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 76 – CONFLICT
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
NIKKLO phased back to CHERNA, dressed her into a shirt, shorts and her stump protectors. He didn’t release her before he shot into the air and flew randomly across Gasbaja.
PHASE VISION
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Vizha’e, full alert, deploy Vizha’i. Anyone with infrared sensors in your helmets, bring them online. Hadah, I was attacked by a Tauian in my home. Engaging diversionary tactics to draw Tauians away.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Houk, Nik. Keep me updated. Where’s Cheri?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
With me.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Okay, just so I know where everyone is.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Houk.
Nikklo spotted a mountain with a cave and scanned inside to learn if it was occupied. When he sensed empty space, he shot into the cave mouth and released the light beam. He landed on the hard rock.
BACK TO NORMAL VISION
INT. UNKNOWN CAVE, GASBAJA - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Cherna whipped her head around frantically.
CHERNA
Where are we? I can’t see anything!
NIKKLO
Kasai, lover, we were attacked at home. I phased us to a random cave. That’s why you can’t see.
CHERNA
At least you were decent enough to dress me before you moved us.
NIKKLO
You were right, the flight suit helped to contain the shock of transforming. I don’t know if I’ll like having to wear a flight suit all the time, though.
CHERNA
Next time we can go back home, I can ask Ba'ia to design a similar suit for you that isn’t as thick. Would you still want to have the climate control system?
NIKKLO
Nui, just give me a thicker skin.
CHERNA
Same gold color as your skin? Maybe that way, people won’t easily notice that you’re wearing a medical bodysuit?
NIKKLO
I guess that would be a good idea.
He scanned the room telepathically because of a sudden unease.
CHERNA
Nikky?
NIKKLO
Wait, I sense something. I’m not sure, though.
CHERNA
Nikklo something is crawling on me! Help, I can’t move!
Nikklo looked at her and dropped his jaw.
Cherna looked like she was growing ice around her body and it was creeping up toward her face quickly.
Nikklo gathered energy and made it into a pushing wave so he wouldn’t hurt Cherna.
The clear rocky disks clattered to the floor but as soon as they hit the floor, they crept toward Cherna again.
Nikklo phased to her and pulled her onto his shoulders.
They began to creep up his legs and snap together rigidly as they formed their shell.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Stop it!
The creatures stopped.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Return to the ground!
The disks dropped to the floor.
Cherna ran to Nikklo and climbed onto his shoulders.
CHERNA
What are they?
NIKKLO
I don’t know but they’re very interesting. I want to take a few to Tarek for study.
CHERNA
But they tried to freeze me so I couldn’t move!
NIKKLO
Houk, but they obeyed my command. What if they could fuse my Tauian body back to whole, while teaching them to allow movement? They could be taught to be a crystal cast! I could be healed!
CHERNA
How can you have two bodies, Nikky? You can only live in one body at a time.
NIKKLO
Tarek said I couldn’t access all of my Tauian powers if my Tauian body was dead. I can keep it in stasis even after it’s healed until I need it.
CHERNA
How can you take it to him? You can’t leave me here with more of those things in the dark and I’ll die if I’m exposed to Sailia’s toxic atmosphere.
Nikklo picked up two disks and held them up.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Arcas, grab these with your talons and I’ll phase you to Sailia. You drop them before Tarek and I’ll talk to him.
Arcas landed and wrapped his wings around the disks.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Don’t you dare drop me, Nikklosannaro.
PHASE VISION
Nikklo phased Arcas to Tarek’s mental signature and stopped him at the edge of the central caldera of Misipatasutisga on Sailia.
ARCAS P.O.V.
Int. MISIPATASUTISGA CENTRAL CAVERN, SAILIA – day - CONTINUOUS
Arcas appeared near the central cadera of Misipatasutisga near Tarek's forge.
Tarek turns in alarm.
TAREK
Crap, not another hlatutatara!
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Tarek, don't kill the hlatutara, please. It's mine. I want you to study these creatures in Arcas' talons. They climb on their prey and freeze them into place. I got them to respond to forceful telepathic commands. Could they fuse a Tauian into one piece?
TAREK
That’s incredible. I’ll study them and tell you what I find. I hope you’re right that they might be taught to fuse your body back together.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Good. I need to pull Arcas back here. We were attacked at home and I was using diversionary tactics to draw them away from the Astrisi when I found them.
TAREK
Okay, return Arcas to you. I’ll be in contact when I know something.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Houk. Arcas, return to me.
He pulled Arcas back to him.
PHASE VISION
Back to NORMAL VISION IN GASBAJAN CAVE
Arcas reappeared with his wings fluttering anxiously.
NIKKLO
See, I didn’t drop you.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Fa’arata. That was amazing! What did you do to me? Was I really on Sailia and how did you get me there so skisla fast?
NIKKLO
I astral phased you. That’s similar to what I did to bring us to this cave, just over an intergalactic distance.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
But by the Kumani’s top speed, it would take a week! How did you take me there in a few minutes?
NIKKLO
I’m really not sure. I just jump from light beam to light beam to cross space to arrive where I want to be. Astral phasing isn’t even common among Tauians and usually it takes three to five astral phasers to use a crystal prism ship to concentrate the light so they can travel across the same distance I can do alone.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
I’m sorry to agree with Noki but you are a bizarre being, Nikklosannaro.
NIKKLO
I know. That’s why I’m so hunted, I am bizarre, even for my own kind.
CHERNA
Arcas, stop depressing Nikklo. We need him to phase us home.
