The Challenge

Posted on Wed Oct 1st, 2025 @ 3:15am by Captain Mira Rodale Lance & Commander Kevin Lance
Edited on on Wed Oct 1st, 2025 @ 7:19pm

2,771 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Death before dishonor
Location: Starbase 364
Timeline: Present

On:

{USS Chuck Norris – Bridge}

It had been a few weeks since they had left the colony. Mira had put her all into training for her challenge with Trolon K’tict. Even after finding out she had been married before he made that challenge hadn’t changed the man's mind.

She rubbed her arm as she sat in the captain’s chair. She would need one more treatment on it to be fully healed. It was her own fault really. At the time she had felt Chek and Udaj were taking it easy on her so she had used the holobay. The problem had been the removal of the safety protocols. She sighed it was just that every time she had wanted to try a new fight move the computer had said that was not within the set safety standards. It had gotten old hearing the same crap over and over so she had yelled “Disengage safety protocols.”

One miss calculation later and she had gotten a broken arm and two ribs. K’ner had mended it of course but it still hurt right now. There would be one more treatment and that particular bone would be healed and stronger then ever. Of course her doctor had called an end to anymore training and Kevin hadn’t been to happy about the injuries.

Mira watched as Starbase 364 came into view. It brought on a feeling of coming home but it also had dread knotting her stomach. So many things could go wrong and she could loose all she held dear.

She turned to Chin “have our docking and quarters assignments come in?”

He nodded as he turned to look at her “Yes captain and Shan’nara of Har’lok has the quarters you asked for. The master bedroom is set up for the 6 year old and there is two other bedrooms for entourage and quarters across the hall to hold the rest of them. It’s in the Klingon Embassy wing.”
Mira nodded relieved. The little girl would need the added protection and Mira wanted that damnable Klingon nanny away from her before she tossed her out an air lock.

“Captain incoming message from Tanim Aru.” Chin told her.

“It’s about time put it on the screen” Mira told him still feeling a bit angry the woman had kept her waiting.

“Lady Rasmehlier what is it I can do for you.” Her tone was polite still it bugged Mira.

“House Rasmehlier is calling on your services. There is a Klingon girl 6 years of age that will either become the Lady of house Har’lok or house Rasmehlier. House Rasmehlier has taken on the responsibility of protecting, raising and caring for this little girl. Her name is Shan’nara. She Is to be raised Klingon and will be either daughter, daughter in law or niece to myself only time will tell. She has been promised to Kolar but I think a better match will be to one of K’Lars 3 sons. We shall see what fate will bring. I want her to have a mate that their hearts beat as one. You are the only one I trust to take on this responsibility. Do you accept?”

“YES!” Tanon looked excited.

“She has a governess i find unfit to raise a daughter of house Rasmehlier. You have full control to weed out the trouble and those without honor that her dead grandfather sent with the girl.”

Tanon nodded “and will you be answering the challenge that has been made my lady?”

Mira nodded, “of Course.”

Tanon looked very pleased with this bit of news. Mira ended the connection and had Chin send the quarters assignments to Tanon.

Chin turned in his seat “Fleet Admiral Proll wants a meeting with you before you answer the challenge.”

Mira nodded but rolled her eyes. “Wonderful I can’t even settle the kids in before the fight and he wants a meeting?”

Chin shrugged “kids would be safer on the ship until all this is over.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose she nodded. It was true but darn it. Then she turned to Montgomery “dock us and let who we planned to leave the ship leave then lock the ship down. “ She moved closer and lowered her voice “do not let them take my kids. Do whatever you have to.”

“Understood Captain I will follow one of the 3 plans you laid out for me. “

Mira nodded “I am heading to Sickbay to have K’ner look at this arm again then I guess I’ll be showing up to the Admirals in battle armor.” She chuckled.

{Family Quarters, USS Chuck Norris}

Kevin performed the Picard Maneuver, tugging on the hem of his tunic to straighten the line of his uniform, as he checked himself in the mirror. The children were napping, exhausted from play, he had completed his daily training regime for the upcoming duel with Klingjil, and Montgomery had a handle on the tasks that needed to be completed upon the ship's return to Starbase 364.

That still left the matter of Shan'nara and the meeting with the Admiral. Kevin wondered what further indignities that old tomcat had planned for Mira.

He looked towards the door as his wife entered. "What are you wearing?" he asked.

"My fighting gear," she said matter-of-factly as she stowed her blades in their display rack, "I didn't have time between the holodeck, the bridge and sickbay to change."

