Little Introductions, part one

Posted on Fri 10th Oct, 2025 @ 12:40pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Commander Mindo

799 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: From The Ashes
Location: Security
Timeline: current

ON

"I'm afraid a briefing with Severide is very necessary," Captain Francis replied to the station's newest officer, stepping out of the way of the hospitality crewmen who were installing the new, shortened desk in the small office assigned to the Chief of Security. "You may be filling in as Security Chief, but you are also our new senior analyst in Intelligence. I'd say a meeting with the Chief of Intelligence is a must."

Commander Mindo shook his head, which stood but three and a half feet off the ground, and looked up at his old acquaintance and new Commanding Officer. "She wanted to rip my head off last time," the young Fesarian said. "I swear to god, if she calls me 'Mr. Mindo' again..."

"Commander, everyone calls you Mr. Mindo," Francis replied.

"That was on the Pandora, and I was never crazy about it," Mindo said, raising a finger. He then activated the silent propulsion boots he wore--his own design--and hovered to Francis' height. "If she doesn't take me seriously..."

"Mindo, she's a professional," Francis said. "I'm sure she will handle your assignment with the decency you are due."

"Since when did anyone think I was due any decency?" Mindo countered. Francis nodded.

"Good point," the Captain replied, "but she won't know that yet... I think."

"You didn't tell her about me?" Mindo said.

Francis gave the diminutive officer a small smile. "I don't have to." He indicated the small table in the corner. "No one else in the senior staff is allowed a wet bar in their office... complete with mini-fridge too. The second she sees it..."

"I have clearance from Starfleet Security for that," said Mindo.

"I know that," Francis said with a nod. "She doesn't miss much. She'll most likely know that your Fesarian biology needs the alcohol to..."

One of the hospitality officers stepped forward and addressed Mindo. "Where do you want these other two beanbag chairs?" he asked, indicating the ones behind and in front of the new desk, and the two still in each officer's hand.

"Um," Mindo said, noticing the young officer's blue eyes. "Just in the corner for now." Mindo looked back at Francis and whispered, "He's cute."

Francis put a hand on Mindo's shoulder. "Easy, tiger."

Mindo checked his chronometer. His meeting with Severide was in a few minutes. The hospitality crew walked out of the office, now done arranging the place for Mindo's needs.

"I still don't know how you arranged for me to take this assignment," Mindo said. "I was doing quite well among those savages. They had no idea I was undercover. I also didn't have to salute anyone."

"You'd been there too long, according to the Intel reports," Francis said. "A year away is a long time."

"Getting captured and interrogated here by Commander Hostile McBigchest didn't help," Mindo remarked.

"I promise you, that incident was handled fine," the Captain said. "Commander Severide is a professional. She understands clearance procedures. It was better for both of you she not know your real identity." He paused and added, "Granted, your behavior didn't help the situation."

"My behavior almost never helps me do anything," Mindo said.

"This is true," Francis replied. Mindo smiled at the Commanding Officer's candor. The two may not have known each other well from their incident with the USS Pandora a few years ago, but both had found some comradery and understanding during their courts-martial afterward, in which both testified in their favors. Though they were both acquitted, the matter had led to Mindo leaving Starfleet and Francis being demoted from Admiral to Captain and assigned to 109. That had been close to two years ago. For both of them, it seemed like a lifetime. Both were relieved to be serving with the other, though Mindo's assignment to 109 was not either officer's choice.

Things were interrupted when Francis' communicator chimed. "Ops to Captain Francis."

Francis tapped his communicator. "Francis here, what's the hubbub?"

"A body has been found in Cargo Bay 168-B. Your presence is requested."

Francis' eyebrows furrowed. "Is the body currently among the living?"

"I don't believe so sir," came the officer's response.

Francis looked at Mindo and shrugged. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere."

"A dead body?" Mindo said. "Sounds like something a Chief of Security would handle."

"Cargo Bay 168-B is located way down in the Garden District," Francis said. "You stay here and wait for Severide. I'll fill you in later."

"Whatever you say, sir," Mindo replied, eager and curious to get started on the station. There were many aspects of station life he was interested in experiencing. He knew in due time things would happen. Hopefully the action would start soon. With Severide the first hurdle, he knew things could only get more exciting from here.

To Be Continued...

 

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