Jayden Montano

Commander Jayden Montano grew up in a military family, and knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in their footsteps. He joined Starfleet as soon as he was able, and quickly found his calling in the Security and Tactical division.

Jayden is a dedicated and highly skilled officer, who takes his job very seriously. He believes in the importance of discipline and following protocol, and can be strict with his subordinates when necessary. However, he is also known for his fairness and compassion, and is always willing to lend an ear to someone in need.

Jayden's past experiences have left him with a sense of duty to protect others at all costs, and he will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of his crew and ship. He is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat, and is a skilled marksman. He also has a sharp mind, and is known for his strategic thinking and tactical expertise.

While Jayden can come across as aloof or stoic at times, those who know him well understand that he has a big heart, and will do anything to protect those he cares about.

## History

### Childhood (0-13)

Jayden Montano was born in the city of Chicago on Earth to Denzel and Laura Montano on April 22nd, 2380. Jayden grew up spent much of his childhood in Chicago. When talking with Commander Zaria Al-Zafiri, in 2412, about growing up in Chicago he told her, "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

He was the third eldest child of his parents, his two older sisters being Dominique, who was born in 2375, and Sierra Montano, born in 2378. Later on, in 2382, Jayden Montano got a brother in Isaiah Montano. Being only two years apart from both Sierra and Isaiah, he was quite close to both of them; and while he was friendly with Dominique they didn't really do things together. The three younger siblings would often spend a lot of time together, exploring the city or just playing board games.

In 2384, his paternal grandfather died. While Montano was too young to remember him, his mother told him that the death changed his father in a lot of ways. Later that year Montano began kindergarten.

> *Need expansion from 2384-90*
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In 2391, his older sister Sierra began to attend high school. The two siblings drifted away from each other as Sierra was focused on making friends at her new school. Montano wasn't upset at the situation but later he admitted to Sierra that he wished they could've remained close.

Instead of playing board games or exploring the city, Montano would play a lot of sports, specifically soccer and american football either by himself or with Isaiah. His father slightly disapproved of this at first, as he'd rather have his two sons studying to follow in his footsteps. He changed his mind when his wife reminded him that playing sports has a lot of transferable skills.

In 2393, he began to attend high school himself. While he originally had hoped that being at the same school would allow him and Sierra to become closer again, this wasn't true as she found a group of friends and didn't want to spend as much time with him anymore. Montano was quite saddened by this, however, it would not last long as he quickly found a good group of friends for himself.

In 2394, he tried out for the high school's American football team, and was accepted. Later this year, he asked out Mia Slater, one of the prettiest girls in his grade and she accepted. They'd later breakup in 2396, after growing apart and Montano's desire to pursue a career in Starfleet.

### Starfleet Academy

In March of 2397, he takes the Starfleet Academy entrance exam and is accepted for the following year. In June, he graduates high school and then in September, he begins to attend Starfleet Academy.

In his inaugural year at Starfleet Academy, Montano demonstrates a commendable academic performance. Having navigated through the foundational courses with a blend of determination and curiosity, he makes the decision to focus his studies on starship tactics and security. This choice reflects not only his aptitude for strategic thinking but also his commitment to ensuring the safety and defense of starships and their crews. As he delves into the specialized curriculum, Montano's enthusiasm for the intricacies of starship operations becomes increasingly apparent, setting the stage for his future role as a skilled and dedicated officer in the Security and Tactical division.

In 2399, Montano was selected to take part in an advanced training cruise to the Trill system. While it is a routine mission, a way for instructors to see how cadets operated in the field, the fact that it was on a rather new ship, unlike the *Republic*, presented with Montano will a real possibility to make a name for himself. He did a rather impressive job, with the commanding officer of the ship commending the cadet personally.

In April of 2401, Montano is briefly assimilated by the Borg during the events of Frontier Day. However, the assimilation is not permanent and he's returned to his old self in a short time.

In June of the same year, Montano graduates from Starfleet Academy and is given the rank of ensign.

### Early career

Montano, along with the vast majority of his graduating class, traveled to Earth Spacedock in early July of 2401. There he learned he was being assigned as a junior tactical officer aboard the USS *Casanova*.

