Outward Bound

Posted on Fri May 8th, 2026 @ 6:17pm by Commander Kevin Lance

798 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Into the mirror
Location: Mirror Universe
Timeline: Current

on:
{Aboard the ISS Marcus Aurelius}

Kevin stood behind two guards, his protectors not his captors, with his back to the turbolift wall. As the lift sped him to the bridge of the Emperor's flagship, Kevin considered his next move.

The chief of staff had cracked under the repeated application of the neural agitator, a so-called Agonizer, and had divulged the entirety of the Emperor's plan. The man's screams and pitiful pleas for mercy had tugged at Kevin’s humanity but as the evidence indicated no permanent physical damage, he suppressed those feelings of empathy and concern.

As had been suggested by the late Captain of the Guard, Kevin was a sacrificial lamb to draw out the Angel of Death, as everyone called her, a Trill assassin of notable repute. Kevin was the bait on an elaborate plan to trap and kill her, the Emperor's greatest nemesis and only remaining obstacle to his ascension to the imperial throne.

The actual Emperor was indeed on a mission to Trillus Prime to assassinate the Angel's family, a back up plan to draw the assassin to him in case the trap with Kevin failed. Though the killing of innocents was abhorrent, he did appreciate the Emperor's move to goad his enemy and get her to lash out in a rash attack.

The Emperor also had Jason with him. This part of the plan was less cleary articulated by the chief. It seemed that the Emperor desired Mira as his...mate seemed too respectful a title for what the chief had alluded to. Kevin had been on the verge of killing the chief and confronting the Emperor on Trillus Prime but that move would have been rash as well. Better to get the Emperor to come to him rather than attack him in a prepared position.

Instead, Kevin needed Emperor to come to him. And he had the perfect enticement.

"Emperor on the bridge!" one of the guards announced as the turbolift doors opened and Kevin stepped through.

The bridge watch all stopped what they were doing and saluted with their open right palm touching their left shoulder. "All hail the Emperor!" they shouted in unison.

Kevin immediately recognized the man that had jump out of the Captain’s chair. "Commander Montgomery, is the ship ready to depart?"

If the question surprised the Commander, he gave no indication. "Aye aye Highness," he replied crisply, "Captain Nachthauser was detached, of course, but we are otherwise obedient to your whim."

"Very good," Kevin acknowledged, "Break orbit and plot a course for Earth. It is time that I took my place upon the Imperial throne."

Montgomery gave a hand to shoulder salute then let loose with a stream of orders that launched the bridge watch into a ballet of organized confusion. Within minutes, however, the surface of Orion was receding from the main viewscreen.

"Recall the fleet to join me enroute," Kevin instructed once the ship was well away, "I intend a show of force that none shall be able to deny." More orders were issued from Montgomery and the communications officer began sending transmissions.

It was then that Kevin noticed the officer manning the Operations console was a twin of Rodriguez. Pointing at him, Kevin ordered, "And have that man thrown in the brig for treason."

This was the first order that Montgomery did a double take on but he snapped his fingers at the security guard on the turbo lift door. Rodriguez for his own part merely looked guilty as if there were some truth to the charge as he was lead away.

It was petty, he knew, but Kevin couldn't suppress the surge of satisfaction that coursed through his body. Nor did he want to.

It was a risk to go on the move. The more distance that he put between himself and the place that he entered this universe, the less likely it was that a rescue team would find him. But he was tried of being a pawn in someone else's game. It was time that the pawn was promoted.

The Emperor had laid a trap on Orion and most likely was in a strong position on Trillus Prime. Angel, as a trained assassin, was likely experienced at getting into difficult positions but a moving target would be harder to hit.

Kevin expected, or at least hoped, that a confrontation with the Emperor and Angel were imminent. When they came, he wanted the fight to be on ground of his own choosing.

Montgomery turn to him and said, "Course to the Sol System is plotted and laid in, Highness."

Kevin stood erect in front of the Captain’s conn, his hands clasped behind his back as he uttered one word.

"Engage."

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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