Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 10:28:34 GMT -8
Character's Name: Jonah Adam McDaniels
Nicknames: Jonny, Jone, Jon, Jack McDaniels, JAM
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Date of birth: 2370, June 15
Year of Academy Graduation: 2392 (18 years ago)
Physical Profile (height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc.): 5'11", 170 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes, small, barely visible scar on the back of his neck beneath his collar
Birthplace: Nashville, TN, Earth
Talon or moonbase? Moonbase
Preferred rank: Lieutenant
Department (if moonbase, why are they there?): Security Chief; transferred from DS6 due to conflict of interest - his captain was interested in killing him so there was a conflict.
Are you new to the forum? If no, list one of your other characters: Yes.
How did you find us? search browser and proboard RP forum ads
Personality: Jonah's outward layer is that of a no-nonsense security chief with duty and responsibility at the forefront of his mind; while on duty, he expects nothing short of complete respect from his subordinates, and does not tolerate any lack of professionalism. At times, his "anger management issues" may exhibit themselves toward a reprimanded ensign or in a heated debate about diplomacy. Interestingly, he does not let his anger get out of hand when in combat. In fact, he seems very calm and in control.
Out of the uniform, however, JAM is satisfied with pretending he is not in Starfleet at all. He enjoys the company of his best friend or his parents when he is on Earth, though this is rarely seen by his fellow officers. When he spends time with his comrades off duty, such as in a tavern or on leave, Jack McDaniels refrains from alcohol or synthohol, but is content with having fun and laughing about the good old days.
Due to several emotional deficiencies, Jonny has many insecurities toward people, which are very well hidden, except for his intermittent lack of communication skills. Years ago, he was considered anti-social, but has since been able to blend in with social situations when off duty. When he is in the uniform, however, he doesn't really care how people see him, and is brutally honest about it.
While he has much respect for the chain-of-command, it ends when the chain-of-command shows a disrespect for life, liberty, honor, or other values that Federation Starfleet officers should uphold.
Background and History:
Jonah McDaniels was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 2370 to Corin and Nima McDaniels. He was the oldest of three brothers, and a sister who later became disabled in a flight test accident in the Gamma Quadrant.
Jonah's misspent youth entailed intermittent schooling, time in juvenille detention for chronic misdemeanors, and considerable rebellion against his parents, though he and his brothers were very close. His brothers and sister called him "Jonny" or "Jone," respectively, his parents always called him Jonah, his best friend Elijah called him Jack, and his enemies, usually school bullies or cellmates, referred to him as JAM. However, when he was 15, his brothers convinced him that the slur was not so bad, so he began to own the nickname JAM, even joining a local rock band as the lead guitarist. The year after, he told his parents he wanted to join Starfleet.
His mother encouraged him to join, but his father, who hated Starfleet, did not. He threatened to disown Jonah if he joined. For two years, Jonah studied harder than he ever had, barely passing grade school. He got a part-time job when he was 17 and when he was 18, in defiance of his father, joined Starfleet.
Jonah's two brothers graduated grade school a couple years later; one lost contact with his family and moved to Andoria, and the other opened a business in the Gamma Quadrant, but kept in contact with all members of his family.
In 2390, Jonah's sister Nel was conducting a flight test in the Gamma Quadrant for a civilian freighter company when an accident occurred, resulting in her being physically disabled. There are three different stories to what happened: pilot error was the official reason declared by the corporation she worked for; Starfleet engineers claim that her shuttle's navigational system had a faulty relay that was supposed to have been recalled before she went out, thus putting the blame on the civilian company; and Jonah believes that she was attacked by a rogue weapons satellite. Due to no longer being able to speak, Nel cannot corroborate, deny, or explain any of the events that transpired during the incident. The shuttle's sensor and computer records were mysteriously erased afterward.
Once his sister was made handicapped, Jonah's anger issues only worsened. Though he never drank alcohol or tried any drugs, he would often go to bars as an cadet just to get into brawls. This continued even after he graduated Starfleet in 2392.
After refusing for so long, Jonah finally sought therapy when he realized his Starfleet career was threatened. In 2393, Ensign McDaniels tried talking to Starfleet counselors but they did little good. It was not until his best friend admitted to being half-Betazoid that Jonah received true help.
