{"id":1188,"date":"2015-12-26T07:21:37","date_gmt":"2015-12-26T13:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1188"},"modified":"2015-12-28T07:26:19","modified_gmt":"2015-12-28T13:26:19","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-clone-part-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1188","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Clone – Part 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 9<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trina walked aimlessly around the streets trying to shake the conversation she had with Ewa and Carl out of her mind. Nothing worked and she even had been stopped by enforces twice, but doing nothing wrong she was allowed to continue on.<\/p>\n

Revolution would destroy the empire more than anything else. Such actions might also push the state of the empire back decades or more.\u00a0 She paused looking at the last rays of sunlight on the town and the lengthening shadows stretching across the town.\u00a0 This time of day is when the more undesirable parts of society came out, hidden in the darkness.<\/p>\n

The Epsilons who managed to avoid capture by the enforcers lived in this area. Of course since moving the number had decreased, you either moved as the government wished, or you died, no middle ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cID?\u201d a rough voice said causing her to jump slightly. She had not seen this third group of enforcers.\u00a0 Pulling out her ID once more she handed it over watching as they scanned the card, then looked closely at her.\u00a0 \u201cContinue on Gamma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trina sighed in relief again and quickly made her way down the street more watchful of her surroundings. Turning the corner she noticed a shadow come out of the alley.\u00a0 Her first thought was robbery, but the clothing and posture of the two was different.<\/p>\n

She looked the two over carefully, noticing a guy and girl and thought maybe it was a liaison between two lovers. That was her thought until she noticed the girl\u2019s face and gasped slightly unable to believe what she saw.<\/p>\n

The young woman\u2019s eyes turned her direction, and this close she could see their color, a blue. That was wrong, they should be green.\u00a0 The hair was right, so was the face, it was looking into the face of a ghost from her past.\u00a0 Even as she looked she noticed something different, the young woman was shorter.\u00a0 Suddenly the guy dragged the woman away leaving her alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt couldn\u2019t be,\u201d Trina said suddenly. She moved in the same direction but was unable to catch up to them.\u00a0 They were faster, but did not seem to know where they were going.\u00a0 She caught sight of them running into a dead end alley.<\/p>\n

For some reason they were spooked by her appearance. It was not the normal attitude by people, then again if they were of different classes they would run away from others. \u00a0She waited for them to reappear knowing they were trapped.\u00a0 It took only a few seconds for them to appear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you,\u201d she asked stepping forward startling them both again. For several seconds neither spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d the woman asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrina, Gamma class citizen,\u201d Trina replied, hoping not to intimidate the two, especially if one was an Epsilon.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeia,\u201d the woman finally replied.<\/p>\n

Trina sucked in a breath at the name, almost stumbling backwards as if the word physically struck her.<\/p>\n

\u201cImpossible, you\u2019re dead,\u201d Trina said, trying to regain her sensibility and realizing this woman was not who she thought she was. \u201cNo, Meia is dead, you\u2019re someone else.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry for startling you, you looked like my best friend when I was younger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t been planetside in years, perhaps you can help me?\u201d Meia asked.<\/p>\n

The phrase raised alarm bells in Trina\u2019s mind as things did not seem right to her. She looked at them again, normal, yet their eyes had a different look in them.\u00a0 The look of defiance, and something else she was unable to place and yet, the woman had the look of an Epsilon class citizen.\u00a0 Where they difference classes trying to keep a secret, like so many years ago.\u00a0 Shaking her head she focused her thoughts on the present.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, with what?\u201d Trina asked, curious about them now.<\/p>\n

\u201cInformation,\u201d Meia said, and for a second Trina wondered what the truth was before making up her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rumors, follow me, we should head inside away from the enforcers,\u201d Trina said, moving away and towards her apartment.<\/p>\n

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

Meia followed the woman alongside Victor keeping an eye out for any enforcers who might be around. She thought the woman seemed a bit strange especially considering the way she spoke at first.\u00a0 Why would she be dead?\u00a0 It almost seemed like the woman was rambling with questions and phrases as they walked, but they needed information.<\/p>\n

Reaching the apartment they made their way inside and to the woman\u2019s apartment. Meia glanced around that even heading to a new planet the living space had not changed at all.\u00a0 The lower classes still lived in poverty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a dump,\u201d she heard Victor say.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts home,\u201d the woman replied defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cVictor, be polite,\u201d Meia chastised. They were visitors in another person\u2019s home and while it appeared small, it was about the same size Meia lived in during her academy days.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, it\u2019s larger, and nicer, than the accommodations on the battle-cruisers.\u201d<\/p>\n

That seemed to get the woman\u2019s attention even more. Now Meia knew she might know what was going on, and perhaps even a bit more.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were on the battle-cruisers? Why are you not there now?\u201d the woman asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong story, but what\u2019s this about a rumor?\u201d Meia asked, wondering if the story about her made it back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer a few of mine and I\u2019ll answer a few of yours,\u201d Trina replied back to Meia. She gave it a bit of thought before answering.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but the answers might not be what you are looking for,\u201d Meia replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I served on board one of the battle-cruisers of the empire, the Kitakim, to be exact of the 3rd<\/sup> CF,\u201d Meia told her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen civil war is coming,\u201d Trina stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cCivil war, I don\u2019t\u2019 know anything about that,\u201d Meia replied honestly. Talk of rebellion among the lower classes, perhaps the empire was at a tipping point, or would collapse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is rumors that the fleets are fighting each other, the rightful ruler is to return and overthrow Emperor Henry,\u201d Trina said, glancing around at the door and windows.<\/p>\n

