Lhandon Nilsen: Difference between revisions

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<blockquote>''The'' Octavia E. Butler ''has been dispatched from New Bajor and Deep Space 14 on a mission that, at least initially, appears to be straightforward: Find the USS'' Unity Dow''.''</blockquote>Hot off his now confirmed position as Assistant Chief of Operations, Nilsen is no longer acting and has proven himself to be a reliable, if somewhat scrappy, member of the crew who is well-liked by the lower deckers. However, his decision, along with [[Josh Herrick]] (Cheif of Engineering) and advice from [[Julien Paradi]] (transporter OIC) to take down the transporters because the safety of the occupants could not be guaranteed may put a wrench into the operation. A temporary patch for the transporters was presented and accepted. The shuttles, runabouts, and fighters could be used as a bridge. They wouldn't have anywhere near the speed of the OEB's transporters, nor would they have the same capacity, but if needed, it was an option.
<blockquote>''The'' Octavia E. Butler ''has been dispatched from New Bajor and Deep Space 14 on a mission that, at least initially, appears to be straightforward: Find the USS'' Unity Dow''.''</blockquote>Hot off his now confirmed position as Assistant Chief of Operations, Nilsen is no longer acting and has proven himself to be a reliable, if somewhat scrappy, member of the crew who is well-liked by the lower deckers. However, his decision, along with [[Josh Herrick]] (Cheif of Engineering) and advice from [[Julien Paradi]] (transporter OIC) to take down the transporters because the safety of the occupants could not be guaranteed may put a wrench into the operation. A temporary patch for the transporters was presented and accepted. The shuttles, runabouts, and fighters could be used as a bridge. They wouldn't have anywhere near the speed of the OEB's transporters, nor would they have the same capacity, but if needed, it was an option.


====Act 1====
====Act 1 - Into the Clouds====
Nilsen is assigned a different role for this mission; he is sent to the Astrometrics labs as an opportunity for some cross-department training.<ref>[Mission Begins] [Act I Begins] Commander Lia Rouiancet: The Unity Dow - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/AFKzUFnhLlk</ref> His team, consisting of [[Avander Promontory]], [[Katsim Peri]], and [[Yinn]], is assigned to gather as much information about the system of Omicron Victor IV as possible. Nilsen notices the system's Oort cloud and, even though he feels out of place in the science team, asks if it is of any interest.<ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Oh-Vee-I-Vee…Oh, I Have No Idea What I'm Doing Here - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/qXtq87Dnk4c</ref> To his surprise, Yinn said, "We might make a scientist out of you yet, Lhandon!"<ref>Ensign Qurgh'Loq Yinn: - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/bf_KU3AhhB8</ref> which certianlly made him feel welcome and appreciated. As they strategize on ensuring the Butler’s safety, they note the limitations of their sensors in penetrating the enigmatic cloud and consider modifying the ship’s shields for protection. Nilsen then suggests a somewhat cautious approach coming from a pilot point of view. He suggest using radar or radiowaves to probe the Orrt cloud and suggests traveling at no more than 1/4 impulse speed to avoid outrunning the radio waves. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Lhandon The Scientist - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/6ZPD5Pq1Hqk</ref> Katsim Peri agrees with him<ref>Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Other Options" - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/THSRkfI6ec4</ref>
Nilsen is assigned a different role for this mission; he is sent to the Astrometrics labs as an opportunity for some cross-department training.<ref>[Mission Begins] [Act I Begins] Commander Lia Rouiancet: The Unity Dow - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/AFKzUFnhLlk</ref> His team, consisting of [[Avander Promontory]], [[Katsim Peri]], and [[Yinn]], is assigned to gather as much information about the system of Omicron Victor IV as possible. Nilsen notices the system's Oort cloud and, even though he feels out of place in the science team, asks if it is of any interest.<ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Oh-Vee-I-Vee…Oh, I Have No Idea What I'm Doing Here - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/qXtq87Dnk4c</ref> To his surprise, Yinn said, "We might make a scientist out of you yet, Lhandon!"<ref>Ensign Qurgh'Loq Yinn: - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/bf_KU3AhhB8</ref> which certianlly made him feel welcome and appreciated. As they strategize on ensuring the Butler’s safety, they note the limitations of their sensors in penetrating the enigmatic cloud and consider modifying the ship’s shields for protection. Nilsen then suggests a somewhat cautious approach coming from a pilot point of view. He suggest using radar or radiowaves to probe the Orrt cloud and suggests traveling at no more than 1/4 impulse speed to avoid outrunning the radio waves. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Lhandon The Scientist - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/6ZPD5Pq1Hqk</ref> Katsim Peri agrees with him<ref>Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Other Options" - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/THSRkfI6ec4</ref>