In 2398, he made LT. (JG) and was stationed on Deep Space 6 as a security officer. With no major incidents and an exemplary record of going above and beyond the call of duty, Jonah was promoted two years later in 2400 to full Lieutenant. He was made assistant chief of security the following year.
Jonah distinguished himself in 2400 when a swarm of Nausicaan raiders attacked DS6 while all available Starfleet ships were over two days away. With a skeleton security force, and McDaniel's superior officer incapacitated with an unknown illness, Jonah deputized dozens of DS6 residents, officers, and shop keepers to defend the station. A grand total of 23 people fought off a company of over fifty Nausicaan pirates.
Returning to active duty, DS6's chief of security recommended McDaniels for the promotion to full Lieutenant that same week. In 2401, Lieutenant Jonah McDaniels took over as DS6's security chief full time.
2409: after he and three security and science officers boarded a Romulan warbird for routine checks, he fell in love with the warbird's executive officer, who happened to be a Tal'Shiar operative. When she attempted to gain access to DS6's command codes and killed two Starfleet security officers and one Romulan centurion, Lieutenant Jonah McDaniels ignored his emotions and put duty first. He killed the operative before she had a chance to kill a civilian Cardassian he had never met.
That Cardassian turned out to be a spy for a rogue element within the Cardassian government, and two months later, committed suicide rather than choose between his loyalty to his world, and the Federation he had grown to admire. McDaniels gave a rousing speech at his funeral about how one should never assume to know what is in someone's heart until they show it, because they will often surprise you, both for the better and for the worst; he was also thinking of the Romulan woman he had been forced to kill.
When the new commander of DS6 arrived, McDaniels knew he was trouble. His file mentioned he had been cleared of conspiracy and high treason, which just made the security chief suspicious. Despite his misgivings, he decided he would give the captain a chance. Things went fine for a few months, but in November of 2409, the captain made sexual advances on his seventh "victim", but McDaniels finally had the proof. He confronted the captain with the evidence, and the captain threatened Jonah's promotion to Lt. Commander if he did or said anything.
The dirty captain sent McDaniels and two of his men on a dangerous mission in December of 2409, knowing they would be killed. McDaniels lost one of his men, and he and the other officer went AWOL, after they received word from a reliable source that the captain of DS6 would make sure they did not make spacedock alive. A few weeks later, McDaniels was captured by operatives working for Starfleet and returned to DS6.
There was a trial for McDaniels, but not for the captain. After a formal hearing, the brass decided to transfer McDaniels from the station and keep the captain there, much to everyone's chagrin. The brass also told McDaniels he would not be eligible for promotion again for another six months.
When he transferred to DS10 in January of 2410, his security team followed suit. His assistant chief of security is Lt. (JG) Tarka Harn, a female Tellarite that he'd defended when the captain of DS6 laid his hands on her.
Name of Celebrity: Corin Nemec
Avatar of your chosen character (please include the link to the picture here). Your picture should be no more than 150 pixels wide: storage.proboards.com/3288443/a/UnCQG0vK3YABBpyztuwT.jpg
below is a photo I will NOT be using for my avatar, but I like it
s912.photobucket.com/user/KingDaniel01/media/renegades_uni2.jpg.html
Sample Roleplay: Please write at least a 200 word sample RP post as your chosen character. RP should involve something of your character's career, not memories of their childhood, their pet, etc.
I'm not completely sure, but I believe it's a little more than 200 words. I'm sorry to everyone's eyes
==============/\=============
“Lieutenant McDaniels, report to airlock four.”
Tapping his comm-badge, Jonah McDaniels responded from his seated position behind the chief of security desk. “On my way, Admiral.”
Just then his former superior, Lieutenant Commander Zorren Archer, entered the office and immediately went to the coffee maker.
Jonah smirked as he got to his feet and straightened his gold tunic. “See, Commander. I told you the old coffee maker would grow on you.”
Commander Archer cast the Lieutenant a tired scowl. “I'm only using it because the office replicator still hasn't been repaired. Don't you have a security sweep to conduct, Soon-to-be-Ensign McDanny?”
