A Brief With Keith

Posted on Thu Nov 14th, 2024 @ 5:36am by Commander Mindo & Lieutenant Daniel Keith

Mission: The Only Thing Left Was Hope
Location: In transit from Risa to Earth
Timeline: current

It had been two days in the cramped transport headed from Risa to Earth at the transport's maximum speed of Warp Four. They faced another three or four days tops before they were back, and Mindo was already feeling cabin fever. It had been a while since his mind meld with Aenardha and he still hadn't completely shaken his cold feeling and depression. Mindo had thought a lot about Aenardha, with mixed feelings. He had anger, contempt, sadness, loneliness, and something akin to an awkward infatuation toward her going through his head all at once. He didn't know if he wanted to storm into that giant freezer and hit her or hug her. It was a huge reason why he'd stayed in his tiny quarters. He just didn't have a good mental capacity at the moment.

He decided if he did leave, he'd do something constructive. Other than replicating another bowl of noodles--the only thing the replicator was getting right at the moment--he couldn't think of a good excuse to go to the lounge. He remembered then that he'd not met all of the new crew yet. Since he had no orders from Starfleet, given he wasn't technically on active duty yet, he couldn't just look up his file. He'd have to go meet him personally. He couldn't just sit here for four more days watching films on his PADD.

Sighing, he got up and headed toward the crew quarters. Lieutenant Keith and his wife, also a Lieutenant, had been given their own private quarters, which was more like a broom closet than actual quarters. Had everyone not insisted Mindo take the Captain's quarters, he would have gladly given them to the married couple. By comparison, the room looked normal size considering the size of its occupant. Mindo hadn't come aboard kicking and screaming, but he definitely hadn't wanted the command position. Then again, next in line was Greep, and that fact didn't go over well with the rest of the crew. Mindo sympathized.

The door to the Keiths' quarters was closed. Since there were no door chimes for a broom closet, Mindo simply knocked.

A moment later, the door opened, and Daniel stood there looking a Mindo. "Captain! This is a surprise. Please come in and have a seat." Daniel offered as he stood to one side to allow Mindo to enter the tiny quarters. Once Mindo was inside. Daniel shut the door to frre up a little more space. "So.what brings you to our quarters? You just missed Olivia. She went out to stretch her legs, which considering the size of these quarters isn't hard."

Mindo put on a polite smile as he entered, though he winced inwardly at being called Captain. He still wasn't used to it.

"I just wanted to introduce myself," Mindo said. "I hear you've joined the Pandora crew. I'm Mindo, the Chief Engineer... at least, I used to be."

"Hello.' Daniel returned. "Well, now you are the captain. A nice career advancement and you will always be an engineer at heart." He pointed out.

Mindo simply nodded and gave a polite smile as he sat down. "I went through Command at the Academy by default. If you want to be Chief Engineer, you have to have an education in Command as well. No one wants a guy in the core who can't make crucial decisions under pressure. Lots of Engineers end up as Captains. I guess it was only a matter of time."

Daniel nodded in understanding. "Same holds true for tactical. I went through command training at the Academy. Command wants poeple who can make crucial, critical decisions if called upon." He replied. "I'm sure you wouldn't have been promoted to captain if they felt you were lacking in that regard."

Mindo shook his head. "I haven't been promoted to anything. I'm technically not in Starfleet at the moment. I left three years ago and have been living on Risa. But everyone is under the impression that, because Captain Temple is missing, I'll be reenlisting and taking command. To be honest, I really don't care for Starfleet, and they really don't care for me. Giving me a command is a horrible idea in my opinion. I truthfully hope they don't. I'm just here for my friends, especially the Captain."

"Perhaps everyone feels like they do because it is a logical decision to arrive at. You just said you are here for your friend especially captain Temple. Don't you think Command knows that? They see your loyalty and know you will whatever is needed to find Captain Temple or are you not subscribing to giving Command that much thought?" Daniel asked bluntly and waited for a reply from Mindo.

"Maybe I'm not what you expected," Mindo replied. "Fact is, I'm not the hero type. There is plenty I can do to help without reenlisting. Regardless, I'm still along for the ride. The Pandora crew is my family, including you. I'll do anything to find Temple and the Pandora. If that means taking command, I will. But for now you can call me Mindo."

