To party or not.

Posted on Fri Nov 7th, 2025 @ 12:34am by Captain Mira Rodale Lance & Commander Kevin Lance
Edited on on Fri Nov 7th, 2025 @ 1:32am

3,053 words; about a 15 minute read

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

ON:
{STARBASE 364, Diplomacy section}

It had taken far longer then Mira Would have liked to get to the upper deck and this party.

Her hand was tucked onto Kevin’s arm. “Now they put security out? Isn’t it a bit late for it.”

Kevin chuckled “I am sure they are trying to keep another Incident from happening.”

Mira tugged on the dress. “ are you sure this looks good?”

He gave her a smile “you look beautiful. But you make legging and a baggy tee shirt look good.”

Mira giggled. They were almost to the door when she remembered something “Didn’t Astra say something about you bringing your blades?” At his frown she gave him a smile, “I have 6 on me right now. Three are on my right leg, one in my hair and one on each wrist. So if you need one just take it. If I am lucky I’ll get to snag one of K’lar’s. it’s a family thing. If I can take it without K’lar or his cousin knowing then I get to keep it.” She gave a little shrug “I have lost track of the number of blades I have acquired that way.”

She gave a little grin “They always find the best blades and I want them.”

The door opened and security let them in.

“Where have you been?” Admiral Proll asked probably a little louder then he had intended because all the conversations stopped in the room.

Mira looked around the room then smiled “well that would depend on the time frame your asking about Admiral? How far back should I start?”

He narrowed his eyes. “The challenge.”

Mira perked up. “The challenge and with the stipulations you added to my fight being first blood” she gave the General a nod, “not to give away my fighting skills” she nodded to the ambassador since he was the one who stated that order. “And you told me to win without killing him. I did do that as well.” She raised her little chin up and stood as tall has her 5 foot frame would let her.

“The bomb?” he asked her crossing his arms.

“that’s a problem for your security chief and has nothing to do with me. I came from my ship to your office then to the arena.” Mira narrowed her eyes at him.

“And how did you get to your ship?”

Mira grinned. There was a great deal of mischief in her eyes. “A Captain took us in a rowboat.” She snagged a drink off one of one of the trays as waiters walked by. Well it was the truth and yet she knew the answer sounded like she was being flippant.

“Rowboot?” Astra interjected with a merry look in her eye, “Eet zounds like such a vee, leetle craft unworthy of a Federation Keptain.” The Odinkus woman wearing a flowing black velvet dress with a corseted bodice that pushed everything up and to the center, creating a vast crevice of cleavage. Her otherwise bare shoulders were covered by a cloak that reached to the floor with the hood laid back to expose her hair with the delicate four starred tiara perched atop and multiple plait of raven colored braided hair falling down her shoulders and across her arms and back. Intricate golden embroidery adorned the cuffs, neckline, and hem of the dress. The belt around her waist sported a long sword and multiple knives.

Admiral Proll now gave Astra a looking putting two and two together that some how Astra had a hand in Mira’s escape. Perhaps putting the two of them together was a bad move on his part.

Astra was attended by a young, slight brunette woman dressed in the leather and fur combination and carrying a shield that marked her, in Mira’s mind, as a shieldmaiden. In addition to the shield, she was armed with a sword, axes, and knives that protruded from every possible opening.

“Eet iz gut to sees youse h’again, Mira,” Astra greeted, leaning forward allowing a braid to fall forward in a manner suggesting an invitation.

“Well it is very good to see you again Astra.” Mira took the hint and gave a firm tug of the braid. Then waited for her own hair to be pulled.

Ambassador M’Niras looked like his brain was going to exploded at her actions. “What do you think you are doing?”

Astra tugged Mira’s hair then looked back at the Cat man.

Mira smiled “Giving her a proper greeting Ambassador.”

Thor laughed “Last time a boy tugged on your hair you broke his arm “

Mira nodded. That was true but Loki had been harassing her all day. She looked at Loki standing next to Thor “I will again if he doesn’t keep his hands and other body parts to himself.” For some reason the man even as a young boy thought he should live up to namesake he was given and pulled pranks a lot. Always on her.

The Ambassador recovered himself and addressed both women. “My dears,” he purred, “You both look absolutely lovely.”

Astra grunted then replied, “Eyes veels like a…how youse says eet…a trussed turkay.” She slapped her hands against her corseted chest to emphasize her point. ”Keptain Rodalesdotter does look vetching in hers dress. Shes iz zo lucky to have smoler breasts. Zo much h’easier in combet.” Astra gave a sidelong glance at Kevin. Eyes haddent thot dat Lancessohn’s tastes ran in dat vay.”

Kevin turned red and let out an strangled sigh. M’Niras appeared to take great delight in his discomfort. “Where is your other shieldmaiden,” he asked Astra, ”The blonde one?”

“Borsdotter?” Astra asked, “She vill be along hany minute now. She had a perzonal metter to hattend to.”

“Wonderful!” M’Niras crowed, “I have a feeling that tonight will be full of surprises!”

