Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“FESTIVAL OF SHIPS”
EPISODE 21 – SUPPLY RUN
BY: LYSSA THORNE
SUPER: Reincarnation can be great. You can start anew. All the memories wiped clean. Until you wake up and all the forgotten memories slam you. In the beginning, I went by the name Sannaro. That was only half of the problem.
FADE IN:
INT. UPPER FLIGHT BAY
Sannaro sat inside his fighter-plane on the Astrisi spaceship Kumani to help his engineer fit a new seat that was torn up by a shrapnel shard that punched through his fuselage on the starboard side.
Around him, the Upper Flight Deck was milling with engineers and pilots who were also servicing their own fighter-planes and shuttles in the vast two-story high deck that was several kilometers in length.
DI'OK (V.O.)
Final approach to Ilbari in five minutes. Landing party, prepare- Hold that-
Sannaro peeked over the edge of the cockpit of his fighter-plane.
SANNARO
I wonder what that's all about?
Zhuni straddled the nose of the fighter.
ZHUNI
Don't know, San. So, is that new seat placed right so you can work the foot-pedals?
SANNARO
Houk.
ZHUNI
Well, if you’d grow a few more meters, it wouldn't take so long to customize your seat!
SANNARO
Well, that's not likely.
DI'OK (V.O.)
Cancel, landing party. Sannaro, report to Filp.
He climbed out and slid down the side of the ship to the deck.
SANNARO
Finish that seat, Zhuni, I’ve a feeling I'll be needing her.
ZHUNI
She'll be ready.
ZHUNI (PSI V.O.)
Oh how I wish I was Cherna. Look at the rippling muscles on that golden boy and that flight-suit leaves little to the imagination! That boy’s short, but he’s all man.
He continued quickly through the rows of fighter ships to the forward wall where the pilot's lounge and offices were located to cover the blush on his face.
After he entered, he went to up the stairs to Filp's office.
Filp wore a black flight-suit with a white panels reclined in his chair with his white booted feet propped on the desk.
FILP
Sannaro, Lazha’s worried about planet Ilbari. This was supposed to be our last stop before we went on to the Festival Of Ships, but communications say they get nothing from this planet, total silence.
SANNARO
I'm no com-specialist, but couldn't they have sensor problems or the interstellar radio is out?
Filp slapped his feet onto the floor and leaned in toward the desk.
FILP
Houk, but we'd still pick up local chatter. Ilbari has none so Lazha wants me to send my watch team down to do a sweep. Take all of your team. Go down armed and ready to fight. I'm going to stand the other teams on alert pending on what you find.
SANNARO
All of my team?
FILP
Arcas is standing watch today?
Filp smoothed the dark red sash to lay down the length of his left thigh as if it was a reminder that he was the senior Vizha'e.
SANNARO
Then I’m standing watch tomorrow with the other half of the team.
FILP
I’m aware of that.
SANNARO
Wanting a whole team to go is unusual.
He stood up and leaned across the desk.
FILP
Well, that's what I'm telling you to do. Watch for pirates. Scramble Red team.
Sannaro turned on his heels and left the office, relieved to leave the temperamental senior. He went back down the stairs to the flight lounge below the offices.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Arcas, Akki, Saru, No'al, Da'iu Tisa, report to flight lounge immediately.
A man with strawberry-blond hair stopped beside him. He was wearing a black flight suit with a red panel down the front and a yellow sash worn around his waist with one red stripe on the tail that indicated he was Sannaro's Assistant Team-leader.
ARCAS
What's up, San?
Three other men looked up from various activities in the room. The first man was Akki, Sannaro’s dark haired bomber who rode with his assistant team-leader Arcas. Next was the white-blond haired pilot named Saru, and after him was the stocky tan haired man called No'al.
SANNARO
Wait.
He grabbed his flight helmet from the lockers against the wall across from the stairs. He took a cloth then scooted up on a table to clean the face plate while the other man sat down on a couch.
When the petite brown-haired woman and a black haired man came in, Sannaro laid down the cloth, sprung off the table and waved for them to sit.
SANNARO
Filp told me Lazha wants our whole team to do a sweep of Ilbari.
ARCAS
The whole team?
SANNARO
The whole team, Arcas.
SARU
But Ilbari’s settled. We don't do sweeps over settled planets!
SANNARO
But something doesn't feel right. Lazha told Filp, communications couldn't get any response.
TISA
Not even an approach warning?
SANNARO
Complete silence, Tisa.
AKKI
That’s odd.
SANNARO
That's why we're to be on our guard. Filp suspects pirates.
DA'IU
We've seen thousands of pirate attacks, but never have they trashed the place where we didn't get some communication!
NO'AL
Da'iu's right.
SANNARO
Then, let's get down there and find out who did it!
SANNARO
Filp told me Lazha wants our whole team to do a sweep of Ilbari.
ARCAS
The whole team?
SANNARO
The whole team, Arcas.
SARU
But Ilbari’s settled. We don't do sweeps over settled planets!
SANNARO
But something doesn't feel right. Lazha told Filp, communications couldn't get any response.
TISA
Not even an approach warning?
SANNARO
Complete silence, Tisa.
AKKI
That’s odd.
SANNARO
That's why we're to be on our guard. Filp suspects pirates.
DA'IU
We've seen thousands of pirate attacks, but never have they trashed the place where we didn't get some communication!
NO'AL
Da'iu's right.
SANNARO
Then, let's get down there and find out who did it!
Just then, the alert klaxons rang and the bay surged with the activities of fighters being prepared for launch as Arcas, piloting the two-seater with Akki the team’s bomber, Da'iu and Saru climbed into their fighter-ships that were already prepared.
Sannaro, No'al and Tisa climbed into their hastily readied fighter-ships.
Sannaro took an extra minute to settle in to feel his new seat and was finally satisfied it was installed correctly before he strapped in.
SANNARO
All systems ready?
ARCAS (V.O.)
Houk.
Arcas, Da'iu and Saru’s ships taxied past the rows of parked fighters to a large lighted rectangle.
