Fixing Your Lonesome

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 3:00am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Commander Mindo
Edited on on Tue Jul 7th, 2020 @ 2:20pm

Mission: Into the Wild
Location: Senior Crew Quarters, Deck 3

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Mindo & Captain Nycolas Temple
Mission: Into The Wild
Location: Senior Crew Quarters, Deck 3
Timeline:
Fri Mar 16th, 2018 @ 2:59pm

ON:

Nyx strolled the corridors of the Pandora on his own, too many thoughts in his head to count after a busy and stressful time. There was however one constant and persistent line of thinking, one that kept popping up throughout his day. He had dealt with Lieutenant K'Laus after the incident in Engineering, and the Klingon/Talarian was cooling his boots with a suspension from duties. However, Nyx had not yet found the time to check in with Lieutenant Mindo regarding the situation, and the Chief Engineer had been surprisingly quiet on the subject. Of course, it didn't help that they were busy being chased by Ravagers but Nyx had always promised to ensure the welfare of his crew came first.

So deciding to detour away from his own quarters, Nyx instead headed down one floor to knock on Mindo's door.

In his quarters, Mindo was setting up his tricorder projector gearing up to watch one of the thousands of old films he had saved in the databanks. He was in the mood for something romantic. His list included several Earth films and a few from other races as well. The Romulans, surprisingly enough, were especially good at romance espionage films, much like Earth's French noir genre, one of Mindo's favorites. His favorite Romulan director had always been Drevek. Such lush characters and sweeping cinematography, reminiscent of the early Earth films like "Gone With the Wind," only much edgier and paranoid. Mindo had almost picked out his film for the night (a film about two lovers who don't realize they are on opposite sides of a sting operation to uncover a traitor, only to discover they themselves are the traitors) when there was a knock at the door.

Mindo, now in his light green pajamas, popcorn bowl at the ready, huffed and wondered who it could be. As politely as he could muster, he called, "Enter!" and set aside the popcorn bowl as he stood to greet his visitor.

Nyx never had great timing. He had caught officers in moments of private respite before and despite this, never thought to announce his intention to visit and still preferred to just show up. Well, this is what he got. The Chief of Engineering in pastel pyjamas apparently about to watch a movie and Nyx awkwardly interrupting.

"Oh darn," He cursed as he entered, "I'm sorry, Lieutenant, I should have sent a message first."

Mindo set down the popcorn and stood, turning to face the Captain. "It's fine, Captain. I was just about to watch the Romulan film, 'The Stones of Revakar.' It's one of my faves. Care to join me?"

"Oh." Nyx replied, giving a small frown. He wanted to spend the time with Mindo but knew his newly pregnant wife was expecting him home. Of course, he wasn't allowed to tell Mindo this yet, so his excuse sounded a little lame. "Maybe next time, it's a little late for me."

"Alright," said Mindo. "Is this official business then?"

"I guess so," Nyx nodded, "I realised that with everything going on at the moment, I haven't had the chance to catch up with you properly. We couldn't talk much during the Christmas party, and our last real chat was during the Flying Pants situation."

Mindo gestured to the couch and said, "I agree the past few weeks or so have been pretty busy." Mindo stopped at the couch as Nyx sat down. "Would you like a drink?" he asked, heading over to the bar to pour one for himself. There were numerous bottles sitting on what was almost definitely a small coffee table with the legs cut short. It was the only bit of furniture in the room that was fashioned to Mindo's size. Mindo found that guests were not always comfortable sitting on bean bag chairs.

"Ah, sure," Nyx replied as he settled down into a chair, "What was the drink you gave me when we first met? It was very refreshing."

"Probably tranya. Fesaria's trademark. I'll get you some," said Mindo, going to the bar and grabbing the necessary tools.

Nodding, Nyx relaxed back as Mindo prepared the drinks and he wondered how to best broach the subject. Temple had known Mindo for a while now and he was never shy of direct honesty, so he decided that would be the best approach. "So, I wanted to talk to you about the K'Laus situation. I know it was a while ago and you've been a consummate professional ever since, but I wanted to know how you were really doing?"

Mindo came back with a full glass for Nyx as well as one for himself. "To be honest," said Mindo, "I haven't really had a chance to fully socialize with anyone since then. I think people see me as kind of a troublemaker, or homewrecker, and so I'm rather avoided. My love affairs aboard the Pandora have been public disasters as of late. I've been dealing with it with work, though. Sometimes I even pull double shifts just to have something to do."

