United States | Telephone Call to Spain

[Odinson]

Private​

The situation in Spain was, regularly, on President Sinclair's mind. He was receiving a briefing, once a day, from members of the National Security Council. The members of the NSC explained to the President the finer details of the situation, as the United States understood them to be, as well as possible actions that the Spanish government could take as well as what the likely outcomes of those situations would be. The unfortunate reality of the situation was that continued defiance by Catalonia would almost certainly result in a military occupation of the country. In the past, President Al Gore had some luck with discretely communicating with the King of Spain, Felipe VI. President Sinclair decided around 1:30 A.M. on a Thursday morning in the Oval Office that he would reach out to the Spanish again.

The President asked to be connected to the King of Spain on the secure line in the Oval Office. The CIA's basic profile on King Felipe included plenty of public information about him, including that he could speak English (along with several other languages). Sinclair also spoke several languages, but his Spanish was not fluent.

Considering the time difference between Madrid and Washington, it was 7:30 A.M. in Spain. Sinclair carefully clipped a cigar with a V-cut and then lit it. He lit the cigar with half a dozen puffs as the expensive tabaco leaves slowly began to smolder. Then, he leaned back in his leather chair, put his feet up at one of the edges of the resolute desk, and took a sip from a glass of scotch that he had been nursing for the past fifteen minutes. Despite the time, he was still wearing his three-piece suit. The only other person in the room was his chief of staff who was sitting in one of the chairs beside the Resolute Desk.

Sinclair patiently waited on his secure line for King Felipe to hopefully pick up the phone on his own secure telephone line.

Zak

 

[Zak]

The Palace of Marivent (The summer retreat of the Monarch in the Balearic Islands)​

The quiet of the early morning at the Palace of Marivent residence in Majorca in the Balearic Islands was interrupted by a soft but urgent knock on the bedroom door. A discreet voice called from just outside.

“Your Majesty… there is a secure call. From Washington. The President.”

King Felipe stirred, blinking against the pale light creeping through the shutters. He sat up slowly, brushing a hand through his hair, the weight of the past few days pressing immediately back onto his shoulders. The aide entered quietly, offering a pressed robe and a tablet with a brief note from the palace secretary. Urgent. President Sinclair. Secure line established.

Moments later, Felipe stepped into a small study adjoining his bedroom with the windows still misted from the early sea air. He took a seat at the desk, pressed the receiver to his ear, and spoke clearly in English on the encrypted line, his voice low but steady despite the hour.

"Good morning, Mr. President. This is King Felipe. I understand you've called to speak directly. I'm with you now."

He leaned back slightly in the leather chair, still in his robe, eyes focused on the distant horizon beyond the glass. His tone was calm, tinged with gravity as an aide brought in a coffee.

"I trust you've been well, though I gather that recent events in my country have warranted your close attention. I’m ready to listen, and to speak plainly. Please, go ahead."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

The President's chief of staff gave him a thumbs up a few seconds after the King started talking to confirm that the Spanish line was, in fact, a secure one. President Sinclair silently puffed on his cigar and listened to the Spanish monarch.

"Your Majesty, thank you for taking my call. I hope that I did not interrupt anything," he said, only now considering that perhaps a European monarch might sleep in a little later than the average American.

"I am well, thank you for asking. I communicated with your Prime Minister a couple of days ago. I told him what I will tell you, that the United States supports the Spanish government's sovereign right to deal with this situation on her own, if your government chooses to do so. I can only imagine that the situation is complicated enough, and you don't need outside forces making it more complicated... I am fully aware that this situation is one that your government is handling, and I understand your role in Spain's constitutional system... Still, I wanted to see if you and your family were doing okay, if you could just give me your understanding and perspective of what is going on in Catalonia, and if there is anything that the United States can do for Spain, other than what we have already done... I am strongly determined to ensure that no outside forces intervene in Spain, unless your government deems it necessary," he said.

Zak

 

[Zak]

The King allowed a brief, warm smile to cross his face as he adjusted in his chair, the receiver balanced gently between shoulder and hand.

"Thank you, Mr. President. Your consideration is appreciated, and rest assured, you interrupted nothing that cannot wait. The hour may be early, but so are the burdens of responsibility these days. I was up until the ungodly hours watching the Steelers."

He paused, his tone deepening slightly, reflecting the weight of the moment.

"I am grateful for your firm and principled stance. Your support for Spain's sovereignty and your commitment to preventing unwarranted external involvement means a great deal, not just to our government, but to our people. These are testing times, and clarity from allies matters more than ever."

The King leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on the polished wood of the desk.

"As for my family, we are well, thank you. My daughters understand more than one might expect, and Letizia has been my constant source of strength. We are mindful of the symbolic weight the Crown carries during such moments, and I am doing all I can to project calm, unity, and stability, even as difficult questions swirl around us."

His voice lowered slightly, more personal, more reflective.

"What is happening in Catalonia is not born overnight. It is the culmination of years, decades, of tensions, grievances, and political miscalculations on all sides. The government is acting within its legal authority, and I am confident that Prime Minister Sánchez is weighing every step carefully. But the emotional dimension of this, families divided, identities challenged, cannot be resolved by legislation alone. It is delicate, and deeply human."

A short silence followed before he added.

"What Spain needs now, Mr. President, is precisely what you are offering, space, support, and trust. The very act of your reaching out, personally, sends a message of respect and friendship that cannot be overstated. Should that change, should we require more,we will reach out without hesitation."

He concluded with quiet gravity.

"Thank you again, Mr. President. Your leadership and solidarity do not go unnoticed. And please convey my sincere regards to the First Lady and your staff. Spain values this friendship deeply."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I am happy to hear that your family is doing well, despite the circumstances. It is my sincerest hope that your country is able to get through this struggle peacefully... Anyway, I wanted to reach out and let you know personally that the United States is ready to stand by your country. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to my office directly, you don't need an appointment... Have a good morning, Your Majesty," Sinclair said. If there was nothing else to discuss, the President would hang up the phone and head over to the White House Residence where he would go to sleep.

Zak