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Building on an idea proposed by Promontory, Nilsen suggest combination of probes and shuttlecraft to extend the observational range and increase the effectiveness of the mission. By leveraging fleet formation mode and remote control, he ensured safety while enhancing data collection and meant that no additional pilots were needed. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - A Dozen Nilsen’s - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/2ieQy1kp8No</ref>
Building on an idea proposed by Promontory, Nilsen suggest combination of probes and shuttlecraft to extend the observational range and increase the effectiveness of the mission. By leveraging fleet formation mode and remote control, he ensured safety while enhancing data collection and meant that no additional pilots were needed. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - A Dozen Nilsen’s - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/2ieQy1kp8No</ref>


In the main Oort Cloud, Nilsen notes a thicker collection of clouds that "doesn't like the look off" and he manouvers the OEB to avoid it. Promotory orders Nilsen to move one of the shuttles, the Wild Steed, closer to the cloud for better readngs while the OEB continues into the system <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Clouds - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/qgsa8XrdT9c</ref>
In the main Oort Cloud, Nilsen notes a thicker collection of clouds that "doesn't like the look off" and he manoeuvres the OEB to avoid it. Promontory orders Nilsen to move one of the shuttles, the Wild Steed, closer to the cloud for better readngs while the OEB continues into the system <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Clouds - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/qgsa8XrdT9c</ref>


Upon detecting the USS Unity Dow, Nilsen and the rest of the bridge crew experiences a brief moment of relief, thinking the mission might conclude smoothly. However, this optimism fades when it's revealed that the Unity Dow is in orbit around an unknown planet, has weak transponder signals, and only life support is operational. Nilsen discovers that only one life pod was launched, and the bridge's evacuation hatch is open, hinting at a possible emergency evacuation under dire circumstances. He also sees that only one escpae pod has been launched. He is worried and apprehensive about the fate of the Unity Dow's crew, fearing the worst. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Unprotected From The Cold Embrace Of Death - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/dvoQqTx5RFs</ref>
Upon detecting the USS Unity Dow, Nilsen and the rest of the bridge crew experiences a brief moment of relief, thinking the mission might conclude smoothly. However, this optimism fades when it's revealed that the Unity Dow is in orbit around an unknown planet, has weak transponder signals, and only life support is operational. Nilsen discovers that only one life pod was launched, and the bridge's evacuation hatch is open, hinting at a possible emergency evacuation under dire circumstances. He also sees that only one escpae pod has been launched. He is worried and apprehensive about the fate of the Unity Dow's crew, fearing the worst. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Unprotected From The Cold Embrace Of Death - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/dvoQqTx5RFs</ref>


After scanning the Unity Dow and finding no biological matter, they deduce the crew must have left the ship. Katsim experiences a vision reminiscent of Nilsen's encounter with the Alpha Brenkelvi, a species capable of interdimensional interaction. This leads to a brief discussion about the potential significance of her vision. As they approach their destination, Nilsen longs for home and thinks about his relationship with Kovacs, while remaining ready to support Katsim with her visions because he has been in her shoes before. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - You Okay Sir? - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/rNV4Izs-uQ4</ref>{{headerX|darkgoldenrod|Lieutenant: USS Octavia E Butler: 240109.24 - Present|710}}Overview of this time to go here
After scanning the Unity Dow and finding no biological matter, they deduce the crew must have left the ship. Katsim experiences a vision reminiscent of Nilsen's encounter with the Alpha Brenkelvi, a species capable of interdimensional interaction. This leads to a brief discussion about the potential significance of her vision. As they approach their destination, Nilsen longs for home and thinks about his relationship with Kovacs, while remaining ready to support Katsim with her visions because he has been in her shoes before. <ref>LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - You Okay Sir? - https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-butler/c/rNV4Izs-uQ4</ref>
 