NIKKLO
How did you know?
CHERNA
I'm still on your back so we have a direct connection. I picked up your rude remark to Arcas earlier. You did to him what Tarek did to you; moved souls to another body?
NIKKLO
Houk, I couldn't stop the mind-slam but I could keep him from dying. That's why I suddenly had a razorwing.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Kasai, Cheri. That was a crazy trip, but, houk, we need Nikky to take us back. This little bug body wouldn’t carry you very far.
CHERNA
Sorry to say this, Arc, but I’d be afraid you’d try to slice me to pieces. Ambri told me about how aggressive razorwings were in the wilds of Sailia.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Aw, I wouldn’t give in to killing you, Cheri. We’ve had our problems, but I’ve always considered you both good friends.
NIKKLO
I’ve always loved each of you. You gave me acceptance while everyone else called me a mind-raping alien.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Nik, we’ve swept the skies and aren’t sensing anymore threats.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, we’re returning.
He changed to crystal and grabbed a light beam.
PHASING VISUALS
EXT. KUMANI CAMP, GASBAJA -DAY - CONTINUOUS
After a few course changes, Nikklo released the light and landed on the grass outside the central tent.
Hadah rushed joined them.
HADAH
Why are you in a flight suit? You were stood down an hour ago and wearing different clothes while you helped Eke'i.
NIKKLO
I found the space suit helps me adjust better to the shock of transforming.
Nikklo walked over to the fractured Tauian.
NIKKLO
We should move this body before someone trips over it and hurts themselves.
HADAH
What?
NIKKLO
Ar- the razorwing killed a Tauian here.
Nikklo set Cherna down on the ground and picked up the broken crystal body. He grabbed a light beam and launched himself into space.
PHASING VISION
He launched the body into the sun then returned to camp.
EXT. KUMANI CAMP, GASBAJA -DAY - CONTINUOUS
HADAH
Whoa, did you just travel again?
NIKKLO
Houk, I got rid of the body.
HADAH
This new stuff is shocking.
NIKKLO
For you? Your skin isn’t electrifying every time I use my power. I’m actually getting shocked several times a day anymore.
Danu stopped at Nikklo’s side.
DANU
That worries me.
NIKKLO
Cheri says she can ask her mother to make me an insulating suit to control the shock of transforming.
DANU
Now, that sounds reasonable.
DI'OK stopped beside Danu.
DI'OK
I’m finally being allowed away from my communications desk to catch up with you. Damn, how can anyone catch up with you, anymore? Yesterday you were Sannaro, now you’re Nikklo. You won’t believe how many messages I’ve gotten and sent about all this.
NIKKLO
I can believe it, brother.
Di'ok looked down at Cherna.
DI'OK
Hey, you’re shorter than normal, sis.
CHERNA
Launch Di'ok into space, Nikky.
NIKKLO
Nui, I like him alive and Ba'ia wouldn’t be in any mood to make me that suit if she’s crying about her firstborn.
DI'OK
Aw, fa’arata, San, I mean Nik. You’re still short.
NIKKLO
My other body is only seventeen. Keep pushing it and I will take you on a tour of space without a spacesuit.
DI'OK
So that’s why you look so young, you never grew up?
NIKKLO
And you never got your red hair under control!
Nikklo stuck out his tongue.
DI'OK
Oh ho, that famous olive green tongue! Some things never change.
DANU
Houk, Sannaro is still there.
HADAH
You guys can be so silly.
NIKKLO
I needed a good laugh, anyway.
HADAH
Anyway, Nik, you need some downtime. You’ve been fighting way too much. Have you even eaten, today?
NIKKLO
I think I’ve only drawn in light and I’ve been phasing a lot since.
DANU
No solid food since this morning?
CHERNA
He’s been chasing light beams all day.
DANU
You’re eating now – doctor’s orders.
NIKKLO
As long as I don’t get shot at, I’d love to sit down to lunch.
HADAH
You take care of him, Danu. I’ve got more work to do before I can take a break.
NIKKLO
Let’s go to my house. Ar- my razorwing needs to eat.
DANU
What did you say?
NIKKLO
My razorwing needs to eat.
DANU
You said more than that. I may not be a natural telepath, but–
NIKKLO
Danu, I refuse to discuss it out in the open. Let’s go to my house or I’ll phase us all there right now. Understand?
DI'OK
Whoa!
DANU
I’ll respect your wishes, Tsikakayu, but I want an explanation when you feel secure enough to talk.
NIKKLO
You’re not the psychiatrist.
DANU
Do you want me to call her here?
NIKKLO
It’s not necessary. I will tell you now that you read my mind but not in the open. You’ve become the better telepath than Di'ok and Cherna combined.
DANU
I’ll take that as a compliment.
NIKKLO
You can take it any way you like.
Nikklo walked toward his house.
Varanani joined them.
VARANANI
You mentioned me?
NIKKLO
We did. Join us for lunch at my house?
VARANANI
Sure.
Varanani glanced at Danu.
NIKKLO
He’s pissed at me but I won’t talk about it until we’re at my house.
VARANANI
Okay, I’m adequately warned.
He opened the door and held it until everyone entered then closed it.
INT. NIKKLO'S HOUSE, GASBAJA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
NIKKLO
Arcas, come to me.
The razorwing swooped down and landed on Nikklo’s shoulder.
DI'OK
By Iachi’awei, you finally got him to do what he’s told to do!
DANU
You put Arcas in a- what the hell is that?
