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 92 – INSURRECTION AGAIN
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. VERANO'S LABORATORY, ALGAIL, BELVAS -DAY
Nikklo walked up to the box.
SANNARO
It looks like a coffin.
NIKKLO
No, it's a stasis chamber.
He looked over the standard stasis pod controls. He entered cycling sequence into the keypad. The pod started the reviving sequence.
NIKKLO
He should wake in a few minutes.
Nikklo opened up the lid and looked in. He saw a man with gold skin and long silver hair. His chest was broad and strong. Sikyatavo looked like he was only sleeping.
SANNARO
Hey, he looks like us! Only difference is he has silver hair!
NIKKLO
Of course. He's our Tauian father.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Please wake up, Tarek.
The man in the box opened his eyes and looked up.
TAREK
I must be seeing double.
NIKKLO
You are but you aren't. We'll give you a minute to fully wake.
Tarek sat up.
TAREK
Wait, you called me Tarek!
NIKKLO
I'm Nikklosannaro from another reality. I was sent here because something went wrong in this timeline.
TAREK
So that one is my Nikklosannaro?
He pointed at Sannaro.
NIKKLO
Yes, I found him on Regalis living as a hermit among the ashes of Bristol.
TAREK
Damn it! I told Verano we had to go back to Bristol to find you!
NIKKLO
That was twelve years ago.
TAREK
Shit!
Tarek slammed the wall of the pod with his fist.
NIKKLO
How did Verano do this to you?
TAREK
I went to Regalis with Eradano and Gavasno. Verano and I went along to see if we could offer medical treatment. When we got to Saratoga, we were told that no one was allowed to go to Bristol Mountain because the crews were having trouble suppressing the explosions. They evacuated the survivors. Verano and I did the autopsies on Giovano and Devakio at Saratoga. That's where Verano was credited with discovering Gonkacha. Varanani told me that Sannaro was still at Bristol. I argued with Verano that I had to go to Bristol to find Sannaro but he argued that the exploding seranimite would give me Gonkacha too. He declared me mentally unstable and knocked me out. Now here I am in a stasis pod on Belvas twelve years after the damned fire. I was stupid to go to Regalis with Verano. Verano figured out I didn't act like a normal Saili and locked me up. It wrecked the whole plan. The Astrisi never trained you!
NIKKLO
No, it means he never gained trust of the Astrisi. I can train him in Astrisi war tactics. Not that my training helped that much in my war.
TAREK
You're a Tsikakayu?
NIKKLO
Yes, I defeated the Tauians in my reality.
TAREK
Have the Zurans returned?
NIKKLO
The Humans are struggling with the war right now. In my reality we already had them beat by now. The Belvans have not offered their enhanced weapons yet. They're still disphased. That concerns me.
What also concerns me is where is Healatika?
TAREK
She's not at home?
NIKKLO
No, Damira is living in your home.
Tarek stood up and climbed out of the pod.
TAREK
I shouldn't have saved her. It was a mistake of weakness.
SANNARO
Wait, how can you have saved my mother and traveled with the rescue team to do the autopsies?
NIKKLO
Remember phasing? You haven't been with me for more than a day and I've taken you to Sailia and Belvas in less than a minute.
TAREK
He's right, San. I rescued Damira as soon as I felt the pain of Giovano's death. I brought her to Misipatasutisga then immediately joined Verano who was preparing equipment at Belvas to fly with Eradano and Gavasno to Regalis.
SANNARO
That's why she said as soon as she appeared there, you said you had to do something then disappeared?
TAREK
That's why. We Tauians can travel faster than light by will alone. But I see now that rescuing Damira was a painful mistake.
NIKKLO
You're telling me? I don't like how you used Giovano and Damira but you made everything worse by saving her, Tarek! Giovano is an angrier ghost inside Verano because he says you're a wife stealer! My Giovano was willing to help me because he thought he was my father. Since this Giovano knows you were my father instead of him, he doesn't want to help Sannaro either!
TAREK
That means Verano scanned my mind to find out what I was doing. He knows more than he should know.
NIKKLO
You know, I need to cool it. Accusing you is going to get us nowhere. Point is, we need to get this legacy back on track. We don't have trust of the Astrisi but we do have the underground Saili and Gonkacha who are unhappy with Hiamovi's restrictions. They are probably beginning their war to break away from Sailia. They backed me in the war too so they can be the main backers for your war. We need to convince the Belvans to offer the Humans their upgraded weaponry to drive back the Zurans. While they're driving back the Zurans, we go to Sailia and help the underground fight against Hiamovi.
TAREK
Thank you, Nikky.
NIKKLO
I know I can be an ass, Tarek, but warriors are asses. That's why we're willing to pick up a gun and shoot it. What's inside me and this kid has to be protected from Beken's control. I was trained by the Astrisi. I can train Sannaro how to fight like an Astrisi.
TAREK
Okay, I think I understand what your plan is and I think it can be pulled off. You're right, we need to get Jahium to speak with us.
A man with blue skin and pale blue hair shimmered into view.
JAHIUM
So talk to us, Great Forger.
Tarek bowed.
TAREK
Senior Scientist Jahium, I'm glad to see you.
JAHIUM
I risk much appearing to you.
NIKKLO
The Zurans have returned. The Humans need your weapon to push the Zurans back to their space.
JAHIUM
I see two Tskikakayu. One is older, the other younger. This is a paradox.
NIKKLO
I don't belong here. I'm from another reality. I was sent here to get the legacy back on track.
JAHIUM
So the young one is our Tsikakayu?
NIKKLO
Yes.
JAHIUM
He's not ready.
NIKKLO
I know he's not ready. I intend to train him to become the Tsikakayu while we are fighting the Saili Civil War. The Humans need your weapon to end the Zuran War or Beken may come while the Zurans are still invading the Alliance. That would make our job of defeating the Tauians much more difficult.
