{"id":269,"date":"2015-07-07T12:36:48","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=269"},"modified":"2015-07-07T12:38:36","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:38:36","slug":"the-cimalian-princess-invasion-ch-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=269","title":{"rendered":"The Cimalian Princess: Invasion – Ch 22"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Chapter 22<\/span><\/p>\n

Randy watched the scanner as the Cimalian fleet dropped out of hyperspace and the battle began. Weapon systems opened up right away as each side tried to gain the upper hand early in the battle. Taking a quick count from the scanner Randy saw that the estimation for where the enemy ships would end up had been, for the most part, accurate. His greatest concern had been the missile launchers. If the launchers could be taken care of first they might actually\/ stand a chance of winning the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave Victorious head to sector J, Bismarck to H,\u201d Randy said. Hans relayed the message to the battle-cruisers. Until the rest of the fleet could arrive the Cimalians outnumbered his fleet.. He felt the Akagi rock as it began taking Cimalian fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a missile launch,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHades,\u201d Randy replied. He\u2019d been hoping to avoid the missiles, but it appeared they\u2019d have to worry about a few. The battle-cruisers though had been spaced far enough apart where they were not able to all be engaged within fifteen clicks. The enemy had learned his tactics, now Randy had to flex and change.<\/p>\n

\u201cImpact in ten seconds,\u201d Yvette warned. \u201cFighters trying to close.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ten seconds crawled by, yet it seemed to be too quick as well an odd mix as the count as the fighters opened fire. One missile, followed by a second as the missiles closed the distance with the Akagi. The third exploded sending the shock wave rocking the Akagi just before time ran out and the fourth missile hit it target.<\/p>\n

Randy managed to stay on his feet as the Akagi rocked with the explosion. Warning lights flashed as sirens wailed indicating damage to the ship.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamage,\u201d Randy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPort plasma laser damaged, shutting it down,\u201d Yvette replied. \u201cIt took the brunt of the hit admiral.\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy turned to see the scanner hoping that the Akagi had been the only ship hit so far. No other missiles had been launched yet, but he was sure that would change. With the Akagi being the target that would leave the Warspite unhindered in its attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cVictorious entering battle with squad one,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n

Randy\u2019s plan had been to engage the enemy fleet and bring in fresh troops as the battle waged on. He just hoped he survived the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cBismarck is still on the way with the third squad,\u201d Yvette relayed.<\/p>\n

Now Randy wondered if he had sent the Bismarck too far away for it to arrive in time.<\/p>\n

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

Jack glanced at the screen then out to the gathering crowd of reporters. Now many were looking at him wondering why the military had called a press meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, is this in response to the allegations that the military is behind the recent attacks on outer colonies?\u201d one reporter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll your questions will be answered soon,\u201d Jack said looking hoping to see Amy walk out real soon. He sighed in relief when he saw her hobble out of the building towards the press group. He watched as she approached the podium with a calm cool attitude waiting for the reporters to stop talking for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you all for coming. Many of you know that there is an allegation of the military attacking colony planets, this is partly true,\u201d Amy said causing a stir in the reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that why you\u2019re here with the military?\u201d \u201cThe military is confessing?\u201d were two questions that Jack could make out as the reporters started asking questions in rapid fire fashion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said,\u201d Amy said in a loud calm, yet forceful voice, \u201cthat it was PARTLY true.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at a few reporters who asked a question until they fell silent. Finally when the reporters were quiet again Amy started talking again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been living on Hesslius for the past couple of years, but the military who invaded Hesslius wasn\u2019t the Alliance, and it wasn\u2019t pirates,\u201d Amy said to them. \u201cThey identified themselves as liberators from the Cimalian Empire, here to regain their rightful empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another buzz at the statement as reporters once again began to yell out questions. Once again they were silenced by Amy\u2019s stare.<\/p>\n

Jack began to enjoy this until Chad walked up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, President Winerich demands to talk to you,\u201d Chad said.<\/p>\n

