Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“DESTROYER RECOMMISSIONED”
EPISODE 64 – AUCTIONED
BY: LYSSA THORNE
WARNING:
CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.
SUPER: Reincarnation can be great. You can start anew. All the memories wiped clean. Until you wake up and all the forgotten memories slam you. In the beginning, I went by the name Sannaro. That was only half of the problem.
FADE IN:
INT. PIRATE SLAVE HOLD
Sannaro readjusted his shoulders on the t-pole to try to refill his lungs and shuddered uncontrollably. He was shackled hand, foot and ears so telepathically calling for help was out.
He looked around the dimly lit room with the hope that he would find a sympathetic person like Altarian who had helped him escape his last pirate capture but he was alone.
As he concentrated to take in breaths, the door swept open and two pirates entered.
Without a word, they pulled him from the t-pole and dragged him through the hallway to a room with a few chairs in a circle.
Sannaro was dropped to the floor. Before he could make his screaming muscles move, he felt the power increase in his wrists and ankles.
He looked up to see a Human was standing with his back to him.
HADEON
You’re quite a catch, Saili. Or should I call you The Destroyer?
SANNARO
Aurum is preferred.
HADEON
Still defiant even though you’re nearly paralyzed from the energy shackles. Now I’m sure you’re the Destroyer.
SANNARO
I guess you’re going to strip me of my clothes and send me to the slave pen now.
HADEON
I’m not going to repeat the mistakes of Baltazaur. No, this time I mean to get profit from you. I’m going to auction you.
Sannaro’s hope sank and he closed his eyes.
HADEON
I thought I’d get that reaction. You know you have plenty of enemies who would pay me well to get a chance to rip you to pieces.
SANNARO
Dear Iachi’awei and Tsisutisga!
HADEON
That’s right, pray to your gods, Destroyer. Cause I also have a bonus!
He brought a communicator to his lips.
HADEON
Bring her in.
The doors parted again.
Sannaro raised his head up to see what they were doing and gasped.
Two pirates guided a metal cage into the room.
Inside that cage was Sannaro’s golden haired wife Cherna. Her clothes were disheveled and her pant legs lay flat on the floor of the cage where her prostheses would extend from the stumps of her thighs due to her double amputation.
SANNARO
Nui!
CHERNA
San?
He looked up at her as he tried to keep back the tears.
She locked her blue eyes with his and her eyes filled with tears.
Sannaro shook his head just barely.
She sighed and laid back against the bars that contained her.
HADEON
How touching. You don’t have your telepathy and you’re still communicating with her.
SANNARO
Throw yourself out an airlock!
The lead pirate picked up the shackle controls and pressed a button.
The nerves that connected the three points of his ears convulsed with an electrical pulse.
Sannaro shrieked and grabbed his ears.
CHERNA
Sannaro!
HADEON
I had this set of shackles made especially for you if I ever got this opportunity. The ear shackles are electrically connected to the wrist and ankle shackles.
CHERNA
Don’t you see you’re putting him in agony?
Sannaro felt the energy turn off. He collapsed to the floor and gasped for breath.
HADEON
I’m well aware of how sensitive Saili ears are. Now your beloved Destroyer may think twice before he shoots his mouth off.
CHERNA
San?
SANNARO
I'm okay, Cheri.
He closed his eyes to try to control vertigo.
HADEON
So, until we can organize the auction, we’ll relocate you to other accommodations.
SANNARO
Not the t-pole.
HADEON
I wouldn’t do that to you. I want you in decent shape so I can get top price. But I warn you, all three sets of shackles will be kept on you in case you decide to get unruly.
He nodded to the guard pirates.
They grabbed Sannaro’s arms and pulled him from the room while the other two led Cherna’s cage hovering behind them. After a short walk, he was deposited back in the dimly lit room with the t-pole. The others brought in Cherna’s cage and they all stepped out the door.
The door swept shut and a clang reverberated through the room as the locks engaged.
Sannaro laid on the floor in the deafening silence for a minute before he felt the paralyzing power in his arm and leg shackles turn off. He groaned as he pulled himself to sit and lean his back against the cage bars.
Cherna slipped her arms through the bars and wrapped them around his chest.
He laid his throbbing head against her arm.
CHERNA
What are we going to do?
SANNARO
I have no idea. Pirate ships are fortresses. The only thing that comes to mind is to wait until the auction.
CHERNA
What are they auctioning?
SANNARO
Me.
CHERNA
What? Oh blessed Firebird, with all the enemies you’ve made among the Pirates and several different worlds over the years!
SANNARO
There will be plenty of interested buyers.
CHERNA
Why did they come after me, too?
SANNARO
Because we’re linked.
CHERNA
So they can insure a slow death.
SANNARO
Without the Saili marriage link withdrawal sickness messing up their fun.
CHERNA
Oh, the thought of this is making me sick to my stomach.
SANNARO
You’re sick to your stomach? I’m almost faint.
Cherna kissed the crown of his head.
CHERNA
San, why do I sense you’re unusually weak?
SANNARO
I don’t know. I just don’t feel well. You know that being captured by pirates is my worst nightmare.
CHERNA
I know.
Sannaro puzzled on why he felt weak until he couldn’t concentrate any longer and fell asleep against Cherna’s arm.
Cherna shifted her arm to ease the tingling feeling before she laid her chin on Sannaro’s dark head. She was sad she couldn’t touch those ears and feel him shiver lustily so she traced the line of his very high cheekbone.
