Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“PIRATE SLAVE”
EPISODE 50 – DISTRESSING TIMES
BY: LYSSA THORNE
and KATRINA DRAKE
FADE IN:
INT. SANNARO'S APARTMENT
Sannaro started awake and leapt out of bed, breathing hard. Sannaro pulled on a pair of shorts and rushed to the boys’ room.
Altarian was sitting up in bed with eyes wide and staring.
SANNARO
It’s all right, it’s me, Sannaro. You’re awake now. It was just a nightmare, and a hell of one it was.
Andoku stood up from his bed to touch him.
ANDOKU
Fausa, Altar! I bet that you woke the entire ship up! Are you okay?
ALTARIAN
Don't touch me!
Andoku backed away.
ANDOKU
Yaro?
SANNARO
Don’t touch him, Andu. He needs to get himself out of the nightmare state. You’re safe, Altarian. You’re on the Kumani; not the pirate ship. We won’t hurt you. Cherna, go tell Pirlo we’ve got the situation under control. He’s at the door.
Altarian looked wide eyed, breathed heavily, then rolled himself into a tight ball.
Ambrika came in.
AMBRIKA
What was all the commotion about and why is Altarian in a ball?
She went up to touch him, but Andoku caught her.
AMBRIKA
Yaro, why?
SANNARO
He has to get himself back into control or he may attack us.
When Cherna came back, Altarian saw her and hissed and spat.
ALTARIAN
Don’t take another step in this room lady.
Ambrika shifted her weight and Altarian jerked to her movement.
SANNARO
Everyone, out!
ANDOKU
But this is my room!
SANNARO
I said out! You’re not safe in here. I’ll stay to try to settle Altarian down.
As Andoku backed out away from the bed, Altarian snapped at him and gouged his arm.
Sannaro rushed over to Andoku and guided him around Altarian. He pushed him into Cherna’s arms.
SANNARO
Call for Zhad to treat Andoku’s arm, but do not allow him to come in here until I come out and say it’s safe.
Cherna nodded with her blue eyes wide before she grabbed Ambrika’s arm then took Andoku’s uninjured arm and pulled them out of the room.
SANNARO
Computer, lock this door.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Door locked.
SANNARO
Do not reopen the door unless it is my voice or Zhad’s.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Command verified.
ALTARIAN (PSI V.O.)
Leave or you’ll be next, I don’t wish to hurt anyone!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Altarian, it’s Sannaro. I’m not a pirate and I won’t hurt you. You must calm down.
ALTARIAN (PSI V.O.)
Get out of here, bastard!
SANNARO
Please, calm down. No one will hurt you. You had a nightmare, but it’s over.
ALTARIAN
Over?! Over?! It’s never over! Life doesn’t end quickly, reality or dream. It’s not fair -it’s not- fair!
Altarian slumped and started crying.
ALTARIAN
I’m sorry about Andoku, I didn’t mean to, really. I just feel threatened and I want it to just stop. Come, hold me please.
Sannaro rushed over to Altarian and hugged him.
SANNARO
It’s all right. Andoku will be healed. The memories are horrible and they’ll be with you for the rest of your life, but they’ll become less traumatizing with time. I know; I hate when I dream of being burned again, but it’s a part of me I can’t change. I’ve learned to accept them.
ALTARIAN
You’ve been burned too?
SANNARO
Oh, yes, over 90% of my body and only 20% was second degree; the rest was 3rd. I saw my mother and my brother die from the same laser bolt that hit the ground at my feet. I still terrifyingly remember how it threw me a hundred meters into the air. Then when I hit the ground, the rocks tore the skin off my chest and face. The next time I woke again, I was an orphan here on the Kumani.
Altarian stared up at the ceiling and started singing softly, but very high-pitched.
ALTARIAN
(SINGING)
The salt upon my brow and the wounds on my body are my trial and error that has been cast upon me. Blood of my sacrifice and of my destiny spills upon the stone cold floor, on the stone cold hearts of my captors. Free my spirit that despairs in this crumbled body. May I ever be free and leave this eternal prison?
SANNARO
That was a terribly sad song.
ALTARIAN
I can sing much worse songs I’ve learned and made.
SANNARO
I’m sure you could, but please not today, there’s been enough stress.
ALTARIAN
Tell me something. Is life supposed to be like this or am I living in vain?
SANNARO
You’re not living in vain. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
ALTARIAN
That’s not fair then. I feel like I’m all alone, but yet, never mind, just forget about it. I’m ready for Zhad to see me.