“Heading there now, Sir,” McDaniels chuckled.
He ensured his sidearm was properly holstered before leaving the office. A couple minutes later, the man was standing in front of the airlock with two science officers and two other security guards.
McDaniels covertly turned Ensign Tarka Harn, a Tellarite female security officer. “We don't really need these turquoise nerds here.”
Tarka Harn smiled. “Sir, it's teal. And you once wore that color.”
“For like a week,” he answered hotly, but was careful to keep his voice hushed. “Besides, we lost all records regarding those simulations, so I'm not admitting anything.”
The airlock door rolled open to reveal three Romulan officers. His eyes were immediately drawn to the woman he realized was the D'Relera's first officer, completely ignoring, for the moment, the Romulan commander and chief of security.
Sub-Commander T'Ven was not just beautiful to Jonah, she was uniquely beautiful. She had shoulder-length auburn hair instead of the typical Romulan short and black. A barely noticeable tattoo of a gray X marked her cheek by her right ear. He saw her first, but not half a second after he began staring, she glared at him. When he kept staring, her glare softened and she nodded and smiled slightly.
When the commander spoke, Lieutenant McDaniels' uncharacteristic unprofessionalism vanished. “I am Commander Vranot,” the man said tersely. He then gestured to his people. “This is Sub-Commander T'Ven, my first officer, and Centurion Per'Kor, my chief of security.”
Deep Space Six's chief of security responded, “My name is Lieutenant McDaniels. This is Ensign Tarka Harn and Crewman Penman. These are Lieutenants Parker and Farmahini. I suggest we dispense with further pleasantries so we can get you on your way as soon as possible.”
Vranot gave McDaniels a curt nod. “Agreed. I will show you to our bridge.”
“Our names are very similar,” McDaniels overheard Lieutenant Parker tell the Romulan chief of security, Centurion Per'Kor as they strolled through the ship.
McDaniels rolled his eyes and minutely shook his head. Only Crewman Penman noticed, and grinned. When McDaniels turned to glare at him, Penman cleared his throat and kept his eyes forward. Right before they arrived on the bridge of the D'Relera, McDaniels caught a flicker of a smile on T'Ven's face. Apparently she had seen it too.
Suddenly the red light above the bridge door began flashing and an alarm klaxon started to sound. McDaniels barely heard the bridge door seal. He instinctively drew his sidearm.
“What's going on?” he demanded of Vranot.
Commander Vranot accessed a communications panel at a small station near the door. “Lieutenant Fonlek, report!”
“Sir, the Reman security force! They're part of the Reman underground! They've taken over – Ah!”
Vranot, McDaniels, and the others heard a Reman disruptor kill Fonlek through the speakers. Everyone looked at each other in anger or fear. McDaniels saw that Vranot was surprised more than anything.
“You still use Reman guards, Commander?” McDaniels asked. “I thought most of them were killed in the nova that took your home-worlds.”
Vranot cast a derisive glower his direction before reaching into his empty holster. “Your species' paranoid boarding policy has made me a weak, unarmed target, Lieutenant! You will deal with this!”
McDaniels sighed. “Of course, Sir. How do we get inside?”
Sub-Commander T'Ven said, “There's an auxiliary hatch that leads into the bridge from the deck below, but we won't be able to fit more than two people through it at once.”
“Alright,” McDaniels said with a nod, not thinking of anything except neutralizing the threat. “You and I will access this hatch and shoot the guards. Then we'll unseal the bridge.” He turned to Vranot. “How many Remans are in there, Commander?”
Looking ashamed, Vranot hesitated. He sighed and said, “Six.”
“Six?” Ensign Harn exclaimed.
Damn, Jonah thought ironically, I think I'm gonna start drinking...
“Okay, everyone keep calm. How many officers loyal to you are in there?”
McDaniels, who always kept his eyes peeled for facial expressions, saw T'Ven's nervousness mixed with the slightest of caustic smirks. In fact, he probably would not have recognized her expression if he had not found her so alluring.
Commander Vranot said, “Four – well, three now I suppose.”
The Centurion said, “I should be the first one in.”
