JP: Ensign Nilsen, Ensign Kovacs, Lt Herrick, LT Arlill, Z.Johnson, Ensign Yinn, 2Lt Maxwell - JOPA: Insert Coins To Play. (Part 2)
Lhandon Nilsen
(Holosuite 1, Deck 5 USS Oumuamua)
Josh hadn’t intended to be the last one to arrive; but whether it was his subconscious apprehension at the priority-one note he’d gotten from Nilsen, or just the fact that he hadn’t seen the man since before his away mission, he was the last. He looked around at the rest of the junior officers, it was hard to believe that it’d been over half a year since he'd been posted here. He waved a polite hello to everyone, and a nod towards Nilsen.
Nilsen saw the nod and with that came another test. A lot had happened this month, the fallout with Herrick, the telling of by Etan, the rage he felt, and then everything that he had gone through with the people of Alpha Brenkelvi II. His first reaction was to tighten up, to go into flight or flight mode, but he breathed in, took a moment and returned the nod. Two tests in quick succession.
As Herrick arrived, Nilsen finally gave a clue and figured it was time to get things underway.
Nilsen: ::To everyone:: So I think some of you might be putting two and two together, erm, you’ve all got a coin from me, I made sure of that, take it out now.
Those who took their coins out would see that the coin now looked different, while it was still silver there was now a logo that appeared and the words “Junior Officer Protection Association” in a seal.
Nilsen: ::To everyone:: Some of the lights overhead are UV lights, that coin will only show that logo under this light. I guess, welcome to JOPA
Toxin couldn’t help but appreciate the creativity of that hidden message.
Kovacs looked at his coin, and smiled thinking that it was a neat effect and a nice keepsake. As he turned his head to others, he saw that they too must be thinking the same thing. What was slightly unnerving was the fact that those that were smiling had glowing white teeth, and even the center of their eyes had literally lit up. Nilsen managed to create a cool and spooky vibe.
The coin, which Zarah had stuck into a pocket, returned to light nad sure enough, when she studied the item, there in glowing letters were the words. Man, were they cramped on that little thing.
Nilsen: ::To everyone:: But there’s erm, somethin’ else I wanna talk about. I know I’ve not been everyone’s best friend, I’ve flown off the handle, you know more times than I’d ought to, so I just want to say, erm.
Lhandon paused for a moment, he knew he needed to say this, part of letting go he figured. But it was hard, his mouth was dry and found he was a bit short of breath, but he got the words out.
Nilsen: I’m sorry. To any of you that I might have, you know, not been the greatest starfleet officer towards.
Yinn: Well, nice to meet you, I guess.
There was a bit of awkward silence after Yinn’s comment; it had been innocent but could be read either way. While Kovacs had heard the events of the Denali race, and had spoken to Nilsen about Herrick. He himself didn’t have any concerns and personally found the man easygoing.
Kovacs: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations; it’d be boring if we were all the same. ::holding out his coin:: To JOPA!
Maxwell: JOPA!
Z.Johnson: Here here to that!
Tossing the coin, Zarah caught it in the air, then jutted her first up once before she shoved it back into her pocket.
Nilsen: So with that erm done, ::To Arlill:: What we do next broroomy?
Arlill: Well, before we begin with the fun games, there’s a little JOPA business to get out of the way. JOPA, for those who don’t already know, is the Junior Officer Protection Association. ::putting his hands together:: before you go boasting to all your friends about this cool new club there’s one primary rule (beat) Like fight club, no one talks about JOPA!
Taking a moment to pause and check for any confused gazes or glances.
Arlill: So. Every junior officer has been a part of this group, right up to the head honchos, but they’ll never admit it! JOPA is a mix of fun and support. You’ll do some fun pranks (beat) more to come on that ::winking:: and also find fellow JOPA members are here to help you make it from young ensigns up to strong lieutenants without ruffling too many feathers ::looking at Nilsen with a smirk::
Nilsen: I…look, just cos I annoyed Etan, and Sherlock and…
Nilsen smirked a little as he dovetailed off, he didn’t mean to ruffle feathers but sometimes, it just happened, you know?
Arlill: Aaaaanyway (beat) You’re going to be split into a few smaller groups. Each group is responsible for pulling a prank on a superior. And the best part ::looking around the room at every set of eyes:: (beat) the groups and targets have already been selected!
Toxin could remember the trepidation he had in the mission module during his first JOPA meeting when they discussed this part.
