Frenemies United

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:40am by Cailus Griffin & Lieutenant Commander Mindo
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:56pm

Mission: The Evils Within
Location: Engineering
Timeline: current

Mindo sat in his office with a nice glass of Saurian brandy at his side and a PADD in hand which he was preparing for the daily report. Things had died down in Engineering as most of the repair problems were fixed, including the turbolift, which had been the most stressful ordeal of his life... as well as the most rewarding. The shuttlecrafts were fixed, shields were back online, and only a few minor systems needed tending. The regular hustle and bustle of Engineering went on fine, with the hum of the core calming everyone's nerves.

He was about done inputting information into the PADD when the door chimed.

"Come in," Mindo called, setting down the PADD.

The doors opened to reveal the typically brooding Lieutenant Commander Cailus Griffin, Acting XO, although since his dual promotions, the taciturn man had seemed even more disgruntled than usual lately. Holding a PADD of his own, he stepped inside Mindo's office, eyeing the brandy with his typical subtle disapproval.

"Mindo," Cailus said in curt greeting as the doors closed behind him. "I need to talk to you. I understand that you've opted not to take a Bridge shift next week. Again."

Mindo set down his PADD and tried not to roll his eyes. "That's correct," he responded simply. "Would you like a drink? Fresh-squeezed orange juice? Gin and tonic?"

Cailus' eyes flicked over to the replicator, then he frowned. After a moment, he sighed. "Hell, I'm technically off-duty. Berry cider, synthehol." He retrieved his beverage and sat down stiffly opposite Mindo. "Apologies for being rude, Mindo. Force of habit."

"I think the habit has gone both ways in the past," Mindo replied, taking a sip of the brandy and setting the glass back down. "What can I do for you, Cailus? You're not usually here off-duty."

"I don't need much," Cailus said drily as he took a much-needed sip of his drink. "I was going to come by when I finished my shift anyway. We're only a few days out from the Hesiod system and I'd like to confirm that everything is fine with the ship, especially the warp drive. Written reports don't always tell the full story." He took another more gulp of cider. "Besides that, I was organising next week's duty schedules before I came down here. Why do you not want to take a Bridge shift? There are a dozen junior officers who'd jump for the opportunity to play Captain for a few hours."

"I don't want to play Captain for a few hours," Mindo said with a shrug. He leaned back in his low chair. "There are only two things I want to play on this ship: Chief Engineer and video games. I can't do either up there. You may have noticed my absence at the Engineering station on the Bridge. That's because when I'm on duty, the humming of this giant miracle tube," he gestured to the warp core, "is all I care about. And I can't hear it if I'm not here."

Cailus sighed, following Mindo’s eyes out the window. The pulsing blue warp core was an admittedly impressive sight. ”So you don’t want to command one day? You don’t want a ship of your own in ten or fifteen years?”

"I think I'll just wait ten or fifteen years to decide what I want at that time," said Mindo. "Until then, I'm going with what I want right now."

"Fair enough," Cailus replied curtly, scowling. As much as he disliked the answer, he knew better than to push the issue. This was Commander Nash's battle to fight, not his. "Now, how is the warp drive doing? If we find Alrakis Pact ships waiting for us at the Hesiod system, can we outrun them?"

Mindo grinned. "The engines are purring like a baby lion. Our shields are at a hundred percent and our weapons systems are fully functional. The malfunctioning turbolift is working and clean again, and all structural damage has been taken care of. We're as fit as we possibly can be out here. We can manage to evade a Ravager or two. Just don't engage a whole fleet."

Cailus grunted before finishing off his cider. “Noted. Well done on delivering Mrs Temple’s baby, by the way. I’m glad that you were there. That was a messy business.” He picked up his PADD, scanned it briefly, then frowned in irritation as he put it back down. The duty rosters seemed destined to wait until tomorrow. “Assuming that all the turbolifts have been checked for damage, is there anything that you want to talk about?”

Mindo stood and refilled his glass. "Actually, yes." He sat back down. "Has Counselor Kaleri discussed anything with you regarding certain aspects of my past?"

The question caught Cailus by surprise, and he refocused on Mindo. “No, nothing whatsoever,” he said in a concerned tone. “As far as I’m aware, the only people onboard who know about your past are myself, Greep and Shae.”

Mindo nodded. "Krysia went digging into Greep's past recently. I knew she had ordered a psych evaluation with Greep and he had complied... to the best of his abilities. But his 'classified' past made her suspicious. Since she knew he and I are close friends. She asked me about my past and eventually the USS Rhys came up. I told her about Davies' dirty deeds and a little about Admiral Chase. I didn't tell her anything about Greep's end of the story, including Davies' real cause of death and Greep's knowledge of the 'Gravewalkers.' I did tell her to stay away from Greep's past, but she seemed only more curious after that."

Cailus nodded dourly as he sat back in his chair. “I doubt that she’ll find anything pertinent without your permission. When Lieutenant Eunidas asked me to investigate your background back on the Tornado, even I couldn’t get anywhere. Your past was very carefully protected against investigators like me.”

"Well I doubt a ship's counselor would have the capabilities to get more information than you did," Mindo remarked. "But don't be surprised if she confronts you about Greep. Of course, I trust your judgment if she does."

Cailus hesitated, briefly looking upward, before seeming to come to a decision. He stood, stepping towards the window. Looking out at the busy engine room, he said quietly, “Mindo, if you truly wish to keep those aspects of your past secret, then that is your right. If Counselor Kaleri pushes for more information against the express wishes of yourself and Greep, then either I or Captain Temple will order her to stop. You don’t need to worry about people prying into your past.”

He turned round, meeting Mindo’s eyes. “For what it’s worth, I regret forcing you to tell us everything back on the Tornado. I apologise for making you endure that. If I can help you here, now, then I will.”

"You were doing what you thought was best," said Mindo. "It was hard to endure, but since then you've gained my trust. I accept your apology."

Cailus nodded awkwardly. He glanced out the window again, plainly uncomfortable as he clasped his hands behind his back. “If you ever wish to talk about all that with someone who knows the truth, then my door is always open to you. I know that Shae would say the same without hesitation. Hell, you’re welcome to come and have dinner with us sometime, if you like.”

Mindo smiled at the invitation. "It's funny," he said. "But just a year ago we were at each other's throats, and now you're inviting me to dinner. And I'm compelled to accept the invitation. I practically consider you and Shae as family. We've come a long way haven't we?"

Cailus snorted, shooting Mindo a wry look. "Don't push it," he said, with only the faintest glint of amusement dicernable in his eye. "I'll see you tomorrow morning at the staff meeting, Mindo. Good night."

"You got it," Mindo replied. After another glare from Cailus he added, "I mean, yes sir."

END