Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“INSURRECTION”
EPISODE 32 – GONKACHA UPRISING
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. VAGAKTA STATION GONKACHA HIDEOUT
Sannaro stayed against the wall, alone with his thoughts, until Meturato walked through the door with Devasru in the lead, followed by Varanani, Zhad and Cherna who was cautious at the rear.
Zhad and Cherna who was cautious at the rear.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Thank you.
Sannaro rushed to hug Cherna.
Cherna pulled away from him.
SANNARO
Nui, ko'ia, ya taun Sannaro!
VARANANI
Cherna, this is Sannaro!
DEVASRU
I sense family recognition, too. This is Sannaro.
Cherna stroked Sannaro’s hair and looked deep into his eyes.
CHERNA
San? What happened to you?
SANNARO
It was Verano again. Uncle, he’s testing some kind of Gene Therapy where he replaces mutant DNA with normal Saili DNA. It was twice as painful as his mind-wiping serum. Then he stuck me in a monastery for the Order of True Telepaths and threatened to cut my vocal cords unless I took a vow of silence and only used my telepathy. When I failed to acclimate to Sailia, another doctor named Kinetiko brought me back here and found that some upper chambers of my lungs were severely damaged when I was burned so he was going to operate on me to give me a new lung from some kind of donation. That was when I floored him and escaped to find
Meturato.
DEVASRU
Verano. That man's insane. I am surprised and dismayed that Kinetiko knew about this. He's the doctor I took Varanani to.
CHERNA
I could think of many things I’d like to do to that Verano for what he did to you!
SANNARO
Can I speak with my wife in private?
Meturato nodded and asked that they follow him. He took them to a small bedroom.
When the door closed, Sannaro took Cherna into his arms. He nuzzled his head on her shoulder.
SANNARO
I don’t know if this change can be reversed, Cheri.
CHERNA
I guess I could get use to red hair and blue-green eyes. After all, I had to look at Di'ok’s red mop of hair all my life.
Sannaro laughed.
CHERNA
The blue-green eyes are kind of nice.
He closed his eyes and pressed his cheek into her hand.
She reached up and stroked his ear.
He gasped and arched his body against hers, his senses electrified by her erotic touch.
CHERNA
Oh, houk, you are my man!
He kissed her lips eagerly as he slipped his mind into hers.
Cherna moaned and pressed her body against his. Now that they were joined in mind, all doubts she had about his identity disappeared.
Sannaro laid pressed against her and felt fatigue wash through him.
CHERNA
Why are you so tired? It's not like you at all. Something's wrong, San, you're not feeling well.
SANNARO
I haven't since the DNA resequencing.
CHERNA
Why are you acting guarded, lover? You're keeping something from me.
SANNARO
I just don't want you to feel the agony I went through in the DNA resequencing. I don't want to put you through all that pain and hurt Andoku.
CHERNA
Good point.
SANNARO
Meturato wants me to lead a revolt against the Saili. He says I'm the only Gonkacha Saili who's ever fought the system and won.
CHERNA
In a way, you have. When you were taken by the Saili, you used the skills we Astrisi taught you to survive Verano’s cruelty.
SANNARO
They say I’m one of them!
CHERNA
You are. They’ve shown they can’t rebel alone, San. If they truly believe you are their only hope, can you turn your back on them?
SANNARO
I thought I was only coming here to help you with your pregnancy, but now I’m in the middle of a whole rebellion and they’re calling me their savior!
CHERNA
Maybe it was meant to happen that way?
SANNARO
Don’t give me that destiny stuff. Destiny is for the weak who can’t defend themselves against outside forces they allow to control their lives.
She pressed her finger on his lips.
CHERNA
Don’t scoff at destiny, San.
He kissed her finger.
CHERNA
Kumani knew what she was doing when she built the spaceships that would be our home when no one else would believe the scientists that our sun was expanding, but we Astrisi were destined to leave our dying planet and be reborn as the space-faring nomads we are now. That's why our symbol is the firebird. Just like she had the skills to save my people, so you should use your skills to save your people. I’ll even help you.
Sannaro snorted and rolled his eyes.
CHERNA
I'm carrying one of them so their future's now my own too.
SANNARO
I didn’t think of it that way.
CHERNA
Do you think they’re going to let you or Varanani off this station, now?
SANNARO
Nui, Meturato said when he tried to leave, they sent a tracker after him to take him off the transport before it managed to leave.
CHERNA
Then why would they allow us to leave? I’m carrying a Gonkacha baby. Varanani's a Gonkacha Saili and you’re wanted by Verano who wants to take control of you again. They’ll keep Zhad here because they wouldn’t want Lazha to know what’s happening here. The only one who might get out of here is Devasru, and that'll probably be to go back to Sailia.
SANNARO
So I have no choice but to fight.
Sannaro put his hand on Cherna’s stomach.
SANNARO (CONT.)
They’ve got themselves a leader.
She kissed him.
CHERNA
It’s the right thing to do.
Sannaro and Cherna joined the others again.
Sannaro held out the sides of the robe.
SANNARO
Meturato, can you find me some clothes? I can’t fight a war in a stupid dress.
METURATO
Fight a war?! Of course, I’ll find you some clothes!
DEVASRU
So you have decided to accept their offer?
ZHAD
I would've been very disappointed in my son if he hadn’t. These people are desperate.
DEVASRU
I had an idea of what was happening here, but I didn’t know it was this bad. Nor did I know Verano was working up here after all he did to those unfortunate orphans, as well as my nephew on Belvas.
VARANANI
I will fight, too.
DEVASRU
Varanani!
VARANANI
I'm Gonkacha. They are my people. I supported the Zuran War and even identified the native Belvans for the Astrisi. I will not hide again.