As they get closer, Katsim continues to scan but finds no sign of the escape pod or of any biological material on the ship beyond its components, which indicates no bodies of the crew either.  As she works, she suddenly sees the doors of the bridge open and her grandfather standing there, but when she blinks, it disappears, and she realises she imagined it.  The others ask what she saw, unwilling to dismiss it.  
 
Yinn manages to get the sensor logs, but notes nothing unusual happened until the escape pod was launched, after which the hatch opened, but everything functioned normally, even afterward. They can only surmise that the destination was the planet.
 
Katsim continues to monitor data from the probes and vessels sent out which have created a miniature array which allows them to cut through the interference.  One discovers a defunct, warp capable ship.  Nilsen suggests they send out more shuttles and probes to extend the array and try to reach the Uhura.  Yinn zones out and people become concerned, but then Katsim receives information from the computer that items in the system as ever so slightly out of phase. Rouiancet calls and tells them to rarise the shields and enact a forcefield around the bridge's emergency egress.  Promontory complies and calls for a medic to attend to Yinn.
 
==== Act 2 - The Bridge of the Dow ====
Rouiancet heads up a team comprised of Herrick, Nilsen and herself to the bridge of the Unity Dow.  Rouiancet uses a science station to try and reconstruct logs, Nilsen takes the Ops console, while Herrick takes Engineer to search for information there, then suddenly sees a flash of blue.  Dismissing it, he asks Nilsen for help reconstructing the fragmented logs. Nilsen expresses concern since Katsim also saw something on the bridge, and he notes that was also how Alpha Brenkelvi II started. Nilsen then checks how the power grid was being used and states it looks like they were trying to pump the power of half their warp core to the shields.  Nilsen asks if there’s enough power to pull up a level 10 forcefield around the bridge.  Concerned that the crew might have been interphased, she suggests they scan for chronitons.  
 
Herrick gets the field up, but notes he had to override the command because the computer didn’t believe it had the power to do so and notes a strange residual reading from the ready room.  As he opens the door, a stench assaults their noses as a plate of dinner was left on the desk, but he manages to note that the residual readings seem to come from the chair behind the desk.
 
They find mouldy leftovers of a sandwich which Rouiancet states they can test it to find out how long the crew have been gone, but Nilsen notes most people wouldn’t leave out food which means whatever happened was sudden.  Nilsen notes that  he had received an almost telepathic gift back on Alpha Brenkelvi II that he though would allow him to facilitate communications but he’s getting nothing.  Herrick scans and finds some particles that are close cousins to chronitons, but with some key differences.  He also notes they can pull a latent copy of any logs recorded in the ready room.
 
After opening the viewscreen and manipulating the circuitry, he tells Rouiancet he’ll need the proper command code to authorise playback.  They get it to work, but the recording of the captain is unstable and almost incomprehensible.  Nilsen thinks there might be a syntax there, so decides to send the information back to the OEB to try and translate it.  The group review the logs, but find nothing unusual at first.  Then, Herrick notes some tiny spikes of energy.  Rouiancet answers a call from Kessler while Herrick wonders if this was the result of a localised spatial phenomenon or something more nefarious, and notes that at the same time the small spikes of energy registered, the crew’s comm signals went fuzzy and he confirms the strange out of phase situation caused havoc.
 