NIKKLO
It’s a razorwing, a predatory insect from Sailia that the Saili hunters use as a weapon. Placing Arcas’ soul into a weapon was better than allowing him to die of a mind-slam!
VARANANI
He betrayed you to your own people, Nikky!
NIKKLO
Houk, he did, but he’s still my friend.
CHERNA
Our friend.
NIKKLO
And a damn good Vizha’e. Arcas’ Astrisi body is dead, but Arcas’ soul isn’t gone. He’s right here.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
And hungry. He had me fight harder today alone than he’s made me fight in a Vizha’i then made me fly all the way to Sailia in two minutes! What took a week for the Kumani to fly at top speed, he made me fly in two minutes!
Danu turned away to look at the wall.
Nikklo laid his hand on Danu’s shoulder.
NIKKLO
I know you grieve.
Danu shoved Nikklo’s hand off his shoulder.
DANU
This is callous, even for you.
Nikklo wrapped his arms around his chest and closed his eyes.
VARANANI
Danunka, calm down.
DI'OK
Ouch, hey, sis, let’s get some food made while Vara calms those two?
CHERNA
I think that’s a good idea, Di. I’ll strap on my prostheses and be with you soon.
Cherna walked into the bedroom to get her prostheses while Di'ok went to the kitchen.
DANU
You’re the only person who can call me by my full name, Varanani.
VARANANI
Do you think Nik did what he did thoughtlessly? I think he thought it through with his head and his heart.
I know you’re sensitive about people dying violently, but this is my brother’s freedom we’re talking about. I know his mind better than any Astrisi and I don’t want him as an enemy! He’s a dangerous man, Danunka, but he’s also thoughtful with a conscience. If Beken forces Nikklo to fight for him, we’re all going to die quickly and brutally. Don’t rip him apart for caring about someone who should have been executed for being led by his pride. The Tauians killed Arcas to keep him from admitting what they made him do! It may have been callous for Nikky to move Arcas’ soul but it was also merciful. Arcas is still here to help in the fight. He’s not dead, just changed so he can remain in the fight with better discipline. Please, see the mercy in what Nikklo did to Arcas.
Nikklo sighed deeply and felt his chest tighten.
VARANANI
Nik, don’t disappear.
NIKKLO
What?
VARANANI
You were fading out.
NIKKLO
Oh, kasai, it seems that’s all I’m telling people anymore. I surprise people by moving too fast. I suddenly show up at their side and they nearly jump out of their skins. I nearly shake out of my own skin every time I change forms. I’m stuck in a flight suit to control the symptoms. Now someone I care deeply for is angry at me. How do you think I should feel? My life is shattered!
Varanani hugged Nikklo.
Nikklo gasped and arched his neck.
NIKKLO
Oh, skisla! I either want to be touched so badly or I go crazy and curl up in a ball at their touch.
VARANANI
Easy, you’re inner energies are increasing.
Nikklo buried his face into Varanani’s shoulder and sobbed.
NIKKLO
I didn’t want to do what I did, Danu! I didn’t want any of this! It’s skisla fate I can’t avoid.
VARANANI
Nikklo, don’t you dare change forms and fly away. You must remain and face the changes in your life. If you leave, you may come back to another scene like Ilbari and I know you don’t want that.
Nikklo shivered with dread.
NIKKLO
You had to remind me of that horror?
BEGIN FLASHBACK (STOCK FROM FOS EP 21 - SUPPLY RUN)
Sannaro's three ships joined the first three. They reconfigured into a delta formation with Sannaro in the lead and they headed toward the planet.
TISA (V.O.)
Seems quiet to me.
SANNARO
That's what's bothering Lazha. No'al, you and I’ll land at Huron City. Arcas, you and the others will cover us from the air.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Got you, San.
Sannaro and No'al lowered to the ground.
At ground level, the view outside the canopy transformed into a grisly sight of charred bodies strewn all over the ground.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Butchers!
SANNARO
Men, women and children, all dead. Let's check the buildings and see if there are any survivors.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Houk.
No'al and Sannaro popped their canopies.
No'al slid down the side of his ship, drew his laser and cautiously moved off.
Sannaro also drew his laser and wandered the settlement from house to house.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
It was all the same, charred bodies and buildings stripped of everything, but the shells.
SANNARO
No'al, what are you seeing?
NO'AL (V.O.)
This isn't pirates work, San. They don't take everything, just what interests them!
SANNARO
Do you see buildings bared to the walls and dead people?
NO'AL (V.O.)
Houk, it's sickening. I hate pirates, but even they don't massacre like this!
SANNARO
Return to your ship, I've seen all I need.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Or want to see!
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, I see a ship! Configuration, unknown! It's raising from the dark side of the planet!
SANNARO
We're coming, Arcas! No'al!
NO'AL (V.O.)
Coming.
Sannaro sprinted toward his fighter-ship, leapt onto the sloping wing, then onto the edge of the cockpit and dropped into his seat. He fired up the engines without the pre-flight check, hovered it off the ground and climbed full throttle into the air.
Within minutes, Sannaro and No'al regrouped with the rest of the team and they flew toward the unknown ship.
It was painted dark with a graduated design of three levels so it looked like a snake arched for the attack.
SANNARO
Let’s take this killer out.
When Sannaro saw their laser bolts rock the ship, but no damage was evident, he was stunned.
Then, a laser bolt lanced toward them.
They scattered to avoid it.
Sannaro's cockpit crackled with energy and his sensors went crazy for a few seconds even though he'd well avoided the volley.
SANNARO
That wasn't a regular laser canon that threw that!
