True Diplomacy - Part 2

Posted on 2025, Sun Nov 23rd, @ 12:50am by Vice Admiral Jack Reacher Jr & Major Alexander Stroud & Civilian Queen Kaitaama XII & Rear Admiral Jacob Hawks Esq, SMH PMV & Commander Jack Riley Jr & Lieutenant Daven Voss

1,607 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 2: Pillars of the Theater - USS Vigilance, Star Base 113
Location: Starbase 113 – Diplomatic Conference Hall
Timeline: Next Day After The Listening Hour

Reacher’s gaze flicked toward Hawks as he finished his remarks—rough around the edges, but sincere. He could appreciate that kind of directness. The room quieted again as Queen Kaitaama regarded Hawks, her expression softening ever so slightly.

“Plain words, Lieutenant,” she said, her voice poised and melodic, “and perhaps the most valuable ones I’ve heard in Federation diplomacy. Krios appreciates honesty, even when it lacks polish.”

Reacher gave a faint nod of acknowledgment, but before he could respond, Major Stroud—standing just half a step behind and to the Queen’s right—leaned in slightly. His posture was impeccable, disciplined as ever, but there was a quiet familiarity in the way his eyes met hers, a subtle warmth beneath the stoic surface.

“Your Majesty,” he said quietly, just enough for Reacher to hear, “perhaps they should see the outline we discussed before departure. It may bridge some of the concerns over jurisdiction and cooperation.”

Kaitaama met his gaze with a look that blended affection and trust, though she quickly masked it before turning back to Reacher. “My husband is correct,” she said, the faintest hint of pride in her tone. “Krios has already drafted a preliminary proposal for shared security—one that ensures our autonomy while integrating Federation support where needed.”

Stroud straightened, addressing Reacher directly now. “We’ve structured it around three key areas: tactical readiness, trade route stability, and interplanetary defense coordination. Kriosian oversight remains primary, but Starfleet advisory personnel would assist as needed.”

Reacher studied the two of them for a moment. He’d read the reports—knew of their union, knew Stroud had chosen to remain on Krios as both Starfleet and protector. Seeing them together now, though, the dynamic made more sense: the Queen spoke as sovereign, but the Major’s quiet influence lent her arguments a grounded, tactical weight.

“That’s a solid framework to start with,” Reacher said, tone measured. “The Federation’s not here to dictate terms—if anything, that level of coordination would help us avoid the very oversight you’re concerned about. And if Major Stroud’s involved in the implementation…” He gave a faint smirk. “…I’m confident we’ll all sleep better at night.”

That earned a small, genuine smile from Kaitaama, one that softened the formal edge of the room. “Then we are of one mind, Admiral. Let us see if our intentions can become something lasting.”

Commander Montana stood there thinking in her own head, and was thinking about how to introduce herself properly later.

Daven remained silent, but his mind was processing what he'd just witnessed.

Should I say something? He questioned. I'm a Lieutenant who's been on staff for barely a week. This is a flag officer meeting with a head of state.

Daven weighed his options. Stay silent and professionally observe. Or voice the analytical concerns that were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Junior officers who spoke up during high-level diplomatic meetings risked their careers. But intelligence officers who stayed silent when patterns didn't align risked operational failures.

Riley said to play it straight. Daven continued to think. The Admiral's focused on framework details. No one's questioning the underlying assumptions.

But this "proposal" felt more like a fait accompli than an opening negotiation. The proposal was already drafted. Comprehensive. Detailed. That didn't happen overnight.

Screw it.

"Your Majesty, if I may," Lieutenant Voss said, his tone respectful but direct. "The fact that Krios has already drafted a comprehensive proposal suggests your government planned this transition well before independence. That's not months of work—that's years."

The quiet following Voss’s bold statement lingered even after the younger officer’s voice had faded. Reacher broke the silence first, his tone steady but probing.

“Your Majesty, I think the Lieutenant’s observation raises an important question. If these preparations have been in motion for years… how far back does this plan of Kriosian independence—and cooperation with Starfleet—really go?”

Queen Kaitaama regarded him for a long, thoughtful moment. The air between them seemed to still as her expression softened into something almost reminiscent. When she finally spoke, her voice carried both pride and memory.

“Farther back than you might imagine, Admiral,” she said. “Long before I was born… before the Federation itself was the Federation you know today.”