SANNARO
See you outside.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Red B Team, ready to be positioned.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, Red B, platforms engaged.
LOUDSPEAKER (V.O.)
Warning: hydraulic platform One engaged.
The large platform rose off the floor toward the ceiling with his teammates on it until it clanked into place in the ceiling.
Shortly, he felt a shudder and heard the boom of the catapults throwing his teammate’s Vizha'i into space.
LOUDSPEAKER (V.O.)
Warning: Hydraulic platform One engaged.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Red A, engaging electromagnetic pulleys.
They were quickly pulled into the place the first three ships had just vacated and they were raised up into the launch bay on top of the Kumani.
His ship taxied forward and the catapult crews checked the electromagnetic pulleys in his landing pads to make sure they were secure.
Then they pumped their arms toward the lighted control tower behind Sannaro’s ship. The cat crew ran to the safety area.
Sannaro concentrated on the light board above the launch tubes. He started his engines.
The red light turned to green and his head spun from the sudden velocity as his ship was hurled into space, but he recovered with practiced ease and punched his ship into forward thrust.
His three ships joined the first three. They reconfigured into a delta formation with Sannaro in the lead and they headed toward the planet.
When he and his team broke through the clouds, they studied the terrain.
TISA (V.O.)
Seems quiet to me.
SANNARO
That's what's bothering Lazha. No'al, you and I’ll land at Huron City. Arcas, you and the others will cover us from the air.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Got you, San.
Sannaro and No'al lowered to the ground.
At ground level, the view outside the canopy transformed into a grisly sight of charred
bodies strewn all over the ground.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Butchers!
SANNARO
Men, women and children, all dead. Let's check the buildings and see if there are any survivors.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Houk.
Sannaro popped his canopy. He slid down the side of his ship, drew his laser and cautiously wandered the settlement from house to house. It was all the same, charred bodies and buildings stripped of everything, but the shells.
SANNARO
No'al, what are you seeing?
NO'AL (V.O.)
This isn't pirates work, San.They don't take everything, just what interests them!
SANNARO
Do you see buildings bared to the walls and dead people? I even only sense you, No'al. Even residual memories are just of mass killing but no one doing the killing? Strange.
NO'AL (V.O.)
It's sickening. I hate pirates, but even they don't massacre like this!
SANNARO
Return to your ship, I've seen all I need.
NO'AL (V.O.)
Or want to see!
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, I see a ship! Configuration, unknown! It's raising from the dark side of the planet!
Sannaro broke into a run.
SANNARO
We're coming, Arcas! No'al!
NO'AL (V.O.)
Coming!
Sannaro sprinted toward his fighter-ship, leapt onto the sloping wing, then onto the edge of the cockpit and dropped into his seat. He fired up the engines without the pre-flight check, hovered it off the ground and climbed full throttle into the air.
Within minutes, Sannaro and No'al regrouped with the rest of the team and they flew toward the unknown ship.
It was painted dark with a graduated design of three levels so it looked like a snake arched for the attack.
SANNARO
Let’s take this killer out.
When Sannaro saw their laser bolts rock the ship, but no damage was evident, he was stunned. A pirate ship would’ve been limping after that kind of barrage!
Then, a laser bolt lanced toward them. They scattered to avoid it.
Sannaro's cockpit crackled with energy and his sensors went crazy for a few seconds even though he'd well avoided the volley.
SANNARO
That wasn't a regular laser canon that threw that!
Sannaro scanned through the data base of known ship configurations.
SANNARO
A Gasbajan Sjujeenya?!
DA'IU (V.O.)
Gasbajan?
NO'AL (V.O.)
That's rachi! Sjujeenyas haven't been seen by Astrisi for two-hundred years!
TISA (V.O.)
They're gone, San!
ARCAS (V.O.)
That's no hyper-drive I've ever seen! It transferred too close to the planet!
FILP (V.O.)
Return to ship.
LAZHA (V.O.)
I want a personal report, Sannaro.
SANNARO
But other ships may be around, Lazha!
FILP (V.O.)
The other teams have scrambled. They'll sweep the rest of the planet.
SANNARO
Houk, returning to ship.
They slipped into the upper landing bay.
No'al's, Tisa's and his fighters were lowered on the hydraulic platform down into the flight deck.
They heard the thunder of the other teams launching on the forward side of the control tower and the crash-wall.
As soon as his, No'al's and Tisa's fighters were lowered on the hydraulic platform down into the flight deck and he was pulled into the refuel and rearm area for post-flight maintenance, Sannaro shut down and slipped out of his ship before the deck crew could bring over a ladder.
SANNARO
Stand down, No'al. You and Tisa join Arcas, Saru, Da'iu and Akki in the flight lounge until I return. I'm going to Lazha.
NO'AL
Houk, San.
He and Tisa began to jog toward the pilots lounge.
Sannaro rushed over to an elevator and slipped in.
SANNARO
Bridge.
The elevator began to move. In minutes, it opened onto a busy corridor.
He turned left and went through a heavy bulkhead into a loft with every inch of the wall lined with machinery and consoles to the left.
To the right was a banister overlooking a lower floor.
On the far wall at the fore was a large view screen with many smaller screens around it.
The large screen showed a view of the planet Ilbari while the others showed different views ranging from on-board Vizha'i to any ship-wide information.
Several meters away from it began a whole series of computer boards in a horseshoe shape.
More stations lined the walls and Sannaro knew that under the loft was the Communications control station.
In the middle of the room was a comfortable-looking chair.
Standing beside it was a slender woman of average height with fire-red hair flowing down her back, wearing a rainbow colored blouse. Around her waist was a black sash with the symbol of a green four-pointed star overlaid with a countered blue four-pointed star and yellow diamonds blossoming from the center and capped with red chevrons embroidered on the tails. Her pants were dark green and close-fitting, tucked into black boots.
Sannaro turned right at a narrow staircase and bounded down it. He stopped beside the woman with the red hair who still stood a few inches taller than him.
