The Bodyguard (Part I)

Posted on Sat Aug 2, 2025 @ 1:08am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Edited on on Fri Aug 8, 2025 @ 12:12am

1,355 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 16 - Afternoon

T'mpest was going over yet another report on station readiness when she received notification that a message had come in from Starfleet. As it wasn't marked as urgent, she finished the report, filed it away, and set the PADD in a basket to be recycled. Then she turned her attention to the message.

A bodyguard? Starfleet was assigning her a bodyguard? Why on earth did they think she needed one? The station had plenty of security--if it was even necessary now that Hydel Turvan was in a penal colony. She opened it and began to read to see if there was some way to refuse this.

Outside the Commodore's office, Jason scratched at his collar wondering how he had allowed Starfleet to rope him in again. Alanna had been a little irritated last night, but they eventually worked through it and had a good time.

He sighed and then rang the door chime.

"Come in," she called, triggering the door to open. She closed the message and turned the viewscreen to an image of space.

Jason walked in and said "Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines reporting Commodore."

He extended his orders PADD to her. Waiting for her to take it, his eyes darted around the room. He had been there multiple times before, but every CO put their own spin on things.

T'mpest had a Scottish claymore and a Vulcan trillpa mounted on the wall behind her desk. While they were for decoration, they were also sharp and easily removed, if necessary. Prints of Shi'Kahr, the Scottish highlands, and the Mystic Mountain nebula on a wall above a comfortable couch. Nearby sat a bookshelf filled with print books.

She stood and took the PADD. "Welcome, commander. Please, have a seat and tell me why you were assigned to be my bodyguard."

Jason sat down and, with a slight smile, said, "Given recent events and the location of the base, apparently Starfleet believes regulation 124.5 requiring flag officers requiring a bodyguard retinue applies."

T'mpest sighed. "I believe that would be the official reason, but why were you actually assigned to me?"

"To be honest, Commodore", Jason replied, "I'm still not 100 percent certain. I'm not a model officer, have been called insubordinate a few times, been demoted, retired, and dragged back into Starfleet kicking and screaming. I guess it's hard to find people like that in this day and age."

He paused briefly and continued, "but I'm sure that being the station's chief intelligence officer when I was active may have something to do with it."

"It might. We have a new chief of intelligence, but he is relatively new to the job." She gave him a half smile. "That will leave you free to do the more...covert assignments. And it will allow you to spend time on Pangaea."

"My vacations on Pangaea will be lower on the priority list", Jason said. I've been assigned a duty and will give it 100 percent. Given that, what exactly are you thinking regarding covert assignments. Is the new Chief an Ensign or something?"

"No, he's a JG. I think he will do well, but I would rather work with you if it comes to Pangaea. Commander Wells says you are part fae and know about the portal complex."

"Yes, I am part Fae", Jason replied. "That said, the Fae come and go as they please. Given that I am not of their noble cast and my Fae bloodline weak, I am not consulted much. I do have a Fae friend who pops in once in a while but it's on his terms."

He paused before continuing, "I do know much about the station, the people, as well as some of the planet. I specialized in temporal mechanics at the Academy so that has helped here."

T'mpest nodded. "Yes, I am aware you are not part of the fae here, but I had not heard about your fae friend. However, your understanding--or partial understanding--of them may be of value in the future. Your temporal science knowledge will also be helpful--especially while the temporal ripples are still a bit chaotic." She paused and considered him for a moment. "What are your feelings about this assignment? Also, would you be willing to work with the intelligence department if it became necessary?"

"I am here for personal reasons as the previous CO as well as Temporal made my career difficult shall we say", Jason replied. "Which is why I retired. Certain situations have occurred that brought me back. I assure you though, that I will do my job to the best of my abilities. I can't guarantee that it will always be by the book. As my father was famous for saying, 'To do what's right, sometimes you have to a little wrong.' As far as intelligence goes, I'll help any department you want me too as long as it doesn't interfere with keeping you safe."

"I am not always by the book, either. But I do what I feel is logical and right--most of the time. But there will be times we do not agree. That is only to be expected," T'mpest replied. "So, what do you expect of me?"

"Be direct, honest, and consistent", Jason replied. "Also, if I deem a situation unsafe, listen to me so I don't have to stun you to get you to safety."

"I am generally direct and consistent. I am half Vulcan. I will also be as honest as I can. Life is complicated enough without having to remember what you said to whom and when. If you are also consistent about being honest, I will be more likely to do what you say if the situation is serious enough. But I do prefer at least some reason for doing so."

Jason nodded and asked, "Are you a doer or a desk jockey. By that I mean if I were to jump over this table and attack you, would you try to contact security or would you grab that sword and lop a limb off?"

"That sword?" She indicated the two weapons behind her. "They are not just for decoration, no. I am not one to sit quietly and wait for someone to come to my aid. Not when I can take care of the situation before help could arrive."

In truth, she practiced regularly with both weapons. Phasers were nice--she had a small one in her desk--but sometimes the visual reaction to a woman wielding a sword was more effective.

Jason smiled.

"Good to hear. I have found in my short life that desk-jockeys tend to soil their pants when action starts.*

He paused and looked at the blades hanging on the wall.

"I am more of a quarter staff type, but those are nice. When were they made?"

"The trillpa is about 250 years old. The claymore about 150. So, fairly new. I've only ever used them for practice--so far. But the weight of the claymore and precision of the trillpa make for good workouts. To be honest, I prefer something simpler, but I do like the way people give them a second look." She could also tell a lot about a person by their reaction to them.

Jason chuckled a bit at the imagery.

"Must be quite the sight", Jason said. "I prefer simplicity as well. A staff is simple and versatile in many ways."

"It is. I use them for hiking, as they are versatile, but I do not practice using them as a weapon." Although at some point it would be interesting to do so.

"Any time you want to learn the staff, let me know, I will teach you", Jason said. "The fundamentals aren't too hard. Practice and footwork are what will take the most time."

It would be interesting, she had to admit, and she should have time for it, if she scheduled carefully. "Once we both settle in a bit, I would like that."

"Sounds good to me", Jason answered. "So, my next question is, do you have any known adversaries or enemies?"

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Bodyguard
Deep Space 5

Commodore T’mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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