Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
WARNING:
CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.
“SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS”
EPISODE 91 – VENGEANCE
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
EXT. ALTERNATE REALITY BRISTOL, REGALIS
Nikklo sat up and held his throbbing head. What the hell was that blinding light and why did he feel like he crashed his Vizha'i but he hadn't been flying a star fighter in that battle?
He placed one hand on the rocky ground to steady himself from falling down again. His fingers felt something slick on the ground.
He blinked his eyes a few times to clear his sight and looked at the slick patch. It was a hard greenish gold. Was he bleeding from a wound? He looked at himself and saw no blood stains on his black pants and crimson red muscle shirt. He looked around him and felt dread sink into him.
Around him was ruins of houses with some slats of wood blackened but not thoroughly consumed by the fire that had blackened them.
There was a hill that rose a few hundred meters away that was overgrown with weeds but a rusty machine peeked blackened glass windows over the weeds. He recognized the machine as a mine shaft digger.
NIKKLO
Oh shit!
NIkklo leapt off the ground.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Marc, can you get me a location of where I am?
He waited for a reply but none came.
He scanned for Marcayo Daniels' mind and locked onto his friend's mind from the direction and distance of Earth.
He saw a large broken building not far from his position that was made of red brick.
He stood up and walked carefully across the uneven ground to the building.
Metal poles of broken playground equipment poked through the weeds. He stopped at a sign that was still mostly intact. It read: Bristol Valley Public School.
NIKKLO
No, I can't be here again.
SANNARO
Not going to find anything interesting there. I went through everything of use.
Nikklo looked up the hill and looked at his own face? That face was attached to a twisted scarred body that was mostly naked. His chest was a slick shell with rocks and dirt making the otherwise slick surface uneven.
NIKKLO
Hello, I'm Nikklosannaro. I'm not sure where I am. Am I on Regalis?
SANNARO
You're in hell, Nikklosannaro.
NIKKLO
And you are?
SANNARO
Sannaro.
NIKKLO
Was Bristol attacked by the Astrisi?
SANNARO
Who else?
NIKKLO
Where is everyone?
SANNARO
Isn't it obvious? They're gone.
NIKKLO
For how long?
SANNARO
Since the fire!
Nikklosannaro climbed up to Sannaro.
NIKKLO
How did you survive your burns?
SANNARO
I just did.
NIKKLO
You had no medical help?
SANNARO
Nope.
NIKKLO
How did Gavasno not find you?
SANNARO
Don't know what you're talking about. When I woke up over there near that blood smear, no one was here. There was just ashes and dead bodies.
NIKKLO
This isn't how it happened! This isn't my reality!
Sannaro shifted his wooden spear from his right hand to his left.
SANNARO
This is it. I don't know why you think it's different.
NIKKLO
Don't you think it's weird that you're speaking to someone eerily like yourself?
SANNARO
I see and talk to ghosts all the time. Nothing weird about it. Why do you think it's weird?
NIKKLO
Because I usually don't speak with a scarred wild version of myself.
SANNARO
You said you were Nikklosannaro. That's not my name.
NIKKLO
It was my name. I was kidnapped by an Astrisi woman named Adara. My sister Varanani survived and was sent to our Uncle Devasru on Sailia.
SANNARO
Vara survived?
NIKKLO
In my reality, Vara survived.
SANNARO
I miss Vara.
NIKKLO
I was healed of my burns and given reconstructive surgery.
SANNARO
Lucky you.
NIKKLO
I guess I was lucky. Though some have said I shouldn't have felt lucky to be kidnapped and kept prisoner on the Kumani for ten years before I was trusted to keep privileged information. I need to leave this place. It's not good for us. My Gonkacha will come out of remission.
SANNARO
What's Gonkacha?
NIKKLO
It's why, as Giovano said, we were born wrong. It's why we have dark blue eyes and blue-black hair instead of metallic colors. Seranimite makes us sick.
SANNARO
I feel fine.
NIKKLO
Yeah, that's what we always say to everyone. We always want to do things on our own and push everyone away even when we should accept help! No wonder people say I'm so annoying!
SANNARO
You go, if your afraid of the seranimite.
NIKKLO
When I smelled seranimite, it always gave me a headache.
SANNARO
No one is digging it up anymore. I rarely smell it.
NIKKLO
But you get headaches when you smell it.
SANNARO
I deal with it.
NIKKLO
Why haven't you followed your legacy? Why isn't Tarek guiding you to prepare for the war?
SANNARO
Tarek? Legacy? What the hell are you talking about?
NIKKLO
We need to go to Sailia to find out why Tarek isn't talking to you.
SANNARO
You're telling me to leave all I've known?
NIKKLO
I'm telling you, if you don't fulfill your legacy, everyone is going to become slaves to our native race and they are bastards! You are going to be forced to do some horrendous things you don't want to do and if you don't do them, they'll cut your arms and legs off so you can't get away. Would you like that better?
SANNARO
I'd rather die.
NIKKLO
And if you die, the whole damned universe will explode. Maybe you should stay here and cower while everyone else is enslaved to the Tauians!
Nikklo stood up and strode down the hill to get beyond the shadows to direct sunlight.
SANNARO
Wait!
NIKKLO
What?
SANNARO
You're different than the ghosts. They say the same things over and over. You say things I've never heard of before. That means you're real.
NIKKLO
Yeah, I've heard all the stories from these stupid ghosts. I can't imagine having to hear them for years. I spent two hours with them once and it almost drove me insane.
