January Challenge: Hell Date
- Thread starter DarKush
- Start date
Um, where is it? Could you add a link to the story or post it in this thread, please?
DARK TERRITORY:
HELL DATE
Oceanus IV
Atlantis Café
2372
“I can’t believe you actually took time off,” Jasmine Mendes smiled, her rich chocolate skin aglow in the wan sunlight. The two sat at a table on the patio overlooking one of the planet’s many clear-blue seas.
This was their third date. The first one had been a disaster, ending in a bar brawl. The second one had been better, but had taken place after a long, exhausting mission, and Terrence had wondered if perhaps the feelings that seemed to be growing between them had been real or caused by their shared danger. So, he thought the date tonight would be a truer gauge of where his courtship of Jasmine was heading.
“I could say the same for you,” Captain Terrence Glover remarked before taking a sip of water. “It’s strange, but Command finally approved our request for some shore leave. I thought DS5 was as good a port of call as any.” Captain Glover had left his ship, the Cuffe, to be refitted at the starbase while he had taken a runabout to Oceanus IV, leaving his first officer in charge.
“That’s interesting,” Jasmine said, taking a drink herself. “It would seem like Starfleet would want all of its available ships on alert right now, with Earth being under a state of emergency,” the young woman said, her face lining with concern.
“I’m just glad that Ben is on the scene,” Terrence said with grim confidence. One of his oldest friends, Captain Benjamin Sisko, had recently been appointed head of Starfleet Security. I’m sure he has things under control. And if he doesn’t, I’m only a subspace call away.” The captain said with more assurance than he felt. Actually he hadn’t been able to contact Sisko since the declaration of martial law. Even his father, Admiral Samson Glover had difficulty contacting Earth. He had only been able to reach a third-level adjunct of Admiral Leyton, Chief of Starfleet Operations. “Let’s not talk shop right now. So, how have things been?”
Despite his best efforts, Jasmine’s recollections of events on DS5 and her family life quickly became a comfortable enough drone. Terrence’s mind wandered. He wondered what was taking the waitress so long to bring their orders. He glanced around the moderately populated outdoor café. There weren’t that many people dining, so there was little reason in his mind for the wait.
When another waiter appeared with a tray for another table, Glover was about to call him over when he noticed a person not trying to be noticed. Something about the man at the bar, his head lowered and staring down at his drink, his shoulders hunched to help obscure his face, seemed familiar to the captain.
Terrence tried to sift through his memories. Over the years he had met thousands of people. It was possible that this guy was one of them, but something about that didn’t sit well with the captain. “Excuse me,” Glover said a bit more sharply than intended. Jasmine stopped abruptly, a bit taken aback.
“Was I talking too much?” She half joked, though there was a serious undercurrent beneath her light tone. Terrence lied.
“No, I…uh…just have to use the restroom,” the captain said, sliding out of his chair. “I’ll be right back.”
As Glover passed the bar, he bumped into the furtive man. The man jumped in his seat, knocking his drink over on a four-armed Terellian. The large alien stopped eating, swiveling his massive upper body around to glare at both men. The startled guy Glover had bumped into pointed at Glover.
“I didn’t do it, he did,” the rattled human said.
Terrence frowned, but bit the bullet. “My apologies.” The Terellian continued glaring at him, his nostrils flaring.
“That’s enough Marav,” a nubile Bolian female wrapped her slender arms around the Terellian’s neck, massaging his chest. “You promised no fighting on our anniversary.” The Terellian didn’t acknowledge the woman’s plea. Instead he took Glover’s measure. The captain stood tall, strong, and rolled his own muscled shoulders in a display of courage and readiness.
“You’re right,” Marav grumbled. “Neither one of them are worth it.”
“Terrence, I thought you were going to the restroom,” Jasmine ran up to Glover, taking him by the elbow, and steering him forward. But the captain stood his ground.
“In a minute,” he glanced at Jasmine and gave her a short smile. His date responded with a quizzical look. “But first, I wanted to greet an old friend,” he looked down at the guy who ratted him out. “Hello friend, don’t I know you from somewhere?”
