The Cimalian Princess: Clone<\/p>\n
by AJ Marks<\/p>\n
Part 5<\/p>\n
Randy walked back to the bridge knowing the Sunray would be reporting in. He had taken off to grab a drink and now headed back to see what the situation was.\u00a0 Would the Sunray need more time, or would the repairs be finished.<\/p>\n
He looked around spotting everyone still hard at work. He spotted Kim and made his way over to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunications contact,\u201d Hans said before Randy could say anything to Kim. He glanced over to see what was going on along with Kim.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we decode it?\u201d Randy asked, wondering who was sending messages here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking on it admiral,\u201d Hans said quickly. Randy went over pondering a message back to HQ on what they had found.<\/p>\n
The fact they intercepted a message meant very little without knowing the group the signal came from. Seconds later the report came back it seemed to be Cimalian in nature.\u00a0 Randy realized that either the Cimalian government or military was nearby, but which.\u00a0 The other question that came to him was the message instructions, or regular reports?<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we have any idea what\u2019s in the message or its origin?\u201d Randy asked. It might help him understand a bit better what the situation is around the fleet.\u00a0 He watched Hans work on the message for several seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a second,\u201d Hans replied back to him, focused entirely on the screen in front of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes this change our mission?\u201d Kim asked, turning to look at Randy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNope, might confirm why we\u2019re out here, and why we should be on guard. The message could be a trap, or they don\u2019t realize we\u2019re here,\u201d Randy said, going over all the possible outcomes in his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatrols reporting in admiral,\u201d Aaron said interrupting Randy\u2019s thoughts. \u201cSo far nothing\u2019s been spotted in any sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, have the patrols finish their scans and put the 212 on CAP for now,\u201d Randy said to them. He watched as they carried out the orders.<\/p>\n
\u201cIncoming message from Captain Alterin,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransfer it to my console,\u201d Randy ordered, waiting a second until Jacob\u2019s face appeared on the screen. \u201cCaptain, what\u2019s the situation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdmiral, we lost primary cooling in the hyperspace engines, we won\u2019t be able to maintain hyperspace for more than twenty minutes at a time,\u201d Jacob replied back, giving Randy the bad news.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand,\u201d Randy said, knowing that now he was down a ship in the fleet. \u201cWe\u2019ll wait here until you can start making your jumps back to Alliance space, I\u2019ll also send word back about your situation so they can be on the lookout for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry about that,\u201d Jacob said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, at least you didn\u2019t explode in hyperspace, and take care going back,\u201d Randy said to him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMechanical problems happen all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we just have an overhaul,\u201d Jacob said.<\/p>\n
Randy did not like what he heard from Jacob. If the Sunray had recently been overhauled then there could be the accusation that there is a traitor in the docks, or someone who did not do their jobs.\u00a0 He hoped it was the latter, but could not rule out the former thought.\u00a0 Another thought was someone aboard the Sunray was a traitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaptain, be careful going back home, if what you say is true, there are a couple of possibilities, including sabotage by a spy on board the Sunray,\u201d Randy said to him. \u201cThis is for your ears only, we intercepted a message, could be Cimalian in origin and could have been meant for that person. \u00a0The timing seems almost too perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d Jacob said, suddenly very interested. \u201cI\u2019ll be sure to keep an eye out for anything unusual on board, perhaps heighten security without people realizing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you will,\u201d Randy said to him, knowing how much Jacob took security.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re ready to move out I\u2019ll contact you again,\u201d Jacob said.<\/p>\n
