{"id":273,"date":"2015-07-07T12:39:10","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=273"},"modified":"2015-07-07T12:40:53","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:40:53","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-invasion-ch-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=273","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Invasion – Ch 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Invasion<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

Chapter 24<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack stood in the middle of the command center. The press conference had gone even better than he\u2019d hoped. Many in the press at first had been skeptical, then when the governor of Hesslius came on in support the press really started asking more serious questions about who and what the military had done. He\u2019d been able to finally tall his story, and how the military had tried to help but was hampered by the government.<\/p>\n

The news had spread quickly over the galactic internet causing a sensation across the Alliance. Jack had the feeling that many in the government would be under pressure to explain their actions and staunch disbelief of why there was an attack. He also was waiting for something.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, incoming message from Corestar, the President,\u201d Chad said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe call I\u2019ve expected,\u201d Jack said. \u201cPut it though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, what\u2019s gotten into you,\u201d Eric said. \u201cThe communications grid here is almost down because of you and the press conference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen people finally know the truth about what\u2019s going on,\u201d Jack said. \u201cOr don\u2019t the citizens of Vernada, Sierra, or Hesslius matter to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s hitting below the belt admiral. Beside you do realize that the Constrict party has all but collapsed now,\u201d Eric told him.<\/p>\n

Jack thought about that for a second. If one of the major parties had collapsed then perhaps the truth had finally gotten out.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps they couldn\u2019t handle the questions sir,\u201d Jack finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do realize the government could be next,\u201d Eric said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t you do something, like start listening to what\u2019s going on, instead of party leaders who might actually be Cimalian spies,\u201d Jack said. The thought had been in his mind for a while, but he finally voiced it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean,\u201d Eric asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you that blind? Think about it, a political group that wants to dismantle the military, the one institution that can defend the Alliance from an invasion. Then an attack occurs and they blame it on the military. Perhaps they planned this a long time ago. What do we know about some of their backgrounds,\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

He watched as the President opened his mouth then closed it in thought. The screen went abruptly blank.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s different,\u201d Jack said. He hoped that he\u2019d finally gotten though to the government leaders.<\/p>\n

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

Meia paced on the bridge as the low rumble of the engines provided background noise on the silent bridge. An atmosphere of uncertainty hung around everyone as the seconds ticked by. She wondered how things were going on board the ships.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, a few ships have left,\u201d Yvette\u2019s voice said breaking the silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh, I\u2019m not sure if I should be encouraged or discouraged by that,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just means the lower classes lost the battle on those ships,\u201d Meia replied. She didn\u2019t see any other reason why the ships would have left. Perhaps those on board who survived would take the word to Cimalius.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, my mother wanted to know when you\u2019re coming back,\u201d Randy said. That threw Meia off guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d was about all she could muster.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother, she knew that you were a Cimalian, and still wants to know when you\u2019re coming back,\u201d Randy said. \u201cSo don\u2019t make me have to tell her that you won\u2019t be coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d ever understand this Alliance society. They readily accepted others, even the enemy. Her thoughts turned to her own mother feeling that she\u2019d accept Randy as much as Randy\u2019s mother accepted her.<\/p>\n

\u201cReactor critical on an enemy ship,\u201d Yvette said quickly.<\/p>\n

Meia glanced down with Randy at the scanner as one of the cruisers indicated a critical reactor. Seconds later it vanished from the screen. More life had been lost all to regain some illusion of power that the Cimal family had at one time over the Alliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re getting a message from the nearby battle-cruiser,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hear it,\u201d Randy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Hecus to Meia, are you still there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia glanced around looking for some way to answer. Randy quickly told her to just talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here Hecus,\u201d Meia finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral Jezic has command of the bridge, we need some help over here,\u201d Hecus said.<\/p>\n

Meia thought about it for a few seconds before finally replying. \u201cI\u2019m coming over then. How\u2019s the hangar?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hold the hangers, land in your normal one, we\u2019ll be waiting,\u201d Hecus said.<\/p>\n

Meia turned to head off the bridge when Randy stopped her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is dangerous,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to,\u201d Meia replied. A confrontation with Jezic would be the only way to end this battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019m going as well,\u201d Randy said surprising her. \u201cGet a detail together quickly and have them meet me at the hangar now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Jezic couldn\u2019t believe what had happened so quickly. All fighting the enemy had stopped and his fleet, the greatest ever assembled in Cimalian history sat immobile because of some woman. All his dreams faded away. Even now his own bridge crew seemed to be standing against him. The captain stood next to him where the man should be.<\/p>\n