JAHIUM
I agree. We Belvans will reappear and offer our weapon to the Humans. We are nearly finished.
NIKKLO
Thank you. Now, in my reality, the Astrisi told the Humans about how the first Zuran War decimated this region of space and suggested to the Humans to use the Belvan weapon. That won't happen so maybe Eradano could do it?
TAREK
Eradano could but how can I explain my absence?
NIKKLO
Verano kidnapped you. Call out to Eradano and say you're trapped inside some unknown warehouse and you need to be freed. Hopefully, Gavasno will be chosen to track you to free you.
TAREK
I could request Gavasno by saying I have to talk to him personally about what happened during the investigation.
NIKKLO
Aw crap, that's right, all Saili have withdrawn back to Sailia. Eradano and Gavasno would have to get special permission to leave Sailia.
JAHIUM
If the Astrisi vouched for us in your reality, they may do the same even though you are not among them, Tsikakayu. They will still remember our former alliance. If anything else, the Astrisi may appreciate our offer to make their chances better at beating back the Zurans for their personal survival.
NIKKLO
If the Astrisi are struggling like they were in my reality, they would welcome your offer. I wish I could initiate the dialogue but they aren't the Astrisi who trust me.
JAHIUM
We will gain their trust by prior association. Thank you for finally giving the message we've been waiting for.
Jahium disappeared.
NIKKLO
I guess we should just phase to Eradano to explain to him what happened to you at Regalis. Eradano was leading the underground against the overground anyway. Then I can begin Sannaro's warrior training.
SANNARO
What is this underground and overground anyway?
NIKKLO
The Saili are broken up into two groups. The overground are very reserved and rigid. They barely tolerate speaking to non-Saili. Some even refuse to speak out loud at all. They consider Humans to be annoying rodents who should be ignored. Then there is the underground who are curious about the universe. They speak out loud, they seek interaction with Humans and some chose to venture beyond Sailia to live among the Humans.
SANNARO
Like Giovano and Damira did.
NIKKLO
Right, our parents were underground.
TAREK
I encouraged their curiosity so I could set up the Gonkacha mutation. If I hadn't, the Saili would have been wiped out simply with the destruction of Sailia.
SANNARO
But now Giovano is a part of the overground because he's mad at us?
NIKKLO
Yes, because Tarek stole Damira. In my reality, Damira died in front of me. The fighter plane's laser went through her chest, traveled through Devakio's middle then splashed the ground right before my feet. When Eradano and Gavasno investigated the fire, the explosions were contained and the survivors were being housed inside the school. Eradano and Gavasno took the remains of Giovano, Damira and Devakio to Belvas to be autopsied. They also brought Varanani with them to return her to Devasru on Sailia. Verano discovered the Gonkacha mutation from Giovano and Devakio's remains. Varanani was supposed to be raised by Devasru but in this reality she's being kept under sedation at Verano's Rehabilitation Center.
TAREK
There's some big differences here.
NIKKLO
I think there's nothing more we can do on Belvas. Let's get back to Misipatasutisga.
SANNARO
But now that we have some time to breathe, how do we do all this crap?
TAREK
That's a good question, San.
NIKKLO
Grasp your crystal and imagine you are made of the same material.
Sannaro took a deep breath then gripped the crystal. His body shimmered and became translucent.
NIKKLO
Now look down at yourself.
Sannaro looked down and his jaw dropped open. His mouth moved to form words but no sound came.
NIKKLO
Remember I said in Tauian form, I couldn't speak out loud?
Nikklo and Tarek changed to their Tauian forms.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, right. This is incredible! I can still see both of you!
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Because we're of the same race. Now look for a light beam and reach out for it. Don't grab it tightly, just touch it.
Sannaro carefully reached out to poke a beam of light that shown from the stasis pod.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
How can it feel solid? Light isn't solid!
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
To a Tauian, we can touch light like it's solid. If we grab it, the light will bend through our crystal bodies and push us in the direction the light is going. We can travel with the light.
TAREK
But since light never travels completely straight, we have to change light beams constantly to head in the direction we want to travel. Not all Tauians can cross space on light except for the more talented of us. We are unusually talented because there are only a few of us who can cross space without a team. We can do it solo. Any Tauian who can travel across space is called a Spectranaut.
NIKKLO
Let's travel outside and give you a chance to do some small hops on Belvas before we go back to Sailia.
TAREK
San is only mimicking?
NIKKLO
Yes, his body is still in the crystal cavern. I only gave him his Tauian crystal so he could reset his form because he still had the massive scabbing from the burns all over him and unhealed. I can bring what's needed to reattach the limbs to his crystalline body but you'll have to do the actual healing.
SANNARO
You keep saying reset! Does that mean that my burns just disappeared or were never there?
NIKKLO
Disappeared like you were given reconstructive surgery just a lot less painful. Wow do I envy you never feeling post grafting heals! Those memories will haunt me till the day I die.
SANNARO
You didn't have to live with no one to talk to but ghosts for twelve years!
NIKKLO
Okay, that's a tradeoff I decline. I'll keep the thousands of grafting surgeries over living with ghosts for twelve years.
TAREK
You two act like identical twins. You talk the same but experienced different lives.
NIKKLO
Yep, we've been telling some people that story on Sailia. He's Sannaro and I'm Nikkaro. We're twins who were separated at seven years old. He was lost and I was stolen by the pirates who came back to Bristol for their black market fuel. I escaped from slavery and was rescued by the Astrisi who taught me how to fight.
As long as the Astrisi don't hear this story, we're fine. I don't think the Astrisi are going to show up because they're still fighting the Zurans.