Jack took one last look then walked inside to take care of the President.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, what\u2019s the meaning of this,\u201d Eric said flashing a scene of the press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust telling the truth that the government wants to deny,\u201d Jack said. \u201cI\u2019ve lost too many good men and women to continue this fa\u00e7ade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want your resignation, and where is Senator Agnes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the good senator is locked up for admitting he\u2019s an enemy, not just a spy, but an actual Cimalian,\u201d Jack said. As Jack said it so did Amy to the reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be a price to pay admiral,\u201d Eric said as the screen went blank.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat went well,\u201d Jack said to Chad. He walked back outside to where Amy was answering questions.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIncoming message admiral,\u201d Hans said. \u201cIt\u2019s the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy sighed at that. He\u2019d been hoping to gain a bit more time before the President called.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it though,\u201d Randy said not looking up from the scanner.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, you are relieved of duty, effective now. Captain Basil, you are hereby promoted to the rank of admiral. Your first duty is to stand down and release Senator Agnes,\u201d the president ordered.<\/p>\n

Randy turned to Kim waiting to see what she\u2019d say.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith due respect sir, go to Hades,\u201d Kim said turning back to her duty.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. President, everyone on board knows the enemy is real, they don\u2019t talk, and all they want is to conquer us. They are sick of the government not doing anything about it,\u201d Randy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMissile launch, six missiles, first one in twenty seconds,\u201d Yvette\u2019s voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTarget the missile launchers, take them out now,\u201d Randy ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking on it admiral,\u201d Yvette replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cImpact in ten seconds,\u201d Kim said. \u201cFighters have destroyed two missiles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll hands, prepare for impact,\u201d Randy said. He ignored the yelling president.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic watched the scanner as the missiles streaked to the enemy battle-cruiser. There seemed to be a few enemy fighters trying to destroy the missiles, and doing a good job at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me Olin,\u201d he ordered waiting a few seconds until the green-haired pilot\u2019s face appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, what do you wish,\u201d Olin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re having fighter problems,\u201d Jezic replied. \u201cIt seems that a few of the Alliance fighters are destroying our missiles before they can impact on the enemy ships. Take care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy your will admiral,\u201d Olin replied.<\/p>\n

The screen went blank as Jezic turned to the captain. \u201cHow long until the launchers are reloaded?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive minutes admiral,\u201d Diern replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot fast enough, tell them quicker or else,\u201d Jezic ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, but they won\u2019t like it,\u201d Diern replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for them to like, either they do it, or feel my wrath,\u201d Jezic said. He turned looking at the situation once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncoming battle-cruiser,\u201d Diern said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother one,\u201d Jezic said. He cursed himself for being so foolish in the battle. The scout ship had reported four battle-cruisers. When he arrived there had been only two. He would make sure the fleet was ready when the fourth arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cConcentrate fire on the battle-cruisers, destroy them,\u201d Jezic ordered.<\/p>\n

The enemy commander had deployed a brilliant strategy but he wouldn\u2019t be denied his place in the history of the Cimalian Empire.<\/p>\n

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

Meia waited patiently as another missile lined up. Pressing the trigger she could almost hear the weapon fire as they fired. The missile absorbed a few impacts before exploding. She watched as Malak opened fire destroying another missile after adjusting his fire. He\u2019d learned quickly how to target the missiles and now that John had joined her the majority of missiles were now being destroyed. They approached the remaining four missiles together.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go the one on the right,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got the center,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019ve got incoming fighters,\u201d Malak stated.<\/p>\n

Meia ignored Malak\u2019s comment instead concentrating on the missiles. They had to be destroyed before any more damage to the Alliance battle-cruisers could occur. Pressing the trigger her fighter\u2019s weapons again spewed forth their deadly fire as another missile was destroyed. Another explosion indicated John had destroyed his. The other two couldn\u2019t be caught. She watched as the missiles impacted on the hull and shields of the Akagi. Damage could be seen where the missiles had impacted, but the ship appeared to be holding together.<\/p>\n

Meia knew that the battle-cruiser she now called home had taken a beating. She also understood that if nothing was done now the ship might be destroyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, take Malak, I need to do something alone,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeia, I hope you\u2019re not about to do something stupid, at least not without me,\u201d John replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you can watch my back,\u201d Meia replied as she began working with the communicator. She could only hope that someone was listening as she found the correct frequency.<\/p>\n