She stepped closer to the holographic map, her elegant fingers gliding through the projection, zooming in on the Kriosian system. “It began when my grandmother—Queen Kaitaama I—met Commander Charles ‘Trip’ Tucker of the Enterprise NX-01. History remembers it as a diplomatic encounter, a rescue operation… but it was more than that. It was the first time Krios saw the spirit of humanity up close.”

Major Stroud glanced toward her, quiet pride flickering in his usually unreadable expression. He’d heard this story many times before, often when she spoke of what guided her rule.

“My grandmother spoke of him often,” Kaitaama continued, her gaze distant. “She saw in Commander Tucker not a conqueror, not a negotiator—but a man willing to risk everything for the sake of honor and compassion. That encounter sowed the seeds of what would one day become Krios’s hope for a better path. One free of empires and exploitation.”

Reacher folded his arms lightly, nodding. “So you’re saying this—everything we’re doing here—isn’t just about Starfleet’s presence. It’s about fulfilling something that began two centuries ago.”

Her eyes returned to him, steady and deliberate. “Precisely, Admiral. We are not seeking to hide behind the Federation’s strength. We are choosing to stand beside it. The work my grandmother began with Commander Tucker… I intend to finish.”

Stroud finally spoke, his deep voice grounding the moment. “And I will ensure she can, Admiral. Whatever this new alliance looks like, it must be built on trust—earned, not granted.”

Reacher met the Major’s gaze, then looked back to the Queen with quiet resolve. “Then let’s make sure we do it right this time. For Krios. And for the legacy your grandmother began.”

The Queen smiled faintly, the gesture both regal and human. “Then perhaps, Vice Admiral, history has finally come full circle.”

Lieutenant Voss took note of how deftly she pivoted from his direct challenge about the timeline to historical justification. Classic deflection. He filed away his skepticism for a conversation that wouldn't derail active negotiations. The Queen's narrative was compelling, but narratives were tools of statecraft, not necessarily reflections of complex political reality.

The room seemed to steady again, the moment of tension dissolving into a thoughtful quiet. Reacher gave a faint nod to one of the aides near the display table, and the holographic map of the Beta Quadrant shimmered into view once more — the Federation’s territory glowing in soft blue, and the Kriosian system outlined in gold.

Queen Kaitaama stepped forward, her expression thoughtful, regal composure intact yet softened by the weight of genuine deliberation. “Admiral,” she began, her voice low but carrying through the chamber, “we speak of partnership, cooperation, and shared defense… but there is another question beneath all of this, one my council has urged me to ask.”

She paused, glancing briefly toward Stroud. His expression betrayed nothing, though the faint tension in his jaw revealed he knew where this was going.

Reacher raised an eyebrow. “Go on, Your Majesty.”

Kaitaama drew a slow breath before continuing. “What if Krios were to one day seek Federation membership? Not merely cooperation or alliance — but true inclusion.”

The statement hung in the air like a pulse. Even the background hum of the holo-displays seemed to fade.

Stroud’s eyes flicked toward Reacher, measuring his reaction, though the Queen pressed forward. “It would not be soon,” she said firmly. “Nor would it be taken lightly. Krios has fought too long to reclaim its sovereignty to hand it away in haste. But independence means choice — and if that choice includes the freedom to join, to stand as equals among the Federation worlds…” She looked him squarely in the eye. “…then I must know if that door would be open.”

Reacher took a moment before replying, his tone deliberate, measured. “Membership in the Federation isn’t a gift we give, Your Majesty. It’s a relationship that’s earned — built. Worlds that apply must demonstrate shared values, stability, self-governance, and a willingness to uphold the Charter in full.”

Kaitaama nodded, listening closely. “Then Krios must show that it has learned from its past — from occupation, from division — and can rise beyond it. My people deserve the same opportunity to stand among the stars as your own.”

Stroud spoke now, his voice deep but steady. “Your Majesty, the process would be long — perhaps years. There will be scrutiny, questions, committees.” His gaze flicked toward Reacher. “But if she’s serious — and she is — then we’d want to start the foundation properly. Cultural exchange, shared security, and visible cooperation. The kind that builds trust from both sides.”

Reacher gave a slight smile, one that carried a hint of admiration. “Then it seems Krios has already begun that journey. If your world continues on this path, Queen Kaitaama, I can promise you this — that door will remain open.”

The Queen’s expression softened — the faintest trace of emotion behind the regal mask. “Then perhaps, Admiral, history is not simply repeating itself… perhaps it is finally evolving.”

Riley exhaled long and slow. 'Thank fucking Kirk for that...now just dont punch anyone out boss, lets get the deal done and get a drink.' He thought to himself

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