Always a Bigger Fish - Part III
Posted on Tue Apr 28, 2026 @ 11:03pm by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Civilian H'Miia & Commodore T'mpest Michaels
1,318 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: Jubilee
[PREVIOUSLY]
Lasuma nodded his head with a smile. "And they are very strict when it comes to abiding to their agreements. They had only had two encounters with anyone from Federation space and those had been with Starfleet. So, when I was ask to help, meeting someone that spoke the language of commerce was a welcomed surprise. I offered them extensive new markets for their goods. They jumped at the opportunity and are hungry for the products from our side of the border."
[CONTINUED]
Krinn looked to his partner before turning to Lasuma. "As punishment for your oversights we want 10% of our profits and you will provide means for the V'Lashi to access these new markets."
Lasuma opened and closed his mouth casually during the silence that followed as he stared at Krinn. "You do know Morta and I go way back? So, I seriously doubt he told you to make such a demand.
Dorian and Sha'rae exchanged a glance.
[Outside]
T'mpest had a rare afternoon off and decided to stop by Lasuma's. She'd changed into a simple sleeveless dress. She drew enough attention in her uniform and with the increased traffic, she didn't mind being less conspicuous. She stopped just inside and asked if Lasuma was around.
The clerk smiled casually. "Yes ma'am, but he's in a very important meeting right now. To be honest, I don't know how much longer he will be, but I can check if you like?"
"I do not wish to disturb him. I am content to sit and a table and enjoy a drink and dessert. If his meeting concludes before I finish, I will see him. If not, you can simply let him know I was here." She didn't usually come at this time of day, so she couldn't expect him to be available. Still, she wouldn't mind one of Lasuma's desserts.
Gesturing towards the cafe. "Any preferences?"
TAG
[Meanwhile, In his office...]
Krinn smiled, "You're right." Spreading his hands, "But you can't blame me for trying."
Lasuma returned the smile warmly. As he lifted his glass. "I can completely understand. If you returned with concessions it would impress your leaders and probably Morta as well. Possibly even elevating your positions."
looking to his glass, "Oh! where are my manners. Would you like some?"
"Please."
Sha'rae was already moving and placed two glasses on the desk and poured each of them two fingers of the whiskey. As she placed the bottle on the desk her padd chimed and pulling is while she moved away to see what the issue was.
As she did Lasuma continued. "I want no problem with the V'Lashi and I admire your ambition. I will prepare a proposal for Mort..."
While Lasuma spoke the sampled their drinks, surprised at the excellent quality. "This is fabulous!"
Before Lasuma could reply Sha'rae was waving him over urgently.
His brow wrinkled slightly, as he rose. "Excuse me a moment."
Approaching Sha'rae she showed him the padd and he nodded. Bad timing.
Keeping his cool he returned to his desk but didn't sit. "That is a very rare, 40 year old Teralian bourbon. Never before released out of the Terelian system. I will package up several bottles for Morta, and one for yourselves of course. But I'm afraid we will have to cut this short."
The pair looked to each other, "Not a problem I hope?"
Lasuma smirked, "More preventing of one. Please express my apologies to Morta and that I will come to see him personally with a proposal."
Sha'rae had already been moving and was boxing up half the case they had.
Standing, Krinn passed the gift to his partner, looking back at Lasuma "I will pass your respect along," lifting his glass. "To a long and prosperous relationship."
They all finished their drinks, returning the glasses to the desk.
Dorian stepped forward at Lasuma's gesture. "See that they make it safely off the station."
"No problem. Gentlemen, follow me." Dorian made sure the same associate that had gotten them off the promenade returned them via the same route and also made sure she took them in and out of several other random shops with various times spent in each so that no one shop would fall under suspicion. When he felt their tracks were sufficiently covered they were taken to the docking ring and an outgoing transport under the same fake credential they arrived on.
Even as Dorian took charge of their guests, Lasuma took the stairs down and popped out of the back to see T'mpest waiting for him at their table chatting with one of his people. "Well well well...look who we have here."
T'mpest turned and smiled. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
He let out a breath smiling as he sat, "Just a client complaint. But an important client so I told them I'd personally look into the issue. I may need to do a little face to face wining and dining to smooth things over so I might have a business trip ahead of me". Huffing a bit, "They're probably just complaining to try and get concessions on their ship fees."
There was something off about that statement. Or about the way Lasuma said it. He wasn't telling her the whole truth, but she couldn't pinpoint what he was hiding--if he was even trying to hide something. Then, a moment later, she reminded herself that he was a businessman and she was the station commander who had just interrupted a business meeting. Of course he would feel a little off. In addition, the preparations for this comet were putting her a little on edge. "I find that I have nothing scheduled for this evening and decided to stop by."
Leaning back a bit as they brought him his regular drink. "Really? Now that is surprising. With all the comet hype I thought you'd be busy as hell. You must have delegated like crazy...I know I did." He added chuckling.
She smiled, watching Lasuma for a moment. "I have been, and I will be again, but Millie decided I needed an evening off because we both know that once the comet arrives, I will probably go a week without sleep."
Shaking his head, grinning. "Well don't push yourself too hard. I should probably call Millie and have her call me if need be."
"I am sure she would anyway. She keeps insisting I take more time off." Then she paused, realizing that she should explain more. "I will, but there is so much that needs to be done right now."
She put a hand over his. "Vulcans can go for several days without sleep if we have to. But I will not push myself too hard."
Glancing around before he returned his gaze to her. "Yes, I'm well aware of your endurance," he said chuckling.
She laughed softly. "A double entendre, Mr. Geral? I'm shocked." While she was enjoying just spending time with him, she couldn't miss his eyes looking around and knew she was keeping him from his work. She caressed his hand with her index and middle fingeras she pulled her hand away. "I apologize for showing up unexpectedly. I know you have things to do. I plan to wander through the promenade for a while. If you have nothing this evening, let me know."
Watching her rise. "That I will. Nothing comes to mind but I will see if Shar has anything that needs my attention. If not, how about a nice quiet dinner?"
"That would be lovely." She lingered for a moment, then turned and headed out the door.
Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises
President - DS5 Merchant's Association
Dorian Torel
Body Guard/Henchman for Geral Lasuma
Sha'rae Astare
Exec Asst. to Geral Lasuma
V'lashi members, Box of Delight Employees
Played by Lasuma
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Security NPCS
Played by Annora
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