When Diplomacy Fails

Posted on Wed Apr 30th, 2025 @ 7:40am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Commander Thomas Johnson

2,025 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Andromeda
Location: Unknown

Well that was something, Thomas paced back and forth, he watched as Jeff just stood there. Watching him. Waiting for the information that he required. Talia was over there, yet he was supposed to tell them how to access the ship that could not only hurt the people that he cared about, but potentially information about starfleet.

"Herald, I know you don't believe me. But I do want to help, I do not want to cause harm to anyone. Not to you, but I also do not want my people hurt in the process. Tell me, what is special about this power plant. They may just be looking for a way to get home. The energy required would have to be astronomical. Given your technology... They would deduce that the power to control this immense structure would have to be huge." Thomas replied as he paused, "I have to go to the Tokyo, come with me, I have to know what they are planning."

"My master T'Ket is leading the infiltration." The Herald said simply. "You are to stay here." The Herald waved a hand and a Starfleet PADD appeared in front of Thomas floating in mid-air. "We took this from your vessel. You may use it to grant us access to your technology."

This was what he needed to contact the tokyo, if he wanted him to give him access, meant he would be allowed access to the ship, and warn them. "It will take a while to access the system." He started working on exactly what he wanted to say. It would not be long but he needed time to be able to send the message.

The Herald seemed to be watching closely. "Do not attempt to contact or resist us," the Herald warned.

"That is exactly what I am trying to avoid herald."

"Master T'Ket has given me permission to end your existence if we detect any sort of subterfuge." The Herald stated raising its spear like weapon.

"Well you are full of peaches and cream aren't you." Thomas replied as he looked, He showed him the padd... "Look, I have access to the ship." He took a deep breath. "Shutting off all interior defences. Locking all quarters, with only my authorization code able to open them. Everyone is basically in a room like this... is that help enough. No resistance, and the information you want. For my crew, and the people I care about. Now... do you believe me."

The Herald approached and ran a hand over his PADD. The data on the PADD disappeared as if the Herald had extracted it through his body. "You shall wait whilst Master T'Ket uses this knowledge and conducts her infiltration." With that he disappeared like usual in a cloud of smoke.

<<>>

Thomas sat in the corner, he didn't know what to do, he had given them access to save the crew, however. He had the feeling that their end of the bargain of showing mercy, wasn't being upheld. Especially with T'Kett being at the helm. "Herald, I want to have an audience with T'Mara."

The Herald didn't appear this time. Instead he was greeted by the familiar sound of something being 'poofed' in with the black smoke. This one seemed smokier than usual as it prevented Thomas from seeing who it was for a brief moment.

Slowly it disappeared and there sat in the very center of the room, crouched on her knee's was Captain Taiga Aisaka. She had been stripped of her clothing, and seemed dazed and confused as to where she was. She remained crouched as she looked around the room before her eyes discovered Thomas.

"T...T... Thomas-san?" She said, her voice a little different from how she usually sounded, a little faster and higher slightly in pitch.

"Thomas-san Hontōni anatadesu ka? Hontōni ikite iru ndesu ka?" (Thomas, is that really you? You're actually alive?) Taiga asked in her native tongue.

"Sōda ne. Demo, itsumo sōdatta wake janai nda. Hanashi ga nagaku narukedo." ("I am. However that wasn't always the case. Long story.) He replied as he checked her over, making sure she was alright.

Upon suddenly realising it actually was Thomas and the fact she was naked in front of her now confirmed alive First Officer; her face turned a very bright shade of magenta. She instantly clamped her legs together tightly and clasped her arms over her chest to cover herself. She bowed her head not wanting to look up at him, clearly not wanting him to see. After a brief few seconds she raised her head again, a frown on her face.

"Daijōbudesu yo. Hadaka no josei o mita koto wa arimasu yo. Tada, karada-tekina kega o shite inai ka kakunin shitai dakedesu. Demo… nihongo de hanashite iru to iu koto wa, seishintekini nanika ga okotte iru yōna ki ga shimasu." (It is ok, Ive seen naked women before, just making sure you are not physically injured. Though... you speaking japanese does seem to indicate something mentally has occured.)

"Mā, soko ni suwattenaide, baka! Nanika kirumono o sagashite kure yo!" (Well don't just sit there idiot! Find something for me to wear god damn it!) She shouted at him, her voice clearly embarrassed and not a little more than pissed off.

Taking his clothes off, he was thankful he had his own boxers on, "Chotto ōkī no wa wakatte imasuga, kiru no o tetsudaimasu. Demo, nanika aru ndesu." (Let me Help you into these, a bit big I know. But its something)

"Ah... Arigatō," (Ah... thankyou) Taiga said. Still blushing she allowed Thomas to help her put on the clothes, being pregnant didn't help. She couldn't help but feel a bit useless, it was usually Ryuuji who helped her stuff like this. The shirt was more like a tent on her than an actusl garment she was supposed to wear. To keep it from being too loose she twisted the hem around at one side and tied it tight against her waist. The fabric had a little bit of stretch in it and she made it tight enough to be taut across her belly. She was aware that she probably looked stupid in it, as it was very loose around her chest, bit tight around her belly clearly showing off her bump and protruding navel.

