Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
Between World and Space
Episode 3 - Waking
By Lyssa Thorne
Based on the Novel Between World and Space
Published by Double Dragon Ebooks.
FADE IN:
INT. MEDICAL SUITE, KUMANI – DAY
Zhad looked in on the boy and was satisfied that his healing was coming along nicely. He'd be able to take the boy out soon.
As he walked down the hall, he saw Adara approaching him. He met her in the hall and guided her to his office.
As soon as the door closed, Adara stepped toward him.
ADARA
How is the boy?
ZHAD
He's doing well, but healing a bit slower than I'd expected. He'll need more time in the healing tent.
ADARA
That's good. Zhad, I'm sorry for the way I treated you last time.
ZHAD
No, I went too fast for it being our first reuniting. I was wrong to pressure you because of the feelings I've suppressed for years.
ADARA
But you did have some valid points for me to seriously ponder.
Zhad turned away from her.
ZHAD
I can patch up an amazing array of injuries, but, when it comes to my personal feelings, I seem to lose control.
ADARA
Oh, stop kicking yourself. Who did you come here to cheer up, you or me?
ZHAD
I don't know. I, uh-
ADARA
Zhad, you're doing it again. Now you're going to find some silly excuse to run away.
Zhad blushed.
ADARA
I accept your offer. I will ask the council to allow you and me to be announced as mates.
ZHAD
You mean it?
She kissed his cheek.
ADARA
I mean it.
ZHAD
Ha'iko! I love you, Adara. I have always loved you since I saw you.
ADARA
I know. I did miss you while you were gone. Many times after Fordo died, I thought that if you'd been here, you could have eased my grief.
ZHAD
It was better that I hadn't.
Zhad felt his chest and throat tighten. His eyes teared. He turned away to dry his eyes before the tears flowed. He couldn’t embarrass himself in front of Adara this soon.
She touched his arm.
Her touch threatened to crack his control further. He pinched his nose. The pain drove the tears back.
ADARA
Oh, let it go. Now it's not just Fordo, you've lost Keba too.
Zhad felt his control crumble. His body began to shake and the tears flowed.
ZHAD
I have just graduated, Adara. One in my position should be interning in some hospital, not performing duties as the Senior Doctor. Why didn't Keba have others?
ADARA
There aren't many of us, Zhad.
ZHAD
But there's a staff of Nurses and Paramedics down there and not one was fully trained! I shouldn't be the only one! Fausa, Keba, why did you die and leave me to do everything?
ADARA
Now that you're Senior, make the hospital the way you want it. Why don't you train some of those Nurses and Paramedics to become Doctors?
ZHAD
You know, however naive that suggestion is, I think it's wonderful. I’ll do that. Then we’ll have a proper hospital. Thank you, ko'ia.
ADARA
You’re welcome, ko'io.
She took his hand and he pulled her into a hug.
Zhad took a few minutes to compose himself before they left the office.
ADARA
Can I see the boy?
ZHAD
You'll have to scrub up and wear a burn suit, but I think I can allow you to look through the healing tent.
They went to the outer room, washed up and dressed in the suit, then stepped into the inner room.
Adara stepped up beside the tent.
ADARA
His skin is yellow!
ZHAD
Yes, he's a Saili of the Aurum tribe.
ADARA
Those ears are so pretty, how they split into two points. Will you do reconstructive surgery to graft new skin on him?
ZHAD
There's a strip of undamaged skin on his back. I'll take a sample of that and grow more in the lab so I can do the grafting quicker. It's going to be a lot of surgeries, but I can do it.
ADARA
Look at the graceful long curve of his eyelids. Is his eyes slanted?
ZHAD
Yes, they have highly slanted eyes. While examining his eyes, I saw he has dark eyes. You almost can't see the difference between the iris and the pupil. His facial bones are high and delicate, but I'm sure as he grows, he'll become more hearty. Saili are stocky and strong. He doesn't look like a normal Saili. Saili usually have light eyes and metallic colored hair. I don't know enough, but I assume it's some sort of variation.
Adara put her hand on the clear plastic tent.
ADARA
He's beautiful to me.
ZHAD
We need to leave him now. I have other patients I need to visit.
ADARA
Okay.
They took off their burn suits and returned to the hallway.
ZHAD
I'll call you when we take him out.
ADARA
Fa'arata.
Adara walked down the hall with more spring in her step.
Zhad watched her wistfully. Suddenly, he took his eyes off her when he realized he was in a public hallway and people could see his feelings for her. He turned away and resumed his rounds.
(LATER)
Zhad was preparing to allow Sannaro out of the healing tent, the announcement was made that the ship was preparing to enter the asteroid belt.
