{"id":1974,"date":"2017-05-10T07:15:02","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T12:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1974"},"modified":"2017-05-13T07:26:23","modified_gmt":"2017-05-13T12:26:23","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-rebellion-part-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1974","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion – Part 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 24<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jack went up to the bridge of the Musashi having been summoned by the captain despite the fact he was on the way to the hangar to head to the surface. Jack noticed the bridge crew appeared calm at the moment so there was no invasion going on as he crossed over to the communications console.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis report just came in from HQ for you admiral,\u201d the captain said moving slightly for Jack to see.<\/p>\n

He noticed the message came from Chad making him wonder what had happened now as his aide wouldn\u2019t send anything unless it was necessary. He brought up the message and quickly scanned it though getting a funny feeling in his gut once more.\u00a0 Standing up straight he paused to think before making any orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me Admiral Hayes,\u201d Jack said waiting a few moments before the screen flashed over to show Mark\u2019s face on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral White, what can I do for you?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might have a problem,\u201d Jack said. \u201cThe Strike Fleet might have been spotted, I don\u2019t know much else.\u201d\u00a0 He watched as Mark understood what the message meant.\u00a0 The Cimalians spotting it could mean a lot of things and he briefly considered the idea of recalling the fleet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think the Cimalians\u2019 in invade?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but I think we need to be on the defensive just in case,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cThey know where the fleet is, and perhaps what our defensives are so be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll put the First Fleet on alert status then,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, I\u2019m not sure that\u2019s wise,\u201d Jack said thinking about the situation. \u201cWe put the fleet on alert and that will get the media\u2019s attention and the senators become more aggressive in their push to find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but is there anything else we can really do?\u201d Mark replied back. \u201cThe fleet has to be warned to prevent unneeded casualties, and counter quickly any attack they send our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack ran a hand though his hair as he considered the different possibilities which presented themselves. He had too many variables to consider and not enough information to make a reasonable estimate on a course of action.\u00a0 \u201cGive an alert to strengthen patrols, I\u2019ll alert the Second Fleet as well, but try not to arouse any suspicion of increased activity.\u00a0 We don\u2019t need the media or government snooping around even more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try admiral, but I can\u2019t guarantee anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u2019 Jack replied back before ending the conversation. He turned to the bridge crew, many of whom were listening in before making an announcement.\u00a0 \u201cThat conversation is considered classified at the moment, do not go around talking, it could cost people their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack looked at several crewmembers, many of whom nodded their heads before heading off the bridge with the captain right behind him. He waited until they boarded the elevator before saying anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure about that order admiral,\u201d he said to Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s necessary at the moment,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cIf they find the Strike Fleet and where it is, it could prolong the war even more than it is and jeopardize any lasting peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of people who won\u2019t see it that way, they\u2019ll wonder why we\u2019re not talking with them,\u201d the captain replied back t him.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember when the Cimalian\u2019s invaded, we tried talking then or at least Mark did and the result was they attacked his fleet. Many barely survived,\u201d Jack replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, doesn\u2019t mean I have to like such orders,\u201d the captain replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but that\u2019s the point of war isn\u2019t it,\u201d Jack said back as the elevator reached its destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, just don\u2019t like war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt many actually do,\u201d Jack said as the door opened allowing him to exit and headed to the shuttle.<\/p>\n

He really hoped things settled in the next couple of days allowing him some time to look over all the information he had received lately. Reaching the shuttle with the captain beside him Jack turned to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep the Musashi on alert, I have no idea what might happen in the next couple of days. Keep everything fueled and supplied as we don\u2019t know if you\u2019ll be needed someone within the Alliance rather quickly,\u201d Jack said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will admiral,\u201d the captain said giving him a salute.<\/p>\n

Jack nodded and returned the salute before heading on board the shuttle which would head to the surface. He hoped that the rains had let up for the moment to allow a smoother flight down to the surface.<\/p>\n

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

Randy remained on the bridge of the Akagi knowing he was disrupting the natural flow of the ships activities, but he couldn\u2019t help himself. He wanted to be here in case something happened which needed his attention.\u00a0 The alarm caused everyone to look over waiting to see what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cContact, Cimalian ship heading towards the fleet, thirty seconds,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

Randy felt a sinking feeling at that but knew what to order as things were already set up. \u201cRed alert, inform all ships to open fire the moment it comes in range.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral?\u201d Kim asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDestroy the scout ship, we don\u2019t need the Cimal intelligence to know what the makeup of our force is,\u201d Randy said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cShields up,\u201d Toni ordered.<\/p>\n

Randy looked over to see Hans relaying the message tot eh rest of the fleet and hoped everyone else knew what was at stake here. The alarms sounded and he could imagine the crew racing to their battlestations.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, Rugrats and Blue Royals are asking for launch permission,\u201d Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNegative, tell them to hold, there isn\u2019t time,\u201d Kim replied back.<\/p>\n

\u201cForward plasma beams charged and ready,\u201d Toni said indicating the main heavy weapons of the battle-cruiser.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire when in range,\u201d Randy said giving the order.<\/p>\n

He waited a few seconds until the forward batteries of the ship opened up anad reports of damage started coming in even as the Warspite opened up as well. The Hood and Bismarck were on the other side of the planet and hoped that by dividing his force any scout ship would only see two battle-cruisers, not four.\u00a0 It was a dangerous gamble to keep the enemy the dark over the true size of his force.<\/p>\n

