Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“Festival of Ships”
EPISODE 23 – THE CAPTURE
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. UPPER FLIGHT DECK
The klaxons blared.
Sannaro ran to his vizha'i on the flight line.
No'al glanced over his canopy.
NO'AL
Who are they, San?
SANNARO
I don’t know, No'al.
Sananro unhooked his helmet from his hip. He settled into his own Vizha'i, swept back his hair and pulled on his helmet.
SANNARO
Red one to tower, Red A and B teams, preparing to launch.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, red one, engaging magnetic pulley system.
METEI (V.O.)
Houk, support teams breaking off.
Metei saluted to him and withdrew.
The fighter-plane was pulled to the lighted rectangle.
Klaxons rang as they were raised to the launch deck above.
When the rectangle locked into the launch deck, the Vizha'i were pulled by the magnetic pulleys inside the floor to the catapults.
Sannaro watched the red light above the launch tubes until it turned green.
As he was shot into space, he hit the thrusters and roared out over the nose of the Kumani to join the fight.
SANNARO
It’s that Gasbajan ship again!
ARCAS (V.O.)
Those are some weird attack ships!
AKKI (V.O.)
It’s like they took spare parts and threw them together.
TISA (V.O.)
They’re ugly.
SANNARO
I’m up for a fight after they tore up my shuttle and put Cherna and my sister in the hospital!
Sannaro swooped toward the odd ship and opened fire.
It wobbled to avoid the volley.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What? I can’t read the pilot! It’s so strange! I can’t even receive what he’s seeing! Oh, fausa, I have to fly by instinct like the others! Calm down. Treat this like a simulator. Watch the laser volleys for evasive maneuvers.
Sannaro narrowed his concentration to ignore his discomfort about the confusing telepathic information he received and just thought about destroying the metal before him.
After he successfully took out several ships, he saw the field was thinning.
SANNARO
Arcas, I’ll fly in low and you fly in high toward that large ship. If they’re paying attention to me, maybe Akki will get a good shot. The rest of you cover us.
Sannaro centered his attention on the ship flying in first to draw fire.
He took a few deep breaths and watched carefully as the volleys flashed toward him. He danced around the flashes of light like the plane was a part of him.
Arcas began his run above with Akki studying the skin of the ship for what he thought would be the best place to drop his bomb.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Arcas is doing his run, now. He’s almost through. I can do this. I do this in the sim all the time- but a sim doesn’t kill you! Enough, Sannaro, don’t panic. Arcas and Akki are counting on you.
Once he was in too close, he pulled down and looped around the undercarriage of the ship. He gunned his engines.
SANNARO
What happened?
ARCAS (V.O.)
No damage! That ship’s tough!
SANNARO
Okay, let’s go back to engaging the smaller targets.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Kumani to all Vizha'i, an alien shuttle’s been caught in a tractor beam. Please assist.
FILP (V.O.)
Red, take starboard. Yellow, take port. My White will guard below. Green and Purple fan out on the perimeter.
TEAM-LEADERS (V.O.)
Houk.
Sannaro led his team to the starboard near the wing of the Kumani and watched an entry tube being attached to the invading ship. Then he redirected his attention to his long-range sensors to watch for any other invader shuttles who might try to liberate their captured colleague.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
All Vizha'i retreat.
SANNARO
Let’s go home.
They were given the first clearance to land.
Sannaro flew his Vizha'i down the line with the number 1 painted on the floor and settled onto another rectangle.
When Saru and Tisa joined him in their Vizha'i on the rectangle, they were lowered through the floor down to the maintenance deck.
They taxied to the refuel and rearm pylons.
His ship was pulled to an open parking area.
As soon as his ship was still, his ground support rushed in and opened his canopy.
He climbed out and took his helmet off. He clipped it to his side, shook his sweat-soaked hair out and walked toward the pilot’s lounge at the fore of the flight deck followed by Tisa and Saru.
Shortly Arcas rushed up, leading Akki, No'al and Da'iu.
While they walked, the deck shuddered with the booms of the other Vizha'i landing and being lowered down to the maintenance deck.
Sannaro took his team into the lounge and they all sat down in the couches and chairs to await Filp the senior pilot.
No'ama entered with her team with Noki’s and Eslin’s close behind.
Hadah’s team came out of the back ready room and joined the others.
Hadah sat down beside Sannaro.
HADAH
That was good tactics on that mother ship, San, even though it didn’t damage it. But do you have to put your ass deep into the fire?
SANNARO
I was running interference so Arcas could get Akki close in for his bombing run.
NO'AMA
He blushes the color of a Tequila Sunrise.
Sannaro blushed deeper and flipped his hair into his face.
HADAH
A worlder alcoholic beverage?
Filp and his team entered the lounge.
FILP
Quiet down.
ESLIN
What did they find in that ship we caught?
FILP
I’ll get to that. Sannaro, that stunt with the mother-ship was stupid. If I didn’t know you used your extra senses to anticipate the gunner, I’d send you to get your head examined.
NO'AMA
That’s why we Team-leaders voted for him to become a Team-leader! His extra sense makes him a hell of a strategist.
FILP
Don’t remind me. And about your team, No'ama, Di'eta needs to reign in her exuberance. It’s going to get her killed someday.
SANNARO
Di'eta is the sharpest shooter of all Vizha'e!