“No,” the man shook his head. “Never seen you before in my life,” he mumbled before turning back to the new drink that had been placed before him.
Glover shook his head, “I’m not so certain of that,” he said.
“Leave the guy alone,” the Terellian said, prompting a sigh from his date.
“I don’t know you, okay,” the harried human pleaded.
“He might be right,” Jasmine said, “but I know him.” Glover’s and the man’s eyes widened simultaneously. “You’re a crewman on the Reprise. I remember that you were on an engineering team that dropped off supplies to DS5 a couple months ago.”
“Is that true?” Glover said, assuming a voice of authority. The man swallowed hard. “Answer me!” The man nodded.
“Yes,” he said weakly.
“Why didn’t you say so?” Terrence asked.
“Because maybe it is none of your business,” Marav butted into their conversation again. Glover bristled, but ignored the Terellian.
“I…uh…I,” the man began. “I was only following orders,” he said. Glover looked at Jasmine. The woman shrugged her shoulders.
“Orders, whose orders?” Terrence asked.
“I am not at liberty to say,” the man squeaked. Glover grabbed him roughly by the collar.
“You don’t have a choice in the matter mister,” the captain replied.
“Yes he does,” the Terellian said, lumbering to his feet. Terrence went on the attack immediately. He pushed the human’s face into the bar top and charged the Terellian, hitting him low and using his momentum and strength to turn the man around and slam him into the ground. The two combatants unfortunately collided with one of the wait staff, causing a shattering of plates and glasses, cold drinks and hot food both freezing and burning Glover. But his immediate concern was the slippery Terellian beneath him.
The alien used to of his arms to gain traction while pummeling Glover with his two other arms. Marav was able to quickly gain the advantage, flipping Glover onto his back. Marav reared back, raising his four balled fists, ready to deliver a death blow. Jasmine screamed, crashing a glass picture across the man’s head. It distracted Marav enough for Glover to jab the man’s solar plexus, temporarily paralyzing him. Terrence threw him off, and began pounding the man until he was certain Marav was incapacitated.
Standing up on shaky legs, he immediately searched for Jasmine. He knew that Reprise crewman was gone. Jasmine was circling Marav’s date. The Bolian held a wine bottle shard that she jabbed at Jasmine every few seconds, searching for an opening. Most of the café’s patrons, particularly the males, were enraptured.
Glover thought about helping his date, but stopped himself. He knew enough about Jasmine now to know that she would resent it. Plus, there was a side of him that wanted to see how well she could handle herself.
Jasmine threw her arm forward, sacrificing it. The Bolian went for the bait, stabbing the woman in her bicep. Jasmine twisted her body, and the woman tripped over her leg, the bottle flying through the air. Jasmine quickly hopped on the Bolian’s back, and slammed her head into the floor several times. Terrence had to admit that he was a little turned on by the brutal display.
After Jasmine stood up, Glover ran to her. He hugged her, and checked her wound. “It’s not too bad,” he said. “It’s more of a flesh wound. No arteries were punctured.”
“It sure doesn’t feel like a flesh wound,” Jasmine said. Glover looked around the bar, at the silently watching patrons.
“Is there a doctor in the house?”
“I think you better leave now,” the head waiter spoke up. “The authorities have been alerted.”
“We were only defending ourselves,” Terrence declared.
“I don’t think that’s going to fly,” Jasmine said softly. “Especially with our attackers lying on the ground.”
“Good point,” Terrence said. He dug into his pocket and threw a few credits at the head waiter. “Next time, work on your service. The wait time is horrendous.”
He cradled Jasmine in his arms as he led her out of the café. “Some date huh?” He asked. Jasmine snuggled close to him.
“Besides getting stabbed, it actually wasn’t that bad,” she smiled. Glover quickly promised to mend the woman’s wound with the medical kit aboard the runabout. “I really kicked that woman’s ass.” Jasmine added, amazed. “I didn’t think the physical training our Security Chief really worked.” Glover laughed.
“It seems like violence erupts whenever we get together,” he said, wishing he hadn’t as soon as it left his lips. He had meant it to be a joke, but Jasmine might really take it as a sign that he was bad news, and Terrence really wanted to keep seeing her.