Randy watched as the screen went dark. The news could have been worse, but still bad enough.\u00a0 They had evidence they were headed towards Cimalian territory and was now down a ship.\u00a0 \u201cAaron, inform all ships to inspect all engines for sabotage, including ours.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir,\u2019 Aaron replied, heading over to the communications to relay the order.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be in my office,\u201d Randy said heading to the doorway before pausing. \u201cOh, have Meia report to my office when she lands,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 He went back to his office to send a very encrypted message to his father to tell him about possible saboteurs in the repair yards, or more.\u00a0 He also wanted to talk to Meia and gain her perspective of what happened.\u00a0 She might see something he did not, especially when it came to the Cimalian Empire.<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Meia\u2019s fighter landed softly on the hangar deck. She waited a few seconds for the clamps to reach out and capture her fighter.\u00a0 Once secure it brought the fighter up to the main hangar deck and through the airlock doors.\u00a0 She spotted Ben and Jean waiting for her as she climbed out of the fighter.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdmiral White wants to see you right away in his office,\u201d Ben told her. \u201cNot sure what it\u2019s about, but the bridge said it was important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meia sighed having a feeling he wanted to talk about the defenses that might be around Cimalia once more. She headed to the elevators knowing she did not know what the defenses might be.\u00a0 They moved to a new planet so the old defenses had been changed.<\/p>\n
She quickly headed to Randy\u2019s office. She stopped at the door and paused before knocking.\u00a0 She waited for Randy to tell her to enter.\u00a0 He sat behind his desk reading a report as she walked in, standing at attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave a seat, you know that,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n
Meia said nothing as she sat, years of training were not easily changed. Even now she still feared a punishment despite knowing the Alliance did not do such things.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a good patrol?\u201d Randy asked finally looking up.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t find anything, that\u2019s good news,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Randy replied, pausing before saying anything else. \u201cI know we\u2019ve been over this a bit, but we found a signal which we think is Cimalian in origin, possibly to someone in the fleet.\u00a0 The Sunray is turning back due to mechanical failure.\u00a0 Don\u2019t know if its sabotage or a bad part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meia listened in not aware of what had happened. The Signal disturbed her.\u00a0 It meant the empire could reach anywhere, especially if the Sunray was sabotaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to ask you anymore questions about the Cimalian Empire, but we might be encountering them in the next jump. I want to know if such messages are typical of how the Cimalian Empire acts?\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n
Meia gave it some serious consideration for a few seconds before saying anything. Things were changing fast once again.\u00a0 She realized she did not know much about the procedures.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, but I was only a pilot for the fleet, not a strategist.\u00a0 The admiral or captain would come to me and say this is my objective, get it done or else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought so, but you never know,\u201d Randy replied. \u201cAny idea about enemy fleet strengths?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a fleet strength of fourteen battle-cruisers, but I don\u2019t know about smaller ships,\u201d Meia finally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFourteen,\u201d Randy said, pausing to think about the number for a few seconds. \u201cLet\u2019s see, we destroyed one at Pacifica, two each at Hesslius and Sierra, so they have about nine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fleet is generally divided into three attack fleets, an invasion fleet, and a reserve fleet,\u201d Meia said, she knew that because she was part of the 3rd<\/sup> CF.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, basically five fleets,\u201d Randy said. \u201cThat\u2019s about two battle-cruisers per fleet.\u00a0 Any idea which fleet they would leave behind to protect the homeworld?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the invasion only the reserve fleet was for defense. The others were invading the Alliance,\u201d Meia stated.<\/p>\n \u201cAll or nothing, interesting tactic,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, with the failure of the invasion they would have all ships ready to protect homeworld,\u201d Meia finally said. It was a truth she saw that Randy knew about.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. So, we\u2019ll have to be careful in our approach,\u201d Randy said.\u00a0 Meia watched as he leaned back into his chair deep in thought.\u00a0 He then looked back at her and they stared at each other for several seconds before he finally said something.\u00a0 \u201cYou look different from when I first saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n Meia laughed a bit at that. \u201cWell, my hair is longer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s more, you look more relaxed,\u201d Randy replied back to her.