“Yes,” agreed McDaniels with a pointed look of disdain. “I absolutely agree. But I'm responsible for the safety of DS6, so...I'm going in first.” He turned to the science officers. “Go home.” To T'Ven, he said, “Lead on.”
A minute later, they were one deck beneath the bridge, climbing up a ladder to a hatch. McDaniels was sweating profusely, disbelieving that any human being could ever withstand more than a few minutes in this level of heat. Then he inwardly laughed when he remembered that Romulans and Remans were not human beings.
“You find something funny,” said T'Ven as she looked down at him in the gloom. It was not a question, but an accusation.
“How in the world do you even see me down here?” he replied, wiping his brow.
T'Ven said, “I have superior eyesight. And humans are not very adept at hiding their emotions.”
“Whatever. Are we there yet?”
“Yes. Climb up beside me.”
Jonah laboriously made his way up the narrow ladder beside T'Ven. It was now he got a better look at her tattoo, despite the darkness. His eyes were mere inches from hers. The tattoo was not just gray, it had an electric element to it, perhaps a tiny computer chip.
Ignore everything but the task at hand.
“I'm ready when you are,” McDaniels told her, their bodies pressed together on the ladder. He cleared his throat anxiously.
T'Ven nodded slightly and raised the disruptor she had taken out of a weapons cabinet on the way. She hovered her hand over a panel by the trapdoor.
“For what it's worth,” she said, “I truly apologize for getting you involved with our affairs.”
Jonah shrugged. “It's my job. Let's just get it over with. High stun.”
T'Ven scoffed, “They are traitors. They will be vaporized.”
Jonah's intense glare frightened even the Romulan sub-commander. She swallowed and changed the setting on her disruptor.
“As you wish,” she whispered, though her tone still held strength and confidence. “May we proceed?”
“We may,” Jonah said as he readied himself for combat.
Before she touched the panel, T'Ven pulled her fingers back and glanced over to McDaniels.
He looked at her. “What now, Sub-Commander?”
“Perhaps...if we live through this, we could...I mean, you could join me, if you're not too busy of course, for a bottle of – of Romulan ale?”
Jonah laughed at her. “I don't drink.”
Didn't you just tell yourself you were gonna start drinking? This is perfect! You can get drunk for the first time in your life with a beautiful woman – Oh wait, Romulan ale is illegal.
“I understand,” she answered, but clearly she didn't.
Blinking away his personal thoughts and feelings, Jonah McDaniels re-readied himself for combat. “Let's just go shoot people, okay?”
T'Ven snickered and pressed the button, opening the hatch into the bridge...
Half an hour later, Lieutenant McDaniels was sitting in front of Admiral Lok's desk. The Vulcan space station commander simply stared across the table at him, hands folded in front of him. McDaniels glanced at the time display on the wall. A full three minutes had passed since either one of them had spoken, and that was just formal greetings.
“Look, Sir,” began McDaniels, “they followed my orders and I did everything by the book.”
“Does this 'book',” the Vulcan asked sardonically as he rigidly gestured to his communicator, “teach not to report to your commanding officer events transpiring aboard the station that could result in a galactic war?”
Jonah regretted the words before they came out of his mouth: “Sir, it was not on the station, but the D'Relera.” He looked away and visibly cringed.
Admiral Lok's expression remained unchanged: stone. “I stand corrected.”
“No, you're right, Admiral,” said McDaniels. “I should have called it in. It will not happen again.”
“Excellent. Now onto the matter of T'Ven...”
“There is a...a matter of T'Ven, Sir?”
The Vulcan Admiral said, “She was caught accessing secure files in astrometrics. I assumed Commander Archer had informed you.”
McDaniels' shoulders slacked and his eyes drooped. “N- No, Sir. I came straight here after the incident on the warbird.”
“I see,” said Lok stoically. “I suggest you avoid Lieutenant Farmahini from now on.”
This statement confused McDaniels. “Why, Sir? Did the linguist make a complaint about my conduct?”
“No,” replied Lok, turning to his PADD. “But it seems you have a problem with communication, and he is our chief of communications.”
McDaniels caught himself before he laughed. “Admiral, your jokes are getting better, but I don't think you should tell them in a situation like this.”
Lok tapped a couple buttons, keeping his attention on the PADD. He droned, “You are dismissed, Lieutenant.”
