And so it begins

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 4:09am by Captain Mira Rodale Lance & Commander Kevin Lance & Lieutenant Betaras K'ner

2,756 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Into the mirror
Location: Starbase 364
Timeline: Present

ON:
{Starbase 364, Captain's meeting}

Mira was about to lose her temper. The meeting had gone on far too long. She kept checking her PADD. Kevin hadn’t been found yet. None of this made any sense how had he gotten off the ship with out a trace?

Even the Klingon ships were being searched and scanned after she accused someone of the possibility of kidnapping him. Of course they had been insulted but Mira had pointed out that there had been an explosion, a head of a Klingon house had been killed of course someone would retaliate. Begrudgingly they permitted the search and was even being helpful.

Admiral Proll was taking his sweet time passing out assignments darn him. He smiled at her. Now that most of the captains had gone he turned to her. “Yours is a little complicated and should take some time to complete but on the way there I have a few other assignments. There is a planet seeking to enter into the Federation. I need you to do the evaluation on them. Captain Karrelsdotter and the USS Kasierin will accompany you to give her a chance to observe the Federation evaluation process.”

“Admiral you need to send someone else. I need to get here.” She pointed to Orin space “now and I need to find Kevin so I can go.”

His claws tapped the desk. “Commander Kevin Lance filed for extended leave. Stating mental rest was needed, seems the kids and having his old girlfriend showing up with yet another kid, then having to kill to protect his family was to much mental strain on him.” He placed the PADD down. Turning it a round so she could read it.

Astra frowned in response to the Admiral’s assertation about Kevin

Mira pressed her lips together trying to control her anger. “That doesn’t sound like him at all. That’s not possible. It also doesn’t explain how he was on the ship then just disappeared.“ She pushed the PADD back. “He would have told me. I am telling you something is wrong.”

“Hy hagree,” Astra pronounced, “Having verked mit Kommander Lanceson for nearly two years, Hy kan tells youse dat he iz a man of haction. Hez vould take de challenge head on. Not havoid eet.”

Mira dropped her own PADD down on the table showing the painting of her and the twins. “When I awoke from the Matrix Ashla was next to me. I only had the memory of being in a Viking village and my life with Kevin and my son. Then I gave birth to her. That’s what those creepy aliens let me remember. But this baby was taken by another couple off the Matrix. Someone hunted them down and killed them. The report reads a red headed trill baby was with them. Neither parent was trill and that child is twin to my daughter Ashla. Reports have them headed to Orion space and to the gateway with my son. I am not stopping off to visit some planet to see if they should be part of the Federation. I am going to get him back. I will look for the missing Federation ship on the way.”

Astra nodded her approval. It was a good plan.

At that point both Proll and Mira were leaning over the table . Faces only inches away from each other. “The disappearance of the USS Charon is classified how do you know about it?” Proll growled.

“I was brief by Star Fleet security and told not to take the Norris on this mission. I have made other travel arrangements to get me there unseen,” Mira told him firmly, “I either go now to handle this my way or I’ll resign and handle this invasion for the Klingon empire. Either way Admiral you are cutting into precious time I can’t waste.“

“Eet vould zeem dat youse hat an impasse, Admiral,” Astra pointed out, “Pearhapz der ist another Kaptain dat youse kould zend to do dis hevaluation?”

Proll growled as he straightened to his full height and watched as Mira withdrew slightly and stood straight. He wasn’t sure who had gotten into the dominant position first, he would have to watch the play back to see. “Mira you are good at these evaluations you pick up far more then most of our people do.” He held up his hand to stop whatever she was about to say. “Just look at the report give your opinion then go get your son. Kevin has just gone on a medical leave. He wasn’t kidnapped.”

Mira frowned taking the PADD “Yes just like I wasn’t kidnapped and taken to Orin space. OH wait I was and no one came to help me. I spoke to Kevin he wanted to investigate some inconsistencies in reports about the explosion. He was perfectly fine then now he is missing.” She looked down at the PADD reading quickly. “this group isn’t ready to join the Federation. They view woman as nothing more then servants or slaves. Their not going to respond well to a female captain. I would have sent Kevin to deal with them but he isn’t here.” Mira handed the PADD to Astra assuming that would be her first assignment.

“You have my opinion now they can either wait until we come back or send someone else to deal with them.” She looked around the room it had cleared out so she felt free to speak. “the mirror universe has to be dealt with, a missing ship located, missing star fleet women found if they are still alive, my son found and Kevin. “ I think that’s enough for me to deal with.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “ by yourself?”

