==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==
As Mike entered his quarters, he took off his jacket and kicked off his boots; it felt good to relax and be himself. Mike sat down and rubbed his feet; he swore the replicator ran small when it came to shoe sizes. Yes, Mike wore a size 14 Boot, but every pair of boots the replicator made were tight.
Mike went to the replicator and ordered a drink, “Computer, a cup of Green Tea, room temperature.” He turned to Andrea and said, “If it’s too hot, it kills the nutrients of the tea.”
Mike sat listening intently when Andrea told him her view on Jez’s custody battle, "The good news is that I don't think there will be a legal battle exactly. I know the Talion family too well, and Alex doesn't do things by half measures. Alex dislikes violence, but he is not beyond having people put pressure on an opponent that might send a very indisputable message. The financial risks for this Devyyn are going to be far too extreme for his family to support a fight over some foolish indiscretion on his part. I actually would not be surprised if they offered Jez a significant sum to terminate the pregnancy and have it all go away. However, I can't fault Jez for having a psychological attachment to it, even if she is not currently carrying it. As a woman, I can appreciate that she might not be able to consider such a thing."
Mike had heard the name Talion before; the Betazoids on the Dig Team held the Talion name in high regard. The replicator, much like the Troi’s, the Sadal, the Derex; those families were held in reverence among the Betazoids. Mike knew very little about Commander Talion, except that Jez held him in the highest regard. Jez said he was Noble; he wasn’t sure what she meant by that because, yes, the word noble is often considered broad and vague because it acts as a "blanket term". Instead of describing a specific behavior, it generalizes complex moral traits. In writing and communication, relying on it can weaken your message because different people interpret the term differently, but knowing that Jez was raised in Archeology, mythology, and legend, she probably meant it in the fairytale knight-in-shining-armor style.
Mike’s brief meeting with Commander Talion left him feeling uncertain; Alex seemed confrontational, like Alex was angry with him about something. Mike liked Alex and assumed that he was just being protective of Jez.
Maybe we are both overly protective of Jez.
Mike wasn’t sure if he was ready to hear Andrea critique him as a prospective mate/father figure, but he knew he had to face it at some point, to make it make sense. Andrea began with her analysis of Jez’s choice ."The DNA thing isn't a shocking thing in itself. The idea of trying to genetically manipulate on the level she is proposing is monstrous, but she can't see that right now. Her attachment to you is classic though. It's often said that a girl's first love tends to be their father. In this case, a father figure, yourself. From a young age, she learned to trust you, confide in you. You taught her valuable life skills and conducted yourself in ways that helped to form what she would want to find in a future mate of her own. In the clear light of day, she would not want you as her actual mate, but you're the example and measuring stick she will use to evaluate those who might step up and try. She has also had occasional thoughts about other men filling that role, but often because of certain traits she admires and hopes to find all in one person at some point. Most are safely inaccessible or spoken for, but it doesn't keep her mind from thinking about those appealing aspects. The fact that you're such a role model in her life speaks well of you and says you did a good job in trying to bring her up with standards and that she shouldn't settle when it comes to such important life choices. Any father could only hope to accomplish such a task in raising a daughter. You've done nothing wrong, and her words are coming out under some turbulent emotional conditions. I think we can all forgive that sort of thing pretty easily."
Mike grimaced slightly; he wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with Jez holding him in such high esteem, because every hero has a weakness, a character flaw, something that causes the Hero to be revealed as just a person. A mortal being capable of making a mistake, of not living up to others' expectations.
Andrea spoke of Jez carrying the child; Mike was truly perplexed: why hadn’t she carried the baby? In theory, with the baby outside of her, Devyyn could get custody. Jez clearly was doing it for other reasons; was it for a tactical advantage? Was she looking to hurt Devyyn by keeping the child just out of reach?
"What ARE your feelings on all of this?" Said Andrea.
Mike took a sip of his tea; he sat there processing what Andrea had told him. He processed it against the Jez he knew, or at least the Jez he thought he knew. Mike knew that going to Star Fleet Academy changes people on a fundamental level, You enter holding a particular world view, a specific cultural identity weather it be Vulcan, Bajoran, Andorian or Tellarite you hold your culture in the Highest regards, that your culture is just a little better, a little more advanced, but in the Academy you learn that each culture has its failures and shortcomings, the Academy tears down those cultural preconceptions, you learn to see the strengths and the weaknesses just fall away. Did Jez fall in with some bad people, radicals who tainted her thinking? Jez clearly had changed; was it for the good or the bad, it was too hard to say. In all likelihood, Jez was still Jez, the same sweet and kind young lady; she had just gone through trauma. She had gone through something that most people, men or women, could not go through. To have someone take away your power, your voice, especially for a woman, was horrible; a man, on the other hand, goes and punches the idiot who took his power, who took his voice, and beat the person senseless. Something was clearly affecting Jez. If he had to guess, it was a combination of her parents' death and the whole mess with Devyyn Ukinix. He couldn’t say for certain what or how long it would last.
