Derek Khanata

Derek Khanata (Scenesys ID: 1604)
Quote
"Unfortunately for you, I am Special Agent-in-Charge Derek Khanata of the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate. Pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/21/135, the U.S. Constitution does not bind me. I have the authority to send you to Guantanamo Bay until menopause simply because I am in a poor mood."
Profile
Full Name:	Derek Khanata
Gender:	Male
Species:	Human
Theme:	Marvel (AFC)
Occupation:	Agent of SHIELD
Citizenship:	Wakandan
Residence:	New York City
Education:	Masters in Political Science, Golden City Polytechnic Prep
Status:	Dropped
Groups:	SHIELD, Howling Commandos
Other Information
Apparent Age:	46	Actual Age:	46
Date of Birth	29 July 1980	Actor:	Lance Reddick
Height:	193 cm	Weight:	95 k
Hair Color:	Black	Eye Color:	Brown
Theme Song:	"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus

Profile

While Derek Khanata has the distinction of being the only Wakandan agent of SHIELD, he also has somewhat of a sinister reputation among his fellow agents--rumors abound of string-pulling by friends in high places and that he was involved in "some pretty heavy stuff back in Wakanda". Even those who have worked alongside him describe him as a competent, no-nonsense officer who is dedicated but dour. While Khanata seems to have few allies in the agency, his service record (or, some whisper, a few choice words shared among the senior brass) has earned him the title of Senior Agent-in-Charge, tasked with overseeing various covert operations both in the States and abroad.

Sheet

Description

Click to expand.

Tall, thin, fit African male in his mid-'40s. Dark skin taut on his bones, jutting cheeks marked by spiral-shaped scars, eyes cautious and analytical. Wears a fitted gray suit, modern but not flashy, and moves with the confidence of a man who has known action and does not fear it.

History

Click to expand.

Derek Khanata was born to the Khanata clan, a socially prominent family rooted in ancient tradition, renowned as warrior-scholars. Derek's parents, having embraced the clan's asceticism and self-discipline, drove him not only to succeed, but to excel. He did so, earning honors from Golden City Polytechnic with a master's degree in political science and a distinguished service record as an intelligence officer in the Wakandan military. He dutifully accepted an arranged marriage to strengthen ties to the Itobo clan after college and was blessed with a wife, Ziri, who was fiercely independent, intelligent, and good-natured. Life looked bright for Derek and Ziri as they soon welcomed two daughters into their life.

All of that would change when Derek's drive and ambition attracted the attention of the Hatut Zeraze, an elite, 'black' special forces unit (whose name translates to 'Dogs of War'). The Hatut Zeraze operated as the secret police within Wakanda and their dirty tricks program abroad, using blackmail, kidnapping, and assassination to protect Wakanda's national interests. Khanata was seen as an ideal candidate and was approached for recruitment.

While the position was prestigious and well-paying, Khanata was initially hesitant, given the Hatut Zeraze's reputation for cowboy tactics, but was convinced by his family that this wasn't a position that he could afford to put down. That decision would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Initially conceived during the colonial era, the Hatut Zeraze were the means through which the Wakandans kept European adventurers and spies from discovering the advanced civilization they had built and the vast treasures they held. It was only through a brilliant and ruthless suppression campaign that they were able to avoid the rapacious eye of the British, maintaining an isle of independence in the heart of British East Africa. Despite their initially-limited remit, the Hatut Zeraze's budget, manpower, and legal powers grew over the following decades, with little or no oversight. Less scrupulous Wakandan monarchs began to rely on the Hatut Zeraze to keep dissenting tribes and political reformers in line and to mold policy in the region through the strategic use of (deniable) force.

During the early 21st century post-colonial unrest in the region resulted in a refugee crisis, threatening Wakanda's dearly-held secrecy. The Hatut Zeraze took it upon themselves to deal with the problem, 'discouraging' immigration by establishing a series of black site 'processing facilities' that were little more than cattle yards where refugees were detained, threatened, and abused before being driven off. For those who would not (or could not) move on, more permanent methods were used.

The Wakandan people knew little of these abuses. While most Wakandans were ambivalent about the Hatut Zeraze, they were also accepted as a necessary evil and an entrenched force within the government. To Khanata, it would come as a rude shock. Hatut Zeraze training had developed into a nightmarish blend of tribal ritual, psyops, and old-fashioned brainwashing to create a bond between the participants and an unquestioning loyalty to their leader, the White Wolf. The initiation culminated in ritual scarification of the participants, forever marking them as members of that elite group. Khanata wears those scars to this day, in spiral-shaped markings on his cheeks.

