{"id":494,"date":"2015-07-20T14:53:45","date_gmt":"2015-07-20T14:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=494"},"modified":"2015-07-21T14:48:59","modified_gmt":"2015-07-21T14:48:59","slug":"the-milsian-princess-part-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=494","title":{"rendered":"The Milsian Princess – Part 12"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Milsian Princess<\/span><\/h1>\n

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

Part 12<\/span><\/p>\n

Crystal waited for the signal that the fleet had arrived at Milsia, the core planet of the Milsian Empire. She knew if they could gain control of the government then everything would fall into place, or so she hoped. She understood that things could go wrong and hoped for the best.<\/p>\n

The assault on Milsia had been Admiral Junkers\u2019 idea. He figured that as long as Emperor Tony felt confused, and that he had control over the Second Fleet he would not feel threatened at home.<\/p>\n

Crystal hoped that would become the case. The last thing she needed would be a waiting enemy fleet for her. This probably would be the one last chance they would have. Ground forces from the Second and Third fleets were waiting to carry out the assault on the palace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be in scanner range in thirty seconds,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, this is it everyone,\u201d Mark said. Crystal watched him turn towards her.<\/p>\n

She looked all around the bridge seeing everyone doing their duty with ease even though tension from the upcoming battle hung in the air. She knew that without the caste system the alliance held an advantage. They held no fear of punishment if they failed their duty, only that they failed friends which to them was worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cEntered scanner range, dropping out of jump in two minutes,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n

Crystal waited watching the seconds disappear all too quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDropping out of jump in five, four, three, two, one, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShields up, launch all fighters, giving me a target,\u201d Mark called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cTarget coming up,\u201d Yvette replied. \u201cHalf a dozen warships, one battle-cruiser, and several smaller ships.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpress, the first wave is launching,\u201d Crystal heard Admiral Junkers say.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey go with my permission,\u201d Crystal said, hoping it sounded correct. She wished they all would return safely and that the fight would end without fighting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re transmitting in the clear,\u201d Hans said finally.<\/p>\n

Crystal knew that one of the main attacks would be a proclamation that she was the rightful heir. Everyone hoped that this would make the citizens and even others in the military think about following Tony\u2019s orders. Any additional confusion would only help them out.<\/p>\n

Crystal looked down at the screen watching the battle begin.<\/p>\n

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

Adama walked off the shuttle seeing a dark-haired woman approaching him along with Apollo and Starbuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Serria Commander, I\u2019m Amy Barnes,\u201d the woman said holding out her hand in greeting which Adama took.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, I take it that Apollo has updated you to the current situation?\u201d Adama asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn more than one area,\u201d she replied. \u201cI talked with the Alliance. I have a strong feeling that several senators are either being controlled by or working for the Milsian empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Cylons appear to be working with them as well from what I\u2019ve been able to understand,\u201d Adama stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaltar, yes, my father spoke of him,\u201d Amy said. \u201cHe is trying but there are a lot of complex issues going on right now and neither he nor the military have any power.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernor,\u201d a male said walking up to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Amy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re getting reports from the Milsian Empire that a full scale civil war is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is falling apart,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not all, it also appears that the Alliance military is being boosted by Cylon warships under Senator Agnot\u2019s approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adama felt numb by that assertion and shared a look with Apollo and Starbuck. If the Alliance worked with the Cylons then they could position their ships for a devastating strike. If that happened no one would be safe and his fleet did not have the fuel to run anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many ships do the Cylons have?\u201d Adama asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d the male replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind out,\u201d Amy said. \u201cLet\u2019s head inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adama agreed and made his way inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want patrols to start up,\u201d Adama said to Apollo.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get right on it,\u201d Apollo said. \u201cWe can use their shuttles to conserve our fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adama nodded hoping Tigh and the engineers were already working on a plan to dig the fuel out of the one moon. They would need it real soon it appeared. Adama watched Apollo walk off along with Starbuck to carry out the orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere we go, can I interest you in something to drink?\u201d Amy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adama said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have coffee and tea brought in, along with plain water,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n