Zhad wanted to take the boy out first to shut down that system before entry, but he wouldn’t have the time. Now he’d have to keep it running and revive the boy after the ship was safely at a stopping point. He went to find Tila instead. He found her in the hall rushing everywhere making sure that her staff and the housekeeping staff were securing things and turning off unnecessary machinery in case the entry became turbulent.
ZHAD
Is everything secure?
TILA
All secure, Zhad. Did you bring the child out?
ZHAD
No, he's still in. I'll take him out after we're halted.
He moved to the communications station and called for Bridge.
COM-SPEC
Bridge.
ZHAD
Medical, Hospital is secure.
COM-SPEC
Right, Hospital is secure.
Zhad cut the line.
ZHAD
I want everyone to find a chair or sit on the floor until we stop.
MED TECH
That isn't necessary, Zhad.
Zhad waved his finger at his staff.
ZHAD
Necessary or not, I need all of you uninjured. This hospital is understaffed and I don't need it worse. So, since I have most of my staff present, I want to speak to you about a training program I would like to establish.
Once everyone had sat, he continued.
ZHAD
Keba only had one apprentice doctor, that was me. He considered my training to mostly be finished when I elected to attend the Human Medical School. While I was gone, for reasons I don't understand, he didn’t select another apprentice. Most of you are students of other medical related fields, nurses and paramedics. Keba may have thought this was adequate, but I don't.
TILA
What are you proposing?
ZHAD
I want to ask for volunteers to continue schooling to become full trained doctors. I’d like to have at least three full doctors working this hospital.
MEDIC
That's more than we've ever had.
ZHAD
Each of you are medical professionals. Any of you could study further and become a doctor.
DERI
I like that. I want to.
ZHAD
Tila, you're nearly a doctor.
TILA
No, you need a good nurse to lead that staff.
zhad
If you could finish sewing up a leg after Keba died, you sure had the skills to become a very capable surgeon. He needed you.
BELA
I will.
BRI'IS
I do. I was selected to be a medic. I want to be a doctor.
ZHAD
Good, Bri'is. If any of you hear about any others who want to try, I’ll be glad to accept their names.
Just then, the ship shook and swayed. A dropping feeling became noticeable before the inertial dampers engaged and compensated for the turbulence.
ZHAD
Well, there goes a few sprained ankles!
TILA
Oh, Zhad, you've been among worlders too long.
ZHAD
Laugh as much as you like until you have to bind those up ankles. Oh, I want a report from the Pharmacy on our existing supplies of medicines.
TILA
I'll ask for that, when you allow us to be on our feet again.
Suddenly, they all felt the ship come to a stop. A voice over the intercom announced they’d stopped and that all ship's personnel were to secure their posts.
ZHAD
Now you may get up. Release necessary machinery and let's get this hospital working again. Tila?
TILA
Yes?
ZHAD
I’d like you to reconsider your decision. You're nearly a doctor now.
TILA
But you really need an experienced nurse.
ZHAD
Belia is quite experienced. You, on the other hand, are a paramedic nurse. I need you.
TILA
I'll think about it. Good enough?
ZHAD
Good enough.
TILA
Is that all?
ZHAD
Yes.
She turned on her heels and walked away.
INT. BRIDGE, KUMANI
Belso called down to Engineering to ask the senior Engineer Eke'i how repairs were progressing.
EKE'I
There was much damage that had to be cleared out, but we're now rebuilding the engine. However, it would be days before we'll finish the job and feel confident enough to fire it up for tests.
Next, he called the crew that was guiding the robot units who were repairing the skin of the ship and restoring the gravity generator. It was much the same story; they had cleared out the debris and were rebuilding.
Then he called to the Upper Flight Bay.
METEI
The catapults and launch tubes are almost ready to be tested and brought online again.
Since he had all the reports, he left his office and moved up to Nasu, standing in the middle of the bridge.
BELSO
Go relax a while, Nasu, get some food and sleep.
Nasu nodded gratefully and climbed the stairs.
BELSO
Status?
TECHNICIAN
We're managing to keep clear of flying debris, no hits. There are no ships within parsecs.
BELSO
Good. The less the better.
Belso sat in his chair and arranged his command sash to rest down the length of his leg.
That coveted sash of command was his pride and joy and he was meticulous about the black sash with the symbol embroidered on the tails of a green four-pointed star overlaid with a countered blue four-pointed star and yellow diamonds blossoming from the center and capped with red chevrons.
KI'EL
Belso.
BELSO
Yes, Ki'el, what have you got?
Belso stood up and walked to the aft communications station.