SANNARO
Good, I want to see how Andoku is doing, too.
ALTARIAN
Can I come out with you? I want to see how he’s doing too.
SANNARO
Sure, come on.
Sannaro stood up and nodded his head toward the door.
Altarian nodded solemnly, like he had just won an inner conflict.
SANNARO
Computer, release lock.
Altarian followed Sannaro out to the rest of them.
Cherna jumped from the couch and stepped between them and Andoku who was being treated by Zhad at the couch.
Sannaro held up his hand.
SANNARO
Nui, Cheri, everything’s all right now. He’s in control of himself again.
ALTARIAN
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I just forgot where and who I was for that moment. I’ll try to have more self-control next time. How’s Andoku?
ZHAD
He’ll have to be taken to the hospital so I can sew his muscle back together and sew his skin back, but he’ll be all right. Now, how are you feeling, Altarian?
ALTARIAN
I think I’m recovering.
ANDOKU
Fausa, Altar, how can you break skin like this, no one can really do that with teeth!
ALTARIAN
I sharpen my canines every morning. It’s a habit of my defense.
CHERNA
Please stop filing your teeth, Altarian. There’s no need to keep that kind of defense with the Astrisi.
ALTARIAN
But Chali, I don’t feel so secure if they are not sharpened!
Sannaro took her arm and pulled her to the kitchen.
SANNARO
Cherna, I understand that you want to protect our children.
CHERNA
I sure as Iachi'awei want to protect our children!
SANNARO
Altarian needs us too. If you get defensive with him now, he’ll turn away from us and then where would he go? Please, give him another chance. Do you remember when I had nightmares while Di'ok was with the Zurans? I almost beat you up then, too, but you stayed with me. Don’t give up on Altarian just yet, okay? He’s at a crucial juncture and he’s feeling very vulnerable.
CHERNA
I love you, San. I stayed by you because I can’t imagine living without you, but it’s not the same with Altarian; I’m scared of him.
SANNARO
Did Adara and Zhad give up on me even though my telepathy scared them?
CHERNA
Nui.
SANNARO
I’m sorry. I’m being too harsh on you. I understand that you would want to be cautious with Altarian, but please, don’t shut him out. He needs our support.
Altarian swept into the kitchen and looked squarely on the floor.
ALTARIAN
Cherna, I fear I’ve ruined everything between us and I want you know that at any time, I mean any time for your safety, I understand if you want to ship me off somewhere else. I will go willingly.
SANNARO
Please, Cherna, no one but us can help Altarian to become less defensive. You know that the Saili, even the New Saili, wouldn’t handle him.
CHERNA
I will admit that you scared me, Altarian, but San’s right that no one else would be able to handle you. You may stay as long as you understand that if you do this again, once you are in control, you will face me on the mat, houk?
Altarian bowed deeply.
ALTARIAN
Houk.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You are not a burden. Any more than I’m a burden to the Astrisi and if anyone tries to tell me I am, they’ll eat a practice mat for their next meal.
ALTARIAN (PSI V.O.)
Then I’m much more of a burden than I thought!
SANNARO
Let me go get my whip!
ALTARIAN
Nui, you wouldn’t. You couldn’t catch me!
CHERNA
What’s going on San?
SANNARO
Lightening the mood, dear.
ZHAD
Let’s all go to the hospital.
Everyone left the apartment.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro sat at his desk on the Upper Flight Deck with his hand on his chin and his booted feet on his desktop, thinking about Altarian's nightmare and subsequent attack on Andoku.
Well, at least Andoku's arm was healed and he was again with Adara to learn more of the pottery craft.
He pulled his feet off his desk and pushed in closer. He had administrative work to do and he needed to inspect his red team's Vizha'i that had to be fixed from the last fight with the pirates later in the morning, including his own newly built Vizha'i, so he didn't have the time to be dwelling on past horrors.
He picked up a hard copy of a parts list and bent to read it when aggressive feelings rushing into his head. He jerked his head to look to his ceiling.
SANNARO
Fausa, not pirates again!
He leapt from his chair and rushed over to his equipment locker. He opened it and pulled out his helmet.
DI'OK (V.O.)
Battle alert, battle alert! Pirate attack at coordinates 358299.3. All non-essential personnel, general quarters. Essential personnel, report to battle stations.
