JP: Ensign Josh Herrick & Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen: Pasts That Haunt (Part 1)
Mark P
((Herrick’s Quarters, Deck 8, USS ‘Oumuamua))
Josh had again pulled the night rotation; being the greenest engineer meant that he had the last pick on the duty roster. Occasionally, the chief would get him on the day shift or an active mission would pull him on the Alpha duty. He didn’t mind working at night, it was perhaps a bit lonely at times with less engineers around but that also meant the work progressed faster.
He'd received a notification that he’d been assigned a priority task, something about needing to install a new replicator in time for the new operation centre opening. It seemed like a resourceful officer was able to expedite its delivery so that everything would be in working order on Tuesday.
The ensign may not have been an official engineer for a meaningful amount of time, yet he already knew that come Tuesday, when everyone reported for duty, problems would be discovered. No matter the amount of double and triple checking, something always needed tweaking. But, that’s what Josh loved to do — tinker and fix things.
He still had some time to kill before he was due to head out, so he picked up the PADD to look up details on the new OC. As he lifted it, the screen lit up and Lhandon’s face appeared from his previous night’s stalking session. His attention span was precarious at the best of times, and this was a puzzle that remained to be solved.
The official records didn’t spark any connection in his brain. But what about less than official records he thought to himself.
Herrick: Computer, please pull up on information on Lhandon Nilson outside of Starfleet Records.
Computer: Please refine search criteria.
Herrick: Ok… I guess that net was pretty wide, I should know better.
Computer: Instruction unclear, please refine search criteria.
Herrick: (beat) Ok… Pull up any reports that relate to Ensign Lhandon Nilsen, officer aboard the USS ‘Oumuamua, during or before his Starfleet service.
His PADD blinked as search results started appearing on the screen. He breezed past the ones that weren’t worthwhile — birth report, featured in some local newspaper as a kid as part of a school project on Gault — nothing of value.
Herrick: Time to level up the stalking.
Computer: Instruction unclear, please repeat the request.
Herrick sighed. It made sense that the computer thought it was being talked to, as no one shared the quarters with the man, but it did sometimes make the computer feel… dumb, despite how technologically advanced it was.
Herrick: … (thinking of angles) Was there anything of note about him while he was at the Academy. Something that would stand out from the typical cadet?
This was a rather complex query given that the computer would need to try and identify the intent behind the question, but the response was not one that he was expecting.
Computer: Insufficient access level, please provide access code to access information.
Well, a roundabout yes if nothing else. It reminded him of yesterday when he tried to access his academy record. Computers were good at classifying and redacting when the parameters were clear, but maybe it had missed something.
Herrick: Ok computer… How about anything notable about anyone from Gault while I was at the academy?
Computer: Affirmative.
Herrick: Ok, Gault is rather small if memory serves so coincidences would be pretty small. Send them to my PADD.
Several results filled his PADD and he tapped on the first one. His eyes widened as he read the report.
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SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH - A serious incident involving a shuttle collision during a training mission at Starfleet Academy has left the community seeking answers.
While Starfleet officials have yet to disclose the names of the cadets involved, sources close to the matter hint that one of the individuals hails from the planet Gault, but as of now, no official confirmation is available.
The report, heavily redacted, provides minimal details about the incident, leading to whispers and speculations within the corridors of the Academy. What caused the collision? Was it technical, or was there a lapse in judgment? These are the questions plaguing cadets and staff alike.
Some insiders believe the redacted nature of the documents might suggest an attempt to protect or perhaps scapegoat an individual. The true circumstances behind the incident remain a topic of debate and concern.
Starfleet Academy, usually forthcoming with details regarding incidents to ensure transparency, has maintained a tight lip, further fuelling the mystery.
As we wait for an official statement, the whispers continue, and the academy community is left wondering about the safety measures and protocols in place for their cadets.
Reported by J'Lan Kire, Federation News Service
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Josh was shell shocked — was this the man he’d heard rumours about? The academy was a big place, so gossip tended to morph and evolve as it worked its way through the specialities. Flight and Engineering had shared some courses and he had heard something about this before, it was big news.
As his brain grew itchier, he tapped on the second result. But his combadge alarm chirped indicating he needed to get underway to make it on time to the OC.He set the PADD back down, it would have to wait but he felt like he was getting closer to an answer.
