Colonial Maneuvers - Part 5

Posted on Wed Jun 25, 2025 @ 1:36am by Colonel Nicholas Means III & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,731 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Pangaea

[PREVIOUSLY]

He had walked about 2 meters during her pause and he turned with a grin. "And this..." completing his turn his leg came forward sending a shower of water her way.

[CONTINUED]

Misunderstanding his intention, she hurried forward to make sure he didn’t slip, only to end up slipping herself and falling into the water--which made her start to laugh.

He had only intended to splash her, but her falling into the water had been hilarious and he double over laughing. She was soaked and he made his way to her he offered to help her.

Still laughing, T'mpest reached up to take his hand, but instead of letting him help her up, she pulled him down into the water with her.

Sitting up in the water next to her he wiped the water from his face laughingly, "Okay I deserved that." But as he humbly took his own soaking he splashed more water in her direction

Taking that as an act of aggression, she grinned and splashed him back.

The battle was on. The serenity and stillness of the lake vanished in an area of white water and laughter. Lasuma tried to duck under the barrage as he planned to see if he could get a grip on her wrists.

Between trying to block some of the barrage of water and splashing him in return, she momentarily lost sight of Lasuma. But when she did, she immediately took a defensive position, not sure what he was planning to do next.

Seeing an opening, he slipped in and was able to grab her; but as he did he lost his footing. He would have reached out to grab something instinctively but he already had a grip on her as he went down taking her with him.

With her wrists essentially shackled, T'mpest had no way of buffering her fall and tumbled forward, landing on Lasuma.

As he landed, he had released her so he could steady himself. The water crashed between them, but fortunately the water wasn't too deep and only half of his head was under water. The shock of the moment subsiding, he took a breath and opened his eyes. Looking up at her as she lay on him, his hand came up out of the water. Her hair dripping, he tucked the lock of hair back...

The humor of the situation was not lost on T'mpest. But before she made the situation worse by trying to get off him, she checked to be sure he wasn't injured and his face was out of the water. Then he tucked her wayward lock of hair back and she caught her breath, her eyes meeting his. "Lasuma..." she began, her voice slightly husky.

His head still partially submerged he didn't hear her but his gaze met hers. With one arm he pushed himself up out of the water as his other hand found the small of her back. He ignored her wet clothing clinging to her frame as his eyes never left hers, their faces now only centimeters away.

[Near the tree line]

Ensign Thomas had was once again taken to walks in the forest, now that the Cardassians had been dealt with. Being a botanist she would spend her free time examining the variety all around her and until the Federation section of the compound was repaired, she had lots of free time. Hearing the laughter ahead she move to see who was playing around. "Probably Becky and James again..." she said to herself.

From behind a tree she peaked to she a sleak shuttle, a picinic area, and two in the edge of the water. The intimate scene set her heart racing as the two drew closer, then she realized who she was seeing. Turning away quickly she leaned against the tree..."the Commodore???" Oh Becky is gonna love this..."


[Back in the water]

The touch of his hand sent tingles dancing across her back. She put a hand on his chest, her lips parting in anticipation...and then her combadge chirped.

== Means to Commodore Michaels. We have an issue at the construction site. I'm enroute now and were told you were already on the surface. ==

T'mpest looked at Lasuma for a moment, both frustration and humor dancing in her eyes. She moved back and tapped her combadge. == I will join you shortly. Michaels out. ==

She stood and held a hand out to Lasuma. "I apologize for the interruption." She paused as she realized what she said, then gave him a rueful smile. "I am sorry. It seems I am in need of transportation to the construction site."

It wasn't that it was anything she had control over, but damn... He returned her grin with one of his own, "The burdens of command." He tossed everything into the basket and draped the blanket over her shoulders.

It wasn't long and they were airborne, still soaked but on their way. having retrieved some towels while stowing the basket. They both tried to dry themselves during the short hop from the lake to the construction site.

As they approached several Marines and Federation construction engineers were grouped near a shuttle as someone, probably Means and his pilot, disembarked and approached the group.