Aboard the USS Casanova, Montano assumed the responsibilities of a junior tactical officer with diligence and determination. His duties encompassed a range of tasks crucial to the ship's security and operational efficiency. From coordinating tactical drills to analyzing sensor data for potential threats, Montano demonstrated a keen understanding of starship tactics and an unwavering commitment to his role. Engaging in routine patrols and working closely with senior officers, he honed his practical skills in responding to various security scenarios. His time on the Casanova also afforded him the opportunity to develop strong camaraderie with fellow crew members, fostering a collaborative and efficient environment within the ship's Security and Tactical division. Montano's dedication and strategic acumen earned him recognition among his peers and superiors, laying the groundwork for his continued ascent within Starfleet.

#### Deep Space 9

Upon his transfer to Deep Space 9 in 2403, Montano navigated the unfamiliar environment with a blend of confidence and respect. Aware of the station's strategic importance and the influential figures present, he approached his duties as a ensign, then as a lieutenant junior grade in 2404, with a meticulous and disciplined mindset. Recognizing the significance of establishing positive relationships, Montano made a concerted effort to engage with the existing crew and officers.

His attention to detail and dedication to protocol resonated well with those he interacted with. During a critical security briefing, Montano's insightful contributions to the ongoing discussions caught the attention of now-Captain Kira Nerys. Impressed by his strategic thinking and adherence to Starfleet protocols, Kira found Montano's approach to be both professional and refreshing.

In subsequent interactions, Montano demonstrated a genuine respect for the station's history and its crew's diverse backgrounds. His willingness to collaborate and learn from the experienced personnel at Deep Space 9, coupled with his proven skills in tactical matters, further solidified the positive impression he made on Kira Nerys. As a result, Montano's transfer to Deep Space 9 became a seamless integration, laying the foundation for a professional relationship that would prove valuable in the challenges that lay ahead.

In 2404, he also began to date Ensign Lila Smith. An exo-zooologist on assignment to DS9. However, this relationship would end in 2406 when Montano was re-assigned.

#### USS Ankara

In 2406, Montano is promoted to Lieutenant and re-assigned to the USS Ankara.

During his tenure aboard the USS Ankara, Lieutenant Montano navigated a series of events that tested both his strategic acumen and unwavering dedication to Starfleet principles. One notable challenge occurred when the ship encountered a spatial anomaly in the uncharted regions of a distant sector. The anomaly, while initially appearing benign, triggered unforeseen disruptions to the ship's systems, demanding swift and decisive action from the tactical team.

Lieutenant Montano played a crucial role in coordinating the response efforts, implementing strategic countermeasures to stabilize the ship and protect its crew. His leadership during the crisis earned commendation from the commanding officers and reinforced the trust placed in him by his fellow officers.

Additionally, the USS Ankara was tasked with a diplomatic mission to a volatile region on the outskirts of Federation space. Montano, acting as a liaison between the diplomatic team and the ship's security detail, skillfully managed the delicate balance between maintaining a strong security presence and fostering positive relations with the local inhabitants. His ability to navigate the intricate dynamics of diplomacy while ensuring the safety of the mission showcased his versatility as a tactical officer.

Amidst these challenges, Montano faced a personal dilemma when he received distressing news from Earth about a family matter. Despite the emotional strain, he maintained his professionalism and commitment to his duties. The support he received from his fellow crew members during this trying time highlighted the tight-knit community that had formed aboard the USS Ankara.

Through these events, Lieutenant Montano continued to demonstrate his resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of the ship and its crew. Each challenge became an opportunity for him to further refine his skills and solidify his position as a respected and capable officer within Starfleet.

#### The Iconian War

Prior to the Iconian War, Montano had already proven himself on numerous occasions which is why he was chosen to be one of a few strategic operations officers stationed on Earth Spacedock during the lead up to the war itself. As a part of his reassignment he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2409.

While he was stationed on Earth Spacedock, Montano met Commander Zaria Al-Zafiri.

## Chronology

* 2370: Born in Chicago, Illinois on Earth.
* 2372: Isaiah Montano, his brother, is born.
* 2374:
	+ Begins attending kindergarten.
	+ His paternal grandfather dies in the Dominion War.
* 2375: His father survives the Breen attack on Starfleet headquarters, but has surgery to replace his leg.