The scout ship suffered damage as it shields quickly failed followed by the first hull breach. Randy wondered if the scout ship was pushing to get more information to send back or if there was something about the scout ship\u2019s design or orders that it didn\u2019t run right away.<\/p>\n

\u201cReactor going critical,\u2019 Aaron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTarget eliminated,\u201d Toni said a few seconds later.<\/p>\n

\u201cNotify Meia and have her meet me in my office right away,\u201d Randy said. He had a feeling they had run out of time now that the Cimalian Empire knew where they were.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic quickly activated the screen as the urgent message came in from one of the scout ships. Scanning through the report he noticed it abruptly ended which could only mean the ship had been destroyed.\u00a0 He looked on seeing that it had found an Alliance fleet and turned to the tactical map to see what the situation was before looking the report ack over.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, two Alliance battle-cruisers located here,\u201d he said to himself pointing to the spot on the screen even as some people on the bridge of the Cimal looked on. \u201cWe know the main Alliance fleets are at Corestar and Pacifica with other ships scattered throughout the Alliance Space.\u00a0 With what we know of those fleets it leave two battle-cruisers unaccounted for as one is at Pacifica acting as a transport for their fleet admiral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmrial, we have a report of one of the battle-cruisers sill in dock,\u201d one of the officers said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the Hood, severely damaged during the invasion,\u201d Jezic stated recalling the report. \u201cHowever, there are conflicting reports about her from the dock.\u00a0 At the moment it makes two unconfirmed, one for sure, that we don\u2019t know where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jazic gave it some thought before deciding to inform the Emperor of this latest bit in intelligence. He would want to know they had found some Alliance ships.\u00a0 Sending off the communications to the Emperor he didn\u2019t have to wait long before the Emperor\u2019s face appeared, looking like he had been awakened, and he realized he called the Emperor in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis had better be good,\u201d Henry said not wasting words.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is sire,\u201d Jezic stated. \u201cI sent two scout ships in the direction of the signal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did what?\u201d Henry replied, now looking awake.<\/p>\n

Jezic took a breath knowing the Emperor\u2019s temper but continued on hoping he\u2019d forgive him. \u201cI ordered to patrol ships to scout in the direction, and one reported back upon finding an Alliance fleet, including two battle-cruisers less than a two hour jump from Cialius.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched the Emperor\u2019s face go from annoyed to thoughtful in a split second.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo battle-cruisers you say?\u201d Henry asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sire,\u201d Jezic answered wondering what the Emperor was thinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre the 2nd<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> CFs in position?\u201d Henry asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are, only waiting orders to begin the operation,\u201d Jezic replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell them to begin at once, and have a portion of the 1st<\/sup> CF deal with the Alliance fleet nearby as well,\u201d Henry said.\u00a0 \u201cBy this time tomorrow we\u2019ll have crushed the military of the Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The screen went dark before Jezic could even start to protest the orders. With a sigh he relayed the message to the rest of the fleet knowing it would take several hours before everything went into motion, but once it did there was nothing he could do to stop it.<\/p>\n

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

Meia knocked on the door to Randy\u2019s office, waiting a few seconds before he granted her permission. He appeared slightly down to Meia causing to wonder what else had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a problem,\u201d Randy said to her. \u201cThe Cimalian military knows we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia froze having expected that after the alert, but it was still a bit of a shock to hear such a thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not ready,\u201d Meia finally said seeing him nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I have to assume they are coming whether we want it or not,\u2019 Randy said. \u201cWe\u2019re expecting a call from Greg in a couple of hours, but we might not have that much time.\u00a0 I think we have to move regardless of how ready they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis could be a disaster,\u201d Meia said frantically trying to think of something they could do. \u201cWe could pull back for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that delay will only allow your uncle to solidify his own plans, and any power he lost in the failed invasion,\u201d Randy replied back to her.<\/p>\n

Meia knew Randy spoke the truth, something she didn\u2019t want to admit. Her uncle now seemed to be forcing the plan forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we don\u2019t have a choice, we should get ready,\u201d Meia stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll call for a meeting between all pilots,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

Meia nodded as she was dismissed and walked out right into John who had been waiting outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s going on?\u201d John asked looking down at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going in ahead of schedule,\u201d Meia replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that wise?\u201d John asked, something she asked herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to go if we want to succeed,\u201d Meia said. \u201cIf my uncle knows we\u2019re here he won\u2019t hesitate to attack us so we\u2019ll have to move fast.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to focus our attack on the palace only, no secondary missions.\u00a0 Anything else might encounter resistance we don\u2019t want or need, and pull resources we need elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this is going to be it then, all or nothing,\u201d John stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, in a couple of hours we\u2019ll know,\u201d Meia said, feeling nervous at that idea. \u201cWe have about two hours before they get here if they moved quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they are at Cimalius, they could be closer as well,\u201d John replied.<\/p>\n

Meia knew John spoke a truth, but at the same time she had her own plans to make.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s go inform the others,\u201d Meia stated, as they headed down the corridor.<\/p>\n

End part 24<\/p>\n

Continued in part 25<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cimalian Princess: Rebellion by AJ Marks Part 24 Jack went up to the bridge of the Musashi having been summoned by the captain despite the fact he was on the way to the hangar to head to the surface. Jack noticed the bridge crew appeared calm at the moment so there was no invasion […]
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