Mira raised an eyebrow “of course not I have a Klingon ambassador going with me. “

Proll raised a big bushy eyebrow at her. “Dralohk Antaak?”

Mira frowned darn it she forgot she had a meeting with him and Kevin just upped and disappeared on her. Great just great she thought “no Ambassador Ech’am G’ginloss. And don’t look at me like that Ech’am is married. I am married and no I am not divorcing Kevin to marry lord Dralohk Antaak.”

Proll frown , “Then you better formally turn his proposal down.”

Mira didn’t look happy but nodded, “fine.”

“And take Astra with you. You do need a witness.” Proll continued.

Mira rolled her eyes. She needed Astra like she needed a broken leg. “Whatever,” she turned to leave.

“Mira I am serious about you taking her with you. What transportation are you using ?“

It was on the tip of her tongue to lie and name any other Klingon ship. “I would rather not say Admiral the walls have ears.” And if the guy knew she was taking a bigger ship well then their would be plenty of space to bring the rude Astra along. Astra made it clear she didn’t think much about her. That was fine Mira thought she was over weight, rude and useless! She couldn’t even speak Federation standard correctly! “I don’t want my enemies to have prior knowledge of my whereabouts.”

Admiral Proll’s claws clicked on the tabletop as he drummed the digits of his paw and his tail swished back and forth. He wasn’t happy with Mira’s planned course of action, but experience had taught him that it was useless to try to dissuade her once she had gotten a plan firmly lodged in her brain cavity. He gave a wave of dismissal before she could walk out.

Astra fell into step with Mira as she departed the Admiral’s office. Once outside, they were joined by the ubiquitous shieldmaiden that always seemed to be one step behind and to the left of the Odinkus Captain.

“Zo, vat iz de plan of haction?” Astra asked eagerly.

It was unclear whether Mira distrusted the woman more than the possibility of an eavesdropping device but she was determined to reveal as little as possible. “I’ll meet with Dralohk Antaak and decline his offer of marriage.” That was immediate and vague enough. Information that was already available and did not tip off anything about Mira’s real plans.

“Deese Dralohk knows det youse halready married?” Astra asked.

“Yes.” Mira rolled her eyes.

“Hand he proposed marriage never de less?” Astra continued.

“Quite.”

Astra shook her head. “Dat iz stoopid,” she concluded, “Youse made youse choice. Dralohk disrepekts youse by hassuming youse would change youse mind.”

“Yeah, I know. See, the problem is the difference between human and Klingon. Kevin and I took our time getting to know each other. Things were already perfect. For a the Klingon, they find out their woman is having his child. They are married that night. The other problem is, Klingon Men, normally, owns and protects the house while his wife runs the house. Then Klingon Chancellor, who is like a king or leader of all the Klingon, said he hand picked a proper mate that he thinks would be perfect for me. Of course, this decision of his was made before the Klingons knew I was married. I just need to put an end to it now.”

Looking around, Mira spotted a few of her security officers and HAZ team members. They were keeping an eye on her and nodded subtly when she caught their gaze. She pulled out a PADD to see where Dralohk was.

“Looks like he planned on lunch. Fine, that should be public enough.” She tapped her commbadge “Awal, you nearby?”

=/\= of course. =/\=

Mira smiled. “Ok, time to set things straight.”


{Nocturnal restaurant}

Mira raised an eyebrow. He had dinner for two waiting. “Sorry, I am about to leave. I don’t want to interrupt your lunch plans but….”

Dralohk smiled. “Not at all. I was waiting on you. I was told your meeting was running a little longer than planned.”

Mira frowned, then pulled another chair out for Astra to set with them. Sitting down she bit her lip. “look, you know I am married.”
Astra took the proffered chair and the shieldmaiden to her post between her Captain and the Klingon.

Dralohk nodded. “To a human that insulted you publicly and now has abandoned you and his kids.”
The shieldmaiden frowned at the characterization of Kevin’s alleged behavior but Astra gently placed her hand on the woman’s forearm.

“The insult was his human attempt to take over the challenge.” Mira narrowed her eyes. “YOU had better not of had anything to do with Kevin’s disappearance.”

“OF COURSE NOT!” Dralohk all but yelled. “you still plan to stay in this …… arrangements?”

Mira nodded and ordered a raktajino “If you mean my marriage, yes.”

Dralohk frowned but nodded. “Then we will need to discuss other ways to join our houses. Twins would work, one to lead each house.”

