Warped Reflection
Posted on Thu Mar 19th, 2026 @ 2:04pm by Commander Kevin Lance
799 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Into the mirror
Location: Mirror Universe
Timeline: Immediately after That Which is Reflected
on:
{Orion in the Mirror Universe}
Not exactly like looking in a mirror.
The Emperor perched on the throne had cut his beard into a Van Dyke pattern very similar to the way that Kevin had during his clandestine mission to Amar VI in Klingon Space. And his eyes were more pinched, as if the owner were suspicious of everything and everyone.
The Emperor looked Kevin up and down with a critical eye. “This is my mirror from the counter-verse?” he asked.
Captain Nachthauser nodded, “Yes, Imperator.”
“Only a Commander,” the Emperor observed, “I am insulted that he is a man of such limited ambition. Tell me, is it incompetency or merely cowardice?”
“My career has progressed in the satisfactory manner,” Kevin answered flatly, “I am content with my position both professionally and personally. I do not have the overwhelming compulsion to pursue megalomaniac aspirations.”
There was a murmur between the guards next to Kevin and he thought that he saw Captain Nachthauser visibly start. The Orion woman winced and turned slight away from the throne but kept to her place. The Emperor shot a glance at the group surrounding Kevin that stilled them almost immediately.
Then the Emperor’s face relaxed and he let out an enormous laugh, “So not cowardice after all!” Kevin noticed that only the group around him joined in the laughter, albeit half-heartedly. The Emperor’s guards and the Orion woman were stone faced. The Emperor continued, “But it does seem that you are concealing yourself from the Universe, Jar’hann.”
Kevin’s eyes shot up to lock onto the Emperor’s cold stare. He shouldn’t be surprised, he reasoned, if the Emperor was truly his reflection in this universe, they would share a similar origin. Scenarios began playing through his mind involving his family, particularly his sister Ashla. The smile that touched the Emperor’s lips did not extend to his eyes as he observed Kevin and nodded in approval.
“Yes, fear and shame about your past is why you hide behind another’s name,” the Emperor declared, “Obviously you did not have the foresight to clean those matters up as I have.”
Kevin got a sinking feeling in his stomach. “What do you mean,” he demanded.
“To be Emperor is to sever all ties with your past,” the Emperor replied with more relish than was appropriate, “permanently.” His gaze bore into his prisoner as Kevin processed the implications of what he had said. “But that prerequisite is only partially complete. Thanks to you, there are more that I must find and kill.”
It took only a split second for his analysis to reveal the Emperor’s meaning to Kevin. “My three children.”
“ABOMINATIONS!” the Emperor screamed as he came out of his throne, “Half-breed nuisances that I must wipe from existence. I would have already extinguished this one had it not been important bait for my trap.” He waved a hand dismissively towards the child held by the Orion woman.
Information was washing over him faster than Kevin could process it. He hadn’t given any attention to the child when the Emperor had entered but now pieces were fitting together quickly. Mira’s information of another child from the Matrix. Was it possible that the child was Jason?
“May I see the child?” he asked.
The Emperor gave a disgusted scowl but waved the Orion woman forward. She took careful steps as she crossed the distance to Kevin and handed the child to him. It bore the characteristic markings of a Trill and had auburn hair. Kevin moved the clothing to confirm the child was male and guessed his age to be around one year. It fit with the timeline of when the crew had been confined in the Matrix and along with the almost identical appearance to his daughter Ashla was enough to convince Kevin. “Jason,” he smiled, “Your mother can’t wait to meet you.”
Jason look up at Kevin then turned to look at the Emperor. His brow furrowed as he considered both men. “Yeah, it’s kinda confusing for me too,” Kevin confided.
“Very touching,” the Emperor pronounced scornfully, “but you are both means to an end.”
Without relinquishing Jason, Kevin turned his attention to the Emperor. “And what is your endgame?”
“I know of Mira Rodale’s doubts and passions. Your absence would not be enough. She would assume that your desire was fixed elsewhere but she will not rest until she is reunited with the child. He is the lure that will bring her into this universe.”
“Then why kidnap me?” Kevin asked.
“You are the decoy that will draw forth my greatest nemesis. Through you I will obtain victory over the Angel of Death.”
:off
Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris
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