On the deck, four crew members lay slain by Jezic himself. Glancing around he noticing that the others hadn\u2019t moved. He might still be able to win this war if things changed now.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you want to mutiny, is that it,\u201d Jezic asked. He glared around at the rest of the group. Many wouldn\u2019t even make eye contact with him. \u201cYou\u2019re all weak fools who can\u2019t see what\u2019s really happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what is,\u201d a voice said across the bridge. Jezic recognized the voice turning towards the entrance to the bridge. \u201cThe traitor returns.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Meia stood at the entrance to the bridge staring over at Jezic. This battle would be different than the one against the senator, or even Olin. Jezic might have aged a bit but he had always kept himself in shape, and she knew the man had been in the special forces. She heard him accuse her of being a traitor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s the traitor, me or someone who\u2019s trying to kill me,\u201d Meia said. She walked onto the bridge keeping an eye on Jezic and the weapon he held.<\/p>\n

Behind her Hecus, Randy and others came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you need reinforcements to deal with me,\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you are to obey, that all,\u201d Meia said. \u201cCimalian society demands it, doesn\u2019t it, or are you defending something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia noticed Jezic bringing up his weapon. She started moving already when a solid body slammed into hers knocking her usual balance off. She thought she heard two different shot ring out as she saw Jezic\u2019s weapon fire.<\/p>\n

Time seemed to slow down as she fell sideways bracing herself for the sting of a weapon\u2019s fire that didn\u2019t come as she hit the deck of the bridge. A heavy weight on top of her indicated that probably Randy had tackled her. Turning her head a bit she noticed a bald head and two brown eyes staring at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHecus!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t let you die,\u201d he whispered. She felt him slump again as his eyes closed.<\/p>\n

Then people were helping her out from under Hecus as she glanced over at Jezic. He still stood but with a look of shock in his face. He had dropped the weapon but seemed to be staring at someone else. She looked behind her to see Randy standing there with his own weapon.<\/p>\n

She and Randy made eye contact and she understood what he\u2019d done. Turning back to Jezic she watched as he fell to his knees. She turned to the captain who appeared stunned. Then before anyone could stop him ran off the bridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will never win, you are weak,\u201d she heard Jezic\u2019s voice say. Turning back around she noticed where he was. The bridge crew also seemed to notice as one tried to tackle him.<\/p>\n

The bridge alarm went off causing them all to freeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it that\u2019s not good,\u201d Randy said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelf-destruct,\u201d Meia replied. \u201cEveryone abandon ship, now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia stood waiting for everyone to leave but found herself picked up by Randy and out the door before she could protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cRandy, what are you doing,\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking sure you get out. They\u2019ll need you more than ever after this,\u201d Randy replied to her.<\/p>\n

Meia realized he was right about that as they made their way to the hanger.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, what\u2019s going on,\u201d John said in the hanger. People were looking around confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelf-destruct,\u201d Randy replied.<\/p>\n

Meia watched as John suddenly ordered everyone into the shuttle.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo they have escape pods,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly for the upper class,\u201d Meia said. \u201cThe rest wouldn\u2019t know what this was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice,\u201d Randy replied. \u201cWe can\u2019t fit everyone into the shuttle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia had already understood that. Looking across the deck she noticed something.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cCaptain, reactor of the Kitakim going critical,\u201d Yvette said to Kim.<\/p>\n

Kim looked onto the screen showing the visual of the ship. On the screen the ship looked normal but she understood that looks could be deceiving.<\/p>\n

\u201cScanners indicate a few escape pods launching,\u201d Yvette relayed to Kim.<\/p>\n

Kim glanced down at her own scanner watching the build up in power. \u201cAny word from the admiral or boarding party?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNegative captain,\u201d Hans replied.<\/p>\n

Kim hoped that Randy knew what was going on. There was little else she could do at the moment. \u201cPull back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPull back, we don\u2019t want to be caught in the explosion,\u201d Kim replied. The Akagi was already damaged from the battle the ship didn\u2019t need any other unnecessary damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir!\u201d<\/p>\n

The engines of the Akagi roared to life pushing the large war weary ship though space away from the doomed ship. Kim looked over at Hans hoping that the admiral had reported in. The slight shake of his head indicated that he hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The view screen lit up as the battle-cruiser exploded in a flash of flame and debris. Kim reacted in a bit of shock at what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what captain,\u201d Yvette said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like I\u2019ve been promoted,\u201d Kim said flatly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncoming message,\u201d Hans said. \u201cIt\u2019s the shuttle!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim breathed a sigh of relief, and then went over to the communicator. \u201cAdmiral Randy, if you ever do that again there\u2019s going to be an entire bridge crew that\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to know you care,\u201d Randy\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got two shuttles on the scanner,\u201d Yvette said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be Meia piloting the other shuttle,\u201d Randy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo everyone\u2019s all right,\u201d Kim asked.<\/p>\n

There was a slight pause before Randy answered. \u201cNot everyone. A lot of people died in that explosion, I\u2019ll tell you later, but have a guard detail waiting in the hanger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim wondered what Randy meant by that, but would have to wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncoming call from HQ,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

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

Randy watched as John landed the very crowded shuttle onto the landing bay of the Akagi. Behind him a silent group of mechanics from the hanger had crowded into the shuttle. Meia being able to pilot the other shuttle had allowed them to take everyone in the hanger, including a couple of pilots.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, everyone out, welcome aboard the Alliance ship Akagi,\u201d Randy said to the group.<\/p>\n

