{"id":1255,"date":"2016-01-22T07:21:26","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T13:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1255"},"modified":"2016-01-25T20:30:23","modified_gmt":"2016-01-26T02:30:23","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-clone-part-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1255","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Clone – Part 22"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 22<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Randy stopped in front of Meia\u2019s door and hesitated for a second before knocking. Finally getting over his insecurity he knocked while hoping she wasn\u2019t in despite feeling slightly silly for thinking such a thought.\u00a0 He thought it would be nice if he asked her to dinner, after all their relationship seemed to head in a direction of becoming closer, or so he hoped.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a sec,\u201d a voice said from behind the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Randy replied, now having to calm himself enough to talk to her and not seem like some teenager with their first crush.<\/p>\n

Seconds later the door opened to reveal Meia, whose wet hair gave her the appearance of someone who just stepped out of the shower, but wore her familiar flight suit indicating she had some time to make herself presentable.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d she said to him, moving aside to allow Randy to enter her quarters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should be leaving in thirty minutes,\u201d Randy said to her, turning around to face her again.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot wasting any time on this mission, are we,\u201d Meia replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it was decided to be quick, otherwise any intelligence we have gained could become obsolete,\u201d he said watching as Meia seemed to understand what he was saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cMakes sense, what part of the plan is first?\u201d Meia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where you come in, I think you should be on the bridge when we first arrive. I don\u2019t think its wise to have you in a fighter where someone can take pop-shots at you,\u201d Randy said.\u00a0 \u201cLosing you would be tragic to the mission success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think that\u2019s wise, but what happens when they don\u2019t listen to what I say?\u2019 Meia asked giving an indication she thought they wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll make that up when it comes up,\u201d Randy finally said, hoping it didn\u2019t come to that. He held out hope something else might happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m not going to be using my fighter I guess I shouldn\u2019t check on it then,\u201d Meia stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if you think you can\u2019t persuade the people to our side, do what you feel is right,\u201d Randy said before recalling why he was really there. \u201cHow about dinner after this mission?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, anything can happen, but why not,\u201d Meia said thinking about the answer for a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, and maybe when this is all over you can wear that dress when we have dinner,\u201d Randy said, recalling how good she looked in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Meia replied back to him, a bit shyly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I\u2019ll let you continue your preparations then,\u201d Randy said, saying good-by and walking out of her room. The door closed and he made his way to the elevator once more wondering about Meia before walking on board.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe I\u2019m overworked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat skipper?\u201d a voice said causing him to jump slightly.<\/p>\n

He looked over his shoulder to see John standing there. \u201cGeez, you always sneak up on people?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t have to, you almost walked me over when you got on board, oh, you really want to head to the hanger?\u201d John asked looking down at the destinations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh hades,\u201d Randy replied rubbing his temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d John asked looking at Randy<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, well, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Randy replied unsure he could explain it. \u201cI think, well it\u2019s a feeling, perhaps its too much work and I need a rest\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGotta be a woman, only a woman can make you so confused,\u201d John said almost logically.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it possible for a woman to change?\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d John replied back with confusion in his voice which echoed Randy\u2019s own confusion of the topic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, it\u2019s Meia, it seems like her attitude continues to change lately, is it me? Have I changed somehow?\u201d Randy asked looking for a second opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so, to either of you, you might be working too hard on this,\u201d John said. \u201cAlso, from what I\u2019ve heard, this plan is probably causing a lot of stress for Meia.\u00a0 Look at her, she\u2019s gone from the bottom to the top with no education or time to absorb such changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we\u2019re pushing her too hard them?\u201d Randy asked, something he secretly thought they were doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, I\u2019m only a pilot, but you can be supportive of her, that\u2019s probably the best thing,\u201d John said stepping off the elevator at the hanger. \u201cI\u2019m not too worried, he said Meia seems a bit more normal lately, going and inspecting her fighter, actually talking with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if she\u2019s acting normal, perhaps it was a bit of nerves and such,\u201d Randy said, feeling slightly better watching as the doors closed. He pushed for the bridge with the thought to check on the fleet and how the schedule was going.<\/p>\n

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

Meia waited to see what type of reaction Carl would have to her admission. She saw nothing from the man that might show rejection, instead he appeared to be thinking about what she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how do you know this? Is it provable,\u201d he asked her, a reasonable question she would have under different circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up living a lie, thinking the Alliance killed my mother. My uncle kept a close eye on me, even visiting me several times when locked up,\u201d Meia replied recalling the visits so well causing a cold fear to grip her, something her uncle had programmed her to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe visited you, and what was he doing visiting you all this time?\u201d Carl asked. \u201cWhy not just make you the heir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe detests the lower classes, like my mother, he would never accept me as the heir,\u201d Meia said. \u201cThey might have been taking samples of my DNA,\u201d she finally said recalling meeting a clone of herself.<\/p>\n

