Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
WARNING:
CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.
“DESTROYER RECOMMISSIONED”
EPISODE 70 – LEGEND OF STATUE THAT WALKS
BY LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. TEKITRI PLAINS, ALPHA CENTAURI 7 – day
Marc scooted closer and put an arm around Sannaro’s shoulders.
MARC
Does that make it less chilly?
SANNARO
A little. Curse my Saili sensitivity to dropping temperatures.
MARC
For such a short guy, your shoulders are broad.
SANNARO
Another curse of Saili physiology.
MARC
I wouldn’t call it a curse. A lot of guys would love to have broad shoulders like yours. Mine aren’t as wide.
SANNARO
If I only had the height, too, I’d be happier. Then people would stop calling me short-shit and runt.
MARC
I wouldn’t call you names like that. I know you can beat my ass. Height has nothing to do with ability.
SANNARO
Not in the Human culture.
MARC
Humans can be ignorant. You should know that with your telepathy.
SANNARO
Oh, do I. Marc, please don’t think about me that way.
MARC
I, ach, by the suns. I didn’t want you to know, but you’re so damned attractive in any form.
SANNARO
But you don’t want to tell Amber. I can’t let you dishonor her like that.
MARC
Ouch, my mind is laid bare to you.
SANNARO
You’re touching my shoulders.
MARC
Right, direct touch makes a direct link mind to mind. You’ve explained that before. It’s just that, years ago, I crashed with a perp who forced me to give him oral sex repeatedly until I escaped. Since then, my mind’s been screwed up. I’m seeing not only ladies as attractive, but men too. I don’t know how to handle it so I suppressed it, that is, until you made yourself look like that hot Polynesian girl on that moon. Since then, well, I’ve seen you naked so many times now, I can’t stop thinking about- I need to quit talking.
Marc pulled his arm from around Sannaro and huddled in on himself.
SANNARO
So he threatened you with bodily harm if you didn't suck his dick?
MARC
Yeah, my body was sore from the crash and he already beat me up pretty well. Then he decided since I was Brocana, I could guide him out of the Arizona desert. Each time he wanted to rest, he threatened to shoot me but not kill me if I didn't suck him to orgasm. He jammed the barrel of his gun into the base of my neck and kept his arm around my shoulders the whole time we traveled. It was horrible.
SANNARO
Your arm was warm, but I can’t take secrets, Marcayo. Either you want to be truthful to Amber before anything more happens or I can’t let you get nearer.
MARC
I’m so messed up right now.
SANNARO
You think you're messed up? Sometimes I just want to give up and harden.
MARC
What the hell? How can you say that?
SANNARO
I’m tired, Marcayo. I’m tired of my aching body, the constant pain in my back, the beatings. Why do I keep fighting?
MARC
You fight for Cherna, Andoku and Ambrika, just like I fight for Amber and Amaranta. You told me that Ambri is going to marry soon to that Doctor Jeremy. Don’t you want to see your grandchildren they’ll birth?
SANNARO
Houk, Jeremy is a very nice boy. He’ll make a good mate for Ambri. It's just that I still wonder if my foster son Altarian hadn't been shot on a pirate ship, would Ambri have followed her plans to tasra him? Now he's a statuette on a shelf.
MARC
You fostered another Saili? I did not know that!
SANNARO
He was a former pirate slave. He was so scarred from the experience, he made a poor judgment to join the fight before he knew what he was doing and got fatally wounded on the same ship he had been enslaved on. Cheri crushed her legs in a crash right before Altarian was captured and returned to the Pirates.
MARC
I can understand why that memory makes you want to cry. Don’t you dare harden on me. We’re going to travel to that Brocana camp.
Marc stood up.
SANNARO
Now?
MARC
Aldumu is nearly set and you’re shivering so we’re going to start traveling now. Point the way.
Sannaro laid his head back on his knees.
Marc turned back and pulled Sannaro off the ground.
MARC
Point the way, tracker.
Sannaro carefully opened his eyes to twilight. His eyes no longer burned. He pointed uphill.
MARC
That’s better. Let’s go.
They walked side by side up the trail.
MARC
Wait, you said if I don’t tell Amber, you wouldn’t allow me to get nearer. Are you telling me you’re bisexual?
Sannaro flipped his hair in front of his face.
MARC
By the suns, you are!
SANNARO
Another Saili curse.
MARC
Stop cursing who you are. Saili are great beings.
SANNARO
I have this electrical field that surrounds me all the time. It kind of stimulates Humanoids but we Saili can’t control it. It’s a part of our telepathic sensory system.
MARC
So that’s why my skin tingles when I get really near you?
SANNARO
Houk, that’s my electrical aura. But I only have deeper relationships with family and friends I can trust with my heart. I can’t just have a fling with a stranger because intimacy with a Saili sets up a telepathic bond that can’t be broken.
MARC
By the suns, did Tristin force a link?
SANNARO
Skisla nui, I blocked her from entering my mind while she touched me. She was so gross.
MARC
Wait, I’ve been telepathically linked with you.
SANNARO
That doesn’t make as deep a link as intimacy makes.
MARC
Can I ask, well, you said you only have deeper relationships with family. Isn’t that incest?
