{"id":1970,"date":"2017-05-06T07:15:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-06T12:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1970"},"modified":"2017-05-10T07:27:30","modified_gmt":"2017-05-10T12:27:30","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-rebellion-part-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1970","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion – Part 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 23<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Greg looked at Terry for several seconds after his statement. They both knew it to be the truth.\u00a0 The alphas hadn\u2019t done anything to improve things despite what they might say.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany don\u2019t want to do anything because they are comfortable with their lives, or holding grudges or something like that,\u201d Greg said<\/p>\n

He watched Terry\u2019s black reaction but hoped for something which might show what the man was thinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a plan and we need it now,\u201d Greg said. \u201cFighting among ourselves won\u2019t help anything.\u00a0 The problem is that the upper resistance groups are afraid to do anything and the lower groups are run by the emperor.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t leave us with much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it doesn\u2019t, we a few people,\u201d Terry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny way we can get people in the lower class to help out?\u201d Greg asked. He watched her think about that for several seconds before finally replying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t\u2019 know, there might be a few, but I can\u2019t guarantee they will be loyal,\u201d Ewa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I guess we should consolidate our forces a bit and I\u2019ll contact Meia and let her know what\u2019s going on,\u201d Greg said standing. \u201cWe need to get moving and organized quickly.\u00a0 Ewa, you are welcome here.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched Terry rise as well nodding towards Greg before walking out and not looking at Ewa. Greg knew things were going to get complex and hoped Meia might take this as good news, not the bad news he thought it was.<\/p>\n

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

Jexic turned when he heard his name called on the bridge pulling him away from the latest reports. He looked over at the communications officer who called him over along with the captain of the ship.\u00a0 They both walked over.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, this just popped up,\u201d the officer said pointing to a communications from the surface of the planet. Jezic looked at the screen seeing that there appeared to be a communications coming from the surface of the planet, relayed a few times to prevent pinpointing it on the surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we listen in on the conversation?\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, but it appears to be encrypted and makes no sense,\u201d the officer replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSend it to intel, have them work on it, top priority,\u201d Jezic ordered watching as the officer relayed the data to High command. He looked at it once more before asking another question.\u00a0 Can we figure out where its going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit harder admiral, but I can give a general direction, nothing about how far away it is. It could go to the moon or all the way to the Alliance,\u201d the officer replied honestly.<\/p>\n

Jezic thought about that for several seconds recalling everything the Alliance had done lately. So far they had yet to do anything militarily but a scout ship could be nearby to gather such information for Meia, or from Meia.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave the scout ships Batri and Dipo to patrol along the line of communication,\u201d he ordered. The communications officer relayed the message to the two ships along with the direction.\u00a0 Jezic listened in as the two captains acknowledged the order and the ships prepared to leave.<\/p>\n

He debated with himself on telling the Emperor. His obsession with Meia could overrule his decision but he made up his mind.\u00a0 Informing the captain he would be off the bridge headed to his office to contact the Emperor.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t take long for the Emperor to appear once he activated the communicator.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d Emperor Henry said, his face appearing on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor, I have news for you,\u201d Jezic said. \u201cOur communications picked up a signal coming from Cimulius headed in the general direction of the Alliance.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t use the normal encryption methods, and I assumed by how they relayed the signal around they didn\u2019t want to be discovered.\u00a0 I could be Meia trying to reach the Alliance military.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched as the Emperor\u2019s face showed a flicker of anger and he thought a brief flash of fear and uncertainty there as well, so unusual in his normal stoic appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I see, the fact that Meia has been sighted in epsilon zones I think its obvious what she is trying to do,\u201d Henry said. \u201cPrepare all ships for the invasion of the Alliance, the time approaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure Emperor?\u201d Jezic asked thinking that such a plan would be unwise.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, its what Meia is trying to do, stir up trouble and use the Alliance to distract us. The military must remained concentrated on its mission.\u00a0\u00a0 The only defense needed is of the palace, we cannot lose it or we could lose the war against the Alliance and that I won\u2019t allow,\u201d Henry replied back.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will Emperor,\u201d Jezic said as the communications ended leaving him conflicted. How could he do both protect the palace and invade the Alliance.\u00a0 He realized he failed to tell the Emperor about the scout ships and started to call back but changed his mind.\u00a0 He hoped the Emperor didn\u2019t find out until after they found something and before anything else could happen.<\/p>\n

