Now Is the Time

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:34am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Commander Mindo & Petty Officer 2nd Class Zo
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:55pm

Mission: The Evils Within
Location: Deck 12 - Engineering

ON:

Having seen Katrine off to school and Emilie on her way to the doctor's for a check-up, Nyx was getting stuck into his usual Captain's business. Except, he was doing extra duties today with Commander Nash on leave at Carnwennan Station, so he was partaking in some of the regular tasks that the XO would normally pursue. Nyx was enjoying the opportunity to tour the ship, follow up on regular operations of the Luna Class vessel, and personally conduct a complete department by department inspection. His unannounced appearance in place of Nash had caused a few of the officers to stiffen their backs when he arrived, but Nyx secretly enjoyed this.

His next stop was Engineering; the heart of the Pandora. He was keen to see how maintenance and repairs were going, as well as to check-in with Lieutenant Mindo. The doors parted into Engineering with their usual vigour and the Captain strolled in to greet the team.

Mindo hovered over the central console, his back turned to the entrance, barking orders. "...and keep the plasma coils from overheating, I don't feel like exploding halfway through the next mission. Samson, what is the status of our hull plating? If that kooky Captain of ours puts us into battle again..."

"Um, sir?" said the one called Samson. "The Captain is right behind you."

Mindo turned around and saw Nyx standing in the entrance. "Captain," Mindo said, clearing his throat. "I didn't realize you were... here."

"Kooky?" Nyx asked with a raised eyebrow, his face ashen and humourless as he held his hands behind his back.

"I use the term affectionately, of course," Mindo said. "It's good to see you, Captain," he continued. "How may I be of service?"

"Let's hope so." Nyx replied, though the hint of a smile betrayed his serious tone, "Just doing the daily safety audit," He said, holding up a PADD with a series of items to tick off. "Thankfully, Engineering has had no TRI's this month, and zero loss time."

"We're doing our best," Mindo replied. "Thankfully the repairs have been easier on us than the Ravager attack a few months ago. The core is in great condition and took no significant damage in the battle. There was a bit of structural damage and our shields took a good hit. One of the shuttle bays took the brunt of the damage and two shuttles needed repairs. They should be fully fixed and tested within the next two days, and shields will be at full power soon as well."

"Very good." Nyx added, as he began ticking off those items. "You'll need to meet with Lieutenant Boucher and Cortez about the modifications to our secondary shuttle bay. We're going to keeping the starfighter unit on permanently, in place of the Marines, and we need to adapt to the Valkyries."

"In more ways than one," Mindo said. "Fixing a Valkyrie is not the same as fixing a shuttle. Some of my crew are not as well-trained on them as I would like. It'd be nice if Lieutenant Boucher could let us tinker a bit with one of them. So far the most qualified people to fix them are myself and Chief Greep."

"Absolutely," Nyx smiled, "That's a wonderful idea. I want your team to be as prepared as necessary." He looked around the Pandora's Engineering room and he turned back to Mindo, "What about morale? You guys have been under the pump for a while now, how's the team holding up?"

"Since most of the repairs are done a lot of us have been able to get some rest," Mindo replied. "The damage done to the ship from the Ravagers and then the bubbleverse distortion was pretty bad. I had people working double shifts, and I had very little sleep during that time. So the brief shore leave on Paradise Station was great for us."

"Ah, well I'm glad some good came from Paradise." Nyx replied. "And It's great to hear your team is doing well. Unfortunately we are going straight back into action, but hopefully nothing like the Ravagers or Indigo Sky."

"I heard Terrekal is joining us for a while," Mindo said, changing the subject.

"Yes." Nyx said with a raised eyebrow, as he realised he hadn't asked Mindo about the Fesarian trader staying onboard until now, "That's not a problem, is it?"

"I don't think so, sir," Mindo replied. "Though I believe we should watch him closely. I still haven't made any progress as to who Uno is and the message he or she sent me."

“Right.” Came the Captain’s exasperated reply, as Nyx rubbed his temples, “I suppose it’s too much to hope that was a one-off, or related to Sasha Vieers. All we can do is be vigilant and ensure anything suspicious is reported to me immediately. I don’t want to have another traitor in our midsts.”

"Of course, sir," Mindo replied.

Just then, Chief Zo came into Engineering. When he saw the Captain, he nodded. "Hello, Captain," he said.

Mindo checked his chronometer. "Zo, you're a little late."

"Yes, sir, about that... for whatever reason I was delayed in the turbolift," said Zo.

Mindo's brow furrowed. "You're the second person to complain about the lift. I thought we had that fixed."

"I'll put it on the top of the shift itinerary," Zo said.

"Nix that," said Mindo. "I need you on the plasma coils." He turned back to the Captain. "Sir, I have quite a day ahead of me, but if you need me further I am at your disposal."

“Of course,” Nyx replied, bowing his head to the Chief, “I’ll get out of your way soon. But before I go, I want to reward your team for working so hard and achieving a low-risk safety audit. For the next month, every Engineering crew member will have double the Holodeck credits, and we will hold a celebratory dinner for the team."

Mindo's eyes widened. "Oh wow!" he said. "That's really unnecessary. We're just doing our jobs. But we do like celebrating, and all of us love dinner..."

"It's important to recognise the crew's achievements," Nyx replied, "Especially when it comes to safety. And we might as well do it now before we get to Hesiod. Just let me know when you're got a date in mind for the dinner and I'll arrange with Rec services."

"How about tomorrow night?" Mindo suggested.

"Very well." The Captain smiled, giving another nod. He turned back to the rest of the Engineering crew who were still around, "Keep up the fantastic work, everyone!"

With that, the Captain departed from Engineering and on towards his next stop.

OFF