Nyx received the drink with a polite smile and took a generous sip. "I haven't heard anyone say that about you. Most of the chatter I've heard has been about K'Laus' behaviour. While, admittedly, many know that you're a very... liberated person, when it comes to personal relationships, I think we're collectively choosing to see that as culturally unique, rather than someone to avoid." Nyx paused, wondering if he'd said it the right way, before adding, "You add colour to the ship, Mindo. And we like that. I like that."

"Well I'm glad someone does," said Mindo. "Maybe I'm still in a slump after leaving behind some good friends on the Tornado. Moving all happened so fast I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to anyone!"

"That's the Starfleet way." Nyx remarked sarcastically, "You can be shipped anywhere at any time. I'm not sure if it's supposed to keep our enemies guessing, or us. But we were lucky to have your talents come on board the Pandora, there are many ships that would've loved to have you as Chief Engineer. I don't think even the Tornado has replaced you yet."

"I have no idea if they have or not," said Mindo. "In fact, I haven't even had any responses to my letters."

Nyx frowned then commented, "Their manifest is woefully outdated and I'm still only getting garbled messages from home myself, so I think the dark matter is playing with our comms. We may need to stop into Carnwennan Station again to ensure our database remains in sync."

Mindo nodded. "I saw they still don't have a new Chief listed. But I haven't checked for a while."

"Still," Nyx added, "As soon as the current crisis is over, perhaps we could organise some kind of regular event to help the crew keep socialising? I can't have everyone pulling double shifts because there's nothing else to do."

Temple heard himself say the words "As soon as" and immediately remembered how it was his mother's favourite phrase. As soon as the election was over. As soon as this bill passes. As soon as she gets back from meetings. There was always something more important than actually following through with her promises. Nyx didn't want to be like that, full of empty rhetoric, he wanted to follow through and he wanted Mindo to know he would.

"Don't throw an event on my account," said Mindo. "Maybe if I worked less and got to the Box more, I'd meet some new people. Honestly, I haven't really socialized much since the incident with K'Laus. It's the second time on this ship in so many months where I had to deal with a jealous lover."

"Maybe you're too popular?" Nyx suggested lightly, "I haven't even had one jealous lover. And it wouldn't be just on your account. I can think of a few other officers who need to spend a little less time in their quarters, plus we've had some new arrivals as well that need to be shown a proper welcome."

"A welcome?" asked Mindo. "Or an initiation? Maybe I should throw some pants at them!"

Nyx let out a deep laugh, shaking his head as well, "I thought we were trying to stay away from that kind of behaviour? You'll only end up with more jealous lovers."

"At this point, I'm used to it," said Mindo. "It was really bad at the Academy, before they let me drink. I had jealous boyfriends everywhere after me. And once I had a jealous girlfriend... now THAT'S a story."

The Captain didn't know whether to laugh or scold Mindo for his prior behaviour. Instead he took another drink and sighed a little, "I have no sympathy for how K'Laus reacted, and I made that very well known to him. But do you think you could socialise while also practising some restraint?"

Mindo shrugged. "Fick's a Risan, I'm a Fesarian... we're practically cousins!" There was a beat, then Mindo said, "OK, that came out wrong... but our races' approach to sex and romance are very similar... I'm going to have a hard time not thinking of Fick as my cousin from now on."

"That might be a good thing." Nyx replied with a raised eyebrow, "I hope?"

"Perhaps," said Mindo. "How's your family? Katrine and Emilie were in Engineering earlier."

Nyx stopped mid drink and looked to Mindo, he swallowed hard and pleaded, "I'm sorry for whatever it is she broke, I will get it replaced immediately. Please know that she just gets excited sometimes..."

Mindo chuckled. "She was a perfect angel, I assure you. You have a lovely daughter."

Temple paused for a moment, a small smile on his lips. "I'm a very lucky man. Did having those kids around make you think about having some of your own?"

Mindo had been asked this question many times. "Fesarians can only have children with other Fesarians. It's biologically impossible to have a half-this, half-Fesarian. Then there are the customs and 'rules' that go with having children. Fathers raise the boys, mothers raise the girls... then they hit puberty. I don't think I could properly care for an adolescent Fesarian. I hardly made it through puberty myself." He paused to take another drink. "So to have a child I'd have to go back to Fesaria, something I told myself I would never do. Being tied down like that doesn't appeal to me, which is actually pretty typical. Lots of Fesarians are orphans. I am. I never had a family. Not a real one. Fesarians aren't the type to 'settle down.' We see it as a barrier."