Mira frowned. Did Astra just put Kevin down for having a petite woman and Kevin had acted like he was embarrassed. Her eyes went up to his feeling hurt. Or was she just put down for being toned and small?

Kevin saw the tightening of Mira’s brow and the little bite of her lip. She was feeling insecure. The Odinskus were irrepressible but had a tendency to inadvertently trod roughshod over others feelings. He put a protective arm around Mira and pulled her close. “Captain Karrelsdotter, Mira is such an exceptional woman that any man would be blessed to love her, regardless of your perception of my ‘tastes’.”

Astra’s brows shot up and her expression lost its playfulness. “Iz dat zo?” she replied, “Denn eyes hapologize to youse both.”

“That turned quickly,” M’Niras observed, “Surely you are not looking for another challenge before you have even settled your first.”

“Not in the least, Ambassador,” Kevin replied, “In my time with the Odinskus, I learned that they respect boundaries but need to be told where those boundaries are.”

“Yust Zo,” Astra agreed, “butt Kera has harrived.”

Mira and Kevin turned to see the blonde shieldmaiden dressed conservatively in a dark blue dress with a square collar and sleeves that flared widely at the wrists. Silver embroidery adorned the hem, neckline and cuffs. Her braided blonde hair was by a small crocheted skull cap the small color as the dress. The dress gave her an appealing figure that the armor had hidden.

“Vell met, Lancessohn,” Kera Borsdotter said pulling on Kevin’s beard, “it has been nearly five years since we last met.”

“Yes, it has,” he replied, “and a great deal has happened in that time.” He took Mira’s hand in his.

“Indeed,” Kera agreed, “and it is time that you were introduced to Thyra Kevensdotter.” She stepped aside revealing a little girl dressed in an identical manner, her blonde hair in multiple plait.

Kevin was not a common Odinskus name and he could not fail to miss the paternomic. Kevin’s eyes darted from the little girl to Kera with a questioning look.

“Ja, eet iz zo,” she replied simply.

“Kevin,” Mira asked uncertainly, “What is going on?”

Even as he said the words, Kevin couldn’t believe their truth, “Thyra is my daughter.”

“A night full of surprises indeed!” M’Niras interjected with a toothy grin.

Mira’s face lost its color and if not for Kevin’s arm around her, she might have disgraced her self and fallen. Her face went blank to cover any emotional turmoil she was feeling. The Federation had strict protocol about engagement like this. The only way for a child to have been conceived would have had medical involvement. So they were trying to have a family together, or this woman counteracted the birth control. Maybe that’s why it took him so long to get over this woman. No wonder Astra was surprised he went from a large muscular warrior to a 5’5”, 100lbs, petite woman like her. She is at least twice her size, maybe more.

Mira turned on M’Niras and, in perfect Caitian, told him what an ass he was. Since there was so many Klingons in the room, she switched to perfect Klingon telling him whatever his blasted game was it, had completely backfired. That he could go Gre’thor and have Fek’lhr eat his black heart. Then, feeling she hadn’t gotten it off her chest yet, she proceeded to cuss him out in all 42 different languages.

One of the Klingons, a blonde one smiled. “Absolutely glorious. Your fiery temper matches your beautiful and flaming hair. I can see why you can rule two Klingon house, sit on the High Council and be a Captain of a Federation ship!”

Mira frowned at the man realizing who he was. She started to walk away, only to realize Kevin had a grip on her hand still.

“ZILENCE!” Astra’s contralto voice cut through the conversations in the room, “Youse vill not deny de child her birthright!” She leveled a flat gaze at the blonde Klingon while gently laying her hand upon the hilt of her longsword. The Klingon gave a low growl but otherwise was quite. Astra turned towards the little girl and spoke three words in a tongue so foreign that even the universal translator was mute.

Mira raised an eyebrow if anyone had denied the girl her birth right it had been the mother. For being dishonorable for not informing the father.

The girl stepped forward to stand in front of Kevin, a small wooden dagger held in both hand. She began speaking in the same language as Astra. Kevin knew that the Odinskus language was idiomatic and highly contextual. The translator was likely feeding the computer what seemed like a stream of gibberish that was impossible to correlate.

“Thyra,” Kera spoke sharply to the girl, “Use de vords dat eyes taught youse.”

The girl’s brow furrowed in concentration as she spoke, “Eyes greet you, mine vather, und hops dat you vill teach me de vays of being a great varrior.” She held the blade up to Kevin in both hands, her eyes full of fear and awe.

Kera was a blank slate as she looked at the two but Astra’s face was grim.

Void! Kevin thought, this is why Captain Karrelsdotter had told them to bring blades. He had ignored the request, not wanting to get involved in Odinkus shenanigans at the dinner.

But not exchanging blades with Thyra would be effectively denying her parentage. Kevin would be saying that Thyra wasn’t his daughter.

He turned to Mira In desperation. “I need a blade. A small one, preferably not Klingon.” He begged.

