2 & 2 don't add up

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 3:36am by Captain Mira Rodale & Commander Kevin Lance & Lieutenant Betaras K'ner

3,060 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: The days of our lives
Location: IKS Slivin
Timeline: Present

On:

{IKS Slivin, mess hall}

Walking in, Mira was reading a PADD. “BLASTED!” She looked around. “Someone needs to start making this BS turn into a plan, because I have no idea what is going on. Chin just sent what he and Montgomery turned up and this isn’t looking good. They should be at earth a week after we get there.”

She picked up a plate then added a burger and salad, then got a bottled water.

“Ok, so the Hammer and The Claw is Klvll Klingjil and his brother T'erek Klingjil. Normally the two are always together. But, right now, Klvll is on SB364 and T’erek was on SB12. Montgomery thinks it was to acquire me. HA! Well, he failed. Then they found Kevin on the USS Biko, a science ship, as a Shuttle Pilot. Only he isn’t responding to their hails.“

Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why? And why the message to Chin? Longspire. Ring. Coming? I mean, I get the reference to Longspire he played that part in the Matrix. The only ring I know of is this one.” she held up her hand to show the ring. “BUT, if he is on USS Biko and not answering his hails, then he isn’t coming.” She took a long swig of her water.

Deena pointed out. “And, If he is on the USS Biko, how did he run off and get betrothed to that Klingon woman and have a kid? And why link your house to his baby momma's house?”

Mira winced at that reminder. By all that was holy, she was becoming the laughing stock of the universe. Mira closed her eyes and shoved the large bite of the burger into her mouth so she wouldn’t have to answer that. Because there was a betrothal and there was a baby girl. That much she found out was true. The baby’s age would have put it in the time of the Matrix. For a man that didn’t do relationships, he sure got a round.

Nod’s deep voice cut into the conversation. “Enough! You made her leak.”

She felt a finger wipe her cheek Darn it, she hadn’t even realized she was crying. “Blasted … it’s the onions on the burger.” She lied.

“I knew that.” He told her.

Mira nodded And changed the subject. “Kids are definitely on earth with my uncle Thor. They haven’t had any troubles and Thor had planned to start taking in guests, so they built a 2nd long house.
It’s not open yet, so we will get to stay there. Seems Zimia, Dianna and the kids have been enjoying their stay. Kolar is convinced the bad-bad got me, again. He is trying to get the warriors of Thor’s clan to go out and find me.” Mira gave a little smile at that little piece of news.

“What about that Klingon on the base? Well I guess both of them What was the deal with them trying to get you on their ship? It is the perfect way of kidnapping a woman. Get her to willingly get on their ship. And speaking of kidnapping what about the ship that took us?.” Deena asked.

Mira frowned as she chewed then swallowed “you want answers to all of that?” she gave a little sigh.

“I have no idea about the Klingon Merchants. Now I have found out a little about that ship. It wasn’t the ship we were told it was. Because that ship is in Klingon space right now. And half the people I recognize on that ship are assigned to other ships at this time or dead. I think it has something to do with the mirror universe.”

Mira was also thinking she should have looked for that passageway between the two universes.

Korra nodded. "That would explain a few things, and we have scan data now so we can specifically look for that anomaly."

“If what I think is true then someone over there is making a play to get power over here. The Hammer and The Claw could very well be part of all this . The brothers are not part of the Klingjil family. Their Cranial ridges don’t match that family line. No records of them up until their 30s? its possible they are from the Mirror universe. ” Mira told them.

Awol nodded “its possible. If they get their hands on you then they get the house of Rasmehlier and House of Har’lok. That is a huge increase in power for them.”

Mira still wasn’t sure how house Har’lok became her responsibility or what was up with Kevin. “I had Chin put in an advanced docking request to Echo 1. “

Awal frowned “we aren’t on Course for Echo 1”

Mira nodded “I know and I don’t plan to go there but someone is tracking us. They made it to the last base before us. I don’t want them to make it to Earth before we do. I am thinking of bypassing Spacedock One and land on earth near Thor’s compound. We could cloak the ship on the ground and tracking us would be impossible. Then when the Norris showed up we beam aboard and have someone in Thor’s clan take IKS Slivin back to SB364.” She gave a little shrug it was the safest plan she could think of.


{Distinguished Visiting Officer’s Quarters, Spacedock One}

Kevin fed Ashla from a bottle while watching Kolar eat at the kitchen table in the spacious visiting officer quarters that he had been able to procure. He suspected that Admiral Proll had something to do with the assignment, indirectly, as a mere commander wouldn’t normally be assigned to such luxury. After two months aboard the cramped spy ship, it was almost a solitary existence. Kolar’s boisterous personality made up for the lack of other souls, however.

Kevin checked the chronometer as he moved Ashla to his shoulder. Ensign Mariten would be arriving soon. She, assisted by the mothers in Thor’s extended family in Greenland, had done an excellent job of watching after the children in the absence of both himself and Mira. She had been very willing to continue to care for them after Kevin moved the family to Spacedock One, but he had insisted on uninterrupted bonding time in the evenings and the mornings pulling rank on the Ensign by ordering her to ‘go out and have a good time’. Besides getting to spend time with his children before Mira’s return, it got the annoying yeoman out of his hair for most of the night.