When Nielsen mentions that the crew might still be there, and Herrick wonders if they could be shifting through different observable spectrums, just out of phase and imperceptible, Rouiancet wonders if they could get them in phase and it's a power transfer from the butler to the Unity Dow would be useful so they could try and determine whether or not they were still there.  Herrick safely deflector would be their best bet, but could cause powerful accelerations and they don't want anything to explode in their faces.  Since it would also affect the other team on the Unity Dow, they will have to warn the other team before they try anything. They have to get the deflector dishes facing each other, and Nilsen says so people watch on the power levels to keep it safe.  Rouiancet contacts the Butler to let them know what they're doing and to prepare for a power transfer.  Rouiancet reports that bridge crew have been having hallucinations and they believe something on the planet is causing them and they’re trying to find a way to mitigate the effects and get the Dow moving, but should leave the system as soon as possible.
 
Working on a console, Herrick prepares the program, but when he looks up he finds two aliens have replaced his fellow officers and he demands to know who they are.  He threatens to open the hatch and invent them all into space if they don't and as he prepares to lower the force field, the being that was Lhandon tackles him and in the struggle, a phaser goes off and strikes the bulkhead. Rouiancet sees a severely injured woman and hears her voices, then aims a shot at Herrick who’s knocked to the ground. When he looks up, his crewmembers have returned to normal.  
 
Herrick apologises to them and Nilsen asks about Herrick’s vision and compares them to others and that it suggests an intelligence behind it.  Rouiancet informs the others they’re ready for the flash and when it occurs, Rouiancet sees a dozen bodies on the bridge, but she can’t tell if they are actively out of phase, or simply images from the past.  Herrick also sees them but no devices detect life signs.  
 
They receive a call from Caras to eject the warp core in his panic, and Nilsen prepares to do so, but a couple of minutes later, he calls back and explains that something picked him up then dropped him.  They decide to go ahead and eject the warp core, just in case.
 
==== Act 3 - The Depths of the Dow ====
Meeting in the shuttle bay on the OEB, Arlill tells everyone to check twice on everything because of the hallucinations.   The ride to the Unity Dow goes smoothly and they decide to head to engineering.  Nilsen interfaces every tricorder in order to check and recheck everything.  Caras senses tension between Arlill and Nilsen and after he points out the entance to the Jeffries tubes, tries to get the Chief of Ops to talk about his friend and Arlill asks about Caras himself.   As they hear a shriek Arlill requests someone to act as security and 2Lt. Ithri Sh’shelor joins them.  
 
Caras updates Sh’shelor about what had happened previous and offers to sync her tricorder with theirs and that a tone indicates someone is likely having a hallucination.  Suddenly, another shriek fills the air.  Caras heads into the tubes first, followed by the others.  Once again, they hear the shriek, but the ship actually moves and someone falls.  Caras braces to catch the person.  Sh’shelor manages to catch hold of him, dislocating her shoulder in the process.  When they all get down safely, she resets it and the group continues on to engineering.  Ariel sees a hallucination of an old professor, and thinks they should work quickly as well as establish a connection with the OEB.
 
The group engages the impulse engine and suddenly nodes start pouring into the room. Everyone experiences a a hallucination, though Henri helps Arlill keep his cool. Arlill orders the the computer to initiate a warp core containment field polarity reversal sequence, but while it helps slow the nodes, it raises radiation.  He increases the shielding on the deck and releases hyronalin in the air to combat the radiation, but notes they need to find a way to shut the nodes down permanently and asks for ideas.  He also asks Henri, but all he can tell him is that the person talking to him isn’t real.
 
Nilsen mentions there are other containment protocols they can use to neutralise the nodes, and Caras suggests using the emitters to move the power  and thus keep them moving without draining power. When things quiet down, Nilsen asks Arlill who he was talking to.
 
Ithri asks Caras how she can help and he tells her to attract stray nodes into the range of the emitters using her phaser rifle, trusting her to avoid damaging anything.  Unfortunately, one of the fields fail, and emitters break loose and begin to cover Sh’shelor.  He manages to haul her out and suggests using a shuttle to attract the nodes to its power. Arlill tells Nnilsen to overload the shuttle’s fusion reactor.In an effort to assist in stopping the nodes, Arlill lowersthe warpcorefield which increases the radiation, and uncertain of their survival, states it was an honour to serve with them.
 