LAZHA
I was monitoring the tower. I heard you say the ship you saw was a Gasbajan Sjujeenya?
SANNARO
That was my computer’s ID of the ship.
She moved to a computer console and tapped something in.
The screen lit up with a design schematic of the same graduated levels.
LAZHA
Is that what you saw?
SANNARO
Houk, but how could it be a Gasbajan Sjujeenya? Every Astrisi knows the Gasbajans are extinct except for a few survivors who integrated themselves into the Astrisi. Did some survive unknown to the Astrisi?
LAZHA
Impossible. They all died in a war over two hundred years ago in the defense of an ally and when the fighting wiped out their home world!
SANNARO
Then who are these people and how did they get a Sjujeenya?
LAZHA
If I knew the answers I would tell you! What did you see on Ilbari?
SANNARO
All dead. They were fried to ash, shot by high-powered lasers. Then everything was taken to the bare walls.
DI'OK
Lazha, flight control tower reports planet’s clear. No ships, no survivors.
LAZHA
Tell Filp to call them back and when they're in, I want him in my office,
DI'OK
Houk, Lazha.
LAZHA
Then, call the Bureau of Space Transportation and give them a report. Tell them an unknown force has plundered Ilbari. There were no survivors.
DI'OK
Houk.
He whirled back to his communications board and his fingers flew over the controls.
LAZHA
Zhinar, as soon as control tower reports all Vizha'i are in, plot a course to Belvas for supplies.
ZHINAR
Houk, Lazha.
SANNARO
Aren't we going to chase that Gasbajan vessel? They killed a whole colony!
LAZHA
They're untraceable now, Sannaro. They've got a thirty-minute head start and we can do nothing more for the colonists. Let the Terran Allied Defense Force investigate this attack. We have a Festival to attend.
SANNARO
But, that wasn't an ordinary raid! Those buildings were cleared all the way to the children's toys! The residual images I saw was only people dying, not who killed them!
LAZHA
Sannaro, the colonists are dead and the vultures who did it are beyond sensor range. The ADF is more capable of handling this than we are and we have a responsibility to the other eleven ships to attend the Festival. I see this incident’s upset you greatly. You need someone to talk to. I regret I’m busy. Di'ok, call for relief if you have your messages sent. Your friend needs consolation.
DI'OK
Houk.
Di'ok relayed the message. As soon as the relief came, he slipped off his headset and handed it over. Di'ok pulled Sannaro toward the stairs.
DI'OK
Come on, San, let's go to your place.
INT. SANNARO'S APARTMENT
Sannaro and Di'ok enter Sannaro's apartment. Sannaro leans against the back of his couch.
SANNARO
I don't understand why Lazha had you come with me.
DI'OK
San, I’m sure Lazha would've liked to help those people, but we came too late!
SANNARO
It’s never too late, Di'ok! Are those monsters going to go to the next populated planet and kill them, too?
DI'OK
Hey, we tried to trace their trail, but we couldn’t find one! Arcas said what they used was no hyper-drive he’d ever seen!
SANNARO
I know what Arcas said!
DI'OK
Let the ADF find these beings! They might be there when those creatures show up again. You're just too upset about the whole thing.
SANNARO
Ha, upset?! You should have seen Ilbari, it was-
DI'OK
Like Regalis?
Sannaro choked.
DI'OK
We didn't mean for so many to die there, San. Even when your people the Saili did an investigation because of us taking you, the court ruled our attack of Regalis as self defense because they refused us any fuel when we were almost ready to burn up in its atmosphere.
SANNARO
I know.
The front door opened. Cherna hugged Sannaro.
DI'OK
San says it was as bad as Regalis.
CHERNA
You’re in shock. Maybe we need to take you to see Zhad.
SANNARO
Nui, I’m fine.
CHERNA
In an eye of a plasma storm! When we’re touching, I know what you’re feeling, Sannaro.
DI'OK
I sure wish I already had my mate.
CHERNA
You will when we get to the Us’uata Os Huen, brother. I’m sure someone will want you.
Sannaro snorted and broke into laughter.
DI'OK
And fausa to you, too, Sannaro Damirateyak!
The doorbell chimed and Sannaro answered it.
A man who wore a white baldric that identified him as a Protocol Enforcer was at the door.
SU'AR
You're getting too loud, San, first warning.
SANNARO
Houk, Su'ar, we'll be quieter.
SU'AR
Good.
EXIT SU'AR
Sannaro shut the door and snickered. Then, it turned into a hearty laugh.
Di'ok tried to control himself, but soon he was laughing, too.
CHERNA
Both of you breathe deeply and stop laughing before Su'ar comes back and gives us citations!
Sannaro and Di'ok obediently breathed deeply and calmed down.
DI'OK
Ooh, I can't wait until the Festival!
Sannaro grinned.
FILP (V.O.)
Attention, all Team-leaders report to the Flight Council Room. All Team-leaders, report to the Flight Council Room.
SANNARO
Oh, got to go. That's probably Filp wanting to tell us the new flight plan since we can't get our supplies from Ilbari.
DI'OK
Later, San.
Cherna pecked Sannaro on the cheek before he slipped out.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. UPPER FLIGHT DECK
The elevator opened onto the vast maintenance bay.
He hurried through the safety lanes to the pilots lounge.
Immediately, he was met by his team.
ARCAS
So what's up, San?
SANNARO
I don't know yet. I need to get to the conference room. Once the meeting’s over, I'll have something to report.
He bounded up the stairs and strode down the hall to the second door on the left. The door whooshed opened at his approach.
He entered the room that had an oval table with six chairs around it.
Filp and a man with dark brown hair with a fleshy turned-up nose, wearing blue panels on his black flight-suit already claimed two of them. He wore a red sash with a dark red stripe on the tail of his sash.
Sannaro moved to a chair beside the man in blue and sat down.
SANNARO
Ki'iwa, Hadah.
HADAH
Ki'iwa, San.
A woman wearing yellow and a man in purple came through the door, nodded to the three and sat down beside Sannaro. They wore the same unadorned red sash as Sannaro wore.
