{"id":248,"date":"2015-07-06T12:42:37","date_gmt":"2015-07-06T12:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=248"},"modified":"2015-07-06T12:44:41","modified_gmt":"2015-07-06T12:44:41","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-invasion-ch17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=248","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Invasion – Ch17"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Chapter 17<\/span><\/p>\n

Meia allowed herself to be led away from the hangar. She still had a feeling of being alive after flying, the adrenaline rush it provided. The missiles had been a challenge to her unlike anything else. The targeting computer hadn\u2019t locked on due to a coating of the missile and the substance of the warhead itself which created a slight field of interference around it making it hard for a computer to lock onto it.<\/p>\n

She understood one of the questions that Randy would have would be how, the other why. She didn\u2019t know if she fully understood why yet, only that the Cimalian Empire didn\u2019t deserve to rule the universe. She was sure now they\u2019d killed her mother and all of her anger towards the Alliance had been misplaced for so many years. She also wanted to know a bit more about this drug the doctor had found in her system.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre all Cimalian pilots trained the same,\u201d John asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just certain levels,\u201d Meia said. She recognized that John had fought two green haired pilots based on the skill and training of the pilots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat level did I fight,\u201d John asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably two green, one level below me,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how many like you are there,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA half-dozen or so,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

They got off the elevator walked in silence towards Randy\u2019s office. Randy opened the door allowing John and Meia in. She walked around the office looking at the knickknacks spread around the office. One caught her attention. It appeared to be a figurine of a person. She gently picked it up to look at it. The man appeared to be holding a sword but in modern warfare that made no sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, that\u2019s Admiral Jelezine, of the Second pirate war. He was a bit eccentric with the sword, always had it with him,\u201d Randy said. \u201cHave a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia sat down waiting for the first question to come. She wondered which question he\u2019d ask first.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the first question is how you managed to bypass security of the fighter,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you reach the level I do you are taught some Alliance codes,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to escape,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that you\u2019re elite, probably very high, how many levels of pilots are there,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix, all pilots start with black hair, then brown, blonde, red, green then last blue. Many never make it past brown, or blonde. When they found out I had fast reflexes during my testing they determined I\u2019d be a fighter pilot. Everything in the Cimalian Empire is what they want, where they think you should go, should learn, should be taught. They never ask what you want,\u201d Meia said. She\u2019d understood that at a young age, but had accepted it because of the lie of her mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter each process they alter your hair,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, in a ceremony you are promoted,\u201d Meia said. \u201cThere\u2019s little politics involved in such things. Only when you are given command of a starship does politics become involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll admit, that sounds familiar,\u201d Randy said. \u201cCaptains have to deal with politics even in the Alliance. But we can choose what we want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy to do if you\u2019re a high-class, but a lower class, it\u2019s almost impossible to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClasses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are six classes in Cimalian society,\u201d Meia said. She fiddled with the figurine a bit before answering. \u201cIn order they are, Alpha Superior, Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma and Epsilon. An Epsilon has no chance to become anything. They are considered the lowest part of society and not worth the time educating. Many are used in the ground forces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe group most likely to be killed,\u201d Randy said. Meia nodded her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few make it out, but it\u2019s never easy,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll that makes sense, but why did you decide to help,\u201d Randy finally asked.<\/p>\n

Meia glanced down noticing the grey carpet in the office for a second before answering.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a combination things that are very personal to me,\u201d Meia said. \u201cAnd things that I\u2019ve learned. That and on the bridge I overheard you disobey a superior,\u201d she pointed at John. \u201cIf I\u2019d tried that I\u2019d have been punished, even if what I did won the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t sound nice,\u201d John said. \u201cI\u2019d have probably been tried for treason already then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia saw the twin smiles on the two men as they shared a similar thought. There had to be a story there but it\u2019d have to wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, my main two questions have been answered,\u201d Randy said. \u201cI\u2019ll let you get some rest then,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

Meia stood up and allowed Randy to open the door for her to leave. Deciding to head to her quarters for a small nap she wondered where her future was going. It seemed to be her decision, yet the universe it seemed had already made up its mind about her.<\/p>\n

