Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“INVASION: SAILIA”
EPISODE 59 – MIND GAMES
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
ACT 1
Sannaro met with two men in full white environmental containment suits. One man carried himself like he was becoming elderly. The other carried himself like a younger man.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
My name is George Yothers. I represent the Pallas Mining Company. Thank you for agreeing to this parlay.
SANNARO
I am Aurum General Sannaro Damirateyak of New Sailia. Hello, Dale, it's been a long time.
DALE (V.O.)
You didn't grow very tall, Sanna.
SANNARO
It's San now.
Yothers' turned to glare for a moment at Dale before he turned back to Sannaro.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
So, because the Grand Akuba declined to negotiate with me, he called you here from New Sailia.
SANNARO
That’s right, he did.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
Aurum, we really have no intention to harm your people. We only have their best intentions in mind.
SANNARO
I have my doubts.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
Our continued partnership on your world will only bring prosperity and security. If your people would dedicate themselves to the extraction of metals, at which they excel, we can use our knowledge of defense to protect them from invasion.
SANNARO
You mean, further invasion? After all, you came to Sailia uninvited.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
Now, Aurum, there's no reason to be accusatory.
SANNARO
The New Saili can teach the Saili here to defend themselves. They don't need your, so called, protection. They have been governing themselves since before Humans knew how to travel through space.
DALE (V.O.)
Weren't you and your New Saili exiled for being troublemakers? They couldn't even handle you!
SANNARO
I'm here by invitation of Grand Elder Hiamovi!
DALE (V.O.)
Face it, Sanna, your people are a bunch of wimps who need our leadership. We'll give you a good life if you work for us and behave yourselves.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
Enough, Mr. Turner.
DALE (V.O.)
I don't know what you did to Sam. He called me from Regalis, freaked.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
That is quite enough, Mr. Turner! Aurum Damirateyak, as I said, both our people would benefit from our continued partnership. Your Saili can do what they do best and we can give them peace of mind by securing their skies.
SANNARO
I am authorized by Grand Elder Hiamovi to tell you to return control of Sailia to the Saili or we will take back control by force.
YOTHERS (V.O.)
I don't recommend this course of action, Aurum Damirateyak.
SANNARO
Then this parlay is over. Don't try to detain me or I will fight you.
DALE (V.O.)
You can try, Sanna, but I know I'm better than you, wimp!
SANNARO
I'm no longer a wimp and you're ignorant, Dale.
Sannaro returned to his shuttle.
INT. SAILIA HIDEOUT
Sannaro returned to the hide-out suite and was immediately surrounded by his troops. He noticed that Gavasno and Varanani had returned.
CHERNA
What did they say?
SANNARO
What I expected; they want us to keep the partnership so that they can give us protection from invasion while we extract the metals.
GAVASNO
Protection from invasion? They're the invasion!
SANNARO
They said their presence here shows that we need protection and they're here to give it.
DANYLKO
Right, catch a thief in your home and then employ him to handle all your security? That's insane!
VARANANI
Who met with you?
SANNARO
George Yothers and Dale Turner.
VARANANI
Yothers tried to keep Mother, Father and Devakio's bodies to defray Father's debt.
GAVASNO
I remember, Ambassador Eradano had to pay off Giovano's debt before he could take the bodies back to Sailia.
SANNARO
I never knew that.
GAVASNO
That's because I spent two weeks searching for you and never found you.
SANNARO
So Yothers plays the angles?
GAVASNO
A local policeman who was assigned to the Bristol investigation called Yothers a "Corporate Snake.”
VARANANI
And Dale was with him?
SANNARO
Oh yeah, and he was sore and insulting, especially when Sam called him from Regalis to tell him I escaped.
GAVASNO
When you were nearly driven insane by the invasion of residual memories of the dead at Bristol?
SANNARO
Yeah.
DANYLKO
He has some nerve.
VARANANI
Trust me, Dale was like that as a kid too. Everything was someone else's fault as far as he was concerned.
CHERNA
Sounds like someone who’d stay with a cheating company and blame the Bristol fire on the Astrisi.
GAVASNO
Oh no, there was more to blame for that fire than just with the Astrisi. That whole situation was a bomb waiting to blow. The Astrisi were only the catalyst.
SANNARO
I just hope history doesn’t repeat here.
GAVASNO
We can only hope and do what we came to do.
SANNARO
Which is now to force the Humans to leave but they’re more numerous than we are. I’m thinking small strike forces should blow critical equipment to convince them it’s too costly for them to remain.
GAVASNO
If we’re going in under cover of night, I would recommend even we Saili wear Astrisi flight suits.
SANNARO
With helmets. Our skin does tend to shine through the darkness. We Astrisi will teach the Saili how to use the suits.
DANYLKO
But we don’t need the chemical protection.
GAVASNO
No, but we do need camouflage of the dark suit.
SANNARO
I was suspecting we’d do covert attacks. That’s why I decided we would go without our normal color coded chest panels. I also brought several crates of extra suits and helmets. We’ll pass those out to everyone.
Sannaro went to the field computer and brought up a crudely made map.
SANNARO
A Saili who worked for a short while in the Human camps drew us this map and told us where key equipment is stored. We’ll set up timed charges in four locations.