TAREK
You've been a pirate slave?
NIKKLO
You really want to see every scar I have on my body? Plenty of them are from pirates and I have been a pirate slave several times. They just didn't keep me for long.
TAREK
I'll decline a blow by blow description of every scar. I can see the scar around your left leg, though.
NIKKLO
That was from a fighter plane crash during the Zuran War.
TAREK
Ouch. Let's touch each other and get this phase lesson done.
TAUIAN TAREK AND TAUIAN SANNARO PHASING VISUAL
Once they were on the surface, Tarek helped Sannaro do several short hops across Belvas.
TAUIAN NIKKLO, TAREK AND SANNARO PHASING VISUAL TO SAILIA
INT. CENTRAL CALDERA, MISIPATASUTISGA, SAILIA - DAY
Damira rushed to meet them at the forge.
NIKKLO
We found him, mother.
DAMIRA
You have to go to Vagakta Station! Meturato is going to stand trial before Hiamovi!
NIKKLO
I was the one who was put on trial in my reality and Hiamovi was vicious! Yes, we need to rescue Meturato and take the Gonkacha to the Deviant Saili stronghold to begin the Saili Civil War.
TAREK
Verano was practicing unchecked on Vagakta Station! I was supposed to watch him and try to talk him out of doing his worst but he locked me up in a damned stasis pod on Belvas! We have to intervene with that trial on Vagakta Station!
Tarek, Sannaro and Nikklo touched again.
TAUIAN TAREK, SANNARO AND NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL to Vagakta station in orbit above Sailia.
INT. VAGAKTA STATION
Tarek lead them to the rotunda where the trial was held and heard the noise of protests all the way down the hall.
TAREK
It's heating up fast in there.
Tarek rushed forward and pushed at the door.
It held fast.
TAREK
Nikklo, disintegrate the doors.
Nikklo touched the main part of the door and willed his inversion field into the structure.
The door disappeared in a puff of dust.
Tarek strode into the room.
Nikklo rushed past Tarek to the metal cage and pushed it onto its side.
NIKKLO
Come, Meturato. This is a mock trial. You're not going to get justice here.
Verano pulled his hood back in surprise.
VERANO
Sikyatavo! It's been a long time! Where have you been?
TAREK
You know where I've been, Verano. Know this, you will not win this day. I'm not done with you. Anyone who is fed up with this oppression, come with me.
Tarek turned and walked from the room.
The angry people quickly filed out of the room to the flight deck.
Nikklo and Sannaro were the last to leave the stunned elders and a furious Verano.
VERANO
You may have found Sikyatavo, Sannaro, but I still have your sister.
NIKKLO
We'll see how long that lasts, Verano.
Nikklo swept out the door.
They climbed onto the last shuttle.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
The shuttle flew down to the secret stronghold.
EXT. SECRET STRONGHOLD, SAILIA - DAY
As soon as they landed, TAREK, NIKKLO, SANNARO and METURATO came back together.
FOR CLARITY, NIKKLO WILL BE CALLED NIKKARO AND TAREK WILL BE CALLED SIKYATAVO
METURATO
Thank you for rescuing me. I can't believe Tsiakuba Hiamovi has been sanctioning Verano all along?
NIKKARO
I'm not happy about it either but it's true. We need to stop Verano's reign of terror.
METURATO
So you found your missing relative?
NIKKARO
We did.
METURATO
I'm happy for you. Many of us still don't know where our missing relatives are.
NIKKARO
Yes, but I know for a fact that Verano has my sister. I wish to free her.
METURATO
Again, many of us are in similar situations, Nikkaro.
Ambassador Eradano rushed up to them.
ERADANO
Are you the lost child from Regalis?
NIKKARO
I'm one of them. There were actually two of us. I'm Nikkaro and my twin is Sannaro. I was kidnapped by pirates and Sannaro was left behind on Regalis. I finally returned to Regalis to discover Sannaro was living in the mountains near burned out Bristol. We decided to travel back to Sailia to find out what happened and got swept up in the Gonkacha rebellion.
ERADANO
How did you escape pirates, young man?
NIKKARO
The Astrisi freed me.
A Saili man rushed up to him.
SAILI MAN
Let me see your t-pole scars.
Nikklo shrugged but raised his arms to show his armpits.
The man got uncomfortably close before he pulled back.
SAILI MAN
He has t-pole scars. This man was a pirate slave.
NIKKARO
I didn't think about looking for scars from the t-pole but I have hung on them too many times. There's no worse agony in the universe. My owners attacked an Astrisi ship and was defeated. I was taught how to fight by the Astrisi then was freed to make my way back home.
SAILI MAN
Which ship?
NIKKLO
Kumani. Some ex-miners wanted to get back at their commander for attacking the colony I was born on. The Astrisi fought back and defeated the pirates. They freed all of us slaves. I made my way back to Regalis and found my twin living alone in the ashes of Bristol. He told me everyone was gone so I convinced him that I could lead us back to Sailia.
SAILI MAN
They caused the attack on Bristol!
NIKKLO
No, the miners caused the attack on Bristol. We saw the miners steal the fuel that was processed for the Kumani the night before the Kumani came to pick it up. After the fire, the miners gave the fuel to pirates and left Regalis with the pirates. The Kumani was swindled. Fenyang and Arlington laughed about the frame up all the time.
ERADANO
I'm not always fond of the way the Astrisi conduct themselves but not even they were entitled to be swindled out of their fuel like that. So, young man, you know some Gasbajan martial arts?
NIKKARO
I do.
ERADANO
Would you be willing to train us on how to fight?
NIKKARO
There's not enough time. Did you bring laser rifles?
ERADANO
Yes, I did bring laser rifles.
