Back to the Tailor

Posted on Sun Aug 17, 2025 @ 12:33am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Civilian Thavas Th'Omtala
Edited on on Sat Sep 20, 2025 @ 12:42am

1,994 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Sartorial Splendor
Timeline: MD14 - afternoon

ON

T'mpest was curious to see the clothes she ordered from Sartorial Splendor. They were different from the ones she received from Lasuma's, which was good. She needed a variety of clothing, not just gowns. And she did like the material Thavas had in his shop.

As she walked into the shop, she took her time, looking around at what was on display while she waited to locate the shopkeeper or one of his assistants.

"Long life and prosperity, Lady T'mpest," came the voice of a young Andorian woman, seemingly out of nowhere. Viza, apprentice to Thavas, has stealthily come up behind T'mpest, unheard even by the Commodore's sharp Vulcan auditory capabilities. "May I correctly assume you are here to pick up the clothing we have crafted for you?" The young woman had a knack for moving about unnoticed until she wanted to be seen and heard. She found it a useful talent when assisting he who was her master in his less public work.

"Live long and prosper, Viza. I hope you are well." The commodore smiled at the young woman. "Yes, I am."

"Excellent," Viza replied. "I believe you will be very happy with the results of our work. Please, step through to the fitting area and we will bring you your new clothing."

"All right." T'mpest followed Viza.

Viza led T'mpest back to the fitting area and gestured for her to take a seat and went to get T'mpest's clothing. She returned momentarily with the items T'mpest had ordered and Thavas.

"Long life and prosperity, Lady T'mpest!" Thavas said. "Viza has the items you ordered right here! If you'd like, you can step into one of the changing rooms and try them on!"

"Yes, I would. Thank you." She took the clothes and stepped inside. When she changed, she took a moment to look in the mirror. Then she stepped out so the other two could see as well.

"Why," Thavas said. "You look lovely. How does it feel?"

"It feels good. It does not bind anywhere and it is quite comfortable."

"I'm glad to hear it," Thavas said. The Andorian looked thoughtful, and then spoke, a somewhat mysterious tone to his voice. "As I always say, everyone deserves nice clothing. A little sartorial spice in their life. This philosophy brings me into contact with all manner of people, from all walks of life and all professions, many legal, some less so. Starfleet officers, Federation peoples, Cardassians, Klingons, Romulans, Orion Syndicate, Orion Caju (OOC: Corporations; legitimate, but shady), Orion Pirates, Obsidian Order, Tal Shiar, Starfleet Security, Starfleet Intelligence, the Vola Vrinia (OOC: Andorian Mafia), and the Iotian Outfit (OOC: The 1920s Chicago-style gangsters from Sigma Iota who have achieved warp capability; introduced in the TOS Episode "A Piece of the Action"), to name a few. Well, more than a few." Thavas grinned. "Why, I can go places Starfleet officers not dare go, and, more importantly, come out alive. And I can meet with people and arrange meetings with all manner of people, as well as shuttle messages back and forth. I am often a font of information. People tell me things. Sometimes, when it seems prudent, I share that information... for a price. Sometimes currency, sometimes goods, sometimes I exchange information, other times favors." Thavas chuckled. "That rather clumsy monologue was delivered essentially to say: I can be a resource for you, one that can provide more than just fine clothing. Now, where are my manners? Would you like to wear the dress out, or change back into the clothing you wore in? Once you decide, perhaps you'll join me for a cup of something?"

"I will wear the dress out, if you would not mind boxing up the clothes I wore in." She might as well be a walking advertisement as she walked through the promenade. "Yes, I would like a cup of something. It sounds like you have a wide variety of contacts and information that could be useful."

"Of course," Thavas said. "Viza, would you be so kind as to box up Lady T'mpest's clothing. She'll be wearing the dress home. When that's done, please bring the box to my office."

"At once, Master," Viza said, and went into the fitting room T'mpest had used to gather up her clothing. Outsiders, listening to how she addressed Thavas, wondered if she was being held in bondage as a slave against her will and the laws of the Federation, rather than a freely employed apprentice. They couldn't, of course, be more wrong. The truth was that Thavas had rescued her from a bad situation when she was a child, given her a home, fed her, clothed her, seen to her education, and then taken her on as an apprentice. It wasn't chattel slavery, it was a sense of well-earned loyalty.

"Lady T'mpest," Thavas said. "If you'll come this way to my office?"

She gave him a half-bow. "After you."

Thavas led T'mpest to his office and gestured to a chair. "Please, sit," he said. "May I get you some refreshment?"

"Do you have anything prepared? If not, a lemonade, please," the half-Vulcan replied.

"Lemonade it is," Thavas said. He went to the replicator, ordered a lemonade, and brought it to T'mpest. "Here you are."

"Thank you." She took a sip before turning her attention back to Thavas. "I know you are working with T'Lul, but tell me about your business as an information broker. I do not need the details, only how it may impact the station and its command."

