Back on the ship

Posted on Sat Nov 22nd, 2025 @ 10:14pm by Captain Mira Rodale Lance & Commander Kevin Lance & Lieutenant Commander Awal Kronnelti

2,205 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Death before dishonor
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Present

On:
{USS Chuck Norris, Med bay}

Bringing Mira on board the ship unconscious and covered in what looked like blood and mud had caused more of a commotion then Kevin had expected.

Perhaps that was why there had been a hot tub and shower next to a camp site area. She probably fought until she collapsed, took a shower to clean up, then soaked in the hot tub to reduce her muscle aches. He should have thought of that but all he could think about was getting her home to talk.

The nurse finished the scans then looked up at the Executive officer.

“Besides over exertion and she hasn’t eaten in over 24 hours. I don’t see any medical problems or injuries.. I believe Zimia started giving the Captain a protein shake that looks like an ice cream smoothie. Chocolate or possibly coffee favored. Knowing the captain’s enjoyment of coffee I am betting it’s that.”

Like mother like son, Kevin thought as he remembered Zimia tricking Kolar into eating his vegetables.

“Her muscles will be protesting the over use,” the nurse continued, “but it’s not the first time I have seen her in this shape.”

“So, rest and nutrition. Got it.” Kevin acknowledged.

The nurse looked over the XO “Do you have any Injuries? It looked like the captain and first officer had been in a mud and blood wrestling contest.”

“Unless I reinjured my arm,” Kevin held his left arm out for inspection, “only thing hurt is my pride.”

“Really seeing that she’s unconscious I would have thought her pride would have been hurt.” She gave a little shrug then cleaned and ran a skin regenerator over the area. “not as bad I thought it would be Commander.”

{Kronnelti’s room}

Awal says to Dianna I just got word that Mira is back on the ship in medical. So you want to go see how she’s doing?

Dianna replies of course but let’s take our time there.

{Outside med bay}

Awal chimed the door waiting for the doctor or the XO to respond. The door slid open and the Chief of Security stepped into the room.

Kevin immediately knew what the Klingon wanted to know. “Your sister is fine,” he reassured, “It looks a lot worse than it actually is.” Safety protocols in holo programs prevented any actual injury from occurring but the body reacted to the simulated damage as if it were real, hence the bruising and soreness they would both experience. “I was just about to take her back to our quarters. Care to give a hand?”

Either man could have easily lifted Mira but the two of them supporting her in a fireman’s carry kept her limbs from flopping about like so much dead weight. The distance between the med bay and family quarters was short and in very little time, Mira was resting easily in their bed.

“Thank you,” Kevin told Kronnelti, “We should get together for dinner with you and Dianna…Provide Mira and I are still together.”

Awal assured Kevin that his fears were unjustified and departed.

{Later}

The smell of coffee wafted through the air, drawing Mira from her slumber. She felt warm in her long t-shirt and snuggled down under the blankets. She was sore all over but felt cleaner than she should have.

She opened her eyes and looked around. She was back in the large bed in the family quarters with Kevin sitting in a chair opposite with a book and a mug of coffee, a purple bruise sporting the left side of his face.

Kevin looked up at her. “Herbie made us coffee,” he said indicating the cup of raktajino on the bedside table.

“Herbie?” she asked confused.

“That is what I have started to call our mysterious butler that wanders around delivering what you need before you know you knew it,” he replied with a slight smile.

Mira nodded then cautiously moved to pick up her mug of raktajino. She hurt all over but didn’t remember getting cleaned up or how she got home. “I have been calling him Chip but I guess he answers to anything.” She looked around the room for the kids not seeing or hearing them she assumed they were out with Zimia. Her cousin was not going to be happy with her for leaving the ship.

Mira’s hand went to her long curly hair and pushed it over her shoulder then took a sip of the hot sweet liquid. Trying to think of a reason to leave the room but Kevin had the chair put in such away she would have had to crawl over him or jump. Jumping would work she thought but it wasn’t very….. tactful.

Kevin watch her intently, the way her eyes darted towards the door, the furrow of her brow, the tension in her limbs even as she languidly drank the rakatino. She is working out how to make her escape, he thought. He considered giving her what she was so plainly seeking, giving her space by leaving but she would spin that into an open rejection of her. No...he would stay regardless of how uncomfortable it felt. If there was any leaving to be done, it would be by Mira.

"So", he said breaking the silence, "are you exhausted enough to want to talk?"

Mira frowned and squirmed on the bed. She so didn’t want to hear he was leaving but she might as well get it over with so she nodded.

(Bridge)

Awal stood on the bridge at his post maintaining security.

(Kronnelti's room)

Dianna asks zimmia to come in with kolar for a play date.

{Family Quarters}

Kevin waited for an answer from Mira but a mute nod was all she would give him. He considered him for a moment. It had been four years since he met her upon being assigned to the Norris but he still didn't feel that he knew her. She was a bundle of contradictions, decisive in one moment then timid in another. The confident Star Fleet Captain and Klingon Lady, then the insecure young woman afraid of having her heart broken. It was at once maddening and endearing.

He finally spoke. "What did I do to lose your trust?"

Mira blinked a few times confused that was not what she had expected him to say. Then she decided to cut down to the problem.