Nikkaro gulped when he saw Devasru rush across the rocky ground toward him and grabbed his arm.
DEVASRU
Where did that demon take your sister and why is there two of you?
NIKKARO
Vara didn't tell you Damira had twins?
DEVASRU
No, but she wasn't with me for long.
NIKKARO
Yes, she had two. I am Nikkaro and then he's Sannaro.
DEVASRU
Where's Varanani? Why wouldn't she talk to me? She just thought of a man that looked similar to my brother but with silver hair. She wandered away one day and didn't come back. Do you know what happened to her?
SIKYATAVO
I'm sorry, she was thinking about me.
DEVASRU
And you are?
SIKYATAVO
I am Sikyatavo. I am a medic who helped to treat her after the Bristol fire. I was with Gavasno when we brought her to Sailia.
Gavasno rushed up.
GAVASNO
Yes, I wondered what happened to you, Sikyatavo? What happened after your argument with Verano?
SIKYATAVO
I tried to escape to go to Bristol to find Nikkaro and Sannaro but Verano knocked me out and stored me in a stasis pod. I just woke recently in a warehouse on Belvas. I'm just returning home to find Verano is out of control.
ERADANO
He's out of control, all right. He's got Hiamovi not listening to anyone but him!
SANNARO
He's possessed! I know. I heard the ghosts speak to me every day. They try to enter your mind to use your body so they can do their last wishes but they don't understand why. The need is so strong. Verano is possessed by Giovano, our father.
ERADANO
Why?
NIKKARO
We were born wrong. Our hair and eyes are the wrong color. We're Gonkacha. His wife and younger sons went missing, his older son was slaughtered and he was bitterly used to justify a crime. Who wouldn't be angry about all that happened at Bristol?
ERADANO
How do you know so much?
NIKKARO
I heard the pirates brag about Bristol day after day how Aldinon convinced weak-minded Giovano to accuse Belso of already taking the fuel but not putting it in the tanks to make the Kumani look like it was still dangerously low on fuel! This is ridiculous. You can't imagine how it was like to have to endure constant torture! Sannaro and I have had to face torture every day of our lives since that fire! I can't prevent you from being short-sighted but if you want me to teach you how to shoot a gun, lay off of us!
Nikkaro took Sannaro by the arm and guided him away from the knot of people.
SIKYATAVO (PSI V.O.)
Well played!
DEVASRU
Please, help me rescue your sister from Verano!
NIKKARO
I do want to free Varanani, Uncle Devasru. I just don't want me and Sannaro to be abused about the horror we witnessed at Bristol!
ERADANO
Okay, we won't bring up Bristol again. Nikkaro, would you please teach us how to shoot laser rifles?
NIKKARO
I will teach anyone how to shoot a laser rifle in a half hour. Gather together in the clearing for instruction.
GAVASNO
You seem to know me more than you want to admit, Nikkaro. There's more to you than just what is seen. You're shields are incredibly strong for an untrained orphan.
NIKKARO
Please, Gavasno, I respect you immensely but don't scan too deeply. Take my word that we want what you want, to stop Verano's abuses.
GAVASNO
You told me you were a trained tracker.
NIKKARO
I am a trained tracker. I found Sikyatavo without anyone's help.
GAVASNO
Who was your trainer?
NIKKARO
Another Saili slave who assured me I would live longer if I knew how to control my Saili powers and did just enough to please my masters. Now, it's been a very busy trying day and I just have a half hour before I have to teach people to shoot.
GAVASNO
I'll help you train.
NIKKARO
Thank you, Gavasno. I'll see you in the yard later.
Nikkaro and Sannaro walked away.
SANNARO
You're a hard ass, Nik.
NIKKARO
And now that I have established that I was once a pirate slave, they will be more forgiving of my lack of manners. It works to my advantage.
SANNARO
Are those t-pole scars real?
NIKKARO
Disturbingly real. I have been prisoner to pirates about six times and was even sold in a slave auction.
SANNARO
Really?
NIKKARO
I really don't want to talk about that. I don't know why I brought it up.
SANNARO
It really hurt you.
NIKKARO
It was a nightmare.
SANNARO
Where are we going?
Nikkaro stopped short and saw a cluster of boulders. He walked over and sat down.
NIKKARO
I just wanted to be away from them. Gavasno was asking some uncomfortable questions I can't answer right now. I can tell he knows he trained me but he's confused about where and when he could have trained me. I can't tell him he train me in another reality.
SANNARO
So he was your teacher. That's why you want him to teach me here.
NIKKARO
Yes.
SANNARO
How many people here fought in this war with you in your reality?
NIKKARO
Just about everyone here.
SANNARO
So for you, history is repeating itself.
NIKKARO
Close enough to be eerie.
SANNARO
I would think once would be enough.
NIKKARO
I wish but for some reason, I'm being expected to care about a different reality while who knows what's happening to my reality.
ERADANO
Nikkaro, everyone is ready for training.
NIKKARO
Coming.
He stood up to go back to the open field right before the cave that was their hideout.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Just like Nikkaro did the first time, he found it easier to teach Saili how to shoot a rifle. Average Saili were just not good at learning hand-to-hand combat in a short time.
GAVASNO
So what do you recommend we do, Nikkaro? Many say we should target Hiamovi.
NIKKARO
No, we must target Verano. Verano is the instigator and I have to free Varanani as soon as possible. Verano knows I found Sikyatavo and could harm Vara out of frustration toward me.
GAVASNO
And why does Verano carry so much frustration toward you?
NIKKARO
Gavasno, please don't interrogate me. You're a great police officer and you work well with motivating socially misfit children to learn to work within society but you're asking for more information than you need to know right now. If anyone needs your concentration, it's Sannaro. He does need your telepathic training.
GAVASNO
I know he does. My burning question is why don't you?