NO'AMA
As usual, Noki is late.
ESLIN
He'd be late to his own funeral,
No'ama.
NO'AMA
That's not nice, Eslin!
SANNARO
Hush, he's coming.
No'ama gave Sannaro's shoulder-length hair a playful tug.
The door opened and a man with blond hair with a green paneled flight-suit rushed in.
NOKI
I was down on the Lower Flight Deck.
FILP
I don't care if you were in the engine's reactor core! I always have to wait on you. Let's begin.
Noki frowned and sat in the last chair.
FILP (CONT.)
In five hours and thirty-two minutes, we’ll be pulling into orbit around Belvas. We’ll arrive during their early evening and will maintain orbit until their morning. When businesses open, all teams, except Noki's green team, will haul supplies. Noki, your team’ll be on watch then. The rest of you begin assigning your teams to shuttles. Your palm computers have a certain number of shuttle units assigned to each team already entered in it for each of you to access. I want all pilot assignments entered into my computer no less than 3 hours from now and the pilots doing pre-flight activities no later than then. Let's go to work.
Sannaro jumped out of his chair and followed Filp.
SANNARO
Filp, half my team just got off watch! They haven't slept since 1700 hours last night, they're too tired to pilot anything and I was supposed to have the next watch.
Filp whirled around just inside his office and glared down at Sannaro.
FILP
You just flew so you’re off the roster. It's 0915 hours, Team-leader. I suggest your wing get some sleep between now and 1300.
SANNARO
But!
FILP
You're dismissed.
Filp sat in his chair and became intent on a stack of printouts on his desk.
Sannaro whirled and strode out into the hall, seething. He bumped into Eslin. Eslin patted Sannaro’s shoulder.
ESLIN
Come on, San, you should feel lucky, the other half of your team doesn't have to stand watch.
SANNARO
Small consolation.
All of the sudden, fingers poked his side. Sannaro wiggled.
SANNARO
No'ama!
She groaned and shook her fingers.
NO'AMA
Oh, I forgot your sides are so hard, I stubbed my fingers!
SANNARO
Hard? You mean firm.
She blew on her finger.
NO'AMA
Nui, I meant hard, metal boy!
SANNARO
Come to my office, No'ama. Since I've gotten my leader's sash, I've hardly had the time to visit the Lower Flight Deck.
He walked into an office across from the Council room beside Hadah’s office.
NO'AMA
Sure, I can assign shuttles from your office.
Sannaro grinned as he sat in his chair.
No'ama sat in a comfortable stuffed chair in the corner.
SANNARO
So, how’s the old team?
NO'AMA
Haiku’s just as lucky as ever he hasn't gotten vaped yet. Eron’s still the levelheaded straight flier. Di'eta's even more the sharpshooter. And we still miss Cona and Dorvo.
SANNARO
That was a sad loss. I'm sure Vaki and Hari’ll fit with your team well as the others adjusts to them.
NO'AMA
They will, in time. Hey, San, don't let Filp anger you so.
SANNARO
It's still not fair, No'ama! Half of my team just got off watch and all of them have undergone a very traumatic experience on Ilbari.
NO'AMA
Nobody ever said Senior Team-leaders had to be fair, San. It sounds like Lazha wants the supplies bought and transported on board quickly.
SANNARO
But my team will still be tired.
NO'AMA
Filp gave you enough hours to get a nap before you fly. That’s about as fair as he’s going to give you. I never said the one who wears the red sash has it easy.
SANNARO
You’re right.
Sannaro and No'ama finished assigning shuttles.
INT. FLIGHT LOUNGE
Sannaro was starting down the stairs.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Is the team still in the Ready room, Arc?
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Houk, San.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Keep them. I'm coming down to do a mission briefing.
As soon as he stepped off the stairs, he was surrounded by a crowd of his team.
ARCAS
What the hell, San? We were just told we are off watch and Green is taking over!
SANNARO
I'm not exactly smiling.
DA'IU
What's going on, San? I was just ready to go to bed!
SARU
Houk, we just got off. Why'd you call us back?
SANNARO
Quiet.
ARCAS
We need to calm down so he'll tell us what's going on.
They grudgingly settled into chairs.
SANNARO
No'al, Tisa and I don't have to stand watch, tonight.
DA'IU
We stood last night and you three don't?
AKKI
There has to be a reasonable explanation.
SANNARO
We now have shuttle detail at 1300.
ARCAS
Supernova!
AKKI
I as well?
SANNARO
Even bombers. Report back here at 1240. Until then, get to bed.
Sannaro walked out onto the flight line. As soon as the door closed, he staggered and leaned against the wall, then recovered.
Unfortunately, his team followed him complaining. Sannaro pushed through them.
SANNARO
If you want to follow me to the gym, it's your choice, but I strongly recommend you go to bed.
As Sannaro walked through the flight line to the elevator, people dropped from the procession until only Arcas remained.
SANNARO
You won't be able to pick up my stack.
ARCAS
I don't intend to. I just wonder when you’re going to stop letting our emotions hurt you.
SANNARO
I'm better than I use to be. I'm learning. Now, go to bed.
ARCAS
What about you?
SANNARO
I'm fine, I just need to pound this anger out of me before I punch a hole through a bulkhead.
Sannaro touched the call button for the elevator.
ARCAS
Then you'll sleep?
SANNARO
I'm not that tired. I wasn't up all night, but you were. I'll just work out a while and then I'll go home and relax.
ARCAS
Okay.
EXIT ARCAS
INT. GYMNASIUM
Sannaro sighed, glad to be alone as he walked into to the gym.
Inside, he saw Di'ok working out on a leg press.
He took the next leg press and put the pin in the bottom of the stack. He settled in and heaved the weights up with a roar.
DI'OK
A little irritated?
Sannaro slammed the stack on the top bar.
DI'OK (CONT.)
What's up?
SANNARO
Di'ok, if you weren't my best friend, I'd throw you through the wall!
He banged the stack down.