Sannaro pointed to the target buildings.
SANNARO
Then we’ll retreat to a rendezvous site and return to base. So we’ll make four teams to plant the charges quickly.
KOSI
I’ll go get the extra flight suits.
Kosi tapped one other person and left the room.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
All Saili, gather in the central room.
The room filled quickly.
When Kosi returned with the crates all the Saili were present.
SANNARO
Each person claim one black flight suit and be fitted with a helmet.
NEW SAILI #1
Must we? They look hot.
SANNARO
They’re environmental suits with heating and cooling. We’ll show you how to regulate the temperature. Sorry, but we need stealth over comfort.
GAVASNO
Yes, please comply with Sannaro. We have a better chance of survival if we wear the black suits.
Before Gavasno was finished, many of the Saili had formed a line before the crates.
Sannaro soon became busy with showing various Saili how to use the climate controls on the suit’s arm.
DANYLKO
Wow, these are surprisingly comfortable.
SANNARO
They need to be with all the hours a fighter pilot wears them. It’s not good to have uncomfortable pilots.
DANYLKO
Especially with pistols strapped to their hips?
SANNARO
Oh yeah, can’t have a grouchy pilot with a twitching trigger finger.
GAVASNO
But, unfortunately, they don’t leave much to the imagination.
Gavasno crossed his arms before his chest.
CHERNA
Sometimes that can be a good thing.
She leaned back to glance at Sannaro’s backside.
Sannaro blushed.
AMBRIKA
Mother!
DANYLKO
Thinking about having another child?
Cherna’s face turned mournful.
Sannaro hugged her.
SANNARO
Unfortunately, she lost her uterus in the fighter plane crash that crushed her legs so we can’t have any more.
AMBRIKA
Not like I’d want another brother or sister. One brother is enough.
SANNARO
Ambri.
CHERNA
It’s probably best. I can walk well enough on prostheses but it might be difficult to keep up with a little one.
DANYLKO
Wow, I’m sorry that happened.
CHERNA
Fighters always run the risk of injury or death.
SANNARO
I’m just glad she survived.
GAVASNO
You’re brave to be here on prostheses.
CHERNA
I can still fight as well as most with legs. I’d rather be here where I can watch San’s back.
AMBRIKA
Backside, she means.
Cherna glared at Ambrika.
CHERNA
So I can defend him if he gets in danger.
SANNARO
She’s stubborn that way.
GAVASNO
Good to have someone so actively watch your back.
AMBRIKA
Oh, brother!
Ambrika rolled her eyes and walked away to talk to Jeremy who was washing some equipment in the kitchenette.
GAVASNO
Youth are so serious.
SANNARO
Aren’t they?
CHERNA
It’s a phase.
INT. ASTRISI SHUTTLE – SAILIA - NIGHT
By nightfall, all the Saili were confident in the use of their flight suits and Sannaro had separated them into four groups. Then they boarded four shuttles and took off in separate directions.
DANYLKO
Hey, San, get some color back into your face.
SANNARO
Just thinking about this mission.
DANYLKO
But you’re an old warrior.
SANNARO
A warrior can survive a thousand battles and still worry about the next one. There’s always a chance that something may go wrong.
DANYLKO
The humans don’t have a clue we’re coming. I’m sure it’ll go off without a hitch.
SANNARO
I can only hope.
By then, Kosi had the shuttle in hover and lowering to the ground.
SANNARO
Lock down your helmets. Once we’re outside, telepathic communication only.
Shortly after, the hatch opened and everyone left the shuttle.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Tisa, take vanguard. Di'eta, take the rear. The rest will be center.
NEW SAILI #1 (PSI V.O.)
You don’t take lead?
DI'ETA (PSI V.O.)
Commander never takes lead. The strategist has to be protected at all costs, is that clear? At all costs.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, Di'eta, they heard you. Let’s move out.
Sannaro’s senses were at high alert as they hiked to the Human base. He scanned ahead and sensed the Humans didn’t seem very concerned or alerted. That was somewhat reassuring.
Several minutes later, Tisa signaled everyone to halt in a glade of high blue-green grass a few hundred feet away from the Human base.
Sannaro set his backpack down and prepared the explosive so it could be set quickly, then slung his pack.
SANNARO
Ready. Let’s go.
Soon after, they were sneaking through the camp to their target.
Sannaro stopped at the back wall. He pulled out his explosive and set the timer to thirty minutes, then pressed it to the wall.
Just as he began to gesture to withdraw, armed Humans ran around the corner and began to fire at them.
Sannaro pulled out his gun and returned fire.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Retreat!
As they reached the field beyond the camp, Sannaro sensed another group of Humans were ahead with the intent to cut them off from escape.
Sannaro felt increasing dread as the minutes clicked away in his head. He fired his weapon repeatedly to clear an escape but more Humans came at him.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Drop to the ground!
Burning pain slammed into his back and he dropped to the ground with a sick sounding grunt. Although intense agony turned his sight red, he low-crawled through the tall grass and hoped the Humans would loose his location. He blindly continued on until he bumped into something soft, yet firm.