Nicknames: Jonny, Jone, Jon, Jack McDaniels, JAM
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Date of birth: 2370, June 15
Year of Academy Graduation: 2392 (18 years ago)
Physical Profile (height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc.): 5'11", 170 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes, small, barely visible scar on the back of his neck beneath his collar
Birthplace: Nashville, TN, Earth
Talon or moonbase? Moonbase
Preferred rank: Lieutenant
Department (if moonbase, why are they there?): Security Chief; transferred from DS6 due to conflict of interest - his captain was interested in killing him so there was a conflict.
Are you new to the forum? If no, list one of your other characters: Yes.
How did you find us? search browser and proboard RP forum ads
Personality: Jonah's outward layer is that of a no-nonsense security chief with duty and responsibility at the forefront of his mind; while on duty, he expects nothing short of complete respect from his subordinates, and does not tolerate any lack of professionalism. At times, his "anger management issues" may exhibit themselves toward a reprimanded ensign or in a heated debate about diplomacy. Interestingly, he does not let his anger get out of hand when in combat. In fact, he seems very calm and in control.
Out of the uniform, however, JAM is satisfied with pretending he is not in Starfleet at all. He enjoys the company of his best friend or his parents when he is on Earth, though this is rarely seen by his fellow officers. When he spends time with his comrades off duty, such as in a tavern or on leave, Jack McDaniels refrains from alcohol or synthohol, but is content with having fun and laughing about the good old days.
Due to several emotional deficiencies, Jonny has many insecurities toward people, which are very well hidden, except for his intermittent lack of communication skills. Years ago, he was considered anti-social, but has since been able to blend in with social situations when off duty. When he is in the uniform, however, he doesn't really care how people see him, and is brutally honest about it.
While he has much respect for the chain-of-command, it ends when the chain-of-command shows a disrespect for life, liberty, honor, or other values that Federation Starfleet officers should uphold.
Background and History:
Jonah McDaniels was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 2370 to Corin and Nima McDaniels. He was the oldest of three brothers, and a sister who later became disabled in a flight test accident in the Gamma Quadrant.
Jonah's misspent youth entailed intermittent schooling, time in juvenille detention for chronic misdemeanors, and considerable rebellion against his parents, though he and his brothers were very close. His brothers and sister called him "Jonny" or "Jone," respectively, his parents always called him Jonah, his best friend Elijah called him Jack, and his enemies, usually school bullies or cellmates, referred to him as JAM. However, when he was 15, his brothers convinced him that the slur was not so bad, so he began to own the nickname JAM, even joining a local rock band as the lead guitarist. The year after, he told his parents he wanted to join Starfleet.
His mother encouraged him to join, but his father, who hated Starfleet, did not. He threatened to disown Jonah if he joined. For two years, Jonah studied harder than he ever had, barely passing grade school. He got a part-time job when he was 17 and when he was 18, in defiance of his father, joined Starfleet.
Jonah's two brothers graduated grade school a couple years later; one lost contact with his family and moved to Andoria, and the other opened a business in the Gamma Quadrant, but kept in contact with all members of his family.
In 2390, Jonah's sister Nel was conducting a flight test in the Gamma Quadrant for a civilian freighter company when an accident occurred, resulting in her being physically disabled. There are three different stories to what happened: pilot error was the official reason declared by the corporation she worked for; Starfleet engineers claim that her shuttle's navigational system had a faulty relay that was supposed to have been recalled before she went out, thus putting the blame on the civilian company; and Jonah believes that she was attacked by a rogue weapons satellite. Due to no longer being able to speak, Nel cannot corroborate, deny, or explain any of the events that transpired during the incident. The shuttle's sensor and computer records were mysteriously erased afterward.
Once his sister was made handicapped, Jonah's anger issues only worsened. Though he never drank alcohol or tried any drugs, he would often go to bars as an cadet just to get into brawls. This continued even after he graduated Starfleet in 2392.
After refusing for so long, Jonah finally sought therapy when he realized his Starfleet career was threatened. In 2393, Ensign McDaniels tried talking to Starfleet counselors but they did little good. It was not until his best friend admitted to being half-Betazoid that Jonah received true help.
