“Beachfront Diplomacy”

Posted on Tue May 12th, 2026 @ 9:26pm by Captain Emily Janeway

235 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: How do you do it?
Location: Admiral Star’s Villa Perimeter – Cumulonimbus Five
Timeline: Present

:ON:
{Admiral Star’s Villa Perimeter – Cumulonimbus Five}
::later in the evening Captain Janeway lowered her small self-heating tuna tin as Admiral Star stepped out of the villa in his bright Hawaiian shirt. She wiped sweat from her brow, dog tags clinking against her damp green turtleneck.::
Star: “Why is no one on the beach?”
Janeway ::dry but respectful:: “Because we’ve spent the last several hours politely escorting civilians off it, sir. Apparently ‘restricted perimeter’ doesn’t carry quite the same weight as free sand and unlimited cocktails.”
Nabarati ::antennae twitching:: “One of them asked if you do beach volleyball, Admiral. I told him your schedule was full.”
Valentino ::grinning:: “Another tried to hand me a beer. Said it was ‘for the war effort.’ I almost defected on the spot.”
Young Marine ::still staring at Janeway’s tiny can:: “Ma’am, if we’re stuck out here much longer, I’m filing a complaint. This is cruel and unusual punishment. My stomach is filing for emancipation.”
Janeway ::small, sardonic smile as she takes another bite:: “One at a time, Marines. We’re highly trained professionals… even if dinner fits in your palm and the enemy is armed with sunscreen and poor decisions.”
Janeway: “The cordon is stable for now, sir. But if you’d like the beach reopened, we can adjust. Your call.”
:OFF:
Captain Emily Jones Janeway
Marine Commanding Officer
USS Albion NCC-3020

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