He shivered and sighed, then nestled his head deeper into her arm. He stirred in her arms.
CHERNA
Sh, Sanna, go back to sleep.
SANNARO
Nui!
Sannaro leapt from her arms to stand up. He looked around the dark room in panic, grasped his ears and shuddered.
CHERNA
Easy, San, it’s a bad dream. Sit down again.
Sannaro shook his head and his shoulder length blue-black hair swirled around his head violently. Finally, he stopped, looked around again, then flopped back to the floor and leaned against the cage.
CHERNA
Are you all right now?
SANNARO
As all right as the situation allows.
CHERNA
Nightmare or sending? Oh, right, no sending.
SANNARO
I feel so awful.
CHERNA
I hope they didn’t make you sick.
SANNARO
Our host said he wanted me in good condition for the auction.
He looked at the t-pole close to the wall of the room and shuddered.
SANNARO
At least I’m not hanging on that. It’s agonizing.
CHERNA
Hanging from your shoulders would be agony. Are you seeing ghosts again, too?
SANNARO
Nui, seeing and interacting with ghosts requires telepathy. That’s actually a relief since a pirate ship holds many miserable memories from the slaves they keep.
CHERNA
But they want to auction you off like a prized thing! The anger some people hold toward you is terrible!
SANNARO
And you can only imagine. I actually can see people imagine what they’d like to do to me to demonstrate their frustration toward me.
CHERNA
How do you take knowing what they would do to you if they were free to act out on their frustration?
Sannaro stood up to pace.
SANNARO
When I sense they don’t want to face the consequences of their actions, I feel I can allow it to pass since most people will forget their frustration. It’s ones like pirates and other people who don’t fear the law that I worry about.
He wandered over to the t-pole and did a few chin-ups.
He swayed, stumble back to the cage and flopped to sit against the bars again. He held his head.
SANNARO
These electrified ear shackles seem to be making me feel worse than I usually do with these infernal things on.
Sannaro’s arms dropped leaden to his sides and he seemed to collapse onto himself. He scowled toward the door just before it opened.
GUARD #1
Hadeon wants to talk to you.
Two pirates pulled Sannaro off the floor and dragged him out.
Cherna grabbed the bars and watched helplessly as the door swept closed again.
Again, he was dumped in front of the man he had met before.
SANNARO
Hadeon, I presume?
The man glared at his guards.
SANNARO
After all, I was at a disadvantage last we met. You knew my name, but I wasn’t given the pleasure of receiving yours.
HADEON
It doesn’t matter. I just wanted to inform you that we’re getting a nice amount of responses to my auction announcement. It seems you’re a popular guy.
Hadeon rubbed his hands together and grinned.
SANNARO
Somehow, I just can’t seem to share your enthusiasm.
HADEON
I can understand your lack of enthusiasm since many of these people seriously want to tear you apart. After all, aren’t you known as the most annoying Saili ever born?
SANNARO
I see your point.
HADEON
Well, the auction is in three days.
SANNARO
Our accommodations are a bit austere. Could we have something better? Maybe a bathroom and a chair or two? Or at least, a chamber pot? Some food?
HADEON
Aren’t you needy?
SANNARO
You said you wanted me in good condition so that you can get top price from the auction. I don’t think I’ll be too desirable if I’m malnourished with my clothes soiled and hanging off my body.
HADEON
You’re lucky you still have clothes!
SANNARO
I’m aware of how generous you’ve been in allowing me to keep my clothes but if you want decent bidding-
HADEON
You are the most annoying Saili to ever live. Take both of them to an apartment.
The guards nodded.
HADEON
But just to remind you.
Sannaro’s ears pulsed with energy. He grabbed his ears and braced himself against the floor to ride out the nauseating agony.
Finally, the energy was cut off.
Sannaro gasped for breath.
HADEON
I’m in control of your ultimate fate, Saili.
Sannaro nodded.
HADEON
I’m glad we’ve come to an understanding. Get this slag off my floor.
The guards moved in, pulled him off the floor and dragged him to a well furnished apartment.
Sannaro was disappointed when the guards left him paralyzed on the carpet until Cherna’s cage was brought in and they left the room with another click of a locking door.
A minute later, Sannaro could move again. He shakily stood up and staggered to the cage door. He pulled on the latch and the door swung open.
Cherna leapt out of the cage and wrapped her arms around his neck.
SANNARO
I convinced Hadeon to give us better accommodations, but I don’t like that he told me he’s getting a big response to my auction.
CHERNA
I’m just glad we’re out of that dark room. Now I can see something.
SANNARO
Oh, right, you don’t see as well as I do. Believe me, you didn’t miss anything. But I do know what I missed, and that’s a bathroom!
Cherna leapt down to the rug just as Sannaro ran to make use of that room.
A minute later, he returned to the main room to find Cherna in an overstuffed chair.
CHERNA
This feels so good after sitting on a hard metal floor for so long.
SANNARO
I’m a bit sore, myself.
He sat down on a couch.
Cherna leapt across the floor and landed on his lap. She kissed him franticly on the lips.
SANNARO
I love you so much, Cheri.
As he stroked her back, he felt a sinking dizziness and laid his head on her shoulder.
CHERNA
San?
SANNARO
I don’t know.
He dropped his arms heavily and leaned into the couch.
CHERNA
You need to rest. He shocked you again, didn’t he?
Sannaro nodded weakly.
Somehow, without legs, Cherna managed to shift him around to lay on the couch with his head rested on the couch arm. She laid down on his chest and nestled her head into his shoulder.