“You picked another woman and child over me and our children. I get it, you wanted something huge and muscular and I am not." She waved to her body. " I also understand If that stupid woman had any common sense she would have told you 4 years ago that she had the family you wanted in the first place. If she had told you then there wouldn’t be a you and me and.” Her eyes widened “by all that was holy I would be raising Rodriguez’s baby!” She looked perfectly horrified at the thought.

Kevin resisted the urge to nod in acknowledgement. Mira would see that as agreement with her outlandish statements. He instead took a sip of his own coffee. "Well, it that respect, Kera's withholding the knowledge of Thyra has a silver lining."

K'lar's weld had been on the spot and Kevin owed him a debt of gratitude for the advanced intelligence. In honoring Thyra in the Odinkus tradition, he had inadvertently triggered Mira's insecurities and fear of rejection.

"I did not pick Thyra over Kolar and Ashla," Kevin replied quietly, "nor did I reject you. I am neither Caitian nor Trill so it is illogical, without additional evidence in the affirmative, to apply their motivations and character flaws to me. I have my own, no doubt, but do not assume that I would reject the woman I love so cruelly."

It occurred to Mira at this was a strange way to initiate a breakup. She blinked back tears.

“Logic would, again, recommend that we examine Kera’s behavior with the lens of her own race and customs rather than our own,” Kevin reasoned, “Although genetically Human, the Odinkus are technologically and culturally backwards, descendants from colonists that left Earth in the Twenty-First century diaspora. They value duty and tradition to a greater degree than Klingons value honor. In presenting Thyra to me as she turns four years old, Kera is acting in accordance with her understanding of duty and tradition.”

“But why wouldn’t she let you know that you had a child?”

Kevin cocked the corner of his mouth as he replied, “As silly as it seems, and the Odinkus are definitely silly from our perspective, it probably didn’t occur to her that it was needed. She had her duty and I had mine. The evidence was readily available. I just never saw it because I never had the chance.” He pause a moment in thought, “Well, only one chance.”

“One chance?”

“When the Q interfered with us on Risa,” Kevin explained, “just before Kolar was…born, Q abducted me and took me to Pyrix Alpha 5, the Odinkus world, he offered to leave me there to reunite with Kera. I rejected his offer in order to save you.”

Mira’s thoughts went back to the cave on Risa. It had been the first spark in their relationship.

Kevin returned her mind to the present, “I recognized my daughter in the tradition of her people to honor her and show them respect. In neither Odinkus custom nor my own inclination did I reject our children or place Thyra above them. I acknowledge her as my child and give her my love, guidance and protection. Just as I did with Kolar…and Ashla. And Shan'nara in a weird dynastic sort of way.”

“But without a paternity test, how do you know? She could be lying.”

Kevin shook his head, “I know in the same way I knew about Ashla and Kolar. I didn’t need a test then to tell me what my heart already knew. It is the same now."

Mira frowned well she had needed it. If it hadn’t been for Q Kolar wouldn’t have been Keven. She hadn’t even given birth to her son. Her fingertips went to the spots on her temple to rub away her headache just thinking about that time. Mira took a sip of her Raktajino her eyes downcast avoiding looking at him while she tried to think. He hadn’t broke up with her? But…. Her eyes met his.

“You mocked me as a your mate, a leader and a warrior. Why? Do you have any idea how many challenge that opens me up for right now? Even my own mate doesn’t think I am fit to be his mate and was trying to get him killed, and I wasn’t a warrior or leader.”

Kevin leaned forward and hung his head. "I did and for that I am truly sorry," he explained, "My comments were directed at Klingons, not you, insulting them in a desperate effort to keep you out of the duel. Your presences in the arena came as a surprise and I knew that you would try to usurp my place in the duel. I couldn't let you face that monster. He would have killed you. He Cochran damned nearly killed me. I was only able to beat him because I stayed mostly out of his reach until he exhausted himself. You would have attacked him immediately and...." He spread his hands with a look of anguish on his face.

Biting her lip Mira considered the Kevin’s last point. He had accepted the challenge from Klvll in her place because the Klingon was so big and strong. Only a lucky thrust would have prevented Klvll from defeating her. “But I told you I couldn’t defeat him. If you had just said no I am handling this I would have just stepped aside like we had planned.”

“Do not take what I said in desperation to heart,” he pleaded, “You are the most intelligent, beautiful, courageous and deadly woman I know. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a leader or wife. I am so fortunately that you chose me as your mate.”

He was silent for a moment, letting his words sink in. Mira have a little sob but climbed into his lap to hug him.

Kevin held her close, kissing the top of her head as he fought back tears of his own. "When times are toughest, remember this. I love you and our children more than life itself. I will never forsake you. I will never leave you. 'Til death do us part is my solemn oath. Whatever trials or troubles will plague us, we shall face them together."

Mira nodded "I love you to forever. I am sorry I misunderstood."

"We have dinner plans with Awol for later." He told her making Mira smile as she wiped tears away. "That sounds good."

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

and


Captain Mira Rodale Lance
CO USS Chuck Norris

And

LT. Commander Awal Kronnelti
Chief of security
USS Chuck Norris

 

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