SANNARO
It's all I've had until you.
NIKKLO
I'm sorry that happened.
SANNARO
Okay, what's this legacy you're talking about?
NIKKLO
The Saili have a legend that says: A warrior of great skill, the Tsikakayu, will emerge to save the Saili from extinction in their darkest hour. His skin will be the color of sunlight and his hair the color of night.
SANNARO
I'm not a great warrior.
NIKKLO
You can be a great warrior because I am a great warrior. I'm a master tactician. You have the intellect to become a master tactician, too.
SANNARO
So you fulfill the legacy.
NIKKLO
This isn't my reality; it's yours. You have to save your reality. I can find my way back to my reality where I have already won the war. Good luck with yours.
SANNARO
How do you intend to get off this mudball? You have no spaceship.
NIKKLO
I don't need a spaceship.
SANNARO
That's not possible.
NIKKLO
Yes, it is possible. The Tauians can travel between the stars by grasping starlight and riding it across the ether. Most need help from gigantic prisms but I can travel with just my own body. The Tauians are looking for you and they're pissed as hell.
When they find you, they'll torture you into doing what they want you to do. I didn't want to so I fought them and won.
SANNARO
If you're a Tauian and you can travel on starlight, does that mean I can too?
NIKKLO
You don't have your full power because your Saili body is just a temporary shell to house your soul until your Tauian body is healed but you can learn how to mimic your Tauian form and ride light.
SANNARO
Show me how to do this, Nikklosannaro.
NIKKLO
Stop calling me by my whole given name. Call me Nik and I'll call you San, okay?
SANNARO
Okay, Nik, please teach me how to ride light?
NIKKLO
I want to get off this mudball first. Let's phase to Sailia. I need to talk to the Great Forger to ask him why he's not doing his damned job!
Sannaro took Nikklo's arm.
SANNARO
Wait, you know the Great Forger?
NIKKLO
Yeah, I lead the Saili in defending themselves from violence. I don't know why you haven't been called on to defend the Saili and that's why I want to talk to Tarek!
SANNARO
You're a master tactician who leads a Saili military and I'm scrounging to find any food I can eat in the ashes of my past?
NIKKLO
If you're envious, let's go to Sailia to find out what happened to Tarek.
SANNARO
How do we do this?
NIKKLO
I'll take your arm then you'll feel a quick drop and when your sight clears, we'll be on Sailia.
SANNARO
That's all?
NIKKLO
That's all. I'll do all the work. Oh, and you may see me disappear but don't worry. I'll still be there in a crystalline form that you'll see through.
SANNARO
Weird.
NIKKLO
I know but that's our natural form. Our bodies are an articulated shell formed of clear crystal. When I'm in that form, I only speak telepathically so be ready for me to talk in your mind if I need to speak to you in that form.
SANNARO
Articulated crystal shell?
NIKKLO
You saw pictures of Earth crabs and lobsters in school.
SANNARO
Yes.
NIKKLO
Our shell is like that but without the bumps and spikes.
SANNARO
That is weird.
NIKKLO
It tripped me out when I learned about it, too.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
EXT. MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA -DAY
Tauian Nikklo and Sannaro landed on the slope of Misipatasutisga near the cave that led to the central caldera of the volcano.
Sannaro began to cough violently.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Sorry, the air is very rarefied up here and heavy with methane. Your damaged lungs have trouble breathing it. Let's get inside the cave. It will be easier to breathe in there.
Sannaro pulled away.
SANNARO
I don't like caves!
SAILI NIKKLO pulled a breath in carefully.
NIKKLO
I don't like caves either. We both have claustrophobia because of Aldinon and Arlington chasing us under the Werner's porch, threatening to hurt us. The ceiling in the cave is vaulted so it doesn't feel enclosed. I'll help you through but I didn't want to just appear in Tarek's home without warning. I don't want to be rude and he may be very upset to see us both.
They cautiously walked into the cave.
SANNARO
The walls are wide.
NIKKLO
Yeah, it's not too bad. We have a bit of a hike but our Saili eyesight will adjust to make us see like it's midday.
SANNARO
Are we near?
NIKKLO
We're near.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Tarek, this is the Tsikakayu of another reality. I need to speak with you. Can we meet you at your forge?
He waited for a reply but none came.
NIKKLO (CONT.)
I have a bad feeling about this.
SANNARO
Maybe he's busy?
NIKKLO
Even when he's busy, he makes the time to answer me.
They came to where the cave expanded into a huge cavern.
Nikklo saw the vapors that always hung in the air near the central caldera and saw the molten rock lap against the shore.
NIKKLO
Watch for fissures on the floor. This floor is always reshaping itself because of the lava.
SANNARO
Wow, we're in the center of a volcano?
NIKKLO
The largest volcano on Sailia.
They walked around the lake until they found Tarek's work area.
Nikklosannaro walked up and put his hand into the furnace.
NIKKLO
It's completely cold! Tarek never lets this furnace get cold!
He ran his hand over the anvil and it was as cold as ice. He picked up the massive hammer and looked at the flat head. He only saw old cracks.
NIKKLO
I don't like this at all.
DAMIRA
Who's there?
NIKKLO
Healatika?
DAMIRA
No, there's no Haelatika here.
NIKKLO
I need to talk to Tarek. Where is he?
A Saili woman's form parted the mist and walked toward them.
NIKKLO
What? This can't be! Damira, how did you get here from Regalis?
DAMIRA
Sanna?!
She ran to them but stopped in confusion.
