==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==
== Starbase Casino.==
Mike, contrary to popular opinion, liked people. He especially liked the crew of the Aquila, particularly the way they treated Jez. Commander Talion and his Valkyries, in particular, had impressed him. Mike was truly impressed by how the Aquila had welcomed him, although he had to admit he had his reservations at first.
The Valkyries were another matter. Mike knew they were holographic beings, but they certainly didn’t behave like ordinary holograms. Their portable holographic projectors were controlled by miniature drones, and those drones were so small that most beings couldn't even see them. Exactly how the whole system worked was beyond Mike. Cybernetics and holographic technology weren't his areas of expertise.
Still, he had to admit he liked having them around.
Mike was also impressed with the recreational facilities of the Starbase. Normally, when he was in the field, he was sleeping on the ground in a tent or portable shelter. Yes, there might have been a shuttle available, but Mike was a bit old-fashioned. He would give up his bunk to one of the women or children of the dig team. So, having access to a comfortable bed, a holodeck, and all the other amenities of the Starbase was a luxury.
But Mike really liked the casino.
No, no, he wasn’t a gambler. That didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the occasional hand of poker or a few rounds of blackjack. He understood probability and statistics, but what he really enjoyed was people-watching.
Even though he didn’t necessarily speak with anyone in the casino, he could read their faces and body language. A man on a winning streak, thinking, This will be the big score, the hand that will put me over the top.
Or the young newlyweds starting off their lives together, hoping to win enough latinum to start their own business—the interplanetary shuttle service that would carry both passengers and cargo.
Then there was the three-time loser who was hoping that another spin of the roulette wheel would be the winning one that finally turned her life around.
Mike sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey.
It was moments like this that he felt the most lonely. His wife, T’Sara, was dead. His friends were dead. Jez was away on a mission.
In many ways, he was envious of Jez. She was just starting her career, off on exciting new adventures. He remembered his own first years in Starfleet—the friendships he cultivated, the experiences he hadn't necessarily expected but thoroughly enjoyed. To visit places like Risa or Kessa Prime had been truly incredible.
Mike knew that the crew of the Aquila had their hands full. Jez could be stubborn, opinionated, but passionate, insightful, and loyal.
Imagine being that stubborn, thought Mike.
Well, old man, she had an excellent teacher.
That voice. He had heard it in his head so many times over the years.
Mike recognized it instantly. It was unmistakable. It belonged to none other than Vesa Doizi.
Mike looked across the bar.
There she was.
Vesa Doizi, a Betazoid who had served on Jez’s parents' dig team. She had been a linguist but had eventually left the field to become a professor of linguistics at the University of Betazed.
Mike went over and hugged her.
“What in the world are you doing here?” Mike asked, his voice filled with surprise.
Vesa pulled back from the hug and gave him a knowing look.
“Still stubborn, I see.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Me? Stubborn?”
Vesa laughed. “Mike, you once spent three hours arguing with a Vulcan archaeologist over the proper way to secure a doorway.”
“That doorway was unsafe.”
“It was a doorway.”
“It was an unsafe doorway.”
Vesa shook her head, smiling. “And now you’re surprised Jez turned out stubborn?”
Mike looked at her with disbelief. “Really? I taught Jez to be stubborn?”
“Of course you did,” Vesa said. “You're the embodiment of stubborn.”
Mike gave her an indignant look. “I prefer determined.”
“Of course you do.”
Mike couldn't help but chuckle. Some things, apparently, hadn't changed in all the years they'd been apart.
“What are you doing here?” Mike asked.
“I’m on my way back to Betazed from a conference on Trill, but we received orders that all civilian traffic was to be diverted to the nearest safe port,” Vesa stated, her tone bewildered.
“Yeah, I was on the Aquila, and they ordered all civilian personnel to evacuate,” said Mike.
Vesa looked at her friend. She could tell that Mike was worried.
“I’m sure everything will be fine. She’s a strong, capable young woman,” said Vesa.
Mike knew that Vesa was right. Jez was as tough as nails, he thought as he rubbed his still-tender ribs.
“I know, I know. It’s just her first command,” stated Mike, sounding like a worried father. “ I just want her to do well.” He added.
“Relax. Let’s go get something to eat. There is a lovely Bajoran restaurant on Level Seven. Let’s sit down and catch up.”