SANNARO
That’s saying it, Vara!
DEVASRU
I guess I can no longer deny that you are Gonkacha and these are your people. I’m just sad that you would choose to fight too.
Meturato returned with dark blue leggings and a silver tunic.
Sannaro accepted them and went back to the room he and Cherna had shared minutes before. He dressed. He returned to the large room.
Cherna tugged on Sannaro’s silver tunic hem.
CHERNA
Cute.
SANNARO/DEVASRU
It’s the accepted Saili style.
DEVASRU
So, you remembered my constant argument that day I took you clothes shopping?
SANNARO
I couldn't stand them.
DEVASRU
You were a petulant teen.
SANNARO
You were a straight and narrow, stern Uncle, but I forgive you. You only thought you were doing the right thing for me.
DEVASRU
I am surprised you forgave me so quickly.
SANNARO
War can mature a person very fast, especially a war as gruesome as the Zuran War was.
DEVASRU
What’s that puckered flesh around your leg?
He looked over at Zhad, but he crossed his arms and nodded his head.
Cherna encircled Sannaro’s arm and looked sadly toward him.
VARANANI
You must tell him, Sannaro.
SANNARO
I crashed my Vizha'i during the Zuran War and nearly amputated my left leg. Zhad had to replant the leg.
DEVASRU
Well, I couldn’t have stopped you if I tried, but I'm thankful to Zhad, he was able to repair the damage.
SANNARO
Thank you for understanding, Uncle. Meturato, I want you to find all the physically able men and women to prepare for self-defense training.
METURATO
Men and women?
SANNARO
Astrisi don’t make distinctions on who's able to fight. All Astrisi are able to fight. Cherna will be helping me to train all of you. It is going to take all of you to successfully fight the Saili. If the woman has children to tend to, leave her alone, but if no children are in a woman’s care, bring her for training.
After a few minutes, men and women began gathering in the center of the room. When Sannaro noticed less people were coming, he called for their attention. He asked that they make rows of four at arms’ length from each other, then proceeded to show them how to do basic stretches.
As soon as they were warmed up, Sannaro began with the defensive stance with one foot forward of the other with their weight on the leading foot. The left hand was a fist and held at the side with the palm facing upward toward the armpit and the right arm was swept just forward of the leading leg, also in a fist.
As each person followed the stance, Sannaro and Cherna moved through the group to adjust any wrong positions.
At the back of the group, Varanani was doing her best to stand in the stance.
SANNARO
Vara, you don’t have to do this.
VARANANI
You said you need every able man and woman. I'm able. I said I wanted to help so treat me as just another student!
SANNARO
You’re the best, sis.
Sannaro returned to the head of the class.
Sannaro returned to the head of the class.
They led the group through moving along the floor while keeping the stance and went through correcting people again.
When each were moving well enough to basically maintain the stance, they practiced that a while, before they went into basic punching and kicking.
He showed them the cool down exercises and allowed them to rest.
The next day, they'd review what they learned and possibly show some of the more promising students some simple throws.
Meturato walked up to Sannaro with his back slightly bowed.
SANNARO
Did you see Varanani?
CHERNA
She’s becoming more Astrisi every day.
METURATO
You’re a tough teacher, Sannaro.
Sannaro moved behind Meturato and poked his index and middle fingers into the man’s knotted back muscles to loosen them up, then massaged his back.
METURATO
That was fantastic!
Sannaro looked up and found himself surrounded by moaning people.
SANNARO
Zhad, Cherna, can you help me ease these people’s tight muscles?
Zhad chuckled as he joined Sannaro with Cherna at his side. They worked on easing aches until their own muscles ached. They were happy to be allowed to find a place among the sea of people so they could get some sleep.
INT. VAGAKTA STATION GONKACHA HIDEOUT
The next morning, Cherna sat on the floor between Sannaro’s legs with her head laid on his chest. His arms were around her waist.
CHERNA
I'd feel better if we could find weapons, San.
SANNARO
As Devasru says, it is not their way, Cherna. It’s stretching acceptability for us to be teaching them basic self-defense so they can do this rebellion.
CHERNA
They’re hardly proficient. Edat wouldn’t even be giving them a white belt.
SANNARO
They’re better than the guards I fought to get away from Kinetiko.
CHERNA
You know we can’t wait much longer to launch the offensive?
SANNARO
I do know that. I feel the guards getting closer to our position. We'll have to mount our offensive soon.
Sannaro stood up and stepped over Cherna.
Cherna stood up right after him.
SANNARO
Fighters, fall into formation.
Those who hadn’t been practicing were now joining the others in the center of the room.
SANNARO
We can spare no more time for preparation. The guards are getting close. We must move out now and make our attack.
METURATO
We’re ready! Let’s do it!
CHORUS
Yeah!
SANNARO
Then let us go fight for our lives and our right to have children!
The group surged ahead toward the hallways of the station.
Sannaro and Cherna were at the lead.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Are you sure we should fight in one large group?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know that smaller groups need leaders. Who else can lead them except you and me? I suspect it’s not going to stay too organized anyway. This is going to be more like a riot than a war.
By then, Sannaro met up with the first guard.
The guard lunged for him.
Sannaro inserted his arms inside of the guard’s outstretched arms and batted them out while he raised his knee into the man’s chest, then swung his leg out and kicked the guard backwards.
The man hit the floor, unconscious.
SANNARO
See what I mean? These guards are nothing, but untrained thugs.
CHERNA
They’re a joke!
Cherna repelled the arm of a man that tried to grab her. She poked him with two fingers right under the breastbone and he dropped like a dead weight.
VARANANI
Hiya!
She slammed her foot down on her attacker’s foot, then pulled the same leg’s knee up into the man’s groin.
He collapsed into a sobbing heap.