“I can say one thing,” Jasmine said after a few minutes, “Things are never boring when I’m with you.”
Glover felt relieved. “You got that right.” He pulled out the combadge he had placed into his pocket, and used it to activate the runabout’s computer systems. He wanted the ship ready to leave orbit as soon as they reached the spaceport. Terrence had a feeling that Oceanus authorities would be hot on their heels shortly.
**************
Reaching the spaceport, he found a Starfleet security team waiting for them. They aimed their rifles at them both. Glover moved in front of Jasmine. “What’s going on here?” He asked, but the stoic soldiers remained silent. The hatch to his runabout opened and a human woman wearing captain’s pips stepped down the ramp, followed by the skittish crewman from the café.
The female captain instead caught sight of Jasmine’s arm. “I’ll have someone in my Sickbay take care of that.” Her startling blue eyes filled with concern.
“You’re not going to do a damn thing until you answer my question Captain!” Glover thundered. The woman placidly smiled, infuriating Terrence more.
“You’re not in control here Mr. Glover,” she said. “It’s best you understand that now so it things can go more smoothly for us from this point forward.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t even know if you’re really Starfleet.” Glover said. The woman nodded in understanding.
“I’m Captain Justine Haas, Starship Reprise,” she answered. Glover looked around her, pointing at the crewmen.
“So that weasel is a member of your crew?” Captain Haas frowned.
“Crewmen Wells isn’t a weasel. He’s a loyal member of my crew, and a true patriot. More so than I can say about you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Outside the fact that you’re running from a crime,” Haas said smoothly. “Your friendship with Captain Sisko puts your loyalty into question.”
Terrence stepped back, rocked on his heels. “What are you talking about? Captain Sisko is the head of Starfleet Security.”
“Was? Until he chose to oppose Admiral Leyton,” Haas said.
“Admiral Leyton? Ben and Leyton are friends. The admiral picked Ben to head the Security branch. Is this some type of joke?” He glanced at Jasmine after Haas’s expression yielded nothing. Jasmine looked as confused and troubled as Glover felt.
“The admiral thought Sisko was a friend, thought he understood the threat the Dominion presented,” Haas answered. “But his friendship blinded him. Now Sisko and his confederates are trying to stop the admiral from saving the Federation. We were ordered to take you into custody until your loyalty could be determined.”
“I don’t know what exactly has transpired,” Terrence said. “But you’re insane if you think I’m going to go anywhere with you.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Haas said. The security team moved in, their rifles at the ready. Glover stepped forward.
“Terrence don’t,” Jasmine placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. “This isn’t the time.”
“I think you should take Lt. Mendes’s advice,” Haas replied. “We’re only going back to DS5. The station has already been secured.” Glover stiffened. “No one was injured,” the Reprise captain added. “Your father, his staff, and your crew are all doing well.”
“All things considered,” Glover acidly quipped, drawing a laugh out of Haas.
“I’m glad you can keep a sense of humor about all of this,” Haas said.
“That’s about all I have,” Glover retorted.
“Not all,” Jasmine stated, pulling close to Glover, propping up his fading strength.
“It appears this date is going to be longer than I thought,” Terrence joked.
“Then I guess it’s good I don’t have a curfew then,” Jasmine said. He wrapped an arm around her.
“You might not believe this,” Haas said, “but you guys make a really cute couple.”
THE END
HELL DATE
Oceanus IV
Atlantis Café
2372
“I can’t believe you actually took time off,” Jasmine Mendes smiled, her rich chocolate skin aglow in the wan sunlight. The two sat at a table on the patio overlooking one of the planet’s many clear-blue seas.
This was their third date. The first one had been a disaster, ending in a bar brawl. The second one had been better, but had taken place after a long, exhausting mission, and Terrence had wondered if perhaps the feelings that seemed to be growing between them had been real or caused by their shared danger. So, he thought the date tonight would be a truer gauge of where his courtship of Jasmine was heading.