Thavas nodded. "Of course," he said. "As stated, through my seemly commonplace profession, I've developed relationships and contacts that allow me access to people and information. Most of my contacts know that I share information and therefore share with me that which they would like shared with others, usually in exchange for information or favors or consideration from those they wish me to share that information with. For example, a boss from the Iotian Outfit, Kyklyx 'Kicker' Kylyx, requested that I pass information to your security department, which I did through the Lady T'Lul. One of Kicker's rivals, Boss Yxlyx, planning on smuggling illegal and dangerous drugs through DS5. The Outfit generally frowns on trafficking in dangerous drugs, my 'friend' Kicker Kylyx being in that category. His rival didn't feel the same. Lieutenant Tessaro intercepted the drugs, arrested Boss Yxlyx's smugglers and the corrupt DS5 Customs Inspectors and stevedores who were assisting them. Boss Yxlyx was weakened and DS5 got to stop dangerous drugs from entering and passing through the station and disrupt the pipeline. Kicker's situation will be improved and trust me, as one of them was going to surpass the other anyway, it is to the Federation's advantage that it be Kicker. All this with the added advantage that if Kicker feels it is to his betterment to do so, in the immediate or in the future, he might share vital intelligence with DS5 or provide other services. The Outfit is its own political and diplomatic entity and through treaties can move freely in places where Starfleet is not welcome. As I've said, I have similar contacts within other criminal organizations, governments, militaries, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, corporations, etc, etc."

Thavas leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "So," he said. "As I said, I traffic in information that my contacts want shared. I do not, as a rule, go about violating the confidences of my associations. This would go for you as much as anyone else. I provide a... back channel, through which people and groups that would not normally be on speaking terms can quietly and discretely go about the business of making the galaxy work with a minimum of destructive fuss and nonsense. For the record, I didn't know about the Cardassian's intentions until it was too late to warn your predecessors. I hadn't had time to make connections here and my contacts in the Obsidian Order in other locations were remarkably silent about the attack. Normally one or more members of the Obsidian Order will drop something they want shared if they think that information might be used to take out or at least weaken a rival. The enemy of my enemy and all that. This wasn't the case here." Thavas smiled. "This may seem like a great deal of unnecessary machination, but what it really does is place a veneer of civility and rules of order and discipline over what could quickly and easily become a very nasty business."

"From what I understand, this was a local operation with the support of the Cardassian Council--or some of the Council. It was led by the former Cardassian Ambassador to the station. He kept quiet about many things." That was easily accessed information. "I appreciate the help you have given us. In future, I would appreciate any information you feel I need to know and have no problem with the source remaining confidential. T'Lul would be a good contact to keep your involvement private."

"Of course, Lady T'mpest," Thavas said.

"Thank you. Is there anything you need of us, or just that we are aware of what you can do for us?"

"Your awareness, your discretion, and hopefully soon, your trust," Thavas said. "Remember that I live and work on this station. Its best interests are my best interests. Feel free to reach out anytime, either directly or through the Lady T'Lul. Oh, and perhaps I could get an introduction to your intelligence officer?"

"Of course. I could introduce you, or Commander Letsul could. She knows him better than I do." In truth, Cara might be a better person to do the introducing for that reason. "I, too, hope we can build trust. I plan on making the station my home and hope to be here for a while."

"I look forward to working with you," Thavas said "And I look forward to another visit from Commander Letsul, perhaps a more productive one this time."

"I've packed up the Lady T'mpest's clothing," Viza said, startling even Thavas, though no one looking at him would have noticed. Thavas had a thought he'd been having frequently as Viza went through the process of coming into her own.

Perhaps I shouldn't have taught her to be even sneakier than she was when she was a child? I barely noticed her approach this time, until she was practically on top of us! If her ability to go unnoticed until she wants to be noticed wasn't so useful, I'd insist she wear a bell!

"Thank you, Viza," Thavas said. He turned back to T'mpest. "I apologize, but I must excuse myself. Important business to attend to. Viza will keep you company and walk you out when you are ready to leave. Thank you for your patronage. Perhaps we will speak again soon."

"I am at your service, Lady T'mpest," Viza said.

"Thank you," T'mpest said to Thavas. Then she turned to Viza. "And thank you. I have all I need for now, but I will be back."

Thavas rose from his chair politely as T'mpest rose and left the room.

"That went very well, Master," Viza said.

"Yes," Thavas said. "I agree."

"I am to remind you that you wished to speak with the family on Cimera before the end of the day, or at least send them a message. Shall I set that up for you?"

"We'll wait a bit later into the evening," Thavas said. "I would like some time to finish composing my thoughts. Thank you Viza. Let's get the rest of Splendor's business done for the day, shall we?"

"Of course, Master," Viza said.

The two Andorians went back out into the store proper, back to the textile, clothing, and tailoring business.

OFF

Master Thavas Th'Omtala
-Master Weaver and Tailor
-Owner and Operator: Sartorial Splendor

Viza Zh'Omtala
-Apprentice Weaver and Tailor
-Assistant Manager: Sartorial Splendor

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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