SANNARO
Wow, sis, I didn’t think you had it in you.
Varanani crouched in the defensive stance.
VARANANI
That unkakab is not taking me!
CHERNA
Spoken like an Astrisi.
Cherna pulled ahead.
Sannaro woofed when pain exploded in his chest. He staggered and pressed himself against the wall. As the pain eased, he rushed to rejoin his sister and his wife.
Soon after, he grappled with a guard who was more skilled than the others they'd met so far.
As he began to move to block a punch that was directed at his midriff a strong sending ripped through his mind in Verano’s voice.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, stop the fighting right now or I will kill any Gonkacha I capture.
Sannaro grabbed his ears.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Go throw yourself into a volcano!
The wind was knocked out of him from the guard that propelled his fist deep into Sannaro’s abdomen.
Sannaro gagged and fell to his knees, gripping his stomach. He was fighting through his automatic response so he could control himself again.
The guard pulled Sannaro up by his hair to his feet. The man’s fist was ready to strike again.
Sannaro picked up his left foot and stomped it down on the guard’s foot.
The guard howled and let go of Sannaro’s hair, now drifting down in a red cloud to the floor. The guard was hopping on one foot.
Sannaro swept that foot out from under him, then followed the guard’s fall to plunge the heel of his hand into the guard’s stomach.
The guard shook, then was unconscious.
Sannaro swayed across the hall and propped himself on the wall to give himself more time to recover from the pain in his head and his stomach.
Cherna rushed back to his side. She helped him stand from the wall.
CHERNA
I felt your pain! Oh, your hair is everywhere.
SANNARO
Tell Vara that stepping on someone’s foot is a good maneuver.
Sannaro began to chuckle, but it came out as a hiccup and he held his stomach again.
CHERNA
You’re really hurt!
SANNARO
If Verano hadn’t mind-slapped me with a message, I would've blocked that punch and not have my intestines rearranged. Saili are far stronger than Humanoids.
CHERNA
What was the message?
He leaned back against the wall again.
SANNARO
The message was if I didn’t stop the fighting right now he would kill any Gonkacha he caught.
CHERNA
Why don’t you retreat and rest? I’ll keep the fight going.
SANNARO
Nui, I’m feeling better now.
Sannaro pushed off the wall and moved down the hall.
CHERNA
It bothers me that Verano's threatening us.
SANNARO
I understand your concern, Cheri. I think we need to change our direction. Instead of trying to take over the control center of the station, we need to target Verano. He seems to be the driving force behind the Gonkacha Doctor’s animosity toward the Gonkacha Saili. You keep the large group moving through the station and I’ll infiltrate Verano’s clinic to capture him.
CHERNA
Are you sure you can manage it? You seem to still be in pain.
SANNARO
Remember when we were escaping from the Zuran flagship and I had a damaged ear?
CHERNA
Houk, you continued to shoot your laser and you foolishly released a mind-slam to incapacitate the Zurans so we could fly out of that ship in Ambassador Daniels’ Spaceship. Before you make your move would you let Zhad check you for internal damage?
SANNARO
I will, ko'ia.
ZHAD
San, why didn’t you come to me when you returned?
SANNARO
I’m okay. I’m going after Verano. He’ll be so busy watching the peripheral fighting, he won’t be on his guard for one of his own True Telepaths to visit him with a little surprise.
Sannaro shrugged to adjust the shoulders of the robe onto his shoulders. He pulled the voluminous hood over his head.
INT. VAGAKTA STATION GONKACHA CLINIC
Sannaro slipped through the halls, avoiding both the Gonkacha and the guards. He arrived at Verano’s medical suite and slipped into the waiting room.
A medical assistant was shaking at the reception desk.
SANNARO
I am here to speak with Verano. His associates are not pleased about this tussle he has allowed to break out on this station.
The assistant rushed around the desk and opened the door to the back room.
SIKYATAVO
Please enter, brother.
Sannaro swept past the assistant with barely a glance and walked down the hall. He stopped just before the door where he sensed voices talking rapidly.
DOCTOR #1 (PSI V.O.)
They’re overcoming the guards! They’re fierce!
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
They won’t last long if I seal us in a protected room and explode seranimite gas bombs throughout this station.
KINETIKO (PSI V.O.)
But there will be other Saili here who will be exposed to the seranimite and become infected with Gonkacha!
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
What is a few casualties? We’ll be rid of the Gonkacha forever!
DOCTOR #1 PSI V.O.
And loose the use of Vagakta Station!
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Don’t you see that the loss of this station will actually be a blessing? We will no longer have to worry about the Human contamination!
KINETIKO (PSI V.O.)
Then how would we move out the abundant metals of our world?
Verano slammed his hand on the table.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
That is what caused the contamination in the first place.
KINETIKO (PSI V.O.)
You’re insane, Verano.
Sannaro hid around the corner just as Kinetiko swept out of the room.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Let Kinetiko leave. I didn’t like his superior attitude, anyway.
He was about to return to the door when pain stabbed through his chest. He grabbed his chest and slid down the wall as he struggled to keep himself from making a sound. As he waited for the pain to subside, the other doctors left the room with only Verano remaining.
Sannaro stood up and returned to the door and rushed into the room.
Verano looked up from a book with notes scrawled on the pages. Verano stood up.
VERANO
What are you doing here?
Sannaro tore the robe off and leapt across the table to put Verano in a headlock.
SANNARO
I’m your avenging angel.
VERANO
It’s too late, Sannaro. I’m going to kill all of you and cleanse the Saili at the same time.
SANNARO
Even your doctors think you’re crazy.
VERANO
Not all.
A wall of energy slammed into Sannaro’s head.
Sannaro shrieked, grabbed his ears and fell to the floor. As he fought for consciousness, he saw two doctors rushing Verano out the door.
