Colonial Planning - Part V

Posted on Sun Jul 13, 2025 @ 5:38am by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,542 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Lasuma's Yacht
Timeline: MD 15 - Late Afternoon

[PREVIOUSLY]

His own mischievous expression formed and he chuckled a bit. "Well, if we REALLY wanna get the rumors going how about a little fine dining at Anatole’s, both dressed to kill of course, followed by us strolling through the promenade to the Box of Delights and up to the top level and into one of the holo-suites?

"But between now and then we throw a little bait to the gossip mongers here and there...just to keep their wheels spinning."

[CONTINUED]

T'mpest had never been one to encourage gossip, but she wasn't one to hide from it, either. "Anything we do will fuel the gossip. But I am curious as to what you have in mind...and what sort of holosuites are on the top floor of the Box of Delights? I have not been there or to Anatole’s."

"Anatole’s is a French restaurant on the promenade. As to the holo-suites, nothing special, they will run whatever program the user chooses. Since I picked the restaurant, you can pick the program."

"I am more likely to pick an ancient civilization or a garden somewhere." She raised an eyebrow. "As we are dressing up for dinner, what do you suggest? I could pick something for the next date."

He sat back as he thought. "Okay then, you pick our next date. For the night of our big reveal...since we will be in our finery...how about an evening in Venice during Carnival? A gondola ride through the city at sunset...maybe an opera..."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Yes. That sounds like a perfect evening. How formal do you want for out coming out?"

"Tell ya what. Since I have already let you know about everything for the evening. I will send you a few dresses to pick from as a surprise."

"All right." She finished her dessert and then the last of her wine. "A surprise I look forward to." She didn't want to leave, but he probably had things to do and people who needed him.

He could see she was done for the night and he wasn't going to endanger their new relationship by pushing anything too fast. "Shall we call it a night? Did you want to walk back from the bay or did you plan on beaming back?".

She chuckled softly. "That all depends on if we stir up the rumor mill now or wait until we walk down the promenade in our finery." She considered a moment. "On second thought, I believe a grand reveal is in order. What do you think?"

Giving her a bit of a side-eyed grin. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well...if you picked me up from the command center and we walked to Antoine's, it would definitely draw attention." And it would, to T'mpest's thinking, be a logical place to pick her up.

He laughed, "I can see the jaws dropping now. Everything running normally and you come out of your office all dressed up. Let's do it."

"If nothing else, it will be memorable." She grinned. It would also be fun.

"Of that I have no doubt." Standing he moved to her side of the table and offered her a hand.

She put her hand in his and let him help her stand. He made her feel...special. From the moment she first met him, she knew he was not like anyone she'd met before. She wanted to savor what was growing between them. Nurture it. Put down roots.

Pulling her away from the table he let her go and stepped back. Looking her up and down. crossing his arms with his fist against his mouth as his head tilt from one side to the other. A 'Hmm", could be heard from time to time as he sized her up.

As she watched him, her smile grew. She held her arms out to her side and slowly turned around. "Should I ask if I'll pass muster?"

Grinning broadly. "Oh, it wasn't anything like that, I was envisioning a few dresses for our 'big reveal'. I will send my clothier by in a day or two so that he can get them tailored for you. Oh, and you definitely pass."

She bobbed a curtsy. "Thank you, kind sir. But I should go back to my ready room. I think that will be an unexceptionable place to leave from tonight."

Stepping up to her, tucking her hair back again. "What you don't want to be seen leaving the bay...without having been seen arriving?"

"Anticipation, my dear Lasuma," she teased. "Ours for now, but I think I would like the next round of rumors to come from more than just the dock workers. We might even get the ladies from Tea Time to talk about us."

Laughing aloud he nodded, "Going for the brass ring. Love it. But you're right...good things come to those who wait." Pulling her close with one arm, his kiss was tender. His other arm wrapping around her.

T'mpest's arms slid up to his shoulders to prolong the kiss. This one didn't have the heat of the first, but it was magical, giving her a sense of belonging she'd never felt before. When the kiss ended, it took her several seconds to step away. "Let me know when you are free for our date and I will clear my evening."

With a grin he gave her a mock salute, "Yes ma'am."

She shook her head, grinning back. "I really should go..." She leaned forward and kissed him once more, then stepped back. "Thank you for dinner and...everything. But..." But they were going to take this slow and she did have things to do--even if she'd rather stay here, talking with Lasuma.

"'But...', you have this whole station to run. I know, even when you're off duty, you never really are." Stepping over to the panel he selected the bridge and opened the channel. "Take us back."

After closing the channel, he returned to her and taking her hands in his. "You know...you do have to eat and if you ever want real food you can stop by the cafe and if I just happen to be in my office at the time. I might be convinced to come down and join you."

"I do need to eat every day... And I have become quite partial to the food the cafe serves..." She paused and smiled. "But if I could see the owner as well...I do not think I could resist making a habit of it."

"Well, I think that can be arranged. I'll be sure to expand on the menu to keep you coming."

She grinned at that. "I will be happy to sample any of your new menu items. Just to be helpful." She liked the food, but she liked the idea of being able to eat with him more.

"Ohhh of course, just to be helpful. You can't allow something new on your station without proper quality control now can you?" There was the slightest shift as the yacht touched down.

She chuckled softly. "Definitely not. And if I make Lasumas my personal project, who can blame me?"

"Certainly not me. I..." He was interrupted when her communicator chirped.

She sighed before tapping her combadge. "Michaels here."

"Sorry for interrupting your...meeting, but the captain of the SS Paloma wants to talk to you immediately."

"Tell him I will meet him in fifteen minutes in my ready room."

"He's...already in the command center," Millie, T'mpest's secretary replied. "And he insists you're in there, avoiding him."

"Of course he is. Fifteen minutes--and thank you for the heads up. T'mpest out."

She sighed and shook her head. "He has a small freighter and thinks he should be berthed with the starships. But no matter. I will beam to my quarters so I can change and then go meet him."

She cupped his cheek with her hand. "You are a very special man, Geral Lasuma. Thank you."

Brushing that pesky lock of hair back behind her ear. Tracing its curve, then down her neck, "And you are a unique woman, T'mpest Michaels."

She could have quipped about being unique, but she didn't. Instead, she kissed him softly. "See you tomorrow." And then she stood back and tapped her combadge. "Michaels to transporter room. Lock on my signal and beam me to my quarters."

"Ma'am?" There was a slight hesitation, then he said. "Yes, ma'am."

A moment later, she dematerialized.

After she was gone, he glanced over and saw that everything had already been cleared. He popped into the kitchen to thank everyone for a fabulous job and after getting himself a drink he headed out.

Stepping out of the lift and out into the dock he was met with by a scowling assistant. "Where have you been?"

Just discussing some ideas for developing Pangaea with the Commodore."

"Hmmm. You sure hope you know what you're doing."

Taking a sip from his drink. "You know...this time...I think I do."

A post by

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Geral Lasuma
Owner - Lasuma Enterprises

Sha'rae Astare
Assistant to Geral Lasuma

 

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