And Then There Were Four - Part 1
Posted on Sat Mar 14, 2026 @ 2:25am by Sergeant Reva McIntyre & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Commodore T'mpest Michaels
1,477 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: Chicken Run
[Civilian Quarters]
Sha'rae had watched the tango on the station broadcast channel that had been covering the Ball and she took a deep breath. Honestly she had been weary, even against, the relationship given what had happened with Soran. But what with their last date, and the way they moved together during that tango...perhaps she had been wrong. As the broadcast shift from their departure to speculation to where they were headed to she turned off the holo and called over to the yacht.
== Mr. Geral and the Commodore are on the way. Do a quick check and make sure his quarters a ready and put a bottle of wine in a chiller with 2 glasses. ==
== Already done. We saw the dance, too. ==
Sha'rae chuckled, == Remind me to give you a raise. ==
Closing the channel, she got up and went to bed, thinking she owed both of them an apology.
[Promenade]
Walking the Promenade, it was impossible not to see the looks, grins, whispers of the people they passed.
T'mpest tried not to notice. Throughout her career she'd managed to keep a low profile outside of scientific circles. But since coming here, she wondered if she had more of her mother in her than she thought. Or perhaps it was that Lasuma accepted all the facets of her life. She would never have done a performance like that before. Well, not where everyone would see her. Now, she smiled at those who stopped to look and continued walking.
Lasuma was already a known figure on the Promenade as far as the merchants were concerned. One of the crasser, or as he described himself..."Rude, crude, and socially unacceptable", merchants began to place to finger in his mouth for a whistle, but Lasuma cock his head slightly.
Dropping his hand, he smiled and shrugged as the pair strolled by.
The trio entered a lift and Dorian had announced their destination while standing between then and the doors, his back to them.
Lasuma, his jacket over his shoulder, leaned back against the back wall as he put an arm around T'mpest.
"Long day?" she asked softly, her focus now on him.
Turning his head to her, "Not really...just looking forward to relaxing, alone, just the two of us... How does a hot sauna sound?
"Wonderful." After all the plans and the bustle leading up to the Marine Ball, she was looking forward to being alone with Lasuma.
Dorian smiled and planned his own little rendezvous while they planned the rest of their night.
[Yacht - Lasuma One]
A short time later they were both in his suite prepare for a relaxing end to their day. From his deck he activated one of his yacht's saunas then padded, wrapped in a towel, back to where T'mpest was.
She leaned forward and kissed him. "Ready."
"Always. Did you want anything to drink while we soak up the heat...water, something infused, some tea?"
"Water with lemon," she decided.
"No problem. I'll get the drinks and meet ya there."
Wrapping himself in a robe he slipped on a pair of thongs and went up to the galley. Making up a strawberry coconut water for himself and a water with lemon for T'mpest.
[Yacht's pool area]
She slipped into the sauna and leaned her head back, letting the water jets help her relax.
A few moments later he walked into the sauna, pausing in the doorway.
She turned to watch him and smiled. "Tonight went well. Your team was impressive."
Smiling as he looked down at her with a raised brow, "Well I think that's pretty impressive."
She assumed he was talking about the ball, but decided to ask to be certain. "The Marine Ball?"
Chuckling as he squatted down and handed her her drink. "No... but the dance definitely was."
She took the glass and laughed. "It definitely was. As much as I enjoyed it, I have never put on a performance like that before."
Shedding his robe and the towel that had been around his waist he lowered himself into the hot hub next to her. "I can imagine that something like that could be out of character for a Commanding officer..." taking a sip of his drink "...so why now?"
"Opportunity. And to focus the gossip about us--at least for a few days. Plus, I sometimes get the feeling that some of the personnel here are waiting for me to do something outrageous." She shrugged, then smiled. "I may also be developing a bit of a rebellious streak as I do not wish to be seen as a stuffy commander."
She set her glass down and added. "Besides, I could not resist the opportunity to dance with you again."
Setting his own glass aside, he grinned sheepishly "Yeah I can see that..."
[Outside the Yacht]
With his charges secured Dorian waited as the central lift dropped out of the bottom of the yacht and opened to the bay.
Strolling into the bay, Reva had changed out of her dress uniform into something a little more fun. She was already taking in the sheer size of the private yacht and the fact that there were two in the massive bay was well...of putting.
As Dorian approached she made an offhand comment at his employer’s excess. "One wasn't enough?"
Dorian looked back over his shoulder. "Nope. Ya got it wrong. This one is his. He bought that one, and another, for his employees and corporation outings or other functions. Heck he let me use it when I ...went on vacation".
"Seriously...damn." Snuggling up to the bodyguard, "You sure you're not gonna get in trouble..."
"Nahhh...They are relaxing in the yacht's sauna so while they are lounging in the steam room we will have the pool all to ourselves."
"Pool?! That things had a pool?!"
Motioning her into the lift. "Pool, hot tub, saunas, excursion craft, bikes...he picked up all the options."
[Pool area]
"What, that I could not resist dancing with you?" T'mpest asked, laughing.
"Exactly", flicking some of the water at her.
Which prompted a similar response as T'mpest flicked water back.
He chuckled, "Our aquatic tradition?"
"Well, I do like where we ended up." She leaned forward and kissed him. "So, I see no reason not to continue." And then she splashed him again.
[Bar]
After a quick tour and a grabbing of a bottle of Andorian ale Reva looked at Dorian. "So, where's this pool you told me about?"
Dorian smirked as he grabbed a bottle of Saurian brandy, "Come on...just need to get some swim suits."
"Oh, you're not gonna need a swimsuit."
[Pool]
The splashing continued but Lasuma fought through the water she was sending his way as he laughed until he was pressing against her.
It may have stopped the splashing, but she was perfectly happy to kiss him instead. Especially as they wouldn't be bothered by anyone tonight.
Lasuma was lowering himself towards her as a door opened and a pair almost stumble in, his head darted up as he looked behind him.
Dorian caught himself after Reva had jumped up wrapping her legs around him.
Her black hair spilling down her back while she held his face, "Nice catch." Pressing her topless body against him as she passionately kissed him.
Dorian's arms wrapped around her as he leaned back against the wall using one foot to remove one shoe before swapping his efforts to the other.
T'mpest buried her face against his shoulder. "I think we should warn them before they join us..." Or they saw more than either she or Lasuma should of the other couple.
Turning he sat next to T'mpest, just as Dorian began to undo his pants... "You probably don't wanna do that."
Reva's head spun in shock from hearing the voice behind her.
Dorian looking around her in equal surprise.
Reva unwrapped herself from Dorian, covering herself; thinking, ~Shit, shit, shit...~. Her face flushing "Commodore..." Thinking to herself. ~I am SO busted~.
Dorian refastening his pant, "I...we...didn't mean to interrupt. I thought you both were planning to relax in the sauna?"
Lasuma looked to T'mpest and back to the embarrassed couple. "We are." Then it clicked, "Ohhh. You thought sauna meant the steam room."
T'mpest was trying hard not to laugh at the situation. "We should apologize for interrupting your...evening."
Reva, still waiting for the reprimand, still looked for anything to cover herself with, "No ma'am, we should have been more...careful. We... ahhh..."
Lasuma, with a humorous expression, turned away from T'mpest to the pair. "Got caught up in the moment. Happens to us all.
(To be continued...)
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Owner - Lasuma Enterprises
Dorian Torel
Bodyguard/Henchman for Geral Lasuma
Sha'rae Astare
Executive Assistant to Geral Lasuma
Sgt Reva McIntyre
SFMC
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