Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“INVASION: SAILIA”
EPISODE 60 - WAR
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
ACT 1
Ambrika sat quietly in the bunk room and watched her sleeping father as he slept off his fatigue after his harrowing escape and surgery to extract some of the shrapnel that riddled his body.
She was supposed to be packing her personal items for the flight back to the Kumani, but she just couldn’t make herself move.
CHERNA
You’re supposed to be preparing for your flight, Ambri.
AMBRIKA
Ya’s really hurt bad this time, isn’t he?
CHERNA
Houk, he’s very hurt. He may never fully recover.
AMBRIKA
He’s just always been strong.
CHERNA
His spirit has always been strong. He’ll learn how to compensate. Don’t worry about him. Concentrate on the mission he gave you. It’s very important to our survival that you deliver that message.
AMBRIKA
I know, but I feel like he’s forcing me back to safety.
CHERNA
Is he? He said you had to rejoin your team and fly against Vagakta Station. That’s still dangerous.
AMBRIKA
But you didn’t want to go either.
CHERNA
But he’s my best friend, Ambri. I’d rather protect him and I can no longer fly Vizha'i with my disability so I would’ve been returned to safety while his life remained in danger.
AMBRIKA
You’re right. I guess I care about him too.
CHERNA
Then follow his orders.
AMBRIKA
He’s just so legendary. I feel like I can’t even begin to be as respected as he.
CHERNA
You’re still young, Ambri. You can still do many things to gain a reputation like his. Maybe not so impetuous?
AMBRIKA
He has been quite daring, hasn’t he?
CHERNA
Some say almost too daring. Pack up for your mission.
Ambrika stood up and went to pack her bag.
Once Ambrika was packed, she gave her father a gentle telepathic hug before she left the suite and returned to where the shuttles were hid.
She felt very alone when she entered the empty shuttle and raised it off the ground. It was easier to fly up through the noxious clouds than it had been to go down and within minutes, she was avoiding pirate patrols on her way to the Kumani.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Eventually, she landed and parked her shuttle.
Arcas met her as she stepped to the floor from the shuttle.
ARCAS
Why did San send you back?
AMBRIKA
I’m carrying an important message to Hadah.
ARCAS
Is San okay?
AMBRIKA
Nui, he’s not all right. The Humans have been fighting us pretty hard. Ya was captured for a time.
ARCAS
Fausa!
AMBRIKA
I wish I could talk more, but time is short and I need to talk to Hadah.
ARCAS
Go on then. I have a feeling I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me soon.
Ambrika walked to the elevator.
INT. KUMANI COMMAND CENTER
Ambrika exited the elevator at the forward command center, then walked through the emergency door and took the stairs down to the control well.
HADAH
Ambri, I have a feeling San sent you back for a serious reason.
AMBRIKA
You know my father well, Hadah.
Hadah pointed to the hatch below the stairs.
Ambrika nodded and anxiously followed Hadah. She had never gotten the invitation to visit the Commander’s office before.
The room was small with the ceiling sloping up from the control well stairs. Pushed under the stairs was a small cot. Before the cot was a guest chair in front of a desk with the Commander’s chair.
AMBRIKA
This place is as small as a closet.
HADAH
It’s quite tight, but it’s private. Now, by the grave look on your face, I assume the mission isn’t doing well.
AMBRIKA
Our first offensive was partially successful. Father led four infiltration teams to plant explosives so we could destroy some equipment, but our teams were intercepted during the withdraw.
Hadah nodded his head gravely.
AMBRIKA
The explosives blew during our escape.
HADAH
How many were injured?
AMBRIKA
Several of us and some Saili including Father.
HADAH
How bad?
AMBRIKA
Bad, but that's not the worst. He was captured and made to work hard in the mines.
HADAH
Have his wounds been treated?
AMBRIKA
As much as Verano, Danu and Jeremy can in a field hospital.
HADAH
Verano?
AMBRIKA
It's confusing. Maybe I should explain telepathically.
Hadah nodded and concentrated on allowing her images to enter his mind.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
Sannaro 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/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.
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.
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?
SANANRO/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.
BACK TO KUMANI COMMANDER'S OFFICE
HADAH
Fausa! How can San be functional after that!
AMBRIKA
Mother says, pure tenacity.
HADAH
That's San for you. Whoa, wait a second, what did you show me about your Grandfather? San said he died on Regalis!
AMBRIKA
He is dead, but he’s an- what is the Saili term? He’s an- aura or ghost who inhabits others to use them to replace his body. He’s been in Verano since before I was born.
HADAH
What? Verano has been inhabited by a ghost? Fausa, no wonder he’s insane!
AMBRIKA
Now he’s inhabiting father to help him know how to fight against the Humans.
HADAH
And San’s all right with that? I know he said his father was sick and temperamental.
AMBRIKA
He says they have come to an understanding.
HADAH
I’ll have to trust his judgment, but I’m anxious about this news.
AMBRIKA
And that brings me to my mission. Father and Grandfather are teaming up to try another strike with a clearer intel from Verano in the Human camp while the Saili keep most of the Humans occupied with finding them. What father wants to ask is, he's worried the Humans will call back-up from Vagakta Station.