Sannaro ran out of his office and bounding down the stairs to the pilot's lounge. He waited for the first alert team to leave the lounge. When the last pilot passed, he rushed to his new Vizha'i.
The mobile stairs had been pushed against the cockpit.
He swept his hair behind his ears, then pulled the helmet on and locked it. He rushed up the ladder and leapt into the cockpit.
His crew clipped his harness around him, then jumped down from the ladder and pulled it away.
He pushed the button for the canopy to lower and lock. Then he waited for his team's turn to be pulled by the under-deck pulleys to draw his Vizha'i into the flight line and onto the platform that raised them into the launch deck.
When the lift was locked in, the pulleys pulled his ship into launch position.
The cat crew ran up and checked the pulleys to make sure they were securely in the catapult system. They saluted that all was green, then rushed into the safety area.
Sannaro stared at the red light with his hand poised over his engine fire button.
The light blinked green and he was pushed back into his seat.
He punched the engine button and roared out into space above the nose of the Kumani.
He adjusted his heading to Di'ok's coordinates and flew at full throttle toward the offending pirates.
He noticed all the teams except for Purple Team were already fanning out into a skirmish line. He scanned the tail colors and noted Yellow was first, then Blue.
Unlike last time, his Bed team had an inside position. Then came Green and White.
SANNARO
Steady. Let them come to us. Don't open a hole for them to compromise.
A minute later, the pirates arrived and his pilots moved in to engage them.
He swept in and claimed one. As he swept around it to avoid laser volleys, his telepathy intruded on his concentration.
It sensed some familiar mental signatures.
Annoyance surged through him. He tightened his shields and returned his full concentration to the battle.
He did a tight Yeager Loop and slipped in behind his aggressor. He fired twice and it blossomed into a fireball. He pulled up to avoid it, then banked back to select a new target.
That nagging feeling intruded on his concentration again and he gritted his teeth.
SANNARO
Computer, switch to command frequency. Hadah, we've got the same pirates on us again. I know some mental signatures in this fight.
HADAH
Houk, I've suspected they were following us. Having trouble concentrating today?
SANNARO
Houk, it's annoying.
HADAH
Fa'arata for the heads up, San. Get your mind on the battle now.
SANNARO
Computer, switch to tac-net.
The chatter of the battle returned to his headphones.
VALMADOR (PSI V.O.)
Hey, Destroyer, I know you're out here. We're going to blast your Astrisi to atoms for you daring to escape and taking that other slag with you.
He snarled, drew in mental energy and threw it at the offending telepath.
VALMADOR (PSI V.O.)
Nice try, slag. I was ready for you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Get out of my head!
He threw a harder mind-slam, then slammed his shields down tighter.
VALMADOR (PSI V.O.)
Aw, your ears bothering you today?
Even though the pirate was trying to anger him further, he noticed that the sending was a bit strained like his last telekinetic volley did some damage.
He smiled in satisfaction, drew in a massive amount of energy until his whole cockpit shimmered with with light and threw a stronger mind-slam. He heard a mental shriek and then the mental signature shredded apart.
He returned his attention to the outside battle.
A pirate had him locked and was ready to fire.
He sent his Vizha'i screaming in an extreme dive.
The metal around him heated up and groaned from the stress.
He felt his body rise off his seat and stress his harness.
His blood was rising to his head and he was seeing red.
His head felt like it was going to split open before he banked starboard, rolled into a tight loop and came in straight toward the pirate shuttle's canopy.
He shot and the shuttle exploded.
He banked port and did a barrel roll to avoid the explosion, then steadied his wings and slowed down.
The atmosphere of his flight suit adjusted the internal pressures to help his blood settle into a normal rhythm again and his vision cleared.
ARCAS (V.O.)
You okay, boss? That was a killer maneuver you just did.
SANNARO
I'm fine, thanks to my tough Saili body. Had a telepathic threat taking my attention off the battle. It's over now. Fausa, two kills in less than a minute. I think that's a new record!
ARCAS (V.O.)
You're all right.
CHERNA (V.O.)
But he has an awful headache Do you want to retreat, San? I can lead this battle for you.
SANNARO
Even though you know the state of my head, love, I'm not retreating. I'll be fine. Heads up, Cheri. Bogy at 3 o'clock.
CHERNA (V.O.)
I see it. Now stop seeing my battle and look at yours.
He looked around his canopy for another target, but his whole field was clear. The whole battle was just flashes of light clustered 'above' his position. He flew back to the skirmish and rejoined his wing.