CHERNA
Sleep now. I’ll keep watch.
SANNARO
You’re still the most incredible woman I know.
He lost consciousness.
CHERNA
And you’re the most incredible man I know.
She pecked him on the mouth before she laid her head back on his chest.
(LATER)
Sannaro was still asleep, nestled close to Cherna when he woke in panic with his limbs numb and immobile.
Four pirates rushed in.
Before Cherna could wake enough to fight against them, she was grabbed up and returned to the cage.
Sannaro was dragged from the bed, into the hall and into a shuttle.
Once Cherna’s cage was on board, the pirates launched to a small unknown moon with a survivable atmosphere.
A clearing had been made with a protective fence around it.
Right beyond the fence was a cluster of shuttles with many designations from all over the Alliance.
Sannaro felt dread in the pit of his stomach as the shuttle landed and he was pulled to the dais at the front of folding chairs.
Hadeon stepped up to the podium.
HADEON
Ladies and Gentlemen, the auction is about to begin so please take your seats. The auction, as you know, is for the infamous Sannaro Damirateyak, Destroyer of innumerable pirate ships, and business ventures. But this is also a two for one! We also have his marriage-linked mate, Cherna! No pesky Saili marriage link withdrawal sickness while you get to have all the fun you want, taking revenge on the most annoying Saili who was ever born!
Hadeon punched Sannaro on his back at the shoulder blades.
Sannaro gasped and arched his back.
Cherna yelped and arched her back when the pain traveled to her.
HADEON
Better yet, because of the link, the torture inflicted is twice the fun! Bidding begins at one million credits.
Sannaro felt the blood drain from his face when he saw in the audience was Yothers and Dale Turner.
Dale’s hands were clenching in anticipation as Yothers raised his bid sign.
A shuttle opened and a woman sashayed out, surrounded by two men, and grinned wickedly at Sannaro.
TRISTIN
Come now, he’s clearly worth two million!
HADEON
I hear two million!
SANNARO
Nui!
FISHMONGER
Three million! He ruined my exotic seafood business on Aquila!
HADEON
I hear three million!
TRISTIN
Four million!
YOTHERS
Five million!
TRISTIN
Ten million!
The crowd went silent.
SANNARO
Nui, not Tristin Sarto!
Hadeon gripped the podium to try to contain his excitement.
HADEON
I hear ten million! Do I hear any other bid?
Yothers glared at Tristin.
Dale grabbed Yothers’ arm.
DALE
Bid again! I want to hurt that slag for humiliating me on Sailia!
YOTHERS
That exceeds my company budget!
DALE
Do it! Ten million, three hundred!
Tristin looked at Dale with amusement.
TRISTIN
Ten thousand, five hundred.
YOTHERS
What? We don’t have those funds.
DALE
I’ll add my own money. Ten million, six hundred!
TRISTIN
This is ridiculous. Ten million, one thousand!
Dale’s face went red and his lips were tight.
HADEON
I hear ten million, one thousand. I know you want to rip this slag to pieces. Do I hear another bid?
Cherna looked at Sannaro with alarm in her eyes.
Sannaro didn’t want to hurt her but he had to look away.
HADEON
Sold, to Tristin Sarto for ten million, one thousand credits!
Hadeon banged his gavel on the podium.
Sannaro pulled himself into a tight ball on the floor.
TRISTIN
Oh, don’t ball up like that, Sanna. You look so much more beautiful when I can see you entirely.
HADEON
So that you can keep your new acquisition manageable, I will give you the controls to his shackle system.
Hadeon handed her the controls.
HADEON
These shackles are unique because the ear shackles are integrated into the wrist and ankle shackles. You can even shock his ears if you want to! It’s so satisfying to watch him shriek and grab his ears.
TRISTIN
Thank you.
Tristin handed Hadeon a card.
Hadeon inserted her card into a hand held reader then returned it to her.
TRISTIN
Stand up, Sanna.
SANNARO
Don’t call me Sanna!
Energy coursed through his ears.
He shrieked and grabbed them.
She bent down at his side.
TRISTIN
Oh, this is fun! Get up or I’ll fondle you in front of everyone. I can reach right between your legs.
Sannaro jumped to his feet and backed away until he bumped into Cherna’s cage. He leaned against the bars and moaned.
She pressed the button and the electricity turned off.
Sannaro slumped weakly against the cage.
TRISTIN
Oh, and nice to meet you again, Cheri. Sorry to hear you lost your precious legs. They were shapely. I’m sure Sanna misses them. Be a dear, Sanna, and push your little wife to my shuttle.
Dale Turner blocked Tristin’s way.
DALE
I should have won. You don’t know what he’s done to his natal colony!
Tristin looked Dale over from head to toe.
Dale squirmed uncomfortably.
Tristin batted her eyelashes.
TRISTIN
I could always take you with me.
Dale’s eyes gleamed.
SANNARO
Don’t do it, Dale. She’s a nymphomaniac.
DALE
She is? How interesting.
SANNARO
Not a good nymphomaniac. She enslaves men and uses them up.
YOTHERS
Mr. Turner, work awaits.
DALE
Screw work.
Dale held his arm out to Tristin.
TRISTIN
That’s the spirit, pretty boy.
DALE
Can I torture the slag?
TRISTIN
Just a little. I still want to have some fun.
Sannaro bowed his head to allow his hair to fall in front of his face. As they came closer to the shuttle, he tried to contain his tears but they quietly flowed down his cheeks as he pushed Cherna’s cage up the ramp.
