Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
WARNING:
CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.
“CRYSTALIS”
EPISODE 73 - WHO AM i?
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT./EXT. SANNARO'S VIZHA'I - SPACE
Time seemed to stretch forever before his helmet earphones turned on.
HADAH (V.O.)
San, the Saili are going to position a ship to tractor the Kumani.
SANNARO
Good.
HADAH (V.O.)
Are you all right?
SANNARO
Ansy.
HADAH (V.O.)
Scopes empty except for the Saili ships helping us.
SANNARO
I know. I don’t know why I feel unsettled.
HADAH (V.O.)
Go do a recon. It’ll get your mind off your restlessness.
Sannaro swung his ship around and he accelerated toward the bad feeling he’d sensed earlier. As he flew further away from the evacuation, his nervousness increased. He was about to turn back toward the Kumani when his nerves jumped and he plunged the interceptor into a steep dive.
His canopy lit up like a sun then flashed back to darkness. Sannaro began evasive maneuvers.
Sannaro frantically looked around for who or what was shooting at him. He used all the astral maneuvers he knew and his Vizha’i was whining from the stress he was putting the little interceptor through.
Suddenly, he felt a bone rattling impact. He raised his head from his control board and shook his head to clear his vision.
INT. TAUIAN PRISM SHIP - CONTINUOUS
He looked beyond his crack-lined canopy and saw a dazzling rainbow of crystal around him.
Outside his ruined craft stood walking angular crystal beings that looked a lot like that odd statue on New Sailia.
Before he could pull his laser pistol, a hand grabbed his flight suit and it pulled him right through the canopy.
Sannaro yelped in expectation of striking the fractured glass but he felt no impact. He looked down and saw he was hovering over the crystal floor yet no one was holding him.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Strip him down except for the small cloth around his middle. I loathe to see their dangling parts.
TAUIAN #1 (PSI V.O.)
As you wish, Ezron.
As Sannaro hung in midair, his air tank was telekinetically pulled from his back, his pistol belt dropped from his waist and his helmet was unlocked and pulled from his head. His boots were next to go and his flight suit soon after. The only thing they didn’t touch was his underwear. He floated through prismatic halls between two crystal beings until he stopped in a white room.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Place him in a cold room until he changes form.
SANNARO
I don’t like cold.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Even better.
He dangled helplessly until he was dumped onto a cold floor in a room that seemed to be as cold as space. He huddled into a corner of the room with his arms hugging his legs to his chest to retain some warmth, but he could feel his body heat being sucked out of him the longer he had to endure the cold.
After about fifteen minutes, Sannaro noticed his skin was looking a very pale yellow-white.
A walking crystal being appeared suddenly in the room, grabbed him off the floor and took him back to the glaring white room. He was dropped to the floor and two crystal beings grabbed both of his arms.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
So, you’re fond of this idiotic soft shell? I’ll show you how idiotic your choice is.
EZRON pulled a snake whip from a wall cabinet.
Sannaro fought the two crystal beings that held his arms to free himself, but they were even stronger than the Saili.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
You fear this simple device and yet you still don’t reveal your true form? How pathetic.
Ezron cracked the whip across Sannaro’s chest.
Sannaro grunted as his skin ripped. He doubled over in pain.
The crystal people on either side of him pulled him back upright.
Ezron snapped the whip again. The woven leather draped across his shoulder, curled down his back and around his waist.
Sannaro pulled his arms against his side to test if the grip on his arms lessened. There was no give. He saw his eyes tear and blinked to drive it back.
Ezron swung the whip up and tore the skin across his chest before he redirected it back down to rend more flesh.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Come, now, Nikklo, don’t be so obstinate, even though I remember how annoyingly stubborn you can be.
SANNARO
Who is Nikklo? Why do you call me that? My name is Sannaro!
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Please, don’t give me that. I see your aura and it pulsates the colors of Nikklo. We see more than your sorry excuse for vision.
A crystalline being with a smaller body (ILANIT) walked in and stopped beside Sannaro.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Perhaps he has forgotten the truth, father? He seems to think he is this being named Sannaro.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
I’ll beat his thin skin until he remembers the truth! His crimes cannot go unpunished!
Ezron swung the whip around in a figure eight to cross Sannaro chest both ways.
Sannaro fell backwards.
The crystalline beings pulled him upright again.
Sannaro pulled with all his strength on the crystal arms.
SANNARO
Let me go!
The crystal beings strained against his pull.
He pulled again harder.
The two crystal forms stumbled and cracked against each other.
Sannaro pulled his arms out and rushed backward to get out of everyone’s reach. He didn’t know how he was going to get out of this crystal spaceship but he wasn’t going to give Ezron any more opportunities to continue his torture. He rushed out of the door and ran as fast as he could.
He sensed a blur and the smaller form was in front of him.
He launched himself to the floor and slid through the figures legs, then leapt up to continue to run.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Nikklo, I know you’re scared right now, but you have to trust me. I’m on your side. If you follow me, I can take you to a place where Ezron will not find you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Why? You called him father!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Because, I always loved you. You may not remember me, but I’m Ilanit. I was to be your bride.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What the hell?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
We don’t have the time for you to puzzle it out now. I will go slowly so you can keep up with me. We must go as fast as you can or we may be found again.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll follow you but if you attack me, I will fight you.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You’re still the same, Nikklo, always defensive.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
He said my crimes could not go unpunished. What did this Nikklo do?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
No time now, we must travel.
He followed the smaller form to a darkened room. His vision adjusted.