Adama did not know what coffee or tea was, but would try it and see. He could always go with plain water. An aide walked back in with a tray and pointed out which was coffee or tea. Adama took a small cup of coffee, a dark liquid with a strong smell. He took a sip almost choking on the taste.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to your taste, didn\u2019t think so, it\u2019s an acquired taste and I think everyone did that the first time they tried it,\u201d Amy said, sipping her coffee. \u201cThe tea is generally milder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adama glanced suspiciously at the light brown liquid before taking a taste of it. He found he preferred it over the coffee and would try a cup of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, how far away is your fleet and how much time do we have to prepare a site for them?\u201d Amy asked.<\/p>\n

Adama leaned back as they would get into the details that he needed to know for when the fleet arrived.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Tony glared at Benard, his commander of security of the palace, along with Admiral Hoon who was in charge of the space around Milsia.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean to tell me that we have both the Second, and Third Fleets sitting in orbit and at this moment ground troops, my troops, are heading down in preparation of an invasion?\u201d Tony said, anger tingeing his voice. \u201cWell?\u201d he asked after several seconds when neither man seemed to want to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Hoon finally said. \u201cMy ships cannot adequately defend the planet from such a force.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should be able to defend the palace,\u201d Benard replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould?\u201d Tony said. He felt his world slowly falling apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll do our best sir,\u201d Benard said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the First Fleet?\u201d Tony asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are still in route to Baraton,\u201d Hoon replied.<\/p>\n

Tony cussed at hearing that. Whoever planned this attack knew what he would do. It had to be Crystal and her background. She turned into his greatest mistake he ever made.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor, we\u2019re getting high energy transmissions from the fleet,\u201d one aide said.<\/p>\n

Tony did not have to hear it to know what it would say. \u201cContinue to block it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes emperor,\u201d the aide said then walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Tony understood the only way to end this would be killing Crystal real soon. He needed to find out where she was and he needed her down here on the planet not on her safe warship.<\/p>\n

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

Crystal watched the screen knowing that in any previous battle she would be out in the middle of it all in her fighter. Now she had been regulated to watching. She had mixed feelings knowing that now what she said had a tremendous impact on what happened. Two full fleets under her complete command following any order she gave. The knowledge scared her hoping she did not make any mistakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, we had an incoming transmission, it was strange,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it up here,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, it was very cryptic and short,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

Crystal leaned over to see what the message had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d she heard Mark mumble. \u201cThe palace guards are confused, some have heard the message and this person, whoever sent it thinks that you are the next empress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal thought about that realizing that she would have to head down to take control of the Empire.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to head down,\u201d Crystal said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is not wise,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I will sooner or later,\u201d Crystal said. \u201cIf we wait too long then they won\u2019t follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what you propose is very dangerous,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but if the palace guards are confused, me being there in person might tip the balance,\u201d Crystal said. She watched Mark struggle when Hans called out again.<\/p>\n

\u201cMessage from HQ captain,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow?\u201d Mark said, frowning. \u201cPut it up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal watched some unknown man appear on the scanner. He had white hair and brown eyes and she heard Mark call the man Admiral Pappas.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, I\u2019m hearing a lot of things, but you need to know some things quickly,\u201d the admiral said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, all right bur make it quick, I\u2019m in the middle of something,\u201d Mark replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, you\u2019re at Milsia, the senate already seems to know,\u201d the admiral stated calmly. \u201cThe biggest problem, the senate believes this is a threat to the Alliance, so they\u2019ve entered into an agreement with the Cylons. They are sending about a half dozen of their ships and positioning them around our core planets to allow our fleet to mass along the border to meet any Milsian threat that might appear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, I can assure you that the Milsian Empire will not attack the Alliance, but I\u2019m not sure about the Cylons from what I\u2019ve seen,\u201d Crystal said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpress Crystal Milsian,\u201d Crystal said, for the first time using the true last name of her father. She watched him frown slightly before Mark spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, the Cylons are a race of machines bent on destroying all humanity, not to help us. Baltar betrayed the Colonials destroying twelve highly advanced worlds,\u201d Mark said. \u201cSir, Admiral ,Corey!\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal watched as the screen had gone completely blank. They had lost the signal. She turned to Mark who had a stunned look.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go down, if the Cylons get in position they will destroy the Alliance, and the Milsian Empire might not have the power to defeat the Cylons,\u201d Crystal said. \u201cWe have to move now.\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched his shoulders slump slightly before saying anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I don\u2019t like it so be careful,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I will,\u201d Crystal replied turning to head to the hanger while Mark contacted Admiral Junkers.<\/p>\n