SANNARO
We stimulate each other to orgasm and only penetrate our legally recognized mates. When we have sex, the feelings we generate can bleed to the other family members through the telepathic connection and make them-
MARC
Horny? Wow, does that mean your sister Varanani and her mate Danu?
SANNARO
Fausa, and Di'ok and Sha'ya.
MARC
But isn’t Di'ok Astrisi?
SANNARO
He is, but the link I made with him when we were seven that set up Cherna’s and my marriage link by accident also happened to Di'ok.
MARC
Oh wow, that had to be embarrassing.
SANNARO
It was - once my Uncle Devasru explained to me what I had unknowingly caused. I can’t reverse it.
MARC
This is quite surprising, but I can see how this could be a Saili condition. Now how am I going to handle my feelings?
SANNARO
I don’t have any suggestions you’d like, actually.
MARC
Oh?
SANNARO
Well, jerk yourself off.
MARC
You’re right, I don’t like that idea.
SANNARO
I don’t want you to hurt Amber.
MARC
I really don’t either. She’s a great woman and I have never wanted her to be property like the Brocana force on their women. That’s one thing I don’t like about my mother’s people.
SANNARO
I wouldn’t agree either. Women are their own beings to be respected and cherished for the talents they have. Their burden is harder than man. I’ve shared the discomforts of pregnancy twice with Cherna. To my shame, I’ve shielded myself from her to get away from the strain and felt bad that she couldn’t do the same because the discomfort was hers.
MARC
Oh, so you Saili feel the good and the bad sensations?
SANNARO
We do. You beat me up, Cherna feels the pain and vise versa. That’s why I don’t know if you should join with my family. Your life is on Earth, not with the Astrisi. I’m sorry, Marc.
MARC
No, you gave me some good reasons. Saili love is so complicated.
SANNARO
It is, but if it’s any consolation, if our lives were different, I would trust you with my heart.
MARC
I wish it was different.
SANNARO
Don’t ruin your life for me, Marcayo. I’m not worth it.
Sannaro walked faster up the hill.
Marc stopped and watched him walk away.
Sannaro stopped and turned back.
SANNARO
Hey, I know where to go, but I don’t know how to speak Brocana. Are you coming?
MARC
You’re a scamp. You know that, Sannaro Damirateyak?
SANNARO
So people tell me every day of my life!
Marc trotted up to join Sannaro again.
MARC
You’re one bold unkakab.
SANNARO
Your point?
Marc smacked Sannaro on the rear.
Sannaro shoved Marc.
Marc stumbled a few steps then recovered.
MARC
Wow, you’re powerful. You barely pushed me.
SANNARO
I can compensate for the gravity, cause it’s not as strong as Sailia but stronger than Earth.
MARC
So we can remain good friends, just not intimate?
SANNARO
If you can keep it at that level.
MARC
I still value your friendship.
SANNARO
Then I’m willing to try and you should try to keep your hand off my naked ass!
MARC
Aw, it’s so cute.
Sannaro raised his fisted hand.
SANNARO
And so is my fist?
Marc clutched his hands before him.
MARC
Don’t kill me, master!
Sannaro shoved Marc again.
SANNARO
Oh, shut up!
Marc laughed as he regained his balance again.
MARC
We’re acting like teenage school boys.
SANNARO
Liberating, isn’t it?
MARC
Yeah, it is. Especially since we’re two grown men in our forties, walking naked down a dirt mountain road.
SANNARO
You’re the old one. I’m still considered a young adult in my culture.
MARC
That was a low blow, Sannaro Damirateyak!
Sannaro chuckled and walked on.
After ten more minutes of walking, Sannaro held his hand up.
SANNARO
I sense someone over the hill ahead.
MARC
Okay, I’ll take the lead and greet them.
SANNARO
You mind if I connect with your mind to receive a translation like I did on the shuttle with Hadeon?
MARC
That would make things easier for you. Link away, my friend.
Sannaro nodded and created the link to Marc's mind.
Marc walked ahead and stopped just over the crest of the hill.
MARC
Kadiba, I am Marcayo of the Clan Kelhidi. I apologize for my state of undress. My friend and I were waylaid by a Renegade. I would like to ask for aide, if you would be so kind.
DOKODRIL MAN
Waylaid by a Renegade?
MARC
We were.
ABREDHI
What is that shining thing?
Marc turned to see the Brocana man was pointing at Sannaro who was shining like a star in the night.
MARC
That is my friend. He is not Brocana. He is an off-worlder of the Saili.
ABREDHI
He looks like a statue from the Jhumani village stepped down from a block and took a walk!
MARC
Yes, he is shiny gold, but he won’t harm you. Balda and Aldumu are burning him to agony. I wish to ask for help to clothe him so he will not be claimed by the suns.
ABREDHI
I must talk with the village elder before I can give an answer, Marcayo of the Clan Kelhidi.
MARC
That is acceptable to me.
ABREDHI
I am Abredhi of the Clan Dokodril.
The man turned and walked to the cluster of tents.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I think that conversation went well. He’s decided to have mild distrust instead of feeling fully guarded.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
It went as well as I could have hoped. He’s asking the village elder before he’s willing to say they’ll help us.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
At least we’re getting somewhere. A Human statue? Oh, that’s hysterical!