In 2398, he made LT. (JG) and was stationed on Deep Space 6 as a security officer. With no major incidents and an exemplary record of going above and beyond the call of duty, Jonah was promoted two years later in 2400 to full Lieutenant. He was made assistant chief of security the following year.
Jonah distinguished himself in 2400 when a swarm of Nausicaan raiders attacked DS6 while all available Starfleet ships were over two days away. With a skeleton security force, and McDaniel's superior officer incapacitated with an unknown illness, Jonah deputized dozens of DS6 residents, officers, and shop keepers to defend the station. A grand total of 23 people fought off a company of over fifty Nausicaan pirates.
Returning to active duty, DS6's chief of security recommended McDaniels for the promotion to full Lieutenant that same week. In 2401, Lieutenant Jonah McDaniels took over as DS6's security chief full time.
2409: after he and three security and science officers boarded a Romulan warbird for routine checks, he fell in love with the warbird's executive officer, who happened to be a Tal'Shiar operative. When she attempted to gain access to DS6's command codes and killed two Starfleet security officers and one Romulan centurion, Lieutenant Jonah McDaniels ignored his emotions and put duty first. He killed the operative before she had a chance to kill a civilian Cardassian he had never met.
That Cardassian turned out to be a spy for a rogue element within the Cardassian government, and two months later, committed suicide rather than choose between his loyalty to his world, and the Federation he had grown to admire. McDaniels gave a rousing speech at his funeral about how one should never assume to know what is in someone's heart until they show it, because they will often surprise you, both for the better and for the worst; he was also thinking of the Romulan woman he had been forced to kill.
When the new commander of DS6 arrived, McDaniels knew he was trouble. His file mentioned he had been cleared of conspiracy and high treason, which just made the security chief suspicious. Despite his misgivings, he decided he would give the captain a chance. Things went fine for a few months, but in November of 2409, the captain made sexual advances on his seventh "victim", but McDaniels finally had the proof. He confronted the captain with the evidence, and the captain threatened Jonah's promotion to Lt. Commander if he did or said anything.
The dirty captain sent McDaniels and two of his men on a dangerous mission in December of 2409, knowing they would be killed. McDaniels lost one of his men, and he and the other officer went AWOL, after they received word from a reliable source that the captain of DS6 would make sure they did not make spacedock alive. A few weeks later, McDaniels was captured by operatives working for Starfleet and returned to DS6.
There was a trial for McDaniels, but not for the captain. After a formal hearing, the brass decided to transfer McDaniels from the station and keep the captain there, much to everyone's chagrin. The brass also told McDaniels he would not be eligible for promotion again for another six months.
When he transferred to DS10 in January of 2410, his security team followed suit. His assistant chief of security is Lt. (JG) Tarka Harn, a female Tellarite that he'd defended when the captain of DS6 laid his hands on her.
Name of Celebrity: Corin Nemec
Avatar of your chosen character (please include the link to the picture here). Your picture should be no more than 150 pixels wide: storage.proboards.com/3288443/a/UnCQG0vK3YABBpyztuwT.jpg
below is a photo I will NOT be using for my avatar, but I like it
s912.photobucket.com/user/KingDaniel01/media/renegades_uni2.jpg.html
Sample Roleplay: Please write at least a 200 word sample RP post as your chosen character. RP should involve something of your character's career, not memories of their childhood, their pet, etc.
I'm not completely sure, but I believe it's a little more than 200 words. I'm sorry to everyone's eyes
==============/\=============
“Lieutenant McDaniels, report to airlock four.”
Tapping his comm-badge, Jonah McDaniels responded from his seated position behind the chief of security desk. “On my way, Admiral.”
Just then his former superior, Lieutenant Commander Zorren Archer, entered the office and immediately went to the coffee maker.
Jonah smirked as he got to his feet and straightened his gold tunic. “See, Commander. I told you the old coffee maker would grow on you.”
Commander Archer cast the Lieutenant a tired scowl. “I'm only using it because the office replicator still hasn't been repaired. Don't you have a security sweep to conduct, Soon-to-be-Ensign McDanny?”
“Heading there now, Sir,” McDaniels chuckled.