"Colonel, we have incoming."

Means turned to look at the incoming shuttle. "Well, that's pretty sporty. Definitely not Starfleet issue."

After landing Lasuma hopped down, a towel around his neck even though he was still pretty well soaked.

Means was at a loss and about to ask why Lasuma was here when the Commodore came from the other side. His eyes darted back to the merchant and the eyebrow over his good eye shot up.

Outwardly, T'mpest was calm and professional, but inside, she knew the two of them looked a sight and couldn't help but be amused. "I apologize for our disheveled state. We were discussing options for the lake and neglected to take into account that the rocks would be slippery." She didn't dare look at Lasuma as she was afraid she'd start laughing if she did. "What did you wish to show me, colonel?"

Means caught Lasuma's subtle movement out of the corner of his eye but kept his attention on his commanding officer. He'd been to that lake and knew better but would never call bullshit on his CO, at least not with others around. "Ahhh..." Turning to one of his Marines. "Staff Sergeant, replicate the Commodore a fresh uniform."

"Aye sir." As the Marine headed off Means turned to the Engineers with a gesture.

At the Colonel's bidding the site foreman stepped forward. "Ma'am, we might have found something. It's either an oddly shaped natural rock formation or some additional ruins. We've halted construction until we could get a more detailed analysis."

"A wise decision. Please show me this rock." She'd left her uniform jacket in the shuttle, but the rest of her would soon dry. At least her boots were good. She tucked a still-damp strand of hair behind her ear. What she wanted most was a hair band to pull her bedraggled hair back, but she would make do without one.

Means looked back to Lasuma as he had decided to occupy his time by trying to dry himself, clearing his throat.

T'mpest looked from Lasuma to Means. "Would you prefer he leave?" She wasn't going to send him away, but she was also aware that this was Marine territory and she didn't want to cause any ill will.

"Oh no it's not that." Means nodded to Lasuma. "I'm a regular in his new shop. It's just that we don't know what we have or how long it will take. I'm sure he has better things to do than wait. I was told you were here with him, but I have my shuttle." There may have been a little too much emphasis on the 'with' but it hadn't been intentional.

She hadn't considered that. T'mpest turned to Lasuma. "Do you need to go back to the station? You are welcome to stay if you wish. If not, I can get a ride with the colonel or one of the scientists." He might also have second thoughts about the almost-kiss and want some distance.

Lasuma looked at T'mpest but could see the various expressions on the faces behind her. "I wouldn't want to be in the way, besides..." looking down at himself, "...I need to get cleaned up after you almost drowned me." Smiling as he baited her, "You take care of business and..." sounding defeated, "..I'll just head back by myself. But, um, if you want to finish that tour you know where to find me."

Means was looking away slightly and had forced his lips together to stifle his reaction. It was going to be an interesting conversation tonight in the lounge.

She wanted to shake her head at the comment, but not with their current audience, so she chose to raise an eyebrow. "I will let you know when I have a mock-up of the cabins. I agree that the cove is a good spot for them." She kept an outward calm, but inside she was laughing. At this point, anything she chose to say or do would only make things worse.

Climbing up he paused pointing at T'mpest, them motioning she needed to tuck the lock back again.

A dozen different responses flashed through her mind, but she couldn't say any of them. Nor could she prevent the bronze blush that crept into her cheeks as she remembered what almost happened when he tucked the hair back himself.

Hoping no one noticed, she tucked the wayward strand back--again.

Smiling he plopped into the seat and started the craft as the canopy lowered into place and he rose into the sky.

When he was gone, T'mpest turned back to the colonel. "Now, let us see if what you found is an artifact or not."

The Staff Sergeant returned with a fresh uniform and Means grinned. "Perhaps you should change first."

It was far too late for that, but T'mpest took the offered clothes, chuckling when she saw that a hair band had been included with the uniform. Then she grinned back. "Thank you, Colonel. I would not wish to start any rumors..."

---

Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

Colonel Nicholas Means
MCO, 21st MEU

 

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