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Come to think of it, you kind of do look like a walking statue or one of those Earth Egyptian hieroglyphs off a pyramid wall.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Thank you oh so much, Marcayo! If I were closer to you, I might smack you on the head!
Marc saw movement in the camp.
MARC
Can’t let you do that. Abredhi is returning.
Abredhi walked with a few others to the perimeter of the camp and stopped a few paces away from Marc.
ABREDHI
Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi, I will present to you Teramar, Elder of Clan Dokodril.
MARC
Teramar of Clan Dokodril, I am pleased you would grant me audience. I am Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi.
Teramar pointed at the brand of a K and an H in the shape of a sheep-like klevie Marc knew he had on his shoulder.
TERAMAR
Harak.
MARC
I am.
TERAMAR
What are you doing so far from your clan’s grounds?
MARC
My Saili friend and I were traveling when we were set upon by a Renegade who stole all we had, including our clothes.
Teramar glanced back at Sannaro.
TERAMAR
He is not right for Bamasha. He will die at suns rise.
MARC
That is what I fear. His shoulders are already burned from suns set. I wish to prevent Sannaro of Clan Kumani from dying at suns rise. We ask for your generous offer for clothing so we will not be claimed by the suns as we travel back to Jhumani camp.
Teramar gestured toward the camp.
Marc bowed in heartfelt gratitude.
MARC
I honor your great generosity, Elder Teramar.
He turned to Sannaro and spoke in Human Standard.
MARC
Sannaro, we are being greeted into Camp Dokodril.
Sannaro cautiously walked to Marc’s side and bowed to Teramar.
SANNARO
Thank you for your help.
TERAMAR
You are strange, Sannaro of Clan Kumani.
SANNARO
I am of the race named Saili from far away beyond the stars.
Marc turned Sannaro around and pointed to his orange skin.
MARC
This orange color is my friend’s burn from the suns. My friend should be yellow like his hand.
He raised up Sannaro’s hand to show the shiny olive yellow.
TERAMAR
We will give you medicine for his burn and clothe you and your friend. Follow me.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Why all the talk?
They followed Teramar down the hill.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Brocana are very ritualistic. If you don’t negotiate at their pace, they’ll send you away. We’ve satisfied Teramar so we’re finally being led into camp. They’re going to give you medicine for your burns and clothe both of us. Maybe I can manage to negotiate a Sinvati, but they’re very treasured by the Brocana so it may be too much to ask.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Right now, I’ll be happy to accept the medicine and clothes gladly.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
So will I, my friend.
Teramar took them to a tent and opened the flap.
TERAMAR
You will rest here. We will send women to attend your burns and bring you clothes. Though your yellow boy is very strange to me, I can see he is exhausted.
Marc chuckled despite his attempt to suppress it.
Sannaro began to turn back with his face a bright orange.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Don't take offense, my friend. Play it cool. I'll handle it.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I'm calm.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
I wouldn't call you calm but you are clearly in control of your emotions.
TERAMAR
I offend, Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi?
MARC
No, you don’t offend, Teramar of Clan Dokodril. Forgive my laugh. My friend looks only a boy, but he has seen almost as many suns as I have.
TERAMAR
Now that I see him with fire light, by the count of scars on his body, I will accept that he has seen many suns and many hunts.
MARC
Yes, he is a great hunter, highly respected by his clan.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I get this all the time.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
I know you do and it bothers you. He did apologize.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I accept his apology.
MARC
My friend accepts your apology.
TERAMAR
I am relieved. I will send women with the clothes and medicine soon.
Teramar bowed slightly before he walked away.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Marc entered the tent.
Sannaro followed and looked around.
SANNARO
Where are the beds?
MARC
No beds but they have rushes.
Marc went through a side flap and pointed to the bags of grass.
SANNARO
Better than hard rock.
MARC
Definitely better than rock. The women will be entering soon with medicine and clothing.
Sannaro blushed and flipped his hair into his eyes.
SANNARO
I hope they’re not going to put the medicine on me.
MARC
I can ask them to allow me if you’re too self-conscious.
SANNARO
Believe it or not, I am a bit shy.
MARC
I actually noticed you could be shy with people you didn’t know unless you were in warrior mode.
Sannaro turned to the tent flap then rushed into the sleep room.
The tent flap was pulled back and two women walked in with their eyes looking at the ground.
WOMAN #1
We are here to give you medicine and clothes, Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi.
MARC
Your generosity cheers me and my friend.
WOMAN #1
Has your friend gone?
MARC
He’s checking the bedrolls.
WOMAN #1
We displease him?
MARC
No, he’s, well, he’s a bit shy.
WOMAN #1
Shy?
MARC
He fears you will remark about the scars on his skin.
WOMAN #1
Scars are a mark of courage.
MARC
Yes, they are and my friend has done many courageous things. He only allows his woman and his friends to look at his naked body so he has asked me to request you leave the medicine and clothes with me and I will help him medicate his burns.
WOMAN #2
Do we displease you, Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi?
MARC
You do not displease me. Your offer of clothes and medication pleases me very much. I only apologize for my friend. He is not of Bamasha and his ways are not Brocana.
WOMAN #1
I will do as you ask, although it is an odd request.
They set down the supplies and swept out of the tent.