Mira shook her head no. “Ashla is not marrying into your family.”

“No, I meant 2 children with your DNA and mine. One to hold house Antaak and one to hold house Rasmehlier.”
“A practikal solution if rather hunconventional,” Astra replied blandly, “though eyes doubt dat Lancesson vould happrove.”

Mira choked on her Raktajino as the realization of what Dralohk suggested hit her, then gasped out ,“NO!”

Dralohk just raised an eyebrow at her. “Marriage would not need to be involved. I could raised the one taking over house Antaak and you could send the other one to be raised in house Rasmehlier. We would only need your DNA.”

“Let me make this very clear to you. My children are mine. They will never be sent off or given away. I would die to protect my children and I would burn down the whole galaxy to keep them safe. Besides, one of my Nephews will be taking over house Rasmehlier. YOU are on your own coming up with the next heir for your house.” She sat back more relaxed now that she had made her point clear.

Over at the restaurant’s bar, she could faintly hear bottles and mugs being rapped on its surface several times at her statement.

Dralohk didn’t seem pleased “I was told by the Chancellor to insure your protection and to insure both the Klingon houses you are responsible for survive. You all ready know about the Gorn invasion.”

Mira nodded “and now the mirror universe. Both Har’lok and Rasmehlier house are well taken care of. I do not want or need your assistance . “

Dralohk frowned “I am one of Kolar’s closest friend. He would want you safe in my care.” Dralohk placed his hand on his chest as If he was fulfilling a promise or oath.

“What my dead husband would have wanted or not is none of your concern. Now unless you have some Information you are to pass on. I need to go.”

“the Klingjil house.”Dralohk started to say but Mira cut him off.

“Klull and T’erek Klingjil are not part of the Klingon empire at least not in this universe. Their cranial ridges are all wrong. Those two are brothers but I think their doubles in this universe are dead or died long ago.”

“You know about the mirror universe?” he seemed shocked lowering his voice to match Mira so they weren’t over heard.

Mira nodded. “it’s classified.” Mira popped a piece of pear into her mouth .

“You have seen this place with your own eyes”

“ITS classified.” She had been in the mirror universe two times but she wasn’t free to tell anyone about it. “Ambassador Ech’am G’ginloss will be accompanying me. I am sure he will keep the Chancellor apprised. Now if you will excuse me I have to be going.”

{ Harbinger Medical }

K’ner considered the info the team was sending. She looked at Billingsly as she related some tidbits. “Dralohk doesn’t seem to realize that Ashla is a twin, so perhaps we can strike him from the list that knows about little J. But this guy is pretty dense and really hasn’t understood any of the intel he’s undoubtedly received about our intrepid captain.” She shook her head at that, knowing even if the Captain wasn’t happily married, he would certainly have zero chance with her in any case.

“And the XO?”

K’ner shook her head. “He denies having anything to do with it, but he wasn’t surprised either, so he planned to use that to his advantage… Just dug himself a deeper hole really. Us being on an away mission should give him plenty of time to think up something else to bolster his house.”

Billingsly continued unpacking the things they'd brought over... she held up a box marked precious ingredients. “The Captain’s coffee… and a few things for the galley.” She placed them on a cart to take down the corridor in a bit.

"Lt Tela good with holding down the fort for an extended period?"

K'ner nodded. "She's a good second team leader. We've worked together for a long time, in more than a few scrapes. Dependable and level-headed works well in our endeavors."

Billingsly smiled. "I like her. Not much of a sense of humor but she's been fair with me."

"Yes, if you think she's exhibiting humor, you'd best watch out, because the rearward discharge is about to hit the breeze conveyance." K'ner gave Anya a few moments to work out the reference.


{Outside the Nocturnal}

Mira walked to Awal standing with a rather large to go cup of raktajino. “Thank you is the ship ready?” she took a sip of the hot brew

Awol nodded “everyone we need from the Norris is on the ship and I pulled a few crewmembers from the Harbinger to fill in the extra crew we would need.” He told her as he slowed his stride to match Mira.

She nodded any crew on the Harbinger had already been vetted since that was this ship she was to use to go to Qo’noS on her meeting. “We will be gone about 6 months maybe longer. I don’t want to be without my children that long. I assumed you would feel the same.”


OFF:

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

&

Commander Kevin Lance (as Astra Karrelsdotter)
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

&

Captain Mira Rodale Lance
CO USS Chuck

 

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