Mira froze. By all that was holy he was just going to accept a child that may or may not be his and with out a paternity test? They had taken one on both their own children! She raised an eyebrow at him in question.

Looking at the little girls face Mira didn’t voice the insanity of this manipulation clearly created by these women. The Klingons were looking at the women as if they were Tribbles and something to be avoided. There people would not Tolerate something like this. A few even looked at Kevin with pity.

Turning slightly to hide the view of her body Mira gathered her dress up on one leg and slipped out one of the 3 Viking blades she had on her leg.

Then she pressed it into the hand that Kevin had been holding on to her with. When he let go of her to take it Mira stepped back.

Kevin took the blade and kneeled before Thyra, exchanging the metal knife for Thyra’s wooden one. He spoke quietly to the girl, ignoring the others around him. “You must be careful with this blade. It is a weapon not a toy.”

The girl nodded solemnly and said, “Eyes vill heed yours vords, vater, hand obey.”

If it was his child, the child’s mother had been dishonorable. She should have told him years before now.

Mira wouldn’t of fallen for Kevin since he was not free to marry her. Kolar would look like Rodriguez and her daughter? By the gods only knew who their captors would have chosen as the father. Mira thought sadly but all of that would hurt far less then all of this.

Captain Kurn hissed “clearly the Odinkus are dishonorable. Do not enter the Klingon decks you are not welcome.” He turned and left the room followed by most all of the Klingons.

“Oh, ham eye to bees deprived of de ruby sludge dat Jotenheimers calls Blood Vine,” Astra called out sarcastically, “How vill eyes hever cope?”

The blonde Klingon smiled at Mira. “I’ll see you tomorrow lady Rasmehlier.”

General D’amish Kharon spoke up. “Klingons will not tolerate this behavior. Keep your people away from us. The very idea of a woman being so deceitful. It is clear the Odinkus are not ready to be part of the Federation and in control of a Federation ship. I am not sure they are ready to even leave their planet.” He Turned to Proll “File the proper documents.” Then he walked out.

Proll frowned but nodded. “Is this a normal thing your woman do? Hide a pregnancy then expect the unsuspecting the father to be overjoyed by this action? I can tell you right now that practice will have to end or whatever males rights your people violate will have to be answered to by the laws of the father’s planet and a paternity test. Even married couples get them. One will be needed to add her to the fathers records.”

Astra stared at the Admiral with frank confusion. “If duty zeperates de man from de child,” she asked, “vot is a voman to do? Raising a babe iz a muther’s duty. In most cazes de man iz haround and de formal hintroduction iz more a zeremonial tradition. But Lancessohn vas called avay before Kera knew she vas vid child…und he never kame beck.”

The accusation cut through to Kevin. After the diplomatic assignment, he had gotten his chance at flight school. Neither he nor Kera had been willing to give up their duty to remain with the other. He had thought that part of his life over and had tried to put it in his past. He was, he realized, as much to blame as anyone for this situation.

“Admiral Proll,” Kevin interjected standing up from the girl, “There is a great deal of confusion here. I am ready to submit to a paternity test,” he glanced at Thyra, “although I am fairly certain of the outcome.”

Proll was rather surprised at Kevin’s frankness. If deceit was a standard practice with this race then they were going to have far more trouble with these people. His eyes went to Mira’s “I am sorry Captain Lance. This should have been a celebration for you securing the Federation interest.”

Mira gave a little shrug. She hadn’t wanted to come to this party in the first place she just hadn’t expected to be blindsided by something like this. She hadn’t paid attention when Kevin was kneeling down talking to the little girl…there was so much going on and Mira was getting that overwhelming need to run. To be anyplace but here.

M’Niras asked her softly, “May we talk?”

Mira shook her head “No, I am done. I am going to check on Kevin’s and my son and daughter.” She couldn’t deal with this and angrily stormed out of the room before her tears could betray her.

She was halfway down the corridor to the turbolift when Kevin caught up to her. “Mira, we need to talk,” he told her.

She quickly a wiped tear away “NO not right now we don’t. You deal with that “ she waved to the other room. “Because I am not going to. I don’t care if you was called way she could have sent a message. she didn’t give a damn until she found out we were married. …..” She bit her lip. Looking away she closed her eyes for a moment. “ Sorry but if she had done the proper thing There wouldn’t be an us. You took so long to be with me because you loved her and couldn’t settle for me. Then the laws on many worlds clearly state first born has what was important in a family. I not sure even our marriage would have counted in those worlds.” She shook her head at him. “I AM TO Hurt to deal with this. I’LL handle the Klingons you have the vipers.” She told him before stepping into turbolift.

Just then her commbadge went off. =/\= Captain Mira Rodale, your need in medical immediately. =/\=

She tapped her commbadge “are my children hurt?”

=/\= No Captain a medical emergency has come up and your assistance is required =/\=

“I don’t give a damn doctor.” Was Mira replied before she felt the transporter lock and the start of being transported. “what the hell”

Off

Captain Mira Rodale Lance
CO USS Chuck Norris

And

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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