TRISTIN
Leave her in the corner and come to me.
Sannaro felt his body weight double as he turned and shuffled to her.
The shuttle door slammed closed.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
He stopped before her.
TRISTIN
Look at me.
He reluctantly looked up.
She rapidly brought her knee up into his groin.
He dropped to the floor in a sobbing heap.
Cherna cried out and balled up inside her cage.
She grabbed his hair and pulled his face very close to hers.
TRISTIN
That’s for kneeing me there last time.
She smashed her lips into his and kissed him hard.
He felt his lips were going to break open and bleed against his teeth as he gasped for breath from the pain of the sudden attack.
TRISTIN
Nice of you to wear Saili clothes this time. The Astrisi clothes are so strong.
She stretched the neck of his tunic over his shoulders until the fabric gave and tore until it was in two pieces.
TRISTIN
As buff as ever, little man!
DALE
Uh.
TRISTIN
Shut up. I’m not ready for you yet.
DALE
Can I get off the shuttle? I think I want to return to Yothers.
TRISTIN
Too late. The door isn’t opening. Tell the pilot to take off.
DALE
But I can pay you!
TRISTIN
Yes, you will pay me, but not in your worthless money. You wanted to punish Sanna for what he did to your colony and you’ll get your chance when I let you have the chance. Otherwise, you’re mine. Now, shut up, I’m busy.
Sannaro scurried backwards away from Tristin.
She grabbed the hem of his leggings and pulled.
As he rocked onto his back to slip out of her grasp and scrambled back against Cherna’s cage.
TRISTIN
Usually I welcome this kind of cat and mouse game, but since you’re the most dangerous warrior in space-
She picked up the controls and pressed a button.
Sannaro felt his arms and legs drop heavily to the floor in paralysis. His eyes blurred with tears.
Cherna reached her arms around his shoulders and hugged his back.
CHERNA
You can violate his body, but his soul is mine!
TRISTIN
True, but I know you feel it too!
Tristin held his head with her hands and pressed her lips hard onto his. She caressed his chest.
Cherna gasped.
TRISTIN
You weren’t making this up in the trial! You can feel what he feels!
CHERNA
Stop, Tristin.
TRISTIN
Too late, Cherna.
He felt himself react, despite how revolted he felt to have her touching him again. He reached into Cherna’s mind and brought up his shields to protect them both.
TRISTIN
That’s right, little man.
BACK TO TRISTIN'S SHUTTLE
He brought a part of his awareness back to his body. He grunted as he forced his arm to move and caress her hair.
TRISTIN
That’s getting into the fun, little man.
He felt for a hair pin. He telepathically deadened the nerve follicles and slipped it from her hair. He dropped his arm leaden back to his side with his hand open toward the cage bars.
Cherna slipped the hair pin from his hand and hid it in her own hair.
Sannaro returned to the safety of Cherna’s mind and shuddered as his body responded to the manipulation.
CHERNA (SPI V.O.)
Nice work, honey.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I love you so dearly, Cheri.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I love you dearly, too, Sannaro. We’ll win against her. I promise.
Sannaro collapsed to the floor.
SANNARO
Why do I feel so weak, Cheri? It’s scary.
CHERNA
I’ll give you enough strength to scan your body. I’m worried about how weak you feel too.
Sannaro felt renewed strength and scanned his body like his new Saili friend Jeremy showed him. He centered on his wrist and felt a sore spot under a cuff.
SANNARO
This isn’t good. A wrist cuff has a needle that’s injecting me with a medicine. There’s another needle on an ankle cuff.
CHERNA
They’re sedating you! No wonder you’ve been acting weak!
SANNARO
I need to pay attention to Tristin now, or she’ll get suspicious.
Sannaro returned his attention to outside his body again.
TRISTIN
Well, was that a fun threesome?
SANNARO
I’m just tired.
Cherna laid her chin on on his head. He could sense her venomous glare at Tristin.
TRISTIN
You just rest then, and we’ll have some more fun later.
She pressed her index finger on Sannaro’s nose.
Sannaro resisted the urge to bite that finger.
She stood up and went over to Dale.
TRISTIN
Now, you and I made an agreement and you already want to back out?
DALE
I should have listened to Sannaro.
TRISTIN
You wanted to have your revenge. There you go. Beat him senseless, but don’t kill him.
DALE
You’re sick.
TRISTIN
I won the bid. You agreed to go with me to get your revenge. You get it my way or not at all.
A man entered the common room and stopped to whisper to Tristin.
Cherna reached around the bar, inserted the hairpin into the lock and moved it around until they heard a light click. She pulled back and sat down on the floor of her cage near the door.
Dale clutched the hem on his shirt.
DALE
If I had known-
SANNARO
If you had listened to me!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cheri, her guard just told her we’re approaching her stronghold.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
She needs to be near you before I make my move.
TRISTIN
Sit on the floor near Sanna.
Dale cautiously moved around Tristin and sat on the cold floor close to Sannaro but not touching.
TRISTIN
Now, beat him up. Do what you like, just don’t kill him or your punishment will be agonizing.
SANNARO
I wish the airlock would open and sweep us all into space.
Tristin stepped toward Sannaro.
TRISTIN
What did you say?
Sannaro rolled his eyes then smirked.
SANNARO
I need to go pee.
Tristin stepped toward him as she arched her eyebrows and snorted.
Cherna pushed open her cage and launched herself through the air to grip Tristin’s throat. She swung the stumps of her legs deep into Tristin’s abdomen.
