{"id":254,"date":"2015-07-06T12:46:42","date_gmt":"2015-07-06T12:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=254"},"modified":"2015-07-07T12:35:09","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:35:09","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-invasion-ch-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=254","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Invasion – Ch 20"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Chapter 20<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack walked quickly into the cafeteria looking for the one person he hoped would be able to help him. Scanning the tables he noticed her talking with one of his staff. Even from here he could tell she was playing the injured person routine, and the staff member seemed to be buying it. Shaking his head he walked over to where they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cAhem,\u201d he said interrupting them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d Amy said looking over at him. \u201cAny news?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might say that,\u201d Jack said looking over at Amy\u2019s companion. He noticed as Amy got the tone and look.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to you later then,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCount on it,\u201d the reply came.<\/p>\n

Jack looked on as Amy watched the woman walk away before turning back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, what happened,\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about the fact that Senator Agnes has actually been working for the Cimalians all along,\u201d Jack said to her. He watched as her face showed shock at the news then thought about it for a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at first, I\u2019d say shocked, but now, not so much,\u201d Amy said. \u201cIt explains a lot though. How\u2019d you find out about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack relayed an abbreviated version of the story to her allowing her time to think. After he\u2019d finished he had a feeling that she\u2019d thought of something that might be useful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I should tell my father first,\u201d Amy said. \u201cWe don\u2019t get along very well but I know I can trust him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack nodded his head wishing that Greg was still alive for this. He\u2019d have enjoyed taking down the senator a lot. Another thought came to him wondering if the senator had anything to do with Greg\u2019s death. Getting his attention back to Amy he realized he\u2019d have to get something set up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get Chad to get the senator for you then,\u201d Jack said reaching for his communicator.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything else I should know about,\u201d Amy asked.<\/p>\n

Jack thought about that but couldn\u2019t think of anything else and shook his head. He then continued activating the communicator.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d Chad\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet Senator Barnes on the line, we need to talk to him,\u201d Jack said. He waited for the reply then put the communicator back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only sticking point I can see is this Meia. You said you met her,\u201d Amy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, nice kid,\u201d Jack said. \u201cShe sticks out though, blue hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, and Senator Agnes is locked up on the brig on the Akagi,\u201d she said as Jack nodded his head yes. \u201cYou know, I think I\u2019m going to enjoy this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, the senator\u2019s office said he\u2019ll be out of a meeting and to call back in twenty minutes,\u201d Chad\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Chad,\u201d Jack replied looking over at Amy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should be just enough time then,\u201d Amy said. Jack watched as Amy watched another person walk by. He could see that her reputation hadn\u2019t been exaggerated.<\/p>\n

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

Meia flopped down on her bed still trying to understand everything she\u2019d learned. Her father had been Boris Cimal, an Alpha Supreme. She had learned from her mother that her father had been a loving, caring man. That description differed from most in the Cimal family. They were ruthless, uncaring about others and felt that they were almost gods and should be worshipped by the rest of the people. And Admiral Jezic had killed her mother and then they had lied about it to her. For years she harbored a wasted hate on the Alliance when they didn\u2019t even know about the Cimalian Empire.<\/p>\n

The door chimed interrupting her thoughts. Part of her didn\u2019t want a guest, but another part of her wanted to talk to someone. \u201cCome in,\u201d she finally said as the door opened allowing John to walk in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how are you,\u201d John asked. Meia watched as he walked in and sat down at the table across from the bed. \u201cRandy\u2019s worried about you but couldn\u2019t get away, so he asked me to come by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been handed an enemy of high class, though it appears not as high as me,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand that,\u201d John said. \u201cThose classes, Epsilon, alpha and all of them what do they mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Alpha supreme citizens are descendents of Charles Cimal, the first ruler of the Cimalian Empire. When your born you take the class of your father unless you\u2019re an Alpha Supreme, which takes precedence. Alphas are the ruling class, making up the rest of the government, high commanders, and leadership roles. Betas are those who make up the next level, many are officers in the military and such. Deltas make up most of the ships crews and soldiers. Gammas make up shock soldiers and highly trained mechanics and laborers. Epsilons however are generally slave labor, the lowest of society and the worst jobs that no one else wants, or are too dangerous for others,\u201d Meia answered. She wondered what her life would have been like if her father had survived.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds a bit like out society, except we use money to divide the classes,\u201d John replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you can move up or down within your system regardless of where you\u2019re born,\u201d Meia said. \u201cIn the Cimalian system you stay where you\u2019re born, you can\u2019t change your position.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how\u2019d you get into a leadership role?\u201d John asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy skills and abilities, but even then everything I did was subject to strict observations from High Command. Many times my orders were overruled, which resulted in failure and punishment for me for failure to carry out the orders,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like fun,\u201d John said, his sarcastic tone carrying to Meia.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if you like pain,\u201d Meia replied. \u201cIts something the upper classes enjoy handing out thought the electrowhip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRandy asked me about that, but what is it,\u201d John asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA device meant to inflict maximum pain with no physical damage,\u201d Meia replied. \u201cThe higher class didn\u2019t like punishing people then having to wait for them to heal so they could continue their jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019ll happen to \u2018my uncle\u2019,\u201d Meia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d John said. \u201cThey don\u2019t\u2019 tell pilots such things, unless you\u2019re on the bridge. I know Randy was going to talk with his dad about it, but after that I don\u2019t\u2019 know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI always thought I would only be a pilot, wanting revenge against the Alliance for killing my mother, and now,\u201d Meia trailed off in thought looking down. What exactly was she now? She glanced back up noticing that John was waiting for her to continue. \u201cNow, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a valuable part of your crew,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