Once she was dressed. "Herald, is this how your gods treat those who help you. I demand, not ask right now, what the hell is going on. I helped you, yet you do this. What kind of gods are your masters. If you are looking for those violent people you are so scared of, look in the mirror."

"Herald?" Taiga asked curiously.

It was then that the Herald appeared once more. Instantly Taiga drew back away from it. She let out a little whimper as the colour seemed to drain from her face. As the Herald approached she took a step back, before her legs gave way. She was shaking, trembling as it approached a look of utter terror on her face as she tried to shuffle away. "Iya… iya… iya… mata ka…" (No...no...no... not again...) she stuttered, her lips and whole body trembling as the fear dug it's claws deep into her.

"Kanojo ni nani o shita nodesu ka, watashi wa anata ga tanonda koto o shita dakedesu, soshite dare mo kizutsuke rarenai yō ni tanonda dakedesu." (What did you do to her? I have done what you have asked, and only asked that no one would be harmed.) He stepped in front of the Captain. "Watashi wa T' māra to no menkai o yōkyū shimasu..." (I demand to have an audience with T'Mara)

"The female Human was not harmed." The Herald stated. "My masters simply asked for this female to be thoroughly medically screened to prevent disease before being brought here." The Herald explained. "Plus her knowledge of your vessel and 'Starfleet' will prove useful, as will the offspring." The Herald simply remained floating for a few seconds. "Should you wish, you may mate with her after she births her current offspring."

Taiga looked at Thomas with a scared and confused look on her face. "Nani o itte iru nodeshou ka? Eigo ga amari tokuide wa nai nodesuga, nani ga shitai nodeshou ka?" (What is it saying? My English isn't very good. What does it want?) She asked him, her voice still shaky as she clutched him with a tight grip.

"Anata no okosan wa kizutsuke rarete imasen. Anata o koko ni tsuretekuru mae ni, anata ya okosan ni byōki ga nai koto o kakunin suru hitsuyō ga arimashita." (Your child was not harmed, they had to make sure that there was no... illness within you or the child before bringing you here.) he paused, "speak Japanese or give us a translator... she has a right to know whats being said."

Turning back to the Captain. "Karera wa jōhō o motomete imasu… watashi wa, karera ga shitsumon shi, heiwa-teki ni kōdō suru koto o yakusoku surunara, jōhō teikyō o kangei suru to tsutaemashita. Anata no hentō kara handan suru to, karera wa yakusoku o mamotte imasen." (They want information... which I have indicated they are welcome to if they promise to ask and remain peaceful. Which judging by your responses. Have not held up to their bargain.)

"As I have said, I demand an audience with M'Tara..."

"Peaceful? 'THAT' was peaceful?!" Taiga blurted out, it was now clear that a Universal Translator had been activated in the room. "They drained the ship of power, those things started killing the crew!" She told Thomas. "Why would I even consider giving information to them! They are clearly the enemy here!" She protested.

Thomas paused. "Captain... remember... its not the first time where first contact went horribly wrong... Klingons... Andorians... they started off as the enemy, we fought each other before we came to an agreement." He paused before he turned to the herald. "There also seem to be a power struggle. I was promised Mercy by M'Tara. I sent a message to offer no resistance so they would know we would not be hostile. Someone is lying, or went against the orders of her sister. If it is the latter. Then this is an act done by one member not the five of the Hostile, who clearly had no intention of following orders."

"M'Tara, if your listening, this was not our agreement. How can we show our intentions if you slaughter us, before we can show our intentions."

"Silence Human!" M'Tara's voice echoed loudly throughout the room. The tall imposing Iconian appeared before them floating off the ground just like the Herald. She looked at Taiga. "I requested this Human female to determine your intentions more thoroughly!"

"Our intentions?!" Taiga snapped as her courage flowed back through her veins. "Our intentions are to get the hell home! Get out of this place and never have to deal with you again!" She told the Iconian angrily. "I don't care what or who you are! Or even how powerful you are! We will resist! We are not your puppets! And we will not do what you want us to in order to fulfil your stupidly sized ego!"

M'Tara simply floated there. "You would say such things to a God? You insult us even though your pathetic and weak! You dare to challenge us?"

"Yes I dare! As long as I'm alive I'll continue to resis..."

Taiga suddenly stopped. Instead of finishing her sentence she suddenly became silent and still. Her legs gave way and as if in slow motion she fell, her hair trailing behind her. There was a thud as she hit the floor, her eyes open but lifeless; the fire in them extinguished as one would snuff out a candle. She laid there, staring into the abyss, her chest still and silent, the colour beginning to fade from her skin.

Taiga Aisaka was dead.

Posting by

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer
USS Tokyo

M'Tara
Iconian Leader

'Jeff' the Herald
Iconian Herald

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