“I could say the same for you,” Captain Terrence Glover remarked before taking a sip of water. “It’s strange, but Command finally approved our request for some shore leave. I thought DS5 was as good a port of call as any.” Captain Glover had left his ship, the Cuffe, to be refitted at the starbase while he had taken a runabout to Oceanus IV, leaving his first officer in charge.
“That’s interesting,” Jasmine said, taking a drink herself. “It would seem like Starfleet would want all of its available ships on alert right now, with Earth being under a state of emergency,” the young woman said, her face lining with concern.
“I’m just glad that Ben is on the scene,” Terrence said with grim confidence. One of his oldest friends, Captain Benjamin Sisko, had recently been appointed head of Starfleet Security. I’m sure he has things under control. And if he doesn’t, I’m only a subspace call away.” The captain said with more assurance than he felt. Actually he hadn’t been able to contact Sisko since the declaration of martial law. Even his father, Admiral Samson Glover had difficulty contacting Earth. He had only been able to reach a third-level adjunct of Admiral Leyton, Chief of Starfleet Operations. “Let’s not talk shop right now. So, how have things been?”
Despite his best efforts, Jasmine’s recollections of events on DS5 and her family life quickly became a comfortable enough drone. Terrence’s mind wandered. He wondered what was taking the waitress so long to bring their orders. He glanced around the moderately populated outdoor café. There weren’t that many people dining, so there was little reason in his mind for the wait.
When another waiter appeared with a tray for another table, Glover was about to call him over when he noticed a person not trying to be noticed. Something about the man at the bar, his head lowered and staring down at his drink, his shoulders hunched to help obscure his face, seemed familiar to the captain.
Terrence tried to sift through his memories. Over the years he had met thousands of people. It was possible that this guy was one of them, but something about that didn’t sit well with the captain. “Excuse me,” Glover said a bit more sharply than intended. Jasmine stopped abruptly, a bit taken aback.
“Was I talking too much?” She half joked, though there was a serious undercurrent beneath her light tone. Terrence lied.
“No, I…uh…just have to use the restroom,” the captain said, sliding out of his chair. “I’ll be right back.”
As Glover passed the bar, he bumped into the furtive man. The man jumped in his seat, knocking his drink over on a four-armed Terellian. The large alien stopped eating, swiveling his massive upper body around to glare at both men. The startled guy Glover had bumped into pointed at Glover.
“I didn’t do it, he did,” the rattled human said.
Terrence frowned, but bit the bullet. “My apologies.” The Terellian continued glaring at him, his nostrils flaring.
“That’s enough Marav,” a nubile Bolian female wrapped her slender arms around the Terellian’s neck, massaging his chest. “You promised no fighting on our anniversary.” The Terellian didn’t acknowledge the woman’s plea. Instead he took Glover’s measure. The captain stood tall, strong, and rolled his own muscled shoulders in a display of courage and readiness.
“You’re right,” Marav grumbled. “Neither one of them are worth it.”
“Terrence, I thought you were going to the restroom,” Jasmine ran up to Glover, taking him by the elbow, and steering him forward. But the captain stood his ground.
“In a minute,” he glanced at Jasmine and gave her a short smile. His date responded with a quizzical look. “But first, I wanted to greet an old friend,” he looked down at the guy who ratted him out. “Hello friend, don’t I know you from somewhere?”
“No,” the man shook his head. “Never seen you before in my life,” he mumbled before turning back to the new drink that had been placed before him.
Glover shook his head, “I’m not so certain of that,” he said.
“Leave the guy alone,” the Terellian said, prompting a sigh from his date.
“I don’t know you, okay,” the harried human pleaded.
“He might be right,” Jasmine said, “but I know him.” Glover’s and the man’s eyes widened simultaneously. “You’re a crewman on the Reprise. I remember that you were on an engineering team that dropped off supplies to DS5 a couple months ago.”
“Is that true?” Glover said, assuming a voice of authority. The man swallowed hard. “Answer me!” The man nodded.
“Yes,” he said weakly.
“Why didn’t you say so?” Terrence asked.
“Because maybe it is none of your business,” Marav butted into their conversation again. Glover bristled, but ignored the Terellian.