HADAH
So he wants me to keep Vagakta Station too busy to respond?
AMBRIKA
Houk.
HADAH
He’s got it. You go stow your belongings and rejoin you’re team to prepare for launch.
AMBRIKA
Houk.
She stood up and left the office.
INT. ZHAD AND ADARA'S APARTMENT
Ambrika walked through the halls to Zhad and Adara’s apartment where she and Andoku lived when their parents were away from the Kumani on missions and entered the parting doors. Immediately she saw Andoku alone in the living room. He looked up and craned his neck to see if anyone was with her.
AMBRIKA
Nui, they’re not back yet.
ANDOKU
Why did you come back without them?
AMBRIKA
Because I’m on a mission here while Ya and Cha stayed on Sailia for a different mission.
ANDOKU
You left them back there? I can’t believe you!
AMBRIKA
They’ve got important things to do, Andu. Don’t you even remotely want to help out with the liberation of Sailia?
ANDOKU
Nui.
AMBRIKA
I swear, Andu! How can you be such a coward?
ANDOKU
You have no idea how it was like to helplessly sense the emotional distress of Ya and Cha as they were ruthlessly ripped apart by Tsikuba Hiamovi because he had to send Ya to Sailia to be punished for inciting a riot on Vagakta Station at the beginning of the first Saili War! When Ya came home from that war, he went insane! I want nothing to do with any more wars!
AMBRIKA
Wow, I didn’t know it bothered you that much!
ANDOKU
One was enough and I hadn‘t even left Cha‘s womb!
AMBRIKA
It really scared you!
ANDOKU
I’d rather shape mud into beautiful things than to take part in another war.
AMBRIKA
Okay, I guess I can see your point. But do you think they’re doing something important?
ANDOKU
I know they’re doing important things. I’m just scared for them. I don’t want to loose either of them.
AMBRIKA
That’s why I fight. I want to do something to keep them alive. I can’t sit and wait for what happens.
ANDOKU
In that, we’re very different. So why are you back and they‘re not?
AMBRIKA
Ya gave me an important mission to bring back a message to Hadah that we should prevent pirate ships from approaching Sailia to bring backup fighters to the Humans.
ANDOKU
Are you going to join that fight against the pirates?
AMBRIKA
Houk.
ANDOKU
Well, good luck.
AMBRIKA
Fa’arata.
ANDOKU
And try to come back safe?
Ambrika turned back to her older brother and smiled.
AMBRIKA
I’ll try.
Once the door closed, she changed into her color coded flight suit and replaced her pistol belt and air tank.
As soon as she stepped out of her room again, Zhad rushed up to her.
ZHAD
Andu told me San’s injured!
AMBRIKA
Danu and Jeremy have him out of danger and recovering.
ZHAD
How bad is it?
AMBRIKA
He was hit by flying shrapnel. Danu and Jeremy got as much as they could.
ZHAD
Not good, not good at all. Is he able to move?
AMBRIKA
Houk, he’s mobile.
ZHAD
That’s a small relief. Did he return with you?
AMBRIKA
He stayed.
ZHAD
Sannaro. That crazy man. He should have returned for full treatment.
AMBRIKA
He said he was asked personally to lead this mission and he was going to lead it.
ZHAD
Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it from so far away. I just wish he wasn’t so crazy.
AMBRIKA
Aren’t we children supposed to drive our elders crazy?
ZHAD
Without a doubt. Now I see you’re in your flight suit so I think I should let you get going.
AMBRIKA
Houk, Ya wants us to attack Vagakta Station for a distraction so he can mount another attack on Sailia.
ZHAD
Good luck.
AMBRIKA
Fa’arata, Ki’ya.
Ambrika walked from her Grandparent’s apartment.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Ambrika walked from the elevator on the Upper Flight Deck. She immediately scanned for Arcas and sensed he was in his office at the fore of the deck.
She walked through the rows of Vizha'i to the forward wall. The doors parted before her and she entered the flight lounge. She climbed the stairs and turned left to ring a doorbell on a hatch.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Come in.
Ambrika entered and stood before her father’s old friend.
ARCAS
Did you deliver your message?
AMBRIKA
Houk, we’ve been asked to engage Vagakta Station.
ARCAS
I just got that message from Hadah. Go get ready to fly.
AMBRIKA
Houk, Team-leader.
She left the office and returned down stairs.
INT. HUMAN MINING CAMP
Verano wasn’t happy when he reached out to Sannaro to give warning that the attack group had finally moved out, yet he found that Sannaro was asleep.
He scanned the compound and sensed another rival, the policeman Gavasno.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Gavasno, hear me.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Verano, if Giovano didn’t tell us you’re an ally, I would be sorely tempted to mind-slap you for that rude summons.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
But I am an ally. You must hear me out.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, what do you need to tell me?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
I must warn you, an attack group is moving out to attack your base.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. Thank you, Verano, we’ll be prepared.
As Verano pulled back, he was surrounded by three Humans.
MAN #3
Talking to someone?
VERANO
I was getting an update on one of my patients.