INT. ILANIT'S SOLITUDE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
In the darker room, he could see the smaller angular human-like shape. Her eyes were teardrop shape. She had a slender long nose that angled rounded at the tip. Her face was also shaped like a teardrop. Her aura danced calmly around her but it was purple, dusk blue, forest green, brown and gray.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
This place has no way in unless I will it. This is my sanctuary.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
It’s very dark.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Darkness is the Tauian’s enemy, but for me, it’s my solace. My colors have darkened much since you disappeared hundreds of years ago.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
And this Nikklo was going to marry you?
Ilanit’s colors that haloed her form fluctuated darker before they lightened again.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Why won’t you remember?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I don’t understand why everyone calls me Nikklo!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Where are you hiding your crystal? It would help you remember.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What crystal?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Your Tauian crystal, you lost it? Maybe that’s why you can’t remember. You hid among the soft-shells before and never lost it.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I did?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
When you were young, your father, Tarek, took you from Tauia to protest what our government meant to do to you. Tarek’s ship crashed and everyone was killed except for you and Tarek. Many years passed before he found you again, but when he did find you, so did the Tauians who were hunting for you. You hid in a soft-shell form then, too, but you didn’t lose your crystal.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What did you do when I saw a blur, then you were in front of me?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
That’s how we travel, on light waves.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
If I’m this Nikklo guy, can I travel on light waves, too?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You have a very unusual, powerful talent to travel through the darkness between planets without help to travel very long distances. Few can astral phase without a team to help them.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Can you help me remember how to astral phase?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You just see a light beam, grab it and let it pull you along. If it begins to go where you don’t wish to go, you find another light beam that is traveling in the direction you wish to go and grab it to move you farther along until you reach your destination.
Sannaro concentrated for a minute then shook his head in frustration.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Not in here, no light reaches in nor out. That insures that I keep my privacy when I wish to be alone. I can help you remember.
She touched the center of his chest and her colorful aura flowed down her arm and enveloped him.
He gasped and arched his neck. He pulled away and hugged his chest as he rode out his reaction. Suddenly, his mind began to remember what he didn’t know like she’d unlocked a barrier inside his mind.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Ikata fausa, what did you do to me?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You remember my aura now?
NIKKLOSANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Shit, yes, Ilanit, I can’t count the years since we last communicated!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
It was hundreds of years ago, Nikklo.
Nikklosannaro squatted to the floor and held his head.
NIKKLOSANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What the hell? I don’t remember feeling this way – feeling this body. What’s happened to me?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Do you remember your last day on Tauia?
NIKKLOSANNARO (PSI V.O.)
No, it’s all a blur. I have to go. Can I try this riding light?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Not in here, no light reaches in nor out. That insures that I keep my privacy when I wish to be alone.
Suddenly, a groan was heard from the sealed door.
They turned around in time for the door to shatter and fall to the floor.
Ezron entered.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
I knew you would come here. Why are you still infatuated with that destroyer of worlds, Ilanit?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I still love him!
Sannaro looked at the light that came through the shattered door and saw one that bounced off the floor toward the ceiling. He felt odd as he reached out and grabbed the shaft of light as if it were solid.
The room blurred and soon everything became streaks of light through the darkness.
PHASING VISUAL
He jumped to a beam that went toward the immensely huge volcano Misipatasutisga.
INT. MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA - CONTINUOUS
He almost panicked when he came alarmingly close to the central caldera of molten lava before he grabbed a light beam that went back up, then another that went to the floor within a cloud of steam and landed on the ground again.
Nikklosannaro stood against a steam-obscured wall when he heard two voices, a man (TAREK) and a woman (HAELATIKA), arguing.
For clarity, Nikklosannaro will be called Nikklo.
TAREK
I can’t believe you erected that statue on New Sailia! What were you thinking?
HAELATIKA
How long are you going to string that boy along? He’s already confused and getting more upset with each little hint. When are you going to tell him, Tarek?
TAREK
You know I’ll tell him eventually, Haela! Yet you went behind my back and made that statue in the Tauian form! I just don’t think he’s completely ready!
Sannaro emerged from the swirling gases.
NIKKLO
Ready for what? Does it have to do with these attacks? Ilanit told me – why didn’t you tell me-
He gasped to hold back the tears.
NIKKLO (CONT.)
I’m not Sannaro? She kept calling me Nikklo. What is skisla happening? One of my old friends turned on me! The Kumani thinks I brought this war to them and I just found they’re skisla right! Why are they after me?
The Great Forger rushed up to him.
TAREK
How did you get here?
Sannaro hugged his sore chest and shivered even though he stood near a pool of molten lava.
NIKKLO
It seems I can do instant teleportation that Ilanit says is called astral phasing.
TAREK
Ilanit? You found Ilanit and she showed you how to astral phase?
NIKKLO
She freed me from this seriously mean guy named Ezron!
The Great Forger sighed deeply and closed his eyes.
TAREK
I hoped he wouldn’t get involved with this. That means Beken won’t be far behind. So it begins. Do you know my name now?
NIKKLO
Ilanit mentioned Tarek. She said he was my father. But my father was Giovano!
He held his head.
NIKKLO
I’m going rachi here. Who am I and what do you want from me?
TAREK
I wish you had remembered on your own but you know too much now to leave you in this distressed state. Walk with me.
NIKKLO
Why?
TAREK
I have something to show you.
HAELATIKA
Tarek, look at the blood crusting his chest. He’s been tortured.
TAREK
I’ll get to his wounds soon.
He walked to the forge Sannaro had visited many times in dreams and visions.
NIKKLO
Who am I?
TAREK
I will explain when I show you.
NIKKLO
Is my father Giovano?
TAREK
He was your father as Sannaro.
NIKKLO
What does that make you?