Sannaro accessed his computer.
SANNARO
I've got a configuration confirm. A Gasbajan Sjujeenya?!
DA'IU (V.O.)
Gasbajan?
NO'AL (V.O.)
That's rachi! Sjujeenyas haven't been seen by Astrisi for two-hundred years!
TISA (V.O.)
They're gone, San!
ARCAS (V.O.)
That's no hyper-drive I've ever seen! It transferred too close to the planet!
FILP (V.O.)
Return to ship.
LAZHA (V.O.)
I want a personal report, Sannaro.
SANNARO
But other ships may be around, Lazha!
FILP (V.O.)
The other teams have scrambled. They'll sweep the rest of the planet.
SANNARO
Houk, returning to ship.
He rolled his ship around toward the Kumani with the rest of the team following.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO NIKKLO'S HOUSE, GASBAJA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
DANU
That was a horror.
VARANANI
Do you want that to happen again, Danu?
DANU
Nui.
VARANANI
Then please see the mercy in what Nikky did to Arcas.
DANU
I’m not a warrior. I don’t have a warrior mentality, but I understand that warriors must do ugly acts to keep innocents from dying. I need to see that Nikklo moved Arcas’ soul to save us all. It’s my turn to say kasai to you, brother.
NIKKLO
Danu, I regret what I did to Arcas but he put himself into a bad position he couldn’t save himself from. I wanted to save him so I could continue to use his skills. I always valued his skills as a warrior more than he thought I did. That’s why I turned him into a razorwing.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
And I was too stupid to see it. I’m finally seeing through Sannaro’s eyes and now I know that he always saw more than the rest of us. I’m willing to be Nikklo’s partner and fight at his side as a razorwing. Forgive him for being wiser than us humanoids.
Danu hugged Nikklo.
DANU
I forgive you and please forgive me for being a stupid humanoid.
Nikklo hugged Danu back.
NIKKLO
I love you, brother, even when you’re being a stupid humanoid.
DI'OK
Finally, we’re serving lunch. Come eat.
DANU
Kasai, everyone.
CHERNA
Nui, you needed to work it out with Nik.
VARANANI
His changes have us all in shock.
NIKKLO
I’m so in shock, I have to wear a flight suit all the time right now.
CHERNA
You going to wear your boots anytime soon?
NIKKLO
Oh right, I was dressing into the suit when we were attacked and have mostly been phasing so I didn’t notice my feet were bare.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
You guys settled again?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, we’re calm again.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Good, the PE reported shouting in your house. I was surprised to hear the report mention that you and Danu were arguing.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Danu’s unhappy with how I managed Arcas’ betrayal but I’ve convinced him I made the best choice I had.
DI'OK
Wow, my best friend Sannaro is now Nikklo.
NIKKLO
Nikklosannaro is my name, but when Tarek calls me Nikky, it feels natural.
He looked down at his flight suit and sighed.
NIKKLO
I know I’ve always worn more clothes than the rest of you, but I feel so restrained in this suit. It blocks the light from my skin too much and leaves me hungry.
Di'ok set a plate before him.
DI'OK
So eat!
NIKKLO
Not food hungry, sopa, light hungry.
DI'OK
Huh?
DANU
Nikklo renews his energy by absorbing light, Di.
DI'OK
So why is he still eating?
NIKKLO
Because my Saili body still has to eat and breathe to live, but if I use my Tauian abilities to ride light and change form, I have to absorb light.
CHERNA
All he’s been doing today is riding light and changing form.
DI'OK
So chill and eat your lunch.
Nikklo chuckled as he picked up the fork and took a bite.
Varanani smiled and sat down.
VARANANI
That’s better.
Nikklo put down his fork again to stretch the neck of his suit and pull it down to his waist. He stretched his arms out and breathed deeply.
NIKKLO
That feels better.
He picked up his fork again and ate vigorously.
Cherna shook her head and ducked into the bedroom. She returned with a sleeveless t-shirt and pulled it over his head.
NIKKLO
What?
CHERNA
Just covering your chest, lover.
DI'OK
Yeah, so the rest of us guys don’t get envious of your body builder-like muscles.
NIKKLO
I’ll get you later, Di.
DI'OK
Just be gentle. Remember, I’m a skinny linguist nerd.
The door opened and BA'IA looked around the door.
BA'IA
Houk, do remember my boy is a linguistic nerd.
NIKKLO
Come in, Ba'ia.
Ba'ia walked up to the table.
BA'IA
I was told you wanted a body suit made for you to help you manage your new symptoms?
NIKKLO
Houk, my skin is very sensitive right now. I need something form-fitting and slightly insulated but not as thick as a flight suit to help me endure the symptoms.
CHERNA
I was thinking back to the body suit San wore while he was getting his skin grafts and thought that maybe Nikky should treat this condition in a similar way?
DANU
It makes sense to me. As his physician, I think this treatment is worth a try.
BA'IA
Okay, so it needs to be stretchy, like the flight suit. What color? Does it need to have socks and gloves?
NIKKLO
Nui, I don’t think socks and gloves are needed. And, for discretion, I’d like the color to be the same as my skin so I can wear normal clothes over it. But can you make a fabric that will allow light to pass through while insulating my skin?
Ba'ia combed her fingers through her auburn shoulder length hair as she pressed her finger over her lips in thought.
BA'IA
How about something we call a honeycomb weave? It would have thinner areas, bordered by thicker support threads so it would be somewhat sheer in places to allow light to travel through and still be quite stretchy.