MAN #3
Good try, Saili. My friend here’s a telepath. Come with us. Mr. Yothers wants to talk to you.
Verano nodded patiently and allowed the guards to lead him to the main building.
INT. YOTHER'S OFFICE
Yothers stood up from his desk and moved around to look contemptuously down at Verano.
YOTHERS
So you were caught telepathically sending important information to the insurgents.
VERANO
How would you know? You’re only Human.
YOTHERS
Unlike you, I have a Saili that’s truly loyal.
The door opened again and a Saili stepped in with a twisted grin on her face.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Verano looked at the woman with emerald green eyes and silver-green hair with puzzlement. Her mental scan didn’t seem to match who he saw until he remembered the mental signature as belonging to a slightly Gonkacha woman he’d once treated on Vagakta Station before the Gonkacha rebellion.
VERANO
You’re looking different than I remember, Devirdra. I remember your eyes were green but you had blue-black hair.
DEVIRDRA
Nothing a little Human hair dye couldn’t change. It made it easier to move around Sailia unnoticed.
VERANO
Why would you betray your own kind?
DEVIRDRA
I’m surprised you forgot how you murdered my baby and left me infertile?
VERANO
How about the Gonkacha? They’re being hurt by this too.
DEVIRDRA
Oh yes, my fellow Gonkacha who follow that wonderful General who felt we’d be better if he traded you to the Grand Akuba for exile after my husband died for him in the Gonkacha Rebellion? I’m so grateful, I’d love to see him die! Thanks to my botanist cousin who told me about the Misipatasutisga extract. I returned to Sailia, stole the chemical and placed it up for sale to the highest bidder. After you’ve fought Sannaro for so long to contain him, I’m very surprised you’re siding with him and informing him about our move on his hide-out.
VERANO
Because Sannaro and I finally agree on something; Humans do not belong on Sailia.
Yothers face turned red with indignation.
YOTHERS
You had quite a reputation for defying your leadership. Now you’ve decided to turn on me? Since that’s how you feel, in exchange for your life, you will tell me how to round up your people again.
Verano glanced at Devirdra in contempt.
VERANO
Ask her.
DEVIRDRA
How should I know? I’d rather be with Humans. They’re much more interesting.
VERANO
You can’t. Saili work best in underground tunnels.
YOTHERS
An answer I expected. It doesn’t matter. Once I have Sannaro again and torture him slowly so every one of you hear his screams reverberate across this hell of a planet, you’ll beg to return to work.
VERANO
If you capture him. One thing I do know, Sannaro is good at evading capture when he’s hunted.
Verano slipped a vial from a secret pocket in his sleeve and slammed it to the ground.
A billowing black cloud rose from the broken glass.
As everyone else in the room gasped and coughed, Verano slipped from the room and past the guards to the nearest mine shaft.
INT. SAILIA HIDEOUT – DAY
Sannaro forced himself awake as soon as he heard the warning in his head that the Humans were traveling toward their hide out. He still felt some aches in his back, but he felt like he could move better than before. He stood up slung his new pistol belt around his waist and pulled on his air tank.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Gavasno, report.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Verano contacted me with the warning that a strike force had left to bring you back to Yothers. I already have watch positions at all approaches. I’ve kept the Astrisi inside if anyone gets by us.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m coming out to join you.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
I’d rather you stay in, San.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m feeling a lot better. Or are you taking over my role as Tsikakayu?
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
No, I’m not replacing you. I’m just concerned about straining you so soon after surgery.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’m coming out with you to coordinate the ambush.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
As you wish.
Sannaro left the suite and traveled to the outside.
EXT. SAILIA COUNTRYSIDE -DAY
He followed his sense of where Gavasno was watching on a hill top. He sat down on a rock while Gavasno stood near and scanned around for the approaching Humans.
GAVASNO
San, it’s not that I tried to take your job, it’s because I’m concerned that you could tire easily from moving too much in this heavier gravity soon after surgery.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
You know I’ve been in severe pain before.
GAVASNO
But not like this. Your wounds before could be completely healed. You still have shrapnel in you.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I have a job to do and I will finish it.
GAVASNO
No one would think less of you if you commanded from inside base.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Now I understand how Cheri feels when she’s told to stay back.
GAVASNO
And I know you’ll fight just as hard as Cherna does.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I probably will.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
South group, prepare to engage. Everyone else, converge on the Human attackers.
LEADERS (PSI V.O.)
We’re moving.
He stopped abruptly and scanned around the hill. He sensed a group of Humans approach.
Sannaro stood from his rock and walked to Gavasno’s side.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I hate being in the rear.
GAVASNO
You need to be careful of your lower heart.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Is my upper heart injured?
GAVASNO
I don’t hear Danu or Jeremy say it is.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Then I’m not entirely disabled.
GAVASNO
You won’t stop till you’re dead, will you?
SANNARO/GIOVANO
All my life, I’ve had to fight because someone has forced me. When they stop forcing, I’ll gladly stop fighting. If that will be when I’m dead, then that will just be the way it will go.
TISA
Humans are in visual range. Preparing to engage.