TAREK
The creator of Saili, so you can call me the father of all Saili. Please, give me the chance to show you something and then I promise I will answer your questions.
NIKKLO
At least you seemed to be truthful about that detail.
TAREK
I know this is confusing, but I do have an explanation. Just humor me for now.
He stopped above a fissure.
TAREK
This is going to be a bit disconcerting, but we must descend through this hole to get to our destination. Will you allow me to phase for you? I’m not sure you should try to phase again until you have better training.
NIKKLO
You’re going to astral phase me?
TAREK
Astral phasing is the extraordinary ability to travel on starlight. I’m going to do a short phase that won’t travel us through long distances of space.
NIKKLO
Do you know I have claustrophobia?
TAREK
I know. The cavern I’m taking you to is just a little smaller than the central crater but it also has a vaulted ceiling so, hopefully, you won’t feel panicked.
NIKKLO
Okay, I want these questions answered. If this is the only way you’ll come straight with me, let’s go.
Tarek put his hand on Sannaro’s upper arm.
Sannaro’s sight blurred, like it had when he’d astral phased. He felt a few shifts of direction before his sight cleared again.
INT. TAREK'S CRYSTAL CAVERN - CONTINUOUS
He looked around the prismatic cavern that glistened multiple colors.
NIKKLO
This is beautiful.
TAREK
What I want you to see is farther in.
After a minute of walking, they stopped before a rectangular box that looked carved from crystal.
Sannaro walked up to the box and looked inside. He yelped and stumbled back.
NIKKLO
There’s something in there! It looked like a person made of crystal but in- he’s broken into five pieces! How can he be alive? Is he alive?
TAREK
Preserved, what you would call stasis.
NIKKLO
Preserved? So he’s still alive?
TAREK
In a way.
NIKKLO
What’s- is it a he or she?
TAREK
Male.
NIKKLO
What’s his name?
TAREK
Nikklo.
NIKKLO
Ilanit called me Nikklo! How can that be Nikklo when she told me my true name is Nikklo?
TAREK
Because I removed Nikklo’s soul from that body. Your body has Nikklo’s soul.
NIKKLO
Removed his soul? How can you remove a soul from a body? I was born to Damira!
Sannaro gripped his head.
NIKKLO
I’m so skisla confused.
TAREK
I shaped your body as it would look when you were grown, programmed it into a DNA code, connected Nikklo’s soul to it, then I injected that DNA into an ovum and inserted it into Damira. Giovano fertilized it and you were born to Damira.
NIKKLO
Why?
TAREK
Because your body was fractured too soon. You were only seventeen years old. I was devastated so I experimented with some burrowers on this world to create a race so when I made my son live again, he’d have someone to keep him company.
NIKKLO
So you did create the Saili race?
TAREK
I made them for you, but before I was ready to wake you in Saili form, Haela had an horrific vision that the whole Saili race would be wiped out unless a defender was made to teach the Saili how to defend themselves. Unfortunately, because we came from such a violent race, I made the Saili too docile that they refused to learn to fight.
NIKKLO
They hide when threatened.
TAREK
Yes, they hide when threatened, so I had to find a way to make Saili that were bolder, more aggressive.
The results of many experiments showed that the only successful way to make a Saili more aggressive was to expose them to Seranimite and cause a mutation. I decided you always had a fiery spirit so I modified your body to take on the mutation. Then I planted curiosity in some more adventurous children to venture out into the human world.
Sannaro smacked his fist against his thigh.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
NIKKLO
You allowed Giovano to become sick!
TAREK
Some sacrifices had to be made to insure the survival of the majority of Saili.
NIKKLO
Giovano was a good man, Tarek!
TAREK
Yes, Giovano was a good man. I wouldn’t have chose him if he hadn’t had all the qualities I was looking for. Damira was such a sweet child but I knew she would be able to handle the wild child I made her birth.
NIKKLO
You sacrificed them both for your plan?
TAREK
I know you think this is harsh but you’ll come to understand it better after I explain myself.
NIKKLO
How about the Astrisi? How did they fit into your plan?
TAREK
The Astrisi did create the alliance of convenience with the Saili to ship metals. When the first Zuran war broke out, I was so impressed with the Astrisi ability to adapt to learning the Gasbajan defense techniques to drive the Zurans out. I decided that the Astrisi would be the right race to teach you the art of warfare. I know you carry many scars from your training, but I needed you to become resourceful.
NIKKLO
Am I resourceful enough for you?
TAREK
You exceeded my expectations, actually. I’ve heard the Astrisi call you a juggernaut when you’re riled and I completely agree with that assessment.
NIKKLO
Do you mean some abilities I’ve done have not been natural to Saili? Have I used some of Nikklo’s abilities?
TAREK
You have used some of Nikky’s abilities. I just love your transformations. The empty corridor was very simplistic, but it was a good start when you were a teen. Then I saw it evolve as you grew older until you began to actually transform instead of create a false image. I laughed for a week when you turned yourself into that pretty girl to lure pirates.
NIKKLO
What? You mean that wasn’t a false image?
TAREK
No, you made yourself a girl. It was quite alluring. That wasn’t a Saili ability; that was entirely Nikklo’s ability.
Sannaro glared at Tarek.
TAREK
Nikklo can physically change his form to anything he could imagine, like when you changed into a tree and later, made yourself look like you melted into a puddle of gold on the floor. He- I need to tell you.
NIKKLO
What?
TAREK
The Tauians, which you and I are –
NIKKLO
Is Haela a Tauian?
TAREK
No, she’s my creation.
Nikklo's dropped his jaw in astonishment.
TAREK
Well, even I get lonely!
NIKKLO
Oh. I could swear I saw you throughout the years as Sikyatavo. He looked a lot like you.