NIKKLO
It sounds like it would work.
BA'IA
I’ll start it right away and deliver it to you when the other tailors and I’m done with it.
NIKKLO
Fa’arata, Ba'ia.
Ba'ia bent down and pecked Nikklo on the cheek.
BA'IA
Anything for my girl’s man, sweetheart.
Nikklo felt his face heat up in a blush. He bent his head down to hide in his hair.
BA'IA
Some things never change.
She patted his shoulder before she walked out the door.
INT. ILANIT'S DARK ROOM, TAUIAN PRISM SHIP
As ILANIT meditated in her dark room, she couldn’t stop thinking about Nikklo.
She sensed a blur near her and shifted her concentration to the intrusion of her silence.
EZRON stood before her with his aura flashing like lightning around him.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Why did you have to awaken his soul?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I thought that was what you wanted. You were causing him extreme pain to force him to reveal his Tauian form. He’s revealing it now.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
He’s defying me more forcefully, now.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
He did start a revolution on Tauia. Why do you think he’d change his mind?
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
He wasn’t phasing before. He said he didn’t know how to. He was with you for a minute and suddenly, he was able to astral phase and escape. What did you do to him, Ilanit?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
What you wanted, I woke him. Beyond that, he does what he wills and he does have strong will.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
I don’t understand why you admire that strong will! Don’t you understand it’s counter to all Tauian goals?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
What Beken wants is not what all Tauians want! That’s what Nikklo has always said!
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
Beken is only trying to improve the lives of the surviving Tauians! Nikklo destroyed our world! He needs to be punished!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Punished for wanting freedom? Punished for not wanting to be a slave to someone else’s desires!
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
I can’t understand why you find that desirable, Ilanit!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Well, Nikklo does!
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
It’s defiance toward our leader! He had a job to do for Beken and he refused! That defiance has a consequence!
Ezron pushed Ilanit against the wall and impaled her shoulder with a beam of light.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
If you continue to defy me, you’ll suffer the same fate! Learn more about Nikklo’s life with the soft-shells and report it to me or next time, I’ll pierce your core. Is that understood?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
(GRUDGINGLY)
I will do as commanded.
EZRON (PSI V.O.)
That’s better.
He dispersed the lance of light and disappeared.
Ilanit glared at the direction Ezron went before she grabbed a light beam away from the Prism ship.
INT. NIKKLO'S HOUSE, GASBAJA -DAY
Nikklo was sitting at the computer in the living room typing out a report to Hadah about the battle when he stopped and scanned his surroundings with his telepathy.
Cherna cleared the table from dinner.
CHERNA
What's wrong?
NIKKLO
I sense something- a powerful telepath, possibly Tauian. I’m going to do a recon.
Nikklo stood up.
CHERNA
Take Arcas with you; you’re not going alone.
NIKKLO
Good idea. Arc, to me.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Ready and willing, boss.
Arcas swooped down and landed on Nikklo’s shoulder.
NIKKLO
If I’m not back in about twenty minutes, ask Hadah to send out a search party, though I don’t know if you’d find me if I disappeared since I can, well, disappear.
CHERNA
I’ll tell the search party to wear the new FLIR helmets. If you’re in Tauian form, the FLIR will see you.
NIKKLO
I hope everyone has FLIR helmets soon. That will work.
Nikklo walked over to her and kissed her.
NIKKLO
See you soon.
He changed form, grabbed a light beam and phased through the window into the air.
PHASING VISION
He locked his telepathy to the frequency of the new presence and pulled himself toward it.
NORMAL VISION
EXT. MOUNTAINS, GASBAJA - DAY - CONTINUOUS
He found himself distracted by a glorious sunset of yellow, fuchsia and orange but forced his attention back to the presence. He landed halfway down a hill and looked up to the ridge.
Above him stood a Tauian female whose aura was familiar (ILANIT).
He exchanged forms.
NIKKLO
Ilanit.
She glanced at him before she turned back to the sunset.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
It’s beautiful. I forgot how beautiful a sunset looked from an oxygenated atmosphere.
NIKKLO
And it’s my fault.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Was it your fault?
NIKKLO
That’s what your father says.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Do you remember now?
NIKKLO
Not entirely. So much is rushing through my head. What did you do to me in your dark room?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I woke you so you would remember. I’m not surprised the first thing you remembered was how to astral phase to get away from the pain.
NIKKLO
I was bleeding. I wanted to get away from Ezron and have some questions answered.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Did you get your answers?
NIKKLO
This problem is so huge, I could take a thousand years to understand and still have questions unanswered.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Let me cut her into pebbles!
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Nui, Arc, I need to talk to her.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Who is she?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
An old girlfriend.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
You were in love with her?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
In another life, houk, I was in love with her.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
You’re a horny bastard, you know that?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Bla'ua, Arcas, I was a teenager in that life when I had feelings for her.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Do you always talk to your insect?
NIKKLO
Long story short, he’s a friend that I transformed so he could help me. My wife likes me to maintain the buddy system.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You’ve changed.
NIKKLO
What did you expect? Beken dismembered me. My body is still unable to sustain life so my soul was moved to another body. I lived a whole life as someone else without memory of my past and you expected me to be the same?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I wanted to escape with you.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Why didn’t you?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Look closer at my crystal.
ZOOM IN ON ILANIT'S SHELL
Ilanit's crystal shell is pitted with spidery fractures on the surface.
BACK TO NORMAL VIEW
NIKKLO
Your crystal is pitted all over like it’s regrown unevenly!