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

Randy picked himself off the deck of bridge. He wiped his forehead relieved when blood didn\u2019t appear on his hand. Looking around he noticed people getting up off the floor or helping others. Medical teams were already on their way to the bridge. One of the missiles had impacted close by causing damage to most systems, but the communicator seemed to continue to work for some strange reason. He could hear the screaming president telling him what to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Winerich,\u201d Randy said finally taking some time to face the screen. \u201cIf the fleet survives we can talk about this, but for now I have things to do,\u201d he said to the stunned face of the president. \u201cEnd this communications, we need it for other things,\u201d he said turning to Hans. The President\u2019s face faded away as Randy looked over the bridge. The scanner array had been damaged so he brought it up on his scanner, it wasn\u2019t 3-D but it would give him some information.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, one plasma beam down along with three hard lasers,\u201d Yvette said to Kim. \u201cDamage to port hanger as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSend damage control teams,\u201d Kim replied.<\/p>\n

Randy watched as Kim took care of her ship. It felt odd not to be in control of the ship, but he also understood that Kim had to take control of this. He had to control the fleet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, incoming transmission on a Cimalian frequency, but its unscrambled,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it though,\u201d Randy said. He wondered if this was the Cimalians asking for the Alliance surrender. Not that he\u2019d give it to them. The Victorious had arrived and the Bismarck would arrive in a few minutes. He\u2019d go to Hades before surrendering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is 3rd CF flight leader Meia to anyone who can hear me,\u201d Randy heard her voice say.<\/p>\n

It hadn\u2019t what he\u2019d been expecting to hear. Glancing at the others he could see a mixture of emotions coming from them. Some were shocked others he could see felt betrayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cimalian leadership has betrayed you. The Alliance terrorist attacks were all staged by the Cimalian leadership. Admiral Jezic knows this as he killed my mother, and my own grandmother ordered my father\u2019s death, he was Boris Cimal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, message from the damage control teams,\u201d Yvette said to Randy. He turned to see what she had to say. \u201cSenator Agnes is dead, there was some damage to the brig but they say its probably suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy sucked in a breath. The news wasn\u2019t good as it made some things harder to prove. He would be sure some in the government would not believe even with everything that had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll worry about that later then,\u201d Randy said. \u201cPut all power into the shields.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hoped they would survive the battle.<\/p>\n

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

Jezic couldn\u2019t believe what he just heard. Meia was speaking over an open Cimalian frequency. What made things even worse she seemed to have found out her heritage. Some of the more gullible lower-class citizens might actually believe her, even though she told the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn that off, we have a battle to win,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard the admiral, cut it,\u201d Diern said. People moved quickly to carry out the order as the communications ended.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to know where those lies are coming from,\u201d he ordered. A few seconds later the reply came back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, one of the fighters, we attempting to isolate the fighter now,\u201d the reply came back.<\/p>\n

Jezic turned to see the scanner then waited for the final word before activating the communicator.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of three, we can\u2019t narrow it down any more than that,\u201d the crew member said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough,\u201d Jezic said activating the communicator. A few seconds later Olin\u2019s voice replied. \u201cFlight leader Olin, you have new orders. Did you hear the communication from Meia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d he heard Olin reply. Jezic thought he heard a bit of resentment in Olin\u2019s voice, that would be something he could use.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, we\u2019ve pinpointed her to one of the enemy\u2019s fighters. Its one of the three that were destroying the missiles. Destroy her and earn a blue ranking,\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider it done admiral,\u201d Olin said.<\/p>\n

The communications ended leaving Jezic wondering who would win that encounter. He\u2019d known about Olin shooting down Meia. In a way if failed then by not destroying her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, damage to two of the missiles launchers. The Alliance ships and fighters are targeting the launchers. Other ships are reporting the same,\u201d Diern said to him.<\/p>\n

Jezic muttered a short curse to the Alliance fleet. The plasma lasers weren\u2019t as effective as the missiles. He had lobbied for more powerful secondary weapons but was told the missiles were powerful enough. Now the result of that decision was making itself known.<\/p>\n

\u201cDestroy the plasma beams on the Alliance ships, if we can\u2019t have our main weapons then neither will they,\u201d Jezic ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe show one enemy battle-cruiser heavily damaged, and another battle-cruiser on the way,\u201d Diern said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDestroy the battle-cruiser,\u201d Jezic said.<\/p>\n

The Kitakim turned heading for the Akagi opening fire at point blank range. The Akagi returned fore as the two massive ships fired away at each other.<\/p>\n

Jezic felt his ship rock slightly as enemy fire continued to hit his ship and damage reports came flooding in.<\/p>\n

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

Hecus stood on the deck after the communicator of the fighter had squawked out Meia\u2019s voice. It had been her, that much he knew for sure, the rest he wondered about as he thought about it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Hecus, you going to stand there all day or help us out,\u201d another mechanic asked. That snapped Hecus out of his musing as he turned to look at the others.<\/p>\n