“I…uh…I,” the man began. “I was only following orders,” he said. Glover looked at Jasmine. The woman shrugged her shoulders.
“Orders, whose orders?” Terrence asked.
“I am not at liberty to say,” the man squeaked. Glover grabbed him roughly by the collar.
“You don’t have a choice in the matter mister,” the captain replied.
“Yes he does,” the Terellian said, lumbering to his feet. Terrence went on the attack immediately. He pushed the human’s face into the bar top and charged the Terellian, hitting him low and using his momentum and strength to turn the man around and slam him into the ground. The two combatants unfortunately collided with one of the wait staff, causing a shattering of plates and glasses, cold drinks and hot food both freezing and burning Glover. But his immediate concern was the slippery Terellian beneath him.
The alien used to of his arms to gain traction while pummeling Glover with his two other arms. Marav was able to quickly gain the advantage, flipping Glover onto his back. Marav reared back, raising his four balled fists, ready to deliver a death blow. Jasmine screamed, crashing a glass picture across the man’s head. It distracted Marav enough for Glover to jab the man’s solar plexus, temporarily paralyzing him. Terrence threw him off, and began pounding the man until he was certain Marav was incapacitated.
Standing up on shaky legs, he immediately searched for Jasmine. He knew that Reprise crewman was gone. Jasmine was circling Marav’s date. The Bolian held a wine bottle shard that she jabbed at Jasmine every few seconds, searching for an opening. Most of the café’s patrons, particularly the males, were enraptured.
Glover thought about helping his date, but stopped himself. He knew enough about Jasmine now to know that she would resent it. Plus, there was a side of him that wanted to see how well she could handle herself.
Jasmine threw her arm forward, sacrificing it. The Bolian went for the bait, stabbing the woman in her bicep. Jasmine twisted her body, and the woman tripped over her leg, the bottle flying through the air. Jasmine quickly hopped on the Bolian’s back, and slammed her head into the floor several times. Terrence had to admit that he was a little turned on by the brutal display.
After Jasmine stood up, Glover ran to her. He hugged her, and checked her wound. “It’s not too bad,” he said. “It’s more of a flesh wound. No arteries were punctured.”
“It sure doesn’t feel like a flesh wound,” Jasmine said. Glover looked around the bar, at the silently watching patrons.
“Is there a doctor in the house?”
“I think you better leave now,” the head waiter spoke up. “The authorities have been alerted.”
“We were only defending ourselves,” Terrence declared.
“I don’t think that’s going to fly,” Jasmine said softly. “Especially with our attackers lying on the ground.”
“Good point,” Terrence said. He dug into his pocket and threw a few credits at the head waiter. “Next time, work on your service. The wait time is horrendous.”
He cradled Jasmine in his arms as he led her out of the café. “Some date huh?” He asked. Jasmine snuggled close to him.
“Besides getting stabbed, it actually wasn’t that bad,” she smiled. Glover quickly promised to mend the woman’s wound with the medical kit aboard the runabout. “I really kicked that woman’s ass.” Jasmine added, amazed. “I didn’t think the physical training our Security Chief really worked.” Glover laughed.
“It seems like violence erupts whenever we get together,” he said, wishing he hadn’t as soon as it left his lips. He had meant it to be a joke, but Jasmine might really take it as a sign that he was bad news, and Terrence really wanted to keep seeing her.
“I can say one thing,” Jasmine said after a few minutes, “Things are never boring when I’m with you.”
Glover felt relieved. “You got that right.” He pulled out the combadge he had placed into his pocket, and used it to activate the runabout’s computer systems. He wanted the ship ready to leave orbit as soon as they reached the spaceport. Terrence had a feeling that Oceanus authorities would be hot on their heels shortly.
**************
Reaching the spaceport, he found a Starfleet security team waiting for them. They aimed their rifles at them both. Glover moved in front of Jasmine. “What’s going on here?” He asked, but the stoic soldiers remained silent. The hatch to his runabout opened and a human woman wearing captain’s pips stepped down the ramp, followed by the skittish crewman from the café.
The female captain instead caught sight of Jasmine’s arm. “I’ll have someone in my Sickbay take care of that.” Her startling blue eyes filled with concern.