He ensured his sidearm was properly holstered before leaving the office. A couple minutes later, the man was standing in front of the airlock with two science officers and two other security guards.
McDaniels covertly turned Ensign Tarka Harn, a Tellarite female security officer. “We don't really need these turquoise nerds here.”
Tarka Harn smiled. “Sir, it's teal. And you once wore that color.”
“For like a week,” he answered hotly, but was careful to keep his voice hushed. “Besides, we lost all records regarding those simulations, so I'm not admitting anything.”
The airlock door rolled open to reveal three Romulan officers. His eyes were immediately drawn to the woman he realized was the D'Relera's first officer, completely ignoring, for the moment, the Romulan commander and chief of security.
Sub-Commander T'Ven was not just beautiful to Jonah, she was uniquely beautiful. She had shoulder-length auburn hair instead of the typical Romulan short and black. A barely noticeable tattoo of a gray X marked her cheek by her right ear. He saw her first, but not half a second after he began staring, she glared at him. When he kept staring, her glare softened and she nodded and smiled slightly.
When the commander spoke, Lieutenant McDaniels' uncharacteristic unprofessionalism vanished. “I am Commander Vranot,” the man said tersely. He then gestured to his people. “This is Sub-Commander T'Ven, my first officer, and Centurion Per'Kor, my chief of security.”
Deep Space Six's chief of security responded, “My name is Lieutenant McDaniels. This is Ensign Tarka Harn and Crewman Penman. These are Lieutenants Parker and Farmahini. I suggest we dispense with further pleasantries so we can get you on your way as soon as possible.”
Vranot gave McDaniels a curt nod. “Agreed. I will show you to our bridge.”
“Our names are very similar,” McDaniels overheard Lieutenant Parker tell the Romulan chief of security, Centurion Per'Kor as they strolled through the ship.
McDaniels rolled his eyes and minutely shook his head. Only Crewman Penman noticed, and grinned. When McDaniels turned to glare at him, Penman cleared his throat and kept his eyes forward. Right before they arrived on the bridge of the D'Relera, McDaniels caught a flicker of a smile on T'Ven's face. Apparently she had seen it too.
Suddenly the red light above the bridge door began flashing and an alarm klaxon started to sound. McDaniels barely heard the bridge door seal. He instinctively drew his sidearm.
“What's going on?” he demanded of Vranot.
Commander Vranot accessed a communications panel at a small station near the door. “Lieutenant Fonlek, report!”
“Sir, the Reman security force! They're part of the Reman underground! They've taken over – Ah!”
Vranot, McDaniels, and the others heard a Reman disruptor kill Fonlek through the speakers. Everyone looked at each other in anger or fear. McDaniels saw that Vranot was surprised more than anything.
“You still use Reman guards, Commander?” McDaniels asked. “I thought most of them were killed in the nova that took your home-worlds.”
Vranot cast a derisive glower his direction before reaching into his empty holster. “Your species' paranoid boarding policy has made me a weak, unarmed target, Lieutenant! You will deal with this!”
McDaniels sighed. “Of course, Sir. How do we get inside?”
Sub-Commander T'Ven said, “There's an auxiliary hatch that leads into the bridge from the deck below, but we won't be able to fit more than two people through it at once.”
“Alright,” McDaniels said with a nod, not thinking of anything except neutralizing the threat. “You and I will access this hatch and shoot the guards. Then we'll unseal the bridge.” He turned to Vranot. “How many Remans are in there, Commander?”
Looking ashamed, Vranot hesitated. He sighed and said, “Six.”
“Six?” Ensign Harn exclaimed.
Damn, Jonah thought ironically, I think I'm gonna start drinking...
“Okay, everyone keep calm. How many officers loyal to you are in there?”
McDaniels, who always kept his eyes peeled for facial expressions, saw T'Ven's nervousness mixed with the slightest of caustic smirks. In fact, he probably would not have recognized her expression if he had not found her so alluring.
Commander Vranot said, “Four – well, three now I suppose.”
The Centurion said, “I should be the first one in.”
“Yes,” agreed McDaniels with a pointed look of disdain. “I absolutely agree. But I'm responsible for the safety of DS6, so...I'm going in first.” He turned to the science officers. “Go home.” To T'Ven, he said, “Lead on.”