The Jubilant Embrace had returned to Earth a couple of days in advance of the Slivin. The handoff of identities between himself and Doeppler had gone off without a hitch and Kevin had been able to get Shan’nara and her entourage safely installed at the Klingon Embassy without trouble. The Ambassador was a strong ally of the Chancellor and Federophile. He had been very happy to assist the consort of House Rasmehlier. Relieved temporarily of duties to his future daughter-in-law, Kevin had quickly booked passage to Greenland.

His comm badge beeped as he was burping his daughter. He took a moment from firmly patting Ashla’s back to tap the badge.

“Commander Lance,” he announced.

“Ensign Mariten has arrived,” one of the bully boys that Thor has insisted on sending along for the security of his grand godchildren said.

At this point, Ashla loudly released a gas bubble out her mouth. Kevin smiled as he imagined the guard’s expression at the sudden interjection. “Send her in,” Kevin managed without laughing.

“Aunt Zimia!” Kolar squealed at the yeoman’s arrival.

“Good Morning, Kolar,” Zimia answered enthusiastically, hugging him before turning and addressing Kevvin more somberly. “Commander,” she inclined her head.

“Ensign,” Kevin acknowledged, “What is on the schedule for the children today?”

“I plan to take them to the arboretum on T deck,” she replied.

Kevin nodded his approval, “You might want to keep the excursion shorter than yesterday’s. I expect that Mira will arrive this afternoon at earliest and would like Kolar clean and presentable for her.” He cocked an eyebrow dramatically at his son who exploded in a peel of laughter.”

“Yes, sir,” Zimia acknowledged as she took Ashla from Kevin.


{ IKS Slivin }

“Captain we are entering sensor range of Spacedock One”

Mira nodded “Anything on sensors”

“Everything is coming back normal.”

Mira nodded it was against regulations to fly a cloaked ship any closer to a federation base “Turn the cloak off and raise shields then continue on course to Earth. Korra, make contact with Thor Thorngard of Hvalset fjord, Greenland to get permission to land.”

“Aye Captain “ Korra turned around in her seat.

Just then the ship shook violently “Captain we are under fire.” Someone yelled.

K'ner and Nod quickly left, headed down-ship.

Deena was glad she'd held a maneuver ready to execute, just in case. She would've agreed it was highly unlikely to need to, but she'd have to thank chief later for drilling that into her.

“Send a distress signal to the base. Lock weapons and prepare to return fire.”

Korra got a chirp from her console. "Signaled the base."

A Klingon ship de-cloaked and fired on them “son of a targ!” Mira yelled. No wonder things had gone smoothly. They had been waiting here for them!

Off to the side a second Klingon ship de-cloak and fired on the one attacking them destroying it. Then just as quickly cloaked and was gone.

She sat there dumbfounded. What had just happened?

“Captain Spacedock One is hailing us.” Deena told her “They are ready to render aid and it would seem the USS Excalibur is joining us as escort.”

Mira rolled her eyes “Great 3 minutes too late. Keep shields up. “

“Captain we have been assigned a docking port and you have been given orders to join Admiral Scott in his office”

Mira growled “Damn it I just want to get to earth and get my kids.”

Korra turned to look at her. “Kolar and Ashla Lance are on the base Captain. It would seem Commander Lance brought them on board.”

Korra got quiet as she listened to the information being relayed to her by the base. She turned worried eyes on Mira “Seems Commander Kevin Lance accompanied a Klingon woman and child on the base a day ago and has them in the Klingon Embassy. Then went to Earth and returned with the kids... and Ensign Mariten.”

Mira fell back into her chair with a curse. It was true? All of it? By all that was holy she couldn’t deal with it. She just couldn’t. “Tell base security to have my 2 children and Ensign Mariten brought to Admiral Scott’s office. I’ll be there shortly. And is Dianna Kronnelti and Venus Kronnelti also on the base?”

Awol would be looking for them as soon as they docked.

“They are Captain.”

Mira nodded feeling close to tears. What was she to do? She need her kids and her uncle. She could cry on his shoulder about how her life just got turned upside down.

Mira watched as the ship docked. “Awal go find your family it would seem I need to give the Admiral a briefing. “


{Spacedock One}

Mira dressed in a Royal blue sweater that hung off one shoulder, black leggings and black boots. Her long auburn hair was still in its Viking braids as she stepped out of the ship and was greeted by base security. It would seem the Admiral was serious about seeing her now. That was fine as long as her kids was there.


{Admiral Scott Office command deck}

Walking in Mira wasn’t sure what to expect but seeing her Uncle brought on the tears she had been holding back. She walked right into his arms.

“there there Mira I got you.” Thor told her a little unnerved that she was crying.

Admiral Scott cleared his throat but Mira had her face buried against Thor's chest.