Marc picked up the basket of supplies and entered the sleeping room. He chuckled and shook his head at the yellow form curled in a fetal ball on a rush in deep sleep. He sat down near the angry orange shoulders and scooped some cream out of the bowl in the basket. He carefully spread the cream on the very toned shoulder muscles. Marc was glad that he only felt a light tingling of Sannaro’s passive protective aura.
MARC
It’s just Marcayo, Sannaro. I’m medicating your shoulders.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
(drowsily)
Huh? Oh, right. Are they gone?
MARC
They’re gone.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m trying to wake.
Sannaro’s mental voice became weaker instead of stronger.
MARC
I don’t think you’re being very successful.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Not really.
MARC
Then just sleep.
Sannaro’s mental presence slipped from his mind.
MARC
Now, that’s exhaustion.
Marc cleaned his fingers with the towel in the basket, then moved to the other rush and laid down. Shortly, he joined Sannaro in sleep.
(LATER)
Sannaro winced at the strong light that disturbed his mind out of sleep. He groaned as he sat up on the crude bag of grass and held his head.
Suddenly a sash was tied around his face to cover his eyes.
MARC
No using your eyes.
SANNARO
Great, I have to go around blind?
MARC
You can do better than most. You have telepathy to compensate. I’ll help you dress. If it makes you feel better, connect to me and use my eyes.
MARC'S P.O.V.
Marc was picking up a pair of white muslin pants and he looked up at Sannaro's olive gold skin looked an angry orange.
MARC
Are you finished musing on your reflection?
SANNARO
What are you waiting for?
MARC
You.
Marc squatted before Sannaro and slipped one of his legs into the pants, then the other.
Sannaro stood up and pulled the pants over his hips. He fumbled with the drawstring to tie them.
SANNARO
It’s not easy to compensate for the view angle looking at me instead of from me.
MARC
I can imagine.
Marc held up the muslin tunic.
Sannaro took it and pulled it on.
Marc picked up a sash and tied it around Sannaro’s waist, over the tunic.
MARC
Now is the tricky part. The last time I let Jim try to put on his own head scarf, he wound it too tight around his neck so I’ll put it on you.
Marc picked up a very long white scarf and draped an edge over a shoulder, loosely wrapped it around his neck, then draped it over Sannaro’s head with the edge low on his forehead and back around his shoulders.
MARC
There, now you’re dressed to leave the tent, though you still look odd, dressed as a Brocana.
SANNARO
I can’t help that.
MARC
No, you can’t.
Marc dressed himself quickly.
SANNARO
Teramar is coming.
BACK TO TENT
Marc wrapped his scarf around his shoulders but didn’t drape it over his head as he went to the main room to greet Teramar. He sensed that Sannaro reestablished the translator link he made the other day.
TERAMAR
Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi, I hope your sleep was adequate?
MARC
It was.
TERAMAR
Did our women displease you? I was told they we’re not allowed to aide you.
MARC
My friend did not want to be rude, but he did not want the women to see him without clothes so he asked that I take the clothes and medicine for him.
TERAMAR
He does not like women?
MARC
He is married and uncomfortable with other women seeing him without clothes.
TERAMAR
He is strange.
MARC
Yes, he is not Brocana. He went into the sleep room while we were visited and when I entered to put the salve on his shoulders, he was already asleep.
TERAMAR
You have blinded him with a sash. That is good. You will take him to Jhumani camp now?
MARC
We need to find the Renegade who stole from us to take our belongings back.
TERAMAR
Not good. He will be taken by the suns. You must take him to Jhumani camp.
MARC
Can we have a Sinvati so we may travel faster?
TERAMAR
That is much to ask, Marcayo of Clan Kelhidi.
MARC
I am aware I ask much, Teramar of Clan Dokodril. My friend Sannaro of Clan Kumani has limited time.
TERAMAR
I give Sinvati only if you take Sannaro of Clan Kumani to Jhumani Camp now.
MARC
I will take Sannaro of Clan Kumani to Jhumani Camp now.
TERAMAR
I will give you a Sinvati. It will be brought to the tent soon.
Teramar left the tent.
MARC
Damn stubborn Brocana.
SANNARO
You told me not to curse who I am.
MARC
This is different, San.
SANNARO
But I can track faster than any Human so we’ll find him faster than most can travel to a city.
MARC
You’re saying we should lie to them?
SANNARO
I wouldn’t say lie, just omit an admission or two.
MARC
You are a scamp!
SANNARO
You thought I didn’t deserve the reputation?
MARC
No, I knew you could be sneaky. That’s why I asked you to get me off the Kumani during the war to rescue my father.
SANNARO
I’m still amazed that Lazha figured out our plan and told us to stop conspiring behind her back! Then she handed us a shuttle and said go do that rescue! She was a great Commander. I still regret I couldn’t save her from her spine injury that made her have to give up the sash to Hadah.
MARC
I was saddened by that news too.
A young man peeked into the tent.
YOUNG MAN
Your Sinvati is ready.
MARC
I thank you. Please tell Teramar that I greatly appreciate the use of a Sinvati.
YOUNG MAN
I will.
Marc settled Sannaro's scarf over his head loosely then covered his own head.
Marc led Sannaro out of the tent to a Sinvati that looked a bit wiry and grizzled.
MARC
Ah, it’s an elderly Sinvati and not in the best of health, but that’s what I get for asking such a big favor. I think he’ll get us where we’re going.