CHERNA'S P.O.V.
As Cherna pulled up from the fireball of her own target, she saw Sannaro's red on red tailed Vizha'i fly to rejoin his wing.
She imagined a wall in her mind, then shifted her attention to space beyond her canopy. She saw a pirate shuttle slipping past the edge of the skirmish line and dove toward it.
She fired once.
The pirate wobbled to avoid it. The shuttle nosed up and fired on her.
She wobbled and it flew under her wing.
The pirate poured on the speed to get beyond her.
She banked port and dropped in behind him. She fired twice.
He banked starboard and dove.
She rolled around and flew below his dive. She fired.
Her Vizha'i buffeted from a minor hit. She looked at her scope.
Her target had called for backup.
CHERNA
Batu, have 2 bogys on me. Need assist.
BATU (V.O.)
Houk, Cherna. On my way.
She pulled up and rolled back on her contrail. She fired as the second pirate flew past. She glanced at her scope to see if a fireball replaced the target and gasped.
The first pirate was behind her firing.
She jammed her stick starboard, but her controls were acting sluggish. She pushed harder as if she could make her ship turn that much faster.
Her panel exploded in flashes of light. Hundreds of tiny needles punched through her legs. She screamed.
Several different klaxons assaulted her ears. She opened her eyes to her wing surrounding her with pirate shuttles exploding into fireballs.
She grasped the control stick again and continued the starboard turn she'd started until the Kumani was in her sight.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Cherna!
CHERNA
Sorry, ko'io, need all attention to land. See you later. White One to Kumani, Vizha'i's damaged, but responding sluggishly. Cockpit integrity, uncompromised. Engine's damaged but not critical. Approaching for emergency landing, over.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, White One. Preparing retrieval deck for emergency landing, over.
CHERNA
Request medical crew on standby.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, informing hospital.
BATU (V.O.)
White Two, taking command of White Team.
Before she could slip into unconsciousness, she felt Sannaro's mind slip into hers and take control of her hand.
She clung to his mind to stay awake as the landing platform door opened.
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, why are you just hovering?
Sannaro heard him, but his mind was still busy moving her body to fly the ship.
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, answer!
CHERNA/SANNARO
Arc, San's- flying- for me. Guard- him.
ARCAS (V.O.)
What?
HADAH (V.O.)
Don't try to figure it out right now, Arcas. Just guard Sannaro.
Without her will, she/he applied the brakes and the Vizha'i slowed. Her hand moved over a button and pressed it to lower the landing gear. Instead of the usual whine of the lowering landing pylons, a screech sounded below her.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
My landing gear's destroyed.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
We'll have to land without it. Brace yourself, lover. We're coming in.
CHERNA/SANNARO
Flight Control, set up the nets. My landing gear did not lower, repeat, my landing gear did not lower.
The wall of the retrieval deck blurred past and a huge orange net filled her vision.
The Vizha'i slammed into the net. It held and the Vizha'i slammed heavily to the deck.
She sunk back into her chair and felt a sickening stickiness on her lap.
She closed her eyes.
When the canopy groaned, she opened her eyes again.
With a loud pop, the canopy flew through the air, slammed into the wall and crashed to the deck.
She looked up and saw Metei cut through her harness.
He threw the cutters away and swept her into his arms. He turned around on the broken wing and leapt to the deck. He hit the deck running and sprinted across the deck to the maintenance door.
As soon as he was through, the hatch was shut and locked down.
An explosion caused Metei to stumble into the wall.
He recovered and ran down the narrow stairs.
She barely saw Zhad and Danu rush up to the flight control door with a hovering gurney between them. They laid her on the gurney and she lost consciousness.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. PIRATE BRIDGE
Baltazaur gaped at his fighters pulling back.
BALTAZAUR
Damn it! We've made at least one red-tail withdraw and they're still holding us off?!
PIRATE #1
They're some stubborn fighters.
BALTAZAUR
How is Valmador doing in the hospital?
COMSPEC
He shouldn't have telepathically spoken to The Destroyer. He's still in a coma. Doc doesn't know if he'll ever wake. He found some burned out brain cells.
BALTAZAUR
The Destroyer's reputation is well-founded. I should have killed him immediately.
PIRATE #1
We almost had someone through their line if it hadn't been for that White Team-leader disabling Torbor and the wing-man killing Corbin.