TAREK
That’s because he was me. I was helping you. I was also Contamitre.
NIKKLO
No one knew you were the freaking Great Forger?
TAREK
No, that’s how I influence them, by taking on disguises and moving among them as a common Saili. I was getting seriously angry with Hiamovi right before the Saili Civil War because he was encouraging Verano’s grisly experiments so I encouraged the Gonkacha to fight back on Vagakta Station.
NIKKLO
You just make me do all the head-on shit.
TAREK
That’s the Tsikakayu’s job. I create, Haela heals and you defend.
NIKKLO
You’re telling me, I’m a part of a triune of gods on this planet?
TAREK
That’s what I’m saying.
NIKKLO
So you’re the one who pulls me into all these conflicts against my will?
TAREK
I needed to prepare you for this current conflict, Nikky! I promise this will be worse than any conflict you’ve been in yet! And this time, everyone will die or be forever enslaved; the Saili, the Astrisi and possibly everyone in the whole alliance. I’m just trying to save us all and help you do what you wanted to do from the start!
NIKKLO
And what was that?
TAREK
You’ve said it over and over again; to be allowed to live your life the way you choose to live it. To be allowed to be who you are and not how other say you should be.
NIKKLO
Oh, you’re right, I have said that to many people.
TAREK
That’s what you’re fighting for, kid.
NIKKLO
If that body in that box is me, what should I call myself?
TAREK
Any name you want. Nikklo, Sannaro, it doesn’t matter. You’re both.
NIKKLO
Nikklosannaro?
TAREK
What?
NIKKLO
You just called me Nikklosannaro.
TAREK
Oh, I meant to have a pause between the names but if that’s what you want to be called, it fits.
NIKKLO
Why am I in five pieces? What did I do?
Tarek wiped his face with his hand.
NIKKLO
Ikata fausa, I did something terrible, didn’t I?
TAREK
You know what you call latent telekinesis?
NIKKLO
I hate that ability.
TAREK
It’s not telekinesis. Well, it’s a kind of telekinesis, cause it’s moving things with your mind. Actually, it’s –
NIKKLO
What?
TAREK
Magnetic manipulation.
NIKKLO
I did something horrible with it, didn’t I?
TAREK
You caused the reversal of the magnetic polarity of Tauia.
NIKKLO
Reversal? Magnetic polarity; magnetism has a positive and a negative. Positive attracts, negative repels. Please, don’t tell me I reversed the positive atoms to negative!
TAREK
I wish I could tell you different. I was trying to get you away from Beken when he and his guard broke through a barrier and attacked you. They tore your limbs off and were in the process of slicing you through the waist to prevent you from leaving. You became so enraged; the power wave you released tore Tauia apart. As massive earthquakes rocked our world, I picked up each piece of my son and astral phased us away. You were just seventeen, just a child! I wanted you to have the life they denied you so I made the Saili and placed your soul into a Saili body. I took on this appearance to hide us.
Nikklo sank to the floor and bowed his head.
NIKKLO
This means I am truly a destroyer of worlds?
Tarek sat down beside him.
TAREK
You were defending yourself as you were being murdered!
NIKKLO
Why didn’t I die? My body is almost sliced in half!
TAREK
Tauians are very different than humanoids. We don’t have internal organs. In the center of our chest is a core that animates us. It’s our soul. The slice in your chest came close to your core but didn’t reach it. I put the pieces in stasis so I could move your soul or this body would’ve died.
NIKKLO
Why didn’t you let it die?
TAREK
You can’t use all your Tauian powers if your crystalloid body dies. I’m still trying to figure out how to heal your fractures. Until then, I keep your true body in stasis.
NIKKLO
Why would you want me to use my Tauian powers? Isn’t that why we’re in this mess now? You should have let it die.
TAREK
I wish it were that simple, Nikky. The Tauian survivors have been searching for us. They found us because Arcas sold you out.
NIKKLO
What the hell? Arcas?
TAREK
Do you remember that cryptic wisecrack when your rib was broken?
NIKKLO
Arcas said- Aw hell, he said, just change forms. I asked him what he meant. He wouldn’t answer me and we were so busy with organizing the evacuation, I forgot the remark.
TAREK
That’s right. Now we’re going to have to fight them directly and the only way is for you to use your Tauian abilities.
NIKKLO
Nikky; why does that name sound so natural? As far as I can remember, I’ve always been called Sannaro, Sanna or San.
TAREK
You’re beginning to remember because Ilanit began your awakening. I was hoping you’d begin your awakening before the Tauians found us. I guess it’s too late now.
Nikklo glanced at the eery crystal coffin.
NIKKLO
You must teach me how to use my Tauian powers.
TAREK
I do have to say, you’ve learned incredible restraint with your magnetic wave. I saw four times you used it and only twice, you used it violently on some sorely deserving people and you controlled how much power you used. Twice, you set everything down and returned it to the dormant state. The Astrisi taught you well, but I do agree, you need to learn about your Tauian powers now that Ezron has found us. He’ll surely report back to Beken that he found you.
Nikklo put his head between his knees.
NIKKLO
I thought I’d feel better if I learned the truth, but I’m still so confused.
TAREK
Rest here for the night before you return to Gasbaja. We need to heal your wounds, anyway. Maybe you’ll have your center back in the morning.
NIKKLO
So, the Kumani was successfully towed to Gasbaja?
TAREK
Yes, I made sure the children delivered the Kumani and her inhabitants safely. Hadah managed to land the ship. That was some nasty damage.
Nikklo stood up and looked into the stasis box again.
NIKKLO
There’s so much for me to think about.