He squinted up and saw the barrel of a rifle pointed at his face.
HUMAN #1
It’s futile, Saili. Give it up.
Sannaro groaned in despair and dropped his head to the warm ground.
Two Humans grabbed his arms and hauled him to his feet.
Hot agony exploded through him and he fainted.
INT. HUMAN MINING BASE – NIGHT
VERANO/GIOVANO
He’s quite wounded. Personally, I don’t know why you want to heal him. He’ll continue to be a pain in your side, just like he’s been for me.
The familiar voice caused so much rage in Sannaro, he forced himself awake.
SANNARO
Verano!
VERANO/GIOVANO
I would calm myself, if I were you.
SANNARO
You betraying scum-
He began to cough hard enough to feel like his chest would explode. He wrapped his arms around his chest and fought to breathe.
Verano pulled a cannula over Sannaro’s mouth.
Sannaro frantically gasped for the air that was forced through his lips.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You’re possessed by my father’s ghost! Why would you side with the Humans?
VERANO/GIOVANO
To save your stupid life! Now, calm yourself!
Sannaro reluctantly worked to calm himself as he weakly watched Verano rush around him and fill up a tray with mounds of glistening yellow gore while pure Cerlacticine dripped into his veins intravenously.
His mind screamed at himself to stay awake to watch for threats, but his injured body rebelled and he slipped into unconsciousness.
(LATER)
When Sannaro woke again, he was still in great pain, but he no longer felt panic. He reluctantly opened his eyes and hoped that his memory of being in an enemy hospital had only been a bad dream.
He focused his eyes on a Saili form that sat beside his bed.
SANNARO
(sarcastically)
I’m really glad to see you, Verano.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You should actually be glad I decided to be a double agent or you would’ve died again at the hands of Pallas Mining Company, boy.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Don’t remind me. That’s why I can’t understand why you would choose to work with them again!
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Because you’re so predictable!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, am I?
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
And I didn’t want to lose you again, all right?
SANNARO
You sure as hell didn't think about that when you scrambled my DNA and caused a cascade failure!
VERANO/GIOVANO
That treatment wasn't as successful as I had hoped. I was actually glad Kinetiko defied us and reversed the damage. I didn't attack you at the Emancipation celebration, by the way. That was done by one of my rogue followers. He just told Hiamovi he was going on my behalf and the old fool let him go.
SANNARO
What?
VERANO/GIOVANO
Calm down. You’re barely healed and you still have a lot of foreign metal inside you. You nearly blew yourself up with your foolish sabotage ploy.
SANNARO
And now I’m prisoner to the Humans.
VERANO/GIOVANO
That’s your fault, not mine. I’m not sure what they want you alive for, but I’m sure it won’t be pleasant.
Sannaro bounced his head on his pillow in a weak defiant gesture.
SANNARO
How many of us were caught?
VERANO/GIOVANO
About three Saili and about two of your Astrisi.
SANNARO
It could have been worse.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Who were the Astrisi?
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Not your wife. I know that much.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Not much of a relief but better than nothing.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Believe it or not, I am sympathetic to your cause.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Tell it to someone who cares, Verano. I’m tired now. I want to rest.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You really are insufferable, Sannaro.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I learned from the best, Giovano Masanateyak.
Verano walked from the room.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
(LATER)
The next time Sannaro woke, only Humans were in his room.
DALE
Get up.
SANNARO
I’m only in a hospital gown.
Dale tossed orange clothes at him.
Sannaro pushed the clothes off him, onto the floor.
SANNARO
I’m not wearing that putrid color.
Dale rushed up to him and pinched his left ear.
Sannaro shrieked and writhed in pain.
DALE
You’ll wear what I give you or I’ll drag you through this hospital naked.
Yothers entered the door.
YOTHERS
Release the ear, Dale. We need his telepathy. You’re lucky we need your telepathy, Sannaro, or we would’ve just let you die of your wounds but, make no mistake, you are a convict and convicts wear orange. Dress now. You have work to do.
Dale reluctantly released Sannaro’s ear.
Sannaro fingered his hot aching ear a second before he stood up and dressed in the orange leggings, tunic and a pair of simple leather sandals.
DALE (PSI V.O.)
Damn those wimpy Saili! Why do they have to be so goddamned muscular? It's not fair. Ow, the gravity of this planet makes my body ache.
SANNARO
We Saili are muscular because of the damned heavy gravity, stupid.
Before he could do anything more, Dale pulled out a metal tool, grabbed his ear again and snapped something through his ear ridge just beyond the lobe.
SANNARO
What the hell?
DALE
A tracking tag so we’ll know where you are. I remember how you used to wander all around Bristol, doing anything you wanted to.
SANNARO
I did not.
DALE
Oh, don’t give me that! I heard you stole a toy from Jake Arlington the night before the fire.
SANNARO
That toy was mine. Jake stole it from me during school earlier in the day. I just took it back. And Saili ears are never pierced! The nerve-
DALE
Relax, it’s not through your precious nerve but it is funny to see you tagged like a steer and that will teach you to fucking get out of my head.
SANNARO
Jettison yourself. Better yet, take a walk without an environmental suit!
