{"id":1938,"date":"2017-04-15T07:15:26","date_gmt":"2017-04-15T12:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1938"},"modified":"2017-04-19T07:31:38","modified_gmt":"2017-04-19T12:31:38","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-rebellion-part-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1938","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion – Part 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 17<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Henry glanced at the man in front of him waiting for the answer to his question. How could such a thing had happened and for three shuttles to land and leave.\u00a0 As usual the person in front of him stammered out some apology and blamed a delta and the military for allowing the ships to land.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe military had their orders directly from me, you had yours. How did she escape the enforcers?\u201d Henry asked waiting to see how Meia could have escaped, or gotten back on the planet without anyone seeing her.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor,\u201d the man said bowing. \u201cI do not know.\u00a0 I had teams in the area right away and only found a few people.\u00a0 Everyone had a valid excuse for being in the area, and none matched the description of the person you described.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd those who didn\u2019t have an excuse?\u201d Henry asked looking at the man who seemed to almost cower in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were brought in for questioning,\u201d the reply came back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I expect a report by the end of the day,\u201d Henry said waving his hand dismissing the man before looking over at the admiral who was waiting patiently until called upon.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor, the Alliance ship used a different tactic this time. It dropped out of hyperspace, launched three shuttle and left without turning around.\u00a0 Ten minutes later it returned picked them up and left.\u00a0 The shuttles were on the ground for less than a few seconds,\u201d Admiral Wambu said.<\/p>\n

Henry took the moment to consider what was said. \u201cThen they will probably do that again when they pick up whoever they dropped off,\u201d Henry said.\u00a0 \u201cI want a new patrol design to counter such a maneuver at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Wambu said pausing. \u201cShould we increase our patrols to look out for this Meia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, capture on sight and is considered extremely dangerous. Do not let her talk at all,\u201d Henry said to him knowing the order was strange but if she managed to talk it might make some listen.\u00a0 That would be dangerous especially if they believed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs she that dangerous?\u201d Wambu asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe weaves a web of lies which people start to believe. She will tell you want you want to hear, make you doubt anything you\u2019re doing,\u201d Henry said watching as Wambu seemed to fail to understand.\u00a0 He was all right with that, as long as he carried out the orders.\u00a0 \u201cOnce she is captured she is to be brought straight to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your command Emperor,\u201d Wambu replied, giving a slight bow.<\/p>\n

Henry watched as the admiral left the room before sitting back in his chair. His niece, Meia, had the worst timing in his opinion to show back up.\u00a0 Of course the only one slightly less annoying had been brandy, the clone he created to be his daughter and heir to the throne.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see things are not going well.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to see Brandy standing in the shadows of the room, an annoying habit she had. She also seemed to always show up when he was thinking about her.\u00a0 Her ability to disappear at will meant he at least had an interesting heir, and something he should have remembered from Meia\u2019s academy days.\u00a0 She was always found in strange areas at night, sneaking around usually undetected.\u00a0 He returned his attention back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing that can\u2019t be fixed, you\u2019re sneaking around,\u201d he said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, if I was you wouldn\u2019t know I was here,\u201d she replied annoyingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I suppose you have an idea?\u201d Henry replied wondering what a five year old could do.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always have ideas, after all you made sure I would,\u201d Brandy answered. \u201cYour obsession with Meia is seems you\u2019ve forgotten something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry waited a few seconds before asking. \u201cAnd what is it that I\u2019ve forgotten?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Alliance, they know where we are, and possibly our fleet make-up. They are extremely dangerous to us,\u201d Brandy said as Henry drummed his fingers on the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you don\u2019t know as much as you think. Our ships are superior to theirs, and with the addition of the carrier, Cimal, we have overwhelming firepower,\u201d Henry replied, a bit annoyed with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stronger force doesn\u2019t always win, nor does the largest,\u201d Brandy said. \u201cThey defeated you once, they can do it again if you underestimate them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry snorted at that statement. \u201cYou worry too much, as I said, I have everything under control.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course father.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched as the left the room but didn\u2019t try to follow her. She would be long gone by now.\u00a0 He slammed his fist on the desk in annoyance at her trying to get him to think something was wrong.\u00a0 He knew what was going on, everything was in his control.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head he turned back to the stack of files filled with information that needed his approval.<\/p>\n

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

Dave made his way back to the Gamma apartment complex one more time, something of a surprise when Greg came back and seemed more distant than before. Something happened over the past day to change the man a bit.\u00a0 He also seemed more determined than ever to start a rebellion in the Empire.\u00a0 Greg had a fire in his eyes which Dave had rarely seen in the time he knew him.<\/p>\n

Now as he approached the apartment complex he felt glad he encountered no enforcer as he really had no excuse for being in this area of the city. He always seemed to be heading to strange areas working for Greg.\u00a0 Only a few times had he actually encountered an enforcer and was able to talk his way out of it.<\/p>\n