"You shouldn't make assumptions about me or what I expect. Your new to me, a clean slate. I have no predetermined opinion about you.If you don't feel reenlisting is for you then don't. Don't over think this. Do what you feel is best for you and the Pandora family. As you said for now just take a wait and see approach."

Mindo gave a little smile. "Daniel, I think you and I are going to get along just fine!"

Daniel nodded and smiled. "Nothing would please me more sir."

"How long have you been in Starfleet?" Mindo asked, changing the topic. Mindo knew nothing of the Pandora's new crew members and was interested in learning as much as he could.

"Several years." Daniels answered. "Olivia and I met, fell in love at the Academy and were married."We were posted to the Solstice together." His voice taking on a somber tone. "The ship strayed into the neutral zone and was attacked by three Romulan warbirds. Captain and XO along with res tof the senior staff were killed. A group of younger officers, myself included got thr surviving crew to escape pods before the Romulans boarded and took us to a prison jungle hell hole. We were tortured, beaten. placed in solitary confinement before a prisoner exchange was arranged. Olivia was there waiting for me when I returned to the Federation. She is my rock." He finished quietly.

Mindo was amazed to hear Daniel's story, and the adversity he had faced over such a long time. It explained the strong way in which he communicated and carried himself.

"And after all of that, you returned to Starfleet," Mindo said. "How long ago was that?"

Daniel nodded, "Yes sir I did. They got me and the others out." He looked at Mindo and repeated the question, "How long ago was that? A lifetime sir. A lifetime."

"I'm impressed by your tenacity and integrity regarding making that decision to stay," Mindo said. "Tell me some more about yourself, Lieutenant." Mindo was not taking the "sirs" too well, but he understood Daniel's need for protocol. In all likelihood, if Mindo did returned to active duty, he would be this man's next CO. He may as well embrace the part.

"Well sir. Olivia my wife is my best friend. As I mentioned earlier, she was waiting for me when I returned from the Romulan prison. She has stuck with me through good times and bad. Her love and support have never wavered. We talk about anything and everything. About the only thing we keep secret is the gifts we bought for each other's birthday and Christmas. I like games of strategy. Shooting. white water rafting Anything that has me outdoors."

Games of strategy, Mindo enjoyed. Rafting was not his favorite activity, but in the past three years he'd gone on several rafting trips with groups on Risa. It was dangerous, especially for someone his size. It was going to be interesting to be mostly indoors again.

"It sounds like you both have a lot of fun," Mindo said. "I have a question. I know the word Christmas. On Risa we adorned verandas with Christmas lights. I know it's an Earth festival, and I know there are gifts, something about a guy named Secret Santa, and a person named Grinch who saves Christmas. But what is the purpose of Christmas?"

Daniel looked at Mindo for a moment, trying to determine if he was serious and eventually came to the conclusion he was. "It's Santa Claus and the Grinch tried to still Christmas and is a fictional character. As to the purpose of Christmas, it is a time of reflection, of being with family and friends. To count your blessings. To realize just how fortunate you are and to remember the importance of faith, love, generosity, and service."

"You mean humans don't do those things every day?" Mindo asked, eyebrow raised.

Daniel shook his head, "Well, we're supposed to but unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way. Good intentions get pushed aside for other reasons and don't come back into focus until the holidays are upon us then peace, good will once again come to the forefront."

Mindo was absolutely baffled. "And where do the Grinch and Secret Santa come into play?"

"Daniel smiled at Mindo patiently. "The Grinch is a children's story to teach not to put so much value on material things and instead focus on the things that are important. Family, friends, health." Daniel explained. "Now Secret Santa is entirely different. That is usually found in an office or business where there are a large number of people and if one was to but presents for everyone they would be in debt. So, instead everyone draws a name, and you buy that person one gift. Usually there is a limit on how much to spend. It is called Secret Santa because no ones who bought their gift until gifts are actually exchanged."

"Ah," Mindo said. "So like a birthday party for everyone at the same time. Intriguing."

"An excellent way to describe it." Daniel answered with a grin.

"Well let me know when it's Christmas," Mindo said. "I'll bring you a bottle of tranya!"

Daniel smiled broadly, "I will!" He promised. "Don't be surprised if there is something for you as well."

OFF