FILP
I’d expect that attitude from you, Sannaro, since you idolized her from your first days assigned to No'ama’s team!
HADAH
Filp, can we get to the boarding?
Filp sent a venomous look toward Hadah.
FILP
The Protocol Enforcers boarded the alien fighter ship and found three aliens that seem to have died at their own hands rather than be captured. They were thin and tall with triangular heads and white wispy hair. Their two hands had two long tendril-like fingers with similar tendril-like toes. They were wearing silver knee-length tunics and sandals on their feet with two holes for their tendril toes to fit through. Upon first study of their technology, it was found to be a mixture of many technologies fit together. So we still don’t know much about who they are. Did you sense anything while you were fighting, Sannaro?
SANNARO (V.O.)
That alien I saw down on Belvas must have been another one of their kind! How did the red Belvan man know about them? Was the alien there to find the red man?
FILP
Sannaro, damn it, get your mind back on board!
SANNARO
Oh - I couldn’t make sense of what I was receiving from the alien gunner. I couldn’t even anticipate his attacks.
ESLIN
You still flew toward it even though you couldn’t read him?
SANNARO
And risk losing my team-second and bomber?
HADAH
I wouldn’t risk that. Bombers are too valuable.
FILP
So you couldn’t read them?
SANNARO
Nui, that was really scary.
FILP
I’ll add it to my report to Lazha. That’s all.
As everyone filed out, Filp called him.
FILP
Sannaro, my office.
Filp climbed the stairs up to the offices.
Sannaro reluctantly followed until he was alone with Filp in the closed office. Filp slammed his hand onto his desk.
FILP
Where in Iachi'awei Ushi were you when I was talking to you? When I’m doing a post-battle briefing, your attention is to be centered on me at all times!
SANNARO
I was reminded of the execution I witnessed down on Belvas. The creature killed looked exactly like your description except it had brown wisps on its head instead of white and was wearing a brown tunic. It was executed by a humanoid man with red skin. Later when I talked with my Uncle and the Saili ambassador, I was informed that Saili archives describe the native Belvans as having red skin. It was eerie to hear the same description of the alien from you from an account by the Protocol Enforcers. I’m sorry, Filp, I was spooked. I should have been listening to you.
FILP
Fausa, that would spook me too. I’ll add that to my report as well. From now on tell me when you’re getting an insight like that.
SANNARO
I will, Filp.
FILP
Dismissed.
Sannaro exited the office and went back down stairs.
ARCAS
Filp was chewing your ass good.
SANNARO
I gave him a good explanation he accepted so I’m off the hook. I’m going to the hospital to check on Cherna and my sister. If you need me, just call my name while you think you’re talking to me. You know I always hear it.
Sannaro rushed to the nearest elevator and took it down to the Hospital.
SANNARO
Deri, where's Cherna and my sister?
DERI
Follow Kahea.
Sannaro rushed after Kehea who guided him to a treatment room.
KAHEA
This room's Cherna’s and the next one's Varanani’s.
Sannaro stood outside the doors debating with himself on who he should visit first then decided to see his sister.
When he entered, he found Varanani still inside the healing tent.
He went up and laid his hands on the clear plastic, fighting remorse.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Why did she force me to bring her? If she would’ve stayed back with Uncle Devasru, she wouldn’t be injured now.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
The aliens were going to attack Belvas, Sannaro. Belvas is safe because you helped to fight them off. What will happen the next time they try to attack Belvas? Would I have been killed? Don’t doubt yourself, dear brother.
She drifted to sleep again.
Danu entered and checked the computer display, then approached Sannaro.
DANU
She’ll be out of the tent in two more hours.
SANNARO
Fa'arata, Danu.
DANU
She’s safe because of you, San.
SANNARO
How's Cherna?
DANU
She’ll be out in another hour.
He nodded then went to the next room.
Cherna was deep in sleep with her arms in slings to support them above her body so the healing light would shine on the angry welts on her skin.
He found himself rubbing his own arms as if he could still feel the lumpy sandpaper flesh of his own burns long healed.
Danu came in to check on Cherna’s progress.
Sannaro leaned on the tent over his longtime friend.
SANNARO
I need to stay here with her, but I’m so tired.
DANU
So go sleep, San. If she wakes before you return, I’ll tell her you fought a hard battle and needed the rest.
SANNARO
You’re a great friend, Danu.
DANU
Naila’ahina.
Sannaro went to his empty apartment and groaned as he stripped off his black and red flight suit. He threw it into the laundry chute. He stayed awake just long enough to pull his blanket over him.
INT. UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro again found himself striding toward a shuttle, but this time it was to take wares and people down to the Festival of Ships.
Arcas was already inside sitting at the copilots chair doing a pre-check.
Sannaro sat down and put on his headset.
STEVEDORE (V.O.)
Cargo secure.
SANNARO
Ready, Arc?
ARCAS
Ready, San.
SANNARO
Shuttle twenty to tower. Ready for takeoff.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, shuttle twenty. Magnetic pulleys engaged.
The shuttle pulled forward onto the platform then stopped.
SANNARO
Tower, shuttle twenty on platform.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, stand by.
While they waited, two more shuttles lined up on their starboard side.
Then the controller informed Sannaro the lift was engaging.
He did a last minute check of his board to make sure all systems were green as they rose from the maintenance bay into the flight bay.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Lift secure. Twenty, launch.