Sannaro groaned as he pulled himself off the floor of the conference room. He flopped into a chair and held his aching head.
It was a wonder to him how he had survived such a massive mind-slam.
His shields must have been better than he thought they were.
When he could see straight again, he stumbled out into the hall.
He arrived at the front reception desk and saw the same assistant he had seen earlier huddled under the desk shivering.
SIKYATAVO
Don’t hurt me.
Sannaro propped his body up with his hands on the desk.
SANNARO
If you help me get help, I’ll spare you as a prisoner of war. I promise you will be treated kindly.
Sikatavo slowly climbed out and took Sannaro around the shoulders.
SANNARO
Now that we’re in agreement, follow where I direct you.
He took Sikyatavo to the suite.
The Gonkacha gasped at the sight of the assistant holding Sannaro.
Zhad rushed up.
ZHAD
What’s wrong?
SANNARO
I’ve just survived a massive mind-slam.
ZHAD
Fausa, treating the aftereffects of a massive mind-slam is not in my expertise!
Zhad took Sannaro from Sikyatavo and guided him into a side room.
Sikyatavo followed.
SIKYATAVO
I know what to do. Do you have any Catowsh?
ZHAD
Always.
Zhad pulled a bottle out of the bag he brought along.
SIKYATAVO
Give him four tablets.
ZHAD
That’s more than I usually recommend.
SIKYATAVO
One or two can do for minor aches, but we must relax the synaptic nerves. They are hyper-stimulated right now and that continued state can damage them if they haven’t sustained damage already.
Sannaro closed his eyes and cupped his hands over his ears that were still aching terribly.
One of Sannaro’s hands was pulled away from his ear and he felt four round objects fall into his palm.
Sannaro groaned as he pulled his head up and popped the pills into his mouth.
Zhad helped him to sip some water to wash the pills down.
Sannaro gratefully returned his head to the pillow.
SIKYATAVO
I will have to do telepathic surgery on you.
SANNARO
Zhad, bring Uncle Devasru in to monitor the medic. What's your name?
SIKYATAVO
My name is Sikyatavo.
SANNARO
Well, Sikyatavo, if you try to do anything to harm me, my uncle will stop you.
Sannaro's head swam.
ENTER DEVASRU.
DEVASRU
Sannaro, Zhad says you’ve been attacked with a massive mind-slam?
SANNARO
Unfortunately. I was so close to having Verano. He’s planted seranimite vapor bombs all through the station. He intends to set them off if we don’t end the rebellion!
DEVASRU
Seranimite vapor bombs?! That will make all of us insane!
ZHAD
Except for Cherna and me, although it may make us sick to our stomachs.
SANNARO
And you’ll be trapped on this station with a lot of psychotic Saili, including me!
SIKYATAVO
I must start the telepathic surgery now.
Sannaro nodded and closed his eyes.
SIKYATAVO (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, you do have some synaptic damage, but it’s not a lot. The only thing I can do for you at this time is to turn off those receptors causing you pain so your brain can bypass those damaged synapses.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What does that entail?
SIKYATAVO (PSI V.O.)
Well, I will have to burn them out so they can’t receive.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cauterizing a nerve ending is a common medical practice when the nerve is too damaged. Do what you must.
Sannaro winced when he felt more pain in his head, but after a while it eased, then Sikyatavo pulled out of his mind.
Sannaro opened his eyes and smiled at Zhad and Devasru.
SANNARO
I feel better now.
DEVASRU
I don’t like the damage you’ve sustained, Sannaro.
SIKYATAVO
I think we need to leave now so he can sleep. He is still very drugged.
Sannaro was already nodding off.
Later, Sannaro heard two familiar voices in his room.
DEVASRU
Zhad, these hostilities have to stop.
ZHAD
It's necessary for the survival of these people, Devasru, as well as your nephew and niece.
DEVASRU
If we continue, there isn’t going to be anything left of my nephew!
ZHAD
Sannaro's a warrior; injuries are a part of the job. Sannaro knows that and accepts the risks. I know as parents it's not easy to accept it, Devasru, but be proud of what he's achieved.
DEVASRU
A fried brain is what he’s achieved!
EXIT Devasru.
ZHAD
I wouldn’t have put it that way.
SANNARO
Devasru's stubborn in that way.
ZHAD
I didn’t know you were awake, San.
SANNARO
I’m actually feeling better.
Sannaro stood up.
ZHAD
I’m glad the surgery was a success.
SANNARO
So am I, I wasn’t looking forward to being in that kind of pain all the time.
A woman rushed into the room.
GONKACHA WOMAN
Your Uncle Devasru has left the suite, Sannaro!
SANNARO
What?
GONKACHA WOMAN
He left the suite grumbling that someone had to stop the fighting and it might as well be him because no one was listening.
SANNARO
That’s crazy! Does he honestly think that negotiation will work with a psychopathic scientist bent on genocide?
ZHAD
Obviously, he does, San,and his fate be kind to him.
Sannaro rushed out of the room to follow Devasru when Zhad took his arm and held him back.
SANNARO
I’m going after him.
Zhad grabbed Sannaro’s other arm and shook him.
ZHAD
Now, that would be insane.
The front door of the suite opened again and Cherna stepped through with Varanani on her shoulder.
Sannaro hurried over to his sister and helped Cherna lower her to the floor.
Varanani immediately put her head between her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs.
SANNARO
What happened?
CHERNA
A guard slapped her across her head. She was showing signs of mild ear damage so I brought her back.
ZHAD
That was a good idea.
Zhad squatted in front of Varanani and examined her ears.
ZHAD (CONT.)
I see the forming of a bruise on her left ear. It’s not bad, but she should stay back for some rest.