PIRATE #2
Did you see that fantastic dive that Red Team-leader did? I can't believe he's still flying!
PIRATE #1
We must of hurt him. He's still hovering.
BALTAZAUR
Target him. Take him out now.
The communications man nodded and turned to his panel.
PIRATE #1
Good luck. Red Team's a bitch to get around. They must have a taskmaster as a trainer.
BALTAZAUR
Send out another wave.
PIRATE #1
Should we?
Baltazaur surged up from his chair.
BALTAZAUR
You dare second guess me?
PIRATE #1
The first waves not gaining any ground. They've had to fall back!
PIRATE #2
Red Team's rallied around the Team-leader. Three shuttle's have been taken out.
Baltazaur slammed his fist into the wall.
BALTAZAUR
Okay! Sound retreat and fall back just outside of sensor range again!
PIRATE #1
Maybe we should give up trying to get the little slag back?
BALTAZAUR
That little slag's mine! He does the work of two goddamn humans! I'm going to keep biting at that bitch's heals until they give him back to me or we take her down!
PIRATE #1
At least we've hurt her. I just detected sound waves of a small explosion in the top landing deck. It's not a big one, so repair shouldn't take too long.
BALTAZAUR
Keep the withdraw order.
INT. SANNARO'S FIGHTER-PLANE – SPACE
Sannaro pulled his mind back into his own body again and focused his eyes. He could hardly see through his own cockpit from the tears in his eyes. He saw the blurry forms of his team in guard positions around him.
SANNARO
I'm back, Arcas.
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, retreat now.
He tried to take a breath, but it came out as a sob.
HADAH (V.O.)
Sannaro, snap out of shock and retreat now!
He struggled to distance himself from her intense pain and blinked the tears from his eyes.
SANNARO
Houk, I'm retreating now.
He pulled his Vizha'i into a roll and went back toward the Kumani.
TISA (V.O.)
Red Two, taking command of Red Team.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Kumani to Red One. Upper Flight Deck retrieval ramp, closed. Approach Lower Flight Deck for landing, lane one, Red One. Copy that?
SANNARO
I copy, Kumani. Landing in Lower Flight Deck, lane one.
As soon as he was raised into the Lower Flight Deck, he popped his canopy before the pulley system locked onto his landing gear.
As his Vizha'i was being pulled into a parking space, he leapt out of the cockpit, walked down the down-swept wing and leapt to the deck. He pulled off his helmet, clipped it onto his pistol belt and ran full speed to the elevator.
The door opened and he jumped inside.
SANNARO
Hospital!
The door closed and the elevator moved.
The door opened and he ran through the hall to the nurses station.
Belia rushed around the counter and stopped him.
BELIA
Cherna's in surgery. Zhad and Danu's working on her injuries.
He put his hand on his aching head.
SANNARO
Her legs, there was so much pain from her legs!
BELIA
San, I understand you're frantically worried about your wife, but you need to calm down. The surgery could be hours.
The elevator doors opened again.
Varanani stepped out and rushed to him. She hugged him.
He tried to stifle his sob, but his chest ached too much. He sunk down into Varanani's hair and poured his tears into her shoulder.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, blessed Firebird, my chest's going to split from the pain, Vara!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Be calm, Sanna. The surgery will go better if you're calm.
He was groggy when he was finally guided to a chair and sat down.
VARANANI
He'll be okay now, Belia.
BELIA
I'm sure glad you were here, Varanani, or we would've had to sedate him.
VARANANI
Houk, chemicals aren't what he needs right now.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
San, can you sense she's in deep sleep, beyond pain?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes. Danu's worried!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Don't sense Danu or Zhad. They're helping her and need all their concentration. Sense me. I'm here to help you. You need to be calm. Andoku, Ambrika and Altarian need you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
They're with Adara?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Yes, they're with Adara. They need your reassurance, Sanna. Can you sense that Cherna isn't close to the astral tear?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Astral tear?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Have you seen someone die and fall through a hole in the mental plane?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, is that the Astral tear?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Yes. She isn't near it. Do you sense that? She's still very alive. Cling to that thought. You're not alone.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, I sense that.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Send her your thoughts of love. Tell her you want her to make it through surgery and be with you again.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cherna, I love you. I want to be with you!
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Love you.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Yes, Danu reports Cherna's vital signs are stronger. You're helping her through the surgery. Continue to help her, Sanna.
Hadah strode up to them and sat down in another seat.