DI'OK
Who is it now?
SANNARO
Filp!
Sannaro slammed them up again.
EDAT
Don't you raise those again!
Edat picked up four five-pound bars and stacked them on the other weights.
Sannaro’s legs shook with the strain as he slowly brought the weights back down.
SANNARO
I can't lift that, Edat!
Sannaro dropped his legs heavily to the floor.
EDAT
Then stop slamming the stack!
Edat pulled the added weights off and walked away.
Sannaro stood up, moved to the lateral arm press and again heaved the whole stack.
Sannaro stopped in midair and studied Di'ok.
SANNARO
My blood’s so hot right now, our metal workers could shape steel over me and you're asking me why I'm not in bed?
DI'OK
Then, do you want to go with me to get my red armband?
SANNARO
Nui, I need to work out this anger then I'll get some rest.
Sannaro brought the bar down then stood up.
DI'OK
All right, na'ila'ahina.
Sannaro moved over to the practice area. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a pair of small two sided knifes with small handles between the blades. He spun them in the palm of his hands as he positioned himself in the center of the mat. He struck an attack pose, snapped his hands shut around the center handle then began to twirl the blades in his hands as he swiped the air with the knives, kicked, whirled and leapt around the mat.
SANNARO
Throwing!
He whirled again to give everyone around him time to clear away from the targets on the wall. When he sensed all was clear, he flicked one, then the other from his hands. The wall shook as the blades sunk into the center of the chest on one and the neck on the other.
EDAT
Good siche work, San. But with your mood, I prefer you use do'ike with no target practice.
SANNARO
I’m done anyway.
Sannaro picked up a towel from a stack against the wall and wiped his face. He retrieved the siche and replaced them in the cabinet, then left to go to his quarters.
INT. SANNARO'S APARTMENT
He walked through the door of his apartment and immediately faced her bright blue eyes who studied him questioningly.
SANNARO
I stopped by the gym for a little workout.
He strode into their bedroom. He wasn't surprised when she followed him.
SANNARO
I smell like a foundry.
He released the harness on his air tank and lowered it to the floor.
She gripped the stretch material at his neck and pulled it down over his shoulders.
CHERNA
I think it's sexy!
Cherna kissed Sannaro.
His arms were pinned to his sides, but he still pulled in.
She pulled the flight suit farther down to his waist then caressed his naked chest and stomach.
SANNARO
Mm, you’re feeling frisky, but I really need a shower.
CHERNA
Later.
Cherna licked the two points of his left ear.
Sannaro arched his neck and shivered.
CHERNA
You're not mad anymore.
SANNARO
Sometimes I don't know what to do with you.
CHERNA
I know what to do with you!
Cherna licked his ear.
He gasped and arched his back.
SANNARO
Now you're torturing me. I really need to take a shower and we both need to relax until the mission or Filp will have my butt.
CHERNA
Not before I do.
SANNARO
Why did I ever agree to let you declare me as your mate?
CHERNA
Easy, I just stroke your ear and you'll do anything for me.
SANNARO
Fausa, you are trouble!
He pulled his arms out of his sleeves and went to the shower.
INT. EARTH SPACE STATION
At the space-station above Earth, the Governing planet for the Terran Alliance, Marc Daniels stood within the safety area waiting for an Earth shuttle to settle down on a landing pad, barely able to contain his excitement. The big day was approaching and it wasn't coming soon enough.
Finally a brown-haired man with a slim face who stood a few inches taller than him stepped out of the shuttle. Marc moved to his partner Jim Meyers.
MARC
Oh, Jim, Ny'ala says they picked out Amber’s wedding dress yesterday! She says it’s so beautiful, I’m going to die when I see her!
JIM
Please, not on your wedding night.
MARC
Ugh. That was a terrible joke.
JIM
Thank you. Are we still going to find my tuxedo tonight?
MARC
That’s the plan.
He stepped in the door to the inner area of the space-station.
They continued down several hallways until they came to doors marked Interstellar Space Police: Sol-Lunar Division and passed through them.
At the first intersection beyond the front desk, they greeted the Captain who was talking to the officer who manned the front desk, then they took a left.
The end of the hall had a door labeled Men's Locker Room.
They entered. Second row, four lockers down they walked and pressed their thumbs into a sensor pad. Both lockers clicked open.
MARC
We’ve decided on classic black tuxes. My father hates any other color.
A tall, skinny, blond man strode up to them.
PETE
Meyers, Daniels.
JIM
What’s up, Pete?
PETE
Patterson told me when I saw you two to tell you he wants to see you in his office.
MARC
What did we do now?
Marc grunted as he pulled his stretchy skintight police jumpsuit on to his shoulders.
PETE
I don’t know, Marc.
JIM
Thanks, Pete.
Both guys sat down on the bench to pull their boots on and sealed their airtight boots with a lever at the back of the calf.
Next, they secured their pistol belts around their waists and buckled the thigh strap.
Last, they clipped their helmets to their other side, snatched up their gloves, closed up and left for Commander Patterson’s office.
They went down stairs to the arms room, signed out their pistols and secured them in the holsters.
They returned to the upper floor and went to the commander's office beside the briefing room.
PATTERSON
Have a seat. I’ve got orders here for you two to report to the Speaker of the Council of Representatives.
He gave each a copy.
JIM
Strange. Do you know what for?
PATTERSON
I can’t explain it any more than you can. They’ve requested you wear your ISP uniform without firearms, but the firearms are to still be issued to you.
MARC
How odd.
JIM
Well, then I guess we better get to our new assignment.
Jim stood up and clasped Patterson's hand.
Marc stood up and took Patterson’s hand.
PATTERSON
I do wish you weren’t going, Marc. You’ve been an outstanding rookie even if I almost lost you several times because the Alien Integration Bureau didn’t like how you handled some of your incidents.
MARC
Yeah.
JIM
Let’s go, Marc.
Marc lingered a bit longer before he followed Jim back to the locker room.
They took off their boots and tucked them into gym bags, then put their civilian clothes over the jumpsuit and put their regular shoes on.
