Deception

Posted on Tue Aug 11th, 2026 @ 6:39pm by Commander Kevin Lance

1,038 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Into the mirror
Location: Mirror Universe
Timeline: Immediately after Bloodletting

on:
{IWS Marcus Aurelius}

The Norrus appeared and attacked almost exactly when Kevin expected it to. It fired all of its weapons before fading back into the starfield. The phasers and photons were not concentrated on a single target but were spread across the Aurelius and several smaller ships. It confirm the speculation that the Emperor wasn't taking the time to fully lock-on instead relying on phaser snap-shots and post-launch target acquisition.

The few phaser shots and single torpedo did little to degrade the flagship's shields. But in the most recent attack, Kevin saw an opportunity.

"Engineer," he called over his shoulder, "Prepare to drop the number three shield on my mark." There was a barely perceptible pause before the officer at the engineering console acknowledged.

It took two more cycles until the Norrus reappeared in the optimal position. Two photon torpedoes slammed into the flagship's shields followed by a fusillade of phaser fire. "Mark!" Kevin shouted as he pointed at the Engineer.

"Number Three Shield is down, Highness."

"Wait thirty seconds and raise the shield back to twenty percent," Kevin continued.

"Twenty precent?" the tactical officer questioned, "It won't hold under another attack."

Kevin nodded, "I am baiting the trap. Encouraging this imposter to attack at the point of my choosing."

"But their will be damage to the ship," the tactical officer pointed out, "and casualties."

Kevin nodded grimly, "A calculated cost. But one I am willing to pay." In truth, the weight of the Norrus' weapons would crush the weakened shield and cause significant damage to the ship's starboard side. It was a gamble and Kevin hoped that none of his ship's critical systems would be effected.

"Helm, ahead one-quarter impulse. On my mark execute a ninety degree turn to port or starboard."

"Aye, Highness."

Kevin continued his orders, "Have three ships form up to cover our Number Three Shield and order the rest of the fleet to pursue enemies at will."

"But Highness," the tactical officer objected, "That will leave us..."

Kevin's eyes shot up to lock eyes with the tactical officer. He knew what the officer was thinking. Breaking the finely coordinated maneuvers of the other ships would look like the force was breaking apart. They would likely be hunted down and destroyed piecemeal. Accelerating away from the battle with the flagship would make that outcome more certain. "Do it," Kevin hissed as he moved his hand towards the agonizer on his sash.

The tactical officer swallowed and began to give the orders.

On time, the Norrus reappeared behind the Aurelius slightly offset from the Number Three Shield. "Mark to Port," Kevin ordered and the ship turned violently to the left. The Norrus' weapons discharge hit against a section of full strength shield but Kevin hopped that his adversary noticed the way that he protected the weakened shield.

Almost exactly on time, the Norrus reappeared, this time aligned with the Number Three Shield. Kevin waited a fraction of a second before ordering, "To Starboard. Mark!"

The ship's guarding the weakened flank bore the brunt of the Emperor's attack but two phaser cannon shots hit the Aurelius' weakened shield.

"Shield holding Highness," the Engineer called out.

"Reduced the shield to 10%," Kevin ordered.

"Highness?"

"Do not question me if you wish to live."

The Engineer turned away fearfully, his hands working the console.

"Casualties reported on decks 10 through 12," the communications officer reported, "Damage to the port warp nacelle."

Kevin ignored the report. As long as the weapons systems weren't effected. "Order two of our guards to peel off and hunt for the Norrus. Launch torpedoes with delayed ignition. Prepare to firing overshot from all phasers."

The tactical officer stared at what sounded like desperate nonsense. Kevin gave her a significant look and she dropped her head to give the orders.

At his most irrational, Kevin knew that he tended to become narrowly focused. He hoped that his doppleganger would be the same. So close to tasting victory that he would ignore the carefully constructed trap that had been laid.

Minutes later, he had his answer.

The Norrus' dropped it cloak almost exactly inline with the Number Three Shield and launched her volley. But in doing so, she walked right into the trap.

The delayed ignition torpedoes detected their quarry and fired to life. Well positioned in the area that Kevin predicted his foe would appear, they travelled the short distance before the Emperor's ship could react. Explosions blossomed across the hull of the little ship.

"Helm, bring us around 180 degrees," Kevin ordered. But as soon as the words let his lips, the bridge was rocked by an explosion and the ship shuddered beneath him.

The helmsman was dead at his console and several other bridge crew were injured. Kevin deployed the flight control stick from the Captain's Conn and began to turn the ship himself. She responded sluggishly. "Where is the Norrus!" he demanded, hoping that the cloaking device was take offline.

"Heading 135, fifteen thousand kilometers," an officer replied. The tactical officer was one of the casualties.

Kevin continued to press the ship into turning and she did so grudgingly. "Lock all phasers on the Norrus and fire!"

"Casualties reported on all decks. Damage to life support, power distribution and shield generators," the communications officer called out.

Kevin let his eyes stray to the Captain's tactical display. The enemy fleet was beginning to surround his wounded ship. This was about to become a slugfest. One that he likely would not survive.

He was touched by a moment of sadness. Mira would assume that he had abandoned her. Kolar and Ashla would grow up calling someone else daddy or worse, without a father at all. They would never know their now dead brother. The ship shuddered again and it broke his reverie.

The ship's phasers had scored hits on the Norrus but the little ship's shields were coming online. At least it wasn't cloaking anymore. Kevin could take down the Terran Emperor before he was killed. One last duty to the Federation. One last gift for Mira.

"Highness," the communication officer called out between Kevin's orders to the depleted crew, "There is a message coming in. Multiple frequencies."

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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