Meia nodded her head. Somewhere she felt a sense of belonging at long last. They wanted her to stay and considered her part of the crew, or at least some did.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re having a meeting in half an hour to discuss what the scout crews found,\u201d John said as he got up and walked to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be there then,\u201d Meia said. She watched as he walked out, seemed to stop briefly then continue on his way. She had turned her back to the door but felt someone standing there. Turning around she noticed Randy standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um, hi,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I, um, well I was wondering how you were doing,\u201d Randy said. She watched as he seemed to fidget on his feet waiting for her reply before he continued on. \u201cI mean, well, finding out such things can\u2019t be easy on a person and thought if you need to talk about it then well, I\u2019ll listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were talking with your dad?\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas, but he\u2019d call back with any ideas about the senator,\u201d Randy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I think he\u2019s going to ask someone else for political advice, it shall be interesting,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour friend or the advice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, both,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

Meia wasn\u2019t sure what Randy meant. Instead of saying anything she continued watching Randy to see if he\u2019d clarify his wording.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well her name is Amy Barnes, a daughter of a senator, and a bit of a loose cannon,\u201d Randy said. \u201cShe\u2019s caused more than one scandal by her actions. She chases anything with two legs, male or female. After a few romps with other senators\u2019 sons and daughters, and a few public occasions she and her father had a fight. Of course it also didn\u2019t help that she was very outspoken with her views, which she usually was right on as well, that doesn\u2019t\u2019 go over well with politicians. Well after her father lost some of his power because of her actions they agreed to split. She left for an outer colony and stayed out of the public eye allowing her father to try and regain some of his power.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Meia said, but part of her didn\u2019t understand. Such things would\u2019ve never been tolerated in Cimalian society. \u201cSo she can help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she might have a wild reputation but she\u2019s also known as honest, and straightforward. That\u2019ll help us out for sure,\u201d Randy said. \u201cWould you like to grab something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia thought about that for a second as Randy shifted from foot to foot waiting for her reply. She realized he seemed nervous about the question, or the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d she finally replied. She noticed his apparent relief at her answer. She had a feeling that being with a friend would be good for her.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic glanced over at the monitor waiting for the results. The newly formed 1st CF, under his command, was now fully operational. The latest report from Sierra indicated that the fleet that was his target was still there. He wondered about that considering it had moved quickly lately. He also had orders on when to strike. His fleet could be there in less than two hours.<\/p>\n

He outnumbered the enemy fleet as he now had almost twice the firepower he previously had. He also had an idea as to how the enemy worked. It seemed that the enemy had learned that it took fifteen clicks for the Xeno missiles to arm. He\u2019d already talked with the other battle-cruiser captains telling them to ignore the closer enemy battle-cruiser and instead fire the missiles at ones in the range outside of fifteen clicks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d Captain Diern\u2019s voice said. \u201cEverything\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jezic glanced down at the time. If he left now then he\u2019d get there on time. \u201cTell the fleet to move out then. And remember, failure isn\u2019t an option,\u201d he told the captain.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will admiral,\u201d Diern said.<\/p>\n

Jezic looked at the scanner watching as the fleet powered up. The whine of the hyperspace engines reached a fever pitch then stopped as the ship went into hyperspace. They had to destroy this enemy fleet, otherwise the entire operation would be in danger of failing.<\/p>\n

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

Olin walked onto the hanger deck wanting to make sure that the mechanics were doing their job. He felt that they had to be watched all the time, after all they were Gamma and Epsilon class citizens, they didn\u2019t know any better. They should be thankful that he\u2019d spent the time making sure they were doing their job correctly. After all this was for the good of the empire. Last time he\u2019d been down on the hangar one of the mechanics had rushed his job, Olin had been quick to punish laziness as both the mechanic and Hecus were punished for it.<\/p>\n

