Routine Maintenance

Posted on Tue Jun 23rd, 2020 @ 5:21am by Commander Mindo & Lieutenant Bethany Robinson
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:31pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: Current

ON

When she'd boarded and gotten her assignments and details, Bethany had looked up the personnel files of the people she would be working for and with. She did not know much about the Eloi-Feserian or the Ontarion, the latter of which were rather recent members of the Federation, but she knew about the Ba'ku a little bit better, though it was a bit of a surprise to be meeting one here. She thought they shunned technology and modernism, but maybe this one was a radical who wanted to live life a little differently. After all, wasn't she a Betazoid who shunned telepathy? Always exceptions to the norm.

She made her way from her quarters to the engineering deck, where she took in the sights, appreciating that she would be working with the heart and soul of the ship itself, she smiled and sought out the shortest person around, which made it easy for her to identify the man to be Lieutenant Mindo. "Hello," said Bethany, "Lieutenant Bethany Robinson, reporting for duty."

She hoped that her very human name and appearance would conceal the truth about her heritage. She did not need to deal with the atypical questions that usually came when people found out she's actually a Betazoid.

Mindo did not have his LEGs apparatus activated, so he was at his natural, three-foot height. He was examining a PADD one of the underlings had given him, which contained a report on the wave amplification on the deflector dish. He looked up at the young lady and his face assumed a puzzled expression.

"Who?" he said.

Bethany's smile faltered, and she cleared her throat, "I'm the new assistant chief engineer assigned to the Pandora." she tried again. "I just came on board."

"Oh, right! The Betazoid!" said Mindo, extending a hand.

'Oh God...'thought Bethany, and she fought to keep her friendly appearance on her face, he might as well make a ship-wide announcement...

Mindo smiled. "Welcome aboard. Let's talk in my office. It's this way." Mindo made his way to a ladder and climbed to the second floor and turned right into his rather spacious office, with a large window overlooking all of Engineering. The desk was brought down closer to the ground, there was a small couch on the far end with a chair, and two more chairs in front of the desk. All three chairs and the couch were regular height, but Mindo's own chair behind the desk was at a much lower level, closer to his size. He went around the desk and motioned for Lieutenant Robinson to sit down.

"How long have you been aboard?" Mindo asked.

"I arrived at oh-four-hundred hours today," said Bethany, "thought I'd get a jump on everything once I settled in."

She was used to being one of the shortest people around anyplace, so it was a little disconcerting to find first that her height seemed to be the average height for most of the crew here, and then there was Mindo, who was most likely prize winner for the shortest by far, unless there were leprechauns around. And he knew she was a Betazoid. She only hoped he didn't plan to crow this fact too often. "I'm looking forward to working with you and the Pandora." she added.

Mindo walked over to the small table in the corner behind his desk, the one with various bottles and glasses. He took one and poured himself a glass as he listened, then settled down in his chair.

"How much experience do you have in Engineering?" he asked her. "Oh!" he said, standing back up. "Would you like a drink? I have chilled water and I always keep orange juice around in case our Chief of Security decides to stop by..."

"Thank you, no," said Bethany, raising a hand, "oh, and I've had eight years experience as an engineer for propulsion systems, primarily warp core maintenance, and ship design. I spent a total of four years working in Utopia Planitia, and another four serving on the Sterling and the Wickersham." The ships were a Miranda-class and a Sovereign-class respectively. She felt nervous now. It was a bit of a jump going from just focusing on one aspect of Engineering, to assisting the entire engineering department.

Mindo nodded as he sat back down. "Those are very good credentials," he said. "The Pandora has seen a lot of action while we've been in the Expanse. How do you respond under pressure?"

That question brought to Bethany's mind the repressed memories of her months of captivity by Orion pirates. "I can handle it." she lied smoothly, her blue eyes unblinking and staying focused on the man. "It's why the position was offered to me, and I had accepted. I relish the opportunity to face new challenges, and innovate on contemporary establishments to better existing technology."

"Good, good," said Mindo. He stood up. "Well, let's go meet some of the people you'll be working with, and you can also get a good look at how we run things down here. Sound good?"

"Absolutely," said Bethany, smiling and she stood up to follow the man.

"Oh," said Mindo, stopping for a second. "First, is there anything you want to ask me?"

Yes, actually, thought Bethany, "Yes there is," she said, "are you going to tell everyone I'm a Betazoid? I...I prefer it not to be advertised. Besides, with my eyes and name, it's...easier for me to...I don't like to read minds."

She felt stupid for advertising any sign of vulnerability, but the man made her nervous in some ways. She then decided to make an addendum, "Also, what do you expect from me? I understand that when you're not here, I will be performing your tasks, so do you want me to shadow you?"

"For a little while, yes. But if you know your way around a warp core like you say you do, I think you'll catch on pretty fast." Mindo paused. "As for your being a Betazoid, I haven't told anyone, and I promise to respect your privacy. I will say, though, that we're a pretty tight group, and we really look out for each other down here, regardless of who or what we are. When you're here, you're with family." He activated the silent hovering device on his legs and hovered up to her height, extending a hand. "Welcome to the USS Pandora."

That was nice to know. Bethany wasn't sure how well she was going to mesh, but Mindo seemed considerate and accommodating enough. She took his hand and shook it, "Thank you, sir."

OFF