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I was impaled to the wall through all my extremities except for my core. I couldn’t move to help you.
NIKKLO
Who did that to you?
Ilanit’s aura darkened as if night had completely fallen.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Ezron! He told me it was for my own good!
ILANIT'S PSYCHIC VISION
Nikklo's inner sight picked up an image of Ilanit with many light spikes impaling her to a wall as she shook in agony.
BACK TO NORMAL VISION
NIKKLO
Fausa, your own father nailed you to a wall?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Crazy fact is, when you destabilized Tauia, the wall crumbled and I was free but it was too late. By the time I got to you, Tarek had gathered up your limbs and astral phased off Tauia.
NIKKLO
Why did you come here?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Because since I found you again, Ezron has been impaling me to force me to comply with his commands. I can’t stand that pain again so I fled. I didn’t know where to go except to you.
Nikklo closed his eyes and drew in a shuddering breath.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
NIKKLO
Come back to camp with me. I’ll figure out how I can help you there but this body’s getting cold and needs warmth. I also told my wife if I didn’t return in twenty minutes, my commander was to send a search party. That twenty minutes is almost up.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I’m not a polymorph like you. They won’t be able to see me.
NIKKLO
I know that but I need my people’s help so I can help you.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
What is your wife’s name?
NIKKLO
Cherna, she’s full of life like you were. Now that I remember you, I’m sad to see the changes in you since I disappeared.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
In many ways, you’re the same Nikklo.
NIKKLO
No, I’m not the same Nikklo. I am Nikklosannaro and I’m a different person, but there’s still a lot of me you’ll find familiar. Now, I want to touch you so I can phase you to our camp.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I can phase myself.
NIKKLO
Listen, if you phase there alone, my fighters have infrared visors that will see you and they have standing orders to shoot Tauians. I’ve told them how to kill Tauians. Unless I show up at your side, they won’t hesitate to fire on you.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Your fighters?
NIKKLO
I trained them in the art of warfare. I command them. They’re my fighters.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Who taught you the art of warfare?
NIKKLO
My commander who leads the ship and he says I was his best student. I just combined my telepathy and Tauian talents with the Astrisi warfare to improve it.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
Then I will allow you to lead me.
She held out her angular hand.
Nikklo took her hand, changed forms and phased back to camp.
PHASING VISUAL
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
You're still as beautiful as ever. Even as an exotic Saili humanoid.
TAUIAN NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Thanks, but I love Cherna now.
As soon as he landed them, he returned to Saili form.
NORMAL VISUALS
EXT. KUMANI CAMP, GASBAJA - DAY - CONTINUOUS
In the twilight, Tisa's team snapped their pistols out to target Nikklo and Ilanit. Tisa wore FLIR goggles over her eyes.
NIKKLO
Hold your fire. I have a Tauian with me but she means no harm.
TISA
What the fausa? You told us to fire on any Tauian and now you’re bringing one back with you?
Hadah ran up to them.
HADAH
Explain, Sannaro, uh, Nikklo.
NIKKLO
I sensed a Tauian right after dinner so I went to investigate. I found an old friend of mine who was punished for supporting my belief that the super warriors should be free to choose their own lives. She decided to flee the Tauians and came to Gasbaja so she wouldn’t have to fight against me.
Hadah pulled on a pair of infrared goggles and looked beside him.
HADAH
That’s a she?
NIKKLO
Crystalline beings don’t have hair or mammalian traits. Her smaller form translates to the equivalent of our female gender. Her name is Ilanit.
HADAH
That’s Ilanit, the one who told you that you were Nikklo?
NIKKLO
Houk, she told me how to escape Ezron’s torture. Hadah, she told me Ezron is torturing her to force her compliance, too.
TISA
Then change forms so we can see you.
NIKKLO
She can’t, Tisa, she’s not a polymorph like me.
HADAH
So what is her special ability?
NIKKLO
She can generate an electrical field.
HADAH
So what is your intent for Ilanit?
NIKKLO
I was intending to ask if we could give her haven during this conflict so she isn’t forced to fight against me. She agreed with me and fought at my side when I began the revolution on Tauia. She wants to be free of Tauian slavery as much as I do.
HADAH
I’m sure she does want to be free but I’m not sure of her intent. What if she hands us to Ezron?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I’ll give you more information about how to fight Tauians than Nikklo knows. Ezron is my father. I know some of his weaknesses no one else knows about.
HADAH
You would turn on your own father?
NIKKLO
Hadah, she has wounds on her body where her own father impaled her to walls! Why would she sympathize with someone who put her in enough pain to feel it through a crystal shell?
HADAH
You’ve said it over and over again, conditioning!
NIKKLO
I’ve defied conditioning!
HADAH
You’re a stubborn unkakab, too! Everyone isn’t as stubborn as you!
Nikklo felt like his head could explode when he saw a blur beside him and sensed Tarek.
Tarek appeared with Dr. Kinetiko beside him and laid his hand on his shoulder.
TAREK
Calm yourself, Nikky. Your power levels are rising.
NIKKLO
But Ilanit came to me because she’s being tortured! Look at her, Tarek, she’s pitted everywhere from holes being repeatedly drilled through her shell but Hadah wants to refuse her haven!
TAREK
Hadah, I’ve brought Dr. Kinetiko to examine Arcas’ remains to determine whose mental energy caused Arcas’ brain aneurysm.
HADAH
Nice to meet you again, Dr. Kinetiko. Danu, would you escort Kinetiko to the morgue?