Mike looked at Andrea; he was still processing the fact that she was older than he was, but looked to be around Jez’s age. Andrea looked truly amazing. In many ways she reminded Mike of T’Sara.
She is attractive, I'll give you that.
Mike let out a slight sigh, “Well, I feel confused, I ..I just don’t understand how Jez could have fallen for this Devyyn Ukinix. If I ever cross paths with him, I would break him in two. Jez deserves better; she deserves someone kind, thoughtful, and considerate,” said Mike, his tone introspective. “ Andrea, I don’t know if I’m a template for future lovers, or not. I’m stubborn; I can be cranky; I’m overprotective. Sometimes, I have trouble admitting when I’m wrong. I have a simple sense of humor; basically, if a teenage boy finds it funny, I probably will. I’m a walking contradiction. I believe in law and order, but I also believe in people being free, free to make their choices. I like loud Terran Heavy Metal Music, but I also enjoy Terran Classical music. I enjoy sophisticated foods. I can eat Beef bourguignon for lunch and tacos for dinner. My sense of humor is not much beyond that of an adolescent. Are these really traits she would want me to pass on to her child?” Said Mike.
Mike was in an area he didn’t feel particularly comfortable with while talking about his feelings. “Yes, Jez has seen me at my best and my worst, but is that a reason to run the risk of your offspring having those traits?’
Mike was a bit perplexed; normally if he told Jez no, she listened, but she seemed determined to purge the embryo of Devyyn Ukinix’s DNA. Mike was no Geneticist, but was such a thing possible even for Denabulians? Jez was trying to undo creation; they say life begins at the moment of conception.
Hmmm...Maybe. Jez is more grown up than any of us thought?
“Andrea, be honest, do I look like a Teddy Bear?” said Mike, sounding concerned.
== Tag Andrea. ==
As Mike entered his quarters, he took off his jacket and kicked off his boots; it felt good to relax and be himself. Mike sat down and rubbed his feet; he swore the replicator ran small when it came to shoe sizes. Yes, Mike wore a size 14 Boot, but every pair of boots the replicator made were tight.
Mike went to the replicator and ordered a drink, “Computer, a cup of Green Tea, room temperature.” He turned to Andrea and said, “If it’s too hot, it kills the nutrients of the tea.”
Mike sat listening intently when Andrea told him her view on Jez’s custody battle, "The good news is that I don't think there will be a legal battle exactly. I know the Talion family too well, and Alex doesn't do things by half measures. Alex dislikes violence, but he is not beyond having people put pressure on an opponent that might send a very indisputable message. The financial risks for this Devyyn are going to be far too extreme for his family to support a fight over some foolish indiscretion on his part. I actually would not be surprised if they offered Jez a significant sum to terminate the pregnancy and have it all go away. However, I can't fault Jez for having a psychological attachment to it, even if she is not currently carrying it. As a woman, I can appreciate that she might not be able to consider such a thing."
Mike had heard the name Talion before; the Betazoids on the Dig Team held the Talion name in high regard. The replicator, much like the Troi’s, the Sadal, the Derex; those families were held in reverence among the Betazoids. Mike knew very little about Commander Talion, except that Jez held him in the highest regard. Jez said he was Noble; he wasn’t sure what she meant by that because, yes, the word noble is often considered broad and vague because it acts as a "blanket term". Instead of describing a specific behavior, it generalizes complex moral traits. In writing and communication, relying on it can weaken your message because different people interpret the term differently, but knowing that Jez was raised in Archeology, mythology, and legend, she probably meant it in the fairytale knight-in-shining-armor style.
Mike’s brief meeting with Commander Talion left him feeling uncertain; Alex seemed confrontational, like Alex was angry with him about something. Mike liked Alex and assumed that he was just being protective of Jez.
Maybe we are both overly protective of Jez.