Cherna was about to bolt out the door again when Sannaro grabbed her arm and led her to another room.
SANNARO
Devasru slipped out to try to talk to Verano.
CHERNA
Does he honestly think it'll work?
SANNARO
I almost captured him until he called in reinforcements who mind slammed me. So, he’s not in the mood for ending the hostilities. He has seranimite vapor bombs planted throughout the station and he wants to set them off. Some of the doctors disagree with him.
CHERNA
That would accelerate your disease!
SANNARO
And probably make us Gonkacha Saili all psychotic. In all likelihood we’ll start killing each other and anyone else trapped on this station.
The stabbing pain hit his chest again. He grabbed his chest and fell to the floor.
Cherna squatted down and laid her arm over his back.
CHERNA
San, what’s wrong?
SANNARO
Don’t worry, the pain will subside in a minute.
CHERNA
How many times have you been having this pain?
SANNARO
I don’t know, about four times, I think. It’s leaving now.
Sannaro sat up again.
Cherna went through the door and called for Zhad.
Zhad rushed through the door and knelt beside Sannaro.
ZHAD
Are you having trouble with pain in your head?
CHERNA
Nui, Zhad, this pain is in his chest.
Zhad pulled a scanner out of his pocket and waved it over Sannaro. He read the screen.
ZHAD
I don’t know what to do! I’m picking up signs of cellular degradation!
Behind them, framed by the door, was Sikyatavo.
SIKYATAVO
This isn't good, that means the gene therapy's incomplete. He is trying to revert to his natural state.
ZHAD
It’s going to kill him.
A sob tore from Cherna.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, I have your precious uncle. I’ll consider releasing him on one condition.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What do you want, Verano?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I want you in exchange for Devasru.
As Verano’s voice faded from his mind, he curled up into a ball and cried.
CHERNA
San?
SANNARO
Verano has Devasru. He’s demanding an exchange of him for me.
CHERNA
Nui, we can’t do that!
SANNARO
Houk, we can.
CHERNA
Nui!
SANNARO
Cherna, I’m dying and Devasru's not. I have to save my uncle, ko'ia. Maybe if I exchange myself, one of the doctors rebelling against Verano will sympathize and help me.
Cherna sat back against the wall and held her stomach, crying.
CHERNA
This isn’t going right. My first baby and we’re stuck on Vagakta Station with doctors who only want to kill us and my mate is dying.
Sannaro took her in his arms.
SANNARO
If my death will get you off this station, it will be worth it.
Sannaro brushed her hair back from her face and kissed the tears from her cheeks.
She pressed her head into his chest.
CHERNA
I don’t want to be alone.
SANNARO
You won’t be alone. You’ll have Zhad, Adara, Sha'ya, Danu, your mother Ba'ia and your crazy brother Di'ok to get you through.
CHERNA
I love you.
Cherna stroked his ear.
He closed his eyes and shivered as the electricity coursed through his senses. Sannaro kissed her passionately.
SANNARO
I love you, too. I have to go now.
He turned around and bolted from the room.
As he was walking down the hall, Sikyatavo ran to join him.
SANNARO
What are you doing here?
SIKYATAVO
I know Doctor Kinetiko is getting very disturbed by Doctor Verano’s plans. I could explain to him what is happening to you and maybe convince him to help you.
SANNARO
Why? They’ll know you’re a turncoat.
SIKYATAVO
Verano left me in that office without a care to what would happen to me. For all I knew, you may have killed me for what I helped Verano do to you.
SANNARO
But I didn’t because, unlike Verano, I have respect for life.
SIKYATAVO
You’re a warrior.
SANNARO
Yes, I've killed, but only because I wasn't given a choice. Surprisingly, when you're given control over life and death, most warriors choose life because they have seen the horrors of death.
Sannaro continued down the hall. He reached Verano’s suite and took a deep breath.
SIKYATAVO
I will part from you now and seek out Kinetiko. Good luck.
Sikyatavo held up his hand.
Sannaro stared at that hand for a few seconds, feeling surprised that the offer would be given, before he held up his own hand and exchanged a light scan with the medic. Sannaro took another deep breath and stepped through the door.
Sannaro walked slowly into the clinic. At first it was empty, but he sensed two presences behind the reception desk, so he moved to the window.
Verano stood up with a laser pistol at Uncle Devasru’s throat.
Sannaro spread his hands out at his sides.
SANNARO
I’m here, now, release my uncle.
VERANO
What assurance do I have you won’t attack me or escape with Devasru?
SANNARO
I have honor, Verano.
DEVASRU
You nearly burned out Sannaro’s brain with that mind-slam!
VERANO
How nice!
Sannaro gasped as the pain again wracked his chest. He collapsed on his knees and sobbed for breath.
Verano laughed and pushed Devasru through the door into the waiting room.
Devasru stepped toward Sannaro, but Sannaro waved him away.
SANNARO
Go, uncle, leave while you can. Varanani needs you.
Devasru looked like he was going to cry when he finally turned around and bolted into the outer hall.
Kinetiko walked out of the back room and knelt beside Sannaro with a scanner in his hand.
KINETIKO
Verano, Sannaro's suffering from cellular degradation! Did you consider your DNA resequencing might break down?
VERANO
That’s not possible! I tested everything!
KINETIKO
See for yourself, Verano, Sannaro's dying of cell degradation.
Kinetiko held up his scanner for Verano to see the reading.
VERANO
Death is acceptable. How touching, Sannaro, you knew you were dying, so you exchanged yourself so Devasru would be free. Your sacrifice is for nothing because I’m still going to set off those vapor bombs.
KINETIKO
No, Verano, that would be cruel! Think about the normal Saili who would parish here!