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

Randy looked over at John as he closed the door to the office. They\u2019d been given quite a bit of information about the Cimalian society. He was sure he didn\u2019t like it too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll that sounds like a very controlling society,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes explain a bit though,\u201d Randy said thinking about it for a while. \u201cI\u2019d learned some of that but not all of that. And I think we determined how good she really is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d John said. \u201cI think we can trust her. She\u2019s earned my trust,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Randy said not saying anything else. He was wondering where he\u2019d turned from trying for her trust to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur losses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA cruiser and a destroyer along with the men and women of those ships. I\u2019m waiting on the report from the Warspite,\u201d Randy said leaning back in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d have been worse it Meia hadn\u2019t shown up,\u201d John said. \u201cShe took out at least six missiles by herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you say,\u201d Randy replied. \u201cNo, she doesn\u2019t worry me, or her being part of the ship. No what worries me is our own government. I didn\u2019t even try and talk with them before engaging, which disobeys a direct order from the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, they haven\u2019t exactly tried talking either Randy,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, and they still think the military is behind that,\u201d Randy said suddenly smiling a bit. \u201cBut I have a feeling that will change soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne name, Amy Barnes,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yeah, she\u2019ll tell it like it is,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do you think of Meia,\u201d Randy said changing the subject again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d John replied confused. Randy watched John\u2019s face as he thought about it for a second. \u201cWell, she\u2019s a great pilot, knowledgeable and seems to be on our side. She\u2019s earned my trust so I\u2019d have to say I like her so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, she\u2019s about to join your squad then,\u201d Randy said watching as John\u2019s eyebrows rose to his hairline.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure about that,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just said you trusted her, she\u2019s earned my trust and I think she needs a place to fit in, and to grow,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople will question this wisdom, especially with other prisoners,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s part of this, if they\u2019ve been trained so much then we need to show them that things can be different, they have a choice. That also reminds me,\u201d Randy quickly called up to the bridge getting Yvette on the line. \u201cTell Commander Jorkins to change security procedure at once. Keep it rotating and random to keep them from trying anything,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes admiral,\u201d Yvette replied. Her voice a bit confused but he knew she\u2019d carry out the order. Randy turned back to John to wait for his answer again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take her, as we\u2019re low on pilots,\u201d John said. \u201cWe might have some explaining to do, and some hard feeling to smooth over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust say she\u2019s special and on our side,\u201d Randy said. \u201cOr perhaps I should be there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might help,\u201d John said glancing at the time. \u201cWell, I\u2019ve got a report to file. I\u2019ll go see what our losses were then talk to Meia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea, if I tell her she might think something else,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, that\u2019s why I volunteered to do it,\u201d John said heading to the door.<\/p>\n

Randy watched his friend leave then wondered if he really was that transparent. He did have feeling for Meia, but he thought he\u2019d kept it under control. Perhaps she hadn\u2019t noticed yet.<\/p>\n

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

Jack walked into the command center with the ever-present Chad right beside him. He wondered again when the young man got any sleep. He waited to hear what had happened while he\u2019d been out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe President asked for you to call him admiral,\u201d Chad said. \u201cWe also received another message from the Strike Fleet, the mission to Serria was a success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLosses?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cruiser Hannover, and the destroyer Squid were lost. The battle-cruiser Warspite took some damage but no battle-cruisers were lost,\u201d Chad replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood news then,\u201d Jack said. The fleet couldn\u2019t afford to lose one battle-cruiser every fight. It\u2019d be a short war if that happened. \u201cAnything else from Serria?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe governor wants to talk to you as well,\u201d Chad said.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u201dGoodie, more politics,\u201d Jack mumbled. He walked into his office sitting down knowing the conversation that would be coming. \u201cChad, go on ahead and get the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched Chad leave and seconds later the President\u2019s face appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral White, it\u2019s about time you got back,\u201d Eric said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister President, we\u2019ve been a bit busy lately,\u201d Jack replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, you\u2019ve been busy ignoring my orders,\u201d Eric said in a huff. \u201cI told you not to take any more actions. You are jeopardizing the stability of the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cimalians attacked us first, or are you still on the theory that the military is behind this,\u201d Jack asked. \u201cAnd what of the Second Fleet destroyed? Was that a figment of my imagination?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re walking a fine line admiral,\u201d Eric said. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand the political pressure the government is under. I fear some of the groups might try to overthrow the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd which groups might that be,\u201d a female voice said. \u201cLet me guess, the Constrict groups, and I thought they didn\u2019t want violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack leaned back a bit as Amy Barnes pulled up a chair next to Jack. He wondered what the President would say about that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell sir,\u201d Amy demanded again not backing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung lady, I suggest you back down, and eavesdropping on official conversations without consent is illegal,\u201d Eric said.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, she has my permission,\u201d Jack piped in.<\/p>\n

