Always a Bigger Fish - Part I
Posted on Tue Apr 28, 2026 @ 10:59pm by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Civilian H'Miia & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro
1,227 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission: Jubilee
[M'talas Prime]
The room was dark except of the light from the dim light that illuminated the syndicate's second. The leader of the V'Lashi syndicate was never seen at these meetings but none of them had any doubt he wasn't watching.
Each of them in turn reported on their territories and all were having the same issue, Lasuma Enterprises.
While the syndicate enjoyed the occasional joint venture and an...understanding with Lasuma his new found wealth, philanthropy, as well as the draw to the exclusive products, legal and otherwise were drawing to many away from the syndicate's operations.
"There's never been any bad blood between his operations and ours. He came from nothing and many respect that."
"Yeah and now, he has everything!" The Ferengi interjected. "His exclusive contract with the leaders on Teralis and their client systems are cutting us out of huge profits."
"Have you tried to work with him to expand your operations or have you let your jealousy and pride keep you from doing what needs to be done."
"Hey it's not just my territory. He's impacting all of us. He has entire sectors around Bajor and DS5 completely locked down and his operations are cutting into all of our cover operations across the quadrant!"
Heads turned around the room and several nodded in agreement.
A voice called out from the dark and they all became silent. "Geral Lasuma has never moved directly against the us...but he didn't offer to include us in his good fortune either. It is only appropriate to make him aware of that ...oversight. Second, send your protege to DS5 and see that Lasuma is made aware of our displeasure at not being invited to his table."
Nodding his head to their leader, "It will be done."
Days Later...
[Docking Ring]
Stepping off the transport and onto the station a pair of men moved with the throng of people as they made their way to the core of the station. One a round faced Ferengi and the other a tattooed Vulcan, both rising through the ranks of the V'Lashi. Gesturing with a nod the Vulcan indicated a path taken by several other civilians and together they made their way to the Promenade.
Mettus and Helyna stood off to the corner, keeping an eye on the incoming flux of civilians off the various transports. Leaving the customs folks to their work, the security team was there to act as backup should anyone push back, and to watch for anyone acting suspicious.
"Four o'clock," Helyna said quietly to her partner. "Tattooed Vulcan with a Ferengi. Looks to have just come off the Kaelen Crest."
Mettus cautiously followed Helyna's gaze, watching as the pair disappeared into the mass of people. The lines moved slowly but steadily as everyone was cleared to enter the station. He pulled up the passenger manifest from the transport, running it through the security database. There were no indications anyone had been flagged by the customs agents, but that mainly just checked for open warrants, not background anomalies.
The Denobulan frowned as the data came across his PADD. "They exist, but their background is suspiciously clean. Could be nothing, could be an indicator—it's hard to say." He switched to a different screen. "We'll flag them as Persons of Interest and move on."
Helyna nodded, her gaze already returning to the docking bay at large. "Sounds like a solid plan."
[Box of Delights]
H'Miia was actually enjoying her new look and new job. She greeted, mingled, and glad-handed the customers her keen hearing eves dropping on anything pertinent that Mr. Geral might be interested in. He had given her a list of people to keep any eye on but as yet she had pick up on nothing of consequence.
Once in a while she had to deal with someone that had had too much of the real thing but her Gorn bouncer took care of them with ease. She knew she could have handled things herself but that would expose her skills and that was one thing she could let out. At least not yet.
After making her latest circle of both floors she made her way back to the bar, leaning back against it casually. As she stood there she looked towards the entrance and looked away, careful to do so slowly. ~What the hell! What are the odds that she'd be here.~
Coming up off the bar she turned. "Hey Pelin. Keep an eye on things for me for a bit."
Giving a bottle a toss as he finished making a drink. "You got it boss."
Taking care to keep something between her and those she was hiding from she strolled out of the club like she didn't have a care in the world. Once out on the promenade she headed straight to Lasuma's.
[Lasuma's]
Dorian was outside Lasuma's office on the upper level of the main shop on the station as he looked out the one-way glass, from their conference area, at the ever busy promenade. He saw H'Miia making her way from the Box but he was probably only one of a handful of people that could see that her movements were more than just a casual stroll.
Turning away from the window he was waiting as she came up the stair from the cafe'. "What's wrong?"
Her ears turning slightly, "Some men from my past just walked into the Box. I don't think they recognized me, but I needed to let Mr. Geral know."
Inside the office Lasuma sat at his desk as he sipped on a glass of 40 year old Teralian bourbon. Holding the glass out he looked at the red liquor. "Fabulous..." Whatever aging process they use was making a liquor better than anything he had ever tasted.
Leaning back in his chair he relaxed as he let his thoughts drift to other things. Lasuma was still in the hot seat with Dorian, though he'd never say anything, he knew. His dates hadn't been making Dorian's job any easier and he made a mental note to make sure he addressed what Lasuma knew was bothering him. He owed him that much at least. ...Although that 'debt' was reduced significantly after the night on the yacht.
He chuckled as there was a knock at the door.
As it opened Dorian and H'Miia entered. "Sir, there might be a problem.
After hearing the story Lasuma activated a monitor the art work shifted from painting to feeds from security cameras. H'Miia IDd the pair and he froze and enlarged the feed. But H'Miia's ghosts from her past was not what caught his eye, there were two others and he adjusted the feed.
Looking to Dorian, "Get Shar in here and have one of our people offer those two an invitation. We need to get them off the promenade before security finds them. No Incidents."
Dorian was already moving, "On it."
Stopping him Lasuma added, "Oh and let Harry know the security might be in the area. Have him direct them towards H'Miia's former associates."
Dorian grinned with a glance to H'Miia and nodded to her before leaving.
Lasuma looked back to H'Miia, "Do you recognize them?"
"No..."
"They're V'Lashi. Go back to the Box, and stay out of sight. I know you have no problem doing that."
(To be continued...)
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