{"id":1177,"date":"2015-12-22T07:15:56","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T13:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1177"},"modified":"2015-12-24T07:16:35","modified_gmt":"2015-12-24T13:16:35","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-clone-part-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1177","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Clone – Part 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Clone<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Meia listened to the rumble of the Akagi\u2019s engines as the pitch went down indicating the ship would be dropping out of hyperspace and into normal space soon. The lighting changed to the reddish hue indicating the ship had gone to red alert.<\/p>\n

No one panicked at the sound and instead people went to their battlestations. She made her way to the hanger hooking up with other pilots as they made their way to their fighters, waiting to hear if they needed to launch or not.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go little one,\u201d Ben said, handing her the interface helmet for her to put on.<\/p>\n

Meia thanked him and watched the computer come to life. Making a few adjustments she waited for the order to launch.\u00a0 The seconds ticked by dragging into minutes.\u00a0 With each passing second she felt more uneasy about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatrol one, launch, proceed on tight patrol around the fleet,\u201d the launch operator said.<\/p>\n

Meia heard the patrol respond but so far nothing came to her squadron about launching for CAP or anything else. She understood the preference to not have too many ships out in case ships of the empire showed up.\u00a0 Now the waiting game started, something she never enjoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeia report to the bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sighed a bit before powering down the fighter. Opening the canopy she handed the helmet back to Ben who stood nearby before she jumped out of the fighter and made her way towards the elevators.<\/p>\n

The red alert lights still illuminated the interior of the ship as she walked towards the bridge. She figured the rest of the fleet was also on alert as Randy would take no chances on being caught by surprise.\u00a0 The empire might be close by and every indication gave the impression they were headed towards it.<\/p>\n

Entering the bridge she noticed the lack of normal noise, and how everyone was quickly doing their duties. The silence made her pause for a second and so unlike during battle when it was very noisy.\u00a0 Squaring her shoulders she made her way into the brigde.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted to see me admiral,\u201d Meia said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Randy said taking a second before looking up at her. \u201cWhat do you make of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia walked over to his screen and glanced down. IT showed a single habitable planet but no sign of empire ships.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, scanner and patrol sweeps indicate nothing nearby\u201d Kim\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Randy said, returning his attention back on her. \u201cI need a plan now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia felt uncomfortable making any suggestions or even a plan on this scale. \u201cI\u2019m not sure, do we know the planet is inhabited at all?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe patrol is on the way to find out,\u201d Randy replied. \u201cUntil we know for sure, I need backup plans.\u00a0 Nothing is off limits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s investigate the planet, send someone down there,\u201d Aaron said surprising Meia.<\/p>\n

\u201cPossible,\u201d Randy replied, giving it some thought. \u201cThough if it is the Cimalian Empire most of us would not fit in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia noticed that with that statement he looked over at her. True she knew the social politics of the empire, and could fit in a bit with the lower classes.\u00a0 But to know anything she had to be part of the higher classes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest another person besides her,\u201d Aaron said finally.<\/p>\n

Meia watched as Aaron and Randy glared at each other. She had the feeling she missed something between the two of them.\u00a0 Did Aaron not trust her?\u00a0 She knew only a bit about the man from John and her few times meeting him on the bridge.\u00a0 John said Aaron lost his parents in the invasion of Dredius.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fewer the better,\u201d Meia finally said breaking the stare down. \u201cPerhaps a total of two people, like Victor.\u00a0 He knows the most about the empires society and would probably be less likely to be caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched Randy think about that for a few seconds before making a decision. \u201cAll right, if it turns out to be a Cimalian planet well attempt to infiltrate it.\u00a0 Go let Victor know of this new mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Meia answered, leaving the bridge and heading back to the hanger. Now she felt both fear and excitement over what might happen.\u00a0 She would have a chance to learn more about the past, and the fear of who she might have to confront to get that truth.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Henry watched Jezic make his way back into the office. The recent reports indicated the Alliance fleet made another jump and would probably appear close by.\u00a0 That news had been an hour ago enough time to make the jump closer to Cimalius II.<\/p>\n

\u201cReport admiral,\u201d Henry ordered, waiting as the admiral bowed before giving the report.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong range planet scanners indicate an Alliance fleet dropped out of hyperspace. One Ticonderoga class battle-cruiser, a Gearing class destroyer and one unknown ship, probably a cruiser class, have been identified,\u201d Jezic reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Henry said, knowing the planet did not have much to fear from the actual fighting power of the Alliance fleet. The only real question in his mind dealt with Meia and if she was on board one of those ships.\u00a0 \u201cAre all orders being followed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sire,\u201d Jezic replied with some hesitation, their arguments over the fact Cimalius II was undefended still fresh in both their minds.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Henry replied leaning back into his chair. He would wait to see what the Alliance commander\u2019s next move would be before he did anything.\u00a0 \u201cAnd the 3rd<\/sup> CF?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral Ammari is awaiting your orders,\u201d Jezic replied.<\/p>\n