As soon as the doors opened she heard Kolar’s squeal of delight at seeing her. Mira dropped to her knees hugging him then reached for Ashla as well. Hugging both her babies was all that mattered in that moment.

“Captain Rodale can you tell us what happened?”

Mira shook her head no. “I was kidnapped and taken to an Orion world Admiral. My crew and I have spent weeks trying to get back to my kids.”


{ IKS Slivin, Cargo Bay }

K'ner looked everything over. "Looks good. Pod seems conventional otherwise but make sure they get the scans we prepared once it's beamed over."

Nod nodded, no longer worried since it was still secure in its make-shift cradle after the attack.

"Let's get into the big suits and check for damage. I'm sure the Captain will be ready to boogie if they don't drag her through days of depositions, and this needs to be ready to roll until the Norris arrives. Then we need to get everything we need transferred over to our floating home and squared away."

"Yes sir!" Nod said, always the professional... except in bar fights, then he let the Klingon boy prevail and wail. "Everything is prepped and ready. Korra is coordinating receipt of the pod when they have their team in place to receive. Assuming nothing happens with processing the request..."

K'ner nodded once, then turned towards the suit lockers so they could get a quick assessment of the damage outside. Systems scan didn't seem to make it out to be significant, but she preferred to be thorough, and it should be safe enough here for the extracurricular activities while the others played the politics game that drove the Captain so far up the wall. "They'd best tread lightly," she told herself.

"What was that chief?"

"Oh, just that the Captain is at the end of a super-stress roller coaster and anyone around her best tread carefully until she's had some family time to ratchet down some. I expect a bloody nose or two before the day is out..."

Nod chuckled, imagining just that as he sealed the EXO suit to go outside.


{Holodeck G12, Spacedock One}

Sweat poured down Kevin’s face as he unleashed a series of powerful jabs at his hologram opponent. The Klingon countered and riposted against most of the blows but fatally missed a swing that followed a feint. Kevin’s fist hit home solidly and his opponent staggered back. Pushing through his growing exhaustion, Kevin pressed his attack knocking the hologram to the floor. The image remained still for a moment before disappearing.

Kevin wiped the sweat from his brow and took a long drink of water from the water bottle on a nearby bench. Mira had declined his offer of standing as her second in the upcoming duels but he was determined to be ready for any eventuality, include avenging her in the unlikely event that she was defeated. He had been in combat for nearly a quarter of an hour and after a brief rest, he ordered, “Computer, increase opponent strength and speed by five percent.”

He had taken his combat stance and was about to initiate the fight when his comm badge chirped. Kevin tapped his badge. “Commander Lance.”

“You are ordered to immediately report to Admiral Scott’s office,” the voice on the comm badge announced without preamble.

“I have been working out,” Kevin explained, “Tell the Admiral I will be there in thirty minutes.”

“Negative,” the voice replied, “The Admiral wants you to report immediately, regardless of your personal hygiene.”

Kevin cocked his eyebrows in surprise. What could be so important, he wondered. “Affirmative,” he answered, “I am on my way.”

He terminated the combat program and grabbed a towel from the bench. He wiped as much of the sweat from his head and face as he could before tossing the towel in the corner as he exited the holodeck.


{ IKS Slivin }

Korra tapped twice more, then pointed to the screen. "There!"

K'ner nodded. "Very nice Staff Sergeant. Send it up, Captain's eyes only."


{ Admiral Scott Office, command deck }

Mira felt the PADD at her side vibrate subtly. She only had to maneuver just a bit with the kids still in-arm to see it was a message from the Slivin. 3 seconds of video... it played silently, a Klingon vessel appearing, blasting the other vessel to bits, then fading, but not before the shot froze and zoomed in on the registry ID... The message faded to black and the PADD returned to its idle state.

Mira raised an eyebrow as she watched the video. That was Isbethal’s ship. Interesting. What was she up to now?

Mira’s reports had been filed before she left the Slivin. Admiral Scott had called in the chief of security and a few other people. Mira couldn’t even begin to remember all their names to go over all the details.

Thor had moved her and the kids from the floor to a large comfortable chair that had been by the window. Since the Admiral and Thor had seen her cry, well, they were handling her differently. Like she was made of glass.

Ashla was asleep in her arms and Kolar was falling asleep on her lap. She kissed his head again holding them both a little tighter. Mira was so exhausted from lack of sleep for the past few weeks and since no one was talking to her, she had started to doze off a few times.

Vaytoc was curled up by her feet and Zimia had been told she could go. Not that she wanted to, but when an Admiral tells you to go, you do it. Mira had tried to sneak out as well, but that hadn’t worked. Yeah, apparently she wasn’t considered safe enough to just walk around on her own. As if she hadn’t just traveled across half the galaxy. Mira shifted position to get a little more comfortable with the kids.



OFF:

Lt Betaras K'ner
Hazard Team Combat Medic TL-B / CMO
USS Chuck Norris

&

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

and

Captain Mira Rodale
CO USS Chuck Norris

 

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