DANU
Houk, Hadah.
Danu gave Nikklo a warning look before he turned to walk back to the hospital building.
NIKKLO
Took you long enough. It’s been hours!
TAREK
Dr. Kinetiko had other duties to perform before he could break away. I brought him as soon as he had time. Now, I understand you’ve always had strong feelings for Ilanit, but I can appreciate Hadah’s reluctance.
NIKKLO
I understand his reluctance but Ilanit helped me escape from Ezron. Shouldn’t we give her a chance? She’s offered to advise us on unknown weaknesses Ezron has to defeat him. Her knowledge could be invaluable.
HADAH
I’m not denying that, Nik. I just want you to understand there’s some risks to harboring Ezron’s own daughter to use against him.
CHERNA
What do you mean by I understand you’ve always had strong feelings for Ilanit, Tarek?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
We were to be betrothed, Cherna.
CHERNA
What? Nikky, you were going to marry her?
NIKKLO
I was a seventeen year old child when I pledged to Ilanit in another life, Cherna. My Tauian body was dismembered hundreds of years ago. I’ve lived a totally different life in another form with no memory of that life for forty-two years and you’ve known me thirty five of those years!
CHERNA
And you just got around to telling me this?
NIKKLO
I didn’t regain consciousness after I was dismembered. I didn’t know that Ilanit had survived until she helped me escape from Ezron. Since then, I’ve been flooded with memories I didn’t know I had. That’s why I was walking in the middle of the night just to be confronted by Arcas and I he died in my arms. I may be able to travel at light speed but I still have to slow down to allow my brain to catch up with my body. I’ve barely had time to understand what I’m becoming.
TAREK
Cheri, he doesn’t mean to hurt you.
CHERNA
Why should I believe you? You’ve been jerking Sanna’s chain all his life! I guess, like father, like son?
She walked quickly away.
Nikklo bent over, landed hard to sit on the ground and laid his head between his knees.
VARANANI
Tarek, can you help Nikky? I’ll go have a talk with Cherna?
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
I shouldn’t have come here.
TAREK
Lani, where could you go? I saw your wounds, new and old. It saddens me to see how cruel my old friend has been with you.
ILANIT (PSI V.O.)
He was helping your brother, Tarek! He’s still helping your brother!
TAREK
I know he is.
NIKKLO
What? Beken is my uncle? Aw, skisla, can this day get any worse?
Nikklo leapt from the ground.
TAREK
Where are you going?
NIKKLO
Away from my screwed up family!
Nikklo changed forms and grabbed light into the air.
PHASING VISUALS
Nikklo flew across the open plains of Gasbaja not caring where he went.
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Nikklo, come back! We have to talk!
TAUIAN NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Screw you, old man! I have nothing to return to!
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
That’s not true, Nikky. If you don’t come back, I will follow you.
TAUIAN NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Be my fucking guest but I’m more skilled at avoidance than you are.
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Okay, you’re right there; you are an incredible warrior. I used you horribly but it was for our survival! I’m not a fighter; I’m a scientist but I believed in you when you said the super Tauians had the right to choose their own lives, not work for my brother’s agenda for intergalactic domination! You were unskilled as a warrior when Beken’s guard dismembered you. I thought if I found you a great trainer, you’d fight more effectively when Beken found us again. I didn’t mean to destroy your life! I wanted to help you do what you wanted to do the first time, defeat my brother and free the Tauians from slavery!
Tauian Nikklo grabbed a light beam down to the ground and stood rock still on top of a tall mountain. He looked around the green rolling valley below him.
BEGIN FLASHBACK (STOCK FOOTAGE FROM FOS EP 24 - Hearing)
Cherna pulled Sannaro through the camp, past the shuttles. They walked over the undisturbed grass toward a hill.
As soon as they topped the hill, Sannaro stopped to admire the scene. There was a small lake nestled at the base of the hill, surrounded by dark brown trees covered in gray-green leaves.
Cherna giggled and pulled him down the hill.
They sat down at the lakeside.
She reached over and pecked Sannaro on the cheek.
CHERNA
You’re such a sweetheart, you know that?
The tickle of her breath on his ear sent shivers through him.
SANNARO
Tisa needed my help.
He pulled off his boots, rolled up his flight suit legs and dropped his feet into the cool water. He closed his eyes happily as the water lapped against his ankles.
CHERNA
Now I finally have you to myself.
She stroked his ear.
He arched his back, his nerves electrified with her desire. He shivered and moaned.
SANNARO
Do what you want with me, woman.
She put her arm around his back and shoved him into the water.
Sannaro righted himself and flung his wet hair to his back.
SANNARO
Fausa, that’s cold!
CHERNA
That’s for falling asleep on me! But I’m willing to warm you up a bit!
He waded over to her, took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, then rushed backward.
Cherna slipped from his grasp and plunged under the water. She stood up, sputtering.
SANNARO
That’s for throwing me into the lake!
Cherna closed the gap between them, then took the neck of his flight suit, stretched it over his shoulders and pulled it down to his waist. She caressed his hairless chest and stomach then pressed her body against his.
He pushed them off into deeper water and pulled her flight suit down to her waist.
Soon, both flight suits were thrown onto the shore.
She wrapped her legs around his buttocks, held by the buoyancy of the water as they explored each other.
Sannaro entered her mind and they held each other tightly to keep themselves from slipping under water. As one mind, they reveled in their shared sensations until they eased.
CHERNA
Oh, that was an experience!
SANNARO
I’m getting cold. Let’s get dressed.