The White Wolf, a traditional title given to the leader of the Hatut Zeraze, was a position held by Hunter, adoptive son of King T'Chaka, when Khanata joined the organization. Hunter had been adopted by the king as a babe, the sole survivor of a plane crash and first European to become Wakandan royalty. Hunter, although older than T'Challa, recognized that he had no claim on the throne and had instead dedicated himself to the Hatut Zeraze with a sadistic zeal. It was under his watch that the Hatut Zeraze's ambitions and influence had rapidly grown, changing from a tool used by the throne to a force independent of it.

While being 'hazed' into the Hatut Zeraze was a powerful and frightening experience, Khanata would only gradually become introduced to the full parameters of the 'mission' of the Hatut Zeraze, or the methods they would use to achieve it. Eventually, however, as he became trusted and relied upon by as a capable leader and field operative, he was entrusted with increasingly 'sensitive' missions. Step by step, Khanata was drawn down into Hell.

Sickened by the life and unable to escape, Khanata eventually broke down and confided to his wife, Ziri. After gaining some perspective, he decided that the only way he could gain absolution for his crimes would be to expose the Hatut Zeraze, hoping to spark popular outrage to force reforms. Khanata spent the next two years methodically gathering evidence in his case against his friends and coworkers, wracked with stress and guilt but determined to see justice done.

Khanata's carefully laid plans were disrupted, however, by the sudden assassination of King T'Chaka by Ulysses Klaw, European adventurer and treasure hunter which forced Prince T'Challa to the throne. Khanata, calculating that T'Challa, who had long had an antagonistic relationship with Hunter and was known for his youthful idealism, would prove receptive to a direct petition. Winning an audience with the prince through subterfuge, Khanata passionately and articulately made his case; T'Challa would prove receptive to his message.

Over the following months, Khanata would become the central figure in a highly politicized investigation into the crimes of the Hatut Zeraze, testifying on live television before the tribal government and endlessly discussed in the national press. T'Chaka, the recently-deceased king, had initiated a set of gradual reforms to lessen Wakanda's long-held isolationist policies which traditionalists viewed with suspicion. Some pundits even claimed that T'Chaka's liberal policies had directly led to the king's demise, as a European adventurer, upon discovering the value of the Great Mound, had conspired to overthrow the government and enslave the populace to enrich himself. T'Challa, however, was far more radical a reformer than his father ever was, and for the conservatives, known as the Desturi, the Hatut Zeraze became a political rallying cry.

Desturi pundits and talking heads cast the Hatut Zeraze as a proud military tradition and cornerstone of national security, and that the actions of 'a few bad apples' didn't justify dismantling 'Wakanda's most effective deterrent against neo-colonial aggression'. Critics cast Khanata as a 'mad dog' acting on personal grievances against members of his unit and ignoring the chain of command. It was shortly after the hashtag #puthimdown started trending that the death threats against Khanata and his family began.

When the investigation was finally settled seven months later, Hunter the White Wolf had been exiled for his crimes and the Hatut Zeraze dismantled. Despite overwhelming evidence of systematic abuses, the decision provoked outrage from hard-line Desturi (representing roughly thirty percent of the country). The majority of the Hatut Zeraze fled the country, joining Hunter in exile and escaping prosecution. They would go on to become an elite mercenary unit.

Khanata, for his part, had to relocate twice, move his girls into a private school (and later a home tutor), and accept a security detail. Outside of media appearances, editorials, and fundraisers, work was out of the question for Derek or Ziri, and they found themselves prisoners in their home. T'Challa, recognizing the personal cost of Khanata's service, called in a few favors owed his government by the US State Department and a personal one from Nick Fury. Three months later, Derek and his family were en route to the United States, with Derek accepted as an agent-in-training in SHIELD.

Life in the United States proved to be a blessing to the Khanata family. After a year of intense public scrutiny, anonymity, freedom, and relative security were a relief, even as they were exiled from their friends, extended families, and way of life. Derek took to his new career like a fish to water, exulting in the joy of honest, meaningful work. He proved a capable and dedicated agent, and has climbed the ranks in the ensuing years, being promoted to Special Agent-in-Chief, where today he is tasked to oversee teams of agents and freelancers on various 'special projects'.

Personality

Click to expand.