A minute later, they were one deck beneath the bridge, climbing up a ladder to a hatch. McDaniels was sweating profusely, disbelieving that any human being could ever withstand more than a few minutes in this level of heat. Then he inwardly laughed when he remembered that Romulans and Remans were not human beings.
“You find something funny,” said T'Ven as she looked down at him in the gloom. It was not a question, but an accusation.
“How in the world do you even see me down here?” he replied, wiping his brow.
T'Ven said, “I have superior eyesight. And humans are not very adept at hiding their emotions.”
“Whatever. Are we there yet?”
“Yes. Climb up beside me.”
Jonah laboriously made his way up the narrow ladder beside T'Ven. It was now he got a better look at her tattoo, despite the darkness. His eyes were mere inches from hers. The tattoo was not just gray, it had an electric element to it, perhaps a tiny computer chip.
Ignore everything but the task at hand.
“I'm ready when you are,” McDaniels told her, their bodies pressed together on the ladder. He cleared his throat anxiously.
T'Ven nodded slightly and raised the disruptor she had taken out of a weapons cabinet on the way. She hovered her hand over a panel by the trapdoor.
“For what it's worth,” she said, “I truly apologize for getting you involved with our affairs.”
Jonah shrugged. “It's my job. Let's just get it over with. High stun.”
T'Ven scoffed, “They are traitors. They will be vaporized.”
Jonah's intense glare frightened even the Romulan sub-commander. She swallowed and changed the setting on her disruptor.
“As you wish,” she whispered, though her tone still held strength and confidence. “May we proceed?”
“We may,” Jonah said as he readied himself for combat.
Before she touched the panel, T'Ven pulled her fingers back and glanced over to McDaniels.
He looked at her. “What now, Sub-Commander?”
“Perhaps...if we live through this, we could...I mean, you could join me, if you're not too busy of course, for a bottle of – of Romulan ale?”
Jonah laughed at her. “I don't drink.”
Didn't you just tell yourself you were gonna start drinking? This is perfect! You can get drunk for the first time in your life with a beautiful woman – Oh wait, Romulan ale is illegal.
“I understand,” she answered, but clearly she didn't.
Blinking away his personal thoughts and feelings, Jonah McDaniels re-readied himself for combat. “Let's just go shoot people, okay?”
T'Ven snickered and pressed the button, opening the hatch into the bridge...
Half an hour later, Lieutenant McDaniels was sitting in front of Admiral Lok's desk. The Vulcan space station commander simply stared across the table at him, hands folded in front of him. McDaniels glanced at the time display on the wall. A full three minutes had passed since either one of them had spoken, and that was just formal greetings.
“Look, Sir,” began McDaniels, “they followed my orders and I did everything by the book.”
“Does this 'book',” the Vulcan asked sardonically as he rigidly gestured to his communicator, “teach not to report to your commanding officer events transpiring aboard the station that could result in a galactic war?”
Jonah regretted the words before they came out of his mouth: “Sir, it was not on the station, but the D'Relera.” He looked away and visibly cringed.
Admiral Lok's expression remained unchanged: stone. “I stand corrected.”
“No, you're right, Admiral,” said McDaniels. “I should have called it in. It will not happen again.”
“Excellent. Now onto the matter of T'Ven...”
“There is a...a matter of T'Ven, Sir?”
The Vulcan Admiral said, “She was caught accessing secure files in astrometrics. I assumed Commander Archer had informed you.”
McDaniels' shoulders slacked and his eyes drooped. “N- No, Sir. I came straight here after the incident on the warbird.”
“I see,” said Lok stoically. “I suggest you avoid Lieutenant Farmahini from now on.”
This statement confused McDaniels. “Why, Sir? Did the linguist make a complaint about my conduct?”
“No,” replied Lok, turning to his PADD. “But it seems you have a problem with communication, and he is our chief of communications.”
McDaniels caught himself before he laughed. “Admiral, your jokes are getting better, but I don't think you should tell them in a situation like this.”
Lok tapped a couple buttons, keeping his attention on the PADD. He droned, “You are dismissed, Lieutenant.”