CHERNA
You get cold too easily.
She pouted as she splashed water onto his chest.
He gasped and pulled his stomach in as the water rolled down him.
SANNARO
My native planet doesn’t get below 100 degrees! Humanoid temperatures are cool to Saili.
Cherna reluctantly pulled away from him.
They waded to shore and dressed again.
END FLASHBACK
CHANGE TO SAILI NIKKLO
Nikklo changed back to his Saili form, sank to the ground and cried until he felt like he could faint from not breathing.
KURO (PSI V.O.)
You’re such a crybaby!
NIKKLO
I’m not a crybaby, I’m a telepath!
JAKE (PSI V.O.)
You’re a crybaby. You’re feeling sorry for yourself.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Why are you talking to me? You’re both dead.
JAKE (PSI V.O.)
Cause you’re a looser, slag!
Nikklo began to cry again.
NIKKLO
I lose everything in every skisla life I lived!
KURO (PSI V.O.)
You got what I wanted! You got into the Vizha’e corps! You should have been the one shaping metal, slag, not me!
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
Hey, kid, you got my daughter. Houk, she’s pissed at you now but I know she’ll miss you like oxygen if you don’t come back so get your ass back here and talk to your father. I know he’s not the greatest dad, but neither was I. We did what we thought we had to for our kids, even if it was wrong. You forgave me, now forgive Tarek.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
How did you send to me from this far? You aren’t a telepath.
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
Your sister, sopa, she’s helping me.
So stop arguing with dead bullies and come home.
Nikklo dried his eyes then stopped when he saw a glint. He stood up and was launched into the air. He changed forms and grabbed the nearest light to stop his fall.
PHASE VISUAL
The light beam went down.
He began to plummet toward the green valley. He frantically jumped to an upward beam.
A blur flew at him and slammed into his shoulder.
He yelped, lost grip of the beam and resumed free-fall toward the ground. He grabbed another downward beam and saw a dark fissure in the ground. He jumped to another light beam that would hit the darkness and phased through the fissure.
INT. UNKNOWN CAVERN, GASBAJA - CONTINUOUS
The light dissipated mid way through the darkness and he hit ground hard.
SAILI INFRARED VISION
He changed back to Saili form to use the photo-receptive sight of the Saili and rolled over to see where he was. He seemed to be in a big cavern. He struggled to his feet and fell again when a sharp pain lanced from his left shin then dropped to the ground when his shoulder buckled.
He rolled onto his good hand and knees to crawl across the floor. He gasped as rocks
poked his skin but he didn’t dare change forms with no light because it would deplete his power reserves. He saw a glint shine through the darkness and crawled to it. He sat down and picked up a metal bar.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Nikky, why did you go silent?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
I was attacked. I’m hurt and in a dark cavern to hide. Vara, I found a metal bar in here. It’s got to be left by the Gasbajans. What's that?
He crawled forward to a shimmering light. He put his hand in it and gasped as the energy danced around him. He absorbed it greedily.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
What is it?
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
It’s a force field. It tastes so sweet. My energy was starting to drop in the darkness. But why is it here?
He concentrated his senses beyond the barrier and met with a huge solid object in the darkness.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
It’s metal and it’s huge! Iachi’awei, this is incredible! What a find! I need a search party to find me so we can open this cavern and see everything that was stored here!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Danu is coming too if you’re injured.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
My left shoulder was dislocated when the Tauian hit me to break my hold on a light beam and I broke my left shin when I fell into the fissure to lose my attacker.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Then Danu is definitely coming.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Is Tarek still there?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Houk, he’s beside himself with worry, Nikklo. You must talk to him.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
You’re right, I must talk to him. Bring him with the rescue team, please. Tell Hadah to have a infrared tracking station set up when we find where I am so we don’t get any spies finding this place too.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I’ll request that.
He cut the link and returned his attention to the force curtain. He placed his good hand on the shimmering light again and willed his hand to phase through it. He met resistance.
He laid down on his back and tried to get his left leg in the most comfortable position to await rescue.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
It would be more convenient if you had been the one doing the search, tracker.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
I’d be glad to just grab a light beam and fly out of here but this force curtain isn’t much to go on. It even prevents me from phasing with it. We should reverse engineer it if it can even trap a Tauian.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Now you’ve made me more eager to find you. That device would be very useful.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Where did you send Ilanit?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
I placed her in temporary quarters with an armed guard in FLIR goggles. Sorry, I’m just not ready to fully trust her.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
I understand. Arcas, detach from my back.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Aw, not again.
Arcas launched off his shoulder and fluttered in a hover before him.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah wants me to track where I am. Now, you’ll be my eyes. There’s a fissure above us that I phased through. Find it.
Arcas soared into the darkness.
ARCAS' FRACTAL VISION
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
What do you expect? You put my soul in a bug! This is weird. Do you see in the dark like this? I see so much light, it might as well be midday.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
My Saili sight is photo-receptive. They take minimal light and exaggerate it until it’s as strong as day. Right now, I need to see with my Saili sight because I’m in the dark.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
You think Tarek deliberately chose an underground race to make it harder for Tauians to find you?
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Very astute, Arcas. That’s precisely why I chose to make the Saili as primarily underground dwellers. I see why you didn’t want him dead, Nikky, he’s observant.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Even with his faults, he’s still my friend. Arc, I saw a gleam of light.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Houk, I saw it too. Flying to investigate. It’s a fissure and I’m flying through.
Arcas flew through the fissure into the sky.
FADE OUT.
THE END