KI'EL
I picked up a news report from Belvas. Officials are upset about the living conditions that they found on Regalis. The Mining Company is being called to answer why their workers were living in substandard housing. It's causing a big controversy.
BELSO
Did you hear anything about us?
KI'EL
Briefly. It just said that when we forced them to give us our fuel, verified as being paid for, an accident set the dismally made houses the workers and their families had lived in on fire. Mostly the company was being blamed for keeping their workers impoverished.
BELSO
If they’re concentrating on the company, they may play down our role in it. Thanks for the news. Keep listening.
KI'EL
Right.
Ki'el turned back to his control board.
INT. SANNARO'S HOSPITAL ROOM, KUMANI
When Sannaro woke again, he felt fear of what he was going to see. He nothing special, just a regular hospital room with a bed, some monitors and white walls.
Suddenly, the door parted with a whoosh and the tall human man with brown hair walked through it like nothing was strange.
SANNARO
Who opened that door for you?
ZHAD
No one did. My name is Zhad and that is an electronically automated door with a sensor. It opens when someone moves toward it.
SANNARO
We didn't have that!
ZHAD
So I've heard.
Zhad stopped at the bed, drew out his sensor device and turned it on.
Sannaro jumped to his feet and pressed himself against the wall.
ZHAD
It's all right. I'm just seeing how you're doing.
Sannaro looked down at himself. He was dressed in a normal hospital gown. He held up his hand.
SANNARO
My skin! It's lumpy!
He shook his hands hard as if he could shake the scar tissue off.
ZHAD
You were badly burned. I healed you. Don't be afraid.
Sannaro sunk down to the bed.
SANNARO
Oh, no! It wasn't a nightmare? Mom, Dad, Varanani and Devakio are dead?
ZHAD
I am sorry.
Sannaro wrestled to keep the tears from flowing.
SANNARO
Where am I?
ZHAD
You're in the hospital on the Astrisi ship Kumani and I'm Doctor
Zhad. May I take a scan of you? It's just a machine that tells me how you're doing. Didn't you have any machines on Regalis?
SANNARO
Not many. How did you know I was from Regalis?
ZHAD
That's where we found you. Now, that's about all we do know for sure. Earlier you told us your name is Sannaro Damirateyak? You may not remember it because you were still delirious.
SANNARO
That’s my name.
ZHAD
All right, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Where's the hospital at? Are we still on Regalis?
ZHAD
No, you are on board the Astrisi ship Kumani.
SANNARO
Independents! This don't look like no spaceship.
ZHAD
Oh? And how does a spaceship look like?
SANNARO
Uh- I da know.
ZHAD
Well, then I guess you'll just have to take my word for it?
SANNARO
Is Regalis gone?
ZHAD
It's in bad shape, but it's not gone.
SANNARO
Are you sad?
ZHAD
I'm sad to hear of anyone hurt or killed, Sannaro.
SANNARO
You are nice, Jad.
ZHAD
It is Zhad as in azure.
SANNARO
Azuad?
ZHAD
You can drop the first 'a' and there is no 'u'.
ZHAD
Yes, you're right. There's another person who will help you. She's who found you and brought you to be healed. Her name is Adara. She was caring for you before I took over. You'll be living in her house.
SANNARO
I think I remember her a little.
ZHAD
She'll be glad to hear that you're awake. I can call her now?
SANNARO
Wait! What happened to my mother, father, sister and brother?
ZHAD
You don't remember?
SANNARO
I thought you'd know more.
ZHAD
I don't. I wasn't there.
SANNARO
Where were you?
ZHAD
I was on Alveria at a Medical University.
SANNARO
How did I get here? Why were the Independents at Regalis anyway?
He drew out the buzzing sound before he finished with the 'awd'.
The look in Zhad's eyes was pleading even though his voice was gruff with a tinge of anger.
ZHAD
The Astrisi were picking up fuel and, as I said, Adara found you hurt and brought you on board to help you recover from your wounds. That's all I have to tell you.
SANNARO
You lie!
ZHAD
You're telepathic- do I lie?
Sannaro concentrated for a minute, then flopped down on his bed and wept bitter tears.
ZHAD
Sannaro, Adara and I will help to make your stay with us as easy as we can.
SANNARO
Just go away.
Zhad heaved a big sigh and left.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Save your sadness!
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
I don't mean you any harm.
Sannaro sat down on the bed and cried in his hands.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
The pain was easing, when the door swept open again and the woman with orange-red hair entered. She studied him from head to toe as if she had never seen him before.
SANNARO
Surprised?
ADARA
You look much different now that you are well.
