"As you've seen, our relationship with the Tuann is rather unstable," Jace said. "We have to tread cautiously."
Kira gave him a look of disbelief. "From what I saw, they pretty much dictate to you and you take it."
Himoto rubbed his chin, for the first time seeming tired. "You're not far off."
"Why?" she asked.
"We got off on a bad foot with the Tuann during first contact," Himoto said.
Kira waited.
"We made certain assumptions about their technological abilities and the strategic value of allying with them," Jace explained.
"Assumptions that are now biting us in the ass." Himoto's voice was frank. "We need them, but we've insulted them during nearly every encounter."
"What assumptions?" Kira asked. Knowing the Consortium, it could be anything.
The two shared a long look.
"In the early days of first contact, the Tuann were careful to appear nonthreatening. Even today, we don't know much about them. They’re a secretive race. We do know they've arranged themselves in what they call Houses. People of differing origin work together for a common goal," Himoto instructed.
"Sounds similar to the Consortium," Kira said.
Himoto made an expression of agreement. "In a way."
The Consortium was a collection of Earth's former colonies. When humanity first entered into space and established themselves outside their home planet, they did so to benefit Earth. As a result, much of their resources went to Earth.
However, in the vastness of space, retaining control over territories that were sometimes a year or more of travel away was difficult. War happened and Earth lost control of her colonies.
The individual planets created identities for themselves that endured to present day. Each planet had representatives on the council and was tasked with meeting a quota for military enrollment.
The war with the Tsavitee strengthened the Consortium in some ways, turning it from a collection of planets prone to infighting, to a strong system of governance bound together by the very survival of the human race.
"They place a lot of value on their personal honor and deeds. We don't know much about them, but we do know they seem to have a strong warrior class that seems to share similarities to the samurai of my people’s history," Himoto said.
"None of that explains how you went wrong," Kira said.
"Those responsible for first contact were invited to a planet. It was largely agricultural, and those responsible deemed the Tuann as unadvanced, believing they had nothing that would benefit us. The humans involved presented us in a bad light. They broke promises—something the Tuann see as a mortal insult. Furthermore, they strayed where they weren't supposed to go while ignoring numerous warnings."
"The Tuann predate the Haldeel in space travel," Himoto continued. "They are as technologically advanced—perhaps even more so. It has put us in a dangerous position—especially since the Haldeel have let us know they want this tension resolved.”
"Admiral Himoto and I have been tasked by Centcom to repair our relationship with the Tuann." Jace's expression was grave.
All interesting points, but Kira suspected there was much more to this.
"That doesn't explain why you're willing to give them anything they want," Kira said.
Himoto sighed. "Show her."
Jace took the tablet from his side and hit a couple of buttons before throwing the screen he'd raised on the hologram at the end of the table.
It was a video of space, the utter black relieved by the bright glitter of stars. Kira didn't know what she was supposed to be looking at.
Jace zoomed in, and suddenly the picture spiraled down, blocking out the stars to show what had both men so serious.
Kira leaned in, a rock settling in her stomach. "That's a Tsavitee ship."
There was a small hum as Jin moved closer. "It looks like a Raven class."