NIKKLO
There's two of us right now. He's your son in this reality.
Nikklo pointed to Sannaro.
She looked at Sannaro and blushed.
NIKKLO
He hasn't owned clothes since the fire.
DAMIRA
We should find some clothes for you to wear. And who are you?
NIKKLO
I'm Sannaro from another reality. I guess I was sent here because something has gone wrong and the prophecy is drawing near. Where is Tarek?
DAMIRA
He hasn't been home in years.
NIKKLO
How did you get here?
DAMIRA
Do you remember that day of the fire?
NIKKLO/SANNARO
Yes.
NIKKLO
You were running to Aldinon's office to confront him for cornering me under the Werner's porch when you sensed Giovano's death.
DAMIRA
Yes.
NIKKLO
By the way, you can call me Nik and him San to alleviate confusion.
DAMIRA
Okay, Nik. That's right. I saw a blinding light and thought I was going to die when I was suddenly at the Forge of the Great Forger with a man who looked so much like you. He said he was the Great Forger and he was too in love with me to let me die.
NIKKLO
Damn you, Tarek! So why did he abandon Sannaro?
DAMIRA
He told me he had a plan for Sannaro that was already in motion. Then he told me he had to do something away from here and disappeared. That was the last I saw him.
NIKKLO
Something went wrong there. Sannaro was not rescued and taught to become a warrior. He's been a hermit living in the ashes of Bristol without medical care.
DAMIRA
There was no way for me to know!
NIKKLO
I know, you're only Saili.
Damira walked into a room and opened a closet.
DAMIRA
This was where Tarek stored his clothes. Take anything you like to clothe yourself, Sanna. Nik, what do you mean by I'm only Saili. What are you?
NIKKLO
Aliens in hiding. Those who hunt for us are coming and they will enslave all Saili or cause their extinction.
Tarek is a very talented geneticist who accelerated the evolution of the Saili but he made the Saili too docile. When he received the premonition that his brother was hunting for him and would destroy all the Saili because Tarek stole me away, he caused the Gonkacha mutation to make a more aggressive Saili to fight the coming war. I was born to be the Tsikakayu, the leader of the Saili defenders.
DAMIRA
So you're not the son of Giovano, are you?
NIKKLO
No, Tarek is my father. He artificially inseminated you from his sperm.
SANNARO
What the hell?
NIKKLO
Tarek used his super power to plant Damira with a fertilized egg from my DNA in the Tauian body stored in this stronghold.
DAMIRA
That's why he said he loved me too much to let me die. I'm my god's pet.
NIKKLO
He did love you. He told me so. I chastised him for loving another man's wife. But he had another woman as his mate. I don't know what happened to Haelatika either. She's the Tsimadanaya. She's not supposed to be gone either. I need to find them before Beken does. Problem is, I don't know when I am either. San, how old are you?
SANNARO
I'm twenty-three.
NIKKLO
God, you're a kid! Okay, that's around the time, oh shit, the Civil War breaks out.
SANNARO
How old are you?
NIKKLO
I'm forty years old.
SANNARO
You don't look like it.
Sannaro looked through the selections and chose dark blue leggings and slate blue long sleeved tunic.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
NIKKLO
That's because that body stored here was put in stasis at the age of seventeen. I've never looked my age. It's been so embarrassing, to tell you the truth.
DAMIRA
You do look young. And very fit and handsome.
NIKKLO
Hey, you're still my mother and I'm married.
DAMIRA
You're married?
NIKKLO
Yes, I was rescued by the Astrisi, healed and raised to be a warrior.
DAMIRA
The Astrisi attacked Bristol!
NIKKLO
It was a messy situation. Aldinon and Arlington were stealing fuel that night I saw them. What I don't understand is that Adara never kidnapped me in this reality. Bristol was not investigated and left to rot. In my reality, Bristol was rebuilt with more modern amenities and the Astrisi convinced the Humans that although Belso did wrong when he shot the computer, the dispute was instigated by Aldinon to cover up his black market business because of my eye witness testimony.
DAMIRA
That's the true story about what happened that day?
NIKKLO
Yes, it's the whole story about what happened that day. Aldinon and Arlington became pirates after that to get away from the law. I killed both of them for it.
SANNARO
Wow, you killed them?
NIKKLO
Yes, I killed them when they boarded the Kumani to kill Belso for destroying Bristol. They told me they gave the fuel they stole that night to pirates for protection from the police.
DAMIRA
They used Giovano to cover their lie?
NIKKLO
Yes, because he was suffering intermittent insanity from the Gonkacha and was highly impressionable. I was healed and raised by the Astrisi then I married an Astrisi girl, reunited with Varanani and raised three children.
DAMIRA
Vara lived?
NIKKLO
She was adopted by Devasru.
DAMIRA
At least she has Giovano's brother to care for her.
NIKKLO
Yes, I hope most other details here are similar to the events in my time. Damira, do you know about a war the Humans were involved in concerning the Zuran invasion force returning?
DAMIRA
They're still fighting that war.
NIKKLO
Damn, by this time we had won that war. Anyway, so many Saili who lived on colonies pulled back to Sailia.
DAMIRA
Yes.
NIKKLO
Are most Gonkacha on Vagakta Station?
DAMIRA
Yes, it's hard for them to breathe on Sailia.