<\/p>\n Meia gave it some thought before replying back at him. he was probably right, especially after everything.\u00a0 She no longer jumped at doing something wrong.\u00a0 \u201cI guess knowing I can make a mistake and not get punished for it is a bit relaxing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe do have our laws, but you\u2019re right,\u201d Randy said. \u201cI don\u2019t see how anything gets done in such an environment which only spreads fear and discontent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFear is a great motivator,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but it can push people only so far before they revolt,\u201d Randy stated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe lower classes also have the threat of death hanging over them at all times. So if you do something wrong to many times, or make too much noise you\u2019re eliminated,\u201d Meia said, something she had seen too many times.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would take something extreme to do that here,\u201d Randy said, he started to say something else when a call from the bridge interrupted their discussion.<\/p>\n \u201cAdmiral, the Sunray reports their engines are ready to jump,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n \u201cBe right there,\u201d Randy said to her. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to talk later.\u201d<\/p>\n Meia nodded and got up with him and headed to the door as they stopped at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter this is over how about a nice romantic dinner, my treat?\u201d he asked her.<\/p>\n Meia stood rooted to the spot at the question Randy asked her. She never expected such a question coming from him, or perhaps she should have expected it.\u00a0 She felt torn between accepting and running away.\u00a0 \u201cSounds nice,\u201d she finally said after a few seconds of silence.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Randy said, heading though the door. Meia turned and headed to the rec room while Randy went to the bridge.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Emperor, we received this report from a scanning outpost,\u201d Jezic said walking up to the emperor. He no longer had any idea what to expect from the man after he ordered all fleets to leave Cimalian space.\u00a0 He strongly disagreed with the decision, it left the planet defenseless.\u00a0 He also knew he might be an Alpha citizen, but he was not above the emperor.<\/p>\n Jezic handed the report over as henry motioned for it and waited as he read the paper. \u201cHmm, yes I see, and anything else from our inquiry from our spies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears that Meia is with them,\u201d Jezic replied, forcing the name out.<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent,\u201d Henry said actually smiling at the news. Jezic never expected to see the smile.\u00a0 He considered Meia a traitor and the greatest threat to the empire and yet Henry was happy at the news.<\/p>\n \u201cSire, if I may,\u201d Jezic said, hesitating. He did not want to anger the emperor.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t it dangerous to allow Meia to come here?\u00a0 She is a huge threat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThreat or not, it is her destiny, like mine is to conquer the Alliance once and for all,\u201d Henry said, giving a slight chuckle. \u201cRelax Jezic, I always have a plan, here.\u201d<\/p>\n Jezic looked down at the notepad Henry thrust into his hands. He glanced down and quickly read the notes before looking back up wondering if the emperor had finally gone insane, or was a brilliant genius.\u00a0 The line blurred and only time would show the difference.<\/p>\n \u201cYou realize the risk to the empire?\u201d Jezic said, knowing questioning the emperor could have devastating effects for his career.<\/p>\n \u201cRisk is in everything, one must be willing to risk everything to achieve their goal, and that is what I will do,\u201d Henry said to him. \u201cBesides, I have a few tricks hidden that I can use if things go out of control.\u201d<\/p>\n Jezic was not sure how to reply to that statement. The emperor sounded confident, but battle taught him no plan ever remained intact all the way through.\u00a0 Was the emperor\u2019s plan flexible enough to survive problems?<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure about this?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I want all commands to know, and admiral when you\u2019re done come back, I have something I want to show you,\u201d the emperor said.<\/p>\n \u201cBy your will sire,\u201d Jezic said, turning to carry out the order. He could only hope the emperor knew what he was doing.\u00a0 If it was up to him Meia would already be dead.\u00a0 Of course now he had the opportunity to do it himself.<\/p>\n End part 5<\/p>\n Continued in part 6<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Cimalian Princess: Clone by AJ Marks Part 5 Randy walked back to the bridge knowing the Sunray would be reporting in. He had taken off to grab a drink and now headed back to see what the situation was.\u00a0 Would the Sunray need more time, or would the repairs be finished. He looked around […]
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