SANNARO
Houk.
SANNARO
Ku-twenty to tower. Request permission to land in Kumani camp.
FLIGHT TOWER (V.O.)
Ku-twenty, approach at coordinates 348728.5
SANNARO
Houk, tower.
Minutes later, Sannaro gasped when he entered the atmosphere and found himself surrounded by many shuttle crafts flying in all directions above and below him.
SANNARO
Ku-twenty to Kumani shuttles, stay rigidly inside your assigned entry window. Traffic’s real heavy here.
HADAH (V.O.)
Well, we can tell the first-comers. We old pilots have seen this before ten years ago, but thanks for the warning, San.
TASKO (V.O.)
I’m not old, Hadah, why, last Festival was my mating festival!
HADAH (V.O.)
Well, you’re not young, Tasko.
TASKO (V.O.)
Not young? I’m only twenty-seven!
SANNARO
Ku-twenty preparing for final approach.
FLIGHT TOWER (V.O.)
Houk, Ku-twenty.
Sannaro began to let off the power.
SANNARO
All hover.
ARCAS
Landing pylons lowered and locked.
SANNARO
Lowering down to landing pad.
Sannaro slowly pulled a stick toward him until he felt the landing gear touch the ground.
SANNARO
Perfect!
ARCAS
Not even a hop.
As soon as they shut down, Sannaro moved over to the airlock, opened it and the hatch.
When the ramp bumped the ground, Sannaro flopped down on the threshold and took a long draw of fresh air.
ARCAS
Still a worlder.
SANNARO
If anyone else said that, they’d be picking themselves up off the floor with a sore jaw!
ARCAS
No offense, San!
SANNARO
I just like a nice breath of fresh air when I get the chance.
ARCAS
Nothing’s wrong with that.
STEVEDORE (V.O.)
Cargo cleared.
He stood up, closed the hatch and went back to his pilot's chair. After he strapped himself in with his safety straps, he started to prime the engines for liftoff.
SANNARO
Ku-twenty ready for liftoff.
Then he slowly pushed the stick beside him away from him. He watched the other grounded shuttles sink from view.
ARCAS
We’ve got hovering altitude. Landing gear, secured.
SANNARO
Cutting in forward thrust, now.
SANNARO
Ku-twenty to Ku-control. Preparing for final approach.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, Ku-twenty. Port 2. Report to support maintenance for module change.
SANNARO
Houk, tower. Guess we’re in for a passenger run.
He swung the ship around and lined it up with the guide lights marked 2.
After he entered the retrieval deck, he hovered then set down on the lighted rectangle beside two other shuttles.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Platform engaging.
The landing bay began to raise out of sight.
The bay they were lowered into milled with activity.
While the other shuttles pulled forward to the refueling docks, Sannaro turned his shuttle around to join two other shuttles waiting on a crane.
The first shuttle pulled up and stopped beside the crane. From the shuttle came a loud clack and then the crane clamped onto the rear section and pulled up.
The cockpit and the drive bed remained as the crane swiveled around and deposited the module on a rack.
The rack rotated up like a Ferris wheel. Another rack appeared from below with another module marked 'passenger' on it.
The crane clamped onto it and raised it off the rack and replaced it on the shuttle.
Another clack sounded and the shuttle taxied off to the refuel docks.
The same was done to the one ahead of them and soon Sannaro pulled them up to the crane and hit the module release button. He heard the clack and the crane picking the cargo module up.
Minutes later, the passenger module was lowered in place.
He hit the module lock button.
The strong clamps clacked into place.
Then he pulled out toward the refuel docks.
As soon as the shuttle was refueled, he continued to the passenger boarding area.
The shuttle stopped and Sannaro opened the module hatch then opened the airlock and hatch.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Soon people were boarding.
ENTER KRATIS.
KRATIS
Ki'iwa'alani, San.
SANNARO
Ki'iwa'alani, Kratis.
KRATIS
Why aren’t you wearing your armband, Arcas?
ARCAS
The festival hasn’t started yet.
KIKI
He’d wear it, anyway!
ARCAS
I’ll wait to put it on until I finish the shuttle detail.
TANEI
Yuck, I wouldn’t wear it no how!
AHDRI
Grow up, Tanei!
ADARA
Tanei, settle down. Ahdri, stop teasing your sister.
SANNARO
Where’s Varanani, Chali?
ADARA
I couldn’t convince her to come, San. She says she’ll feel out of place.
SANNARO
Who will stay with her?
ADARA
Zhad will.
SANNARO
I understand he chose not to go to the last festival because he was protesting Belso’s decision to hide me on board, but he has no reason to stay aboard this time.
YETIN
Can we get through? Take your griping elsewhere or I’ll report this disruption to Filp.
ADARA
I’ll continue to talk later, cobasora. Yetin does have a point.
Adara patted Sannaro’s arm, then moved down the aisle.
YETIN
Oh-ho, did you hear that? Adara agreed with me! It’s taken twenty years for her to do it, too!
PARIK
If I were her I’d take longer, you bag of air!
YETIN
You’ll regret that remark, Parik!
PARIK
Oh, quiet yourself and get to your seat.
Yetin scowled, but reluctantly moved on. After that, the other eight that boarded after were talking on more generalized topics.
