Colonial Maneuvers - Part 1

Posted on Sat Jun 21, 2025 @ 2:57am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Sha'rae Astare
Edited on on Sat Jun 21, 2025 @ 10:25am

1,559 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Captain's Ready Room & Lasuma's Yacht
Timeline: MD13 - Afternoon

[Captain's Ready Room]

T'mpest set the PADD she'd been reading on a pile of others she'd read through that day. There were two more piles of equal size waiting for her attention. "Not today."

She stood, stretched, then took the stack of completed PADDS and set them in a basket to be scanned and processed. For now, she needed a break.

Maps of the station and planet adorned one wall. She went over and examined the planet--or what had been mapped of it. Many parts were blank because they were off-limits. The colony caught her attention. Yes. She still needed to have a look at the colony. Even better, she could see if Mr. Lasuma was free. He wanted to talk to her about his ideas...

Before she could change her mind, she spoke. "Computer, send a message to Sha'rae Astare with Lasuma Enterprises. Commodore Michaels would like to speak with Mr. Lasuma about the colony on Pangaea."

[Lasuma Enterprises - Beyond the Veil]

Sha'rae was doing the final walkthrough on the completion of their second shop on the station. With all the merchandise coming in from the Telaris system and their client systems they needed the extra floorspace. Maritza had green lit the expansion and the attack from the Cardassians had caused a few delays but the sales from all their other locales had more than covered the delays here.

Her tablet chimed with the incoming update and opening the message and after reading it she got a feeling of deja vu. His feelings aside she typed out and sent a response. "Geral is preparing his yacht for a quick trip to the planet. I am sure he would welcome your company and you both could discuss his proposals."

She knew he really had no proposals yet and was going to the planet to get first-hand information for himself to put things together, but... She grinned as she imagined his reaction if she accepted the invitation.

[Captain's Ready Room]

T'mpest's computer chimed an incoming message. The 52nd for the day--she couldn't help counting. With a sigh, she went back to her desk and sat down. But when she saw the message, she smiled. The timing was perfect, and she could use a break. She sent back a quick response. "Thank you. When and where should I meet him?"

"The flight crew is preparing the yacht now for departure and Geral just left for the Company's docking bay."

That was quicker than she expected, but she would make it work. "Thank you. I appreciate the assistance. I shall leave immediately. Michaels out." She didn't want to be rude, but if Geral was on his way, she should leave now.

She paused long enough to make sure her hair wasn't mussed, told the yeoman at the desk she was going to meet with someone and would not be back that day, and headed for the Lasuma docking bay.

Sitting in the office area of his yacht a message popped up on his terminal. Glancing over the text he read the message from Sha'rae. "You are going to have company." Smirking he got up, checking himself in the mirror as he left; heading to the cargo deck and lowering the platform and stepping off into the bay.

Walking toward the entrance as the Commodore entered the area. "I understand you wanted to join me on my little preliminary little scouting jaunt."

T'mpest gave him a half bow as he approached. "I did--if you do not mind the company." She paused, noting his general demeanor and wondering if he minded her inclusion. "Your assistant said I would find you here."

"Yes she let me know you were on the way; and I would be happy to have you join me. What I was thinking about for the compound...those structures are already there. Well for the most part following the attack, but the repairs provide a perfect opportunity for alterations. I did have a few additional ideas I could run by you if you don't mind?"

"Not at all." In fact, she was curious to hear what he thought. T'mpest smiled. "I have a few ideas of my own, but I wanted to see what the area looks like first-hand--and perhaps hear what those still on the planet think." As a civilian and businessman, he would bring a different point of view, which would also be beneficial. She wished she had time to change out of her uniform first because she knew the scientists on the planet would be more forthcoming with a fellow scientist than a Starfleet officer.

With a gesture he waved her towards the yacht. "Ladies first."

"Thank you." She preceded him up the ramp and onto the yacht, impressed with the decor. A few steps in, she paused and turned to Geral. "This is lovely." Most of the time she traveled on shuttles or starships, with the occasional cargo ship, but this was the first time she'd been on a luxury yacht.

"You haven't seen anything yet. Would you like a quick tour? I haven't had the chance to put it through her paces yet, but one of my associates is taking Yolanthe off on a little retirement trip in the second one."

"Thank you. I would love a tour." She was curious to see what he'd done with the rest of the yacht. "Many have spoken well of the Box of Delights. I hope Yolanthe enjoys her retirement."

"I'm sure she will." Since they were already on second deck he explained what was on decks 3 & 4, taking her from the atrium and around showing her the various amenities on his ship. Taking her aft he opened a door to a teak planked corridor leading past a sauna and to the yacht's pool.

The atrium was incredible. T'mpest slowed as she looked around. It felt like an oasis in the lavish setting. She also appreciated the teak floor, which was rare on ships. When they stopped in the room with the pool, she turned around, looking at everything, then faced him. Her outward demeanor was calm, but there was a smile in her eyes. "Your ship is impressive, and beautiful."

His initial reaction was to replay with 'As are you', but he caught himself. It wasn't that it wasn't true, it was, it was just that he had recently lost Maritza. "Thank you."

She gave him a half-bow and a smile in acknowledgement. "Do you spend much time here?"

He bobbed his head a bit. "From time to time. I still have yet to really have the ship put through its paces but it allows me to get away if need be."

One of the yacht's crew found the pair, "Excuse me sir, but we are ready to depart."

Geral turned, "Thank you." As the crewmember was leaving Geral spun towards the Commodore. "Would you like to view our trip from the main observation bridge, or bow observation?"

She considered that for a moment. "I have no preference. Which do you prefer?"

He thought for a moment. "Since we are basically surveying, let’s go to the bow." Offering he his arm, shall we?"

T'mpest slipped her hand through the crook of his arm and smiled. "A birds-eye view will give us some perspective."

[Deck 4]

Returning to the bottom of the ship the pair made their way from the empty cargo bay passing the ground bikes, the yachts two excursion craft and down a narrow corridor to the bow’s observation lounge. Through the windows around and below them they could see the yacht depart the bay and enter the space surrounding the station.

In relation to the planet, his bay was on the far side of the station. Instead of simply circling the station the yacht turned sharply and went up and over the station. As Pangaea rose over the top of the station he helped her step up into the couches he remained on the walk way as she took her seat. "Glass of wine?"

T'mpest had been looking out the viewport, appreciating the view that was significantly better than that of a shuttle. She turned her head and smiled at Geral. "Yes, thank you."

Moving forward he went into the little bar area grabbing a bottle and a set of glasses and took a seat and proceeded to uncork the bottle as they drew closer to Pangaea. But it quickly became obvious that there was a problem "This is a stubborn one...". Feeling the cork beginning to tear, "Let me screw this thing a little deeper..."

She couldn't keep from chuckling at his choice of words. "You know, a comment like that could very easily be taken the wrong way..."

"Ohh here we go now it's coming...".

Her eyes sparkled with laughter. This second comment was only funny when combined with the first. Or it was her unexpected case of nerves. She wasn't going to dwell too much on it. Tongue-in-cheek she asked, "Perhaps you need more...practice?"

The cork released with a load pop. Having stifled his own laughs after hearing his comments. However, innuendo with innuendo as he poured the wine "Not to worry, working it out slowly will always beat quick and messy"


TBC...

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises

Sha'rae Astare
Assistant to Geral Lasuma

 

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