“You’re not going to do a damn thing until you answer my question Captain!” Glover thundered. The woman placidly smiled, infuriating Terrence more.
“You’re not in control here Mr. Glover,” she said. “It’s best you understand that now so it things can go more smoothly for us from this point forward.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t even know if you’re really Starfleet.” Glover said. The woman nodded in understanding.
“I’m Captain Justine Haas, Starship Reprise,” she answered. Glover looked around her, pointing at the crewmen.
“So that weasel is a member of your crew?” Captain Haas frowned.
“Crewmen Wells isn’t a weasel. He’s a loyal member of my crew, and a true patriot. More so than I can say about you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Outside the fact that you’re running from a crime,” Haas said smoothly. “Your friendship with Captain Sisko puts your loyalty into question.”
Terrence stepped back, rocked on his heels. “What are you talking about? Captain Sisko is the head of Starfleet Security.”
“Was? Until he chose to oppose Admiral Leyton,” Haas said.
“Admiral Leyton? Ben and Leyton are friends. The admiral picked Ben to head the Security branch. Is this some type of joke?” He glanced at Jasmine after Haas’s expression yielded nothing. Jasmine looked as confused and troubled as Glover felt.
“The admiral thought Sisko was a friend, thought he understood the threat the Dominion presented,” Haas answered. “But his friendship blinded him. Now Sisko and his confederates are trying to stop the admiral from saving the Federation. We were ordered to take you into custody until your loyalty could be determined.”
“I don’t know what exactly has transpired,” Terrence said. “But you’re insane if you think I’m going to go anywhere with you.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Haas said. The security team moved in, their rifles at the ready. Glover stepped forward.
“Terrence don’t,” Jasmine placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. “This isn’t the time.”
“I think you should take Lt. Mendes’s advice,” Haas replied. “We’re only going back to DS5. The station has already been secured.” Glover stiffened. “No one was injured,” the Reprise captain added. “Your father, his staff, and your crew are all doing well.”
“All things considered,” Glover acidly quipped, drawing a laugh out of Haas.
“I’m glad you can keep a sense of humor about all of this,” Haas said.
“That’s about all I have,” Glover retorted.
“Not all,” Jasmine stated, pulling close to Glover, propping up his fading strength.
“It appears this date is going to be longer than I thought,” Terrence joked.
“Then I guess it’s good I don’t have a curfew then,” Jasmine said. He wrapped an arm around her.
“You might not believe this,” Haas said, “but you guys make a really cute couple.”
THE END
Heh...nicely done! Nothing involving Terrence and Jasmine comes easy, does it? I was curious as to what Terrence was doing during Leyton's coup. Of course, you know this story calls out for a follow up...
Don't forget to put a link to the story on the challenge thread. ETA: never mind, I see you already did it...
Don't forget to put a link to the story on the challenge thread. ETA: never mind, I see you already did it...
But not really all that comedic, wouldn't you say?
I'd disagree somewhat with that, Camelopard, in that I think it does possess all the elements of a comedy. While not farcical, there was, as you pointed out, a wry perspective which was present throughout the story--nothing ever going right for Terrence and Jasmine. It wasn't "bwahaha" funny, more like "teeheehee" funny, or smirk and shake your head funny. However, I would say that there needs to be a follow up as we are left somewhat hanging here.
Seems that Terrance and Jasmine never catch a break! I, too, would like to see this developed further - it's a story worth telling! 
i didn't find it at all amusing. good story, just not smirksome, giggle-ish or lol'able.
For a Dark Territory story this was a real romp. I doubt it can get much more light-hearted then this ... 
It was a fun little tale and in the greater scheme of things it nicely foreshadows the continous problems these two characters will be facing with each other.
Also I liked Glover's rough reaction to the suspicious man. That was not very Starfleet like but very much like Glover.
Good stuff!
It was a fun little tale and in the greater scheme of things it nicely foreshadows the continous problems these two characters will be facing with each other.
Also I liked Glover's rough reaction to the suspicious man. That was not very Starfleet like but very much like Glover.
Good stuff!
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