PARIK
Everyone’s secure, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Houk, Parik. Prepare for flight.
Sannaro settled into his seat.
SANNARO
Ku-shuttle 20, loaded and ready for pre-flight instructions, over.
ARCAS
It’s such a fuss to move so many opinionated people at once.
SANNARO
I’d like to know why my Yaro and Ka'ina won’t attend the festival!
ARCAS
There’s a good reason. Adara will tell you when you have more time.
Sannaro steered the shuttle to the line of others waiting for the lift to take them up to the launch bay.
Ten minutes later, it was his turn with the lift and then to fly out into space again.
After a short flight, they were entering the planets’ atmosphere using the same entry window they used before.
This time upon entry, Sannaro was told to park the shuttle and that Arcas was to report to the central tent wearing his red armband for his mating festival briefing.
Sannaro landed. He stood up and watched the people pass him.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Adara would you stay on board while I secure the ship?
SANNARO
Go on, Arcas. I can handle her alone.
ARCAS
Fa’arata, San!
He rushed down the hatch toward the central tent.
Adara stood by with Ahdri and Tanei as he worked.
When he was finished, they went down the ramp.
EXT. FESTIVAL OF SHIPS - GASBAJA - DAY
Gasbaja is a green, pastoral planet that has been mostly left natural with rolling hills and some mountains in the distance.
As Sannaro walked through the rows of parked shuttles, Adara pulled up beside him.
ADARA
Today’s not a good day for pouting.
Sannaro snorted and rolled his eyes.
ADARA (CONT.)
Your father’s doing Danu a favor by staying up there in case the duty personnel have any accidents. It’s Danu’s mating festival, too!
SANNARO
A medical assistant can treat any injury those few could have and my sister-
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Varanani! Why won’t you come?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Please understand, San. These aren’t my people like they are yours. I wouldn’t fit in like you do.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Would you at least come down later to see the festival?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I’ll consider that. Don’t worry about me. Go enjoy yourself.
Sannaro frowned.
ADARA
You were talking to Varanani?
SANNARO
She still doesn’t want to come!
ADARA
Sannaro, I’m sure she told you not to worry about her and go have a good time with Cherna.
TANEI
What’s so fun about everyone chasing girls?
Ahdri rolled her eyes.
ADARA
You’ll understand when your time comes, love.
AHDRI
I wish it was my turn.
ADARA
Next time, dear, now let’s get to camp. I’ve heard Cherna was going to be helping Ba'ia set up her tent. This would’ve been Cherna’s and your mating festival so I think you should act like it’s your mating festival.
SANNARO
I guess.
ADARA
You’ll feel better when you’re with Cherna. She always cheers you up.
As they walked along, he winced and covered his ears.
ADARA
Sannaro, are you in pain?
SANNARO
I just need to secure my shields and then I’ll be fine. The whole Astrisi nation in one place is a little telepathically taxing.
ADARA
A grand amount of blowhards! I can see why it would be taxing.
They had reached Ba'ia’s stall where Cherna was setting her mother’s leather works out for display.
CHERNA
San, what took you so long?
SANNARO
Varanani and Zhad aren’t coming.
ADARA
He’s been sulking like this since we touched ground.
Cherna moved closer to Sannaro and wrapped her arms around his waist.
CHERNA
You were really wanting your sister to see this.
SANNARO
Even for us it happens once a decade! This is what the Astrisi are all about. We’ve risked several attacks by those invaders to come home.
CHERNA
San, why are the invaders flying Gasbajan Sjujeenyas?
SANNARO
We are on Gasbaja now. The last of the Gasbajans joined the Astrisi after a big war that mass murdered the population and their defense force. One ship survived and asked the Astrisi to join them. What did they fight?
CHERNA
History doesn’t tell much about the invaders.
SANNARO
Invaders! Could it be the same invaders that destroyed the population of Gasbaja, Cashanaya and Belvas as well as decimating our Astrisi Vizha'e?
CHERNA
That may explain why these invaders are flying Gasbajan Sjujeenyas.
BA'IA
You two are sure getting very familiar here.
CHERNA
We were discussing why the invaders are flying Gasbajan Sjujeenyas.
BA'IA
This is Us’uata Os Huen and you two are still working? This is the only week in ten years where we don’t work on anything!
ADARA
They’re dedicated.
BA'IA
To one another.
BA'IA'S PSYCHIC VISION
Sannaro and Cherna kissed and caressed each other in view of all.
BACK TO FESTIVAL
Sannaro blushed as he pulled away from Cherna.
Cherna gaped at her mother.
CHERNA
Mother, that was so naughty!
BA'IA
So was your pose, darling!
SANNARO
We were just thinking.
BA'IA
Stop thinking about it, San, it’s Us’uata!
SANNARO
But we’re at Gasbaja, the very place where the Sjujeenyas were built!
BA'IA
There’s nothing left here, Sannaro, everything was taken.
SANNARO
Just like Ilbari!
ADARA
Just like Ilbari!
BA'IA
Adara, don’t you get into it too!
ADARA
You two need to tell Lazha!
SANNARO
Come, Cheri. Let’s go to the central tent to tell Lazha right after the mating briefing!
When they entered the central tent, he heard a call from a cluster of people on an outer edge of the crowd. Sannaro and Cherna moved to join Danu, Di'ok, Arcas, Tisa, Taki and unfortunately Kuro and Alo.