TAREK
Rest so your subconscious can work through it. You can sort it out in your conscious mind when you wake.
Nikklo nodded.
TAREK (CONT.)
Let’s return to the central crater. I’m sure your sleep doesn’t need to be more disturbed by being in proximity to your fractured body.
Tarek took his upper arm again.
PHASE IMAGES
INT. CENTRAL CALDERA, MISIPATASUTISGA - CONTINUOUS
Nikklo’s vision blurred again and a few directional shifts later, his vision cleared and he saw the central caldera of Misipatasutisga.
INT. BEDROOM, MISIPATASUTISGA - CONTINUOUS
Nikklo numbly followed Tarek to a room with a bed and flopped down on the mattress.
TAREK
I wish I could stay with you but I have matters to attend to. I'm summoning Haela to help you.
Nikklo nodded numbly.
Tarek disappeared.
HAELATIKA walked into the room and raised her hands over his chest to begin the healing.
NIKKLO
So you were on that mountain on New Sailia when I found the statue.
HAELATIKA
I was.
NIKKLO
I’m still confused about who I am.
HAELATIKA
I’m sure you are, but Tarek needed to tell you the truth sometime. I just forced it. I may have brought the Tauians here because of the statue, but they were going to come eventually. Ezron was brutal to your skin, but it won’t add to your scarring. Danu did a nice job with your broken rib. I’m finished. Rest well, child.
Soon, he dropped into a restless sleep.
(LATER)
The next morning, NIKKLO woke with his mind still in turmoil.
TAREK stepped in, handed him a set of Saili clothes and then sat down.
Nikklo dressed, then sat beside Tarek.
NIKKLO
Why were we fleeing Tauia?
TAREK
I was young and foolish. I believed my government when I should have been questioning their intentions.
NIKKLO
You said you experimented a lot. Was that what you did on Tauia?
TAREK
I’m a scientist. I was head of research.
NIKKLO
Research to do what?
TAREK
Make super warriors to fight an opposing government. It sounded reasonable at first, but it didn’t stop there.
NIKKLO
You’re telling me, I’m a super warrior?
TAREK
Like I said, I was foolish. I convinced your mother, Rakul to –
NIKKLO
Be one of your test subjects? How nice of you.
TAREK
Nikklo, please don’t chastise me. I know I was wrong. When a colleague told me the super children were to be taken away from their parents to be raised in a government run facility to teach them only to be weapons for the nation, I began to realize my mistake. I didn’t want to lose my youngest child so we fled Tauia. We were pursued and crashed on a humanoid world. You were only a toddler at the time. I lost all my family in that crash except you, but when I woke again, you disappeared. Years later, I learned your crystal pendant shape-changed you into a humanoid and you were placed in a foster home. As soon as I met you again, we were found and forced back to Tauia. You rebelled against those who tried to force you into agreeing to be a super warrior that you began a revolution.
NIKKLO
I seem to be good at starting revolutions.
TAREK
The humanoids you lived with taught you to value your freedom over compliance. I learned to value freedom because you showed me blind loyalty holds too many sacrifices. You were hunted down so they could trap you and force you to comply. That’s when they dismembered you and you released all your powers in rage and pain.
He opened his fist and showed a necklace with a blue-white six sided crystal cylinder that came to a point at the end.
TAREK
I made this crystal for you to wear. Take it in your hands and center your mind on the crystal.
Nikklo took the necklace and centered his mind.
NIKKLO
It’s feeding on my energy!
TAREK
Easy, that’s what it needs to do. You’re activating the crystal to help you with memorizing forms and channeling your power. We call this the Tauian crystal. You had one transform you to humanoid right after the crash. Each Tauian wears one. You must try not to get separated from your crystal.
NIKKLO
Ilanit asked me what happened to my Tauian crystal. I told her I didn’t know about it.
Nikklo clasped it around his neck.
NIKKLO (CONT.)
It’s a pretty crystal, though Cherna will wonder why I’ve suddenly begun to wear jewelry.
TAREK
Be careful of who touches your crystal. If someone does touch it, cleanse it with your own energy as soon as you can.
NIKKLO
Okay. What if I have to wear full battle gear? I can’t have it hanging outside my suit.
TAREK
Then wear it under your flight suit or put it in a pocket or pouch where you can get to it easily. Although it works best if you have it in direct contact with your skin.
NIKKLO
That crystalloid didn’t have a so-called skin.
TAREK
Well, we do have a skin of sorts. We just have an exoskeleton.
NIKKLO
What happens if we go from having an exoskeleton to being a humanoid with skin? Why am I overreacting to being touched?
TAREK
Humanoids have more nerves in their skin. It can be a bit overwhelming when I change to my Tauian form and return to my Saili form.
NIKKLO
Wow, that’s why Ezron showed disdain for what he called soft-shells. Anyway, I need to get to Gasbaja or Hadah’s going to list me as MIA if he hasn’t already.
TAREK
I recommend you change to Tauian form to astral phase. You’ll have better control when you have to jump to a different light beam to correct your course and watch carefully for black space. If you get dropped in black space, you may never find a light beam again and you’ll get stuck floating in space.
NIKKLO
Wouldn’t I die?
TAREK
If you can’t get light to feed on, you might, but you don’t have to worry about oxygen. Tauians don’t breathe.
NIKKLO
How about eating?
TAREK
When you’re in your Saili form, you have to eat, drink and breathe to survive, but your Tauian form only needs light. If you feel weak, bask in any light to replenish your strength.
NIKKLO
How do I change to the Tauian form?
TAREK
Just think of how you would look if you weren’t fractured.
NIKKLO
Like I looked on that statue Haela made on New Sailia?