VERANO
They aren’t my concern. You shouldn’t have shown them how to rebel, Sannaro.
Verano kicked Sannaro in the ribs.
Sannaro gasped, held his ribs and pulled himself into a tight ball.
VERANO
Those lost Saili will be on your conscience, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Only because you have no conscience, Verano.
Kinetiko helped Sannaro to stand.
VERANO
What are you doing, Kinetiko?
KINETIKO
I’m being merciful. This boy's entitled to treatment to prevent full cellular degradation!
VERANO
You’re too soft, Kinetiko. If he doesn’t die before the detonation, he’ll die soon after at the hands of his own people.
Kinetiko had a look of disgust as he helped Sannaro through the door into the back room. He led Sannaro into a treatment room where Sikyatavo was already waiting.
Sikyatavo handed over a book.
SIKYATAVO
Here are Doctor Verano’s case notes.
KINETIKO
Thank you.
After a few minutes of reading, Kinetiko looked through the bottles in the medicine cabinet and drew out several vials. Kinetiko pulled out several injectors and filled them with the contents of the vial.
KINETIKO
You were very low on metallic content, Sannaro. I'll try to restore your natural mixture. It may not work, but I'll do my best. Hopefully, the Gonkacha genetic material will just fill in the degraded cells.
SIKYATAVO
If it works, can we regenerate the synapses I had to burn out from Sannaro’s mind slam?
KINETIKO
One minor miracle at a time, young man.
Kinetiko approached Sannaro with the injectors. He pressed the injectors to Sannaro’s neck.
Sannaro went into spasms again.
SANNARO
Blessed Firebird, this hurts!
KINETIKO
I wish I could ease your pain, but, with what I have to go on, I don’t know if pain relievers might counteract the DNA resequencing.
SIKYATAVO
What is Verano doing? I thought he would've tried to stop us by now.
SANNARO
No respect for life.
KINETIKO
I’m afraid you were right all along, Sannaro. How ghastly that it seems Verano doesn't use pain relievers and, by Verano’s notes, I may have to give you one or two more injections in two hour intervals. The spasms are subsiding now so why don’t you rest?
Sannaro nodded his head drowsily as his body relaxed. Before he was asleep he heard Kinetiko and Sikyatavo leave the room. Sannaro would've liked to stay alert, but his body wasn’t willing so he slipped into an uneasy sleep.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
INT. VAGAKTA STATION GONKACHA CLINIC
When Sannaro reawakened, he was met by an old familiar face.
SANNARO
Gavasno!
GAVASNO
Don’t overexert yourself, San. This is the second time I’ve had to visit you on the edge of hardening.
SANNARO
So why are you here?
Sannaro pulled a strand of hair in front of his eyes and was disappointed it was still copper.
GAVASNO
Because of this. The Saili Police want me to investigate what’s going on here.
SANNARO
Verano's doing grisly experiments on the Gonkacha Saili under the guise of being a concerned Medical Doctor. He decided to try out his Gene Therapy on me. That’s why I have copper hair and teal green eyes. But now my modified DNA is falling apart, so Doctor Kinetiko's helping to give me back my former DNA pattern and return me to my Gonkacha state.
GAVASNO
I’ve been chasing that mad doctor for five years.
SANNARO
You should see these Gonkacha, Gavasno, they’re terrified of normal Saili! Their habi have mysteriously been aborted. They’ve been sterilized and forced to stay on Vagakta Station. Some have mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again. Their lives are miserable. They asked me to lead a rebellion because they see me as the only Gonkacha Saili who fought the system and won. They’re desperate, Gavasno!
GAVASNO
It’s just like the Orphanage all over again. Thank you for your statement, San. This time Verano must be apprehended.
SANNARO
Be careful, Verano has planted seranimite vapor bombs all through the station. He's planning to set them off once he escapes the station.
GAVASNO
He’s not getting off this station. The Police have sealed off the flight deck and surrounded the station.
Kinetiko entered with more injectors.
KINETIKO
It is time for another treatment.
SANNARO
That stuff's pure agony.
KINETIKO
It is necessary to return your body to its former balance.
SANNARO
Let’s get it over with.
Sannaro arched his neck.
Kinetiko walked over and pressed the injectors into Sannaro’s neck.
Sannaro was immediately rigid with seizures. His hair fell to the ground like a copper cloud. He slowly picked up some strands of the hair and held it in front of his eyes. The strands were a shimmering dark blue.
SANNARO
Ha'iko! Are my eyes dark blue again?
GAVASNO
You look like the old Sannaro I tutored in Telepathy on Belvas.
Sannaro leapt off the bed.
SANNARO
Let’s go take Verano down!
Kinetiko put a restraining hand on Sannaro’s chest.
KINETIKO
You still need one more injection in two hours for the process to be complete.
SANNARO
I’ll come back for the last treatment, Doctor. I have two scores to settle with Verano.
KINETIKO
Tracker Gavasno, please watch Sannaro for any signs of fatigue. I still think it’s too soon for him to be exerting himself.
GAVASNO
I’ll keep an eye on him.
Sannaro rushed out of the room.
Gavasno caught up with Sannaro again.
SANNARO
Oh yeah, I feel right again.
GAVASNO
Don’t allow your newly restored aggression to get out of control, San.
SANNARO
He wanted to kill my baby and trap me in a monastery for the rest of my life. He’s going to pay.
GAVASNO
Baby? You’re a father?
SANNARO
My Astrisi mate is pregnant with our first. That's why I came back. Otherwise I would've never known about the plight of my fellow Gonkacha Saili.
GAVASNO
You sound happy with your life among the Astrisi.
Sannaro stopped and turned toward Gavasno.