Eric\u2019s face showed a bit of anger but the man managed to control it a bit before resuming his talk. \u201cWhat would your father think if this became public?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d be grateful I was alive, I was on Vernada when the attack happened. You might be saying the military is behind this, but they aren\u2019t,\u201d Amy said. \u201cOf course how could they, you\u2019ve been too busy trying to dismantle the military.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you should consider backing down Miss Barnes, for your father\u2019s career,\u201d Eric said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr else what, you\u2019ll publish something about him,\u201d Amy said. She waved a small data recorder in front of the screen. \u201cGo ahead, and I\u2019ll publish this conversation. Let\u2019s see who the people trust more Mr. President. If you want a challenge then go on ahead, otherwise pull your small extremist mind out of your butt and get your ass behind this war on the Cimalians, because that\u2019s what it is, a war and they\u2019ve started it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack watched as Amy ended the conversation. He was a bit stunned that someone would say that. Looking over he noticed that Amy continued to fume over what she\u2019d heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose no good, lying, two-faced, son of a Neanderthal,\u201d she spat out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that was different,\u201d Jack mused.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, the governor of Serria is on the line,\u201d Chad said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut him though,\u201d Jack replied. He could hear Amy pacing and he wondered if she should be walking that much after the injuries she\u2019d suffered not long ago. The screen came to live showing a middle-aged man with blonde hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernor, what can I do for you today,\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sending my thanks to you and the military for what you\u2019ve done admiral,\u201d the man said. \u201cHas the government changed their position yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny you should mention that, I just got off the line with the President. He was scolding me for taking an offensive action, though I think its more the Constrict party putting pressure on this,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot the people of the constrict party, but their leadership. I was pressured by them early on until Serria was invaded. But I almost have a feeling they want us to lose this war,\u201d the governor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen perhaps its time to start fighting back,\u201d Amy\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Miss Barnes,\u201d the governor said. \u201cWhat do you propose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to Corestar,\u201d she said. \u201cI think its time someone stood up to the Constrict leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat could get dangerous,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I think Senator Pappas was onto something, or found something. I\u2019m a lot more vocal and someone coming after me would only raise more questions,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does this sound like the government is ripping apart at the seams,\u201d the governor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think its a few who are doing everything from what I\u2019ve heard. Would I have your support,\u201d Amy asked the governor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, because its time to push back,\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Jack was glad the woman appeared to be on his side. He didn\u2019t think he wanted to tangle with her politically right now.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic watched as the attack on New Zeus went according to plan. Losses were light as the large fleet that had been there had not been there when he arrived. He sent a report back to High Command about that and let the intelligence office handle that. Of course that mean the real reason for attacking this planet had become invalid.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, incoming message from High Command,\u201d Diern said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it though,\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, there is anew development that requires your attention at once. The 1st CF was attacked and the Paintali was destroyed killing Admiral Ordex, you are being promoted to High Admiral. You are to join up with the remaining units of the 1st CF and destroy the fleet at Serria.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd New Zeus,\u201d Jezic asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s of no importance, destroy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh Command expect minimal losses admiral, don\u2019t disappoint us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will,\u201d Jezic said. He turned to his crew after the communications went dead to relay the command.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, the fleet is standing by,\u201d Diern said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, all ships open fire, orbital bombardment, once that\u2019s finished have Olin report to my office and head to Corrius to meet up with the other ships,\u201d Jezic said. He turned and walked off the bridge. He would exact revenge against the Alliance of that he was certain.<\/p>\n

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

Meia looked up at the ceiling of the darken quarters. Sleep seemed to be avoiding her at the moment. Every time she closed her eyes a vision of a man appeared, but she wasn\u2019t sure where she\u2019d seen the man. A part of her had the feeling she knew the man, but couldn\u2019t place him. She didn\u2019t think he was one of the ones who came to take her from her mother.<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes she tried concentrating on where she might have met the man. He wasn\u2019t a commander, or at least she hadn\u2019t seen him around any command areas. Perhaps he was a friend of her mother\u2019s? Her own gut reply to that question confused her, as one both yes, and no. He was both a friend and an enemy, how could that be?<\/p>\n

She thought about other places, or events she might have meet the man. Various ceremonies over the years seemed to blur together in her mind. There was the graduating ceremony that happens for everyone, as well as for newly commissioned officers. There she had several rank ceremonies as she moved up the pilots rankings.<\/p>\n

Her blue hair ceremony caused her to pause a bit. During that ceremony there had been a dozen or so Alpha Superior class citizens. None of them talked to her but their appearance at the ceremony caused her a moment\u2019s pause.<\/p>\n

One person, a male, caught her memory. He\u2019d been in the shadows, out of her vision but he had the same body type of her dreams. She knew this man, or at least she thought she did.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was a conditioning of the drugs she\u2019d been given, but that brought up another question, why had they drugged her. She had an idea as to why but no one to help her out to answer her questions.<\/p>\n

Finally as exhaustion overtook her she fell asleep.<\/p>\n

End Chapter 17<\/p>\n

Continued in Chapter 18<\/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 17 Meia allowed herself to be led away from the hangar. She still had a feeling of being alive after flying, the adrenaline rush it provided. The missiles had been a challenge to her unlike anything else. The targeting computer hadn\u2019t locked on due to a coating […]
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