Unexpectedly, Sannaro peered into the sky and he felt a terrible sinking feeling.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Cherna, scramble the shuttles! The ground attack was a feint! The remaining fighters will protect the hideout.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Scrambling.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Gavasno, stay down here to coordinate the ground forces. I’m joining the shuttles.
GAVASNO
Will do.
Sannaro ran down the hill to the hidden shuttles.
INT. SHUTTLE - DAY
Sannaro quickly entered a shuttle and prepared it for flight.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I thought the Kumani was going to keep the air support busy?
GIOVANO/SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Those aren’t pirates coming our way. Those are just ore transport pilots. Vagakta hasn’t been alerted yet cause they think they can take us.
DI'ETA (PSI V.O.)
They’re welcome to try!
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, let’s fly.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Wow, I’ve never experienced a mid-air skirmish before.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Brace your essence. It can get pretty wild.
He flew to intercept the shuttles and was soon swooping in to attack.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Whoa shit, Sannaro!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hush, Father! I have to concentrate!
He pressed his firing stud.
A shuttle sparked and smoked from a glancing blow.
He sensed the pilot was now compensating for a list to the right. He watched for the shuttle to wobble and fired again.
His laser struck into the afterburner and the shuttle blew in a dazzling fireball only seen in a rich atmosphere.
His shuttle buffeted and he struggled to gain control again.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Pilots, be careful on impact. The methane makes for extra turbulent explosions.
DI'ETA (PSI V.O.)
Now you tell us, Boss!
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
I’ve got a lot on my mind.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Like two people in one?
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, get your minds back on the battle, pilots.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Houk, Senior Pilot.
He saw a shuttle had locked on him.
He immediately went into evasive maneuvers. First, he dipped and swerved to the left.
His pursuer matched it.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Okay, let’s see how much gravity you can take.
Sannaro did a left barrel roll, pulled out into an Immelmann and leveled out behind his pursuer. He opened fire and the shuttle exploded.
He dove down to avoid the backlash.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You’re making me dizzy, San!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Just don’t make me nauseous like a new color. I’d never live it down.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
But the pressure is enormous.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I know. I’m pushing about five Gs. It blacks out a Human, but it doesn’t black me out. That’s why I do it. The short disorientation Humans feel when they wake again works to my advantage.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Fausa!
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
What, Gavasno?
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Humans flanked us. They’ve entered the base.
SANNARO/GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Fausa, Danu and Jeremy could be in trouble. Astrisi hideout troops, engage infiltrators.
ASTRISI HIDEOUT TROOPS (PSI V.O.)
Houk, San.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Makes sense; deal a crippling blow by taking the support staff.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Ghosts who occupy living people do learn from their host’s experiences.
Sannaro turned the shuttle very tightly and gunned the engine until he felt the gravity press on his more resistant body. He expertly avoided attackers until he landed at the base and rushed inside.
INT. HIDEOUT - DAY
As soon as he entered, he stopped inside a shadow and scanned the area.
He braced himself when a door close to him opened and Dale stepped out.
DALE
I wondered how long it would take for you to figure things out. For being the Saili’s great strategist, you’re slow on the uptake. Face it, you Saili aren’t good enough to be anything more than hard laborers.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
I see the pirates have trained you well, Dale. It seems miners find the career change to pirate most appealing for some reason.
DALE
One takes what one can get.
Sannaro extended his telepathy to scan for his childhood friend.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Come on, Danu, answer! Were are you, my sister and Jeremy?
DALE
Oh don’t bother with your friends. Devirdra already found them.
Sannaro growled and crouched.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Devirdra, that name sounds familiar.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I don’t care! She has my sister and one of my best friends!
Sannaro calmed himself as he thought of a new tactic he could try. He casually walked up to Dale.
SANNARO/GIOVANO
Well then, I guess I’d like you to take me to see them.
As soon as he came within striking range, he swung his left arm into Dale’s abdomen.
Dale dropped to the floor.
Other Humans surged from the room Dale had come from.
Sannaro ducked below the Human arm swings as he punched, kicked and stomped through the crowd.
Human fired his gun.
Sannaro ducked under another Human’s arm just as the man shrieked and fell to the floor.
DALE
Stop firing! You’re shooting us!
MAN #4
The little shit’s too fast!
DALE
And you’re helping him, idiot!
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
San, I freed your Doctors. *Now you can concentrate on routing the Humans.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
How did you get through?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
Why do you think this secret base was made? It was one of my laboratories. I know every way in and out of here. I’ll even cut the electricity to blind the Humans.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Please do.
Sannaro returned his full attention to the fight and noticed Dale had disappeared.
The lights flickered then went out.
MAN #4
Shit, what happened to the lights?
CHANGE TO INFRARED SIGHT
Sannaro’s sight adjusted to the infrared spectrum and he dropped the yellow forms with quick strikes within minutes.
Finally, he slid down the wall, drenched in sweat. He clutched his chest and worked to slow his fast breathing.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Verano, where are my doctors?
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
In the caves near the Cave of Bad Death where we first met. I was just returning to join you. Yothers found out I was reporting to you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you for saving my sister, friend and a very talented young doctor.