SANNARO
You know I can never fit in among the Saili. I'm a trained warrior. The Saili would only throw me in a jail for the rest of my life if I lived among them. When you decided to be my telepathy tutor, you said you were trying to prevent me from having to join the criminal community. Didn’t you have any doubts about my ability to adjust?
GAVASNO
I was very concerned about you, San. I sensed from your mind that you'd already been exposed to violence as well as having participated in violent battles. Yes, I did have serious doubts about your ability to adjust.
SANNARO
So I’m better off staying with the people who raised me to be this way because it's acceptable behavior to them. Now, Verano’s laboratory is around this corner and two doors down. Let’s get him.
GAVASNO
Wait, Sannaro. Why do I sense nerve damage in your brain?
SANNARO
I almost caught Verano myself until I was given a massive mind-slam Sikyatavo had to burn out those damaged synapses so I wouldn’t be in constant pain.
GAVASNO
A mind slam with intent to inflict permanent damage or insanity is a crime.
SANNARO
So just chalk it up as another of the many crimes Verano has committed.
GAVASNO
You have incredible stamina.
SANNARO
I'd prefer to think I'd make a better cop than a criminal.
GAVASNO
That’s a thought.
SANNARO
When I was living on Regalis, I use to pretend that I was a pilot with the Interstellar Space Police.
GAVASNO
Very interesting!
Sannaro led the way around the corner and down the hall.
They stopped outside of Verano’s lab.
They swept into an antechamber that was empty.
As they crouched against the wall, they heard the clinking of glass and metal through an open door.
Gavasno pulled out a stun pistol and held it at ready.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I wish I had a gun.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Sorry, guns aren’t issued to anyone else except the police.
Gavasno rushed through the open door.
Verano froze in the act of putting some equipment into a case, then suddenly threw the case at Sannaro and Gavasno.
They had to duck to avoid it.
Verano took the opportunity to duck below the tables.
Sannaro leapt over two tables in pursuit of Verano.
Verano reached a back door before Sannaro reached him.
Sannaro and Gavasno stood out in the back hall scanning for Verano.
Gavasno slapped Sannaro’s arm and indicated to go left.
They ran down the hall until they came to a T-intersection. They stopped again and Gavasno huffed in frustration.
SANNARO
This area has psychic dampers in the walls.
GAVASNO
That’s why we lost him.
Gavasno slammed his stunner back into its holster.
SANNARO
You know, I could be more use to you if you would get me one of those stunners. I shoot very accurately.
GAVASNO
What rank do you hold with the Astrisi?
SANNARO
We don’t have rank.
GAVASNO
Position, then, what position do you hold?
SANNARO
I'm the Senior Assistant Team-leader of all the fighter squadrons on the Kumani.
GAVASNO
That’s a high position.
SANNARO
Sure is.
GAVASNO
In only five years you've gone from being newly placed in a squadron to being the Senior Team-leader’s Assistant? Do you command a squadron as well?
SANNARO
Yes, I command the Red Team.
GAVASNO
How did you make it so fast?
SANNARO
Well, the Zuran war was very vicious. It took out a good many Team-leaders as well as Junior pilots. We had to fill in the void with as many competent pilots we could find without consideration of age. My Senior says I’m too good at my job to trade me for an older pilot who may not be as competent.
GAVASNO
It sounds like you could've been an Interstellar Space Policeman. Let’s go to the flight deck so I can give a report and maybe convince my supervisor to issue you a weapon. I think I’ll need you to help me hunt down Verano.
SANNARO
It takes a Deviant to hunt a Deviant?
GAVASNO
Something like that.
They went through a door into the main halls of the station.
SANNARO
Can we go to the Gonkacha hideout so I can assure my mate and my uncle that I'm all right?
GAVASNO
Councilman Devasru is here?
SANNARO
He came to visit with us while Cherna was visiting the Madanaya. That’s when this mess started. The Madanaya wanted Cherna to abort her pregnancy because I was Gonkacha!
GAVASNO
That’s not like the Madanaya to insist on abortions. Especially when it's been proven there is less complications with a Gonkacha fetus if one of the couple is Humanoid!
SANNARO
So there has been genocide happening on this station.
GAVASNO
If there is, I want to prove it in a full investigation.
Sannaro stopped at the door to the hideout.
SANNARO
I want to warn you before we go in that these people are terrified of normal Saili. They may want to confront you as soon as we enter.
GAVASNO
I want to see this. If it's as bad as you say, I want to report it myself.
Sannaro nodded, then went through the door.
They were immediately met with two men. One of them pushed Gavasno in the chest.
GONKACHA GUARD
No Saili are allowed here.
SANNARO
Stand down. He's an ally.
Cherna ran into the antechamber.
CHERNA
Sannaro? You’re normal again!
She rushed into his arms.
He hugged her back.
SANNARO
More like I’m Gonkacha again.
Cherna pulled back a little and turned her head to see who he was with.
CHERNA
Gavasno, it’s been a while.
GAVASNO
It’s been five years since I rescued Sannaro the first time and met you at the hospital.
GONKACHA GUARD
You know him?
SANNARO
He is a policeman who's here to arrest Verano.
They entered the large room with the cowering Gonkacha huddled against the walls.
GAVASNO
Great Forger! You’re right, San, I sense mindless terror in this room!
SANNARO
The ones who have presence of mind are out fighting for control of this station to stop the atrocities, Gavasno.
Devasru rushed toward Gavasno with his hand upwards.
DEVASRU
Gavasno, how relieved I am to see the presence of police here. Sannaro, I never thought I'd be so glad to see your dark blue hair and eyes again.
SANNARO
Kinetiko rebelled against Verano’s control and reversed the gene therapy.
Varanani grabbed Sannaro in a hug.
DEVASRU
At least there still is a decent doctor on this station.
ZHAD
A relief, actually.