TAREK
Yes, then you will yourself to become it. Your Tauian crystal will then remember your Saili form and aide you to become Saili again when you choose to resume that form. Now don’t go crazy and turn into a whole lot of beings or you’ll deplete your power and need to bask in light for a while.
NIKKLO
I’ll remember that.
TAREK
Now, did you sense how I jumped from light beam to light beam to adjust my course?
NIKKLO
I noticed.
TAREK
Light rarely travels in a straight line to where you want to be so you may have to adjust constantly. Sense a person you want to go to and lock on to them before you reach out for a light beam.
NIKKLO
I did that to come here. I can easily get back to Gasbaja by locking on Cheri.
TAREK
Okay. If you have trouble, contact me telepathically and I’ll come to help you.
NIKKLO
I’ll remember that.
Nikklo thought about how he would look if his Tauian form was whole and imagined he was that form.
TAREK
Nice, it’s been so long since I saw you whole.
NIKKLO
Wish me luck because I still have much to think about.
TAREK
I know, but I also know you’re strong. See you again, kiddo.
Nikklo looked up for a beam of light that was going up and reached out to grab it.
PHASING IMAGES - CONTINUOUS
END ACT 2
ACT 3
EXT. KUMANI CAMP, GASBAJA -NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
After many course corrections, Nikklo vision cleared and he found himself outside a simply-made wooden home he assumed was his and Cherna’s temporary home on Gasbaja.
He pulled away from the door and walked out of camp to go for a stroll in the cool night air of Gasbaja.
Nikklo stopped and looked ahead. He thought he’d seen flashes of color in a humanoid shape.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Nikklo.
Nikklo turned around to sense where the voice had come from.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
I know you hear me, Nikklo. We know where you are now. You won’t escape your punishment this time, child.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
And I know you, now. I’m not going to hide this time. I’m no longer an untrained little boy. I will fight you to the end. You just astral phase yourself back to Beken and give him that message like a good slave.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
You should learn to do as you’re told to do, Nikklo. There’s no getting away from it.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
I got away with it for hundreds of years and I’ll get away with it for a lot longer. I choose my own life. Now go back to your astral prism ship and deliver my message or someone may crack a whip across your back.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
This is your last warning. Return with me now and the soft-shells you care about will be spared.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
You think I’m going to believe someone who dismembers children while they scream and beg for the agony to stop? I’m ready for your war. Leave now or I’ll hunt you and tear you limb from limb before I snuff your core.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
You had your chance, Nikklo. We’ll do it your way but you won’t be able to prepare your soft-shells for this war. Next we meet, there will be violence.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Take my message back to Beken, coward!
Nikklo sent a moderate mind-slap with the sending.
The mental presence disappeared.
ARCAS
So, I was right.
NIKKLO
And how did you know?
ARCAS
That voice you insulted came to me and told me everything; how you’ve been lying to everyone for over forty years.
NIKKLO
I didn’t lie, Arcas, unless amnesia is a form of lying. I knew nothing about any of this until now.
ARCAS
And why should I believe you?
Nikklo locked onto Arcas’ mental signature, grabbed a light beam and traveled to where ARCAS hid. He stopped right behind his old friend and grabbed his arms.
NIKKLO
Because, I’m telling you the truth.
Arcas struggled to get his arms free.
NIKKLO
You can’t break my hold and you know it.
ARCAS
You’re right, you have an iron grip when you want to keep someone from getting away. But you’ve done worse, haven’t you? You tore apart a whole planet! Did you think no one would be bothered about that?
NIKKLO
Nui, I’m quite bothered about finally remembering why I hate my telekinesis. What they didn’t tell you is that when I tore our planet apart, they were cutting my arms and legs off my body. I, kind of, object to dismembering a seventeen year-old child, especially since I was that seventeen year-old child. This is my second body and I’ve grown a bit attached to it.
ARCAS
Oh, fausa, they didn’t tell me that! I swear, I didn’t know they tried to murder you.
NIKKLO
You should know you shouldn’t just believe any voice that speaks in your head unless it’s someone you’ve known and trusted. I’ve actually been warned about the coming of the Tauians and have been training for their return.
ARCAS
That’s why you never returned to the Saili? We Astrisi have been training you in warfare?
NIKKLO
You’ve seen how proficient the Saili are at warfare.
ARCAS
Fausa, my kids know more about warfare than your Saili.
NIKKLO
Verano wanted to make me just like the other Saili, but the Great Forger and I have a different path. I will tell you, we are fugitives of that race, but they mean to kill us or force me to fight on their side. Tell me, Arc, after watching my fighting style in all the battles you’ve fought at my side, would you like for me to be your enemy?
ARCAS
Skisla nui! You’d rip us apart with a thought. Oh, Iachi’awei, I did something stupid. I just get so jealous of you, how good you are.
NIKKLO
You know, Arc, I always wondered why I was so good, too. Now I have the answer to that and I’m not very happy about it. I’m not happy about you selling us out, either. Now, you know Astrisi law states that if you handed your own ship to enemies of the Astrisi, you’re subjected to the worst punishment an Astrisi council can give.
ARCAS
You’re the better man, San. Just take me back to Hadah and let me be executed. It’s for the best.
NIKKLO
I don’t know. You’re still a great warrior.
Arcas bent over and screamed.
ARCAS
Ugh, my head!
Nikklo brought up his personal shields to protect his own brain from the kinetic energy. He sensed Arcas’ soul break free of his body. He used his telekinesis to encircle it and hold it back.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Hlatutara, come to me!
Nikklo pulled a razorwing to him. He pulled Arcas’ soul through the body, into his hand.
Arcas’ body shook then went slack with a death rattle.