Hecus turned back to the fighter then over at the waiting pilot. He seemed to be paying attention somewhere else.<\/p>\n

\u201cSwitch the radio back on,\u201d Hecus said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan, that\u2019s against orders,\u201d the other man replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it, we have to know,\u201d Hecus replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but if anyone asks you did it,\u201d the man said as the communicator came back on.<\/p>\n

Hecus first thought they had turned the volume down too much as nothing could be heard. Then Meia\u2019s voice came over the speaker again.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor centuries the upper class of the Alphas and Alpha Supremes have suppressed the lower class. Its time to change that. We don\u2019t belong here, and we have enough problems at home. I am saying now, that as the first born of Boris Cimal, I am taking up my place in the Cimalian government, one that only recently I didn\u2019t know I had. Together we can make a better Cimalian society.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHecus, don\u2019t even think about that,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why not,\u201d Hecus said turning to the others. \u201cWe work and toil for what? For more punishment, more whippings for things out of your control that you didn\u2019t do, or were ordered to do and knew it wouldn\u2019t work but had to anyways? Is that how you want to live? Well you can have it, I don\u2019t. Meia always treated us with respect, and if she\u2019s truly an Alpha Supreme then I\u2019ll gladly join her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if she isn\u2019t,\u201d another one asked who had heard Hecus.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen she should be,\u201d Hecus said. \u201cThey\u2019ve ridden on our backs for too long. Its time we end this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree of us can\u2019t do anything,\u201d another mechanic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, or perhaps we\u2019re that single snowflake that settles on the snow that directs which way the avalanche goes,\u201d Hecus said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been watching those nature shows again,\u201d another one said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, its true, besides, we don\u2019t know unless we try,\u201d Hecus said picking up a nearby tool standing with a purpose. He walked towards the guard on duty making sure the mechanics did their jobs.<\/p>\n

The guard noticed Hecus approach and nervously adjusted the grip on his weapon. \u201cYou should\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hecus didn\u2019t give the guard any chance to say anything else as he brought the tool around striking the guard in the head knocking him out. For a timeless second the hanger stood still as the guard slumped to the ground. The pilot nearby recovered quickly running out of the hanger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fool, you\u2019ve killed us all,\u201d one mechanic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, liberated us, turn up the communicator,\u201d Hecus aid as he walked over. He picked up the helmet after hesitating for a second, but only a second. He\u2019d already gone this far, now he had to go all the way.<\/p>\n

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

Meia didn\u2019t see any other missiles at the moment but knew that would change quickly. The enemy fighters that had closed in earlier had been taken care of by John, who now seemed to be in another intense fight. Meia watched for several seconds as John and Malak engaged the Cimalian pilot. The Cimalian pilot\u2019s maneuvers she recognized and knew who John was fighting, Olin.<\/p>\n

Meia turned her fighter towards the fighting knowing that if this was the 3rd CF then Admiral Jezic would be targeting her for what she knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, back off,\u201d Meia said firing a couple of shots at the Cimalian fighter. She purposefully missed to get the pilot\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d John replied. \u201cWe stick next to our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meia didn\u2019t bother answering as she switched frequency once more. \u201cHow about trying me instead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMeia,\u201d Olin\u2019s voice said. \u201cI should\u2019ve killed you the first time, I won\u2019t make the same mistake again. This time however I have orders to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Admiral Jezic knows the truth about me,\u201d Meia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that you\u2019re a traitor to the Cimalian Empire,\u201d Olin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I am an Alpha Supreme. That\u2019s why he wants me dead. Jezic killed my mother and tey killed my father,\u201d Meia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t matter once you\u2019re dead,\u201d Olin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can take him,\u201d John\u2019s voice suddenly said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this one\u2019s personal. We need to make sure those missiles don\u2019t do any more damage,\u201d Meia told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but I\u2019ll be watching,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

Meia watched as John and Malak turned heading towards another missile that had been launched. All that remained was her and Olin and revenge.<\/p>\n

End chapter 22<\/p>\n

Continued in chapter 23<\/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 22 Randy watched the scanner as the Cimalian fleet dropped out of hyperspace and the battle began. Weapon systems opened up right away as each side tried to gain the upper hand early in the battle. Taking a quick count from the scanner Randy saw that the […]
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