Z.Johnson: Hopefully my partner won’t leave this time.
Zarah sighed, the sound filled with far more drama than she actually felt. Big plans had been made, and the fizzled out as a mission had interrupted it, and that followed by transfers.
Arlill: Nilsen, being the newest leader of JOPA has the list.
Nilsen: Erm, Ensign Yinn, step forward.
Yinn: Are you going to inject a tracker into my bloodstream? Do I have to take a secret oath? Recite “Space, the final frontier?”
Zarah couldn’t help but giggle and didn’t bother to try and hide her humour. She grinned over at teh Bolian and cast a wink at the woman.
Nilsen: ::looking at Arlill:: What was that speech you made last time?, no, it wasn’t you, it was Nijal. I got it. Ensign Yinn, the benefits of JOPA are not free, to become a full member of our organization we have a mission for you, a very special mission, one worthy of any boss battle in a Souls-like game ::Aside to Arilii:: Still need to show you Dark Souls. ::To Yinn:: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to play a prank on a senior officer.
Yinn: And you’ve already picked the officer? Do I get to pick the prank?
Immediately Zarah’s hand shot into the air.
Z.Johnson: I volunteer as tribute!
Yinn: Well if I prank you, it won’t be a surprise!
Arlill: Oh, no Yinn, I don’t think you understand, this isn’t a solo mission, it’s a team effort.
Z.Johnson: No, I mean I volunteer to be her partner. Mine left so…
Nilsen: Then it’s settled tribute
At this point, the seriousness of the faux ceremony was slipping and Nilsen couldn’t help but giggle. The assignment was given and now the time for party, games and chilling was here.
(Sometime later)
Most of the officers had gathered around one of the larger gaming setups, apparently called ‘Dance Dance’ from the neon sign hanging above it. It seemed like an odd game, stomping the arrows on the floor in sync with the display but also enthralling to watch the two officers compete against each other in sync.
K'Triri: This is tooo much for me, I want a nap
Josh was laser-focused on the arrows streaming across the screen; the din of the crowd died away, the awkwardness of him and Kovacs, and just everything he’d experienced lately. He stumbled upon the game at a retro arcade off-campus called Nolan and Ted’s Glorious Gaming Empire, and found it a good way to destress.
Kovacs: Who do you think is going to win?
Thar'tavos: Herrick, the Caitian wants a nap.
Kovacs: ::nodding:: It appears that the bar at the top is how well they are doing on their current run, but their scores look almost identical at the bottom.
The game came to an end with Herrick being corrugated by K'Triri.
Herrick: Good game! ::shaking the other officer’s hand and stepping off the platform::
K'Triri: Yes. ::Sigh:: Nilsen, why did you see fit to put me up to this?
Yinn: This game, I will try. Bol’ki are the best dancers on Bolarus. Who wants to dance with me? ::She waves her arms in front of her enticingly::
Herrick: ::smiling:: I would, but I’m spent. ::tapping Yinn on the shoulder:: You’re up.
Yinn enthusiastically jumped onto the platform, held her arms up, and started to move them almost imperceptibly in different directions. Bolians and humans have very different ideas when it comes to dance.
Zarah had to admit that Yinn was amusing. She was really cute, kawaii as the Japanese would say. Grinning, the young woman motioned toward the screen upon which scrolled arrows pointing in different directions, then onto the padd she had chosen.
Z.Johnson: I think you’re supposed to follow the patterns which earns you points and then the highest score wins.
Yinn: Ugh. You humans claim to hate work, and then you turn all of your games into a little job. Your whole psychology is just pears.
(beat)
Yinn: Wait, which one’s the funny one? Mango… dates… Bananas! Human psychology is bananas! Although, why is that the funny one? They’re very bland. ::grabbing Zarah by the shoulders:: Nothing you do makes any sense!!!
Zarah could only laugh and shake her head. Sometimes, humans didn’t make sense to her either.
Z.Johnson: If I try, I’m going to terribly! But, I’m game if you are!
Kovacs: Count me in… I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do…
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
&
Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick
Acting Chief Engineer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)
&
2nd Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell.
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Oumuamua: NCC-81226.
O239311AM0
&
Ensign Elijah Kovacs
Engineering Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
&
Ensign Yinn
Science Officer
USS 'Oumuamua NCC-81226
Zarah Johnson
Civilian
USS 'Oumuamua
M239008AD0