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

Meia listened to what Greg said with a sinking heart. It appeared things were even worse than before on the surface of the planet.\u00a0 She had a feeling that many people wanted change yet everyone was afraid of starting the process which would bring it about.\u00a0 Glancing down the table at Randy he seemed to have no ideas either especially considering the fleet couldn\u2019t stay out here forever.\u00a0 She needed to figure out something and fast.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave Ewa and Terry round as many people as possible, and as fast as possible,\u2019 Meia stated hearing his reply that he would before ending the conversation before they stayed on too long. Hans mentioned the Cimalians might be able to get a fix on their position if they stayed on too long.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d Kim said after the communications ended. \u201cThe Cimalian people want change, but no one wants to do anything to promote it.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does when its all you\u2019ve known,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFear of the unknown a big motivator to doing nothing,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we have to figure out how to stop their fear, but what are they afraid of?\u201d Kim asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Alliance and the Emperor,\u201d Meia replied back to her knowing how the people acted having lived as the lowest class. \u201cThey think the Alliance is worse than the Emperor, killing people because they can.\u00a0 Remember, there are years of fear produced by the Emperor on simulated terror attacks and blaming the Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAttacks we haven\u2019t done,\u201d Kim said folding her arms over her chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but they tend to believe the Emperor when there is nothing else to disprove it,\u201d Meia stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cBridge to Admiral White,\u201d the intercom interrupted the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead bridge,\u201d Randy replied as they listened in on what the situation was.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatrols indicate a Cimalian scout ship exiting hyperspace not far from our position.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave they spotted us,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so, the planets are providing a natural shield at the moment. IF they continue to close in our position we might be spotted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, keep an eye on them for now, let me know if anything else changes,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust have gotten a fix on the direction of the communications,\u201d Kim stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we don\u2019t have much time left,\u201d Meia said thinking about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they find the fleet, it will cause a lot of trouble, not just here but back home as well,\u201d Randy said. \u201cThe fleet\u2019s purpose is to remain hidden so to confuse the Cimalians and prevent an invasion.\u00a0 IF they spot us here it could leave the Alliance open to another attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia understood the situation all too well, and both the Alliance and Cimalian Empire were at stake. She was running out of time to face her demons.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould we warn HQ?\u201d Kim asked.<\/p>\n

They looked over at Randy who appeared to think about the question before making any reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, do it, but use the narrow beam, the last thing we need is for the Cimalians to find us before we\u2019re ready,\u201d Randy said. \u201cThough, I think time is starting to run out on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia didn\u2019t say anything, but had a feeling Randy was right, they were running out of time before they were either ready or forced to act.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s time to look at plans for what to do on the surface of the planet, and where we can attack, like the palace,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

Meia waited a few seconds before the schematics of the palace came up on the screen. She could tell this had been taken from space and wondered what type of surprises might occur when they tried their attack.\u00a0 She focused her attention back to Randy when he pointed out a few spots nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think these places might be best for a ground landing with troops, they are close and the shuttle pilots can probably land them there with minimal defensive fire from the ground,\u201c Randy said to them all. \u201cOnce the ground has been secure and the government captured, including the Emperor Meia can head down and take control.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Meia replied causing everyone to look over at her. \u201cI should go with them and lead the forces.\u00a0 Anything else and they might think the Alliance is trying to take over.\u00a0 We\u2019ve done all this to give an illusion it\u2019s not the Alliance, we can\u2019t mess up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She could tell Randy wasn\u2019t pleased with the decision but she had made up her mind, she needed to do this for her sake and everyone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cRandy, I have to do this, there is no other way and be successful, the whole point of the mission,\u201d Meia replied to him, watching as he wanted to argue with her. \u201cI have to be the one to confront my uncle, any other way and this whole plan goes astray.\u00a0 They need to see me down there leading the assault.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked into his eyes for several seconds as everyone else remained quiet watching the war of wills. He blinked and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but I don\u2019t like it, and you\u2019ll take your fighter down,\u201d Randy said surprising her. \u201cAs much as I trust our pilots flying your fighter will give you greater flexibility to reach the planet\u2019s surface, and as you say, if you\u2019re not there this whole thing goes astray.\u00a0 They get a lucky hit on the shuttle and you\u2019re doomed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia decided not to argue that point and Randy had a good point. She could dodge fire easier in the fighter than a shuttle could.\u00a0 She had no idea what the skill of the pilots were flying the shuttle, but he wanted to have more control so she didn\u2019t argue.<\/p>\n

They continued to go over details of the assault, even as a few more joined them, including the leaders of the ground troops. They decided they could send down three or four shuttle of fifty men each in the shuttles in the first wave.\u00a0 They would be responsible for setting up the landing area and making contact with the ground forces from the rebellion.<\/p>\n

Once the groups had joined up reinforcements would be sent down and the assault on the palace could begin. They hoped to gain some information on the palace from the rebellion, or even some of the guards who were supposed to be defecting.<\/p>\n

They decided Meia would remain at the base directing the combat, or making the illusion that she was with the commanders on the scene and rebellion. Meia had no problem with that, she only wanted to be close and visible to those fighting.\u00a0 If they saw her there they would know she wasn\u2019t hiding behind someone else.\u00a0 She had to show she was equal to others if her plan to slowly eliminate the class system was to be successful.<\/p>\n

So much depended on things going well she wondered if they could even succeed.<\/p>\n

End part 23<\/p>\n

Continued in part 24<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion by AJ Marks Part 23 Greg looked at Terry for several seconds after his statement. They both knew it to be the truth.\u00a0 The alphas hadn\u2019t done anything to improve things despite what they might say. \u201cMany don\u2019t want to do anything because they are comfortable with their lives, or holding […]
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