Henry nodded his head knowing that so far everything appeared to be going as planned. He needed to capture Meia gain for the survival of the Empire.\u00a0 He had been too lax in ordering her killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf any shuttles are launched towards the planet allow them to land,\u201d he ordered Jezic, knowing the admiral would not understand that order and held up a hand forestalling any protest. \u201cA single shuttle will not have the manpower to destroy the empire, besides anyone exiting that shuttle will never return the Alliance alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched as Jezic paused to think about that for a few seconds. \u201cBut sire, won\u2019t that cause the Alliance fleet to leave and return with a larger fleet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you have no sense of how the Alliance truly operates. They won\u2019t being a larger fleet here because the population of the Alliance will not consider one planet a threat to them.\u00a0 And I never said the Alliance fleet would make it back to Alliance space,\u201d Henry told him.\u00a0 He noticed Jezic come to a realization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 1st<\/sup> CF!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d Henry said smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cShall I inform Admiral Wambu about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, but the next move will be by the Alliance commander, after that it will be our move,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will emperor,\u201d Jezic said, bowing and leaving to carry out the order.<\/p>\n

Henry pushed the button to his secretary. \u201cSend in Gerald.\u201d<\/p>\n

He waited for Gerald to enter knowing the pieces were almost set, all he need was a mouse to catch.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Randy waited a bit longer to hear from the patrol he sent closer to the planet. He hoped to gain some information about who colonized it, if anyone.\u00a0 There were still many unreported colonies of humanity when they left Earth over a thousand years ago and this could be one of them.<\/p>\n

He looked over at Randy, watching his actions. He seemed to have back down a bit on Meia and more to do with how the crew treated him afterwards than anything Randy said.\u00a0 He hoped he gave Meia a chance, the last thing he wanted was internal strife.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, incoming message from the patrol,\u201d Hans said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it through,\u201d Randy said, hearing John\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSkipper, I\u2019m sending back some information for you to go over. Not sure, but from the layout either it\u2019s the Cimalian homeowrld or a colony,\u201d John told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Randy said, watching as the information came across the screen. He looked it over a bit before making up his mind.\u00a0 \u201cHave Meia and victor report to the admiral\u2019s conference room.\u201d<\/p>\n

He motioned for Kim to follow as the orders were relayed down to the hanger. They made their way to the conference room where they would go over the newest information and he felt he would be signing off on a potentially dangerous mission for everyone.<\/p>\n

Sitting down in the conference room he waited as the computer brought up the information.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked at it for several seconds before Meia and Victor entered the room.\u00a0 They sat down in silence before Randy turned to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe either have the Cimalian homeworld or a colony,\u201d Randy said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe empire has no colonies, or at least they didn\u2019t before the invasion,\u201d Meia replied back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould they have spread themselves out after the invasion?\u201d Randy asked, thinking logically. \u201cBut either way we need to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want someone to head down to the planet\u2019s surface?\u201d Victor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like you and Meia to do it,\u201d Randy said, knowing what he was asking of Meia. \u201cProvided Meia believes this is a Cimalian plent.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that he activated the screen bringing up the information from John. He watched Meia look it over for several second before her head jerked up at one spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything wrong?\u201d he asked her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Emperor is here, it has to be the homeworld,\u201d Meia replied back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Randy asked, wanting conformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery, we\u2019re looking at the new homeworld of the empire,\u201d Meia stated with conviction.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you willing to go?\u201d Randy asked. He needed to make sure Meia felt fine with the mission as everything hung on her ability to pull it off.<\/p>\n

She thought about it for several seconds before finally replying. \u201cYeah, we need the information.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, begin your preparations,\u201d Randy stated preparing to stand up.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, one thing admiral,\u201d Kim said speaking up. \u201cI think we\u2019ve gotten used to it, but won\u2019t Meia\u2019s hair stand out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy almost smacked his forehead at his lack of foresight. He now had a problem, could they proceed with the mission?\u00a0 He looked over at Meia who appeared thoughtful.\u00a0 \u201cWould your hair color be a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably, everyone knows what the hair color means,\u201d Meia said threading a hand through her hair. \u201cIf they see this color they\u2019ll know I\u2019m part of the military, and an elite pilot, most of whom are known.\u00a0 They probably won\u2019t talk to me like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about we dye it, or a wig?\u201d Victor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight work,\u201d Randy said looking at Meia for several seconds. \u201cMight be able to make you a blonde.\u00a0 Might check with Doctor Leaver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should start now, the longer we\u2019re here the worse it might get,\u201d Meia said to him.<\/p>\n

He understood, they had been here for too long without a reaction. They needed to act quickly.\u00a0 He nodded watching as Victor and Meia left the room.\u00a0 He could only hope the doctor could do something quickly.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Meia walked into the med lab and could still recall the first time she awoke in the room. The drugs in her system caused her to be confused by everything.\u00a0 Now she walked in with no problems heading over to the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Meia, what can I do for you?\u201d he asked, putting down the data pad he was working on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is probably a strange request, but we need to dye my hair and quickly,\u201d Meia said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? I kinda like it,\u201d the doctor replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I need to blend into the population of the empire,\u201d Meia replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, well, I don\u2019t have any data on how dyes will work on blue hair, but we can try blonde,\u201d the doctor said. \u201cIt works by bleaching out the color.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the same thing Randy said,\u201d Meia said, wondering if there was something about being blonde.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, you sure you don\u2019t want the hair cutters?\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need something fast,\u201d Meia told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes, that makes sense then,\u201d the doctor said to her. \u201cSo you want this done right away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor motioned to a chair. \u201cThen shall we begin?\u201d<\/p>\n

She went over sitting down as he prepared a mixture.<\/p>\n

End part 7<\/p>\n

Continued in part 8<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Clone by AJ Marks Part 7 Meia listened to the rumble of the Akagi\u2019s engines as the pitch went down indicating the ship would be dropping out of hyperspace and into normal space soon. The lighting changed to the reddish hue indicating the ship had gone to red alert. No one panicked […]
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