VERANO (PSI V.O.)
You’re welcome. Now Danu is glaring down at me from his very imposing height, insisting he has to return to examine you. He’s not pleased about how tired and winded your mental voice sounds.
Sannaro huffed a quiet chuckle.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
The Humans are retreating, San.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Very good.
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
You don’t sound good.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll be fine. Danu’s coming.
The lights turned back on.
RETURN TO NORMAL LIGHTING
A short time later, Danu squatted in front of Sannaro and hovered a scanner in front of him. Danu frowned.
DANU
You’ve stressed your body way too much too soon.
Verano looked around at the Human bodies that lay scattered around the hall.
VERANO
It was quite a battle.
SANNARO
I’ve been in worse.
DANU
Not in this condition. “Are you trying to give yourself a lower heart attack?
SANNARO
It was me or them. I survived.
Danu blew his breath out slowly.
VARANANI
San, Danu’s worried about you.
SANNARO
And I was worried about him, but they had me cornered and I wasn’t going to let them take me back to Yothers.
VERANO
Forgive me if this angers you. But this time I agree with Sannaro; he couldn’t allow them to take him, because Yothers has plans to torture him until the Saili agreed to return to work. It would have been thoroughly demoralizing for the Saili. Sannaro must remain free for his plan to work.
JEREMY
With this new information, I can say he had little choice.
VARANANI
I understand now.
DANU
It truly was them or San.
VARANANI
Yothers actually told you he would torture San until the Saili returned to work?
VERANO
He said it exactly.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Gavasno, have your troops beaten back the Humans?
GAVASNO (PSI V.O.)
Just finishing up. This was a vicious attack.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
So now we make our own move. Bring everyone to the shuttle area.
DANU
San, you need time to rest.
SANNARO
Sorry, Danu, we need to strike now while the Humans are spread out.
DANU
I wish you weren’t so stubborn.
VARANANI
Love, I’ve tried to reason with him since he was a child. It hasn’t worked yet.
DANU
I know.
GIOVANO/SANNARO
And I’ve been trying since the day he was born. Again, no dice, so let’s just get this done so San can relax and heal?
Gavasno led the Saili fighters into the suite.
GAVASNO
I’d like my troops to get a small rest before we move to the next mission.
SANNARO
That’s fair, Gavasno.
DANU
Good, then I want you to rest too, San.
SANNARO
That actually sounds like a good idea.
DANU
Bout time you listened to me!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You’re really sore with me, Danu.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
Okay, maybe I could have been a bit more patient with you. I just haven’t had to hide for my life in years.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m sorry, I really tried to get here before they found you.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
I know. I guess I’m not exactly happy you’re old nemesis was who saved us.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What happened to Devirdra?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
It was very brutal. He did to her what he did to you. It nearly drove her insane.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Verano has never been a physical fighter. He’s always used chemicals or telepathy.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Horrible, but effective.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
It was horrible.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Sorry, Danu, but survival sometimes means doing some distasteful acts.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
I know. It doesn’t mean it’s any less brutal to witness.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
They’re the same people who kept our family impoverished. They do anything to make money. They have no compassion for their hired help.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
I would have thought a Psychiatrist would feel more sympathy.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
There are criminals that can be rehabilitated because they feel some remorse for what they did. Then there are those who feel no remorse and would repeat the crime. These pirates have no remorse for keeping people in poverty for their own profit.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
They’ve repeated the crime several times, Danu. They want to hurt us.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
I know, but I’m a healer, not a warrior or a trauma victim. It just saddens me that we must defend ourselves distastefully to survive.
Well, Jeremy, we have more work to do. Let’s get busy.
SANNARO
Verano, it’s not good that they know you were reporting to us. They probably are already moving machinery.
VERANO
I feel it was worth the risk to inform you of the attack.
SANNARO
We had an idea they would attack since I’m embarrassed to say that I forgot the tracking tag they locked onto my ear.
VERANO
With the pain you were in when I saw you in the mines, I was surprised you knew up from down. Forgetting a tracking device was an understandable oversight.
GAVASNO
Since it was good for us to have confirmation of our suspicions, it was appreciated so I won’t argue that point.
SANNARO
Giovano says there will still be certain machines that would be too big to move on short notice. They’re the equipment we should target because they are also essential to mining.
VERANO
Yes, I agree with Giovano. I can make a crude map to show where they’re usually stored.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Gavasno pulled out paper and pen and placed them before Verano.
Verano spent a few minutes drawing, then turned it around.
Sannaro looked at the map and envisioned more details than he would’ve expected from his short time in their camp.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
They moved less than I expected. Oh well, their loss and our advantage. You get me in there and I’ll help you do some major damage that may completely cripple their mining process.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Good.
GAVASNO
San?
SANNARO
My father just told me he knows how we could completely cripple the mining operation.
GAVASNO
That’s good news.
SANNARO
Is everyone rested enough?
Gavasno looked distracted for a few seconds.
GAVASNO
Actually, they’re telling me they’re eager to move out. They want to strike back at the Humans for this last attack.