YOTHERS
Dale, out.
Dale huffed and stormed out of the room.
Yothers glared at Sannaro.
YOTHERS
And now you can be introduced to the tag’s other function.
Yothers pressed a button on his watch.
Sannaro screamed when an electric charge coursed through his ear. He fell to the floor and grabbed his ear. He yanked his hand away as the charge coursed through his fingers.
YOTHERS
Now I imagine you will keep a civil tongue from now on, Aurum Sannaro?
Sannaro nodded and the agony stopped.
YOTHERS
I’m glad we understand each other. Oh, and I wouldn’t try to pull off your tag or it will tear your telepathic nerve.
Sannaro felt raw rage swell in him at the thought of his antennae being damaged, but he calmed himself since he knew he had little chance of escape - for now.
SANNARO
Well, you have me.
YOTHERS
Wisely decided, Aurum.
Yothers turned to another man.
YOTHERS
Take Aurum Sannaro to his work detail.
MAN #2
Yes, Mr. Yothers.
Sannaro allowed himself to be escorted from the room.
END ACT 1
INT. SAILI MINE SHAFT
Sannaro's guard took him to an elevator that dropped below ground into a mine shaft.
SANNARO
I think you should know, I have claustrophobia.
GUARD
Stop whining. All Saili like the underground.
SANNARO
Not true. Not all Saili are miners. Just like Humans, we have different talents.
GUARD
Oh, shut up or I’ll box you in the ear.
Sannaro quietly concentrated on controlling his panic.
In times of high stress, his control would slip and the blind panic would return.
After what Sannaro felt was too long, his guard called ahead to another Human.
GUARD
Watts, here’s the new guy.
WATTS
Good, this vein’s almost out. I need a new one sniffed.
SANNARO
What do you mean by needing a new one sniffed?
WATTS
You know-
SANNARO
No, I don’t know. I’m not a miner.
WATTS
I told the foreman I needed a metal sniffer!
The man clanged his digging tool into the floor and glared at Sannaro.
GUARD
So, Saili, sniff some metal!
SANNARO
I’m a person tracker, not a metal tracker! I can find a person you’ve lost, but I can’t find metal deposits!
WATTS
Well, then you can get to know metal by digging out the last of this deposit.
The man shoved digging tools into Sannaro’s hands.
WATTS
And you better know how to sense it by the time we’re finished.
The man sat down on a pile of rubble.
Sannaro scowled down at the tool. He yelped as pain coursed through his ear and then it quickly stopped.
WATTS
That’s just a little reminder of who’s the boss here, Saili.
Sannaro picked up the tool and began to work.
(LATER)
Sannaro was still digging while the two humans chattered behind him.
With each nugget of gold he extracted, he tried to extend his telepathy into the metal.
Once he thought he had a good feel for the metal, he would extend his telepathy to the limit of his range to try to sense more, but nothing seemed to work except to tire him further.
The more tired he became, the more he realized he was far from his normal stamina. His chest continued to ache in a way he’d never felt before and his spine felt more stiff.
He should have known they’d expect an attack soon after the failed parlay.
WATTS
Hey, Saili, stop daydreaming.
SANNARO
I’m trying to learn how to, what you called, sniff metal.
WATTS
Got it down?
SANNARO
Uh, no.
WATTS
Shit, you said he was someone important, Rick.
RICK
Oh, he is. Believe me, Yothers loathes this slag.
WATTS
Well, he’s useless to me. If Yothers hates this slag, let’s harden him right now and get it over with.
A familiar voice spoke from the shadows with only glowing eyes to show anyone was there.
VERANO/GIOVANO
I don’t recommend that course of action, Gentlemen.
For once, Sannaro was actually glad to sense Verano.
VERANO/GIOVANO
Yothers would not be pleased if you hardened this Saili.
WATTS
What’s the big deal? He’s a runt.
VERANO/GIOVANO
Nothing less than a martyr for all Saili to rally in outrage. This runt, as you say, is the mastermind behind the Saili rebellion. To keep him alive and enslaved is to keep the masses demoralized.
The men looked Sannaro over with new respect.
WATTS
Hot damn, and I thought he was just an annoying kid!
VERANO/GIOVANO
He’s no child. He has lived as long as you and he’s the most dangerous Saili that ever lived. I sense you’ve nearly worked him to collapse. You must allow him to rest.
WATTS
Now?
VERANO/GIOVANO
Yes, now. He is exhausted and his wounds aren’t entirely healed.
RICK
Why should we listen to you?
VERANO/GIOVANO
Because I am the Doctor who treated Sannaro and Mr. Yothers trusts my judgment. Of course, you can ignore my warnings and you can face Yothers when the Saili get angry over the death of their Aurum General.
WATTS
That runt’s a General?
Rick got a sour look on his face.
RICK
The Saili must really be pathetic if this runt is their general.
VERANO/GIOVANO
I will repeat myself in the hopes it will be retained. He is a tactical genius so he is the most dangerous Saili to ever live. Remember your Earth history that General Napoleon Bonaparte the Emperor of France was a short man yet he was quite proficient in the art of warfare and almost conquered all of Europe.
RICK
All right, we’ll bed here.
