Reversal

Posted on Fri May 1st, 2026 @ 2:36pm by Commander Kevin Lance

907 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Starbase 364
Location: Mirror Universe
Timeline: Current

on:
{Orion, Mirror Universe}

Everything was proceeding to plan, the chief of staff reflected with delight.

The presence of the Emperor's doppelganger from the other universe was achieving its dual purpose of drawing the Angel of Death to Orion and giving the real Emperor cover to execute his covert mission to Trillius Prime where he planned to eliminate the remainder of the Angel's family.

To kill the decoy target, the Angel would need to infiltrate the Imperial Facility and by design, it would be much harder to exit than it would be to enter. She would be allowed to kill the doppelganger but the confusion to cover her escape would not materialize. Instead, she would face the best of the Emperor's Guard. Many would die but the Angel would fall under the weight of superior numbers.

Once the Angel was eliminated, nothing else would stand in the way of the Emperor's ascension. His position would be secure and plans to invade the other universe would proceed accordingly.

So preoccupied with happy thoughts of his Emperor ruling in both universes, the chief of staff was oblivious to the entry of several guardsmen. It wasn't until the four were in place around the his desk and their leader cleared his throat that chief looked up and registered their presence.

"The Emperor demands your presence," the lead guardsman stated.

The chief blinked in surprise and disgust. Disgust in that the weakling excuse of the Emperor's shade was demanding anything of him and surprised that he had actually done so. "What would he have of me?" the chief asked, "I am certain that the guards can fulfill any of his needs."

The lead guardsman's nostrils flared at the casual disrespect shown to the Emperor as he pointed replied, "The Emperor did not share his reason with me. Only that you were to be escorted to him...willingly or unwillingly."

The chief's expression soured. Why wasn't the Captain of the Guard handling the fake Emperor. He was on the verge of issuing another refusal but the set of the guard's expression, cold and full of malice, stayed his tongue. "Fine," the chief replied as he stood to accompany the guards.

As they were walking through the hallways, the chief had time to consider the summons. Why was it coming from their prisoner? Why not from the Captain if some ceremony need to be performed to maintain the deception? And why four guards when a simple comms transmission would suffice?

His perplexion turned towards alarm as the guard escorted him not to the Emperor's quarters but instead turned towards the throne room. "Where is the Captain of the Guard?" the chief asked of this escort.

"He is indisposed," the lead guardsman replied without looking at the chief.

The chief's anxiety peaked as he was escorted into the throne room and saw the Emperor seated on the dias. His posture was stiff and his gaze cold. The chief's blood ran cold in his veins as the Emperor stared him down. No, the chief reminded himself, this is the doppelganger. The real Emperor was light-years away on his mission to Trillus Prime. Pushing down his fear, the chief approached the dias. "What is your will, my Emperor?" he asked through a strained expression.

"I am betrayed!" Kevin exclaimed, "I have discovered a plot against my person that seeks to prevent my ascension!"

The chief shifted uncomfortably between the guards that still flanked him. "Highness, you are mistaken," he soothed, "You are safe here. Summon the Captain of the Guard. He will bear witness to the truth."

"The Captain was chief amongst those who would seek to oppose me," Kevin replied, "as are you."

The chief was shocked at so bold a pronouncement from the prisoner. "His Highness is unwell," he said to the guards, "You should return him to his quarters." But the guards remained stock still.

Kevin continued, "The Captain betrayed me and I killed him with my own hands."

The chief's eyes went wide at the assertion.

"And you were in league with him. Guards! Seize the betrayer!"

Fear rose again in the chief's throat as the guards either side of him grabbed his arms. "It is you who are the betrayer. This man is an imposter. The real Emperor is on Trillus Prime."

"These men are loyal to me," the doppelganger countered, "they will not believe your lies. Take him to the brig. I shall interrogate him myself and get him to reveal his co-conspirators."

The chief continued his protests as he was dragged out of the throne room but the guards remained stoned-faced.

Once locked in the brig, the chief had a chance to consider the impact of this sudden turn of events. So closely held was the secret of the doppelganger's true identity that on this planet, only the he and the Captain of the Guard knew the truth. The Emperor's reputation and power were so formidable that everyone else would believe the lie that the doppelganger was telling.

The real Emperor would be livid when he found out but the next scheduled check-in wasn't for many more hours. There was no telling the havoc that the doppelganger could inflict before the Emperor would be in a position to respond. And there was still the matter of the Angel of Death.

He would be lucky to get out of this alive.

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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