They cleared out their lockers and slipped their nameplates out. Then they went to the arms room and handed in their pistols.
MALIA
Jim, Rumors are flying everywhere and Patterson just announced you and Marc are reassigned?
JIM
We don’t understand it either, Malia.
Jim handed her the orders.
Malia quickly scanned it.
MALIA
This makes no sense!
JIM
I’ll tell you about it tonight, honey. We need to get going.
Jim kissed her.
Marc soberly saw Jim look back once more before they retraced their steps to the shuttle bay.
The two stood in quiet thought as they awaited the next shuttle.
JIM
Hey, Marc, the shuttle’s here.
He followed Jim on board and settled down in a seat beside Jim.
As the shuttle took off.
Suddenly the firing of the retro jets startled him out of his reverie and with it came remembrance of what was happening to him now. In fact, the shuttle was settling down on a landing pad at the Houston Spaceport.
JIM
Hey, partner, you’re pretty preoccupied. I’ll drive us to the Council building.
MARC
No, I’m all right. Actually, I think I need to do something to get me out of my thoughts.
They got off the shuttle and the two walked silently to Marc’s flier.
After they got in, Marc turned over the engine, raised the flier off the ground and joined the traffic in the sky-roads heading northeast toward the District of Columbia.
Half an hour later, Marc landed his flier in the parking lot of the Council building.
Marc and Jim made their way toward the front of the building.
As soon as they entered, they found the nearest Men’s restroom and took their civilian clothes off of their ISP uniforms and replaced their boots, pistol belts and clipped their helmets onto a clip on the pistol belts.
They put their civilian clothes into the gym bags then slung them on their shoulders.
They returned to the front where an information desk was located.
SECURITY GUARD
May I help you, officers?
Jim showed the guard his orders.
JIM
We’re Officer’s Meyers and Daniels. We’re supposed to report to Speaker Bell.
Marc also got his out and presented them.
He checked the visitor's roster on a computer screen.
SECURITY GUARD
Oh, yes. Proceed to the third level, down the hall, then take a right and the fourth door on the right is Speaker Bell’s office.
JIM
Thank you.
They walked toward the elevator and followed the guard’s directions.
Within minutes, they were standing outside Speaker Bell’s office.
Jim let out a big sigh and knocked.
A small video screen beside the door showed a salt and pepper haired stately man.
BELL
Enter, Officers.
The door swooshed open.
Marc jumped.
Jim laid a reassuring hand on Marc’s shoulder and motioned for him to proceed.
Marc squared his shoulders and entered with Jim at his side.
Jim called attention and both snapped to a salute.
JIM
Lieutenant Daniels and Tech-Officer 3 Meyers reporting for duty, sir.
The Speaker returned the salute before Marc and Jim lowered their salute.
BELL
Have a seat, gentlemen.
Marc and Jim sat.
BELL
I understand your apprehension, gentlemen. I really didn’t expect for you to be chosen, Marcayo, but since you were, the two of you were chosen by Chief Wilson to be sent to me for a special mission. Have you heard about the unknown entity that killed all the colonists on Ilbari?
JIM
Yes, we have.
MARC
The reports were ghastly.
BELL
Well, at this moment, the command of the Alliance Defense Force is preparing to counter this menace. You’ve been selected for the first phase of our defensive.
MARC
But I’m getting married in five days!
BELL
I know, son, I have your invitation in my desk here. But you two are going to pilot two delegates of the council to meet with these beings in hopes of a peaceful settlement.
JIM
Who are the delegates?
BELL
Zerbeck Matauni of Zeta Minor and Jonathan Daniels of Alpha Centauri.
MARC
My father!
BELL
Yes, Lieutenant Daniels.
MARC
Does he know I’m piloting?
BELL
He will soon.
A knock sounded from the door.
Speaker Bell turned on a vid-phone on his desk.
BELL
Enter, gentlemen.
He pressed the door release button on the vid-panel.
The door opened letting the two delegates in.
One man was tall with dark hair and skin. He wore a thick mustache.
The other man was with silvering honey blond hair and blue eyes with a clean-shaven face. Ambassador Daniels gasped.
JON
Marc!
BELL
Gentlemen, here’s your team who’ll pilot you to the peace meeting.
JON
I can’t allow my own son to be in the same delegation!
BELL
He’s been assigned to this mission.
JON
Did you tell the ISP I was involved in this mission?
BELL
That’s irrelevant, Jon, I know you wouldn’t want your son involved in this.
JON
I sure as hell don’t!
BELL
But a state of emergency like this must involve everyone.
MARC
Speaker. May I speak with my father?
BELL
Of course.
Bell returned to his chair.
MARC
Father, you’ve always said you had duties to perform you didn’t always like. Well, I have a duty to perform also because I was selected for it, so, therefore, in your own words I must perform them.
The elder Daniels studied the floor for a moment then finally looked at him again.
JON
My own words turned on me. I apologize, Lieutenant Daniels.
ZERBECK
If I might give a suggestion?
JON
Please do.
ZERBECK
You could arrange the marriage to be performed before we leave.
JIM
When are we scheduled to leave?
JON
Three days from now.
MARC
Can we do it in two days?
JON
If the church can’t do it, then we’ll set up a place in the courtyard and have your wedding and reception at the Embassy. We’ve already made the arrangements to set up the reception there.
BELL
Good. As soon as you gentlemen make your flight plan and itinerary, the rest of the days can be dedicated to wedding preparations. I’ll see all of you again at the wedding.
JON
All right, Marc, would you like to use my ship the Namura? After all, you designed it and gave the plans to me for my birthday a few years ago.
MARC
Oh yes!
Jonathan swept his hand toward the door.
JON
Then let’s retreat to a conference room and prepare for our flight.
They moved together down the hall to the nearest conference room and sat down at the table inside it.
MARC
Before we continue, Ambassadors-
JON
Let’s drop the formalities for now, son. It’ll make our planning easier.
ZERBECK
Yes, it will and I don’t want this to take any longer than it has to.
