AJ's Stories

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 27

“We have a traitor from the empire here,” Meia heard her duplicate say.

She stood there facing off against her fake, ready for anything when she was attacked. Meia instinctively ducked, normally rolling right back up, but planting her right foot she heard a crack along with shooting pain up and down her leg.  Her right leg buckled causing her to fall to the ground giving her opponent the advantage and a blow to the head left her feeling stunned.

She thought she heard yelling, including Randy saying stop, but she was had to quickly clear her head and managed to avoid a kick only by reflex and training. Lying on her back the attacker had the advantage, and the fact her right ankle was probably broken allowed her to only dodge, barely.

“The emperor will finally be rid of you,” the other Meia stated, starting a killing blow.

Meia heard the words, and knew she could not avoid the blow this time and it would take a miracle for her to survive. Her attacker suddenly stopped, her face changed from one of victory to confusion as the blow never landed.  Instead her attacker slumped down, falling onto her already injured leg causing her cry out. Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 25

Henry looked down at the data pad the enforcer handed him giving him the information he suspected once Meia had managed to escape. She found the rebellion and now appeared intent on escaping from Cimalius, something he figured she would do.  He had no doubt such an escape would prove futile, but he wanted to make sure especially considering he controlled the rebellion, and having her leave only reinforced his grip.

“Typical,” he said reading about how they chose the Gamma transportation station to stage the attack. “Tel Admiral Jezic to send an extra garrison of troops to the Gamma port in sector five in addition to what he’s already sent there.”

“By your will emperor,” the enforcer said bowing, never questioning his order.

Henry watched the man walk out and knew it would only be a matter of time before Meia was back in her cell and this time he wouldn’t allow her the luxuries she had before to escape. This time he would have the building under tighter guard.  He turn seeing a shadow, holding back a curse as a girl appeared in front of him. Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 24

Meia turned at the sound of approaching footsteps to see one of the guards come walking up to where she stood.

“Follow me, the council has made their decision,” he said to her, not sounding very cheerful to her.

She looked over at Carl and Ewa before following the man back into the room where the leaders were. She stood waiting to hear what they had to say, and what decision they had come up with as it would decide what path she took.

“We’ll help, the personal are being asked now,” the person Meia assumed was Dave said slightly shocking her.

“We need to do this quickly then,” Meia replied realizing the longer she stayed in one area the more dangerous it was for both her and those with her.

“I realize that,” Dave replied giving her a glare. “That is why the personal are being gathered now from the people who are here now.  We should be ready to go in about an hour, our people will provide the cover for you and after that it will all be up to you.” Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 23

Meia followed into the basement of the building and took a look around the room. It appeared to be a place which held no importance to anyone looking in, but she took notice of the people in the room.  One person in particular caught her attention, he appeared to be a higher ranking citizen which didn’t surprise her at all, and in fact, expected to see someone like this here.

“So, what do we owe the honor of this visit Carl?” the higher ranking person said. She noticed he looked at Carl, then over at Meia waiting for an explanation of what was going on and she would have to speak up.

“There is more going on than you probably will ever know,” Meia finally said after a few heartbeats and Carl appeared caught off guard.

“If there is so much going on, then perhaps you’ll enlighten us to what is going on,” the man said waving his arms around indicating the rest of the group and dismissing Meia’s comment.

“If you want,” Meia replied looking around the faces of the men and women in the room. “What you know is carefully dictated by the Empire.  I had been drugged for years to make sure I never started to think for myself, or remember my memories.”

“And this helps us how?” the man asked. Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 22

Randy stopped in front of Meia’s door and hesitated for a second before knocking. Finally getting over his insecurity he knocked while hoping she wasn’t in despite feeling slightly silly for thinking such a thought.  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.

“Just a sec,” a voice said from behind the door.

“All right,” Randy replied, now having to calm himself enough to talk to her and not seem like some teenager with their first crush.

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. Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 21

Randy walked onto the bridge of the Akagi taking a look around at the activity going on. Kim had made her way back faster than he had and already seemed to be making preparations for anything they might encounter on the mission.  He nodded in her direction as she looked over at him before heading back out and towards his office mentally going over the mission.

He would be taking the majority of the second fleet, three battle-cruisers, four cruisers and seven destroyers to go with two patrol ships. The Hood had recently finished repairs and now was in the same configuration as the Akagi and the fleet would include the Eagle, the newest ship in the fleet.

Sitting down behind his desk he figured the biggest problem might be communications especially if the government wanted him to open a dialogue with the Cimalian Empire. HE had no idea if such an action would even be possible considering everything he heard about them so far.

A knock on his door made him look up. “Enter!” Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 20

Meia felt herself lifted again going from the table back to the gurney while trying to look around a bit. She spotted Trina looking back at her and her eyes held something strange and then a barely noticeable wink.  There was something in the look and Meia had a feeling she had to figure it out quickly and hoped she had someone on her side for a change.  Perhaps the situation wasn’t as hopeless as she first thought and maybe her escape might be easier.

The guards wheeled her out of the room and she took a moment to study them both. They were the same ones who had taken her out of the cell earlier in the day as her senses sharpened in anticipation of the area she spotted no cameras at, her one opportunity to escape.  The guards appeared unarmed which would help her, in small way, but hinder later on as she wouldn’t be able to secure a weapon.

They made the turn and Meia came to life jumping up and off the gurney surprising both guards.

“What the?” one said before taking a foot to the face spinning around, slamming into the wall and slumping down having been knocked out by the force. Meia spun to face the second guard who appeared stunned into inaction but managed to recover a bit too quickly for Meia’s plan. Continue reading…

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.

“Thanks for staying Randy,” Randy heard Hayes say and he turned towards the admiral waiting. “I think we’re all in agreement on who should be in command of this mission.  We can’t think of anyone with more experience in dealing with the Cimalian than you and your staff, what do you say Admiral?”

Randy looked over the group, not rushing any decisions. No one else said anything, everyone waiting for his answer.  He also knew Hayes was correct, he did know a lot about the Cimalian Empire, probably more than most. Continue reading…

The Cimalian Princess: Clone

by AJ Marks

Part 18

Randy looked across the shuttle at the other passengers on their way up to the Akagi. He felt the bump as the shuttle flew through another storm in the atmosphere of Pacifica while on course to land.  The extreme activity of the planet made it harder on the pilots of the shuttles, but from what Randy heard many enjoyed it.  Randy noticed Yvette’s knuckles were white as she showed stress from the descent.  Looking over at Meia he noticed she had a similar expression for some reason.  He thought it was a bit odd but with everything else going on it almost seemed normal.

“Sorry about that sir,” the pilot said after the shuttle shook a bit more violently than normal. “The weather’s a bit more severe than usual.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Randy yelled back. He had no doubts about the pilot’s ability to get them down before looking over at John, who seemed almost relaxed.  Randy rarely saw his friend with a tense face which is what made him such a good leader of the squadron.

Another slight bump and the engines powered down indicating the shuttle had landed. Yvette appeared relieved and almost jumped out when the doors opened.  He walked outside into the storm they flew through where several people were waiting outside with umbrellas for everyone.  He wondered why they didn’t make a covered area close by the pads but continued on over to where Chad waited for him. Continue reading…