NIKKLO
They're catching hell up there too. Let's see if I can get in contact with Meturato. He's leading a group of insurrectionists on Vagakta Station. Maybe I can get an idea about how things are going on Sailia and find Gavasno. This was around the time when Tarek began to whisper to me to prepare for the return of the Tauians. Maybe I was thrown here because there was no one to prepare your Sannaro for the Tauian war so it looks like I have to train my younger self.
SANNARO
Oh, sure!
NIKKLO
I have to warn you, my warriors call me the taskmaster. I'm a tough trainer.
DAMIRA
Maybe that's what he needs after twelve years as a hermit?
NIKKLO
With only ghosts of the dead to talk to him.
SANNARO
Thanks a lot, Mom!
Nikklo looked at the dark blue leggings and slate blue long sleeved tunic Sannaro now wore.
NIKKLO
You look better. Now, I think we need to find the stored body so I can give you your Tauian crystal and you can reset your form.
SANNARO
Reset my form?
NIKKLO
Yes, get rid of your scars. All that scar tissue and scabbed blood has to make it difficult to move. The reset will give you undamaged skin.
SANNARO
Nice!
Nikklo walked over and put his hand on Sannaro's shoulder.
NIKKLO
I'll phase us again to the cavern. There's no other way to get there. Tarek deliberately made it so the only access to the cave is by Tauian travel.
SANNARO
Okay.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
INT. CRYSTAL CAVERN, MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
His vision cleared and they were completely surrounded by geode formations. In the center of the room was the clear crystal stasis pod.
Sannaro walked cautiously to the pod and looked down.
SANNARO
If you hadn't warned me about what I would see, I would be seriously freaked right now. This body inside looks just like me! I mean, us!
NIKKLO
It freaked me out the first time I saw it too.
SANNARO
Why is our arms and legs taken off our body?
NIKKLO
I told you, the Tauians told us to do something we didn't want to do so they severed our arms and legs from our body as punishment.
SANNARO
What did they want us to do?
NIKKLO
They wanted us to use our power to destabilize a planet to make it disintegrate.
SANNARO
Excuse me but I only have second grade education!
NIKKLO
We can make a planet explode by willing it to explode.
SANNARO
Holy shit!
NIKKLO
We said we didn't want to explode a planet so they cut our arms and legs off.
Nikklo opened the stasis pod and removed the crystal necklace from around the preserved body.
He turned to Sannaro and put it around his neck.
NIKKLO
Now grip the crystal pole pendant and concentrate to activate it.
Sannaro gripped the pendant and concentrated.
A flash of light enveloped Sannaro. He yelped and stumbled backwards.
Nikklo phased to Sannaro and steadied him.
Sannaro's form shimmered and was replaced with a healthy body without the scabbing.
NIKKLO
There, you can move easier now.
SANNARO
We lived a whole different life before we were born as Sannaro?
NIKKLO
Yes. Do you remember now?
SANNARO
My name is Nikklo. I graduated from Basic High School in Southern Nevada on Earth. I was kidnapped by Tauians, met my father Tarek and fought a whole war on Tauia!
NIKKLO
That's right, but for less confusion, can you still go by San and I by Nik?
SANNARO
That would be a good idea. So Beken is returning?
NIKKLO
In a few years. You need to prepare for him to find you.
SANNARO
Where's Tarek?
NIKKLO
I don't know. We need to find out what happened to him.
SANNARO
Great. You said I didn't have my full powers because I'm not in this body. Are you in this body, Nik?
NIKKLO
Yes, I am. That's why I go by the name Nikklosannaro.
SANNARO
Then there's a way to heal him?
NIKKLO
There is a way to reattach the limbs but Tarek needs to do it. I can give him what he needs but I lack the skills to do the healing. I know people on Vagakta station I think we could convince to help us. Because there are two of us, I suggest we call ourselves identical twins. I'll go by Nikkaro. Now, I need to warn you, a civil war is about to break out on Sailia because the non-mutated Saili fear the mutated Saili and want to wipe us out. We can't allow the non-mutated Saili to wipe us out or Beken will come and finish the slaughter.
SANNARO
This is becoming some crazy shit!
NIKKLO
And it never stops being a shock. I'll phase us back to the living quarters.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
INT. CENTRAL CALDERA, MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA – DAY – CONTINUOUS
Damira turned in surprise.
NIKKLO/SANNARO
Hi, mom.
DAMIRA
Boys, are you finished?
NIKKLO
We are. San has his crystal and is recalling the memory the amnesia blocked from him.
DAMIRA
You look better now, Sanna. Your body isn't lumpy.
SANNARO
That will be so nice.
NIKKLO
I'm sure this is going to be really interesting, but because we need to go out among the Saili to find out what happened to Tarek, you now have identical twin boys named Sannaro and Nikkaro.
DAMIRA
That's a switch.
SANNARO
Sanna and Nikky.
NIKKLO
That's our cover story.
SANNARO
What if we meet Vara? She knows I wasn't born with a twin.
NIKKLO
I don't think we'll meet Vara because she lives on Sailia with Devasru.
SANNARO
How can she breathe on Sailia? She's sick too!
NIKKLO
She was the first born with the least Gonkacha mutation so she has less breathing problems on Sailia.
SANNARO
I wish I could meet Vara.
NIKKLO
I hope you will meet Vara again. It would just be hard to explain the existence of two of us during a war.
Nikklo touched Sannaro's shoulder.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
INT. VAGAKTA STATION
NIkklo recognized the living area and remembered Meturato's suite had been 211.
FOR CLARIFICATION SAILI NIKKLO WILL BE NIKKARO.
They walked to the door and rang the doorbell.
