. Nilsen always thought Maxwell easy to speak to, he had this gift of taking Nilsen’s overly wordy anxiety and helping the HCO find a bit of meaning.
Nilsen: I don’t know, it’s just the way they said it. I’ve translated what they’ve said and…I don’t know, it’s how they communicate but it feels, wrong to have that knowledge.
Maxwell: Wrong? You mean like you’ve invaded peoples privacy?
Nilsen: Yeah, like, we pick our future, don’t we? ::Pause:: Let’s do a hypothetical.
Nilsen had gained a whole bunch of issues that came with becoming the Nilsen Dakhur, as he was referred to by the Bajorans of Alpha Brenkelvi II.
Maxwell: Pick, choose, whichever. Aye, we make our own destiny lad. ::Max inclined his head slightly.:: Go on?
Nilsen: If, and this doesn’t apply to you, let's say you found out that a friend had a family member that they didn’t know they had, you tell ‘em right?
Max raised an eyebrow at that.
It was quite a loaded question, even as a hypothetical. Would Max for example, inform Erin that he had discovered another sibling of hers? Would she want to know? And was it Max’s place to be the one to drop such a bombshell?
Maxwell: That’s no an easy question tae answer. ::Standing fully upright, Max uncrossed his arms and put a hand on Nilsen’s shoulder.:: This isnae a hypothetical question, is it?
Nilsen: I’ve got to have a conversation soon. I’ve been putting it off.
There it was.
Maxwell: This could be one ae those times its better tae just take a deep breath. And dive straight in.
Dropping his hands to his side again, Max narrowed his eyes and fixed Nilsen with a stare that he usually reserved for over-jubilant junior Marines that had gotten out of line.
Nilsen: Yeah, just dive in, ain’t that what I normally do. I’ll just say my life has gotten more complicated since becoming their…whatever they want to call me. Max, make me a promise mate?
Maxwell: Promises is it?
Nilsen: Don’t do stupid stuff, that’s my job :laughs:
Maxwell: Cannae promise that. I’m wearing green these days laddie.
He smirked at the HCO officer, his stony glare melting away as he did so.
TBC
Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO
USS Oumuamua
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)
&
LTJG Toxin Arlill
Helm, Operations, & Communications Officer
USS 'Oumuamua NCC-81226
Writer ID.: O239910TA4
&
2nd Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell.
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Oumuamua: NCC-81226.
O239311AM0
&
Ensign Elijah Kovacs
Engineering Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)
&
Zarah Johnson
Civilian
USS 'Oumuamua
M239008AD0
&
Ensign Yinn
Science Officer
USS 'Oumuamua NCC-81226
Writer ID.: O240011Y12