Caras gets the idea to blow a hole in the hull and explode the shuttle to draw the nodes.  The plan works, but radiation levels have surpassed the toxicity threshold, and Arlill’s nose starts to bleed.  Nilsen gets propulsion systems online while Sh’shelor seals the rest of the hatches. The ship begins to move slowly and he warns the OEB to keep a certain distance as they are about to explode the shuttle and tells Caras to blow it up.  Caras asks Nilsen if he’s okay and erects a forcefield, but notes that he thinks others are still seeing things and that creature might still be there.  Another photonic flash might allow them to see it and fight it, but they are all very weak. He then suggests they talk about what they see and tells him about seeing his sister and what she’s saying.  Sh’shelor tells a little, but insists they do rather than talk and tells Caras to tell them what to do about the warp core.  Arlill yells for everyone to focus and alarms go off announcing a cascade failure and gets rocked by explosions.  He climbs up a ladder to reach an affected EPS conduit to stop the failure and tells the others to get the warp core initiated as quickly as possible and Caras tells them the sensors are out so there might be more issues that they won’t know about until it’s too late.  He tells Nilsen to manually reset the vertical tension member and needs Ithri to allow him to hold her by her legs so she can heat up several rods with her phaser just enough to make them malleable.
 
Once done, they do the reset and get the shields up.  Nilsen informs the OEB that they are moving the Unity Dow through the cloud, out of the system, and passes along the coordinates. Caras keeps life support to a minimum and watches the readouts carefully as they traverse through space.   Suddenly, an asteroid field appears, and though they aren’t quite sure if they’re real, Arlill orders them to target the first one they come to and destroy it.
 
==== Post Mission Recovery ====
After successfully completing a perilous mission involving the Unity Dow, the away team from the USS Octavia E. Butler, including Lieutenant Lhandon Nilsen, 2nd Lieutenant Ithri Sh’shelor, Ensign Morro Caras, Lieutenant Toxin Arlill, and others, return to the ship in a critical state. They are all injured, with varying degrees of severity, and suffering from radiation poisoning due to the mission's extreme conditions. The team stumbles into sickbay, where Lhandon insists that Sh’shelor, who is badly injured with a dislocated shoulder and severe leg wounds, be treated first. Despite his own injuries—including a nearly destroyed ankle—Lhandon attempts to downplay his condition, demonstrating his characteristic stubbornness.
 
The medical staff, including Ensign Jania Nis and Nurse Miash, immediately begin treating the team. Miash administers Hyronalyn to counteract the radiation poisoning while Nis addresses the team’s physical wounds. The situation becomes tense as Lhandon continues to resist treatment, prompting Sh’shelor to threaten to physically place him on a biobed if he does not comply. Her no-nonsense approach, coupled with her significant injuries, underscores the seriousness of the team’s condition.
 
As they receive treatment, the team discusses the strange and traumatic events they experienced on the mission. Sh’shelor recounts the hallucinations that affected them physically, while Toxin hints at lingering doubts about what they encountered, especially regarding potential threats that may have followed them back. The conversation shifts between the gravity of their injuries and lighter topics, such as rugby and upcoming activities, showcasing the team’s ability to find humor and camaraderie even in dire situations.
 
Morro Caras, who sustained injuries from a phasing leg and radiation exposure, expresses gratitude towards Lhandon for his selflessness during the mission, deepening their bond. Lhandon, though still stubborn, is eventually convinced to accept treatment, especially after Nis diagnoses him with an avulsion fracture in his ankle—a condition that could have long-term consequences if untreated. Nis’s pragmatic approach and Miash’s gentle but firm insistence on the necessity of rest help to calm the team.
 
They joke about the similarities between their current situation and an Earth sleepover, but the reality of their condition remains serious. They are ordered to rest and recuperate, with a clear understanding that the effects of radiation poisoning will require ongoing treatment. As the lights dim in sickbay, the team settles into a quieter, reflective state, knowing they’ve survived one ordeal but must prepare for whatever comes next.{{headerX|darkgoldenrod|Lieutenant: USS Octavia E Butler: 240109.24 - Present|710}}Overview of this time to go here


=== Mission: Thief of Time ===
=== Mission: Thief of Time ===

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