SANNARO
Trakatin says he’s sorry.
MARC
What?
SANNARO
Trakatin says he’s sorry he’s not fit anymore but he’ll serve us to the best of his ability.
MARC
Oh, right, you can talk to animals.
SANNARO
Kind of. It was mostly an emotion I received.
Marc swung up into the well-worn saddle.
MARC
Well, as Humans say, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Let me help you get on.
SANNARO
I remember how you told me to mount when you took me for a ride on Hikiya back at the Consulate.
Sannaro placed his foot in the stirrup and swung up behind Marc.
Marc clicked his tongue twice for Trakatin to move forward to a man who was carrying a klevie over his shoulders.
MARC
My friend, which way is Jhumani camp?
HERDSMAN
Ride with the suns on your back until the plains, turn to this hand.
The Herdsman raised his right hand.
HERDSMAN
And ride beside the mountains until suns down. You should come to Jhumani camp just after suns down. But I must warn you, brother, there are Renegades that stay near the road to waylay travelers.
MARC
Thank you for the warning, brother.
SANNARO
I can’t wait for someone to speak Standard.
MARC
I’ve felt that, my friend.
SANNARO
At least we Astrisi geared you with translators.
MARC
Brocana don’t even like to see wrist watches on a person’s arm. So sorry, no electronic translators. I’m the best you’re going to get on this trip.
SANNARO
Better than nothing. At least I can use my telepathy to pick up a translation.
Marc clicked his tongue three times to send the old Sinvati into a trot and rejoined the trail at the top of the ridge. After about ten minutes of riding, Marc clicked once to stop Trakatin.
MARC
Can you sense Hadeon from here?
Marc felt the electrical field around Sannaro intensify before it spread out around them.
Trakatin whinnied and stamped the dirt nervously.
Marc pet the long spindly neck.
MARC
Easy, Trakatin. Sannaro isn’t going to hurt you.
Marc felt the electrical field shrink and return to a less intense state.
SANNARO
I sense the ni'yaroi. He’s to the left of us.
MARC
I don’t dare go off the trail. These mountains are very rugged. We may find a chasm in front of us if we go off the path.
SANNARO
You’re the Brocana. You know how to travel safely here. I just know Hadeon is to our left.
MARC
Okay, I’ll stay on the path. You tell me if he changes location.
SANNARO
Houk.
Marc clicked for Trakatin to move again.
Trakatin trotted down the steep graded trail.
MARC'S VISION
Sannaro established connection to Marc’s vision center to see where they were heading. They were still on a mountain path with tufts of tan brown vegetation poking through barren soil.
BACK TO NORMAL VISION
MARC
Wow, your aura just got heavy. What are you thinking that dropped your mood like that?
SANNARO
I saw through your eyes and this place looks as boring as the salt flats of Regalis.
MARC
Yep, nothing much to see.
SANNARO
It’s so boring.
MARC
Hey, San, I never asked you how it was like to live on Regalis when you were a kid.
SANNARO
About like this. My village was a small cluster of wooden houses on a lower hill from the mining camp. The biggest building was my school and it was only about six big rooms. We only had a small general store that sold a few food items and it was owned by the mining company. We had dirt roads and a lot of trees that were similar to Earth pine trees.
MARC
What did you do for fun there?
SANNARO
Trips to Saratoga down in the flat lands near the salt flats.
MARC
That's all?
SANNARO
There was a river a half kilometer away. We liked to swim there when it wasn't too cold. Unfortunately, since Saili are sensitive to cool temperatures, it was usually too cold for us to be comfortable. It was terribly boring in Bristol.
MARC
Sounds like it.
SANNARO
I found living with the Astrisi more interesting.
MARC
We’re almost down the mountain. I’ll be able to turn left in about a half hour.
SANNARO
I’m so excited.
MARC
Don’t get me wrong, I wish I could have a flier as much as you. This is the reason why I don’t like to live Brocana. I get bored with the slow pace too, my friend.
Ahead, the trail dipped at a more extreme grade.
Marc clicked his tongue again.
Trakatin went from a trot to a walk and carefully climbed down.
Sannaro was impressed with how the big animal with the weird ostrich neck compensated
for the loose gravel that rolled constantly under his hooves.
MARC
Okay, I’m turning left. Any update on Hadeon?
SANNARO
Can we stop? I need to do a full scan.
Marc clicked his tongue to stop the Sinvati.
Sannaro leapt to the ground and walked a few paces away.
MARC
There’s a cactus ahead of you. Don’t bump into it. That would seriously hurt.
SANNARO
Fa’arata for the heads-up.
MARC
Whoa, you connected with me so quickly, my head reeled.
SANNARO
You thought I was in immediate danger. Sorry if I caused vertigo.
MARC
Anyway, do you sense Hadeon?
SANNARO
I do. We must continue to the left. He’s some kilometers away, but he seems to not be going anywhere.
MARC
That may make it easier for us.
Sannaro returned to the Sinvati and climbed up behind Marc.
Marc clicked for Trakatin to move across the plain.
MARC
I hate canyons.
Sannaro connected with Marc's visual center and saw they were approaching a deep canyon.
SANNARO
Is there a way to go around it?