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

Crystal landed her fighter jumping out seeing several ground troops walk up to her. In the middle she recognized the general markings and waited for him to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpress, we\u2019ve made our way into the palace, we\u2019re encountering resistance in several areas,\u201d he said opening up a small device and activating it. A holo image of the palace sprung up with several spots. \u201cWe\u2019re working our way into the main chamber, but the palace is heavily defended.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal nodded knowing that the palace had heavy defenses and even knowing where the defenses were it would be difficult.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact we\u2019re making any headway indicates some in the palace are not fully supportive of Tony. They have heard the truth, that you are the rightful empress,\u201d the general stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the surrounding grounds?\u201d Crystal asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve set up a defensive perimeter. So far we haven\u2019t had the counter attack we were expecting, but we think they are organizing. If I know General Schliez will move quickly but won\u2019t actually attack unless he is in position.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we need to end this quickly, and for more reasons than you know,\u201d Crystal said. Her head still swam with information she heard while on board the Nevada. The Alliance was in great danger and if that happened then so was the Milsian Empire.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any orders then?\u201d the general asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually general, I have no experience in ground combat, I was hoping you might have an idea,\u201d Crystal said. \u201cPut me in a fighter and I know what to do, here, you have the training and experience, so I\u2019m counting on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal watched shock appear in the general\u2019s eyes before it changed to fierce determination. She had a feeling she had said something right, but had no idea what that might have been. She only told the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Ben, Frank, over here,\u201d the general said. Crystal walked with them as they huddled around the holo of the palace. \u201cWe\u2019re getting heavy resistance here, and here, but it looks light here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReinforce these areas,\u201d one asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, which of the light areas is closest to the palace chamber, we attack that one in force, using a push in one of the heavy areas as a diversion. We push right to the palace chamber and take Emperor Tony prisoner for crimes against the Empire,\u201d the general said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if that\u2019s a trap?\u201d another one said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe go with this plan, Frank, you\u2019ll lead the diversion, Ben, take the rest including the reserves and hit this area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d they replied.<\/p>\n

Crystal watched them walk away to carry out the order. She hoped it worked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir,\u201d another soldier said walking up to the general. \u201cScouts indicate an incoming force.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, General Schliez, about time he arrived,\u201d the general said. \u201cAre our defenses in position?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, the six and seventh battalions are in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, they must hold and give us time to capture the emperor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal watched knowing she had to be here, but also felt slightly useless in making combat decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we hope I didn\u2019t send those men to a trap,\u201d the general said.<\/p>\n

Crystal nodded in agreement. Sound of the engagement echoed to where they stood causing Crystal to flinch slightly at the sound. The others appeared calm waiting for whatever would happen next.<\/p>\n

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

Mark glanced down at Admiral Junkers on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou allowed her down on the planet?\u201d he asked. Mark could tell Otto did not appear happy with that turn of events.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe felt it was her place, and that her being there could help out the fighting. I had to agree and the quicker we win this war the better it will be for all,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what\u2019s that mean?\u201d Otto asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that the Cylons have already gotten into the Alliance they are placing their basestars around heavily populated planets in the Alliance. If they attack the losses will be billions of people,\u201d Mark said. \u201cI still have an obligation to my people, like you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is a way to save your precious Alliance,\u201d Otto asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s to save all of us. The Cylons won\u2019t stop with the Alliance, and we\u2019ll need our combined power to stop them. If the Alliance falls, or the Milsian Empire falls, the other will fall for sure as well. Crystal recognizes this, in fact, I think she was probably the first to truly realize it,\u201d Mark said. \u201cAnd I do support her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat will be a change,\u201d Otto said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but how long do you think before the First Fleet returns?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, depends on when they got the message, and if they are able to turn around and how long their jump engines needed to cool down,\u201d Otto said. \u201cI say another hour or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, we\u2019ll have to hope that the fighting is done by then,\u201d Mark said. He really did not want to fight another battle. The Nevada had taken some damage already and the fighting had not finished yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, incoming message from the planet,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me for a second,\u201d Mark said to Otto who nodded. Mark switched the screen seeing Crystal\u2019s face. \u201cCrystal, what is going on down there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re entering the palace, reports are that our forces are closing in on Emperor Tony,\u201d Crystal said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good news, what about the fighting?\u201d Mark said. \u201cAdmiral Junkers estimates we have maybe an hour or two before the First Fleet returns.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the fighting will be over by then,\u201d Crystal said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Mark replied. He did not want to fight on the ground and in the air.<\/p>\n