One burly Saili was at the door when it swept open.
NikkARO
I want to talk to Meturato. It's urgent. They may find us soon.
GONKACHA #1
Name?
NIKKARO
Nikkaro Damirateyak of Regalis and this is my brother Sannaro. Please, we're hiding from Verano.
Meturato came to the door.
METURATO
Come in, brothers.
Nikkaro and Sannaro stepped into the suite.
METURATO
What did you do?
NIKKARO
Do we need anything other than to be Gonkacha to be hunted by Verano?
MMTURATO
He's the enemy of all Gonkacha.
NIKKARO
We're looking for a relative who has gone missing.
METURATO
Join the line. Many of us are missing relatives. Who is your missing relative?
NIKKARO
He goes by the name Sikyatavo. He is a medic on this station.
METURATO
I'm not familiar with a medic named Sikyatavo.
NIKKARO
He's not mutated.
METURATO
This space-station is vast. I have not met all non-mutated Saili who live and work on this station.
NIKKARO
Can we take refuge here while we search the station?
METURATO
Be my guest. Good luck in your search.
Meturato turned deeper into the suite.
Nikkaro turned to Sannaro.
NIKKARO
I warn you, there are terrified Gonkacha hiding here. It will be disturbing to see. Keep your cool so we can look for Sikyatavo.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I thought his name was Tarek?
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Tarek is his Tauian name. When he's in disguise as Saili, he calls himself Sikyatavo.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Okay.
Nikkaro found an empty spot in the sea of hiding Gonkacha to concentrate.
SANNARO
Wow, you're right. I sense raw fear here.
NIKKARO
They're terrified. Verano has been experimenting on them, sterilizing them or making people disappear.
SANNARO
That's why Meturato told us to get in line?
NIKKARO
Yep, many have disappeared since the beginning of the Zuran War.
Nikkaro opened his shields and scanned the station with his telepathy.
SANNARO
Wow, the raw energy you're radiating is very powerful.
NIKKARO
I'm not just using Saili power. I'm using some Tauian power too so I can scan the whole station from one place. I don't sense Sikaytavo here. That's strange, he should be working in Verano's staff here. Unless he's at one of the other hospitals. That may mean he's still on Sailia, but why hasn't he come home? I don't like this.
Meturato squatted beside them.
METURATO
Did you find your relative?
NIKKARO
I don't think he's here. Are you going to move against Verano soon?
METURATO
I don't know.
NIKKARO
You should.
METURATO
I wish I knew someone who was more proficient at fighting than me to advise me about how to do this. I'm scared as hell, to tell you the truth.
NIKKARO
I'm a warrior.
METURATO
You? How?
NIKKARO
I was a pirate slave who was rescued by the Astrisi. The Astrisi taught me to fight.
METURATO
Astrisi taught you to fight?
NIKKARO
To keep me from being a pirate slave again.
METURATO
You two look like twins.
NIKKARO
We are.
SANNARO
We were burned in a fire on Regalis. He was stolen by the pirates who raided the seranium stores but I wasn't found. I was happy when Nikkaro suddenly came home again so we could come to Sailia to find the remains of our family.
METURATO
Wow, what a history!
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Nice improvisation!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I thought it would explain why you can fight but I can't.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
It does very well and now if I slip out an Astrisi word, I'm covered too.
NIKKARO
I will teach the able-bodied men and women how to do some hand-to-hand fighting. It is going to take all of you to successfully fight the Saili. If the woman has children to tend to, leave her alone, but if no children are in a woman’s care, bring her for training.
After a few minutes, men and women began gathering in the center of the room.
When Nikkaro noticed less people were coming, he called for their attention. He asked that they make rows of four at arms’ length from each other, then proceeded to show them how to do basic stretches.
As soon as they were warmed up, Nikkaro began with the defensive stance with one foot forward of the other with their weight on the leading foot. The left hand was a fist and held at the side with the palm facing upward toward the armpit and the right arm was swept just forward of the leading leg, also in a fist.
As each person followed the stance, Nikkaro moved through the group to adjust any wrong positions.
He led the group through moving along the floor while keeping the stance and went through correcting people again.
When each were moving well enough to basically maintain the stance, they practiced that a while, before they went into basic punching and kicking.
He didn’t want to wear them out with too much exercise so he showed them the cool down exercises and allowed them to rest.
(LATER)
The next day, they'd review what they learned and possibly show some of the more promising students some simple throws.
Meturato walked up to Nikkaro with his back slightly bowed.
METURATO
You’re a tough teacher, Nikkaro.
Nikkaro moved behind Meturato and poked his index and middle fingers into the man’s knotted back muscles to loosen them up, then massaged his back.
Meturato stood up straight with wonder on his face.
METURATO
That was fantastic!
Nikkaro looked up and found himself surrounded by moaning people.
He worked on easing aches until his own muscles ached.
He was happy to be allowed to find a place among the sea of people so they could get some sleep.
(LATER)
The next morning, Nikkaro and Sannaro sat in the corner to eat quickly and prepare for the day.
Both barely gulped down the bowl of mush they were given.
SANNARO
I thought because you had more experience with the Saili that you'd like the food better than me.
NIKKARO
I have always hated Saili food. Everything tastes like rust flakes.
SANNARO
You're right, it does. So how are we doing on the fighting lessons?
NIKKARO
You're hardly proficient but better than the guards I fought to get away from Kinetiko in my reality. This is going to be more like a riot than a war.
Nikkaro stood up.