NIKKARO
Because you already trained me. Move on to your next student.
GAVASNO
When and how?
NIKKARO
Another dimension.
GAVASNO
You're an older version of Sannaro, aren't you?
NIKKARO
I told you, something went wrong here. I'm getting things back the way they should be and what you should do is train Sannaro.
GAVASNO
Verano wasn't supposed to kidnap Sikyatavo, wasn't he?
NIKKARO
That's only the beginning.
GAVASNO
What's going on here?
NIKKARO'S PSYCHIC MONTAGE OF IMPORTANT POINTS OF HIS LIFE AND HOW THEY DIFFERED FROM THIS REALITY.
Gavasno reeled.
NIKKARO
There, are you satisfied now?
Gavasno's eyes widened as he studied Nikkaro and Sikyatavo.
GAVASNO
You're aliens who are being hunted! Your people are going to come and wipe us out because we live with you!
NIKKARO
But we care too much about you and want to help you survive! The Saili have the right to fight for their survival as much as we do. Sikyatavo and I are quite capable of fighting for our own survival. Help the Saili survive, Gavasno.
GAVASNO
One more question: Are you the Great Forger and the Great Defender, the gods of Sailia?
SIKYATAVO
I am the Great Forger.
NIKKARO
And I am the Great Defender of another dimension. That boy is your untrained Great Defender. Will you please train him so I can go back to my dimension?
GAVASNO
How did you get here?
NIKKARO
I'm not sure. I was battling in my dimension. I was washed by an intense light and hit in the face. When my vision cleared, I was back on Regalis where I was burned in the fire at Bristol and the town was ashes. When I was finding out where I was, your Sannaro appeared with his burns untreated and scabbed over. He told me no one came back after the fire. I began to investigate why the legacy of this reality didn't unfold the way mine did. The details have changed but I still think you can prepare for your war with what you've got with a little work. You'll have a fighting chance for survival if you train Sannaro to fight, Gavasno.
GAVASNO
Okay, I'll help the Saili survive and I'll train Sannaro.
NIKKARO
It's imperative that we stop Verano's genocide of the Kakayu, the combined culture of the Gonkacha and underground. We must force Hiamovi to understand we are meant to be mutated so we will have the aggressive personalities to fight for the Saili and protect the Saili.
GAVASNO
I understand.
NIKKARO
So we will say seige to Verano's Rehabilitation Hospital. I will lead one team, Sikyatavo will lead another. You will lead a team and so will Meturato.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Meturato, please join me, Sikyatavo and Gavasno.
METURATO
Coming.
Once the Gonkacha man joined them, Nikkaro continued.
NIKKARO
Meturato, you'll lead a team to lay seige on a wall of Verano's Rehab Center. We'll each take a wall of the facility and take out the guards. Be careful of the medium rocket launchers each group of guards have. They have limited supply for two shots from each side of the wall. Once the wall guards are down, we'll force entry to the facility to free the patients there. Once we occupy the facility, we'll open up negotiations with Hiamovi. Got it?
CHORUS
Got it.
NIKKARO
We'll have transports drop the teams several hills away from their target wall from different ground approaches and travel on foot to the siege point. Gather your teams together and let's get ourselves ready to go.
Nikkaro sobered when he saw the weapons passed out to each person.
They broke up into the teams and went out to four hover-vans brought in to transport the teams.
Nikkaro watched as each team loaded up, then he climbed into the van where his team was boarded and they pulled out.
Everyone was silent while they made their way to their objective.
Nikkaro crouched down as soon as he leapt out of the van.
NIKKARO
The front gate is two hills away. Stay low and use rocks and brush for cover. When we reach the second rise, either find cover or lay in the prone position as I showed you. Let's move out.
Nikkaro waved his arm out toward the hills.
As the team moved toward the first hill, they fanned out to one line.
Nikkaro used a bush for cover as he climbed up the first hill. He squatted low when he came to the crest.
The watchtower was barely seen as he made his way down.
He was relieved the guards weren’t alerted to their presence.
With the help of a boulder, he carefully climbed the second rise, then laid flat on his belly and pulled the laser rifle off his back.
NIKKARO
All right. Begin fire.
He sighted on a guard on the wall and squeezed the trigger.
The guard collapsed.
The other guard’s eyes widened before he returned fire.
Nikkaro cringed at the energy streams that zapped over his head before he relaxed his cheek against the stock of the rifle, aimed at the other guard and fired.
That guard fell off the wall and thudded to the ground.
Nikkaro turned his attention to the gate guards who had taken cover inside and behind the guard box at the side of the gate.
The guard at the door disappeared for a few seconds, then popped up with a missile cannon on his shoulder and fired.
NIKKARO
Get down!
Nikkaro put his own face in the dirt and covered his head with his arms.
An explosion popped his ears.
He was hit by chunks of dirt. He scanned his team and contacted all, but one.
Just as he propped his body up on his elbows again, the ground shuddered from another missile explosion.
Dirt shot into the air over the southern wall.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Meturato, is your team all right?
METURATO (PSI V.O.)
I have one wounded and one dead, but were still attacking over here.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Gavasno, we’re being bombarded with artillery here and south. Watch out for one on your side.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
I'm watching, Nik.
The guard inside the guard box threw down the empty launcher, pulled out his pistol again and fired his over the half door, then ducked down again.
NIKKARO
Now, San, put the rifle tightly to your cheek and wait for the guard to stand.
Sannaro targeted that guard. As soon as he saw the glint of his silver hair, Sannaro fired.
The guard fell backwards and sprawled on the road.
As the second guard looked down on his colleague’s unmoving body, Sannaro fired again and that guard flopped over the first one.
NIKKARO
Nice shooting.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Are all guards down?
