Transparency

Posted on Mon Feb 2nd, 2026 @ 12:42am by Lieutenant Kesden Lokn & Commander Aleshanee

1,024 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: A New Dawn
Location: Bridge

The conversation with Ziv and Cross still sat heavily in Kesden's mind, not because it had been hostile, but because it had been real. Formal. Structured. The kind of thing that turned lived experience into testimony and survival into record.

He moved through the corridor at an even pace, the hum of the Ada Lovelace steady beneath his feet. He’d agreed to speak, conditionally. The lines had been drawn. Protections discussed.

He paused just outside the Bridge, fingers resting briefly against the bulkhead, grounding himself before entering. This wasn’t a report. It wasn’t a request for permission. It was something in between; something that deserved transparency.

“Aleshanee,” he said when the door opened, voice calm and even. “Do you have a moment? I need to tell you about something I agreed to tonight.”

He stepped inside, posture composed, but there was no mistaking the seriousness beneath it. Whatever came next, he wanted her to hear it from him first.

There were times when Aleshanee needed to be on the bridge, regardless of whether Lovelace was flying or docked somewhere. "Yeah, oh Kesden, yeah, I have, I'll always have moments for you," Aleshanee said with a soft smile, looking at her executive officer.

Kesden inclined his head slightly at her answer, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. He took a step closer, stopping well short of her chair. "This isn’t urgent," he said first, calmly setting the frame. “But it is important. And it affects the ship."

He then drew in a slow breath. "I just came from a meeting with Representative Ziv. In the context of her work, she asked if I’d be willing to provide testimony. Not operational details, but perspective. Why we did what we did. What survival actually looked like.”

His gaze held hers, unflinching. “I agreed.”

He paused; not for drama, but for honesty.

"There are limits to what I can say," he continued evenly. "Some by choice. Some because Starfleet Intelligence made sure of it." His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "There was an incident during the occupation of Betazed. The official record isn’t accurate. Parts of it are still sealed. “And I’ve lived with that silence because speaking only endangered me. Testifying may change that ...and I won’t let that risk reach this ship without you knowing."

He met her eyes again, voice quiet but firm. "I’m not asking for permission. I’m asking for awareness. And if you want the details… I’ll tell you. Here. Now."

Aleshanee listened and watched Kesden. Processing what was said, especially the potential threat to the Lovelace and her crew. "For now, you tell me when you are ready," she said, taking a deep breath. "I appreciate you coming and letting me know that you are going to be doing this. I am not surprised that this is happening." Aleshanee said, knowing she would have to ask about the potential endangerment to the Lovelace and her crew.

Kesden nodded once.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “That’s exactly why I came to you before anything moved forward.”

He drew in a slow, steady breath. “Aleshanee, I don’t believe this puts the Lovelace at immediate risk. I won’t discuss locations, names, or operations. And I won’t allow testimony to be framed in a way that points back to this crew.” He cared about them, her most of all. “If that isn’t respected, I won’t proceed."

"Thank you, and I hope you know that I know you would never put the Lovelace or her crew in harm's way intentionally," she said, knowing that there were things that couldn't be controlled and would put the Lovelace and her crew in harm's way. "When is it happening?" She asked about the testimony.

"I don't know yet, but I should know soon." He met her eyes again and was quiet for a heartbeat. “I won’t let my past become your liability,” he added quietly.

"I am not worried about that, and I am not worried about you," she said, but then quickly realized how that sounded, "sorry, I do care for you, but..." Aleshanee stopped and took a breath, "I think what I meant to say was, would you like me to be there when you give your testimony?"

Kesden’s expression softened, just a fraction, at her stumble. But he didn’t comment on it, didn’t need to. The care behind it was clear enough. “I understood what you meant,” he smiled. And then just as quickly it left as he considered her question for a moment longer than strictly necessary, weighing it the way he weighed everything that mattered.

When he answered, it was honest and unguarded. “Yes, I would. It helps to know someone there understands what’s being said ...and what isn’t. And because if I’m going to do this, I’d rather not do it alone.”

"I'll be there, just let me know when," Aleshanee said, reaching out and squeezing his hand.

After a brief pause, Kesden returned the gesture, just a little, firm but careful, as if acknowledging something he didn’t often allow himself to lean on. “Thank you,” he said softly, and this time there was no mistaking the weight behind it.

He released her hand gently, the familiar steadiness settling back into his posture; a faint, almost relieved smile touched his expression. “I have some work to do." He inclined his head and started to turn away.

"Alright, again I am here whenever you need to talk, and again let me know about the testimony and I'll be there," Aleshanee said again, giving him a reassuring smile.

Kesden paused just long enough to acknowledge her words, then turned back slightly. “I know,” he said quietly. “That means more than you think.”

He straightened, composure fully reclaimed, and inclined his head once more. “I’ll keep you informed.”

With that, he stepped out onto the bridge corridor, the door closing softly behind him; work waiting, and a little less weight on his shoulders than when he’d arrived.

 

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