Nikklo laid Arcas’ dead body on the ground, then surrounded the insect with both hands and willed the soul to enter the thirty centimeter long body.
The insect gasped then chattered frantically.
NIKKLO
Be calm, Arc.
RAZORWING ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
What happened to me?
NIKKLO
I think the Tauian mind-slammed you to keep you from going to trial. I saved your life by moving your soul. You’ll have to be completely obedient to me at all times as my personal weapon, but you won’t die.
Razorwing Arcas landed on Nikklo’s shoulder and folded his wings back.
RAZORWING ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
What am I?
NIKKLO
You’re a razorwing or Hlatutara. It’s a deadly insect from Sailia that’s been used for centuries as a weapon for Saili hunters. I’ll have to keep you in a cage when I don’t call you to fight for me. It won’t be much of a life, but you won’t be executed.
RAZORWING ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
I don’t know if I want to thank you or curse you.
NIKKLO
I know I want to kill that Tauian who killed you. They seem to do everything underhanded.
He went over to Arcas’ body and hefted it over his shoulder for the walk back to camp.
Razorwing Arcas landed on Nikklo's other shoulder and nestled under his hair to hide.
Nikklo cringed when he felt Arcas' talons dig into his skin for stability.
NIKKLO
Don't slice me up, please.
RAZORWING ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Wow, kasai, I didn't realize I gripped you so tightly. I hope you understand I'm a bit creeped out about sitting beside my dead body.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
I don't blame you for that. It is creepy.
As he entered the camp, Vizha’e surrounded him.
EXT. KUMANI CAMP, GASBAJA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
Tisa pointed her laser at Nikklo.
TISA
Put Arcas down, Sannaro.
NIKKLO
I’ll give up to you willingly.
He laid Arcas on the ground and stepped back with his arms above his head.
Hadah rushed up to him with his hair mussed up and his clothes hurriedly put on.
HADAH
Sannaro, when did you get back?
NIKKLO
About ten minutes ago.
HADAH
Where’s your Vizha’i?
NIKKLO
Wrecked.
HADAH
Here on Gasbaja?
NIKKLO
Nui, Hadah, can we talk in private?
TISA
Arcas is dead!
NIKKLO
I didn’t kill him! He died in my arms!
TISA
You had to sense something! You always sense something more than the rest of us!
HADAH
Tisa, leave that for the council.
TISA
I guess you’re right.
Hadah walked over to Arcas' body and checked it.
HADAH
Houk, he's dead. I had him under investigation anyway because he's been telling me to take Sannaro's sash. I was getting suspicious because he told me he thought if we got rid of Sannaro, the attacks would end. I was still trying to find out if what grounded us was an attack. I wondered how he knew so much.
NIKKLO
This was an attack and if I'm not allowed to handle this situation, it will result in the extinction of both the Saili and the Astrisi. Only the Great Forger and I know how to fight this threat. I’m dreading to know how Arcas knew I was the target of these attacks.
HADAH
If I didn’t know about your visions of the Great Forger, I would seriously think you were rachi! Okay, let's get Arcas' body to medical and we'll go to the central tent. You've got a lot of explaining to do, my friend.
NIKKLO
I know I do, Hadah.
HADAH
Tisa, you guard Sannaro and I’ll get a house arrest anklet from the PE.
Nikklo sighed and sat on the ground. He found himself staring at the corpse so he bowed his head between his knees.
DIMEI
Can’t stand to look at what you did, can you?
TISA
Dimei, stop, Hadah said that’s for council.
Hadah returned with PIRLO.
PIRLO
Hadah, do you want me to detain Sannaro?
HADAH
Let's just place him on house arrest for now and put a locator anklet on him. I'll talk to San alone. I want you to take Arcas' remains to medical then set up a perimeter guard around the central tent.
Pirlo squatted down, snapped the anklet around Nikklo’s ankle and activated the electronic pad in his hand.
PIRLO
Okay, the anklet is activated. You can go to the central tent now , San, but if you leave the perimeter of the camp, we’ll be alerted and organize a hunt to bring you back. You understand?
NIKKLO
Houk, I understand.
Tisa handed her pistol to Hadah.
TISA
I think you should be armed.
NOKI
Right, he's the best Vizha'e in history and you're trusting yourself alone with him?
HADAH
I trained him. My dead wife was his first Team-leader. I know what Sannaro can do.
NIKKLO
I won't attack anyone. I want to explain myself to Hadah. Now, please, take me to the central tent!
Hadah took the pistol and held it by the barrel.
HADAH
Let's go. Don't make me have to fire on you.
NIKKLO
I won't.
CHERNA rushed across the camp to them.
CHERNA
San? Where have you been?
HADAH
Sorry, Cheri, I need to interrogate Sannaro. He brought Arcas back to camp dead.
CHERNA
What?
NIKKLO
I didn't kill Arcas!
HADAH
Let's get to the tent before you break down, San.
Hadah took Sannaro's bicep.
Nikklo bowed his head and allowed himself to be led to the tent.
HADAH
Pirlo, spread the word through camp that we need an emergency council now.
Pirlo nodded before he turned to do his tasks.
Hadah and Nikklo entered the tent.
INT. KUMANI COUNCIL TENT, GASBAJA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
HADAH
Now, what the hell happened? Where's your Vizha'i?
NIKKLO
I told you, it's wrecked.
HADAH
Where?
NIKKLO
I don't know.
HADAH
How did you get home?
NIKKLO
It's complicated.
HADAH
Okay, let's start from the last time we spoke. You were in your Vizha'i establishing perimeter guard while we evacuated the Kumani. You told me you were restless. I told you to do a sweep. You disappeared soon after. Your turn.