Sannaro gratefully sunk to the ground.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Well, I’m glad I came. Seems I was justified in thinking something like this would happen.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Just because the stupid Humans think all Saili are ikata metal sniffers! I can’t sense metals! I’m a person tracker! Why are you siding with them, anyway?
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Because one of my talents has always been to play sides like I did on Belvas with Eradano. So I felt that should work within the Human camp just in case something just like this happened.
Sannaro growled.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Remember, Sannaro, I detest Human contamination and the presence of Humans on Sailia is my worst nightmare realized. Your father’s memories have been valuable to my ability to remain trusted in this camp.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Why were you in the Cave of Bad Death?
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Your father still likes to visit his family. He still holds much regret about his role in the destruction of your mining camp that killed his family.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
My father was a miner who mined an ore that made him sick.
Sannaro sighed and clutched a handful of sand.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know, I never even asked him what his telepathic talent was?
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
A child can never imagine not having their parents.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
No, they don’t.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You can’t be a metal sniffer because that’s not your talent- but it was Giovano’s. Will you allow Giovano to merge with you?
Sannaro widened his eyes in alarm.
VERANO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He won’t hurt you. He understands what you’re doing and wants to help you so the same thing doesn’t happen to Sailia like it did on Regalis. He’ll keep you alive until you can plan an escape.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m not sure I can survive otherwise.
VERANO/GIOVANO
I agree.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I still fear him.
GIOVANO/VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m so sorry about that, Sanna. I was sick and worried about my children. I see differently now. Two of my children survived Regalis. I don’t want them to die here.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, I’ll merge with Giovano, but don’t try to take over. Gavasno has trained me extensively in telepathic defense.
GIOVANO/VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I understand. You’ll remain in complete control.
Sannaro dropped his shields and prepared for the merge.
He felt another presence enter his mind and settle at the back of his consciousness.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Ouch, you’re really hurting.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ve been in pain like this before.
Sannaro felt his father share his memories, good and bad and he found himself willing to allow the sharing.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, incredible! The battles you’ve been through! The injuries you’ve suffered and you keep going! And I thought I was tenacious!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
But as Verano keeps telling me, I failed. Am I that predictable?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He just compared you to an Earth Emperor General who almost conquered a dozen countries! Sannaro, the only thing you failed on is you continue to think like an Astrisi. Stop thinking Astrisi and try to think Saili. What do we do best?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Every war the Saili have seen, they’ve just ran and hid like cowards.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You’re still thinking Astrisi. When opponents face someone who hides, what do they do?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Try to find them and force them out to fight face to face.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
But what if they don’t find those who hid?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
They try harder to force them out. They apply more manpower to the search until they’re spread out so thinly, they leave their central base vulnerable! Then another infiltration team can enter base with less to counter them! Oh, but there’s still the forces on Vagakta Station they could call on for reinforcements. But I still have the Kumani in orbit. From what I sensed, the Humans don't seem to be willing to confront the Astrisi and bring outside attention to what they're doing here. If the Kumani engaged the ships around Vagakta Station, they’d be too busy to help on Sailia! Then I could be more successful in destroying the Human’s equipment.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I hate to say this, San, but the last targets you destroyed were decoys. You did destroy some machinery but the bulk of the equipment had been moved to another location.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
They were ready for us!
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, but Verano did some recon while Yothers didn’t need us so I know where they’re stored and since I worked as a miner, I know what machinery you should destroy to cripple the whole mining process.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
The only thing left to do now is escape from my guards.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Well, they do want you to sniff metal. Humans are virtually blind down here, even with a lantern, but Saili aren’t. We can lead them just about anywhere and they’d be none the wiser.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, lets shake these guards and get back to the rebel’s secret base.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Easy as pie, son!
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro? Are you all right?
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m all right. In fact, father and I have been strategizing.
GIOVANO/SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
We’ll be fine now, Verano. You can return to camp, but listen for a wide range telepathic message. We have a new plan.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I almost worry with the two of you in agreement, but this is the only way to insure Sannaro’s survival.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I’m ready to work again. I think I have this metal sniffing down, too.
WATTS
It’s about time!
VERANO
All right. I’ll return to camp now.
The two Humans leapt up from the ground.
WATTS
What are you waiting for? Get going!
Sannaro turned away from them to hide a smile and moved down the hall.
As he walked, he became aware of things he’d never felt before. Where he used to just see dull dark rock, it now sparkled with iridescent minerals.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
What you see isn’t important to these guys, although the manganese is nice.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Each color is a different metal?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Basically, or it’s a mineral. These guys only want the metals that draw in the big bucks.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Wow, this is like when I walk through a crowd of people. I can see their unique auras surround them.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yet I only see people.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
So talent is a big factor in what you can do well.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
So it seems. I’ve found a large vein of gold. It’s near a large fissure.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Fissure, as in a very deep hole in the ground?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yes.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Perfect, guide me there.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, you’re not!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, I am. Bye bye, guards.