Controlled: Derek is analytical, professional, and quiet. Shaped at an early age by a demanding family who expected him to live up to his prestigious clan's reputation, Derek learned to present a mask of cool detachment to the world. As a result, Derek is uncomfortable expressing genuine emotion or even letting his guard down enough to cut up with the team.

Suspicious: Derek's years in the Hatut Zeraze changed him forever. Forced to participate in atrocities he can never forget, Derek has seen the absolute worst that humanity is capable of. He trusts no one beyond King T'Challa and his immediate family and has learned never to lay all of his cards on the table, to double-check his sources, to always have an escape plan.

Pragmatic: Khanata is a man who gets things done, one way or another. A no-nonsense workaholic, he expects the best from both himself and his agents and will fearlessly pursue a case no matter where it leads. Additionally, he is unafraid to think out of the box or toss away the rulebook should the situation deem it necessary.

Abilities

Click to expand.

{{{Abilities}}}

Skills

Click to expand.

ATHLETICS
Derek Khanata is a fit man in his mid-'40s who exercises regularly. In addition, he has trained extensively in stealth and acrobatic techniques as a member of the Hatut Zeraze.

COMBAT
Derek Khanata has twenty years of special forces training and direct combat experience as an agent of the Hatut Zeraze and SHIELD. Tough, unflappable, and quick-witted, Khanata is a capable marksman and hand-to-hand combatant.

COVERT OPERATIONS
Derek Khanata has spent a decade in both the Hatut Zeraze and SHIELD, two of the most elite intelligence agencies on the planet. Having distinguished himself in both, Khanata is proficient in techniques of interrogation, electronic warfare and surveillance, handling agents and informants, intelligence analysis, operational security, and the logistics of managing a team.

GADGETS
Khanata has been exposed to many of the latest and greatest high-tech 'toys' employed in the super-spy field and is comfortable in the use of a variety of devices. When faced with an unknown device, Khanata can usually intuit its use and method of operation in a short time.

LINGUISTICS
Derek Khanata is a skilled linguist, and is fluent in Wakandan, English, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Latverian, and Atlantean, with a smattering of words in a dozen other languages.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Derek Khanata earned his master's in political science at Golden City Polytechnic, is familiar with many of the intricacies of international law and policy and has a strong understanding of geopolitical history and strategy.

Resources

Click to expand.

SHIELD
As a Special Agent-in-Charge, Derek Khanata has access to SHIELD's vast military, espionage, and technological capabilities - or at least as much of it as he can requisition (and later justify to the budgetary committee). In addition, he directly oversees a team of highly trained SHIELD agents and is given a discretionary budget for operational costs (including hiring freelancers). SHIELD also provides Khanata with broad legal powers while in pursuit of his duties.

T'CHALLA

As the star witness of a highly publicized trial orchestrated by Prince T'Challa to justify the dissolution of the Hatut Zeraze, Khanata and his family suffered harassment, threats, and public ostracization. As a reward for loyal service (and recognizing that he was no longer welcome in Wakanda), T'Challa made a personal arrangement with Nick Fury to land Khanata a spot at SHIELD. Today, they are still friendly, although speak very infrequently (an occasional call to wish one of Khanata's daughters' happy birthday, etc.). Khanata could potentially still turn to T'Challa for aid (although he would be unlikely to do so unless the situation was dire), and the Prince may still feel that he still owes Khanata a debt.

Weaknesses

Click to expand.

HATUT ZERAZE
The White Wolf and his reformed Hatut Zeraze have not forgotten Derek Khanata, nor have their allies among the Desturi. Khanata and his immediate family cannot safely return to Wakanda without fear of reprisal and have been targeted multiple times over the last decade by Hatut Zeraze assassins.

REPUTATION
Although he has served with SHIELD for several years now, Khanata originally joined the agency under a cloud of suspicion. While only senior brass were briefed on the details of Khanata's background, vague rumors still circulated among junior agents about highly-placed friends pulling strings on his behalf and that he was involved in some "pretty heavy stuff" back in Wakanda. Given the near-total media blackout from Wakanda and Khanata's background files being marked highly classified (as well as his reticence to discuss the past), nothing could be substantiated but they still became part of the institutional folklore, passed from one generation of recruits to the next. As a result, Khanata has spent years ignoring insinuations of backroom deals following a promotion or being told that he "knows how to play rough" when questions of morality come up, as well as greenhorn recruits copping an attitude towards the "dirty cop". Khanata, for his part, has learned to ignore these insults-he suffered through far worse in Wakanda.