MARC
Probably not, but I don’t know this region very well. My clan wanders on the opposite side of New San Francisco.
SANNARO
I can find out.
MARC
What? Ask an animal?
SANNARO
This may be a bit more risky, but I’d manipulate a Renegade to think of an alternative trail.
MARC
Are you sure they won’t know what you’re doing?
SANNARO
Are Brocana very telepathic?
MARC
Not any more than a Human.
SANNARO
Then I think I can pull it off without any suspicion.
Sannaro slid down to the ground and walked a few steps before he extended his telepathy to find a random mind. After a few minutes, he settled on an angry mind and made a tenuous link. He thought about the canyon they faced and wondered if there was another way around it.
The mind snorted derisively.
Sannaro pulled his mind back to his body.
SANNARO
There’s no other way that isn’t insane. Unfortunately, the person I connected to keeps a semi-permanent ambush on this canyon.
MARC
Can you remember where the Renegade is?
SANNARO
I can, and I can even knock the Renegade out to get around the ambush.
MARC
Good, let’s go.
Sannaro climbed back behind Marc.
Marc clicked the Sinvati forward.
As they entered the high-sided canyon, Sannaro sensed Marc get more nervous.
SANNARO
You seem to have a strong memory associated with canyons.
MARC
Every time I’ve traveled through one, I got ambushed. I can’t get through this fast enough.
Several minutes into the canyon, Sannaro felt anxious. He sent out his telepathy to scan around.
Trakatin whinnied nervously.
MARC
San, why are you scanning? Trakatin is getting nervous.
SANNARO
Hadeon is moving.
MARC
Where?
Sannaro gasped as he received a threatening thought. He grabbed Marc and pushed him off the Sinvati.
MARC
What the hell?
Sannaro ducked and slid to the ground right after.
Arrows whistled through the air and embedded into the soil a few feet beyond them.
MARC
I thought you said you could prevent the ambush.
SANNARO
I did think I could but Hadeon began to move at the same time the Renegades sprang their ambush. Not even I can do too many things at once!
Marc crawled toward the cover of a boulder.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Sannaro sensed malicious intent just beyond Marc. He leapt to his feet, launched himself over Marc’s head and kicked the chest of a Renegade who was already waiting behind the boulder.
Marc leapt to his feet.
Sannaro heard the scraping sound of Marc pulling out his belt knife.
INFRARED SIGHT
Sannaro pulled his own belt knife and held it with the point along his forearm, like Marc held his, since he was more used to doing martial arts than sword fighting he could use his normal moves with the added sharp edge and hard pommel to punch harder.
Sannaro saw a hazy green field populated by shadows. The fixed shadows had to be terrain so the moving shadows were people and one was now rushing them from another boulder and swinging high at Sannaro.
Sannaro ducked and swiped at the Renegade’s knees. He was splattered with red blood across his face. He sputtered to get the iron taste out of his mouth then launched himself into the injured Renegade.
The Renegade crashed to the ground.
Sannaro slashed deep into the man’s abdomen. The middle point of his ear throbbed so he whirled around.
A shadow rushed him and swung low.
He jumped over the low swing, flew a forward kick into the man’s jaw then slashed down into the man’s collarbone.
That man dropped to the ground.
Sannaro heard Marc yelp. He turned to his Brocana friend who was locked in combat with a renegade. He rushed to kick Marc’s attacker in the back of the knee.
The Renegade fell forward and impaled himself on Marc’s knife.
Marc pushed the dead man off his blade.
Sannaro stopped as he heard slow clapping. He connected with Marc’s more detailed vision to see who made the applause.
Hadeon was above them on a high rock with a laser in his hand.
MARC'S P.O.V.
Hadeon was above them on a high rock with a laser in his hand.
HADEON
Nice work, Destroyer. How you did such a spectacular show without vision is astounding. All the more reason I have to kill you.
He raised the laser.
Sannaro resisted turning toward Marc because he saw Marc’s vision from behind a boulder. He saw a sling swing before Marc’s body then release the missile.
Hadeon cried out and the laser tumbled from his hand. Hadeon pulled his belt knife and roared as he launched himself into the air.
Marc launched another missile from his sling and it cracked into Hadeon’s chest.
Hadeon crashed to the ground in a frustrated growl. He skid dirt into the air.
Marc’s eyesight blurred with tears as the dirt irritated them.
Sannaro pulled back his connection to Marc and listened.
The sound of Hadeon’s boots scritched across the gravel ground toward him.
SANNARO'S INFRARED VISION
Hadeon ran toward him with his knife before him.
Sannaro blocked the down swinging blade with his blade and punched Hadeon’s middle with his left fist. He threw off Hadeon’s blade and made a lateral swing.
Hadeon stepped back to avoid the blade.
Another scritching sound of boots rushed toward him from the right.
Sannaro scanned the area and sensed the sound came from Marc as he was rejoining the fight.
Hadeon swung at Marc.
Sannaro kicked Hadeon in the back.
Hadeon spun with his blade laterally.
Sannaro faded back to avoid the blade.
Marc grunted in pain at his right and fell to his knees.
Hadeon stopped his spin and rushed Marc.
Sannaro stepped to the left to place himself in front of Marc and screamed as the blade sunk deep into his left side.
Hadeon collided with Sannaro and screamed.