SANNARO
Ki'iwa.
ARCAS
Why are you two here? Aren’t you already tasra?
CHERNA
Of course, we are!
DI'OK
Then why are you here?
SANNARO
We need to talk to Lazha.
DANU
I bet I know. He’s not happy Zhad stayed on the ship. Don’t worry, San, he told me he’ll be down now and then.
SANNARO
But-
ALO
Well, with Danu and me down on mating someone’s got to be there.
DANU
Oh, Alo, you think you’re so indispensable because you’re a medical technicians’ apprentice!
ALO
I’m not an apprentice! I’m a medical technician and the doctors would be lost without us!
DANU
But Zhad’s the senior doctor and without him, you’d be in a lot of trouble! If you’re still on staff when I become senior doctor, I’m going to transfer you to the lab.
ALO
Just try!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I can’t believe this! They’re squabbling about stupid position and we’ve got important information about this situation!
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
San, don’t be so hard on them. They’re excited about the mating festival. We had our day three years ago so it doesn’t mean as much to us. Let’s just let them play out their emotions and wait until the briefing's over.
KURO
You better stop picking on my buddy, pip-squeak.
SANNARO
Want to do something about it?
Kuro looked down from his six-foot height and laughed.
DANU
San, it’s not worth it. Besides, the briefing’s starting.
Kuro glared down at Sannaro.
KURO
You haven’t heard the last of me you cheap little nugget.
SANNARO
Fine, Carbon.
Sannaro directed his attention to where twelve men and women who all had the black sashes of ship commanders climbed up onto the dais and sat down in chairs arranged by age of the ships from left to right starting with Lazha the commander of the oldest ship the Kumani.
Beside her was Anlin of the Basuto, a heavy boned woman who pulled her pale hair back rudely in a braid that hung down her back. She looked like an amazon and was known to have been as rough as the legendary warrior women.
Erm the old white haired commander of the Urvasi was next.
After him was Zhama the black-haired stoic commander of the Mopani.
Beside her was the Binzhuru’s Kito the crafty, who was known for his excellent business management and wealthy ship.
Ba'id of the Harozhu didn’t look pleased to have to sit beside a man he judged as a scalper who didn’t care how he attained his infamous wealth.
Cu'al of the Intoku couldn’t care less about the rivalry beside him. He was thinking about the revelry he was going to be a part of after this boring ceremony was over with and the Commander’s meeting finished.
The small honey-blond woman beside Cu'al was named Dusti, Commander of the Vukutis. She was eager for the ceremony to begin and just as eager for it to end so she could visit with her brother’s tasra Lazha.
Fildes was next and the Furdusi man was eager to find out what Lazha was going to say while he was glancing at the beautiful strawberry-blond commander of the Uzhume Unla, who was returning it with weary disdain. It seems that after all these years he still desired her even if she refused his offer to be his mate at the festival before last and married a man from the Uzhume and eight years later was announced as commander after the death of her predecessor Kor.
While Polred of the Muluku sat in the next chair wishing he could be away from these disgusting old love puppies and Chi'on of the youngest ship the Wokolo just wished he didn’t have to be near Polred and instead, being with his lovely wife enjoying the festival.
Sannaro strengthened his mental shields against the invading emotions the commanders were emanating and concentrated on Lazha who was moving up to the podium.
LAZHA
Welcome young men and women! Your mating festival’s about to begin. The red armbands you wear identify each to yourselves who’s eligible for mating. To become mated, the young man must be presented by the young woman to her parents so they may decide whether the young man is acceptable to them or not. Once the young woman’s parents tie the armbands together into one and throw them to the couple’s feet, they’re mated. If the parents dispute their daughter’s choice, the young man may work to convince her parents of his worthiness of her or the parents may choose a contest or refuse the young man a trial. Then the young man must choose another young woman or return to his ship mateless. If two young men contest the right to be presented to the young woman’s family, a contest of strength will result on a mat until one concedes or is knocked out. The victor can be presented by the young woman to her parents or rejected by her. If the young woman rejects a young man, he may set to convince her or seek another. Once a mating has occurred, the young woman must come to the young man’s ship unless the young man presents reasons acceptable to the Commander of the woman’s ship and its community to live among them. Good luck and enjoy the festival!
Lazha stepped down from the stage.
The crowd outside waited for the young men and women and cheered as they passed into the festival.
Soon Sannaro, Cherna and Lazha were the only ones inside the tent.
LAZHA
What brings you old mates to me?
SANNARO
Lazha, I was thinking about
Ilbari.
LAZHA
And?
SANNARO
I identified the ship as a Gasbajan Sjujeenya.
LAZHA
You did.
SANNARO
We’re on Gasbaja now so we began to think about the war two hundred years ago. The population was suddenly wiped out after several weeks of pitched battle, but the Gasbajan Defense Force was already decimated by their unsuccessful defense of Cashanaya. They were defeated, all but the one Gasbajan ship that asked the Astrisi for protection. Then they married into the Astrisi as they taught the Astrisi the Gasbajan defensive techniques. What killed the population? The records said it was a lot like what happened on Ilbari. Could the same invaders from two-hundred years ago be returning?