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
All most. We have one more that’s being stubborn.
NIKKARO
Meturato, are all your targets neutralized?
METURATO
Just dropped the last one.
NIKKARO
Good, then join Gavasno to help him down his last.
METURATO
Moving out, boss.
NIKKARO (PSI V.O.)
Sikyatavo, move your team to meet us at the front gate. Let’s go, team!
Nikkaro ran down the hill just as Sikyatavo’s team rounded the left corner.
They joined at the gate.
Nikkaro and Sannaro followed Sikyatavo into the guard box and stood over the threshold of the door.
Sikyatavo went to the control panel and pressed a button.
The gates outside the guard box swung open.
Nikkaro and Sikyatavo rejoined their teams who cheered as they rushed through the gate.
They ran up the drive and stopped at the door.
Nikkaro pushed the energy control to maximum then targeted the door.
A wide beam shot out of Nikkaro's rifle and the metal door shrieked, then imploded.
Nikkaro's ears itched so he whirled around to identify who was behind him.
It was Gavasno and Meturato’s teams who rushed through the gates and closed them again.
Meturato was at the guardhouse with one other from his team while Danylko took the rest of Gavasno and his teams to fan out at the lookouts on the wall.
NIKKARO
Gavasno, come with us.
Gavasno ran up to stand beside Nikkaro.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Nikkaro turned back to the ruined door and waved for them to enter. Nikkaro was in the lead followed by Sikyatavo. He remembered Varanani's mental signature and began to follow it.
NIKKARO
Set your rifles on stun. There’s no reason to kill technicians and orderlies.
Nikkaro turned his rifle back to stun as they prowled through the halls.
Whenever any of the staff was seen, they were shot unconscious.
NIKKARO
Vanrero, Lobadro, take the unconscious staff to a room and lock them in.
NIkkaro peeked into a window and saw a patient tied down.
NIKKARO
This is worse than invading a pirate ship. I wish we could do more for these patients right now but they'll have to wait.
SIKYATAVO
This is just the beginning of the atrocities Verano has done, Nik. For now, let’s concentrate on finding Varanani and stopping Verano.
Nikkaro centered his tracking ability on Varanani and confidently walked down the hall.
NIKKARO
They moved her since I was here last.
SIKYATAVO
I'm not surprised.
NIKKARO
Still, they aren't that good to keep Tauian telepathy from sensing her. How are you doing, Tarek?
SIKYATAVO
I slept for twelve years. I'm itching to hit something.
NIKKARO
Good.
GAVASNO
Tarek?
SIKYATAVO
That's my alien name. Nikky and I tend to call each other by our original names.
GAVASNO
So what is Nikky's real name.
SIKYATAVO
Nikklo.
GAVASNO
Oh, I see, Nikklo and Nikkaro are very similar names.
NIKKARO
I just made it up so people wouldn't confuse the kid version of me with me. I'm used to being called Nik now so I used Nik and let him remain Sannaro. I still call myself Nikklosannaro anyway and I never stopped thinking of myself as Sannaro.
He turned a corner deep inside the facility and slipped into a room.
Varanani was curled in a chair and stared at a picture of rolling hills.
Both Nikkaro and Sannaro rushed up to her.
She turned slowly to them and smiled. She showed them the smudged ball.
VARANANI
You came back.
SANNARO
You have it, sis. You kept it safe for me.
VARANANI
Thank you for answering my prayers, Tsikakayu. Thank you for bringing my brother home.
NIKKARO
You brought me here?
VARANANI
You're the brother with the pretty rainbow halo around you. You promised you'd bring my brother back. He is also a pretty rainbow person. He also promised Sannaro would come home. I didn't tell anyone, I didn't speak again.
SIKYATAVO
You can speak now, Varanani.
VARANANI
Thank you for your permission, Great Forger.
NIKKARO
Rest here, sis. You still need to get well. We'll stop Verano.
VARANANI
Please say hello to the man with the tan long bangs. I'll see him someday.
NIKKARO
Sukochiwa?
VARANANI
Nichawei!
NIKKARO
Ni'nichawei! Sukochiwa?!
SIKYATAVO
Is she speaking Astrisi?!
NIKKARO
It's not possible! This Varanani has never learned Astrisi! What the hell is going on here?
VARANANI
What is here, Nikklosannaro?
NIKKARO
This is Verano's Rehabilitation Center.
VARANANI
Or is it Tarek's nightmare?
NIKKARO
What the hell is she talking about?
SANNARO
It's Sannaro's nightmare.
Sannaro turned to show the shiny gold scabs had returned.
Nikkaro backpedaled to the wall.
Gavasno rushed to his side.
GAVASNO
Work it through, Nikklosannaro. What statement is the truth, here? Where are we?
NIKKARO
Vara, where is Yuri?
VARANANI
Where he belongs.
NIKKARO
Where's Marcayo Daniels?
VARANANI
With Yuri.
NIKKARO
Where is Rakulinea?
VARANANI
She sleeps with her grandmother.
NIKKARO
Adara?
Varanani shook her head.
NIKKARO
Ba'ia?
Varanani shook her head.
NIKKARO
Vara, is Rakulinea with Kellin?
Varanani nodded with tears in her eyes.
Nikklo smacked the wall with his fist.
NIKKARO
We're under Coercer control.
SIKYATAVO
Not good.
GAVASNO
Then why are we all here?
NIKKARO
Because you are people I have trusted with my life.
GAVASNO
Then use us like you've used us in the past. Go on with this dream until you wake. Then you may see the truth.
SANNARO
What does that make me?
NIKKARO
Hope- hope that no matter what is thrown at me or twists me in ways I find painful to see, I will still fight and try to win.
Sannaro looked up and smiled. He gripped the crystal again and his appearance shimmered back to smooth skin.