Sannaro allowed Giovano to guide him through the crude tunnels and began to feel a disconcerting feeling that the floor could drop out below him.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Easy, son, you just feel us getting nearer to it, but I know when to stop. I won’t let you fall.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Are you keeping my claustrophobia under control, too? I’d be breathing hard from controlling panic by now.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, I am. What Roger and Art did to you was cruel.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
How about what you and Verano did to me at the Cave of Bad Death?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You caught us at a bad time.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
About?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Verano wanted to hide with the Order of True Telepaths and I wanted to join the rebellion.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
So why did you scare me away with such horrific visions?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
We were still undecided and arguing hotly when you came in. After you fled, Verano and I settled with infiltrating the invaders. I’m sorry we terrorized you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m glad you convinced Verano to help us.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, stop right here. Do you see that dark green ribbon ahead?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
It’s raw gold. Tell them to come beside you. Be careful, you’re on a lip with a drop on either side.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Guys, come here. I see a big vein of gold.
WATTS
You did? Finally!
Watts raised his lantern and rushed up to Sannaro with Rick close behind.
Sannaro pointed to the far wall.
SANNARO
Right there.
WATTS
Is it big?
Watts slipped off the ledge.
WATTS
You cheating slag!
Watts disappeared.
Rick tried to grab Watt’s clothes.
Sannaro stretched his leg to trip Rick’s legs and he followed Watts into eternal darkness.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
All Saili, if you want your freedom, escape from the Humans and keep them confused about where you are. Draw them away from their camps.
DANYLKO (PSI V.O.)
Yes! San’s still alive!
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
We must fight them the way Saili do best, under ground. I’ll return to the secret base now and we’ll discuss the next move.
On the way back to the rebel base, Sannaro began to really feel his injuries but he forced himself to go on.
Sannaro felt relieved when he finally stumbled into the hidden Saili base and returned to their suites.
Cherna met him inside and hugged him excitedly.
CHERNA
I’m so glad you escaped! When the explosives went off and I heard you scream in my head, I was so panicked, but I was held back and made to return to base.
Sannaro was so tired, but he willed himself to respond to his enthused wife.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
The mission didn’t go well. The Humans expected us.
Cherna pressed her hand against his cheek.
CHERNA
I know.
Danu rushed up and led Sannaro to his examination area.
DANU
Jeremy, scan San.
JEREMY
Dear Great Forger! How are you still walking as exhausted as you are, with as much foreign metals I’m sensing in you?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Verano extracted a lot of it.
CHERNA
Why didn’t he put you in a healing tent?
JEREMY
He couldn’t. With all the foreign metals, the healing tent would fuse them into his body and change his chemical balance.
DANU
Great.
JEREMY
I can extract more metal without surgery, but I suggest San be sedated while I do it. It’ll be very painful.
DANU
San?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Okay.
JEREMY
We can use the hand-held to do spot healing. So when you wake , you won’t be totally raw.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Nice to know.
Varanani stepped up to him with a puzzled look on her face.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Sannaro returned Varanani's look nervously.
VARANANI
San?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Vara?
VARANANI
Are you all right?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
You heard Jeremy.
VARANANI
No, it’s something else. A duality or something.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Uh-oh, she senses you.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
That’s okay, you can tell her. What a great woman she’s become, with a doctorate in Psychiatry!
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You do sense a duality. Father is inhabiting me right now.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Why?
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Because if he hadn’t let me use his ability to sense metal deposits, the Humans would’ve killed me. He convinced Verano to act as a spy in the Human camp.
DANU
What’s wrong, Vara?
VARANANI
I sensed a duality in San. My father’s essence is inhabiting him.
Danu looked at Sannaro with his eyes wide and everyone else did the same.
CHERNA
San?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
It’s all right. He helped me to escape the Humans.
VARANANI
If Giovano is wanting to help us, let him tell us himself.
GIOVANO/SANNARO
I don’t blame you for distrusting me, Varanani. I’ve done some horrid things to you and your brother while I was alive and through Verano after my death. But when the Humans invaded Sailia and they were also my former employers who treated me and my family so horribly, I could no longer allow Verano to stand by and do nothing. I was not going to allow Pallas Mining Company to do the same to my home planet that they did to Regalis.
VARANANI
That sounds like my father.
GIOVANO/SANNARO
I wasn’t going to allow them to kill Sannaro because he couldn’t sense metal so I shared my ability with him. The Humans were working him too hard to learn how to sense metal and he’s in so much pain, only his incredible will keeps him going.
VARANANI
Merge with me again so San can be healed and we can talk more.
GIOVANO/SANNARO
I think that’s a good idea. San’s almost beyond his endurance.
Sannaro's knees buckled and he fell toward the floor.
Danu and Jeremy grabbed his arms and Gavasno grabbed his ankles. The three men carried Sannaro, semi-conscious, to a bed.
Varanani watched with concern as Jeremy hovered his hands over Sannaro’s form.
Danu cut Sannaro's shirt off him and dropped the orange rags onto the floor.
JEREMY
Damage is extensive. I’m sensing Verano barely made a dent in extracting the shrapnel.
VARANANI/GIOVANO
My father tells me that Verano did the best he could with the equipment the Humans made available to him. Verano also doesn’t have a talent like Jeremy has.