SANNARO
So you're Adara.
ADARA
I am.
SANNARO
Why did you take me from my family?
ADARA
You were badly hurt and I was sorry for you.
SANNARO
You killed them!
ADARA
I don't blame you if you hate me.
SANNARO
I do hate you! I want to go home!
ADARA
That is not possible.
SANNARO
Why?
ADARA
We were attacked by pirates and the ship is badly damaged.
SANNARO
Then they should have destroyed you for what you did to my home!
Sannaro threw the pillow at her.
She caught the pillow and returned it to the bed.
SANNARO
If they had been the ones who attacked your home they would have left even less and you would be dead. Don't ever will those selfish people to kill anyone.
SANNARO
What's the difference?
ADARA
Our fuel was denied to us by the foreman of that camp! If we had not taken the fuel, he would have been condemning your people to die anyway because our ship was starting to fall from space into the atmosphere of your planet! The resulting fires would have been much worse!
SANNARO
Mr. Aldinon! He wouldn't let you have your fuel?
ADARA
That is right and we were almost out of fuel.
SANNARO
He took your fuel the night before! I saw him do it. He killed my family.
ADARA
Yes, he did kill your family. I saved your life because I could not bear to see a child suffer.
SANNARO
I'm sorry, Adara.
ADARA
That is all right, Sannaro, I will help you learn how to live among us and so will Zhad.
SANNARO
You can let him come in now. He needs to know you’re all right.
She chuckled and went to the door.
Zhad rushed in and looked Adara up and down.
ADARA
I am all right, Zhad. We have come to an understanding.
SANNARO
I didn't thank you for healing me.
ZHAD
You're welcome. You still need many skin grafts before I'm done. I will be here for you at any time.
SANNARO
Are you mates?
Adara blushed and Zhad sputtered.
SANNARO
Oops! My Mommy told me not to say something before I thought about it.
ZHAD
That's all right. We're not mates, but we like each other a lot.
SANNARO
Oh, like Varanani liked a lot this guy named Adam Croner? Varanani's gone!
Sannaro's face fell and tears ran down his face again.
Adara took him in her arms.
ADARA
I know that grieving is painful. I lost my mate not too long ago.
ZHAD
We have all lost friends and family.
ZHAD'S PSYCHIC VISION
Zhad's mind held thoughts of a man flying through the air and slamming into a hospital bed with a loud, sickening crack. In his mind was also the sobering news of the death of his best friend who looked a lot like the same man Adara thought of.
ADARA'S PYSCHIC VISION
Adara mental vision was blurred with tears about a man with light-brown hair. She cradled his bleeding head as the light died in his eyes.
BACK TO HOSPITAL ROOM
SANNARO
Adara's mate was your best friend? Oh, not again!
Sannaro flipped his hair into his face.
ZHAD
It's all right, Sannaro, Adara's mate was my best friend. It is all right that you had thought I said it. I did say it in my mind.
Sannaro swept his hair behind his ears again.
SANNARO
I guess it'll be kind of hard to get use to having a telepath around?
ZHAD
We'll get use to it.
ADARA
Our thoughts are yours, Sannaro.
ZHAD
Now that we're in agreement, we need to move you to Adara's apartment. You no longer need my medical services. I'll do your skin grafting procedures on an outpatient basis.
SANNARO
Can I see out a window?
ADARA
There are no windows to look out of.
ADARA
But I can manage to get you a view by connecting my home computer terminal to the main sensor arrays so you can see what they see.
ZHAD
It’ll be like looking at the main screen on the bridge.
Sannaro grinned.
ZHAD
Now, we need to get you some clothes.
SANNARO
It's kind of cool here. Can I have a sweatshirt to keep me warm? I always wore them at home, because it was cool there too.
Zhad left the room for about fifteen minutes, and then returned with underwear, blue pants and a red sweatshirt. He also brought a white gauzy bodysuit, a hood and gloves.
ZHAD
I want you to wear these for a while under your clothes.
He helped Sannaro dress because the scarred skin made it difficult for him to bend in some areas. Then he pulled the gloves on Sannaro’s hands and the hood over his face.
Sannaro winced as the material was pulled over his ears.
ZHAD
Is something wrong?
Sannaro covered the sides of his head with his hands.
SANNARO
This hood is bothering my ears. Can you cut a hole so they won’t be covered?
ZHAD
I didn’t know Saili ears were so sensitive!
Zhad pulled out a pair of surgical scissors and carefully cut the fabric, then stretched the hole behind the ears.
ZHAD
Better?
SANNARO
Yes, my Mommy says my ears are also for hearing minds, too.