SANNARO
Good, let’s prepare to move out. Both Saili and Astrisi will go this time.
CHERNA
Then I’m staying at your side, San.
SANNARO
That’s where I want you.
Cherna smiled.
DANYLKO
I want them to pay for moving on our medics. That was low.
SANNARO
But strategically sound.
Danylko tensed like he was going to protest.
SANNARO
That doesn’t mean we can’t be sore about it or retaliate. It’s time we give it back to them. Let’s go.
Sannaro stood.
Everyone prepared for a short time before they moved to the shuttles.
INT. KUMANI BRIDGE
Hadah stood beside his command chair and watched the main monitor with the view of Vagakta Station and an armada of the most pirate ships he’d ever seen in one place.
HADAH
Di'ok, has flight control reported in yet?
DI'OK
Houk, Hadah, fighters are ready for launch on your mark.
TRELI
Uh-oh, Hadah, scopes showing a new ship entering Vespa.
HADAH
Di'ok, delay launch. Are you getting an ID, Treli?
TRELI
Houk, ID is- oh fausa, it’s a Defense Force battleship.
HADAH
This is not the time! San needs that diversion!
RETAL
I call the approach of a Defense Force battleship a diversion.
HADAH
Di'ok, hail the battleship.
DI'OK
They’re hailing us.
Hadah rushed back to the communications station.
HADAH
Connect it and lend me your headset.
Di'ok handed his headset over and completed the connection on his board.
Although Hadah was prepared to meet a soldier of the Alliance Defense Force, he was caught off guard when the face he saw on the monitor had familiar blond hair that framed a slightly blue tinged face.
HADAH
Marcayo Daniels, I am a bit surprised.
MARC
Good to see you well, Hadah. Unfortunately, I have to ask you why you’re in the Vespa star system with your catapults on standby at full hydraulic pressure?
HADAH
Do you see any I. D.s on those ships docked at Vagakta Station?
MARC
I noticed they’re mostly lacking that designation, however I’m asking you why you’re at high alert.
Hadah scowled.
MARC
Is something bothering you?
HADAH
We have people stuck on Sailia and those pirates won’t let us through. We need to rescue them.
MARC
Why is Sannaro on Sailia when he is exiled?
HADAH
Hiamovi requested Sannaro personally.
MARC
Okay, and what happened after he responded?
HADAH
Humans took over Sailia and subjugated the Saili. I know it sounds impossible, but the Humans found a sealant to protect their environmental suits and equipment from the caustic Saili atmosphere.
MARC
An invasion?
HADAH
Houk, Hiamovi asked the New Saili to come to Sailia’s defense. That’s why San is stuck down there. He’s about to mount an offense on Sailia. He wants me to mount a diversion so the pirates on Vagakta Station don’t send reinforcements to Sailia and the Saili can take back control of their planet.
MARC
I’m sorry, I can’t allow you to launch.
HADAH
Skisla dai? San and the other New Saili could die if we don’t!
Marc blushed a deeper blue.
MARC
Hadah, did you forget I’m the only non-Astrisi who knows your language?
HADAH
No, I mean it.
MARC
Please calm down. I’m verifying your story with the representative from New Sailia. Would you wait until I have verification?
Hadah bit his lip.
Marc frowned deeply.
Hadah saw a hand was laid on Marc’s hand and Jim Meyers bent down to whisper in his ear.
For a minute, the two policemen exchanged words.
Marc turned back to the screen.
MARC
I understand your urgency, Hadah. Would it be acceptable if I called New Sailia to verify this information?
HADAH
I want it a three way call.
MARC
That’s acceptable. Kobritz, call New Sailia and urgently request Governor Devasru.
KOBRITZ (V.O.)
Aye, Sir.
Hadah waited a long minute that seemed to stretch forever.
KOBRITZ (V.O.)
I have Governor Devasru.
Hadah’s view split in half with one side that continued to show Marc Daniels and the other screen that showed Sannaro’s uncle in his office.
MARC
Governor Devasru, I am Commander Marcayo Daniels of the Alliance Defense Force and I do believe you already know Hadah, the commander of the Astrisi ship Kumani.
DEVASRU
I know Hadah and Sannaro has mentioned how you helped him in the Zuran War, Officer Daniels.
MARC
I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions concerning a situation we’re investigating on Sailia?
DEVASRU
I was hoping the matter was already resolved by now.
MARC
Were you called by Grand Akuba Hiamovi and told that Sailia has been invaded?
DEVASRU
That was almost a month ago!
MARC
So Grand Akuba Hiamovi contacted you?
DEVASRU
Yes.
MARC
Did he personally ask for General Sannaro Damirateyak to lead New Sailia’s defense force to defend Sailia?
DEVASRU
Yes, he did. He said the matter was too dire to keep Sannaro and the New Saili exile in place. Humans used a sealant to protect them from the Saili atmosphere to take over Saili mining! Greedy Humans! He said the New Saili had to help Sailia protect itself.
MARC
Thank you for responding quickly, Governor Devasru. We have a situation right now that is more pressing, but I will apprise you as soon as possible.