It took a few minutes before Randy was able to exit the shuttle. He heard that Meia had landed on the other hanger. He glanced around the hanger noticing the guards uneasy look about the new people.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor now keep them restricted to a small area on the hanger, I\u2019ll see about finding a place to take them,\u201d Randy said to the head guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well admiral, your wanted on the bridge though,\u201d he said to him.<\/p>\n

Randy had been expecting a call from HQ lately. Especially after everything that had happened, even he wasn\u2019t too sure about it all. He left John in charge of the hangers then went to the bridge.<\/p>\n

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

Meia glanced around at the group she\u2019d been able to save. Most were lower class citizens, a few higher classes, pilots that she recognized. They refused to look back at her. That suited her just fine. She really didn\u2019t have much to say to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it true,\u201d one finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d another person replied. Meia had seen him on the bridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father was Boris Cimal,\u201d Meia said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen your the rightful ruler,\u201d one of the pilots said. \u201cI don\u2019t understand, if you\u2019re his daughter then why were you not told?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia thought about that for a few seconds. It had been one question she wasn\u2019t able to answer. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she finally replied.<\/p>\n

Meia turned and walked off the hanger needing some time alone to think about the new position she found herself in. She walked towards the bridge where she hoped to find Randy.<\/p>\n

Walking onto the bridge she saw Randy standing there talking on the communicator. She heard part of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the situation then,\u201d Randy\u2019s dad asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what we gathered there\u2019s been a power struggle in the Cimalian fleet. They\u2019re just sitting there, a few have exploded and a few have left, but I don\u2019t know,\u201d Randy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time to open communications then,\u201d Meia said walking over. \u201cLet them know that help available, that I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it might work,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a plan on how to treat them?\u201d Randy\u2019s dad said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll obey me, many already know about who I am,\u201d Meia said. \u201cI think many will accept the Alliance society quickly. Any Betas or Alphas you will have problems with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we need to find out their classes,\u201d Randy said. \u201cI can have the guards start, separate them by their classes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, any Beta or Alpha won\u2019t want to be in the same cell as a Gamma or Epsilon,\u201d Meia said. She understood their proud nature wouldn\u2019t allow such a perceived insult to their status.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncoming message from one of the Cimalian ships,\u201d Hans said interrupting the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGotta go dad, might be new information,\u201d Randy said. Meia watched as the screen went black for the audio only message.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Delta class citizen Lieutenant Gravis,\u201d the voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlpha Supreme flight leader Meia,\u201d she replied formal. It sounded strange to her using that designation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am, the captain is dead, we averted the self destruct but our engines are badly damaged. The air processors have stopped working. Many of our maintenance crew are dead or wounded,\u201d Gravis replied.<\/p>\n

Meia glanced at Randy as they both understood the situation if the air processors had stopped. A build-up of carbon-dioxide or worse could bring asphyxiation to the entire crew quickly. She watched as Randy flipped a switch.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, you there,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, what\u2019s wrong,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink you and a couple of mechanics can take a trip to one of the Cimalian ships,\u201d Randy said. \u201cTheir air processors have failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to get shot,\u201d Ben replied serious.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see the little one is up there, all right I think I can round up a few,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk a few of the lower classes citizens on the hanger. Some might be able to help even more,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do, anything else admiral,\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at the moment, Lieutenant, is there any supplies you might need?\u201d Randy asked the Cimalian.<\/p>\n

\u201cI-I don\u2019t know,\u201d he replied. Meia could hear the uneasiness in the man\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cLieutenant, I think you actions have shown you are the captain of the ship, you now are a captain,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cB-b-but, I\u2019m just a d-delta class citizen,\u201d Gravis stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I think you can be a captain, now get your ship together,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can send shuttles to help evacuate the ship to help with eh air supply until it\u2019s repaired,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might help,\u201d Gravis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen prepare your landing bays. Have those less critical waiting to be picked up,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

The conversation ended leaving Meia feeling better about what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few more ships have left admiral,\u201d Yvette said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCount,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill here, one battle-cruiser, a cruiser, and six destroyers,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

Meia almost turned to leave the bridge when another call came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should stay here,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I should,\u201d Meia replied turning to the communicator for the next call.<\/p>\n

End part 24<\/p>\n

Finished in the Conclusion<\/a><\/p>\n

Comment below or send to AJMarks01@aol.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Invasion by AJ Marks Chapter 24 Jack stood in the middle of the command center. The press conference had gone even better than he\u2019d hoped. Many in the press at first had been skeptical, then when the governor of Hesslius came on in support the press really started asking more serious questions […]
Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[3,25,26,28,27,5,12],"class_list":["post-273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-original","tag-aj-marks","tag-cimalian","tag-invasion","tag-original","tag-princess","tag-sci-fi","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=273"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":288,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions\/288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}