DANU
Do what you can, Jeremy. We probably can’t do as much as we’d like to in a field hospital, either, but we may be able to make San more comfortable and functional. That may be all we can hope for now.
JEREMY
Okay, but be careful around the surgical table, sharp pieces of metal will be flying around.
DANU
Okay, you concentrate on extracting shrapnel and when you say an area can be healed, I’ll use the hand regenerator.
Jeremy nodded and began his work.
Jeremy studied the flat metal band that surrounded Sannaro’s left ear.
JEREMY
What’s this? I sense a power source in it too.
VARANANI/GIOVANO
This is bad. Father says that he and San were in so much pain, they forgot about the tracking device!
GAVASNO
Tracking device? How could you? Now the Humans know where we are!
GIOVANO/VARANANI
Sannaro was in so much pain, he barely managed to return here! Do you really think he could think clearly in that state?
DANU
No, under that kind of agony, a person only thinks about staying alive.
GAVASNO
Can you remove it safely?
JEREMY
Yes, we can remove it.
GAVASNO
Good. While we have the time, I’ll move Grand Akuba Hiamovi to the Order of True Telepaths’ camp.
JEREMY
What are we going to do when the Humans come?
CHERNA
The Humans may not expect us to check him for a tracking device.
GAVASNO
Right, so we should let the Humans come and we’ll be ready for them with an ambush.
Gavasno rushed out of the suite.
As Jeremy and Danu got to work on Sannaro, Varanani settled into a remote chair.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Father, we need to talk.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I knew this was coming, Doctor.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You are aware your body is dead?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Oh yes, a gruesome sight in the Cave of Bad Death.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
So why are you still here?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Usual reasons ghosts have; unfinished business.
Varanani felt irritation rise in her.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, yes, you’re right, I should stop with the terse replies. At first, my reason was because you and Sannaro had a disease that needed to be cured. Verano had the knowledge and expertise to realize my goal.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You helped to kill hundreds of people.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, I did, because I wanted a cure quickly. I felt that Sannaro was complicating my goal so I made Verano try to contain him while we worked to cure him. He’s very tenacious. I didn’t understand how tenacious he was until I merged with him and saw him as he sees himself. What a revelation.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Now that you’ve, well, for lack of a better phrase, seen through Sannaro’s eyes, what do you think now?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He’s as driven to do what he thinks is right as much as I am but I’m beginning to see I may have come to a hasty judgment. If there hadn’t been someone like Sannaro, I know Sailia would’ve ended like Regalis.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Does that mean you’re ready to go through the Astral Tear?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can right now.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Why?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Because I need to guide Sannaro on what targets he should destroy and where they are so he can successfully push the Humans off Sailia.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
What about Verano?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He’s continuing to work inside the Human camp to update me on what Yothers is having his people do.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Once this war is over, will you go through the Astral Tear?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll be ready to rest.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Good.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m proud of you, Vara.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Are you proud of Sannaro?
Varanani glanced at Sannaro’s prone form with glistening yellow metal swirling above him and come to rest in a metal bowl.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I have to admit, he’s a phenomenal man of principle and skill. Yes, I know now that there’s much to be proud of Sannaro.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You should tell Sannaro how you feel. Even though he knows he won’t always have approval for what he does, he does wish someone would show some approval once in a while.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He did take a tough path. Just like his old man.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
He does remind me of you in gentler times.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Shaped from the same vein, him and I. What a man! We miners say dynamite comes in small packages and that definitely explains your brother. I feel you have deep affection toward the Astrisi doctor, too.
Varanani looked fondly at Danu.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I didn’t expect to fall in love with one of San’s best friends, but during the Zuran war, he was so lonely and I lent him a shoulder, then it grew into so much more.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
He’s just as dedicated as Sannaro. Nice man.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
He is. I’m glad you chose to help us.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I think I’ve finally made the best choice.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I do too.
Finally Jeremy stepped back and shook his head tiredly.
DANU
What’s wrong, Jeremy?
JEREMY
There are some shrapnel that I don’t dare touch, even with my skills.
DANU
That’s okay. We couldn’t do everything in a field setting.
JEREMY
No, I mean inoperable.
DANU
Like what?
JEREMY
Like shrapnel I dare not touch that could cause major tissue damage that could cause organ failure.
DANU
Which organs are most at risk?
JEREMY
The worst is his lower heart.
Danu cringed.
JEREMY
There’s some lodged in his lungs I don’t dare touch right now and some alarmingly close to his spine. It’s horrible.
DANU
I just hope San can function with all that damage.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
This is bad.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
San has worked in pain before. If he thinks it’s too important, he’ll find a way to keep going.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
But even he can only endure so much, Varanani. I’m surprised he didn’t harden when that blast hit him. It was gruesome.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You saw it?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
From a ridge above camp and I heard his agonized scream. Verano and I cussed him severely for blowing himself up like that.
Varanani sighed, then snapped her head up when she heard stirring from the bed.
Sannaro opened his eyes.
VARANANI
He’s awake.
Danu and Jeremy turned back to him.
DANU
How are you feeling, San?
SANNARO
Achy.
DANU
We couldn’t remove all the shrapnel.
Sannaro sat up.
SANNARO
I’m not surprised.