The few people out avoided him, probably thinking he was some sort of spy for the Emperor. He reached up and rang the bell and waited for Carl to answer, a bit surprised when a female voice answered instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Dave, I\u2019m here to see Carl,\u201d Dave said waiting a few seconds before he heard a male voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on up,\u201d the voice said and he thought he recognized it. He pulled the door opened as it buzzed and headed up the stairs to the right floor.\u00a0 Knocking on the door he waited glancing around, glad to see no one in the corridor.\u00a0 The door opened and a female stood there, he realized it had to be Carl\u2019s wife, Ewa before stepping into the apartment and spotting Carl.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet in here before someone sees you,\u201d Carl whispered. He walked in and the door closed leaving them all to look at each other.\u00a0 The apartment didn\u2019t look any better the second time, a small kitchen, a table and chairs where Carl sat, the TV on the opposite wall and a door leading to the bedroom and bath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brings you here?\u201d Carl asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have some news you might be interested in,\u201d Dave said. \u201cMy boss met with your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Carl asked after a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe believes her, and thinks the time is now, our only chance at real change,\u201d Dave said. \u201cHe says we need to organize quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou realize any revolt will be crushed by the military,\u201d Ewa said from where she stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m under the impression that our friend will be taking care of the military. She appears to have gathered some forces which can handle the military for a while allowing her to take over,\u201d Dave replied back having heard this part from Greg.\u00a0 He had misgivings about it but Greg seemed to trust this Meia.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeia has a military force?\u201d Ewa asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what type of forces she has, only that she states she has the ability to tie up the military long enough to make a move,\u201d Dave said, watching them both for several seconds. Carl appeared thoughtful.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what does your boss want us to do?\u201d Carl finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone you can trust to help out?\u201d Dave asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe resistance is a joke, I learned that,\u201d Carl said. \u201cIts leaders are controlled by the Emperor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave recalled hearing the same thing from Greg so he wasn\u2019t surprised. \u201cIs there anyone who you might trust?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Frank might be able to help,\u201d Carl said indicating someone Dave didn\u2019t know before continuing. \u201cHe knows more people than I do.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, any idea how long this might take,\u201d Dave asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA day or two, maybe more or less depends on his work schedule,\u201d Carl finally replied.<\/p>\n

Dave nodded wondering how much time they had. Greg had been pushy about getting things done quickly.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, we\u2019ll need to set up a way to contact you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn upper class citizen among the lower ranks will stand out, especially if you continue coming around,\u201d Carl said, something Dave understood. \u201cI\u2019ll try and find out quickly.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come to you when things are set up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll work on a better communications system to limit contact,\u201d Dave said, wondering if Greg had any ideas about that. He bid them good luck and headed back out for one more mission, this one he wasn\u2019t looking forward to.<\/p>\n

He was to meet with their mysterious contact, the one who loved to talk in riddles and seemed to give no information or answers. At least he thought so, Greg seemed to be able to figure it out.<\/p>\n

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

Dave finally arrived at the meeting place after talking with Carl, wondering how many times this week he\u2019d have to come here. The last couple of times he had been met with silence, now a few days after meeting with Carl he was here again, hoping the contact would be there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been waiting for you,\u201d the voice said, causing Dave to turn around but could see no one. He knew if he tried to close the distance the stranger would only disappear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have information for you as well, hopefully you have something for us as well,\u201d Dave said trying to be vague back to the voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me guess, Meia thinks her time is now, right?\u201d the voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we think its our time. Time to make a better life for ourselves,\u201d Dave replied back wondering how the person would reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting phrase,\u201d the voice replied back to him. \u201cYou realize such actions will always have unforeseen consequences which could be even worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drave frowned at that wondering if the person had some sort of crystal ball giving them a glimpse of the future, or where they got their information. He refocused back on the task he had.\u00a0 \u201cYou have any useful information or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Emperor is consumed with Meia, making him blind to other aspects of this current war, not just the resistance but the Alliance as well,\u201d the voice said back to him. \u201cThat can be used to your advantage, a weakness he has allowed to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave nodded thinking about what he know about Meia. The fact the Emperor was so consumed with her only reinforced the fact she was the true Empress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an idea which might help confuse the military, and help out Meia when the time comes for the assault on the palace. It will also help her to get in close,\u201d the voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAssaulting the palace?\u201d Dave said, not sure he wanted to do that, but it was something which was probably a necessity for ending this rebellion.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Meia will understand that,\u201d the voice said. \u201cTell her that I\u2019ll be in touch when things are in place at the palace for the assault, after all, take the Emperor and you win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave considered that. The voice seemed so sure about it but he felt unsure about it all.\u00a0 He thought about it for a few seconds before making any reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give him the information,\u201d he said, only to receive nothing back. He waited a few seconds before realizing that either the mysterious person wasn\u2019t going to say anything else, or they had left.<\/p>\n

Not wishing to stand around by himself he left the area heading back to report back into Greg and let him think about what to do next. Things were getting way too complex.<\/p>\n

End part 17<\/p>\n

Continued in part 18<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion by AJ Marks Part 17 Henry glanced at the man in front of him waiting for the answer to his question. How could such a thing had happened and for three shuttles to land and leave.\u00a0 As usual the person in front of him stammered out some apology and blamed a […]
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