Sannaro fell forward and landed on the ground on top of Hadeon.
Hadeon writhed under him as Sannaro’s acidic blood flowed onto Hadeon’s chest.
Sannaro gripped the knife and screamed as he ripped it from his body. He plunged the gold blood slick knife into Hadeon’s chest.
Hadeon made a choking death rattle and fell slack.
Sannaro gasped as he held his side. He heard Marc stand up and walk toward him.
SANNARO
Blessed Firebird! Don’t touch me! I’ll burn you!
MARC
Oh my god and goddess!
Sannaro rolled himself off the dead body and gasped for breath. The horrible light touched his chin. He screamed and pulled himself up to sit so the clothing blocked the torturous light.
MARC
How bad are your wounds?
SANNARO
Bad enough, but once the blood dries it should make a shell that will hold until it’s softened. I’m not going to harden if that’s what you’re worried about.
MARC
Oh, by the suns, that corpse stinks!
MARC'S P.O.V.
Marc saw that Hadeon’s ribcage was laid bare, glistening with gold plating around the blackened knife handle.
SANNARO
I’ve never seen my blood destroy someone and I never want to see that again.
MARC
How am I going to transport you to New San Francisco?
SANNARO
My blood has hardened so it should be safe for you to touch me if you have to. Wrap up Hadeon’s body with some of the other Renegade’s clothes, drape the body over Trakatin and let’s get out of here. Sorry if I don’t help, I’m really hurting right now.
MARC
You shouldn’t have taken that blade for me.
SANNARO
I don’t like to tell my friend’s family why they die while helping me.
MARC
And you think I’d like it if I had to tell Cherna why you hardened while I was supposed to protect you?
SANNARO
No, you wouldn’t. Hadeon’s dead so now we can just go home and put this nightmare behind us.
Sannaro curled himself into a ball as much as the hardened blood would allow him to move and waited for Marc to secure Hadeon’s body.
After a few minutes, he felt Marc’s hand wrap around his upper arm and help him off the ground.
Sannaro pulled away, shuffled to Trakatin and pulled himself into the saddle.
Marc groaned as he settled himself into the saddle in front of Sannaro.
MARC
Gods, I feel like I have a hundred bruises.
SANNARO
You probably do. How is that slash on your stomach?
MARC
It’s a shallow cut. I was just more shocked than wounded.
SANNARO
At least you don’t have a hole in your side.
MARC
How the hell did you fight so fantastically while your eyes were blinded?
SANNARO
It’s a kind of telepathic sight we Saili have so we can find each other in near total darkness. It takes a lot of concentration so I don’t like to use it a lot, but I had to use it if I didn’t want to go blind in the horrendous glare of these twin suns.
MARC
You’re full of surprises, Sannaro Damirateyak.
SANNARO
That’s why the Saili feared my skills when they first learned about me. The thought of an aggressive warrior like me with all the Saili talents scared them until they realized they needed my skills for their own survival against the Humans who invaded Sailia. Now, I hope you don’t mind, but can I sleep leaning against your back? I don’t feel so great.
MARC
Just lock your arms around my waist and you can snooze all you like. I’ll get us to New San Francisco.
(LATER)
Marc lead Trakatin to the guard post of New San Francisco.
GUARD
Halt, Brocana! Is that a dead body on your Sinvati?
MARC
Yes and the two of us are injured.
GUARD
Climb down from the Sinvati. I’m calling the police.
MARC
San, are you awake?
SANNARO
I’m waking.
MARC
Can you dismount on your own?
SANNARO
I’m so stiff.
MARC
Okay, I’m going to get down first and I’ll help you down.
Sannaro dropped his arms heavily to his side and almost fell forward when Marc slipped from the saddle. Sannaro leaned his arms on the Sinvati’s back before he fell.
Marc took Sannaro around the waist.
Sannaro yelped.
MARC
Sorry, San. Swing your leg over the saddle to join the other leg and I’ll help you to the ground.
GUARD
Why is that guy covered in gold?
MARC
He’s Saili. That’s blood.
GUARD
Saili? We don’t have any Saili on Centauri 7!
MARC
He was visiting with me.
GUARD
Right, how can a Brocana know a Saili?
MARC
I’m Commander Marcayo Daniels of the ADF.
GUARD
You’re Ambassador Daniels’ kid?
Sannaro shifted his leg and slid down the Sinvati’s side.
Marc controlled his fall.
He was glad to touch ground, but his knees buckled and he fell into Marc’s chest.
MARC
Whoa, San, you should have told me you couldn’t stand.
Sannaro forced himself back to his feet and carefully stretched the muscles that would move.
SANNARO
I’m partially hardened. It’s kind of painful to move.
GUARD
That does look painful.
A police ground cruiser stopped a few meters away and two patrolmen climbed out.
POLICEMAN
Ah, Officer Daniels, it’s been a long time.
MARC
It sure has.
POLICEMAN
I heard you’ve had quite a career since we did that bust on Kobihok Ridge together.
MARC
I see you’re a Captain now. Congratulations.
POLICEMAN
What’s your rank these days?
MARC
Commander.
POLICEMAN
Very nice. Let’s have a look at your body here.
The policeman picked up the shroud. He cringed at the smell.
