You Again?

Posted on Sun Jul 27, 2025 @ 1:19am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines

1,235 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Civilian Decks, Jason Haines' Apartment
Timeline: ??

Jason was packing as he had decided to move to the planet given Alanna's work would be there most of the time now. It would be fun to explore the planet.

He secured his guitar in its case when the door chime rang. He went to the door wondering who was visiting him.

He opened the door and saw two Starfleet officers he had never seen before; one a male Lieutenant and the other a female Captain.

"Sorry guys", Jason said. "Command center is fifty decks up."

"Yes, but you're right here," the captain said. "Can we come in?" She stepped forward, expecting Jason to step back and let her in.

"No", he answered and pressed the close button and stepped away so the door could close.

Unfortunately for Jason the door only closed part way before stopping. Civilian repairs were lower priority than Starfleet.

"Whatever, come in, but make it quick", Jason said . "I have a shuttle to catch."

The woman said nothing. She simply walked in and looked around at the room and the signs of Jason's packing.

"Leaving so soon?" the lieutenant asked once he followed the captain inside.

"I'm Captain Trillian Ross, Starfleet Intelligence. This is Lieutenant Peter Gunn. Starfleet has a job that requires your particular talents. a promotion to Lieutenant Commander and a nice, cushy assignment as a bodyguard." She paused, watching his reaction. "Oh, and your past peccadilloes will be erased." Still, from what she'd been told, she expected some push-back.

Jason looked at the two of them with a slight frown.

"First of all being a bodyguard is in no way cushy", Jason replied. "Second, the rank and clean slate aren't a big deal. I'm more than a uniform. Last, there are probably equal if not better candidates, so why me specifically?"

"Someone from Starfleet Science believes that Pangaea may be of some importance to Federation security. I wasn't read in, but someone up the chain thinks you know things others do not." The captain raised an eyebrow and waited for him to respond.

"About what?", Jason asked. "Pangaea? Anyone can learn about the planet. It's called reading which I guess is why command thinks I know something as I can and do read. Try it sometime."

Trillian shook her head. "I'm sure it's more than that, but it's above my pay grade. The question is, do you accept?" In fact, she had no desire to know the answer to most of his questions. Better to just do as asked and move on.

Jason looked at Trillian and said, "It depends on whether you meet my demands."

Gunn laughed, then covered it with a cough. He knew if he said anything at this point, he'd be in trouble, so he chose to remain silent.

She scowled, then frowned at the lieutenant before turning back to Jason. "What demands?" She thought Starfleet had been more than generous, given his record. But she had her orders.

"First item", Jason began. Given the size of the station, planet and the fact I will need sleep once in a while, I need a team of 24. All must have graduated in the 25th percentile, 2 must be doctors, 2 must be telepathic, an Aenar and full blooded Betazoid. We'll need quarters and work space both on the station and planet."

Jason waited for the Captain's response.

"That's quite a detailed list. Why so many, and why the diversity? if you want me to try and sell that to command, I'll need more than that." Trillian wasn't sure it was necessary. The numbers, maybe, but the specifics... But again, orders were orders.

"The number is because there are three shifts on the station and planet", Jason answered. "That’s 12 in each area, divided by three is four people per shift. The 2 doctors are for each location and redundancy. Same for the telepathy. They are in case the Commodore is mentally compromised. Now, the next items needed are two of Starfleet's top of the line runabouts, especially when it comes to shielding."

Trillian nodded. She had to admit, she was a little surprised by his detailed response. "All right. I think Starfleet will agree to that. With the damage done to the station, additional runabouts shouldn't be a problem. Anything else?"

"Indeed", Jason said. "I want my father's rank of Captain restored. He died for the Federation while some desk jockey pinned the mistakes in the mission on him."

"Oh, is that all?" Lieutenant Gunn scoffed, unable to remain silent.

Gunn looked like he was going to continue, but the captain cut him off. "Not the time or place, lieutenant." She turned to Jason. "Believe it or not, I think I can give you that, too. As you can tell, Starfleet wasn't happy to be caught off-guard by the Cardassians. They don't want it to happen again. Therefore, they want this new command to succeed in establishing peace in the sector."

"The reason Starfleet was caught with its pants down is that they didn't listen to Captain Soran", Jason said a scowled breaking over his face. "You can't expect a celestial class Starbase with two-thirds of a full crew. It kills morale, which brings me to my last need. Anyone stationed here for more than two years gets a promotion."

"That may be more difficult, but I can guarantee that some of them will. At least the department heads. Good enough?" Trillian hoped he would be reasonable on this. Giving everyone a promotion would probably be shut down immediately. But she could get some promotions pushed through, especially with the support of a few admirals.

"How about we fast track the department heads", Jason replied. "The remaining within six months?"

"With the number of Starfleet personnel on this station?" Ross shook her head. "Not going to happen. But anyone who is up for promotion--or should be--is another matter. You also have to give the new commander some right to run the station as she sees fit. That includes ranks. From what I hear, she's already promoted some."

"That’s the Starfleet I know and love", Jason quipped. "So, if she chooses ranks and such, why isn't the Commodore here making the offer?"

"She won't be given a choice in the matter. She'll be told she's getting a bodyguard," Lieutenant Gunn interjected.

Jason looked at Gunn and shook his head, "Can you get more starch in your boxers Lieutenant?"

He shrugged and continued, "It doesn't matter, the position ties into this planet's needs well, so I'll take the job with all the stipulations Captain."

"Perfect." Trillian smiled. "Welcome back, commander." She handed him a box with his new rank pips.

He took the box and said, reminding himself that he needed to use protocol again, "Thank you, Captain. When I return tomorrow I will report to the Commodore and send you my list of individuals for my team."

Trillian nodded. "Very good. Thank you for your cooperation." Then she turned to Gunn. "Come on, Lieutenant."

Peter nodded to Jason, but he didn't look happy about it. Then he followed the captain out the door.

Jason gave a nod back to Gunn and then continued packing as he didn't want to be late for his date with Alanna.

"Desk-jockeys", he muttered.

A post by

Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Commodore's Bodyguard

Captain Trillian Ross
Starfleet Intelligence
NPCd by T'mpest

Lieutenant Peter Gunn
Starfleet Intelligence
NPCd by T'mpest

 

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