Deja Vu (Part I)

Posted on Mon Mar 31, 2025 @ 9:08am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Civilian 'Arrival' Geral Lasuma & Civilian Sha'rae Astare

1,323 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Lasuma's

ON

Geral was looking over the information on repair teams that had gotten those shops that got damaged back up and running, what in was going to cost him to buy the Box from Yolanthe and what kinda curve he was going to throw her and Dorian when they closed the deal, and how much he had taken in this quarter from both his established businesses, his royalties from the Teralis dilithium deal, and his trade monopoly with the Teralis government and their client systems.

Quite satisfied with his ever increasing wealth he made a note to contact Origin and a few other builders to get bids on upgrading his fleet of freighters. With that though he wondered if the Marines would like a heavy transport or two? Hell, he had gotten the Medical department those recovery yachts...why not.

T'mpest wasn't quite sure how to best approach Geral Lasuma. She'd heard a great deal about him since she arrived on DS5. Not only was he a powerful and prosperous businessman, he had done a great deal for the businesses on the promenade. In addition, the yachts he'd given to the Marines on Pangaea had saved many lives. And, for good or ill, he reminded her of the people her mother associated with.

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Finally, she decided the best course of action was to go to his place of business and see if he was available. If not, she would make an appointment. She invited Cara to join her as they would both need to work with him from time to time.

As they walked, the half Vulcan took note of the area as they passed through the promenade. It would take her a while to know her way around without the assistance of a PADD. She hoped she would be here long enough to do so.

As they walked through the doors of Lasuma Enterprises, T'mpest took the lead and walked over to the reception desk.

Cara walked alongside T'mpest, being quiet and observant. This person that they were going to visit, she hasn't heard much about. She was glad that T'mpest was taking the lead as it should be. She was enjoying being on the learning curve on this new station. It was incredible.

He was in his office overlooking the shop when the duo entered. the memory of his first encounter with Maritza flashed in his mind and his breath out carried an edge of pain. Touching the one way glass a frame appeared around them and he magnified.

Sha'rae entered to see her boss zooming in on the two woman. "They're look nice, but the last thing you need is a rebound relationship."

Looking over his shoulder to his aid. "No chance of that, this is the stations new commanding and executive officers..."

"Well, just don't cook for them."

He chuckled. The memory of the times he cooked for Maritza put a smile on his face. The first time they had met she had been in s sour mood and he remember how her tension melted away as she enjoyed her meal. "Yes ma'am." He was heading out the door as he called for her to join him. "Let's go be sociable shall we...but yeah they are attractive."

Emerging from the cafe and coming up behind the officers. "Commodore Michaels, Commander Letsul....Welcome to Lasuma's". Gesturing to the clerk at the counter to see to the other customers he continued his greeting. "Is this an official visit or are you just getting to know the station?"

She took a moment to assess him, deciding she liked what she saw--so far. "A bit of both, actually. Do you have a few minutes?" T'mpest heard a great deal about him, both good and bad, and she wanted to form her own opinion. Plus, as both the president of the merchants association and an important businessman in his own right, she wanted to start off on a positive footing.

"Certainly." Introducing the woman at his side. "Allow me to introduce my assistant Sha'rae Astare."

Sha'rae bowed ever so slightly as she offered her hand to each in turn. "Would a table in the cafe be alright?"

"A pleasure to meet you," T'mpest replied, shaking Sha'rae's hand. "A table will be fine. Thank you."

Geral led the way back to the internal area of the cafe and waved over a waiter. "Can we get you anything? Something to drink...we can have the chef whip up one of his specialties...or maybe something off menu?"

Raising one eyebrow, T'mpest asked, "What do you recommend?"

Sha'rae was smiling at the banter but inside see could see where things were going. Thinking to her self, ~don't say it, don't say it~...

Spreading his "Everything. I would whip you both up..."

At that moment she what whisper to the waiter to make sure they weren't interrupted. ~He's going to say it..~

"...a surprise myself but the last time I did that I ended up dating the Captain."

~ohhh he said it.~

He let out a good natured chuckle as he motioned for them to sit. He gave them an appraising glance. "I think I know just the thing. He made a step towards the back but stopped, "Any restrictions...allergies?"

T'mpest heard about Geral and the former captain, but she got the impression that it was a sensitive subject and would not comment on it. Even so, she raised an eyebrow, curious to see how good he was at reading people. And, if she were honest, intrigued by the man in general. He was something of an enigma, and she had always been fascinated by enigmas. "No allergies. I am curious to see what you think I will like."

At the moment, Cara almost didn't hear what Geral was saying. She was almost, okay yes, she was really looking Geral over. It was uncanny his resemblance to her friend on Poseidon Station. Could they be related in the gene pool somewhere down the line? Her friend was a trill, and ran an eating establishment, Admiral on Deck. Now here she was inside another eating establishment, with a reminder of her friend. This one was, Bajoran. She almost rammed her hip into the table that they were being directed to.

"Uh sure, I would love to see what you can come up with." Cara taking a seat at the table.

T'mpest was a little slower to sit. Now she looked at Cara with a raised eyebrow. She would have to ask her first officer why she was watching Geral the way she was. But that would wait until later.

He stopped himself, returning to the table, as he did he told one of the staff to have chef come out. As he reached the table, "I almost did what I said I wasn't going to do. I do like to cook for others though, there is something...satisfying about it. Perhaps in the future." As he pulled out his chair he sat looking the officers, giving the Commander the subtlest of nods and grin as he noticed her gaze.

While they waited, "So back to the original question. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

In addition to everything else, he cooked for friends? The list of what she'd either heard or been told kept growing--as did her curiosity. But right now, she was here as the station commander to learn more about the man. "Partly as a social visit," T'mpest replied. "Yours is the most prominent business on the promenade, and you are the new head of the merchants association. I wanted to meet you and talk over your ideas for the promenade and see what I can help facilitate."

(To be continued...)

Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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