Tristin doubled over.
Cherna swung her body out and slammed her stumps into Tristin’s thighs. Both women crashed to the deck.
Sannaro surged to his knees and double-fisted Tristin in the back.
Tristin screamed and tried to grab Sannaro’s arms.
Cherna grasped Tristin’s head and drove the stump of a thigh into Tristin's throat.
Cherna did a backward roll out from under Tristin and landed upright on her stumps.
Tristin died with a sickening gurgle of gushing blood from her lips.
Sannaro climbed to his feet.
Cherna led the rush into the cockpit.
The pilots jumped out of their chairs to confront the intrusion.
Cherna launched herself into the air with her arms and slammed her stumps into a pilot’s stomach.
He crashed into the control board.
The other pilot rushed Sannaro with his fist extended.
Sannaro grabbed the man’s fist and yanked his arm to send him flying into Sannaro’s other fist at stomach level. Sannaro extended his index and middle fingers out, rotated them under the man’s sternum and snapped his ribs. He tripped the man to the floor with his right foot and drove his palm into the man’s chest with a sickening crunch as his rib cage shattered.
Sannaro walked over to the man across the control board and pushed him to the floor. He sat down and did a system check.
SANNARO
He didn’t damage the controls, thankfully.
He turned the shuttle around.
Dale slunk into the cockpit with his eyes wide.
DALE
Are you going to kill me?
SANNARO
Not unless you attack me.
DALE
I really didn’t realize how horrible she was.
SANNARO
Take my advice for once, Dale Turner. Get the hell out of pirate business. Settle down on a nice world and find a nice partner to love for the rest of your life. Turn away from vengeance and don’t look back. Sam got the message a year ago when he surrendered the chemical recipe to me so I could save my native planet from your tyranny. Either you learn your lesson now, or I may just kill you. After what you did, I could easily justify your death to the authorities for bidding in an auction to enslave me.
DALE
You’re serious.
SANNARO
I am reputed among the pirates as the Destroyer. I’m currently the Senior Self Defense Instructor of the Kumani. I have been the Senior Fighter Pilot and a veteran of the Zuran War. I am the General of the Defense Force for Sailia and New Sailia. As Hadeon said, I am the most annoying Saili to ever live. Do really want to question if I’m serious?
Dale suddenly snorted in laughter.
Sannaro almost stood up.
Dale held his hands up in surrender.
DALE
I’m sorry, Sannaro. It’s just that I suddenly remembered you told that woman you needed to pee. That was so funny. I remembered you would blurt out ridiculous stuff like that in class when we were kids.
Sannaro chuckled.
SANNARO
You know I did that when I sensed the emotions in the room got too tense? It’s an emotional defense because of my telepathy. I have a tendency to open doors right as people reach out to ring my doorbell to see their confusion, too.
Cherna giggled.
CHERNA
Oh, the confused looks on their faces are hilarious.
DALE
I miss those times you’d say random things in class, San. I forgot those simple things I did as a kid because I was so angry after the fire, but now, I’m just scared. I don’t know how you handle all those scary situations.
SANNARO
I use all my skills to think of ways to escape. Even Cherna uses my skills and hers to survive too.
DALE
Cherna, I couldn’t believe that you don’t have legs, but you fought as fiercely and you’re so damned fast.
CHERNA
I practice. I don’t have to have my prostheses to function.
CHERNA
Aren’t you getting exhausted?
SANNARO
Terribly, but we have to get home.
CHERNA
Nice work, love.
Sannaro nodded his head.
CHERNA
I wish I could help you.
SANNARO
Sorry, sweetheart, this setup has foot pedals.
DALE
That crease around your thigh, San?
SANNARO
Near amputation during the Zuran War.
DALE
I noticed it makes you limp.
SANNARO
Yeah, I lost an inch of bone during the re-plantation.
DALE
That had to be very painful.
CHERNA
About old injuries, how is your lower heart, San?
SANNARO
Beating as strongly as it can.
DALE
I heard you had a heart attack after we surrendered on Sailia.
SANNARO
That’s right. The shrapnel shredded my lower heart to pieces. I was lucky the Saili healed it well enough to keep it marginally functioning.
DALE
And you still fight like a demon.
SANNARO
Upper heart is completely healthy. In a Humanoid environment, I still have more stamina than the average Humanoid.
CHERNA
I still don’t like you to overexert yourself.
SANNARO
I know.
DALE
Oh my god!
Sannaro looked toward what Dale was looking at.
They approached a silver arrowhead-shaped ship thirty stories tall and three kilometers long with wings sweeping out from its nose, then came to a point just fore of the massive main engines. On top of the main fuselage was firebird whose breast wore a blue four-pointed star with a yellow star in counterpoint. Inside the star was four green diamonds capped with red chevrons.
SANNARO
I better call the Kumani for a landing request before they send the Vizha'i out to destroy us.
DALE
That’s your ship?
CHERNA
We’re home.
DALE
That’s one huge ship.
SANNARO
Uh-oh, I don’t know any designation. Cherna, hold my hand.
CHERNA
It’s nice to offer close contact, but don’t you need to call the Kumani?
SANNARO
I want to channel my telepathy through you since my ears are sheathed.
CHERNA
Oh, right.
She held out her hand.