Mike wasn’t sure if he was ready to hear Andrea critique him as a prospective mate/father figure, but he knew he had to face it at some point, to make it make sense. Andrea began with her analysis of Jez’s choice ."The DNA thing isn't a shocking thing in itself. The idea of trying to genetically manipulate on the level she is proposing is monstrous, but she can't see that right now. Her attachment to you is classic though. It's often said that a girl's first love tends to be their father. In this case, a father figure, yourself. From a young age, she learned to trust you, confide in you. You taught her valuable life skills and conducted yourself in ways that helped to form what she would want to find in a future mate of her own. In the clear light of day, she would not want you as her actual mate, but you're the example and measuring stick she will use to evaluate those who might step up and try. She has also had occasional thoughts about other men filling that role, but often because of certain traits she admires and hopes to find all in one person at some point. Most are safely inaccessible or spoken for, but it doesn't keep her mind from thinking about those appealing aspects. The fact that you're such a role model in her life speaks well of you and says you did a good job in trying to bring her up with standards and that she shouldn't settle when it comes to such important life choices. Any father could only hope to accomplish such a task in raising a daughter. You've done nothing wrong, and her words are coming out under some turbulent emotional conditions. I think we can all forgive that sort of thing pretty easily."
Mike grimaced slightly; he wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with Jez holding him in such high esteem, because every hero has a weakness, a character flaw, something that causes the Hero to be revealed as just a person. A mortal being capable of making a mistake, of not living up to others' expectations.
Andrea spoke of Jez carrying the child; Mike was truly perplexed: why hadn’t she carried the baby? In theory, with the baby outside of her, Devyyn could get custody. Jez clearly was doing it for other reasons; was it for a tactical advantage? Was she looking to hurt Devyyn by keeping the child just out of reach?
"What ARE your feelings on all of this?" Said Andrea.
Mike took a sip of his tea; he sat there processing what Andrea had told him. He processed it against the Jez he knew, or at least the Jez he thought he knew. Mike knew that going to Star Fleet Academy changes people on a fundamental level, You enter holding a particular world view, a specific cultural identity weather it be Vulcan, Bajoran, Andorian or Tellarite you hold your culture in the Highest regards, that your culture is just a little better, a little more advanced, but in the Academy you learn that each culture has its failures and shortcomings, the Academy tears down those cultural preconceptions, you learn to see the strengths and the weaknesses just fall away. Did Jez fall in with some bad people, radicals who tainted her thinking? Jez clearly had changed; was it for the good or the bad, it was too hard to say. In all likelihood, Jez was still Jez, the same sweet and kind young lady; she had just gone through trauma. She had gone through something that most people, men or women, could not go through. To have someone take away your power, your voice, especially for a woman, was horrible; a man, on the other hand, goes and punches the idiot who took his power, who took his voice, and beat the person senseless. Something was clearly affecting Jez. If he had to guess, it was a combination of her parents' death and the whole mess with Devyyn Ukinix. He couldn’t say for certain what or how long it would last.
Mike looked at Andrea; he was still processing the fact that she was older than he was, but looked to be around Jez’s age. Andrea looked truly amazing. In many ways she reminded Mike of T’Sara.
She is attractive, I'll give you that.
Mike let out a slight sigh, “Well, I feel confused, I ..I just don’t understand how Jez could have fallen for this Devyyn Ukinix. If I ever cross paths with him, I would break him in two. Jez deserves better; she deserves someone kind, thoughtful, and considerate,” said Mike, his tone introspective. “ Andrea, I don’t know if I’m a template for future lovers, or not. I’m stubborn; I can be cranky; I’m overprotective. Sometimes, I have trouble admitting when I’m wrong. I have a simple sense of humor; basically, if a teenage boy finds it funny, I probably will. I’m a walking contradiction. I believe in law and order, but I also believe in people being free, free to make their choices. I like loud Terran Heavy Metal Music, but I also enjoy Terran Classical music. I enjoy sophisticated foods. I can eat Beef bourguignon for lunch and tacos for dinner. My sense of humor is not much beyond that of an adolescent. Are these really traits she would want me to pass on to her child?” Said Mike.
Mike was in an area he didn’t feel particularly comfortable with while talking about his feelings. “Yes, Jez has seen me at my best and my worst, but is that a reason to run the risk of your offspring having those traits?’
Mike was a bit perplexed; normally if he told Jez no, she listened, but she seemed determined to purge the embryo of Devyyn Ukinix’s DNA. Mike was no Geneticist, but was such a thing possible even for Denabulians? Jez was trying to undo creation; they say life begins at the moment of conception.
Hmmm...Maybe. Jez is more grown up than any of us thought?
“Andrea, be honest, do I look like a Teddy Bear?” said Mike, sounding concerned.
== Tag Andrea. ==