Colonial Planning - Part III

Posted on Sun Jul 13, 2025 @ 1:34am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Civilian Geral Lasuma

1,444 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Lasuma's Yacht
Timeline: MD15 - Early Evening

[PREVIOUSLY]

"That I did. Let's go see what the crew has prepared." Moving them to the edge he released her and allowed her to use the pool's ladder first.

[CONTINUED]

After their swim, T'mpest showered, changed back into her clothes, and recycled the swimsuit. There wasn't a brush, but she finger-combed her hair, pausing for a moment as she remembered the feel of Lasuma's fingers tucking her stray lock of hair behind her ear. With a soft smile, she left her hair free to dry and went in search of her host.

Lasuma had quickly showered and began to dress. With a towel around his neck, he moved to his console to check on dinner his personal chef had come aboard and had things well in hand.
Tossing the towel onto the bed the pulled on a shirt and headed out.

Stepping out into the main atrium he looked down from the balcony to the mid-level lounge as T'mpest looking about. He leaned against the rail to watch her.

She didn't see Lasuma, so she wandered around the lounge, appreciating the decor. It was both beautiful and comfortable.

After a couple of minutes, she began to feel like someone was watching her and paused, looking around. When she didn't see anyone, she looked up and smiled.

Smiling, he tilted his head towards the stair; descending the stair he joined her and offered her his arm. "I had to talk to the crew. I thought you might enjoy a better view than the hanger so we just take a little jaunt around the area while we eat."

That was considerate of him, and she appreciated it. "Thank you," she said, slipping her hand through his arm.

Together, he led them under the bridge, through the galley and into an area with a bar and dining area with several tables. They passed the bar and went to a table for two set against the side view port. "I hope you like Italian."

"Very much." She wondered if he had parties here, or if the multiple tables were for other purposes. But not enough to ask. She might, at some point. Right now, she wanted to focus on the dinner--and her companion.

Taking their seats, James came out from the kitchen with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Placing the glasses. "Good evening Miss...Mr. Geral."

As James open the wine Lasuma watched. "Evening James. What do you have for us tonight?'

Holding the base of the bottle James poured as he listed off what he had on the menu for them, ending his pour with an expertly timed twist to prevent any drips. "Well I'll be starting you both off with a mixed plate of ricotta and roasted tomato with pancetta and herbed chickpea bruschetta, then a nice light saltimbocca alla romana, the main course being pasta amatriciana topped with bistecca fiorentina, and for dessert a choice of tiramisu or panna cotta framboise."

"It sounds delicious. Thank you." It was a better meal than what she usually had, which was generally simple and often replicated. But now that she was on a station, she planned to take advantage of the Promenade from time to time.

When James left them, T'mpest turned her attention to Lasuma. "What brought you to starting your own business?"

He gritted his teeth a bit. "That's a very complicated question. What had originally been done for survival, turned into an opportunity for security and influence, during the occupation. By the time the Cardassians left...I just kept going. I grew up on the streets scrounging, I was going back to that. It was easy to see that during good times and bad people want the luxuries they either had become accustomed to or could be used for even the briefest escape.

"I had a knack of sensing people, it was only a matter of finding what they wanted and a way to provide that. During the occupation I would then dangle that in front of Cardassian and collaborator alike to get what I needed for other deals or myself. Information, favors, medicines, weapons, latinum were all used to get whatever was needed.

"After the Occupation I used the network I had developed to expand, help where I could. A lot of the time those hands up that I offered also ended up help the business as well." He took a sip from his wine as the bruschetta arrived.

The conversation paused while they both helped themselves to the appetizer. Then T'mpest picked up the conversation. "Is the Occupation why you are so generous? I know you donated the yachts, but you have clearly done more."

He looked down, taking a drink as he finished his last bite. "Mmm Mostly. There were times during the occupation I didn't or couldn't help. So, I made sure I did what had to be done to make sure I could when the need arose."

His face brightened, "Then as the Profits would have it the Xi'Cadians, and by extensions the Cardassians did me the biggest favor by cutting the flow of dilithium. The dilithium and trade deal your Klingon Ambassador and I cut with the rulers of the Tarelis System basically tripled my overall profit margin with little to cost on my part." He smirked at how it also pissed Raddon off to no end...

"So while ordering four of these," casting his hands about, "I got those two surface yachts and had them converted for medical uses. Help to ensure the shops on the promenade recovered from the latest troubles...Oh and bought the Box of Delights. I just hope things calm down, for a while at least."

The more he spoke of his past, the more she admired what he'd accomplished with his opportunities. "I hope so, too. But from what I read in past reports, this station does get its share of trouble." T'mpest raised an eyebrow. "I should have mentioned this before...Starfleet has allowed me to do some repairs to the station. I will be improving the arboretum and can do some improvements on the promenade as well. This is in addition to the repairs they may need."

"That's..." He was interrupted as the next dish arrived. Picking up a folk he cut a nodding as he savored the saltimbocca. "MMMMmmm, Very good."

Everything she's sampled at Lasuma's was excellent, and this was no exception. She again grew quiet as she began to eat.

Setting his glass aside, "As I was saying, that's excellent news and I will poll the other merchants about any improvements they might like to see. But I wanna know about you. How does a science office, a graduate of the Vulcan Science Academy, end up as a diplomat?"

She chuckled and took a sip of wine. "Intellectual curiosity mostly. I like learning. When I graduated from the Vulcan science Academy, I accepted a position as an instructor because I thought I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps. Then I realized I wanted to explore and get out in the universe to learn more, so I joined Starfleet. Science has always been my primary focus, but I also have a keen interest in people, so I accepted a position on a starship as a diplomat. Then I went back to science. I was lured into intel for a while, then went back to science." She chuckled, knowing how she must sound. "Command was another challenge, but I will always be a scientist at heart."

"Very true. I know it wasn't even going from doing to managing. The managing side is what actually brought me to DS5 and then I got back into the doing. The key for me was finding that balance."

"Yes. Balance is crucial. I have a feeling DS5 is going to give me a harmony I was unable to achieve elsewhere." As she looked at Lasuma, she hoped what was building between them would give her a wholeness of another kind. "There is...something different here."

Nodding, "There is...". Adding humorously, "...and you came into things here with Alllll that excitement. Now what are you going to do to keep yourself busy?"

"My life has never been dull. Why would I expect anything different here?" She gave him a self-deprecating smile. "I rather think I will need to make time away from work." Her smile turned playful. "However, I think I am off to a good start."

Wagging a finger, "Ah ah...time off? You just got here...and we have all these plans to make."

(To be continued...)

Geral Lasuma
Owner - Lasuma Enterprises

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

RSS Feed