LAZHA
You said a mouthful, San! But I see your point. The invaders did want technology two-hundred years ago and now a new invader’s flying Sjujeenyas. It could be a link. Still, San, it’s festival time! Let’s set that aside and enjoy ourselves!
CHERNA
San’s pouting because Varanani won’t come.
LAZHA
She’ll be fine, San. When she feels like coming, she’ll tell you. I’m sure it’s hard to have to wear a translator with a bunch of people who won’t be saying very flattering things about you.
SANNARO
They won’t if I’m with her!
LAZHA
Give her time, San. Now I need to get ready for the Commander’s Council. You two go have some fun.
ENTER Di'ok.
DI'OK
There you are, San, Cheri! We thought you were following behind us.
SANNARO
We needed to talk with Lazha.
DI'OK
Well, come on! She looks busy. Besides, it’s getting real interesting out here.
The word Us’uata! thundered through the air from thousands of voices.
Di'ok shook with excitement.
DI'OK
It’s begun! Let’s go!
Cherna laughed and tugged Sannaro after her brother.
Di'ok rushed ahead.
When they entered the tent, they found Danu, Tisa and Taki at a table in a corner.
DI'OK
This way to the chef’s tent, the other’s are waiting for us there!
SANNARO
Where’s Arcas?
TISA
He’s already off with a girl.
DI'OK
The musicians are warming up. Let’s go outside to hear them.
TAKI
Houk!
TISA
Well, when my cousin Saka from the Wokolo gets here, she and I are going to browse around the stalls!
A slender, young, fawn brown haired woman waved at them.
Tisa waved back.
SAKA
Tisa!
TISA
Saka! Later, guys!
She hurried away.
TAKI
Then let’s go listen to the music. They’re starting to play!
SANNARO
I just got off duty and I’m hungry. I’m going to get some food. Then I’ll join you outside.
CHERNA
I’ll join you. I’m hungry too.
Sannaro and Cherna joined the line of people waiting to order food.
Five minutes later, they were at the front of the line.
UZHUME COOK
What do you want?
SANNARO
What are you serving at the buffet table?
UZHUME COOK
Roasted beef or baked ham, a vegetable medley of cooked potatoes, carrots and pearl onions or potatoes au gratin, coleslaw, macaroni salad, tossed salad.
SANNARO
We’ll take the table.
UZHUME COOK
Fine.
She pulled out two trays and slapped a plate and utensils wrapped in a napkin on each tray.
UZHUME COOK
Bowls are at the buffet table.
SANNARO
Fa'arata.
After they filled their plates, they went out of the tent and looked around to find the table their friends had taken.
When Sannaro finally spotted them, they were sitting at the edge of the dance square.
They navigated around the other tables, then sat down between Di'ok and Danu. Taki was across the table from him straddling the seat backwards clapping along with the music.
DANU
Got enough food, San?
SANNARO
Houk, I just finished flying two trips down here.
A young man broke through the crowd, propelled backward and landed on their table. It broke under the weight and crashed to the ground.
Di'ok, Danu, Cherna and Sannaro jumped away and Taki relocated his chair seconds from being pinned underneath the broken table.
The boy staggered to his feet and wagged a fist at a strawberry-blond young woman.
The musicians stopped.
KORAN
No one denies Koran!
SHAYA
I recall I just did.
KORAN
You’re mine! I’ve chosen you!
DI'OK
Who says?
KORAN
Stay out of this, pipsqueak!
SHAYA
Who says? He’s kind of cute. Let’s talk.
She pulled Di'ok away into the crowd.
SHAYA (CONT.)
By the way, my name is Sha'ya.
DI'OK
I'm Di'ok!
Sannaro smiled. Suddenly he found himself on the ground with Koran standing above him, enraged. He tried to stand up, but was slammed down again.
Cherna pulled Koran away then ducked in time to avoid a swing.
Sannaro leapt off the ground and grabbed the arm.
SANNARO
I think you’re drunk. You better go home and sleep it off before someone gets hurt.
KORAN
I think that’s going to be you!
Koran swept his leg behind Sannaro’s leg and dropping him to the ground.
Sannaro kept his hold and flipped Koran over his shoulder.
Merrymakers scurried out of the way.
DANU
Grind him into the dirt, San!
Both combatants leapt to their feet.
Koran circled Sannaro.
Sannaro stayed still, watching every movement.
CHERNA
Behind you!
Sannaro raised his foot to kick backwards. He landed his heel solidly into the boy's stomach.
Koran dropped heavily to the ground.
Some older men approached them and pulled Koran off the ground.
SANNARO
Fa'arata, ko'ia, but I knew already.
UZHUME MAN
We apologize for Uzh-Koran’s behavior.
SANNARO
No harm done, Uzhume.
The men hauled Koran away.
DANU
And then there was four.
Sannaro rolled his eyes and picked up his ruined tray.
Cherna retrieved her own tray from the remains of the splintered table.
SANNARO
Next Taki will run off.
Suddenly a cute girl with light brown hair and freckles rushed up to Taki, pulled him out of the only chair that survived Koran and onto the dance floor.
SANNARO
You were saying?
Danu shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
SANNARO
Then there was three.
DANU
Well, now that your lunch has been ruined, I need to stop by the hospital to check the duty roster.
CHERNA
You have to work, too?
DANU
I might.
SANNARO
My teams got watch on the third day!
CHERNA
Well, mine’s on the fourth.