HADAH
I can't be here long, but I'm sorry about Cherna, San.
Sannaro numbly nodded his head.
HADAH
I need to know what you did out there. I couldn't understand it any better than Arcas did.
SANNARO
I possessed her body. I can't explain it better than that. She was so weak from blood loss, she was loosing consciousness. I went into her head and I took over the part of her mind that moved her body. I thought for her.
HADAH
You mean, you took over Cherna's body and you flew her Vizha'i with her body like a remote control?
SANNARO
Yes, that's it.
HADAH
Who was flying your Vizha'i?
SANNARO
An mindless body.
HADAH
You risked your own death to bring her in?
VARANANI
Hadah, I know you want to understand this, but you're upsetting San. He's linked with Cherna right now. If you upset him too much, Cherna's vital signs will become unsteady.
HADAH
Okay, I get the idea.
SANNARO
I had to help her. I couldn't loose her. I can't loose her.
VARANANI
Sanna, don't think of loosing her. Feel her, she's still alive. Be with her. Send your love to her. Ask her to be strong. Hadah, I'm sure you heard about the attack on Andoku last night by Altarian?
HADAH
Houk.
VARANANI
Altarian had a nightmare about his parent's deaths and woke up out of his mind from panic. Sanna experienced his dream too. He's been thinking about the attack all morning and re-experiencing the death of our mother and brother too, so he's been very unsettled today. He's tried to concentrate on his work, but the images keep coming back to him.
HADAH
Oh, fausa! Now that Cherna's hurt, he's in overload?
VARANANI
Houk. His loss has come back to hurt him, again.
Sannaro leapt up from his chair and slammed his fist into the wall.
The whole hallway shook.
SANNARO
No! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I strained myself in that big dive and gave myself a headache! I chose not to retreat because I could block the pain! Cherna got the headache too and couldn't concentrate on the battle! Why didn't I retreat?!
VARANANI
Stop this now, Sannaro!
SANNARO
My head aches.
BELIA
Sounds like Sannaro needs to be taken to an exam room, Vara. I know you don't want to sedate him, but he's overwrought.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Sanna, she's right. If you don't want to be sedated, you must get under control again.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I made her get hurt, Vara!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
No, you didn't and you know it. Think back on the battle after you declined to retreat. What was Cherna doing?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
For a second, she thought about the Zuran war, how she'd had to ignore my exhaustion while I was having Di'ok's nightmares. She blocked the pain and put her mind back on battle. She was holding her own against a pirate until she called on Batu for backup. She said the pirate had called backup and she had two bogys on her. He didn't join the dogfight before she was shot once. A minute later, the Vizha'i's handling became sluggish. She saw the other pirate come in to fire. She tried to evade. Then she screamed.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
So what happened had nothing to do with your headache. Two pirates managed to engage her before Batu could assist.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
If you had retreated, would it have made any difference in her battle?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
No.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Then all this isn't your fault. She's here being cared for because you got her here. You took care of her so that she's still alive. Now control yourself and make her want to stay alive.
Sannaro nodded his head, sat down, then linked with Cherna again.
VARANANI
Okay, he's back under control, again. He's merged with her, so he won't be able to speak. Now, please, Hadah, if you have the information you wanted, he needs to be alone.
HADAH
Sure, I really didn't mean to get him so upset. I understand now. He should have given himself the day off to recover from Altarian's nightmare, but there's nothing I can do now.
VARANANI
So should Cherna have let herself off, but what would you have done without both of your Senior Vizha'e?
HADAH
The administrative work would've stopped, but the Team-leaders and seconds could have handled the team duties. Well, anyway, take care of him, Vara. I'm returning to the bridge.
Hadah left Sannaro and Varanani to wait out the surgery.
(LATER)
Sannaro was so deep in his link with Cherna, when the doors to the surgical theater swept open, he yelped and leapt from his chair.
Zhad and Danu looked exhausted as they pushed Cherna's gurney through the door.
Sannaro rushed to meet them.
ZHAD
We don't have to tell you, she survived and has stable vital signs.
DANU
We couldn't save her legs, San.
SANNARO
What?!
ZHAD
The exploding control panel sent millions of pieces of shrapnel into her legs. Her bones were in splinters. There was very little to fit back together. Closing the wound was more important.
DANU
We need to get her into her recovery room.
Sannaro moved up to Cherna's head and stroked her hair.
She stirred slightly, then fell back into a deep sleep.