Zhad took his turn to hug Sannaro. Zhad pulled out a sensor from his pocket.
SANNARO
I've only come temporarily. I'm going to help Gavasno apprehend Verano.
ZHAD
Before you go anywhere, young man, I am going to examine you.
The sensor hummed before him and Zhad read the screen.
ZHAD
Your cellular structure is rejuvenating although it's still incomplete.
SANNARO
Kinetiko still needs to give me one more treatment. I told him I'd be back after we took Verano.
ZHAD
You'd better, your body's still in a state of flux. Your condition could still go either way.
SANNARO
I understand, Zhad.
As they left the suite again, Gavasno patted Sannaro on the shoulder.
GAVASNO
You have a good family, San. You have an uncle who's understanding and a foster father who's caring. Your sister loves you and your wife adores you.
SANNARO
I guess I do have it good. I adore Cherna too.
GAVASNO
That bond is evident. She likes your ears.
Sannaro dropped his head to hide his embarrassment.
GAVASNO
She touches your ears a lot, doesn’t she?
SANNARO
Every chance she gets.
GAVASNO
I envy you.
Several minutes later, they walked into the flight deck. As soon as they entered the shuttle parking area, Sannaro ran over to the shuttle he flew in.
SANNARO
The unkafata took it apart!
He began to pick up the parts that were littering the deck.
GAVASNO
San, we’ll take care of your ransacked shuttle.
SANNARO
They really did have no intention on letting us leave!
Sannaro pulled his arm back to throw a part in his hand to the deck.
Gavasno took his outstretched arm and pulled the part from his hand.
GAVASNO
Damaging it further will do no good. What will get you back to your home is to help us apprehend Verano.
Sannaro glared at Gavasno for a few seconds before he sighed and dropped his arm.
SANNARO
You’re right. We have to take Verano.
GAVASNO
One thing I have to say, you’re back to the old Sannaro.
SANNARO
I didn’t realize how much more intense emotions I feel!
GAVASNO
You had nothing to compare yourself to. Now that you've been full Saili for a few weeks, you've something with which to compare your behaviors.
SANNARO
But either way, I was still dangerous.
GAVASNO
Without a doubt.
A silver man with gray hair approached them.
TONGORO
Is this the leader of the rebellion, Gavasno?
GAVASNO
This is Sannaro of the Astrisi. He was kidnapped twice by Verano and both times was subjected to unwanted experimentation upon his body, Captain Tongoro.
TONGORO
I remember you from Belvas. You’re a loner.
SANNARO
I am not a loner, I am Astrisi.
GAVASNO
Captain, he's different, but he's a skilled warrior. He's willing to help us capture Verano. If anyone should know Verano’s tactics, it’s Sannaro.
TONGORO
You know, I could arrest you for causing civil unrest?
SANNARO
I was defending myself and the other Gonkacha who've been mistreated on this station!
GAVASNO
Wait, as soon as I sensed Sannaro’s presence here, I sought him out. He was dying from cellular degradation because Verano replaced his Gonkacha DNA with normal Saili DNA and it was failing. Sannaro was in horrible pain! When I saw Sannaro, he had copper hair and teal green eyes.
That wasn't Sannaro’s natural state. When I knew him five years ago, his hair and eyes were dark blue. Doctor Kinetiko mercifully restored Sannaro’s DNA sequence and prevented him from dying. Then Sannaro took me to see the condition of the Gonkacha here. They were terrified of normal Saili. Mistreatment was raw in their minds! The Madanaya were trying to kill Sannaro’s first born baby! There's signs of Genocide here, sir!
TONGORO
Genocide- the Elders won't like this.
GAVASNO
We have a duty to help these people.
Gavasno went to a police ship and pulled out a stunner with a holster.
Tongoro stepped in front of Gavasno before he could hand the weapon to Sannaro.
TONGORO
I can’t let you do that. He is to stay in our custody until this matter is resolved.
Two other policemen pulled out handcuffs and walked toward Sannaro.
GAVASNO
No, don’t do this! Sannaro can help us capture Verano. You don’t understand how elusive Verano is.
TONGORO
We can handle it Sannaro Damirateyak, you are under arrest for inciting a riot in this station.
SANNARO
I don’t need your weapon.
As soon as the policemen reached for Sannaro’s arm, he swung the arm up to connect with the policeman’s jaw, then sprinted for the door. He ducked around several streams of energy before he dove through the door, tucked and rolled, then sprang up to his feet to run down the hall.
GAVASNO
How did he completely avoid that many stun volleys?
TONGORO
Go get him, Gavasno!
Gavasno broke into a trot back into the main part of Vagakta Station.
INT. VAGAKTA STATION HALLWAYS
Sannaro ran down the corridors of the station. He needed to stop Verano now.
As he moved on, he suddenly sensed danger behind him.
He ducked just in time for a bolt of energy to sizzle the hair on his head. He looked to see his attacker was two policemen firing stunners at him. He sprinted around a corner.
The Policemen were in close pursuit.
As he ran down another hall, he saw a recessed doorway, pressed himself into the shadows and waited.
As the first streak of blue caught his sight, he slammed into the first Policeman.
The policeman lost his balance and slammed his partner into the wall. He slid down to the floor in a crumpled heap.
Sannaro swept the legs of the other Policeman out from under him and slammed him hard onto the floor. He quickly followed with a fist to the man’s stomach.
The man went into spasms, then was still.
Sannaro swept up both of the stunners, put one into his waistband and kept the other in his hand, then he continued his flight down the hall.
At least now he had a weapon. He turned another corner, then stopped when he saw Gavasno was standing in the middle of the hall with his stunner pointed at him.
Sannaro leveled his own at Gavasno.
FADE OUT.
THE END.