They went back into the cafeteria tent to set the trays on the conveyor that took it back into the kitchen.
After that, they proceeded to the hospital that stood to the left and forward with its front face toward the dance square.
As soon as they entered, Belia, the senior nurse passed by them.
BELIA
If you’re here to check the roster, Danu, you aren’t on it. Ha tana Ateakili.
TILA
Not on any day.
DANU
Ha'iko! Let’s go!
They hurried out of the tent following Danu.
SANNARO
That’s right, which day of the Festival were you born on?
DANU
The third day.
SANNARO
And I’ve got watch? Fausa!
DANU
That’s okay, we’ve got today and tomorrow.
CHERNA
I’ll celebrate with you!
DANU
We’re celebrating now! Let’s wander the stalls.
CHERNA
Where shall we go first?
DANU
Well, the Wokolo camp’s right behind the hospital so let’s go there first.
SANNARO
Why not.
So they walked around the hospital to the first line of stalls.
The first one was manned by woodworkers.
Sannaro walked up to a wall unit of shelves made of red wood, intricately carved with ribbons, vines and phoenixes. He caressed it and drew a breath.
SANNARO
Cherna, isn’t this lovely?
CHERNA
Gorgeous! That wall in the dining room would be a great place for it.
SANNARO
What do you want for it?
WOKOLO CARPENTER
Well, pilot, what do you think it’s worth?
SANNARO
I have an urn made of Martian clay. The design looks like a spectrograph picture of a nebula.
WOKOLO CARPENTER
It sounds beautiful. Who crafted it?
SANNARO
Ku-Adara.
WOKOLO CARPENTER
A compliment that you’d rate my work worthy to such a master as Adara, pilot, but nui, I can't accept such an item that I’d treasure if I were you. For such a compliment, it’s a gift.
SANNARO
Nui!
WOKOLO CARPENTER
I insist, pilot!
He stood up and taped a sign on the shelf unit that said sold.
CHERNA
Oh, San!
SANNARO
I’ll bring something for you.
WOKOLO CARPERTER
I’ll put your name on it and you can pick it up later.
SANNARO
Fa’arata!
WOKOLO CARPENTER
Keep that urn. I would. Such quality shouldn’t be traded lightly.
Sannaro and Cherna left arm-in-arm grinning.
CHERNA
San, look at those fabrics! I see one that will make a wonderful dress!
SANNARO
Go look. Danu and I’ll wait for you at that tanners stall.
As Sannaro and Danu walked to the tanners, four boys surrounded them.
TERU
What are you doing with danunka,
ka'iho?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Oh crap, they said Danu's full name he hates.
SANNARO
I’m not a worlder.
TERU
Oh? You’re Saili.
The boy beside Sannaro snarled as he flicked Sannaro’s ear.
Sannaro roared and grabbed the boy’s offending hand, twirled around, jammed his shoulder into the boy’s pectoral muscle and threw him over his hip.
SANNARO
Don’t you ever touch my ears!
The other three jumped on Sannaro.
He flipped the boy on his back over his head and slammed him down on the first boy, brought his leg up behind him, rotated the knee around and slammed it into the other boy’s kidney while he rotated his arm to back-slam his fist into the fourth boy’s jaw.
A Protocol Enforcer rounded the corner and Cherna ran up to them.
TERU
Oh, my neck!
Danu squatted down beside the two Sannaro had collided.
DANU
We need a medic with a collar on this one. And a pillow with two clothes so I can immobilize this one’s dislocated left shoulder.
CHERNA
San, are you all right?
Sannaro massaged his burning ear.
SANNARO
I'm all right.
SHIKO
I’m Shiko, Protocol Officer for the Wokolo. What happened here?
TERU
He attacked us!
Sannaro suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground.
Danu squatted down.
DANU
San?
SANNARO
That boy flicked my ear. I think he bruised it. I’m a little nauseous.
DANU
Shiko, I’m a student doctor. I can tell you from my studies and working with my Senior Doctor, Saili ears are sensitive. Sannaro needs immediate medical care for his ear.
Sannaro stood up again with a hand over his injured ear.
SANNARO
I’m sorry. When the boy flicked my ear, I got mad and attacked him.
DANU
No, you were attacked first. Your ear was injured.
TERU
Aw, come on, I hardly touched him!
SHIKO
Haven’t I told you, someday you’d pick on the wrong kid and get your ass kicked?
TERU
I didn’t hit him that hard!
DANU
Oh really? Hard enough to leave a bruise! I’m surprised he’s not vomiting! I’ve seen it happen!
Sannaro pursed his lips and swallowed.
SANNARO
Uh, Danu, don’t talk about that or I will be sick.
SHIKO
I can’t work this out myself. We’ll have to let the Ship’s Seniors figure this out.
Danu moved to another boy who was wiping drops of blood that was dribbling from his mouth.
DANU
Keep still. You may have internal bleeding.
He moved on to the fourth and inspected his jaw.
DANU
It’s not broken, but you’re going to have a seriously bruised face that’s going to swell terribly.
By that time, a person had come with the pillow and strips of cloth Danu needed.
He returned to the boy with the dislocated shoulder to carefully slip the pillow between the injured arm and the boy’s side. He bent the arm and made a sling from his neck and used the other to tie the sling arm snugly against his chest.