Meia went quiet at that statement. Somehow the rumor filtered down about her even though it was not exact.\u00a0 How had the rumor become so twisted?\u00a0 She had no fleet and joined up with the Alliance and wondered how people would react to the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that not right?\u201d Trina asked, almost pleading for it to be true.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Meia replied deciding on a more direct approach to the rumor. \u201cThe fleets did invade the Alliance, but lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-You\u2019re from the Alliance, then the emperor is right, there are spies among us,\u201d Trina said, standing up quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not what you think,\u201d Meia replied, moving quickly to intercept the woman. \u201cThe truth is the Alliance did not know about the empire until the invasion.\u00a0 During the fighting many of the lower classes switched sides, the Alliance is nothing like we\u2019ve been told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow I doubt that, you\u2019ve been drugged,\u201d Trina stated emphatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, my own u-, ah, my own empire drugged me,\u201d Meia said having stopped herself before saying uncle. She had no idea how Trina would react to the fact she was Emperor Henry\u2019s niece, and rightful ruler. \u00a0She watched to see what the other woman would do next.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re serious,\u201d Trina finally said, relaxing a bit and sitting back down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the empire, the same one I served loyally for years betrayed me,\u201d Meia said to her. \u201cThey don\u2019t care about anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they\u2019ve always taken care of us. They drove us away from our home to make us safe,\u201d Trina said, confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey left because the invasion failed and the Alliance started heading to Cimalius,\u201d Meia said. \u201cAll we\u2019re doing is looking for information.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019re a traitor,\u201d Trina said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s complex,\u201d Meia replied back to her, not wanting to get into the fact she was the right ruler. If that part came out things would really get confusing and probably would lose Trina\u2019s trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen perhaps you can explain it,\u201d Trina said.<\/p>\n

Meia looked over at Victor who had a bored expression on his face before she went into a short explanation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe short story then, I had a feud with one of the other pilots on board the Kitakim. During the battle for Pacifica he betrayed me on orders.\u00a0 He was a Beta and jealous of my abilities and I am an Epsilon, they shot me down.\u00a0 I crashed on board an Alliance battle-cruiser.\u00a0 It was on board it that I learned the truth about the Alliance, and have been living among them ever sense,\u201d Meia said, giving Trina an abbreviated version of the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds a bit, fanficful,\u201d Trains stated. Meia noted the woman\u2019s tone changed a bit and hoped it was for the better.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, only the truth,\u201d Meia replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny reason why I should trust you?\u201d she asked Meia.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, only my word,\u201d Meia said hoping honestly would prevail in this conversation. The woman seemed lost in thought once more taking a long time to look at her making Meia feel slightly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I ask, who was your mother?\u201d Trina suddenly asked surprising Meia. What would her mother have do to with this especially considering she was an Epsilon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she was an Epsilon, and I can recall her name being Didi,\u201d Meia finally replied watching the woman\u2019s face show shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, it really is you, Meia?\u201d Trina whispered. She seemed to be trying to figure something out.\u00a0 \u201cWe were told you both died in the explosion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had turned five and was at the academy,\u201d Meia replied logically seeing the woman seem to understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive, of course, why didn\u2019t I put it together. But why did they lie about your death?\u201d Trina said frowning at the question which for her had no answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany reasons,\u201d Meia said, knowing the largest was her father. \u201cWe need information about the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t much to say, the enforcers keep a close watch over us, and the upper classes keep us busy. Most of the homeless and undesirables were killed in the move.\u00a0 There are no places to hide anymore,\u201d Trina replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, but I know the lower classes have more power than they realize. The uprising within the fleet that stopped the invasion, not military might,\u201d Meia said.\u00a0 She knew what the ability of the lower classes was like.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe enforcers are too strong Meia,\u201d Trina said, giving that same fear.<\/p>\n

Meia glanced at her watch, knowing she did not have much time left. \u201cHenry is still the emperor?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAnd you probably don\u2019t know much about the military,\u201d Meia asked knowing the lower classes rarely had such information about the movement of the ships or fleets.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what my son said, the military is expecting an attack, and soon. They also commissioned a new warship recently,\u201d Trina said.\u00a0 \u201cFrom what he says, its different than a battle-cruiser.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia gave that some thought knowing that the empire would not rest on one warship design. It was not surprising that a new class was already ready with the single focused determination it had.\u00a0 She also knew the information would be useful to the Alliance.\u00a0 Depending on its abilities it could be devastating to the Alliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should probably be going,\u201d Meia said, looking back down at her watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you go,\u201d Trina said, leaning closer to Meia. \u201cYou\u2019re mother always said her life was forfeit, do you know what she meant?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia gave the statement some thought and thought she knew. \u201cYes I do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Trina looked shocked but Meia said nothing else except saying her good-byes to the older woman. She and Vicor made their way out of the apartments and hopefully would avoid any enforcers while heading back to the shuttle.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic walked up to the emperor at the end of a long day for everyone. So much had happened and yet still needed to happen.\u00a0 He had a lot of unanswered questions and now waited for the emperor to motion for him to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, it is time. You should receive word on a capture, once that happens order the 1st<\/sup> CF to attack the Alliance fleet near the moon,\u201d Henry said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSire, I\u2019m afraid I don\u2019t understand,\u201d Jezic said, hoping to gain some information about what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will make sense soon, head back to the command center. Once you\u2019ve received word of the capture begin the attack,\u201d Henry ordered.<\/p>\n

Jezic made a career of following his orders, even the strange orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will sire,\u201d Jezic replied, bowing and headed out of the throne room pondering the recent events. He would wait to see what happened next.<\/p>\n

End part 9<\/p>\n

Continued in part 10<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Clone by AJ Marks Part 9 Trina walked aimlessly around the streets trying to shake the conversation she had with Ewa and Carl out of her mind. Nothing worked and she even had been stopped by enforces twice, but doing nothing wrong she was allowed to continue on. Revolution would destroy the […]
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