NIKKARO
Fighters, fall into formation.
Those who hadn’t been practicing were now joining the others in the center of the room.
NIKKARO
We can spare no more time for preparation. The guards are getting close. We must move out now and make our attack.
METURATO
We’re ready! Let’s do it!
CHORUS
Yeah!
NIKKARO
Then let us go fight for our lives!
The group surged ahead toward the hallways of the station.
The guard lunged for him.
Nikkaro inserted his arms inside of the guard’s outstretched arms and batted them out while he raised his knee into the man’s chest, then swung his leg out and kicked the guard backwards.
The man hit the floor, unconscious.
A few paces away, Sannaro slammed his foot down on his attacker’s foot, then pulled the same leg’s knee up into the man’s groin.
The man collapsed into a sobbing heap.
Soon after, Nikkaro grappled with a guard who was more skilled than the others they'd met so far.
As he began to move to block a punch that was directed at his midriff a strong sending ripped through his mind.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Looking for Sikyatavo, Sannaro?
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
What have you done with him?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
He's not here so you're wasting your time.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
Nikkaro phased to the seranimite bomb. He placed his hand on it and willed the atomic structure of the box to reverse.
It exploded in a cloud of dust.
Verano (PSI V.O.)
That won't work. I have another.
Nikklo scanned Verano's mind for the other bombs.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL MONTAGE OF DEMOLECULERIZING MULTIPLE BOMBS.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Where is Sikyatavo?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I thought the Gonkacha were an abomination but now I know we're only playthings to aliens? You are the greatest abomination.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
I don't want to talk to you. I want to talk to Giovano. Dad, what you're doing is wrong. Whether you like that Saili were made by an alien or not, if all Gonkacha were wiped out, all Saili will die.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
But that's just it, Sannaro. I'm not your dad, am I?
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
You raised me until I was seven years old so you are my dad.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You're dad is that alien bastard who had sex with my wife and stole her from me. Now you want me to tell you where he is?
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
He is The Great Forger who helped the Saili to evolve into the intelligent people they are now. He wants to make sure the people he cares about stay alive.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He made Damira disappear while he left me to die. I'm not impressed with your argument, boy.
The wind was knocked out of him from the guard that propelled his fist deep into Nikkaro's abdomen.
Nikkaro gagged and fell to his knees, gripping his stomach. He was fighting through his automatic response so he could control himself again.
The guard pulled Nikkaro up by his hair to his feet. The man’s fist was ready to strike again.
Nikkaro picked up his left foot and stomped it down on the guard’s foot.
The guard howled and let go of Nikkaro's hair, now drifting down in a dark blue-black cloud to the floor. The guard was hopping on one foot.
Nikkaro swept that foot out from under him, then followed the guard’s fall to plunge the heel of his hand into the guard’s stomach.
The guard shook, then was unconscious.
Nikkaro swayed across the hall and propped himself on the wall to give himself more time to recover from the pain in his head and his stomach.
NIKKARO
I still am the Tsikakayu, the Great Defender. I will defend the Saili, even from themselves! I am a certified Saili mind tracker. I will find Sikyatavo no matter what you do!
TAUIAN NIKKARO PHASING VISUAL to Verano and pressed him against the wall.
VERANO
You're very powerful, Sannaro.
Nikkaro huffed and closed his shields tighter.
VERANO
You're not Sannaro, are you?
NIKKARO
Yes, I am Sannaro.
VERANO
But there's another of you! How interesting!
Verano quickly sent a telepathic message.
Nikkaro curled his hand around Verano's throat.
Verano's face wavered and took on a rounder face of Giovano.
GIOVANO/VERANO
You don't want to kill him, Sanna.
NIKKARO
Why the hell not?
GIOVANO/VERANO
Because that message he sent was to find the other Sannaro and capture him.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Nikky!
NIKKARO
Shit!
TAUINA NIKKARO PHASING VISUAL to Sannaro.
Sannaro was sprawled on the floor struggling against several Saili men pinning his arms and legs to the floor.
Nikkaro kicked one man off Sannaro's back, punched another in the face then reversed the kick into the third man's ribs. He reached down and touched Sannaro's chest then phased away.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
They appeared again on the flight deck where police were preparing to control the violence on the station.
Sannaro leapt to his feet to look around.
Nikkaro walked up to Gavasno.
NIKKARO
I know you don't know me but I want to warn you that there's been genocide happening on this station. To learn more, talk to Dr. Kinetiko.
GAVASNO
Who the hell are you?
NIKKARO
A deviant who needs desperate help.
GAVASNO
Your name?
NIKKARO
I am Nikkaro and this is Sannaro Damirateyak. We're survivors of the Bristol fire you investigated.
GAVASNO
I investigated? No, I didn't investigate Bristol. When we got to Saratoga, we were met by Humans who handed over two bodies. One was Giovano and the other was a boy named Devakio. We loaded up the bodies and left.
NIKKARO
You didn't go to Bristol?
GAVASNO
No, they handed the bodies over and said the site was locked up.
NIKKARO
Damn, how about Varanani?
GAVASNO
She was the sole survivor but she refused to speak. We brought her to Sailia and handed her over to her surviving uncle.
NIKKARO
Thank you for your information.
GAVASNO
Why do I feel like I've known you before? Your mind is disciplined to be a tracker. Are you a certified tracker?
NIKKARO
I am a certified tracker but we have never met.
GAVASNO
You look so young but your mind isn't young. Why is that?
NIKKARO
It's complicated.