MARC
Okay, Uncle Mat.
ZERBECK
You can call me Mat if I may call you Jim.
JIM
Okay, Mat. May I ask you a question?
ZERBECK
Sure.
JIM
Is your first same Zerbeck?
ZERBECK
It always throws many Earth people. On my world the surname is first like in some regions here on Earth so my given name is Matauni and my surname is Zerbeck, but we say Zerbeck Matauni.
JIM
I thought so. I just wanted to clear that up. I wondered why Marc always called you Uncle Mat.
Marc sat down at the computer and began to type.
MARC
Now, I’d like to put in some two-forty-eight laser cannons into the Namura cause I’m not going out to the rim of the Alliance unarmed.
ZERBECK
I want to be armed too, Jon. But I don’t see how lasers can be installed into your Namura in the short time we have before we leave.
Marc blushed.
JON
When Marc showed me the design schematics years ago for my birthday, it was designed for laser canons. I told him to go ahead with the design, but to cover up the laser bays. It’s systems are indeed compatible with two-forty-eight laser cannons. You know, Mat, a twenty year-old with space dreams.
ZERBECK
Of course.
Jim laughed at Marc’s chagrined look and patted him on the back.
Marc cleared his throat and entered a command into the computer.
MARC
Anyway, I’m going to pull up what we know of these beings to figure out where they went. This tells very little, seems like when the BST finally figured out the frequency of the entity’s drive trail to trace them, they were heading beyond the Alliance.
ZERBECK
Call up what we know of the sector they were headed toward.
MARC
It’s the Ras Elgethi system.
JON
But that system’s uninhabitable. Several hundred years ago, Ras Elgethi became unstable and expanded, incinerating several of its worlds and making a binary system with its fourth planet.
JIM
Yes, but its fifth, sixth and seventh planets survived. Maybe one of them has been settled by dissidents?
ZERBECK
Well, whether it makes sense or not, that’s where we go.
Marc began designing supply stops along a route to the Ras Elgethi system with Jim, Jonathan and Zerbeck giving suggestions.
JON
I want to stop at Ilbari before we hop to Ras Elgethi so I can see firsthand what these creatures do.
MARC
Okay, we’ll plot to stop for a few hours at Ilbari.
JIM
We better gather up a good amount of supplies at Arcturus in case we have to go looking for these creatures.
MARC
I think they’ll be found in Ras Elgethi, but that’s a good precaution. Okay, that’s our flight plan.
He tapped the send button to file it with the Bureau of Space Transportation.
MARC (CONT.)
Dad, can we get through with as little planetary functions as possible?
JON
Good.
A half an hour later, Marc entered the itinerary and inserted a disk to copy it for the Namura’s on board computer.
ZERBECK
Okay, you’re released until we leave. See you at your wedding.
MARC
Good. Oh, Jim, can we meet around five to go pick up your tuxedo? I want to tell Amber what’s happened.
JIM
Of course.
Then they left the conference room.
As they went out into the afternoon sun Jonathan asked Marc.
JON
Marc, can you ask June if she’d come to the consulate tomorrow to talk over the changes? And if possible, I’d like for you and Amber to be there.
MARC
I’ll try.
Marc said then got into his flier to return Jim to the Houston Spaceport to pick up his own flier.
INT. AMBER'S APARTMENT – DAY
Marc landed his hover car in front of Amber’s apartment. He climbed out and went in.
MARC
Amber, it’s me.
AMBER (V.O.)
Marc? Why are you already home?
MARC
Could you please come out here and sit down?
She peeked her head around the corner.
AMBER
Huh?
MARC
Come.
She flipped a dishtowel onto her shoulder and reluctantly came to him.
He kissed her and led her to a chair.
She sat down.
MARC
Amber, I’ve been reassigned for a special assignment.
She jumped out of the chair.
AMBER
What? Not again, Marcayo!
MARC
Easy.
He sat her down again.
MARC
I’ve been chosen to take two delegates to find the invaders of Ilbari to try to negotiate with them.
AMBER
We’re not getting married?
MARC
We are! Just a few days earlier. Dad’s adjusting everything. It’ll just take a few weeks to find them then come back!
AMBER
But what if diplomacy fails and you’re told to fight those things?
MARC
Then I’ll stay and fight.
AMBER
You didn’t think of that, did you?
MARC
No, I really hadn’t, but if that happens, it’s my duty as an ISP to serve and protect all citizens of the Terran Alliance.
AMBER
Oh, why are you so duty-bound?
She stood up and whirled to face a window.
MARC
Amber, you knew I was ISP when we met. Besides, you’re a dispatcher with the Bureau of Space Transportation. You know duty as well as I.
AMBER
But must our happiness be second to our duties?
Marc caressed her shoulders.
MARC
I have no answer to that.
She turned around in the circle of his arms and looked into his face for a minute.
MARC
I just know I took an oath with the Interstellar Space Police that I’d uphold the intergalactic laws of the Alliance in order to maintain peace and tranquility for the Terran Alliance of Planets. Now that peace is in jeopardy. I love you and I don’t want to leave you, but I must.
Marc buried his head in her hair and embraced her. She sobbed as she put her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.
AMBER
I know.
MARC
Well, I'm sorry to say this but I'm glad you're not kicking me out again. We have some plans to finalize since the wedding’s been moved up.
AMBER
When I kicked you out the last time you went under cover at Alpha Centauri Seven, I missed you so badly. I guess now's as good a time as any to do that. It’s a good thing you caught me on my day off.
MARC
Yeah, Father’s going to take care of the church arrangements. He said if the church can’t reschedule, we’ll set the ceremony up on the Embassy lawn with the reception. He’ll probably take care of the caterers, too. The tuxes will be ready tonight so Jim and I were going to pick those up.
AMBER
Guest list.
MARC
That’s the rough part. Your mother! I forgot I have to call her and tell her what’s happened. My Father wants us to meet tomorrow at the Embassy. She and Father need to talk over a time to meet.
