Topic replication won't match number of brokers

There are two errors This server does not host this topic-partition and Replication factor is below 1 or larger than the number of available brokers despite there being two brokers running.

Spec:
  Interval:  3s
  Kafka API Spec:
    Brokers:
      redpanda-alpha-0.redpanda-alpha.operations.svc.cluster.local:9093
      redpanda-alpha-1.redpanda-alpha.operations.svc.cluster.local:9093
  Partitions:          20
  Replication Factor:  2
Status:
  Conditions:
    Last Transition Time:  2024-08-15T23:48:44Z
    Message:               Topic reconciliation failed
    Observed Generation:   1
    Reason:                Failed
    Status:                False
    Type:                  Ready
  Observed Generation:     1
Events:
  Type     Reason                             Age                 From             Message
  ----     ------                             ----                ----             -------
  Warning  topicCreationFailure               85s (x12 over 95s)  TopicReconciler  creating topic ([INVALID_REPLICATION_FACTOR: Replication factor is below 1 or larger than the number of available brokers.]) CreateTopicsResponse error (%!!(MISSING)s(MISSING)): %!!(MISSING)s(MISSING)
  Warning  topicConfigurationDescribeFailure  74s (x13 over 95s)  TopicReconciler  describing topic configuration ([UNKNOWN_TOPIC_OR_PARTITION: This server does not host this topic-partition.]) DescribeConfigsResponse error (%!!(MISSING)s(MISSING)): %!!(MISSING)s(MISSING)

JIRA Link: K8S-322

Start with the reported topic specification and the two broker endpoints, then consult JIRA K8S-322 for the issue's investigation context. Reproduce topic reconciliation with two brokers and verify that creation and configuration description complete without replication-factor or unknown-topic errors.