{"id":1241,"date":"2016-01-16T07:42:39","date_gmt":"2016-01-16T13:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1241"},"modified":"2016-01-18T07:23:10","modified_gmt":"2016-01-18T13:23:10","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-clone-part-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1241","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Clone – Part 19"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 19<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Randy remained in the meeting room to see what his father, and the others, had to say to him. He felt he already knew what fleet command wanted and prepared himself for the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for staying Randy,\u201d Randy heard Hayes say and he turned towards the admiral waiting. \u201cI think we\u2019re all in agreement on who should be in command of this mission.\u00a0 We can\u2019t think of anyone with more experience in dealing with the Cimalian than you and your staff, what do you say Admiral?\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy looked over the group, not rushing any decisions. No one else said anything, everyone waiting for his answer.\u00a0 He also knew Hayes was correct, he did know a lot about the Cimalian Empire, probably more than most.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll accept the mission on the condition I have some control of what\u2019s going on. I don\u2019t\u2019 need me, my staff, or any of the ships under my command handcuffed by a politician at a critical moment,\u201d Randy replied recalling how the politicians worked recently to make everything more dangerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might be able to do that, but you\u2019ll have to accept some responsibility for diplomacy with the Cimalian Empire,\u201d Hayes stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can accept that,\u201d Randy replied, with Meia he felt he might have an advantage with diplomacy compared to someone else. \u201cWhat I meant is if it fails and they attack, I don\u2019t\u2019 want to have my order delated because some diplomat wants to make a name for himself of is working for the Cimalian Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all understand that risk Randy,\u201d his father stated. \u201cHowever, this mission might keep another invasion from happening, it\u2019s something we must do to help protect the Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best,\u201d Randy replied knowing where they were coming from. \u201cAt what point can I consider them a threat?\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched them all shift a bit uncomfortably at the question before his father finally spoke up. \u201cWe\u2019ll trust your experience and abilities to know the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy looked on as the meeting seemed to be over as every agreed with his father before Jack continued on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all agree that you\u2019re the best for this mission, from what you\u2019ve told us Meia wouldn\u2019t trust anyone back in the Cimalian Empire, and we do need her for any diplomacy to understand their point of view,\u201d Jack said to him. Randy still felt unsure about diplomacy and if it would actually work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give it everything I\u2019ve got,\u201d Randy finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will,\u201d Jack said. \u201cNow, what type of timeline should we expect?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should head out while we still know where the Cimalian Empire is,\u201d Randy said, not sure he wanted to head out so soon, but knew if they could move so quickly they could move again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll notify the captains of the Warspite and Hood to make ready,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

Randy glanced over at Kim, Yvette and Nall, seeing no questions there and each expressed determination and confidence in Randy\u2019s leadership. He only hoped he lived up to their expectations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll head up and prepare our ships as well, and I\u2019ll take the Eagle and Valiant,\u201d Randy said, trying to take as may experience people as possible in case things went wrong later on.<\/p>\n

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

Mia walked off the shuttle into the hanger of the Akagi quickly spotting a few people she recognized from Meia\u2019s memories. She made her way to an older man watching him take a double look at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I see you changed your hair back,\u201d the man said when Mia got in hearing range.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, decided being a blonde wasn\u2019t me,\u201d Mia said running her hand through her hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think you look normal again,\u201d the man stated to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, I think,\u201d Mia said frowning at the statement. \u201cWell, checking to see how things are doing, I\u2019ll probably be back later on after dropping by my quarters.\u201d<\/p>\n

No problem, you\u2019re fighter will be here,\u201d the man replied back to her.<\/p>\n

Mia nodded before continuing on her way towards the elevator. Explaining her hair went easier than she expected.\u00a0 The only problem could come from things Ann had done.\u00a0 She felt the stares upon her as she continued on but continued towards her goal.\u00a0 She hoped Ann did nothing to destroy the reputation Meia had among the people of the Alliance, she needed those connections to destroy the Alliance.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching her quarters she entered seeing things were mostly where she expected them to be. She guessed Ann spent little time in the quarters and hoped it would be a good thing.\u00a0 The last thing Mia needed was to have to explain her attitude lately.<\/p>\n

Slipping into a new flight suit she headed out to the mess hall to grab something to eat before anything else happened.<\/p>\n

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

Meia remained motionless waiting to see what happened next after pretending to eat the food they gave her. She had nothing to lose by playing the game to discovering an opportunity to escape, that was her goal now.<\/p>\n

A clink indicated someone at the door before the sound of the door opening and footsteps entering the cell. Barely opening her eyes she watched the guards and their unconcerned attitude, she knew her abilities could knock them out, but once out of the cell she had no idea how things were laid out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, come on, let\u2019s get her up and out of here quickly, you know the boss doesn\u2019t like us to waste much time,\u201d one guard stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, she\u2019s going nowhere, and drugged so she can\u2019t do anything, what are you concerned with?\u201d the second one stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well you\u2019re a beta,\u201d the first guard said, giving Meia some information and explaining the attitude of them. She figured the first guard to be a lower rank.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to be any longer than need be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d the second said. \u201cNot like she can do anything for the next couple of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia felt herself lifted and placed on a table. She needed as much information as possible if she was to escape and what they had planned for her.\u00a0 They led her out of the room and she watched seeing the point where it appeared security was weakest and saw no cameras but several doors, which could lead anywhere.<\/p>\n