He looked around noticing that everyone seemed to be afraid of him. That brought a smile to his face as he thought about that. The people needed to be afraid of their superiors it made for a better work environment and less mistakes when they were punished for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope everything will be ready,\u201d Olin said walking up next to Hecus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working around the clock to make sure,\u201d Hecus said in a toneless voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just so your people don\u2019t make any more mistakes,\u201d Olin said. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t look good for you if more problems were found.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll all work,\u201d Hecus replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider this you one and only warning then. If any pilot loses their life because of a mechanics mistake your and their life is forfeit. No mechanic\u2019s life is worth a pilot\u2019s life,\u201d Olin said. He turned leaving the mechanics to their duty knowing that his voice had carried throughout the hanger. He didn\u2019t care what they thought as long as his own agenda was carried out. He only wished he\u2019d been able to get Meia in trouble and punish her as well.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cArrogant bastard,\u201d one mechanic said to Hecus after Olin left.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I wish Meia was still here. At least she understood our job,\u201d Hecus said. \u201cWell, make sure that these fighters are a hundred and ten percent ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few of the others grumbled but knew better. Hecus turned and went back to work wondering how long he had until Olin carried out his threats. The pilot seemed to hate the lower class no matter what they did.<\/p>\n

He thought about going to the captain or the admiral but figured Olin\u2019s word would carry more weight considering how the man was a higher class citizen. Then even if the admiral or captain did agree, it\u2019d probably make things worse for them later on. He had a feeling that many of them wouldn\u2019t last long anymore.<\/p>\n

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

Jack turned at the sound of the door watching as Amy hobbled into the room. He\u2019d been able to get in touch with the senator\u2019s office and was waiting for final word from the senator himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, any ideas,\u201d Jack asked Amy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one, offensive as always,\u201d Amy said taking a seat nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlunt, guess I should\u2019ve figured,\u201d Jack replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s worked for me for years and I find sometimes it can be harder to disprove,\u201d Amy said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr more trouble,\u201d Jack mumbled under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but it\u2019s much more fun,\u201d Amy replied. Jack could see the smile forming on her face at the thought of what was about to happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, Senator Barnes is now on the line,\u201d Chad said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it though,\u201d Jack said. He noticed Amy had gotten up and walked over to where Jack was.<\/p>\n

\u201cSenator, glad you can take some time to talk with us,\u201d Jack said as the senator\u2019s face appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, things are always changing admiral, oh, Amy,\u201d Barnes said stopping his conversation at the sight of his daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you to dad,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, I was worried about you after Hesslius,\u201d Barnes said. \u201cIs there another problem? You\u2019re not going to start trouble for me again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, it\u2019s worse than that,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

Jack watched as the senator\u2019s face went pale a bit. He didn\u2019t know what to expect to happen next.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother conspiracy,\u201d Barnes finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts deeper and more threatening than any conspiracy senator,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn enemy spy, no agent, has been uncovered,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn enemy agent, this should be good,\u201d Barnes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that Senator Agnes is an agent for the Cimalian Empire,\u201d Amy said to him. Jack waited for the familiar outburst denying the allegation.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the senator is working for the Cimalian Empire,\u201d Barnes said rubbing his chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, he\u2019s not working for them, he is one of them,\u201d Amy said clarifying what she\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how\u2019d you find this out,\u201d Barnes asked. \u201cAfter all I doubt he just willingly told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually in a way, he did,\u201d Jack said. \u201cHe ran into someone he wasn\u2019t expecting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ran into someone?\u201d Barnes asked. Jack could hear the disbelief in the senator\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we captured an enemy pilot and under a secret program she remained on the Akagi. When the senator went on his tour he ran into her. Seems that they are blood related,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be interesting. I suppose that you\u2019re going to run with this information?\u201d He said<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah,\u201d Amy said. \u201cIn fact we\u2019ve already got the governor of Hesslius, and Sierra on board. They know that the Cimalian invasion is real no matter what the rest of the government says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re sure about this information,\u201d Barnes asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo much so that we\u2019re willing to go public with it,\u201d Amy replied. \u201cIn fact I\u2019ve already called for the press conference in two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see then I\u2019m going to be preparing a response then,\u201d Barnes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have one thing that might help,\u201d Jack said. \u201cA file of everything we know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should help then,\u201d Barnes replied. \u201cI hope you\u2019re telling the truth. If not, I\u2019m committing political suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the truth, and people deserve to know,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

He watched as Barnes checked his watch for the time then looked back at them. \u201cWell, I\u2019ve got things to do, my staff\u2019s going to be busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the spirit dad, this should be fun,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

Jack could see that the senator wasn\u2019t sure about that but signed off anyways. He watched as Amy then hobbled out of the room leaving the command center in silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid she say this will be fun,\u201d Chad said being the first to recover his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, this should be a rollercoaster for sure,\u201d Jack said. He got up as his stomach rumbled. \u201cI\u2019m going to grab a quick bit to eat, let me know if anything else happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Chad replied as Jack left the room.<\/p>\n

End Chapter 20<\/p>\n

Continued in chapter 21<\/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 20 Jack walked quickly into the cafeteria looking for the one person he hoped would be able to help him. Scanning the tables he noticed her talking with one of his staff. Even from here he could tell she was playing the injured person routine, and the […]
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