T'CHALLA'S DEBT

When T'Challa contacted Nick Fury to request that Khanata be considered for SHIELD, Fury was initially dubious--Khanata had serious human rights abuses on his record and was a known whistleblower with serious enemies. T'Challa not only vouched for Khanata's character and competence as an agent but also offered Fury an as-yet-to-be-named favor. Although Khanata has proven himself many times over as an agent since joining the agency, the matter of the unsettled debt could still ensnare him in a conflict of interests between his loyalty to his country and the agency he serves, depending on how the cards fall on the table.

Logs

Click to expand.

To Refresh Character's Log List Click Here. Then hit the resulting button to dump the old cached list.

Title	Date	Scene Summary
Astral Flux: Puzzle Pieces	October 17th, 2018	Aaron Grant is interviewed about the telepaths and his portals.
Astral Flus: Cross-Disciplinary Team-Up	October 17th, 2018	Derek Khanata gathers an odd assembly of mages and telepaths to hatch a plot to defeat the Shadow King.
Astral Flux: Cross-Disciplinary Team-Up!	October 17th, 2018	Derek Khanata brings together John Constantine, Scarlet Witch, Jason Blood, and Psylocke to hash out an audacious plan to stop the Shadow King. An ASTRAL FLUX scene.
The Demon You Know	October 13th, 2018	Jason Blood introduces Jeannette to Derek Khanata and Hellboy.
Astral Flux: Howling Recon	October 12th, 2018	The howling commandos examine the Mexico site.
Astral Flux: Pawn to King 4	October 12th, 2018	Khanata recruits Wiccan to the Squadron Sorcery and lays some heavy exposition. Wiccan proposes a unique solution. An ASTRAL FLUX scene.
Inhuman Resources	October 11th, 2018	Summary needed
Planned Commandohood	October 10th, 2018	Summary needed
A Demon's Lair	October 5th, 2018	Summary needed
Tournament: Raphael vs Razorfist	October 4th, 2018	Knife vs sai, monster vs freak. There can be, only one!
OPERATION HARD RESET, Stage Three: Ill-Met in Tiki Bar	October 1st, 2018	The Howling Commandos drink, smoke, and eat trash. They talk strategy, sort of. Everyone's wearing sunglasses.
OPERATION HARD RESET, Stage Two: Dark Horse	September 30th, 2018	Khanata recruits Ash for the Howling Commandos; Johnny Blaze is dragged kicking and screaming.
Recruiting the Rider (Howling Commandos)	September 29th, 2018	Summary needed
OPERATION HARD RESET, Stage One: Recruitment	September 28th, 2018	Derek Khanata seeks out the aid of Reed Richards in a bold plan to trap the Visitor and free the sleepwalkers. An Astral Flux scene.
Astral Flux: This body's on You	September 27th, 2018	Agents barter with the possessed telepath Paul Dannon, and earn their information in blood.
FLAGGED:AUTOFAC Keyword Log 675-5397-FPK	September 25th, 2018	A gathering of immortals as the Warlord Crule is contacted by his centuries-lost sister, Ekaterina Vespucci, and SHIELD is on the line.
The Dragon Stirs	September 25th, 2018	The Genoshan Cabinet advises Magneto on the growing crisis in Kenya. A FLASHPOINT KENYA scene.
FLAGGED: AUTOFAC Keyword Log 657-5309-FPK	September 24th, 2018	A call between Ekaterina Vespucci, international arms dealer, and Makosi Onyango, sales rep for DRC, a high-tech arms manufacturer, is flagged by SHIELD AI systems. A FLASHPOINT KENYA scene.
Changeling: Putting The Pieces Together	September 23rd, 2018	After a rough encounters with Cal Johnson and the Neon Dragons, Clint, Skye and May compare notes and make plans.
In The Bush With Ghosts	September 22nd, 2018	At a remote encampment in the backcountry of Southern Somalia, two immortal monsters forge a pact in blood, marking day one of a new empire which threatens to drown the continent in chaos. A FLASHPOINT KENYA scene Trigger warnings: gore, masculine posturing, old-timey comic book language
The Whiching Hour	September 12th, 2018	Summary needed

Cutscenes

Click to expand.

To Refresh Character's Log List Click Here. Then hit the resulting button to dump the old cached list.

Title	Date	Scene Summary
No logs submitted yet.

Gallery

Click to expand.

{{{Gallery}}}