She thought of trying to escape now, but she wanted more information. She could try on the way back, the guards might have their guard down even more closer to the cell.<\/p>\n

Entering the room it seemed like a laboratory to her with several people walking around. She spotted a familiar face finally recognizing Trina, who sat at a computer not looking in her direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get this over with again,\u201d someone said. \u201cI need another batch of samples people, let\u2019s be quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia felt herself lifted off the gurney and onto another table hearing people walk all around the table and the gurney rolled away. She had no idea what this laboratory did, and hoped once she got away she could talk to Trina about it.<\/p>\n

The hum of the computers indicated someone was working on something.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic walked into the throne room, a place he found himself going to more and more often with another message for the emperor. The message seemed to have come from within the Alliance, probably one of the emperor\u2019s spies but why it came through Jezic\u2019s office he hoped to find out.<\/p>\n

His footsteps echoed in the room even as he spotted the emperor sitting nearby watching Jezic approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor, a message sent for you,\u201d Jezic said handing the datapad over as the emperor read over the message and a small smile appeared confusing Jezic.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, very good,\u201d Henry laughed. Jezic waited knowing he had yet to be dismissed and figured the emperor wanted more from him as he looked up.\u00a0 \u201cEverything is going according to plan, is the 1st<\/sup> CF in position?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cGood,\u201d Henry replied. Jezic was not sure what the emperor planned but knew better than to disobey a direct order even as another question came to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the 2nd<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> CFs? Jezic asked waiting for their orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Admiral Floyd of the 2nd<\/sup> CF to prepare to attack Pacifica on my orders,\u201d Henry said surprising JEzic.<\/p>\n

\u201cPacifica, isn\u2019t that dangerous, attacking the headquarters for the Alliance fleet will not be easy,\u201d Jezic replied knowing the planet had a lot of defenses.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am aware of that but with the other plans most of the Alliance battle-cruisers will have been destroyed by then,\u201d Henry said. Jezic managed to hide his shock but worried about any losses to his own fleets, any losses would jeopardize his ability to defend Cimalius from attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I should move the 2nd<\/sup> fleet into a different position, we should send fleets out without clear knowledge of the enemy defenses, especially if their engines overheat,\u201d Jezic stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, use your descreation, but be quick as my agents tell me the time to attack draws close. Place the 3rd<\/sup> CF twenty minutes jump from Cimalius,\u201d Henry ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will emperor,\u201d Jezic replied with a bow and turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more thing before I forget, I think after this mission I\u2019ll have a reward for you,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA reward, for me emperor?\u201d Jezic replied back surprised but pleased. He had more than enough to live a comfortable life and had little else he required.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, a reward, Meia,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n

The name burned within Jezic, the single biggest reason for his largest failure. Revenge against her would be very sweet indeed after her role in stopping the invasion of the Alliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, our agents finally captured her and she\u2019s scheduled for execution, well one is,\u201d Henry said chuckling a bit as Jezic caught on to what the emperor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA clone?\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the public execution will be, but I think a more fitting end to my dear \u2018niece\u2019 would be at the hands of those she betrayed the most,\u201d Henry stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be in trouble for harming an Alpha Superior?\u201d Jezic asked wanting to know nothing would happen, usually the punishment for anything he had in mind was death.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake no mistake, she is no Alpha Superior,\u201d Henry replied sharply, rising slightly to face Jezic.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course emperor, forgive my slight,\u201d Jezic said as the emperor seemed to regain himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing to forgive my friend,\u201d Henry said \u201cyou are only watching out for yourself as always, but remember Meia isn\u2019t anything but an Epsilon, nothing more and nothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well emperor, I shall look forward to it,\u201d Jezic replied with the knowledge that he indeed looked forward to having his revenge on Meia and he would wait as long as needed to gain it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen go and carry out your orders,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will emperor,\u201d Jezic said, bowing and this time leaving the room. He had work to do in reposition the fleets to prepare for the emperor\u2019s grand plan.<\/p>\n

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

Trina snuck peeks over at Meia while making sure no one else saw her and she thought she noticed something different this time about the young woman on the table. Trina had a hard time figuring it out until she noticed a look the woman had when she thought no one else was looking at her.<\/p>\n

In that brief unguarded look Trina saw so much more than anyone else before coming to a startling realization, Meia was not drugged this time. How she managed it, or the guards forgot Trina did not know, but knew she would have to move quickly in case Meia made a move.<\/p>\n

Trina continued her work to make sure no one caught her slacking off, a sure way to get a punishment. She had a feeling Meia was looking for a way to escape, which meant only one real spot for escape where the cameras were missing, a sore spot with the head of the department and constant bickering between him and security who talked so loudly everyone knew about it.<\/p>\n

The question Trina had did Meia know about that security problem? If she didn\u2019t how could Trina get that information to her?\u00a0 Perhaps she could cause some sort of security disruption?<\/p>\n

She figured she had about an hour to come up with a distraction, after which everything would become automatic. She would help Meia, that much was certain and the rest, it would depend on how things unfurled.<\/p>\n

End part 19<\/p>\n

Continued in part 20<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Clone by AJ Marks Part 19 Randy remained in the meeting room to see what his father, and the others, had to say to him. He felt he already knew what fleet command wanted and prepared himself for the question. \u201cThanks for staying Randy,\u201d Randy heard Hayes say and he turned towards […]
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