Rules of Acquisition

Posted on Thu May 15, 2025 @ 3:09pm by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Sha'rae Astare

1,570 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus
Location: Promenade
Timeline: Several days following the attack on the station

[Box of Delight]

Yolanthe Ibalin dumped another arm full of debris into the dumpster. She had lost count of how many times her and her people had had to clean up and rebuild. Hell even before she arrived Deep Space 5 had seemed to be a magnet for trouble. What she would give to wash her hands of the whole thing. It wasn't like she was was being held down by debt. Turning back to continue the process she saw why she stayed...Blake, Jessica, and Rosh where setting the tables still intact off to the side while Rosh, Harry, and Ahjess both carried broken furniture to add to the dumpster, passing her with a smile. Vedra and Leila where salvaging what unbroke bottles they could. They were why she stayed but if she could call it quits she would.

As if pre-ordained, a repair crew appeared; but not from the station it was one of Lasuma's crews, lead by Dorian.

Dorian walked up to her. He could tell by her coloring that she was tired and frustrated so he kept things simple and would save the usual banter for later. "Here you go. Tell them what you need and they will see that it happens."

Her hand on her hip as she looked over the crew. "I see you boss is keeping his word."

Cocking his head slightly, "He always does."

The wheels in her head began to spin. There was no way she was going to go hat in hand to Lasuma, even if they were on good terms. But if she could get him to come to her.....hmmm.

"Well thank your boss for me. He did say he was going to cover all of this didn't he?"

Dorian smirked as he nodded. "He did. But I might add a service charge...you know that middle man mark up."

She felt her normal color flush for a bit as her mood improved and his attempt to lift her spirits "What kind of 'service charge'?"

"Dinner? It's been a while since we either of us has had a chance to just enjoy a quiet evening."

Sauntering over to him she put a hand on his chest. Last I remember our last evening was anything but quiet."

"Is that a yes?"

"It's a maybe. Depends on how good a job your boys do."

Turning to the crew. "Get to work, I want this place operational and sparkling like new. Whatever is needed let me know." As the work crew fanned out to assess what they had ahead of them, Dorian smiled and bowed slightly. "Until later then."

She watched him go with a smile, she was going to miss him. "Maybe I will wear those shoes you got me."

Turning, walking backwards as he went, knowing that the pair of heels he got her a while back had blades concealed in the back. "As long as you don't try and cut me."

After giving her people the next few day off as Lasuma's crew got to work she stayed at the Box to supervise and answer any questions that might come up. Over that time she dropped clue after clue of her desires, hinting about what she would do if the opportunity presented itself. Knowing full well that it would get back to Geral.

After two days of work everything looked as if nothing had happened at all. In fact that all the new and refurbished gear it looked like they were about to open for the first time.


--- The Day Before ---

[Lasuma's Office]

Geral was in his office with Dorian when Sha'rae entered. He could tell she was tired having coordinated the repairs to the shops on the Promenade. Under normal circumstance they would all be waiting on the stations engineering crew but he had told the shop owner and Maritza that he would handle things. Not only did it free the stations engineers, allowing them to see to more pressing repairs, but it put him in a more influential position.

"Sha'rae, sit down before you fall down."

She slumped into the couch, padd in hand. "Something interesting from one of the work crews."

"Oh?"

Brushing her hair back, she took the water Dorian offered her. "Thanks. Well you already know that the repair crews were told to keep any eye out and hears open for any information they might pick up while on the job." Taking a sip before continuing.

"Well one of the crews heard something you might wanna see." Handing over the tablet, she glanced at Dorian as she leaned back.

Geral read the report. Seemed Yolanthe was wanting to call it quits...interesting. They had a good business relationship now. If she wanted out she could have come to him and... He grinned to himself. Her pride? Possibly. No doubt he pride was playing some part in her little theater but most likely she was wanting him to come to her, no doubt she wanted to be the one 'counter' his offer in some way...but what was it she was wanting.

He sat the tablet aside thinking... He knew Dorian had a thing for her, but was it mutual? He couldn't let that influence his decisions but perhaps he could find out her feelings towards him.

Dorian watched his boss curiously. "So what's up?"

"An opportunity."

---Current---

Walking the promenade Geral walk the promenade, which was almost back to normal. His work crew continued while a handful of Starfleet engineers checked their work to make sure everything was up to regs...which he knew it was.

As he made his way he was stopped and thanked by several shop and restaurant owners for helping to get them up and running again. Eventually he made it to the Box of Delights and as he walked in Yolanthe was rearranging several shelves to her liking. Tapping the bar, "Aldebaran whiskey."

She didn't have to turn around to know who it was but as she did she replied. "We're not open yet, but since you were kind enough to help fix things up I guess a drink is the least I can do....Matter of fact I'll join you." Putting two tumblers on the bar she poured them both three fingers of the green whiskey.

Geral took his glass down a shots worth. "Now that's the good stuff."

"You think I'd serve you anything but top shelf?"

"Most definitely," Geral said laughing, "but you'd never pour yourself anything but the best."

Lifting her glass to him with a smirk. "Very true."

As she lowered her glass Geral got down to business. "I got your message."

"I never...I guess it was kinda pointless huh?"

Throwing her a bone of sorts, "Well not entirely. It let me know you wanted to get out of the trade but that something was holding you back. I know you have enough latinum to do pretty much what you want so it had to be something else. But I'm curious...why?"

For once in a rare while she hesitated, "I'm tired. Time and time again we've had to clean this place up or repair it after some kind of attack. Before I got here it was the Romulans, after that the list just kept growing....murders, spatial anomalies, assassins, religious fanatics, terrorists, repeated attacks from the Cardassians. If there's not something blowing up then it's subterfuge, and maneuvering. Drunks I can handle but the rest....I'm just done. I just wanna retire somewhere tropical with a bevy of hot young things to peel me grapes and wave fans."

"Would Dorian be fanning or feeding you grapes?"

Now that stung. "Neither. I like Dorian, hell it's hard to find someone able to keep up, it would be great to just go wherever with him, but he's not going to leave your side; he's too loyal to you. And it may sound corny, but I don't want to hurt him."

"So what's keeping you here?"

Downing the last of her whiskey she poured another. "The same thing that keeps Darian and Shar with you...Loyalty." Shooting her drink. She didn't like being this open, especially to Geral, but he was asking and if he promised something he knew he would keep the promise.

He thought as much. "I know this isn't easy for you so let me simplify this for you. I will buy you out at 75% it's current value but in return I will ensure that all your folks will have a job as long as they want it."

Yolanthe was getting heated, and not from the alcohol. The bastard was using her loyalty to uncut her, but that was still a lot of latinum. She half heartedly fired back, "You asshole...90."

The problem with her kind was that they couldn't hide their feelings, the coloring gave it away every time. Seeing her shade and hearing her noncommittal tone. "80...and I'll let Dorian take you where ever you're going in one of my yachts."

Her tones flushed to a shade of scarlet at the thought of a long trip with Dorian, but her shade darked at the though of the eventual goodbye. "80...if he wants to go...85 if he doesn't. But he can't know about the arrangement."

Geral finished his drink. "Ahhh..." Being the one to supply her stock he looked and the glass with satisfaction. Looking up to Yolanthe, Deal."

 

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