The tent flap was pulled back and the members of the council stepped in.
Cherna rushed in at the tail end of the council.
NASU blocked her way.
NASU
Cherna, you're not part of this council!
CHERNA
Can I please sit in? He's my mate.
VARANANI stepped in, too.
NASU
Danu, your doctor is also violating protocol!
VARANANI
I'm a psychiatrist. I sense a lot of turmoil in Sannaro's mind and would like to monitor his condition through this interrogation.
DANU
As my head of Psychiatry, I think she has a valid reason.
PARIK
I grant special allowances to Cherna and Varanani. Since this is such a charged situation, let's open the council entirely and let anyone who wants in to come in.
Cherna and Varanani nodded their thanks and sat down.
PARIK
Why have you called this emergency council, Hadah?
HADAH
Arcas is dead. Sannaro brought his dead body back to camp.
DANU
What? But he's been missing since I healed his rib right after the explosion. Vara tried to sense him for days afterward and couldn't sense anything! She's been crying!
VARANANI
I thought I lost my brother again!
NIKKLO
I just escaped from capture; that's why I've been missing. While I was manning the protective perimeter in my Vizha'i, I was attacked and began evasive maneuvers. I was pulled into a strange crystal ship. My Vizha'i was destroyed and I was taken for interrogation. I was tortured because the crystalline beings thought I was one of their kind named Nikklo. I just recently escaped and came to Gasbaja to rejoin my ship. While I was walking to arrange my thoughts to explain this mess, Arcas confronted me with the accusations Hadah has just been telling me about.
PARIK
Are you one of their kind named Nikklo?
NIKKLO
Unfortunately, I am.
NASU
Did you know this and didn't bother to tell us?
NIKKLO
I didn't know! I had amnesia until now! I'm so confused about who I am right now.
TISA
When we first met you, you were a seven year old child! We saw you grow up before our eyes, so how can you be this other person?
NIKKLO
Nikklo's soul was planted into the newborn child named Sannaro by the Great Forger, a Tauian in disguise, and I lived that life to hide from the Tauians. Nikklo's body can't support life right now because his crystalloid body was broken into four pieces and his chest was partially severed. The Great Forger placed it in stasis inside a crevasse deep within Misipatasutisga until he could heal his son. Nikklo would’ve died if he hadn’t moved the soul into this Saili form.
DANU
Moving souls? No one can move a soul from one form to another!
NIKKLO
The Tauians are more technologically advanced than any humanoid in the Terran Alliance.
VARANANI
San, Nikklo, this is incredible! The Great Forger is an alien and so are you?
NASU
Great, so we've been harboring a fugitive! I told Belso forty years ago not to keep this kid! Now you idiots know why!
NIKKLO
Please, let me explain!
PARIK
Okay, we're listening.
NIKKLO
Tarek said his government convinced the scientists to do genetic manipulation to create super warriors with extraordinary powers. I was one of those children, but when he learned that all super children were to be taken from their families to be raised in a government facility to be conditioned to do only what they were told to do, Tarek decided he didn’t want to give up his youngest son and fled Tauia with his wife and children.
ADARA
How could they treat an infant that way? That’s shameful!
NIKKLO
They had a conflict with another nation and they were at a stalemate. The genetic manipulation was justified by the government to break the stalemate.
HADAH
I can sure understand why he wouldn’t want to lose his son to bureaucracy.
NIKKLO
We were pursued and crashed on a world populated by other Humanoids. Tarek, the Great Forger suffered a head injury and lost his memory for several years. I was only a toddler and changed into a humanoid form to find help for survival. I was taken in by the Humanoids and raised by foster parents for twelve years.
NASU
Haven't I heard this story before? Oh, right, Adara stole you from Regalis at the age of seven and you were raised by foster parents. Aren't you just repeating yourself?
NIKKLO
My pasts are similar but my teen years are very different. Everything changed drastically. When I was found, I was kidnapped and reunited with my Father on the trip back to our home world. As soon as we landed on Tauia, I was forced to go into the training I was supposed to have soon after I was born. I refused to obey and began a revolution on Tauia to force them to free all the genetically enhanced children to choose how they wanted to live their own lives. That’s why I’m a fugitive Tauian.
NASU
You just love to start revolutions.
NIKKLO
Nasu, for once I can’t argue with you on that point. It does seem that everywhere I go I do tend to start revolutions. I’m a very independent-minded person and that’s why I resisted conditioning. It’s also why Tarek manipulated my life so I would be trained by the Astrisi, because the Vizha’e are fierce warriors of principle. Tarek valued the Astrisi spirit.
ZHAD
Genetically-enhanced warrior children is so abhorrent to me as a physician. At least Tarek woke up and realized what his people were making him do.
HADAH
So what is your special ability?
NIKKLO
I’m made of animated crystal so I look transparent to your eyes. You wouldn’t be able to see me unless you wore infrared goggles to see our heat signatures. I can do a lot more than pick up metal objects with my mind and change my form at will.
I can also do instantaneous transportation by grasping light waves as if they were solid and use the wave to transport me instantly over massive distances. When I travel, I move at the speed of light so humanoids wouldn’t be able to see me. I’m not sure if even ships sensors would detect me.
PARIK
Oh, now you’re really confusing me.
PHASING VISUALS
Nikklo thought of his Tauian form, changed, then grabbed a light beam and traveled across the room. He returned to his Saili form.
BACK TO KUMANI COUNCIL TENT
PARIK
What the! You were here beside me and now you’re over there?
NIKKLO
I told you, I travel as fast as light. Oh, this skisla skin!
He curled up into a trembling ball.
Danu stood and took a step toward him.
FADE OUT
THE END