DEVASRU
Hadah, is Sannaro alive?
HADAH
Houk, he’s alive, Devasru, but he needs our help. I’ll talk to you later once I have more news.
DEVASRU
This situation has me so worried, Hadah. I felt immense pain from him weeks ago.
HADAH
He was injured but he's okay. We’ll contact you when the situation isn’t so urgent.
DEVASRU
Okay.
Marc’s image expanded across the whole screen again.
MARC
Okay, Governor Devasru clearly supports your story and your anxiety. You may launch your fighters and I will do the same.
HADAH
Houk. Di'ok, launch fighters.
Hadah returned the headset to Di'ok as the screen returned to a view of Vagakta Station.
DI'OK
Houk!
Di'ok pulled his headset on and his fingers flew over his control board to pass on the command.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Ambrika sighed, it seemed for the one hundredth time as she sat in her prepared Vizha'i on the lift, awaiting orders to launch.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
What’s taking so long?
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Simple, I’ve been told an Alliance Defense Battleship is parallel to the Kumani. They’re probably asking Hadah a hundred questions about what we’re doing here.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
But Ya needs us to start that diversion now!
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Easy, Ambri. Just because a battleship is beside us doesn’t mean it’s bad. We’re here at Grand Akuba Hiamovi’s request so we have a valid reason to be here. Once Hadah tells the ADF that we’re here by request, he’ll clear us for launch.
Ambrika settled in to wait although she still wasn’t happy for the delay.
ARCAS (V.O.)
We have a go for launch. Do not fire on ADF fighters, repeat, do not fire on ADF fighters, they are allies who are joining us to attack Vagakta Station. Prepare to launch.
AMBRIKA
Finally!
She heard the resounding clang that warned her the lift was engaging and her Vizha'i began to raise off the floor to lock into the floor of the launch deck.
The pulleys she knew were locked into her landing struts pulled her forward into the catapult.
A catapult operator ducked under to make sure the pulley was locked into the catapult, then he showed up again beside her ship, gave the “all go” sign and ran behind the blast shield at the port rear wall.
Ambrika redirected her attention to the panel above the long launch tunnel that showed
an amber color. She hovered her finger over the ignition button.
The light turned green and she punched the ignition as she was hurled forward from the force of the catapult that rushed her Vizha'i out into space.
As she joined her team to begin the flight to Vagakta Station, she was amazed to see the white and blue flying wings of the ADF that were making their own formations in front of the very huge battleship.
When she brought her attention back to her team, she noticed a Vizha'i with a red tail had joined them.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Okay, lets go.
Ambrika flew her ship in formation toward Vagakta Station.
She saw the big black ships with no identifiers on their hulls had shuttles that buzzed lazily around like they hadn’t noticed the attack yet.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Watch out. They see us. They’re going to deploy their own defenses so things are going to heat up real quick. Bri'ak, team up with Ambri and stay on my port side. Ataki, Iatsu, stay on my starboard. Watch for an opening. Kwavo and I are itching to blow up one of those pirate mother ships.
BLUE TEAM (V.O.)
Houk.
Pirate fighters spewed from several of the mother-ships and swooped to meet them.
Astrisi and the ADF rushed in to engage them.
Soon they were trading volleys.
Ambrika centered her attention on a nearby target and remembered her father’s advice to try to ignore her telepathy and just follow the movements of her opponent. She swooped in and fired. She missed.
She maneuvered again to line her opponent up for another attempt to strafe the ship.
She opened fire.
This time, she landed a solid hit and the ship wobbled furiously. Before the ship steadied again, she fired.
The ship exploded and she climbed to avoid the fireball.
AMBRIKA
Ha'iko, my first kill!
ARCAS (V.O.)
Good job, Ambri.
Just as she turned to rejoin her wing-mate, she saw many more pirate fighters launch from the ships around Vagakta Station.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Fausa, hurry, Ya.
EXT. SAILIA HUMAN MINING CAMP
Sannaro slipped through the tall grasses again and fervently hoped this attack would be successful.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Don’t worry, San, I’m with you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I understand you are more knowledgeable about mining equipment, but from experience, I know that an infiltration attack can go wrong easily. And I always worry about a fight before it begins. There’s so many factors to consider and any one of them can happen.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
You’re such a competent fighter, I’m surprised you worry so much.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
This is life and death. When you have the power to choose who lives and who dies, a fighter would rather choose life. Death is so ugly.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
And a bit philosophical.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I'd tell you where to go if you wouldn't have to take me with you.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
A smart ass too. I'm surprised Devasru hasn't told you that you're almost a copy of me.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
He told me I could be just as annoying as Giovano.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, so he did. That's Devs for you.
Sannaro continued through the grass until he came to the clearing and sprinted to the back of the building.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
This one, Father?
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
No, the next one down.
Sannaro waved for his team to follow him and scurried to the target building.
He pressed himself against the wall and pulled out the first pack of explosives. He set the timer and waved for his team to follow him to the next building.
Sannaro turned to his team and pointed to the building Giovano selected.
Sannaro pulled out his weapon and the group slipped around the corner, remaining close to the wall.