POLICEMAN
Brocana and quite thoroughly dead. What ate him?
SANNARO
My blood. He stabbed me. I fell on top of him and bled on him.
POLICEMAN
How did he get stabbed, then?
SANNARO
I pulled his knife out of my side and stabbed him.
POLICEMAN
That may have been merciful for the agony he was in. Okay, we’ll get a hearse to transport him to the morgue. So Saili blood is this acidic?
SANNARO
Unfortunately.
POLICEMAN
I’ll remember that - stab a Saili at your own risk.
Sannaro glared at him for a second before he decided not to pursue the remark.
POLICEMAN
Oh, I’m not going to stab anyone, Aurum. I apologize for insulting you.
SANNARO
Forgiven.
POLICEMAN
An ambulance is coming to take you both to the hospital.
SANNARO
But they can’t treat my injuries. Like the guard said, there are no Saili here.
MARC
We can call the Kumani so they can pick you up and Danu can heal you.
The ambulance flew in to park beside the police flier and the crew emerged.
EMT
We have a Saili here.
EMT went back inside the truck and reemerged with sunglasses in his hands.
SANNARO
Thank you. I was tired of being blind.
EMT
Aurum, we aren’t trained to treat Saili.
SANNARO
That’s okay.
EMT
You don’t seem to be critical. How are you hurt?
SANNARO
Stab wound to my left side. The blood has scabbed over it so it’s not exposed. I think I’ll be able to endure until my ship comes.
EMT
What pain medicine can you take?
SANNARO
Catowsh.
EMT
We don’t have that.
SANNARO
It’s also called Alilat.
EMT
That’s a blood poisoning drug. Only the hospital can administer that. How are you, sir?
Marc showed the shallow slash on his stomach.
EMT
We’ll bandage that, but I don’t think it’s too bad. The Hospital may want to give you antibiotics in case of infection.
MARC
Do you think I need to be transported?
EMT
You can decline.
MARC
I’d rather have my father’s staff drive us.
EMT
Your father’s staff?
MARC
My father is Ambassador Jonathan Daniels, Speaker of the Council of Allied Representatives.
EMT
I thought I’d heard of you before.
POLICEMAN
And one of the best ISP I’ve worked with.
MARC
I’m with the ADF now instead of the ISP. The Defense Force needed my skills.
POLICEMAN
You sure have some unique skills, being the only Brocana in Law Enforcement.
MARC
Can I use someone’s communicator so I can call my father’s staff to meet us?
POLICEMAN
Sure.
The Policeman pulled out his personal handset and gave it to Marc.
SANNARO
Are we under arrest?
POLICEMAN
No, Aurum. When it’s a Brocana death, it’s hard to figure out cause they’re not under our jurisdiction. We’ll just transport them to the morgue.
MARC
Please keep the body as preserved as possible. This is an unusual case that involves the ADF.
POLICEMAN
What did a Brocana do to the ADF?
MARC
Surprisingly, this Brocana is wanted as an intergalactic space pirate with some pretty stiff charges. We’ll have to transport him to Earth to show a dozen allies he’s dead.
POLICEMAN
Wow, this guy? Well, he did stab a Saili. How did you guys get here, then?
MARC
The dead man attacked the Alpha Centauri Consulate on Earth, kidnapped me and my friend General Sannaro Damirateyak and brought us to Centauri 7 to murder us. We killed him to preserve our own lives.
GUARD
That guy’s a General?
MARC
Just because he’s of short stature and has youthful appearance, doesn’t mean he’s not a master tactician in command of the Saili and New Saili Defense Force. He’s a powerful Saili who has lived as long as I have. We fought the Zuran War together.
GUARD
He’s a veteran of the Zuran War? Wow. I apologize, General.
SANNARO
Accepted.
Marc entered the number to the consulate and put the device to his ear.
MARC
This is Marcayo Daniels, I’m on Centauri 7 and I need transport to pick up me and General Damirateyak at New San Francisco gate five to transport to the Daniels’ estate. Please send a message to Speaker Daniels to inform him that General Damirateyak and I are safe at the Centauri 7 estate.
Marc ended the call and returned the communicator.
MARC
Thank you, Officer.
As he turned back to watch the drivers place the remains of Hadeon into the hearse, he saw a black armored hover car land beyond the police car.
MARC
Our ride’s here, San.
Sannaro nodded then moved toward Marc.
The driver climbed out and opened a rear door.
Marc walked up to the vehicle.
MARC
Thank you. And can someone take the Sinvati to stable? I’m responsible for returning him to his clan.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know they’ll be surprised to get him back?
MARC (PSI V.O.)
I know, but it is a courtesy to return a borrowed Sinvati to the owners, even if they thought the old animal wouldn’t survive the trip. Trakatin is a good old mount. After you, my friend.
Sannaro climbed into the car and scooted over to the other side with a wince to his tight side.
Marc climbed in beside him.
MARC
I’m not much of a telepath if any, but I felt that twinge.
SANNARO
I am quite sore.
MARC
Do you think it missed your internal organs?
SANNARO
I think so, but I don’t have Jeremy’s talents so I’m mostly guessing I’d be in much more pain if any of my organs were injured.
The long flying car rose off the ground and flew to join the traffic of the bustling Human city.
FADE OUT.
THE END.