Sannaro grasped her hand.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro? Where in Iachi’awei’s name have you been?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m sure you see a shuttle approaching the Kumani?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Is that you?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk. Please don’t fire on us.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Okay, I relayed the command not to fire. Is Cherna with you? We lost her too.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
She’s with me.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I’m here, Hadah.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Glad to hear you again. San, you feel odd.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m sending through Cherna. I have shackles on my ears. I need to stop sending soon or I may pass out. Can we land?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
You have permission to land. As usual, we won’t tell you how to land and if you stray from protocol, we’ll fire on you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Fair enough.
Sannaro held his head in his other hand for a minute.
CHERNA
Are you all right?
SANNARO
Let’s just say, I can’t wait for Danu to give me a good dose of Catowsh. It’s not easy for me to channel my telepathy through you when my own ears are sheathed. It sickens me. Let’s get this ship landed.
Sannaro flew to the aft of the Kumani and turned over the four massive red engines. He lined the shuttle up with lane 2 and slowed to approach velocity. He braked as the lighted rectangle came into view. He hovered over the rectangle and lowered the shuttle to rest within the lights.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
A clang resounded around the shuttle and the rectangle lowered into the vast maintenance deck.
Sannaro lightly squeezed Cherna’s still held hand as he resisted the urge to allow his relieved tears to flow.
The rectangle locked into the deck and Sannaro pulled his hand away to use the controls to hover the shuttle to a parking spot, then shut down all systems. He palmed the hatch release button and awaited Arcas and the Vizha'e to rush into the shuttle with guns drawn. Arcas entered just as expected and stopped in stunned silence to look at Sannaro, Cherna and Dale.
ARCAS
San, who’s the Human?
SANNARO
Dale Turner.
SANNARO
I’ll vouch for him.
Dale sighed in relief.
ARCAS
Glad to see both of you again. We were so worried when both of you disappeared at last landing.
SANNARO
So were we, Arc.
ARCAS
All clear. Send in medical. San has wrist, ankle and ear shackles. Cheri looks a bit messed up, but in good shape. We have a visitor named Dale Turner. San says he’ll vouch for him. I found two men and one woman dead from hand to hand attacks.
DALE
What the hell is he saying?
SANNARO
(SPEAKING BASIC)
I told him I would vouch for you so he wouldn’t shoot you.
DALE
I guessed that much, but this language is so weird and you actually learned it after they took you?
SANNARO
I had to so I could survive.
Sannaro blinked to clear his slightly blurred vision.
Danu rushed through. He hummed a medical scanner in front of Sannaro’s body.
DANU
I don’t like the readings. Bring a stretcher to get San out of here. Hadah, recommend we fly to New Sailia immediately.
He moved over to Cherna and scanned her.
DANU
You’re fine.
He turned back to Sannaro as his staff laid a canvas and wooden litter on the floor because the cockpit was too tight for a hovering litter. He went to Sannaro and wrapped his arms around Sannaro’s chest.
Sannaro allowed Danu to help him slip to the floor and lay down on the litter.
DANU
I don’t know how you’re remaining conscious.
SANNARO
I’m surprised you didn’t see my adrenaline levels through the roof.
DANU
Oh, I did, but they’re plunging fast.
SANNARO
It’s the shackles. They’re injecting me with a steady stream of sedatives.
Danu pulled out a syringe, snapped in a vial and plunged it into Sannaro’s shoulder.
DANU
Ikata fausa, the stimulant should counter it for a short while until we get to New Sailia.
Sannaro’s head swam as the two medicines warred with each other.
DANU
Nisin, one, two, three, lift.
Sannaro felt them pick him up and they guided him out of the shuttle and onto a hovering gurney. As his vision blurred worse, he gabbed Danu’s arm frantically.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Danu! Help me. I don’t know what’s happening!
He felt his hand go numb and dropped it heavily to the gurney.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Danu
Crash kit, now!
INT. KUMANI HOSPITAL HALLWAY
Varanani paced the small area of the elevator and willed the device to go faster. She had to get to her brother now.
Finally, the door swept open.
She ran as fast as she could, protocol be damned, and rushed to grasp Sannaro’s head.
ASTERAL VIEW
Astral VAranani frantically sought her younger brother’s essence. She saw a spark in the darkness and flew toward it.
Astral Sannaro reached out to her.
She embraced him.
Sannaro's mind reached for her mind and clung to her with his indomitable will.
ASTRAL VARANANI
Stay with me, Sanna. Don’t you dare leave me.
ASTRAL SANNARO
I don’t want to leave! I want to stay with Cherna.
BACK TO KUMANI HOSPITAL HALLWAY
VARANANI
Cherna, place your hands on my hands. We must help Sannaro. He wants you.
Cherna leapt beside Sannaro’s heaving bare chest on the rim of the gurney and frantically laid her hands over Varanani’s hands.
ASTRAL VIEW
Astral Cherna flew to where Astral Varanani cradled Astral Sannaro's head and she laid her hands on his chest.
Astral Danu appeared and pressed a stethescope to Astral Sannaro's chest.
(EACH ASTRAL CHARACTER APPEARED IN THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEIR DIALOGUE AND REMAINS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCENE)
RETURN TO KUMANI HOSPITAL HALLWAY
ASTRAL CHERNA
I’m here, lover. Stay with me and Vara. We love you.
ASTRAL DANU
Beloved, we’re moving San. I’ll guide you and Cherna with the gurney. We need to get his body stabilized.
ASTRAL VARANANI
Do what you must, beloved.
ASTRAL DI'OK
You better not leave, San.
ASTRAL HADAH
We need you, my friend.
ASTRAL SANNARO
My family, I need you too.