JEREMY
I don’t know how you survived the blast.
SANNARO
I was diving to the ground just as the explosion happened, and I also was wearing my air tank and a backpack.
JEREMY
I had to take pieces of your air tank out of your back.
DANU
Anyway, it saved your life.
Sannaro swung his legs off the table, then stood up. He felt a twinge in his back and pressed his hand on his back. He cringed.
SANNARO
Owe, need to be careful of that.
DANU
You should also be careful of how much you exert yourself. You have lower heart damage.
SANNARO
How much?
JEREMY
It’s still beating, but it can be labored easily.
Sannaro looked stunned for a few seconds before he nodded sadly.
SANNARO
Well, that’s the way of a warrior. At least I survived.
Cherna sobbed and rushed to hug him.
CHERNA
I’m so sorry, San!
Sannaro brushed his fingers through her hair.
SANNARO
As always, we’ll go on. We still have a mission to do. Giovano and I have been strategizing.
VARANANI
He wants to return to you. He feels he still needs to help you.
Sannaro kissed Cherna’s forehead before he turned to his sister.
SANNARO
He still has valuable knowledge I need. I’ll merge with him again.
CHERNA
Are you sure, San? I know how you feel about your father.
SANNARO
It’s okay, Cheri, we’ve reconciled our differences.
Sannaro walked over to his supply bag, pulled off the horrible orange pants and threw away the sandals. He pulled out a new black flight suit, a spare set of boots and pulled them on.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
That’s your woman?
Sannaro remembered all the times Cherna and he sparred playfully and how devastated he’d felt when he almost lost her in a fighter plane crash.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, she means everything to me. The days I have her is a treasure.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
She’s pretty and spunky. Does she teach?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Well, since the crash, she has been a pilot trainer.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
A teacher, just like your mother. I should have treated her better.
SANNARO
You were sick.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Very sick. I feel like I’ve just now awakened from a very long nightmare where I did terrible things while the true me slept.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m glad I’m finally getting to know the true Giovano my mother loved.
Ambrika rushed in to hug him.
AMBRIKA
Oh, Ya, I’m so sorry!
Sannaro accepted her hug.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
My daughter.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Ambrika, little rose. I can see why you call her that with the pink skin. She’s as pretty as Cherna.
SANNARO
It’s all right, Ambri. Just like we got through Chali’s crash, we’ll get through this too. Now we still have a job to do.
GAVASNO
Are you sure you should continue to command this mission with your injuries?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I remember Gavasno. Vara spoke a lot with him while he tried to track your body after the fire. He was great comfort to her. Gavasno was so frantic to find your body. He hurt so badly for Vara that he never found you.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I was asked personally. I need to finish this mission. How many Saili chose to run, Gavasno?
GAVASNO
Surprisingly, a lot. Many were getting tired of the Human’s arrogance and how they pushed most Saili to work to exhaustion.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Good.
GAVASNO
But we have a new problem, San You brought a tracking device to base.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Ikata fausa! I forgot that skisla device Dale snapped onto my ear!
Sannaro reached up to his ear and was relieved that he no longer had the device in his ear.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I should have thought about that! Now the Humans know where we are!
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Wow, the translation you thought of those Astrisi words were quite graphic.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Bla'ua, Yaro.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You’re telling your father to shut up?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I am. I just skisla led the ikata humans right to us!
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Whoa, you have quite a mouth on you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Can you be quiet so I can talk strategy with my troops?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, that’s better. I’ll be quiet now.
GAVASNO
It’s okay. I took the liberty of moving Tsiakuba Hiamovi to the Order of True Telepaths’ camp. We’re setting up an ambush for the Humans. We only have to watch for when they come.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Good planning, Gavasno. Now I want Cheri and Ambri to return to the Kumani to inform Hadah that I need him to attack Vagakta Station.
He swung a new holster around his hips and clipped it.
Kosi handed him a new helmet.
Sannaro clipped it to his side and locked a new pistol into the holster.
AMBRIKA
But you need fighters here!
CHERNA
I’m not leaving you, especially now, San!
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Please, Cheri, this isn’t the time to argue.
CHERNA
You’re so wounded. You need someone to watch your back!
AMBRIKA
I don’t want to withdraw either, Ya! You need us!
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Spunky, too.
Sannaro sighed heavily and sat in a chair.
DANU
San’s too tired for this.
CHERNA
We’ve always been partners at home or in battle. Please don’t send me away from you.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Damira asked me not to shut her out from my mind that stormy night. Next day, we died not even near each other.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Ambri, rejoin your team on the Kumani to fight Vagakta Station. You’ll use Cherna’s shuttle.
AMBRIKA
Ya!
SANNARO/GIOVANO
You have your orders, pilot. Cherna will stay and be on my new infiltration team. I’ll also take Gavasno, Danylko and Di'eta. Tisa will lead a second team to attack the camp and draw away guards before my team will enter last to set the charges. We’ll leave shortly after we get a sign that the Kumani has engaged Vagakta station. Get what you need ready. I’m going to bed.
Sannaro stood up and strode into the bunk room. He chose a cot, dropped his helmet on the floor and laid down.
FADE OUT.
THE END.