Carl sat back thinking about everything Meia said, and she waited with nowhere else to go. The door opening caused her to jump, gripping her weapon in reflex to what could be a surprise attack.\u00a0 Instead a woman with salt and pepper hair walked into the room stopping short at the sight of Meia sitting in the apartment glancing at her then over at Carl.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Trina\u2019s friend, Meia,\u201d Carl said introducing her to Meia before turning to Meia. \u201cThis is my wife, Ewa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ewa closed the door and made her way into the room not taking her eyes off Meia making her uncomfortable until the woman finally sad down on the bed. \u201cSo, you\u2019re the one who has everything turned upside down outside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Carl asked clearly confused by the statement, but Meia understood.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe enforcers are out in numbers, more than I\u2019ve ever seen especially near the genetics lab,\u201d Ewa answered him. \u201cThey\u2019ve been asking anyone if they\u2019ve seen anyone acting unusual lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems my uncle doesn\u2019t want me free,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019re the project the emperor is working on,\u201d Ewa said. \u201cI heard about some sort of project he is working on that will help the empire in winning the war against the Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Alliance isn\u2019t a threat,\u201d Meia said automatically not even realizing she said it but automatically defending the Alliance against the lies the Empire said. She knew more now considering she had lived with the people of the Alliance for several months and been treated so much better than she ever had been in the Empire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that, it\u2019s all propaganda anyways,\u201d Carl replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you really are Boris\u2019 daughter, then the rebellion might finally have something which can really help us in the fight against the emperor,\u201d Ewa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRebellion?\u201d Meia asked, she had never heard of anything organized against the emperor.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen going on for decades now, trying to one day overthrow the emperor. Up until the move we had been growing, many were homeless and were lost in the move,\u201d Ewa replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan they get me back to the Alliance,\u201d Meia asked gaining some hope of getting back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can barely keep spies right now, getting you to the Alliance might be suicide,\u201d Carl said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t help you or the rebellion much from here, my uncle controls too many resources,\u201d Meia said thinking about it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we went to the leaders with this information?\u201d Ewa asked finally. \u201cIt might be the push needed to get them to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be the only hope we have,\u201d Meia said looking between the two as Carl seemed to think about it for several seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might backfire as well, there are spies in the rebellion, we all know it,\u201d Carl finallys aid.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a chance I must take,\u201d Meia said, knowing action was better than hiding.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re up for it, I\u2019ll take you,\u201d Carl finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, you need some new clothes,\u201d Ewa said looking Meia\u2019s outfit over. \u201cThen I think we can make it to the rebellion without too many problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be able to evade the enforcers?\u201d Meia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all enforcers are on the emperor\u2019s side,\u201d Carl said with a smile, offering the first real sign of hope. She might finally have way off this planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should move quickly,\u2019 Ewa said, motioning for Meia to come with her. \u201cI think I\u2019ve got something that might fit you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Meia followed Carl and Ewa as they moved quickly through the streets dressed in an outfit which blended in better with what others wore. They left heading in a different direction with each turn and Meia had no idea where they were headed having gotten lost early on before finally arriving at an unassuming apartment complex.\u00a0 She understood that unassuming was a perfect place to hide.<\/p>\n

They entered and Meia felt a bit of surprise at the number of people inside, standing in the hallways. She said nothing but returned their curious stares.\u00a0 Meia figured they were guards, or homeless, probably a combination of the two in the building, a good cover, but also full of spies.<\/p>\n

Meia stopped as Carl and Ewa stopped in front of a couple of people and waited to see what happened next.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is important,\u201d Carl said as Meia heard some of the conversation between the guard and Carl.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t bring strangers, you know that Carl,\u201d the guard stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she can do more than we\u2019ve done in decades,\u201d Carl replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still have rules Carl, you kow that,\u201d the man replied back not budging.<\/p>\n

Meia watched the interaction between the two and she could understand why her uncle wasn\u2019t concerned with the rebellion. They seemed hesitant to do anything, change or even move forward when presented with something news.\u00a0 They were as stuck in the cycle as her uncle was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI you wish to remain a slave to the social class system then do nothing,\u201d Meia finally said gathering the courage to speak out, reaching for the core she had developed as part of the crew of the Akagi. Everyone seemed surprised she spoke, looking at her then at the guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know nothing of our fight, our struggles,\u201d the man finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she replied back quickly confronting the man, seeing what Randy and Jack and others in the Alliance would want her to do. She stepped forward until she was inches away from the man.\u00a0 \u201cYou know nothing of my fight, my life, my pain or happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPain?\u201d another man said sarcasm tinting his words. \u201cI lost two sons already in this invasion against the Alliance when the 3rd<\/sup> CF lost that last battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of those deaths were caused by the ships own captains ordering the ships to self-destruct,\u201d Meia replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how would you know that?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was there,\u201d Meia replied knowing a lot of good people died that day. \u201cI saw the traitor, Admiral Jezic, my former commander give the order to destroy the Kitakim.\u00a0 And one of my own betrayed me in a previous battle, a Beta, Olin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard a traitor made it possible for the fleet to be destroyed,\u201d another person said as everyone became interested in the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only traitor is the Emperor, or should I saw my uncle who stole the throne and killed my father,\u201d Meia replied. \u201cThere are many survivors of the fleet still alive and living in the Alliance, and they all prefer it there over here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold, this discussion is for sensitive ears, not one held in public,\u201d a shorter man said approaching them. Meia noticed he had an air of someone in command and realized he had to be a leader of the rebellion.\u00a0 \u201cFollow me, we\u2019ll continue this is a more suitable environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia quietly followed hoping she would get somewhere with someone who might actually listen. So far her impression of the man was mixed, he seemed like he would listen, but would he actually do something, that was the bigger question she had yet to answer.<\/p>\n

End part 22<\/p>\n

Continued in part 23<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Clone by AJ Marks Part 22 Randy stopped in front of Meia\u2019s door and hesitated for a second before knocking. Finally getting over his insecurity he knocked while hoping she wasn\u2019t in despite feeling slightly silly for thinking such a thought.\u00a0 He thought it would be nice if he asked her to […]
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