“Wow.” Nyx breathed in response. “I never really knew that about your species. It sounds like a lonely life, if you don’t mind me saying. Are there so few other Fersarians who have left the home world?”

"There have been Fesarian explorers since well before Starfleet. I'm the first of my province to leave; but I don't think of my life as lonely. I think I was more lonely on Fesaria than in Starfleet. Starfleet has been different since the beginning. I know I've changed since going to the Academy. Believe it or not, I even fell in love once... with a Changeling!"

"Oh." Nyx remarked, "That must have been... interesting?"

"It was very confusing at times," Mindo replied. "She had never had any kind of real relationship with someone, and I..." He trailed off. Mindo was silent for a second, then he shook his head. "Caradan was different. Not just because of her species, though that was different too. We... connected. I'd had close friendships before, but nothing as intense as this. It was odd. I couldn't stop thinking about her. About everything about her. It got to a point where all I wanted... was her. It was very odd."

Nyx nodded, he paused before asking the next question, wondering if he was going to open up a particularly emotional can of worms - but he was bonding with the Chief Engineer and was appreciating the Lieutenant's forthrightness. "What happened?"

Mindo thought for a moment and realized, "I honestly don't know. My reassignment happened so fast. It's such a blur. I don't even remember saying goodbye. In fact, I don't think I did. I've written her a few times, but have never gotten anything back. Maybe she's too busy. I remember our Captain had just been captured by Klingons, and we headed back to Earth for repairs and reassignment. Cara was first officer when Captain Takato was taken. Maybe she's busy commanding the Tornado?"

Nyx frowned, "I might be able to find out, once we're back in range of the Federation's subspace relays. It could be worth proposing to Starfleet that we establish a relay here in the Mendazian's system?"

"That's a good idea," Mindo responded. "Though it is nice not having big brother peeking over our shoulders. I'm enjoying the privacy."

The Captain raised an eyebrow, "That's exactly how he end up in sticky situations." He laughed and shook his head, "It's a funny life, this Starfleet service. Most jobs you just do during the day then go back home and that's it, you still get a life. But here, it's constant. We live in our job, it is our home, and we weave ourselves around it. Relationships, friendships, we have to fit them in where we can." He paused, realising he'd gotten philosophical all of a sudden. "It's just odd when you stop for a moment and really look at it."

Mindo chuckled a bit. "I like to think I live my life one accident at a time. You can't have a plan in this life. There are too many variables!"

Nyx nodded slowly, "That I am still finding out, first hand. I always thought Captains were supposed to have everything figured out, but I'm still learning as we go." He frowned, "Maybe I shouldn't admit to that? I'm supposed to have all the answers."

"If you had all the answers, why would you need a crew?" said Mindo. "I can't stand CO's who think they know everything. There was this Captain, on the Rhys, who thought he knew everything. Thought he could get away with whatever. He was the lowest scum you'd ever meet. You wouldn't know that right away, though. He was all smiles and fuzziness on the outside. People loved him. I didn't. He was a cruel-hearted monster." Mindo took a drink, remembering Captain Davies and the awful things he had done to him. "I haven't trusted another Captain since."

Temple was surprised by the revelation, and he tried not to take it personally. He placed his glass down on the table and nodded, "I hope you can learn to trust me, Mindo. I understand it'll take time, but if we can keep chatting like this, I think that'll help?"

Mindo hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully. "I'm not used to having the Captain's ear. Most Captains want me down in Engineering and out of the way. That's why I don't go to the bridge much. I've never felt welcome on a bridge. The irony of all of this is, down in the core, I'm the boss. The Chief. People look to me for answers down there because there is no other Captain. So I keep things low key. I've seen you do the same with the rest of us. You're open to suggestions and you don't take the bad too personally. I've been here long enough to know that you're not one of those CO's who thinks they're the tribble's coo. But I'm still not sure if I have you figured out."

Nyx nodded along to the man's words and gave a nonchalant shrug, "I understand the need to have your own space, some autonomy over your work. You are welcome on the Bridge, but I feel that's like asking Picasso to teach a cooking class, you know? If you'd like to spend more time on the Bridge, we could always put you into the Watch rotation?"