Amber rushed over to the computer.
AMBER
And I have to call my supervisor and get my vacation moved up!
MARC
You do that first then we’ll call your mother.
The screen lit up with the image of a black woman with a short afro.
SITA
Amber, just who I wanted to talk to, I’ve been contacted by Mr. Bell, Speaker of the Council of Representatives explaining to me a crucial mission your fiance and his father are soon to be involved in.
AMBER
Yes, ma’am, because of that, my wedding plans are being moved up. It’s two days from now. May I start leave tomorrow?
SITA
I’ve been working on that, figuring you’d call. Of course, you can. Just tomorrow morning you need to come to the space-station to sign out.
AMBER
Oh, thank you. This is amazing!
SITA
When the Government’s concerned, many surprises can happen.
AMBER
Thank you again, Major Sita.
SITA
I’ll see you in two days, good bye.
AMBER
Good bye.
Then she immediately keyed in her mother’s number.
ANSWERING MACHINE (V.O.)
You have reached the home of Doctor J. Castillas who cannot answer at this time. Please, leave your name, number and reason for calling at the tone and your message will be returned when possible – Beep.
AMBER
Mom, this is Amber. I need you to call me as soon as possible. It’s real urgent. I’ll be home the rest of the day. Bye.
She hung up.
AMBER (CONT.)
I’ll try her office. She might be at work.
JUNE
Doctor Castillas, may I help you?Amber, why are you calling?
AMBER
Mom, the wedding’s to be moved up. Mr. Daniels wants you to contact him about meeting tomorrow to make the changes.
JUNE
Why?
AMBER
Marc and his father have been chosen to be a part of the delegation to represent the Alliance in the investigation of the Ilbari Massacre. They’re leaving in three days.
JUNE
Oh, my, that sounds dangerous. I know Marc’s father’s a diplomat, but why is Marc going, too? He’s a policeman.
AMBER
He and Jim were chosen to pilot the delegation’s spaceship out to Ilbari.
JUNE
I’ll call him right away.
AMBER
Would you call us after you speak with him so we can know when to be there, too?
JUNE
Certainly.
AMBER
Thanks, Mom. Bye.
JUNE
Good bye.
The screen went dark.
Marc sat down at her dinette.
MARC
Now we wait until she returns the call.
AMBER
Do you want anything?
MARC
A cup of industrial strength coffee. What a day!
She smiled sympathetically at him then went back to the kitchen to fill the request.
EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI CONSULATE BACK PORCH – DAY
When Marc arrived, he was met by Stewart the butler who led him out to the back porch where his mother and father were already talking with Amber and June at the table.
CANDORA
Ah, Marcayo, now we can begin.
MARC
Mother.
He kissed her cheek then sat down between his mother and Amber.
STEWART
Refreshments?
CANDORA
A pot of tea if you would, please, Stewart.
JON
I hate to limit our time. But I have a conference with the Beta and Gamma Centauri representatives at ten-thirty.
MARC
I think an hour and a half will be sufficient.
Stewart returned with a tray of a teapot and cups on it.
CANDORA
I’ll serve, Stewart. Thank you.
STEWART
Of course, madam.
He bowed and withdrew.
MARC
Stewart, a cup of coffee, please. My apologies, Mother.
STEWART
Yes, sir.
CANDORA
No apology needed, my dear. It is I who should apologize. It should have occurred to me, you don’t like tea.
Marc nodded toward her then he concentrated on the list of plans Jonathan had made that needed to be changed.
When Stewart set Marc’s cup of coffee in front of him, Marc nodded his thanks and Stewart left.
Amber stood up and wander over to the banister as his mother handed her mother a cup. Amber was looking at the beautiful fountain of frolicking mermaids splashing water at each other.
Candora moved to Amber's side.
CANDORA
You are overwhelmed.
AMBER
It’s just that Marc doesn’t think twice about extravagant mansions and servants.
CANDORA
Oh, he thinks about them. Don’t let his practiced exterior mislead you. Marcayo has a lot of Brocana in him. He prefers a more relaxed way of life depending on his raw instincts rather than on image. That is why he keeps his small apartment and lives only on his patrolman’s salary. All this splendor does disturb him. He was always more comfortable with my brother wandering the wilds of Centauri Seven so please don’t think you’re not good enough for him.
AMBER
How did you know I was thinking that?
CANDORA
I used to feel that way when Jon first brought me to his estate in New San Francisco, Centauri Seven colony. It had been the first time I had ever been outside the wilderness. I was like a cave-woman in this advanced mechanical society.
AMBER
I couldn’t believe it when I met Zak and Shanti. When they came to Earth with Marc, they were so wide-eyed and disbelieving. We had to show them how to use everything.
CANDORA
That is how I was. Because my people the Brocana are native to Alpha Centauri Seven and they feel the colonists from Earth are too far removed from the rhythms of nature. They believe emphatically that building permanent solid structures makes people godlike. Then the gods of the twin sons get jealous and release evil spirits upon those who dare to make themselves gods.
AMBER
I’m glad I’ve never seen any evidence that Marc feels that way.
CANDORA
I don’t worry about my people’s fears anymore. I have never met any evil spirits - just the same struggles of life in a different setting.
Amber gave a small smile at his mother.
They returned to the table.
JON
Candora, see if you like this.
She took the offered plans from him.
CANDORA
Yes, that’ll do nicely.
JON
Well, then that wraps that up. Now, if weather permits, you’ll have a beautiful outdoor wedding under the gazebo and the reception a few yards away.
CANDORA
Have all the guests been informed of the change, Jon?
JON
My staff have been working all morning at that very task, my love.
JUNE
These plans are beautiful! Oh, Jonathan, Candora, thank you for your financial assistance. I would’ve never been able to afford this. Amber, this is going to be a dream wedding!
Amber smiled nervously at her mother.
JUNE (CONT.)
Take a good look at her now, Marc! After the rehearsal tomorrow, you won’t see her again until she walks down the aisle!
Marc grinned in anticipation.
FADE OUT.
THE END.