((Operations Center, Deck 5, USS ‘Oumuamua))
It was Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday. At this point in operations, time had no meaning. Everyone in ops was doing something towards getting the OC up and running before shore leave came to an end. Ensign Nilsen and Lt jg Arlill had been working overtime to finish the center off, and while a few important systems remained, one was of the highest priority: the replicators in the break room.
If this was not sorted, the backlog from the unhappy Operations staff would have ground the Oumumaua to a halt.
The replicator itself had been beamed into the cargo bay. It was some point in the night, maybe even the early hours of the morning. Ensign Nilsen was the only one in operations at this time. Tobats had left his door open, apparently off on some kind of business. He stood at the pit, may as well. It was in the center, easy access to the rest of the OC. His schedule was projected up on the screen. This was the last task of the day, and at least he wasn't looking as rough as when Sherlock and Brodie visited the OC. If he had known that a ghost from his past was going to show up, he would have attempted to comb his hair.
Nilsen: Now where’s that blasted thing?
Lhandon spoke out loud to a crew of none and found the order note and the location of the replicator.
Nilsen: ::chuckle:: well it ain’t any good there.
He used his centre console in the pit to first open the door to the break room so he could see inside, and then he beamed the replicator unit out from the cargo bay. The replicator materialised just where he wanted it. Now it was a case of plugging it in, a job easier said than done. He could have maybe done it himself, but these units were heavy, and regulations stated that someone from engineering had to be on hand to assist in the installation of replicators.
Even though this fell perfectly under Operations' remit, but eh, there's only so much bending of the regulations an ensign could do. The chief could do much more.
Nilsen: o0 Well it would be good to have the company 0o
At that moment, the doors to OC swooshed open. Lhandon recognized the ensign assigned. It was Josh Herrick, someone whom Lhandon was at least aware of. The two had previously been pulled into a mission led by Rox, who had since transferred to the Ronin. This mission took them to a strange small rock with an atmosphere called Paradiso. There, they had an unfun time, first with something hitting the Foxy Lady, meaning Lhandon had to somehow bring her down without going nose-first into the surface. Second, they tried to fend off these large bird-like predators that thought the crew looked like snacks. Needless to say, Nilsen and Herrick didn't find much time for chit-chat afterwards.
They had met again at the leaving party, although at that point, the two still hadn't had a chance to really talk.
Nilsen: Oh hey, Herrick.
So much so that they were still on a last-name basis.
Herrick: Hey! ::waving:: I hear that you need a replicator before the big ribbon cutting, and that they shipped it first-class priority via Federation Express so that it got here before Tuesday. Are we ready to get it installed ::checking his PADD:: in the break room?
He found it interesting that this should be the final ‘critical’ piece, but like any good project, the last-minute issues usually showed up in the minute details.
Nilsen: Just beamed it in, shouldn’t take too long
Nilsen led Herrick to the break room. The first order of business was to remove the packaging. This didn't take too long. Lhandon had a safety knife with him, a small blade covered in a plastic case, a design that had hardly changed since the 20th century. This made short work of the packaging, and he returned it to his pocket.
Nilsen: So, I’ve found the best program for the rugby practice I mentioned last week, just a matter of adjusting it for everyone. ::smiles:: don’t worry, it will go easy on ya.
Herrick: Is there a mode below easy? ::chuckling:: I’m hoping we can convince the commander to join, but he might scare off a bit too easily if it gets pretty rough.
It was an interesting contrast; a decorated Starfleet officer that had seen danger on numerous occasions was a bit trepidatious around Terran contact sports. However, the engineer reminded himself that context was key. In most of those precarious situations, he was defending himself or others. This would be officer versus officer, and may carry different vibes for the man.
They lifted the replicator out, and it needed both of them to get it off the ground. The two placed the replicator on the edge of its cubby hole. Nilsen held it at an angle, using his strength and body to keep it in place, while Herrick fitted the wiring and made all of the connections. As Nilsen stood up to support the replicator, he was somewhat taller than Herrick.
Nilsen: Right, I can keep this held here
Herrick: Thanks!
Josh stuck his arms in the small angled opening, fetching the ODN and EPS lines and snapping them into the rear of the unit with a satisfying click. It was a bit plug and play and really anyone could have done this part. It was the next part where an engineer’s presence was critical.
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Ensign Josh Herrick
Engineering Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)
&
Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)