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

Crystal glanced over at the general when he came walking up over to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that it\u2019s working, we forcing our way in, and I\u2019ve got someone who wants to meet you,\u201d the general said.<\/p>\n

Crystal watched another man with a square jaw, thin grey\/black hair and grey eyes walk up to them flanked on either side by soldiers. She looked over at the general then back to the man who now stood in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is her Frank?\u201d the man asked looking over at the general.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s passed all the tests, this is a legitimate daughter of Prince Boris, and I bet, her DNA is identical to the Emperor\u2019s daughter,\u201d Frank replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you\u2019re wrong?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I will accept punishment, but if I\u2019m right, we\u2019ve been following the wrong person, you know that,\u201d Frank replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere has she been all this time, with the Alliance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Crystal said speaking up for the first time. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything about the Emperor\u2019s daughter, but it appears the emperor, I mean my uncle,\u201d Crystal said changing how she referred to him, \u201ckept me around for some reason. He even went so far to modify my memories using drugs. And I was put in the Second Fleet despite my high flying abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral Jurez,\u201d the man said. \u201cVery loyal to the Emperor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat better way to keep an eye on her,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to order me terminated,\u201d Crystal said. \u201cIn the battle of Serria my squadron leader opened fire on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd in every battle she has been the emperor\u2019s single focus. If she wasn\u2019t Prince Boris\u2019 daughter then why is the emperor so determined?\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal watched the man for several seconds before he finally seemed to come to a conclusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI admit, I have no logical answer to that,\u201d the man finally said. \u201cIt appears then we have a problem, one that is easily solved yet I doubt that Emperor Tony will help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal had to agree. He had gained power through the elimination of people in front of him. He would not allow such an opportunity for Crystal. He would eliminate her the first chance he got.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil I know, I will not move against either group, but the Palace is effectively sealed. My forces will make sure no one else interferes until such time as both submit to a test, or one of you is killed,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

Crystal was not sure what to make of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take it Schliez, you won\u2019t be disappointed,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope not,\u201d Schliez replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat made you talk first, it\u2019s not like you?\u201d Frank asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a strange e-mail, suggesting there is more than one legitimate heir. So I was curious, if she is Prince Boris\u2019 daughter then she is the rightful heir,\u201d Schliez replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother strange e-mail,\u201d Crystal said, not sure what to make of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, why?\u201d Schliez asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the first time, and I\u2019m not sure who is doing it either,\u201d Crystal replied. Another mystery she hoped to solve.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpress,\u201d a sudden voice said. \u201cThere has been a development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crystal wondered what had happened this time and turned to hear the news.<\/p>\n

End part 12<\/p>\n

Continued in Part 13<\/a><\/p>\n

Comment below or send to AJMarks01@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Milsian Princess by AJ Marks Part 12 Crystal waited for the signal that the fleet had arrived at Milsia, the core planet of the Milsian Empire. She knew if they could gain control of the government then everything would fall into place, or so she hoped. She understood that things could go wrong and […]
Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,9],"tags":[3,14,11,10,15,5,12],"class_list":["post-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-battlestar-galactica","category-fanfiction","tag-aj-marks","tag-battlestar","tag-battlestar-galactica","tag-fanfiction","tag-galactica","tag-sci-fi","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":500,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions\/500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}