ASTRAL ARCAS
You aren’t going anywhere! Hang in there, boss.
ASTRAL TISA
Who else can train us to our limit?
Astral Sannaro chuckled weakly.
ASTRAL AMBRIKA
Yeah, Yaro, who will be our taskmaster?
ASTRAL ANDOKU
Or tell us how nice our pottery is?
ASTRAL MARCARIO
Or teach us to fight hand to hand?
ASTRAL INDUMATI
What he said.
ASTRAL HADAH
We’re approaching New Sailia. I’m having the emergency team come up to the Kumani to help stabilize San.
ASTRAL DANU
He’s been under light sedation too long. Come on, San.
ASTRAL SANNARO
I’m trying.
Suddenly, Astral Jeremy appeared.
ASTRAL JEREMY
San, it’s Jeremy. Let me guide you.
Astral Cherna, Varanani and Danu backed away and stopped before the crowd of astral people. Astral Sannaro clung to Astral Jeremy Astral Sannaro began to solidify again.
Astral Kinetiko and Aureliana appear beside Jeremy and help Jeremy.
ASTRAL JEREMY
San, it’s Jeremy. Let me guide you.
Sannaro clung to Jeremy’s presence and his essence began to intensify again.
ASTRAL KINETIKO
We’re giving you medications to counteract the sedation, San.
ASTRAL AURELIANA
Jeremy, status.
ASTRAL JEREMY
Stabilizing, chemical balances are returning to proper levels.
Astral Ambrika gave Jeremy a very friendly hug.
ASTRAL AMBRIKA
Are you done with your residency?
ASTRAL JEREMY
Can’t talk now. I’ll tell you later, okay, Ambri? Your Yaro isn’t completely stable yet.
ASTRAL AMBRIKA
Sorry, keep fighting, Ya!
ASTRAL SANNARO
I am, Ambri.
ASTRAL JEREMY
Okay, he’s stable. I’m going to let you control your own body now, San.
ASTRAL SANNARO
Thank you, Jeremy.
BACK TO KUMANI HOSPITAL ROOM
Sannaro opened his eyes again to a standard hospital room. Beside him was his old friend Danu. At his side was the Saili doctors Aureliana, Kinetiko and young Intern Jeremy.
Danu grasped his hand and nodded in tired satisfaction.
SANNARO
Ki'iwa.
KINETIKO
Hello, yourself.
AURELIANA
You gave us quite a scare.
Aureliana held up four broken limb shackles, each with slim needles gleaming from the inner part of the bracelets in one hand and the electrified ear shackles in the other.
KINETIKO
I want to show these to Ambassador Eradano so he can take them to the Alliance Council to get them banned. These are especially made to contain Saili in a cruel manner.
SANNARO
You’re telling me? I wore them.
KINETIKO
How did this happen?
SANNARO
If you don’t mind, I would rather wait to tell the details to Hadah, Wanakaya and Vara.
Hadah entered with his mouth gravely held tight.
HADAH
San, the dead woman in the shuttle was Tristin Sarto.
SANNARO
I know.
HADAH
We have to call the ADF.
Sannaro nodded.
HADAH
I was told you would vouch for Dale Turner. Does he know what happened?
SANNARO
Houk.
HADAH
Then I have to question him or wait for the ADF to question him.
SANNARO
Understandable.
DANU
Hadah, as much as you would like to find out what happened, as his doctor, I strongly recommend we allow Sannaro to rest. He almost died.
Hadah nodded to Danu.
HADAH
Are those San’s restraints?
KINETIKO
They are, and cruel devices, too.
HADAH
Okay, let’s leave San to rest. I want to see those abominations.
Everyone except Danu followed Hadah out of the room.
SANNARO
Can I have Cherna visit me?
DANU
Sure, but not for long. You have to sleep.
Danu left the room. The door swept open and Cherna stepped in on a new set of prosthetic legs. She rushed to hug him.
CHERNA
You almost didn’t make it.
SANNARO
I know. But we fought this together.
CHERNA
Wing-mates in everything.
He raised her head up and kissed her tenderly.
SANNARO
But Tristin Sarto will never hurt us again.
CHERNA
Never again.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
Sorry to bother you but it’s time for Cheri to leave and San to sleep.
They sighed simultaneously, then giggled about having the same reaction before they kissed again.
Cherna looked sadly at Sannaro before she walked out of the room.
Sannaro nestled into his pillow and was soon asleep.
(LATER)
When Sannaro woke again, he sensed everyone’s mind was busy.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cheri, everyone is so distracted.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
San, you’re awake. I need to warn you, Marc Daniels is coming to talk to you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Vara, can I tell you, Wanakaya and Hadah what happened to me before Marc Daniels comes to begin his investigation?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I’ll be there very soon, brother.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
I’m on my way.
WANAKAYA (PSI V.O.)
I'll be there soon, too.
Shortly, Varanani rushed into the room with her hip long hair flying behind her. She gave Sannaro a hug.
He leaned into his sister and sighed.
Hadah entered the room with Cherna and Wanakaya close behind.
SANNARO
I wanted to tell you want happened before I have to meet the ADF.
HADAH
We know that Tristin Sarto was a perverse sick woman.
VARANANI
I sense there’s more to this.
SANNARO
The whole situation was horrible. Cheri and I were captured by pirates. The leader of a pirate ship named Hadeon decided since I was too dangerous to keep on a pirate ship, he would auction me to the highest bidder so he could gain profit from capturing me and my enemies would subject me to a horrible death. Cheri was captured too so I wouldn’t spoil their fun with marriage link withdrawal sickness.