NIKKARO
Okay, so now that we've found Vara, the next sequence is to go after Verano.
Nikkaro went to the door.
They went down the hall to the lower stairs and slipped down to the lab where Verano should be.
Nikkaro superheated the doors and entered the lab.
Verano was leaned against a table with his arms across this chest.
FOR CLARITY NIKKARO WILL BE CALLED NIKKLO AND SIKYATAVO WILL BE CALLED TAREK
VERANO
You think you're quite clever, Nikklo.
NIKKLO
I don't know. Some people do say I can be a bit dense. I'm not the smartest person in all of reality. I'm just persistent. So since you know my name, I'd like to know yours. Your true name, Coercer.
VERANO
My name doesn't matter.
Nikklo phased to the man and pressed the stock of the rifle into Verano's throat and laid him on the table.
NIKKLO
If I ask, it's because I want to know. I am the ultimate Tauian weapon and my patience is wearing very thin. Do you want to see my core?
Nikklo centered his concentration on his chest and willed it to expand.
Verano's eyes closed tightly.
VERANO
No, please, close it! You'll burn us all!
NIKKLO
Your name, Coercer!
VERANO
Kronil.
Nikklo pressed the rifle into Verano's throat.
NIKKLO
I killed you on Regalis!
VERANO
You thought you did.
NIKKLO
You like to play these mind games! Kellin thought I killed you!
VERANO
I had to make you stop attacking me because you're too physically strong. You don't understand Kellin. As long as you don't understand Kellin, she can use you.
NIKKLO
Really? Tarek was raised by Kellin.
VERANO
That doesn't mean he understands her.
NIKKLO
So if you don't like Kellin either, turn on her.
VERANO
You don't understand.
NIKKLO
Okay, you aggravated Selik to push non-humans out of the Alliance.
VERANO
Yes, you guessed that.
NIKKLO
Kellin is using pirates to further aggravate the Humans into thinking aliens are pirates who force their profiteering ideals on good upstanding Humans. I destroyed Selik so now she has no hold on the Humans. Now what does Kellin have? Internal fighting. Her target of the Astrisi/Saili/Belvans get ignored. Kellin won't be very happy because her favorite soapbox gets ignored. See, I don't know much about Kellin but I do know much about her puppets.
VERANO
She's furious with you.
NIKKLO
I'm Tarek's ultimate weapon but I don't want to use that ultimate weapon. She wants me to use it but I have the trigger, don't I, Kronil? That burns her ass, doesn't it? No matter how unpleasant she makes things for me, I control myself.
Suddenly, the Rehabilitation Center melted away to crystal clear walls.
INT. PRISM SHIP
Nikklo looked down at himself and saw he was in his Tauian form and he was inside a closed electrical current cell.
Not too far from him was Tarek in another closed electrical current cell, trying very hard to wake again.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Well, we broke the dream.
Nikklo stood up to check if there was any weaknesses in the electrical field.
He saw a panel on the wall and Talia was at the controls.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
Talia, you've been here all along?
TALIA (PSI V.O.)
I was Damira. She wanted me to show Nikky what a terrible promiscuous person Tarek is.
NIKKLO (PSI V.O.)
That's why in that dream, Tarek rescued Damira instead of allowing her to die. I don't think that change impacted the altered reality all that much, though. Except to make me realize sooner that there were too many inconsistencies in that reality.
TALIA (PSI V.O.)
I can stay here for a short time. Kellin will want me to go back to watch Linea again soon.
She worked on the controls until the electrical field dropped.
TALIA (PSI V.O.)
Go implement your plan, Nik. I will prevent Kellin from harming your little girl.
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Be safe, sister.
TALIA (PSI V.O.)
Just go end this nightmare, Tarek.
TAREK (PSI V.O.)
Nik and I will end this.
Nikklo locked onto Rakulinea's mental frequency then touched Tarek.
PHASING VISUAL
Nikklo and Tarek appeared in fully furnished Human style living room. In an overstuffed chair sat Kellin holding Rakulinea.
KELLIN
Oh, isn't she darling? Too bad her mother and her grandfather are scoundrels.
Rakulinea disappeared and reappeared on Nikklo's shoulder.
KELLIN
I see where your loyalties lie, disrespectful brat!
TAREK
Respect has to be earned and you have not earned it. You have put my family through hell.
KELLIN
You put my family through hell by your sister and you being born!
TAREK
I can't change that my father chose infidelity yet you blame us for it. I'm sorry for your pain but stop hurting us for a choice made beyond our control, Kellin! Rakulinea had nothing to do with the past you hold on to!
KELLIN
How dare you!
NIKKLO
How dare you subject me to seeing a nightmare of being left behind, twisted, wild and unloved!
KELLIN
You're pathetic, Nikklo! I wanted you to see that I actually saved your life, you ungrateful brat! Do you think you were the first to use Tauian phasing abilities to put out an underground fire? That mountain would have been closed to everyone and left to burn for centuries if I hadn't sent my loyal Astrophasers to put out the fire without succumbing to the horrible gasses billowing from underground!
Nikklo stared at her in stunned silence for a minute.
NIKKLO
Okay, I can see that you did save those people by using Tauian fire suppression tactics but you still allowed the current residents of Bristol to be afflicted with the Gelstone parasite and that shows your grudge has made you sick and you refuse to face it!
Kellin leapt from the chair and threw a lamp at Nikklo.
Nikklo launched a wave of energy that disintegrated the lamp and launched Kellin over the chair to slam into the wall.
NIKKLO
You caused a whole lot more pain to people then anyone caused to you!