SANNARO
Well, at least she's still alive.
ZHAD
Houk, at least she's still alive.
Danu walked over to the sizable dent in the wall.
DANU
Whoa, you left another metal panel with your signature in it.
Sannaro flipped his hair into his face.
DANU
Anyway. Since she'll be asleep for a few hours, you should take the time to get a shower and relax. Your telepathic presence in surgery kept Cherna's vitals strong and steady, but you must be as exhausted as Zhad and I.
SANNARO
I've been so entranced, my body actually feels like I've just woke from a nap, but I do need a shower. I should also check on Arcas to see if he's been handling the post-battle reports.
DANU
Cherna's been in surgery for two hours and you're still thinking about work?
SANNARO
And you're still thinking about checking on some other patients. We're not carefree teens anymore, Danu.
DANU
We sure aren't. We're men with responsibilities. As for those responsibilities you reminded me about, I need to go do them. Give yourself a little time to relax before you get back to work? Even though you feel rested, you've still been under a lot of anxiety. Don't push yourself too much.
Sannaro grinned mischievously.
SANNARO
Houk, Doctor.
DANU
You're still a hopeless scamp, Sannaro Damirateyak!
Danu laughed and walked down the hall.
VARANANI
You truly are irrepressible, brother. Still, that was a good stress reliever for the two of you to have a little laugh.
Sannaro pinched the bridge of his nose.
SANNARO
We need to leave here. I think Danu's right and I'm just about to fall apart.
Varanani put her arm around Sannaro's and guided him to the elevator.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
He kept a strong grip on his emotions until she guided them into Danu and her apartment.
They walked in and she guided him to the couch.
SANNARO
Vara, please shield me from effecting everyone else while I loose control.
VARANANI
I'm ready.
He allowed all his pain to pour through his tears as his sister hugged him.
SANNARO
Oh, fausa, she'll never fly again! Never walk again.
He cried hard again for several minutes more.
SANNARO
She was always so athletic; almost as good at self-defense as I am.
He crossed his arms over his aching chest and took a deep sobbing breath.
SANNARO
Oh, Cheri, I love you so much.
VARANANI
And she will love you again, Sanna. Her legs may be gone, but her body's still intact. There are artificial legs she could learn to use. Her life isn't over even though her legs are gone.
SANNARO
I know.
VARANANI
But you'll still grieve for her loss.
He dried his eyes.
SANNARO
Yes. How will she take the news when she wakes again?
VARANANI
No matter how she takes it, I'll be there as the resident Psychiatrist to help her through her emotions while Danu and Zhad heal her body.
SANNARO
I'm so glad you took the galactic internet courses to become a Psychiatrist to help Ku'an. You'll be important to Cherna's recovery.
VARANANI
And yours, little brother. You'll need me too, and so will Andoku and Ambrika. I hope you're not mad at me for telling Hadah about Altarian's nightmare?
SANNARO
No, I should have thought that last night would effect me today, but there was so much to do. I didn't even think to give myself the day off. Cherna didn't think about it either.
VARANANI
Your preoccupation with the images you received from Altarian should have warned you that you were too upset to be working. You've always told me the Astrisi defense force was more like a militia, not a formal military. Hadah said he would've understood you and Cherna taking the day off to work through your emotions about Altarian's nightmare and attack on Andoku.
SANNARO
I don't know. Maybe I didn't want to stay home.
VARANANI
You were escaping?
SANNARO
I think so. There was no way for us to predict the pirate attack. Of course you go to work each day expecting you may be called into battle.
VARANANI
I think I need to speak with Altarian.
SANNARO
I'm not sure he'll like talking to you in a professional session.
VARANANI
Whether he likes it or not, he attacked Andoku because a nightmare about a past experience caused him to become irrational. I'll compromise. You need to concentrate on Cherna and approaching Altarian might cause him to feel responsible for Cherna's injury. I'll monitor everyone for a week or two and if Altarian doesn't show extreme behavior, I won't approach him until Cherna's well into recovery.
SANNARO
Okay. Now, can I borrow your shower? I can't stand my own odor.
VARANANI
You do smell like a foundry. I'll run to your apartment and come back with some new clothes. Do you want a new flight-suit or casual clothes?
SANNARO
Hadah probably won't allow me to fly again today, so bring casuals. Bring-
VARANANI
I know, black pants and that dark red sweatshirt.
SANNARO
Spoken like a telepath.
VARANANI
Not that those aren't your casual uniform.