HADAH
That’s sickening.
SANNARO
Houk. Tristin won the bid.
VARANANI
And she raped you again.
SANNARO
She did, but Cherna had a plan and told me to steal a hairpin from Tristin’s hair for her to use to pick the lock on her cage. Cherna attacked Tristin and I helped her fight. We both killed everyone on board the shuttle, except for Dale Turner.
HADAH
Tell me about Dale Turner.
SANNARO
Dale Turner was still angry with me for defeating him on Sailia. He was at the auction with Yothers to bid on me. He was sore that Tristin won the bid and decided he wanted to go with Tristin, but he didn’t understand how twisted she was. He got sick when he saw what Tristin did to me on the shuttle and asked to be released. She told him that he was her property now and if he didn’t do what she wanted, she’d torture him. He asked me not to harm him while Cheri and I were taking over the shuttle.
WANAKAYA
How many times were you raped this time?
SANNARO
She only attacked me once. But I escaped to Cherna’s mind during the worst of it. I hate what she did to me, but it was the only way we could escape.
WANAKAYA
You seem to be less traumatized this time since you were able to escape to Cherna during the worst of it.
HADAH
Who killed Tristin?
CHERNA
I did. I broke her disgusting neck.
SANNARO
But I struck her on the back to stun her so she would have a more difficult time protecting herself from Cheri.
HADAH
I’d call the whole thing self defense.
SANNARO
That’s what I will plea to Marc Daniels.
CHERNA
I will plea self defense, too. That woman was doing horrendous things to my husband while I watched. I wanted her to stop, so I killed her.
VARANANI
Like I’ve said before, because of the Saili marriage link, when one in the link is raped, the other is raped too because of the deep telepathic bond that can’t be broken. Both of you were angry and afraid of being trapped by Tristin Sarto again. Both of you wanted to get away from her any way you could to make the abuse stop.
SANNARO
We stopped her.
HADAH
Tristin Sarto is out of the picture, but what will Hadeon feel when he’s told you escaped from Tristin alive?
SANNARO
I imagine he’ll be angry.
CHERNA
He has his blood money.
SANNARO
But he really wanted me to die.
Sannaro sensed that news had Hadah very preoccupied.
HADAH
You’ll have to talk to Marc Daniels soon.
SANNARO
We have to follow Alliance procedure.
WANAKAYA
I’ll be with you. I’m your psychiatric counselor.
HADAH
So, are we ready to allow Marc to come in?
Sannaro’s eyes suddenly filled with tears.
SANNARO
Not yet, please.
Cherna hugged him tightly.
He sobbed into her hair.
WANAKAYA
I wondered when he’d let his emotions out.
Danu entered the room.
DANU
I want to give him another examination before he has to face an ADF interrogation.
Sannaro dried his eyes and nodded to Danu.
Danu waved a sensor over Sannaro’s form.
DANU
Okay, your body’s chemistry is still reading within safe levels. I’ve told Marc Daniels that Jeremy is going to telepathically monitor your physical condition while he’s questioning you.
HADAH
It is the New Saili’s right to monitor the physical health of their citizen. Are you ready for Marc now?
SANNARO
Yes.
HADAH
Okay, we should all leave so that Marc can talk with San.
Sannaro reluctantly let go of Cherna, but he had to restrain himself from wanting to leap from bed and cling to her.
VARANANI
Hadah, San’s having separation anxiety. He doesn’t want Cherna to leave him.
HADAH
Cherna, go back to him.
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HADAH
Varanani, go explain the situation to Marc.
Varanani nodded then stepped from the room.
As the door swept closed behind Varanani, she dropped her head and worked to contain her sadness for her younger brother.
Marc stepped up beside her and politely cleared his throat.
VARANANI
Hello, Commander Daniels.
MARC
Danu told me a few minutes ago that San would be able to answer a few questions.
Varanani restored her professional face and looked at him.
VARANANI
I’ve been sent to explain to you Sannaro’s emotional state at this time.
MARC
All right.
VARANANI
Sannaro is in a very delicate state of mind right now. He refuses to allow Cherna to leave physical contact with him or he becomes agitated.
MARC
Severe emotional trauma. Okay, I’ll ask Sannaro questions with Cherna present since she was involved in the incident as well.
VARANANI
And Danu also wants you to know that Aurum Dr. Jeremy Kimimelateyak and Psychiatrist Wanakaya Tiramalateyak will be telepathically monitoring Sannaro’s physical condition in case he becomes too distressed. He almost died from the constant sedation he was injected with during his capture.
MARC
I saw the shackles. I understand that you and your people want to protect Sannaro, but I need to investigate multiple murders.
Varanani cringed.
MARC
You know I’m an old friend of your brother. As an officer of the ADF, I have to learn what happened. Please trust me that I will try my best to be impartial.
Varanani sighed and nodded.
Marc slipped around her and walked through the door.
Be strong, little brother, she thought to herself before she walked slowly down the hall.
FADE OUT.
THE END.
CHERNA
We’re together, sweetheart.
SANNARO
She can’t come here.
CHERNA
San, I know this will be unpleasant, but touch her hair and find a hair pin. Take it, but don’t let her know you have it. Hand it to me.
ASTRAL IMAGE OF LAKE, GASBAJA - DAY
Sannaro and Cherna lay huddled in each other's arms beside the lake they had visited during their marriage festival as teens.