GAVASNO
I can sense that. You're searching for someone. Have you found any leads?
NIKKARO
Only that our sister Varanani survived and is living with our uncle.
GAVASNO
Well, my command is telling me to move out. Good luck with your search.
NIKKARO
Thanks. Please, hear the plight of the Gonkacha. They are being experimented on. Check the medical records. You'll see there is an unusually high mortality rate among newborn Gonkacha and many of various ages who have mysteriously gone missing. Please investigate the medical doctors on this station. If you promise to investigate the medical services here, the Gonkacha may stop the riot.
GAVASNO
I'll pass it on to my command.
Gavasno trotted away.
SANNARO
Now what?
NIKKARO
We have to talk to Vara but we also have to be careful of Briarko.
SANNARO
Who's Briarko?
NIKKARO
Our cousin who turned on me. He doesn't like Gonkacha.
SANNARO
And Vara lives with him?
NIKKARO
He was tolerant of Vara until I came.
SANNARO
Great.
NIKKARO
Let's return to Misipatasutisga.
SANNARO
To what?
NIKKARO
That's the name of the volcano. First time I heard that name, I thought it was a tongue twister too.
SANNARO
We have one fucked up family, Nik.
NIKKARO
You're telling me? You don't know the half of it yet.
SANNARO
Do I want to know?
NIKKARO
Yes, you do if you want to survive.
Verano rushed onto the flight deck.
VERANO
There they are! Arrest them! They started the riot!
Nikkaro grabbed Sannaro's arm.
FOR CLARIFICATION, NIKKARO WILL BE NIKKLO
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL to the shores of the lava lake.
INT. CENTRAL CALDERA, MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA - DAY
Damira met them.
DAMIRA
Did you find him?
NIKKLO
No, we started a riot on Vagakta Station, though. Now the Saili Civil War is going to begin soon. Mom, we need to talk to Vara. I don't want to approach her directly at Devasru's house because Briarko is siding with the Overground.
DAMIRA
He's an Overground?
NIKKLO
He turned on me in my reality to try to convince Devasru I was a danger to the family. Unfortunately, I accidentally killed him when he attacked me.
DAMIRA
Oh Briarko!
NIKKLO
Devasru forgave me because he witnessed the attack. I still deeply regret it. My Vara listened to me because she always felt she was only pretending to be given Devasru's approval.
SANNARO
If she'll even talk!
NIKKLO
Yes, Gavasno said she refused to talk to anyone when they flew her to Sailia. Mom, where does Devasru live on Sailia? When I was with him, we moved to Belvas because I couldn't breathe here.
DAMIRA
So how is Sannaro breathing here?
NIKKLO
The Tauian crystal helped his lungs.
DAMIRA
You wear one, too.
NIKKLO
They are an important source of power to Tauians. We rarely ever part with our crystal.
NIKKLO'S PSYCHIC VISION
A picture of a house appeared in Nikklo's mind with the address clearly shown.
BACK TO CENTRAL CALDERA, SAILIA
SANNARO
I hope Vara is all right.
NIKKLO
So do we.
Nikklo touched Sannaro and phased.
EXT. DEVASRU'S HOUSE, SAILIA – DAY
Nikklo led Sannaro behind some shrubs and opened his shields to sense Vara.
NIKKLO
I can't sense her either.
SANNARO
How can this be?
NIKKLO
I'm going to widen my scan. She may be gone from home for some reason.
(beat)
Something's not right. I'm going to phase us near her.
Sannaro nodded.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
EXT. VERANO'S MENTAL INSTITUTION, SAILIA -DAY - CONTINUOUS
Saili Nikklo saw the tall guarded walls of Verano's mental institution.
NIKKLO
Shit.
SANNARO
What is this place and why do you dread it?
NIKKLO
It's Verano's mental institution where he controls people who have defied him.
SANNARO
What did Vara do?
NIKKLO
Verano asked me if I was looking for Sikyatavo. If he knew Sikyatavo is Tarek then he may have decided to label Varanani as a deviant and placed her in there for treatment.
SANNARO
This is very bad, isn't it?
NIKKLO
If I was still just Sannaro, it would be a terrible problem but, as Nikklo, I still have powers to draw on.
SANNARO
But should we show that there are two of us? We discussed that it might be too confusing to her if she saw both of us because she knows I was a single birth.
NIKKLO
Then I go in and you hide out here. I can phase in there in a form no one can see. I'm also a master of illusion and stealth.
SANNARO
I wanted to see Vara.
NIKKLO
I understand you do and I hope you can. Right now, we need to remain unseen. I have the skills to remain unseen.
SANNARO
Okay, I'll wait out here.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
INT. VARANANI'S ROOM, VERANO'S MENTAL INSTITUTION, SAILIA – DAY - CONTINUOUS
Varanani lay staring at the ceiling.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Hi, ghost, it's been a while. I missed you, Sanna.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Ghost? You see me?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I got your ball back.