"The Admiral isn't going to be pleased," Kevin pointed out.

"His happiness isn't my concern," she answered as she slipped her hands behind his neck, "Only yours and the children's" She pulled him in for a kiss.

After a long pause for kissing, Kevin replied, "Much as I would like to explore that obligation further, we probably shouldn't keep that old tomcat waiting. They can get ornery."

Mira giggled at his characterization of Admiral Proll as they departed their quarters. "How is your training going?"

"It is coming along," Kevin admitted, "I should be ready for the duel when the time comes."

"Awal said that you had dismissed him from the training."

"Rodriguez was hampering my progress," Kevin replied, "and to a much lesser extent, so was Awal. I reassigned Rodriguez's remedial training to Awal and continued to practice alone."

Mira bit her lip. "Aren't you concerned that you are missing something by not fighting against a real opponent?" she asked cautiously.

"The problem with training against a live opponent," he observed, "is that you become accustom to their way of fighting and you end up learning how to counter them as opposed to your real opponent. Playing against a practice squad is only as good as their ability to replicate your opponent."

Mira nodded that was true if you had trained as a fighter. It was why she was always changing her fighting styles. This challenge would be answered in the Delazari fighting style.

After they had crossed over the threshold onto the Starbase, Kevin changed the subject. "I won't interfere with you reorganization of Shan'nara caregiver arrangements," he started, "but I would caution against a wholesale cashier of her entourage."

"Why?" Mira asked, "I didn't think that you had much opinion in the matter."

"I wouldn't suggest caution out of any concern for Klingon honor," he admitted, "but consider that Shan'nara has lost both her grandfather and her governess in a short time. They were the parental figures in her life and she has been, in effect, orphaned twice. I don't know how resilient Klingon six-year olds are but I fear that she will become paranoid and resentful if she is completely separated from all that she knows and loves." He paused and grew thoughtful before continuing, "No child deserves that."

“True but the ones around her need to be their for her not for what they will get out of it or get out of her. After my challenge today I have a meeting planned for her and I to find out her wishes and wants. Her safety and happiness are now just as important as Kolar and Ashla's. By accepting her into my family she has become family.” Mira tossed her long braid over her shoulder as she walked.

Having voiced his concerns for the Klingon child, Kevin changed the subject to topics more agreeable to both. Before long they arrived at the Admiral's office where they were met with equal parts disdain and contempt. The secretary was pleasant enough by the attitude of the Admiral's Caitian aide-de-camp was more than enough to tip the scales.

The occupants in the room brought Kevin up short. The Admiral and Ambassador were expected, of course, but the two other guests in the room were a complete shock.

Seated in the chair across the desk from the Admiral was a statuesque woman in a command uniform with the rank of Captain. Her long, raven hair was plaited into multiple braids of varying length and a silver tiara with four points adorn the top of her head. The woman standing next to this captain was equally as tall and muscular as the first, although her plaited hair was a light blonde as the other's was dark, but was dressed in an odd assortment of leather, furs, and metal. She had an assortment of blades and axes, more than a Klingon warrior would call excessive, and a broad shield strapped to her back. She worn a tall half-helm with the cheek guards raised like wings atop her head.

Kevin blinked in confusion but he quickened his step to remain by Mira's side. A random thought that an Odinkus warrior might mistake the Captain for being outranked by her shieldmaiden brought a smirk to his face.

"Mira, so nice of you to join us," Admiral Proll smiled toothily as if this audience wasn't command directed, "I would like to introduce you to Captain Astra Karrelsdotter." The dark haired woman stood and approached Mira.

"Eet iz a pleazure to meets youse, Keptain Mirra," Astra spoke in Standard as she reached around and gave a sharp tug on Mira's braid, "May youse grow hold in visdom."

Mira raised an eyebrow and flipped her braid back over her shoulder thinking how rude the woman was to touch her. Astra looked at Mira expectantly but Mira eyes went to the Admiral in question. Getting only a shrug from him she let it go. For now

“Und eet iz good to bee meetink youse hagen, Keven Lancesson.” Astra tugged on Kevin’s beard.

“Your grip has not slacken, StorKeptain,” Kevin answered, yanking on one of Astra’s braids.

Mira raised her eyebrow at Kevin touching the woman.

Astra held a hand to her chest, “Youse honer me butt hy yam merely a Federation Keptain now.”

Kevin’s eyes darted to the blonde who stood impassionately but close enough to Astra to intercept a blow.