>> Bajoran Restaurant.>>
== Starbase Casino.==
Mike, contrary to popular opinion, liked people. He especially liked the crew of the Aquila, particularly the way they treated Jez. Commander Talion and his Valkyries, in particular, had impressed him. Mike was truly impressed by how the Aquila had welcomed him, although he had to admit he had his reservations at first.
The Valkyries were another matter. Mike knew they were holographic beings, but they certainly didn’t behave like ordinary holograms. Their portable holographic projectors were controlled by miniature drones, and those drones were so small that most beings couldn't even see them. Exactly how the whole system worked was beyond Mike. Cybernetics and holographic technology weren't his areas of expertise.
Still, he had to admit he liked having them around.
Mike was also impressed with the recreational facilities of the Starbase. Normally, when he was in the field, he was sleeping on the ground in a tent or portable shelter. Yes, there might have been a shuttle available, but Mike was a bit old-fashioned. He would give up his bunk to one of the women or children of the dig team. So, having access to a comfortable bed, a holodeck, and all the other amenities of the Starbase was a luxury.
But Mike really liked the casino.
No, no, he wasn’t a gambler. That didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the occasional hand of poker or a few rounds of blackjack. He understood probability and statistics, but what he really enjoyed was people-watching.
Even though he didn’t necessarily speak with anyone in the casino, he could read their faces and body language. A man on a winning streak, thinking, This will be the big score, the hand that will put me over the top.
Or the young newlyweds starting off their lives together, hoping to win enough latinum to start their own business—the interplanetary shuttle service that would carry both passengers and cargo.
Then there was the three-time loser who was hoping that another spin of the roulette wheel would be the winning one that finally turned her life around.
Mike sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey.
It was moments like this that he felt the most lonely. His wife, T’Sara, was dead. His friends were dead. Jez was away on a mission.
In many ways, he was envious of Jez. She was just starting her career, off on exciting new adventures. He remembered his own first years in Starfleet—the friendships he cultivated, the experiences he hadn't necessarily expected but thoroughly enjoyed. To visit places like Risa or Kessa Prime had been truly incredible.
Mike knew that the crew of the Aquila had their hands full. Jez could be stubborn, opinionated, but passionate, insightful, and loyal.
Imagine being that stubborn, thought Mike.
Well, old man, she had an excellent teacher.
That voice. He had heard it in his head so many times over the years.
Mike recognized it instantly. It was unmistakable. It belonged to none other than Vesa Doizi.
Mike looked across the bar.
There she was.
Vesa Doizi, a Betazoid who had served on Jez’s parents' dig team. She had been a linguist but had eventually left the field to become a professor of linguistics at the University of Betazed.
Mike went over and hugged her.
“What in the world are you doing here?” Mike asked, his voice filled with surprise.
Vesa pulled back from the hug and gave him a knowing look.
“Still stubborn, I see.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Me? Stubborn?”
Vesa laughed. “Mike, you once spent three hours arguing with a Vulcan archaeologist over the proper way to secure a doorway.”
“That doorway was unsafe.”
“It was a doorway.”
“It was an unsafe doorway.”
Vesa shook her head, smiling. “And now you’re surprised Jez turned out stubborn?”
Mike looked at her with disbelief. “Really? I taught Jez to be stubborn?”
“Of course you did,” Vesa said. “You're the embodiment of stubborn.”
Mike gave her an indignant look. “I prefer determined.”
“Of course you do.”
Mike couldn't help but chuckle. Some things, apparently, hadn't changed in all the years they'd been apart.
“What are you doing here?” Mike asked.
“I’m on my way back to Betazed from a conference on Trill, but we received orders that all civilian traffic was to be diverted to the nearest safe port,” Vesa stated, her tone bewildered.
“Yeah, I was on the Aquila, and they ordered all civilian personnel to evacuate,” said Mike.
Vesa looked at her friend. She could tell that Mike was worried.
“I’m sure everything will be fine. She’s a strong, capable young woman,” said Vesa.
Mike knew that Vesa was right. Jez was as tough as nails, he thought as he rubbed his still-tender ribs.
“I know, I know. It’s just her first command,” stated Mike, sounding like a worried father. “ I just want her to do well.” He added.
“Relax. Let’s go get something to eat. There is a lovely Bajoran restaurant on Level Seven. Let’s sit down and catch up.”
>> Bajoran Restaurant.>>