Once they were to the corner, they sprinted across the walkway and rushed toward the back of the building.
As they turned the corner, they saw one man leaned against the wall with one leg cocked with his foot resting against the wall. He glanced at them.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, the next important machine is to the left of us; the one across the walkway that’s facing us.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
This will be tricky.
DALE (V.O.)
I wondered when you’d get here. I was getting bored.
Sannaro raised his gun.
DALE (V.O.)
Yeah, yeah, I heard you’re quite a marksman. Do you dare face me straight on or are you still a chicken, Sanna?
Sannaro snarled and holstered his gun again.
SANNARO (V.O.)
You’ve done nothing but ridicule me since I first saw you here. I’m not the boy you remember, Dale.
DALE (V.O.)
You’re not? You're not much taller. Seems to me you’re still sneaking around where you don’t belong just like when we were kids.
SANNARO (V.O.)
And you’re still ridiculing people just like when we were kids.
DALE (V.O.)
I just call it as I see it and what I see is something I can’t allow to continue.
He pulled away from the wall and faced Sannaro with his fists balled.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Dale, this is madness. You’re just one person against five people.
DALE (V.O.)
I said, do you dare to face me or are you still chicken that you need four other people to protect you? You’d send in your girl to fight your battles? Pathetic.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Okay, I’ll take your challenge, but not here. After all, I don’t think you’d want your hired guns to fight your battles?
Dale cocked his head in concession and walked into the weeds beyond camp.
Sannaro followed as he shrugged off his pack and handed it to Cherna.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
This is childish, Sannaro.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I know it is, but by Astrisi rules, he’s clearly called challenge and I want to shut the arrogant fool’s mouth. Let’s see how he handles a black belt in Gasbajan style martial arts.
They stopped in a small patch of clear ground.
Before Sannaro could even take a breath, Dale charged on him.
Sannaro sidestepped, swiveled around and swung his elbow into Dale’s side.
Dale humphed, spun around out of control and fell to the ground.
Sannaro stood over him with his eyebrows arched.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Come on, a schoolyard charge? You haven’t learned anything better than that?
Dale growled and surged to his feet with his fists balled again. He raised his fists up and bounced on his toes.
Sannaro shrugged and stepped closer.
Dale jabbed with his right hand.
Sannaro blocked up and smacked the arm away.
Dale jabbed left.
Sannaro again blocked.
CHERNA (V.O.)
Oh, this is pathetic. I could do better than him.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Sparring with you would me more fun.
Dale growled and kicked a mid roundhouse.
Sannaro blocked low, wrapped his arm around Dale’s leg and jerked him off balance.
Dale fell to the ground and donkey-kicked Sannaro in the face.
Sannaro loosened his grip and staggered backward with a bloody nose. Sannaro pulled his helmet off, dropped it to the ground and wiped the yellow blood from his face.
SANNARO
Ah, I feint. Very good, Dale. But now I have to stop being easy on you.
Dale stood up with his fists again before him.
SANNARO
Kick boxing style. It doesn’t surprise me you’d choose to study that style.
Dale waved a taunting gesture to Sannaro with a cocky grin on his face seen through his faceplate.
Sannaro stuck a tiger stance.
DALE (V.O.)
Classic? Weak.
DALE (V.O.)
That would be a nifty look for your hardening. Maybe I’ll put your corpse in my entryway and call it art!
Sannaro growled, but he restrained himself from doing a premature move.
Dale closed in and began a series of quick jabs to the front and to the side.
Sannaro easily blocked all the blows.
Dale added a right kick with a left jab.
Sannaro made an upward block with his right arm, a low block with his left arm and swept Dale’s right leg out from under him.
Dale dropped awkwardly to the ground.
Dale rolled to the right and stood up again, although he favored his right leg.
SANNARO
Nice sparring with you, but I’m busy.
Sannaro turned to walk away.
Dale snarled and rushed Sannaro.
Sannaro whirled around and swung his right arm into Dale’s side. He heard a sickening crack.
Dale stumbled back and held his broken rib.
SANNARO
Dale, be smart and walk away. That was just half of my strength under my native gravity.
DALE (V.O.)
You ass!
SANNARO
Well, I guess that’s progress from chicken.
Sannaro turned away, picked up his helmet, clipped it to his side and accepted the pack from Cherna.
SANNARO
Go home, Dale. At least you still have family to return to unlike other survivors of the Bristol fire.
DALE (V.O.)
You get back here, slag!
Sannaro heard Dale run through the grass.
SANNARO
Oh, Iachi’awei, forgive me again.
He waited until the footfalls were quite close and launched a reverse spin kick across Dale’s thighs.
With a loud crack, Dale flew across the field and landed hard, his legs landed in very unnatural positions. Dale lay on the ground and gasped in intense agony.
GIOVANO (PSI V.O.)
Wow, and I thought I had seen it all when Verano captured you. You’re scary.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I hate to show that kind of force, but if someone pushes me, they’ll regret it or be dead.
Sannaro pulled his helmet back on as he joined his team and they returned to camp to lay more explosives.
FADE OUT.
THE END.