As he finished that, several doctors from various ships ran up. Zhad and Danu’s mother Tila was among them.
Zhad pulled up beside Sannaro and Cherna and began to examine Sannaro.
ZHAD
Great, I just got here!
SANNARO
My ear was flicked. I’m feeling nauseous like it’s bruised a little.
Sannaro swept his hair back.
Zhad looked at the ear closely.
ZHAD
Yes, I see a dark green spot the shape of a finger. He really got it good.
DOCTOR
Who did this bandage?
DANU
I did.
ZHAD
He’s my apprentice.
DOCTOR
You did a good job on this, young man.
MIBU
What happened here?
ZHAD
Let’s get these boys to the hospital first before any questions are answered.
Suddenly, a blur of a man leapt through the air and landed on Sannaro.
SHIKO
Unro, stop!
Sannaro felt a siche rake across his brow and the other hand slammed into his jaw. He yelped in pain.
Unro pulled his knee into Sannaro’s crotch then stomped down hard onto Sannaro’s foot.
Sannaro staggered from the explosion of pain and hit the ground hard on his back. He fought for control of his muscles. He drew up his knees and threw the man over his head. Then he rolled into a ball and clutched his crotch.
He saw through the haze of his yellow blood that Unro had jumped back to his feet and was launching himself into a body-slam.
Sannaro willed his tortured body to roll out from under the living missile and let the momentum bring him up onto his knees. He grabbed Unro's left arm and twisted it behind his back. He pulled the siche from Unro's hand then he folded Unro's right leg back to his buttocks.
SANNARO
Zhad, wipe my eyes! I can’t see!
A bystander tossed Zhad a rag.
ZHAD
Fa’arata, but he needs a special solution also.
He took a glass bottle out of his bag.
TILA
We’re moving the others, Zhad.
When he opened the bottle, several people jerked back crumpling their noses.
He pulled heavy-duty gloves on and saturated the cloth.
BYSTANDER
What is that?
ZHAD
Cerlacticine.
Zhad applied the rag to Sannaro’s eyes. Zhad pulled the rag away.
ZHAD
Your eyebrow is split. It’s a good one and it’s still bleeding.
UNRO
Why do you help the beast who broke my son’s neck?
CHERNA
Don’t you call my tasra a beast!
Zhad sent a warning look toward Cherna. He pulled Sannaro up from the ground.
ZHAD
Because you injured him. Let’s go, Sannaro.
Sannaro handed Zhad the siche.
SANNARO
Here, this belongs to him.
Sannaro desperately wanted to sit down to allow the pain to subside, but he began to walk stiffly away.
As they left, several Wokolo’s helped the man up and held him at bay.
DANU
Fausa, San, your face is going to be swollen for days!
CHERNA
Why didn’t you let me smash that Wokolo’s face?
ZHAD
Because the situation was bad enough without another fight, Cherna, it had to end.
They walked to the hospital tent.
SANNARO
I’s not phair! I was twying to aphoid the damn phite. Den dat guy phlicked my ear! I got so mad!
ZHAD
What is he saying?
DANU
He’s saying he was trying to avoid the fight when the guy flicked his ear. Then the others attacked San. Before I could have done anything, San had all four on the ground holding various parts of their anatomy.
CHERNA
I just left you for a few minutes!
ZHAD
Is that true, San?
SANNARO
Houk.
They entered the tent.
MIBU
Well, Teru. You sure picked the wrong person to gang up on this time.
TERU
My Yaro fixed him good!
MIBU
It’s evident, you need to read about Saili physiology. That boy fought to defend himself without inflicting injury on your crazy Yaro. That’s more than I would’ve done for the old bully.
ZHAD
Is his neck seriously damaged,
Mibu?
MIBU
Nui, it’s just wrenched.
ZHAD
For wanting to avoid a fight, Sannaro, you sure made some damage.
SANNARO
I phidn’t mea’iph!
ZHAD
I know you didn’t mean it.
SANNARO
Iph they would jupht lepht uph alone-
ZHAD
Stop talking, Sannaro. Your lips are too swollen.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
It’s not fair! Why did they have to do this to me? Now, I’ll have to go the rest of the festival with a bruised ear, a swollen face and I can hardly walk!
DANU
Aw, San, don’t say that. Maybe Zhad will take pity on you and put you in a tent for a while.
Zhad motioned them toward a gurney then left for supplies.
Zhad returned and set down the supplies.
ZHAD
I should let you wear it.
CHERNA
Zhad, San has watch on day three!
ZHAD
But the boy’s father dishonored himself because he disregarded all the rules of the challenge. Besides, it’s Festival and I think it’d be cruel of me to not do something.
DANU
Hear that? He’s going to give you a healing tent!
ZHAD
Sannaro, lay down.
After he was laying, Zhad picked up a hand-held sensor and waved it over Sannaro’s body.
ZHAD
Good, no serious damage. That guy got a firm strike on you. Danu, help me put up the healing tent. Cherna, step back against the tent wall.
When the mesh was fully erected around Sannaro’s bed, he watched the lamp box move on its tracks and stop above his head.
As soon as a blue light turned on, Sannaro felt the pain in his face start to recede and drifted to sleep.
FADE OUT.
THE END.
He punched the forward thrusters that propelled them into space.
It was amazing to see twelve large spaceships in various orbits buzzing with activity.