MoNTAGE OF the Bristol fire
MONTAGE OF Brocana running away from flaming gelstone that launched through the air to set the foliage ablaze
MONTAGE OF the Zurans storming through towns indiscriminately shooting anything that moved
MONTAGE OF Di'ok being tortured with the neural stimulator as he was interrogated for information to defeat the Astrisi
NIKKLO
How dare we? How dare you!
Kellin exchanged forms. Her crystal shell was spider-webbed with cracks. She crashed to the floor.
KELLIN
You shattered my carapace!
NIKKLO
You knew I was the most powerful Tauian in existence but you refused to give up your grudge.
Tarek squatted down over her.
TAREK
I'm sorry, mother. We had to stop you. We'll take you to New Sailia and the Tauians who live there will care for you.
KELLIN
And leave me to a life as an invalid? Your cruelty knows no bounds, Tarek!
TAREK
I thought I was being merciful.
KELLIN
If you want to be merciful, shatter my core!
NIKKLO
As my friend Marcayo said to a Brocana with a death wish, I will not give you a cowards release. Choose your own method of suicide. I don't want your blood on my hands!
Kronil rushed through the door with a crystal pole in his hands and impaled Kellin.
KRONIL (PSI V.O.)
She'll never hurt you again and neither will I.
Kronil pulled the pole from Kellin's body and thrust it through his chest.
He fell over Kellin's still body.
TAREK
Kronil finally defied her.
NIKKLO
No, Tarek, that was his last service to her and he did it willingly.
Nikklo hugged Rakulinea as she trembled.
NIKKLO
I'm so sorry you witnessed that, Linea.
LINEA (PSI V.O.)
She hurt Mommy-daddy. Now she won't hurt mommy-daddy and gampa ever again.
NIKKLO
Let's leave this horrible place.
They returned to the energy cells where Talia, Varanani and Gavasno still waited for them.
TAUIAN NIKKLO AND TAUIAN TAREK PHASING VISUAL
INT. TAUIAN CITY, NEW SAILIA - DAY
TAREK
I have a gift for Linea.
Tarek brought out a new Tauian pendant. The necklace was filigreed and more like a gorget.
TAREK
The ornate metal georgette that attaches to the crystal is a telepathic device that picks up Linea's thoughts and speaks for her out loud.
Linea phased to the floor before Tarek.
Tarek affixed the georgette around her neck.
A LITTLE GIRL'S VOICE SOUNDS FROM THE GEORGETTE NECKLACE
LINEA
It makes me talk?
Linea's eyes widened.
LINEA
You can hear me now?
NIKKLO
Yes, Lini, we can hear you now.
LINEA
I have to call you Daddy now everyone can hear me.
NIKKLO
Yes, you do. Aunt Talia will work with you to speak better but you'll eventually have to join Astrisi school to begin your training.
TAREK
She won't speak on her own because she was born unable to manipulate her vocal folds. Her genetics did not form correctly due to your gender mosaic physiology that wasn't fully able to take the pregnancy but we can compensate for her disability.
TALIA
We're free of her tyranny now. Thank you, Nikklo.
NIKKLO
I'm glad I was finally able to free the Tauians.
Linea phased back to Nikklo's shoulders and wrapped her arms around his head.
GAVASNO
Can I say something about the nightmare?
NIKKLO
That wasn't a true memory.
GAVASNO
That's obvious but the untrained version of you was just as courageous and brave as you were Astrisi trained.
NIKKLO
He was still based on my personality.
TAREK
He could have still learned the training to become an excellent warrior because Nikklo was still within him.
NIKKLO
And now I have to return to Euryanassa to see how we can clean up this mess with the Terran alliance. Kellin nearly wrecked this whole region of space with her vendetta.
TAREK
You know the Saili, New Saili and Tauians will support your efforts to repair relationships.
NIKKLO
It will take us all to fix this mess.
VARANANI
Kellin thought my presence in the nightmare will serve to establish the images validity but I fought her. I have a doctorate in Psychology. The coercer's weapon is psychology.
NIKKLO
You showed again you're a great warrior, Vara. You broke the coercer's control. You fought them with their own weapons. Thank you, Varanani.
VARANANI
I am your warrior, Tsikakayu.
NIKKLO
We should go home to tell everyone we're all right.
LINEA
I want to hug Chali Cheri. She is very worried.
NIKKLO
You and me both, baby. Let's go home.
Varanani put her hand on Nikklo's forearm.
VARANANI
Let's go home.
TAUIAN NIKKLO PHASING VISUAL
INT. BRIDGE, EURYANASSA
They appeared on the bridge.
Cherna met them and hugged Nikklo.
CHERNA
Nikky, you're back and you found Vara and Linea!
MARC
We were so worried all of you disappeared!
NIKKLO
When I killed Selik, Kellin was enraged and kidnapped the three of us to place us in a dream state to force me to agree with her that Tarek was truly despicable and I was too wild an inept. Vara was instrumental in breaking the coercer's control.
MARC
Did you stop Kellin?
NIKKLO
Kellin is dead but not by my hands.
MARC
Who did it?
NIKKLO
I shattered her carapace in a fight. Tarek was going to allow her to ask crystallines to help heal her but she chose to have Kronil kill her by her request. I'm glad that's over.
MARC
I thought you killed Kronil on Regalis?
NIKKLO
I thought so too but Kronil was a master coercer who even fooled Kellin for a time before he showed up again at her prism ship. Now that the coercer control is broken, we have to find out how the Humans will react to being free of control and what they want to do about their shattered alliance.
MARC
I can ask my father to report on the Humans before we make a move.
NIKKLO
You do that while I settle my family again. I'm worn out and need some time to rest.
MARC
You do that and I'll man the bridge.
NIKKLO
Thanks, Marc.
Nikklo lead his family to their quarters with great anticipation toward dreamless sleep.
FADE OUT.
THE END