She picked up his smudged ball from the bedside table without looking and dropped it right into his Tauian hand.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Why didn't you talk to anyone?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I was waiting for you to find your way home.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
You should be with Uncle Devasru.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I can't, Sanna. I couldn't pretend for him. I couldn't.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Vara, do you remember after the fire? What happened?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Human in business suit. I asked him to find you. He said you were dead and they were going to send me home to Sailia. I didn't want to. They tried to stop the mines from exploding but they couldn't. They finally put us on a bus transport and we were flown down to Saratoga. Soon after, they brought Father and Devakio's bodies. More firemen flew up to Bristol but nothing else happened. No one came back and no one went back. Saili men came to Saratoga. I liked two of them but I didn't like the mind of one with the white braid. He scared me. The strong man with silver hair down his back told me to stay quiet. I never said a word again, Sanna.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Did the man with silver hair tell you his name?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Sikyatavo. He helped Dr. Verano look at Dad's body. He looked worried at the mountains. He asked to go to the mountains but the Humans wouldn't let him. He argued with Dr. Verano on the last night. Dr. Verano made Sikyatavo sleep. Gavasno told me he would protect me. We flew to Sailia and I met Uncle Devasru but I couldn't stop thinking about Sikyatavo. I went to visit Sikyatavo but it was too late.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
What was too late?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Dr. Verano had Sikyatavo brought here. They brought me here too. I like when you visit, Sanna. I'm not so alone when you visit me.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
This is the first time I've visited you, Vara.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
No, you visit me all the time. I can talk to you.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Do I say where I am?
Nikklo reached out to caress Varanani's forehead.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You are cold, Sanna, but you're a ghost. Although the rainbow around you is pretty.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Do I tell you anything about where I am?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You show me lovely pyramid buildings.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Ah, that helps a lot! I love you, sis.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I love you, too, Sanna. I'm going to take a nap now.
She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes.
He put the smudged ball back into her hand and closed her fingers around it.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Keep it, sis. You will be free. I promise you.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL back to Sannaro.
EXT. VERANO'S MENTAL INSTITUTION, SAILIA -DAY - CONTINUOUS
NIKKLO
I know where to go next. We need to go to Verano's laboratory on Belvas.
SANNARO
Do you know where that is?
NIKKLO
It's the first place Verano took me to when he kidnapped me from a Saili Orphanage. I hope I can remember where it is since I wasn't completely in my right mind when I was there.
SANNARO
How is Vara?
NIKKLO
She's comfortable.
SANNARO
But you're not happy about her condition.
NIKKLO
She's probably being drugged on a regular basis. I think Tarek has been talking to her and making her think it's you in ghostly form. She looks forward to your visits.
SANNARO
She does?
NIKKLO
Yes and she still has our Skivit. She found it in the ashes and kept it just like my Varanani did.
SANNARO
Did you bring it?
NIKKLO
I gave it back. It's her comfort. She needs it more than we do.
SANNARO
Yes, she needs it more than we do.
NIKKLO
We should go to Belvas now. At least I know the Belvans won't try to arrest me.
SANNARO
You left enemies all over the place!
NIKKLO
Yes, I have many enemies because I'm a headstrong warrior. In some ways I would've been better off as a hermit.
SANNARO
It's boring.
NIKKLO
That's why I wouldn't have liked it. Let's travel to Belvas.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
EXT. VERANO'S LABORATORY, ALGAIL, BELVAS -DAY
Nikklo and Sannaro landed in the old part of Algail ity near the pyramidal buildings.
SANNARO
Wow, these are incredible!
NIKKLO
Yes, I got in a lot of trouble with my commander for leaving the ship without permission to see these buildings.
Nikklo looked around for people of blue skin.
NIKKLO
They haven't emerged from disphase.
SANNARO
What's that?
NIKKLO
The native Belvans are still living here but slightly in another dimension so they can't be seen easily unless you can see into that spectrum. The Zurans have returned so why haven't they offered help to the Humans? I need to find Tarek first.
They walked down the street, Nikklo scanned for Tarek.
NIKKLO
Ah, there's he is but the signal is weak. I hope he's not permanently injured.
Nikklo locked onto the signal and began to walk more confidently. Out of the corner of his sight, he saw a blue Belvan. He jerked his head up to get a better look.
The Belvan was gone.
NIKKLO
Okay, I just saw a native. They're still disphased.
SANNARO
You can do so much more than me. Why are you still making me follow you?
NIKKLO
Because I am you. That means that you can eventually do everything I do with proper training. I'm just going to find Tarek. You have to rescue your world.
SANNARO
That's a lot to ask of me.
NIKKLO
Yes, it's asking a lot from you but, in my world, I decided I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do the job of Tsikakayu. I hope you can come to the same conclusion.
SANNARO
You're not going to force me?
NIKKLO
At seven years old, you and I stopped being the same person. We are more like twins now. We have the same abilities but different experiences. You still will have to make choices for yourself you think are right. They may be totally different than the choices I made. I have to go back to my reality or I could do irreparable harm to this reality. And I miss my wife and children. I want to go home.
SANNARO
You're everything I ever dreamed of being. You're heroic and powerful.
NIKKLO
You can become like me. Seek out Gavasno and learn from him how to hone your telepathic abilities. That's an important first step.
Nikklo came to a dark warehouse that looked a lot like the warehouse. He cautiously opened a single door and slipped in.
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE, ALGAIL, BELVAS – DAY - CONTINUOUS
Nikklo ducked down behind some crates. He followed the trail through the warehouse but it doubled back. He huffed in frustration and concentrated on the trail more.
NIKKLO
We have to find some stairs to a lower level.
He looked around to see if there was any landmarks that would likely indicate stairs. There was a small office in a corner. He moved toward the office. Right beside the office was a flight of stairs that went down. They climbed down the stairs to a lower level that had multiple rooms. Nikklo followed his trail to a room in the center of the hallway. He opened the door and saw a coffin. Sannaro looked nervously at Nikklo.
Fade out.
THE END