A Query
Posted on Sat Jun 28, 2025 @ 8:58pm by Commander Cara Letsul & Colonel Nicholas Means III
1,505 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Tergum In Tempus
Location: Lasuma's - BTV
Timeline: MD 12 - Evening
Following Lasuma's direction as to how to find Colonel Means, Cara made a beeline to the turbolift, a sense of urgency. She wished she could get the lift to move more quickly then she calmed down. if she missed him, she'd be able to find him. Then her mind clicked even more, she scoffed at how slow her mind was reacting at the moment. Must have been her mind still basking in the afterglow of eating the delicious food at Geral's. She pulled out her PADD and sent off a message to Colonel Means.
Colonel Means, if you are still at Geral's cigar lounge, please wait there for me. -Cara Letsul
As the turbolift came to a stop on the level she needed to be, another thought hit Cara. She left without paying for her meal!! Cara's cheeks turned a brilliant red, and she sent a message to Geral. Conveying her apologies and also sent the price of the meal and a sizable tip for those who had waited upon her.
[Lasuma's - BTV]
The cigar Means had selected was a fabulous, slow burning, maduro cigar with tobacco from Dominican seed grown on Bajor. The slow burn of the cigar had him on his second glass of Dalmore.
Taking another flavor filled craw on his cigar he blew a perfect ring as his padd chimed. Pulling it up he read the message and smiled. He wasn't going anywhere but he was curious as to what the station's XO wanted. Deciding he wasn't going the let worrying about the unknown he set his padd aside and took a sip of his whiskey.
Cara arrived at Lasuma's place stepping inside she caught the various scents of the cigars that were being indulged in. Memories filtered to the surface memories of a certain someone, who had helped her step through a door which she needed to. A path of healing. A host led Cara to where Colonel Means was sitting, she taking in the aroma of his cigar.
"Hello Colonel may I join you?" Cara asked before she turned to the host. "I'd like to have a glass of what he is drinking please."
Means had stood to great the XO and look to the host. "Dalmore, neat."
As the they were left to themselves Means motioned to the padded leather chair at his 9 o'clock. "Please have a seat Commander." Gesturing with his cigar. "Do you..."
"I have before, prefer not to." Cara taking a seat. "And if you don't mind my dropping ranks, call me Cara, as I am not in uniform." she crossed her leg at the knee.
Means nodded, making sure to blow any up and away so she wouldn't be too impacted. "As you wish, Cara. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well Colonel or is there a name you'd prefer me to use?" Cara giving a bit of a smile. "I would like to look at what you have set up for the Marines under your command" she paused when the requested drink was brought over "Thank you." she said to the server then took time to take in its aroma before tasting of the whiskey, enjoying the flavor "Mavelous."
Taking another pull on his cigar as she began and slowly blow out as she sipped from her drink. "Well when the ranks are dropped Nick is fine, Scratch for a select few. So you wanna know how I plan to run the MEU? Official business while the ranks are dropped and with a whiskey in hand? Now is the time to relax and enjoy being off the clock. Beside these are hardly the best surroundings for official discussions. I like Lasuma and the things he's done for others here on the station...but I don't trust him any further than I can throw his yacht."
Cara's eyes crinkled up with her smile as she took in his words. "Nick it will be then." taking another sip of her whiskey. "Its good to know the lay of the land a bit better. The other things can be spoken of when not so many ears. Then for the time being, we can just enjoy a good whiskey and you, your aromatic cigar. I do like the scent of it. I had caught the scent on Lasuma when I had gone to eat at his place. And he is the one who, let me know where you are."
With a bit of a smirk as he spread his arms. "See what I mean. Ya can't trust the guy. Ya finally get a break and he sells ya out to the first person that asks."
"Well Nick, I do like this place, reminds me of a friend who was a connoisseur of cigars, fine whiskey and well for him, fine women." she leaned in close so that only Nick could hear. "I learned to tell what sort of mood he was in, depending on the brand of cigar he was smoking." she moved back to take another sip of the whiskey.
He looked at her for a split second as she sat back, not quite sure where she was going with that. "Well that wouldn't work with me, well not most of the time anyway. I pair my cigars of based on the foods I've eaten. The bolder the food the stronger the cigar. Ya can't very well enjoy a mild cigar if your pallet's accustomed to pad thai. Now if I just wanna kick back a and relax I wave a collection of goto band that I will just grab. Usually a mild or medium strength stick.
"Cigars, like a good whiskey, are meant to be enjoyed; not just quick puffed or guzzled."
"Indeed that is true." Cara stated as she savored the taste of the whiskey, "I would ask what you like to do besides enjoying a good cigar and a good drink. I won't though, as we are not anywhere you'd be comfortable in speaking about that. Too much personal details to be given out or spoken of."
He waved off the concern, the section of ash on his cigar growing, "Oh that's not anything to be worried about. When time allows I like to read, I prefer an actual book over a padd. I also enjoy swimming, camping, good music and good food. How about yourself?" Taking another draw.
"I really like going out camping, swimming, and I know how to sail a boat. And reading from a real book is wonderful. It seems we have some common interests does that mean we're on the road of being friends?" Cara giving a radiant smile, taking her time to just enjoy the drink.
Releasing another cloud of smoke the section of ash of his cigar now close to 6 centimeters. "It does at that. I have to go to the surface in a few day to check on the construction of the Marine Base. I plan on a bit of a surprise party for my Marines working with the construction crews. Would you care to join us."
"I would love too but, will I need to wear my command outfit? I'd prefer not to do so. Would hate to see the Marines stiffen up their spines due to Command Staff being there. And at this moment I'd like to just relax, and watch the Marines have a little bit of fun." an impish smile appearing. Cara even though she was in command, she wasn't someone who wore the uniform 24 7.
He laughed, "No no uniform. Though Marines are more strict when it comes to the formalities of rank, so you may not be able to avoid it. Even when there beer, food, and fun Marines never drop the 'sirs' or 'ma'ams', but I will get you the details so you can put it on your calendar.
"In the mean time..." Waving over the host over to refill their drinks. "...drinks are on me."
"That sounds wonderful, also... I am quite fascinated at the skill you have with keeping your ash from falling all over you." giving a grin. She continued about the party, "I do know that once they find out who I am, they won't be able to help themselves and that will be okay."
Looking to his cigar as he pulled it from his lips. "Oh that has only partly to do with me. While it is a sign of patient and proper technique it is also a sign sign of craftsmanship and quality construction. Many a cigar aficionado will agree, there's nothing like a good piece of ash."
Cara gave a chuckle, her eyes twinkling with amusement settling back into her chair. Tonight was a good night to relax and enjoy a good drink with a new friend. She lifted up her glass in a salute to Means. "To new friends"
Setting his cigar down in the tray he lifted his glass. "New friends."
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Colonel Nicholas Means III
CO, 21st MEU
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