Mindo laughed. "I'm already pulling double shifts in the core! So, no thanks. I really appreciate the offer though."

The Captain smiled, "Let's hoping the Palatine can deliver us some more Engineering officers so you won't be so over stretched? I don't like the thought of you overworking yourself still, you're going to burn out the best Engineer in the Expanse."

"Well, we wouldn't want that," Mindo replied. "I'm managing, though. I wouldn't be much of an engineer if I couldn't work long hours, let alone be the best engineer in the Expanse!" He took another drink. "But the Pandora is a fine ship," he continued. "Probably the sturdiest I've ever served on. These repairs should be finished very soon. Then we engineers can get our rest."

“Sounds good.” Nyx returned a smile. “Speaking of, I better let you get back to your downtime. I’m sorry if I took up a lot of your rest period.” He stood and placed his cup back in the replicator for the computer to properly dispose of it, before turning back to Mindo.

"Not at all!" replied Mindo, standing as well and finishing his drink. "I enjoyed our conversation."

"Me too." Nyx nodded, "And I am going to hold some kind of social event. After the week we've had, I think we all could use one."

"I know I could!" said Mindo with a smile. It had indeed been a long week, and it was good to hear the Captain acknowledge the hard work and dedication not just from Mindo, but from everybody. Mindo was also well aware that Nyx himself was overdue for some celebration after the events surrounding his being captured on the Carnage. Mindo nodded. "I think we all deserve a little celebration of a job well done! And I have an idea of where we could do it. Tell me, Captain, have you ever been to the Caesar's Palace arcade back in San Fransisco?"

Nyx furrowed his brow, "Us Intel types weren't much for field-trips to the museum. Though I did study Ancient Roman military tactics in the Academy?" He suggested, wondering what three-thousand year old archaeology had to do with celebrations.

Mindo laughed. "Caesar's Palace was the name of the arcade down the street from the Doohan building. It had a bunch of old video games and other things. In a way, it kind of was a museum."

"Arcade?" Nyx smiled, raising his eyebrows, "Now you've got my attention. But I can't divert the Pandora to take shore leave on San Fran. I mean, I could, but somebody's gonna complain."

Mindo grinned big. "Oh no," he said. "I'm bringing the arcade here. I'm designing an arcade program in Holodeck Four. It has all kinds of old video games from Earth's twentieth century. I got the programs from the owner of Caesar's Palace, but I've never had the chance to do this until I got here."

The Captain finally got it, and he laughed. “That would be very entertaining and great for the crew. Sounds like a lot of work though, replicating all those old machines, and the environment? How far along are you already?”

Mindo walked over to his mini-bar and poured himself another glass of tranya. "I have most of the games set up. It's a two-story job, with most of the games downstairs and a few games upstairs with a lounge and a bar. I'm also adding a pull-down screen to show movies on. Lieutenant Kaleri gave me the idea. The atmosphere hasn't come together yet. I'm still designing the overall 'look' of the place, which is the most tiresome part. Do you have any ideas for the place?"

“Don’t be afraid to make it your own.” Nyx suggested. “Just because Caeser’s is the basis for the program, doesn’t mean you can’t make it Mindo’s. You know, you’re probably the biggest cinephile on the ship. What if you replicate some movie posters to hang around the place? Or... Oh! Or even run projections of your favorite films against the walls? Ones that are safe for general audiences, of course.”

"I have plenty of those," said Mindo. "I think you're on to something with that. A movie theme would definitely make it more... mine. I could show tons of different films from different cultures. It would add a bit of diversity to the place. Have you ever seen Cardassian kids films? Surprisingly tasteful!"

Nyx clapped his hands together, "This is exciting, I'm going to be really pleased to see this project take shape. You could have theme nights with costume parties, gaming marathons? I mean, I don't want to distract the crew too much but this could be the perfect way to wind down after a tense few weeks. You have my full endorsement, Mindo, I am so pleased with your idea and your creativity."

"Thank you, sir," said Mindo. "I think the crew will really enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it myself!" he added with a grin.

The Captain stood, his face a beaming smile for the first time in a while. He loved seeing crew members getting passionate about a project, especially one that would benefit the ship. As he moved towards the doorway, he reached out to shake with the Chief Engineer's hand, "I'm really glad I stopped by tonight. Thank you."

"Any time," said Mindo, returning the handshake.

OFF