The doors opened and in walked General D'amish Kharon with a Scowl on his face “ah good the baakonite armor looks excellent on you Lady Rasmehlier. You are ready for your battle. “it hadn’t been a question just an observation so she didn’t answer him . “I brought the weapons you requested but why aren’t you using your own. I happen to know your blades out number even my own.”

Mira smiled then took the few steps to hug him. “I don’t want his nasty blood on my blades they would be tainted for all time. Besides you can testify these blades haven’t been messed with.” Mira took each blade out and started adding them to her armor.

“There is a small problem with your battle it…..”
Mira finished adding the blades and turned her head to glare at him.

“Oh now don’t look at me” Kharon Frowned “IT was none of my doing? Your 2nd has been found dead.”

Mira turned full to him now. “How and who?”

“We aren’t sure yet” his hands went to her shoulders but she spun out of reach. Watching him “you may not know who but you Damn well better know how.”

He gave her a frown but answered “Poisoned, stabbed, and her neck broken.”

Mira showed no response. This had been done to get to her and a little payback for Isbethal taking mattered into her own hands.

When she said nothing Proll cleared his throat “We have guests “

Mira’s eyes went to the Admiral then to the door as it opened.

Thor entered and by way of greeting he said “what have you done to your braids. A warrior does not go into battle without them!”

Mira laughed for some reason with all that was going on she found him upset about her hair style choice funny.

"Ize zee zhat dere iz no shortage huff hexcitement," Astra declared, "Ha duel, ha murder, kompeetink haar stylez." She lean towards the blonde conspiratorially, "Und yoose thot dat eet vas goink to bees boring!"

"When will you fight you duels?" Proll asked.

Mira glanced at the chronometer “5 minutes your meeting is making me late. Kevin’s is set for tomorrow unless I can talk him out of it.” Her eyes softened as she looked at him and she gave him a smile.

"Well, I hope that you have the good sense to not get yourself killed," he replied dryly, "I need you to liaise with our exchange officer from the Odinkus." At this Astra gave a slight bow of her head.

"Exchange officer?" Mira asked, "With the modification to the Chuck Norris, we don't have the additional room."

Proll waved his paw. "No concern for that," he said, "Captain Karrelsdotter has command of the USS Keisari. She and her ship will be accompanying you on missions so she can see the best that the Federation has to offer."

The Keisari was a Sovereign-class starship, Kevin knew. Quite the honor for an officer from a non-aligned world.

“On my missions?” her hand went to her chest “ I don’t think so.” Mira planned to go to the mirror universe after things were settled with the Klingons

“She pointed a blade at Proll as if she had forgotten it was their as she talked “I have 2 Klingon houses to take care of and 3 children” she pointed the blade at Kharon “and if the chancellor tosses one more man at me to marry I swear by all that is holy I’ll challenge him for his position and take over the whole damn empire. “

"Ho ho!" Astra exclaimed, "De lettel vone is fiesty! Ize likes her!"

“NOW Mira he didn’t know you and Kevin had gotten married and Damn it you didn’t even tell us!”

The blonde's calm facade broke slightly as her eyelids fluttered.

“Because it’s none of your business.” She told them.

"Gentlemen," Kevin intervened, "There will be plenty of time to air grievences once Captain Rodale has won her duel."

"Ve vill feast her grate deedz tonight," Astra pronounced.

Ambassador M’Niras had been quiet all this time but he stepped forward “Daughter I didn’t get a hug from you and I brought you a gift.”

Mira had all but forgot the man was there but she turned to him a frown on her face because he had called her daughter. Her whole life she hadn’t had a father why now would he try and claim that honor?

She gave a stiff hug. “Ambassador M’Niras greetings” the box was held out to her so she took it. The box was far lighter then she thought. So not a weapon. She put it on the table and opened it. Fabric? She took it out and realized it was a dress. By all that was holy. It had a top and a long skirt in black but the stomach area and arms was sheer.
She swallowed and raised an eyebrow at him.

“It’s for the celebration tonight.” He told her.

“How kind of you.” It wasn’t but what else could she say? She tossed it to Kevin. “if you excuse me I have a man to kill.” Mira told him before starting to walk to the door.

“No killing Mira it a first blood battle only.” Proll told her.

“Right. Sure “ she held her hand out to Kevin “you still up to being my 2nd or should I just go in and kick butt?” she grinned up at him.

"To the Void and beyond," he smiled back.

Off

Captain Mira Rodale Lance
CO USS Chuck Norris

and

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

RSS Feed