SANNARO
They're comfortable! I need comfort items right now.
VARANANI
Shall I stop by the cafeteria and get you a cheeseburger too so you can have more comfort?
SANNARO
Now that I think of it, I am hungry. That would be really nice, sis.
VARANANI
Okay, a deluxe super pamper special coming up.
Sannaro hugged her.
SANNARO
I'm really glad you're here to help me through this.
VARANANI
Uh, San, you really do need that shower.
SANNARO
Yeah, I really need that shower.
He unclipped his pistol belt and it slid to the floor with a thunk.
VARANANI
How can you carry around all that weight on your hips?
SANNARO
You get used to it. I actually kind of feel naked without it, sometimes. Could you manage to carry it back to my apartment? I don't like to keep it outside a lock box when I'm not wearing it.
She looked down at it with some alarm.
He chuckled and unclipped the helmet.
SANNARO
Okay, the helmet can come off. That'll reduce the weight a bit, but my laser pistol and energy cartridges have to be put away.
VARANANI
I agree. They're too dangerous to be lying around.
He draped the belt over her shoulder.
VARANANI
Oh, it's still pretty heavy.
She reached down and picked up the helmet in her other hand.
VARANANI
This is heavy too. I'm glad I can't be a fighter pilot.
SANNARO
Oh, yeah? I could take the air tank off my back and let you carry that too.
He unclipped his shoulder harness and began to pull the air tank off his back.
VARANANI
No thank you!
He laughed as he pulled it off and lowered it to the floor to lean against the couch.
VARANANI
This is enough.
He grabbed the helmet and slipped it over her head.
SANNARO
There.
Her voice spoke through the speaker system.
VARANANI (V.O.)
Like I'm going to walk through the halls like this? Wow, when you look at the helmet it looks so black, like you can't see through it, but on this side it looks totally clear.
SANNARO
Yeah, intimidation factor.
VARANANI (V.O.)
Right. Now, could you take this off my head? It smells as sweaty as you are.
He pulled it off her again.
SANNARO
Yeah, I need to change the pads inside after every battle or it does get pretty stinky in there.
VARANANI
I'll get going and you get into your shower.
SANNARO
I'm going.
He watched her walk out of her apartment before he went into the bathroom.
He tied the towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathroom again.
He sat down at the wooden dinning room table so he wouldn't get her upholstery soaked.
After a few minutes, he rubbed his shoulders to warm his chilled skin.
Finally, the door swept open and Varanani walked up to him with a bundle of clothes and a heavenly scented bag of food.
His stomach rumbled and he blushed.
VARANANI
You are hungry.
SANNARO
I'm getting cold, but I'm so hungry, I'm tempted to eat now and dress afterward.
VARANANI
Yeah, but you're showing me so much of you, brother, and we're both married adults now. I can see why Zhuni has fantasies about you. You're very muscular and handsome, especially to a Saili.
Sannaro stood up and grabbed his clothes.
SANNARO
I'll get dressed now.
Varanani chuckled as he rushed past her to go back to the bathroom.
He closed the door, then quickly dressed in his casual clothes.
SANNARO
Now can I eat?
VARANANI
Now you can eat. I understand your Astrisi upbringing's made you more casual toward your body, but I was finding my thoughts wandering to admiring how muscular you are. As your sister, I didn't want to think those thoughts about my younger brother.
SANNARO
I'm really that attractive? I mean, people have always thought like that around me. I always thought I was too short and thick-bodied.
VARANANI
By Saili standards, you are a little short, but your body's proportionate and very athletic. Your eyes have just the right up-sweep, your nose is nicely straight despite how many breaks?
SANNARO
I think this capture by pirates was my third time to break my nose.
VARANANI
Your mouth is generous with just enough lip. By Saili standards, your quite handsome.
SANNARO
So why do Astrisi think I'm attractive too?
VARANANI
Because your exotic with just enough humanoid similarity to be visually pleasing. They appreciate a muscular build too.
Sannaro picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth.
SANNARO
I sense Cherna's beginning to regain consciousness. I want to get back to the hospital.
VARANANI
Let's go then.
He slipped his soft black boots onto his feet and they left the apartment together.
INT. KUMANI HOSPITAL ROOM
Cherna began to regain awareness of her surroundings and was relieved that it was quiet and a scent of antiseptic hung in the air. She heard the door sweep open and she opened her eyes. Sannaro's handsome face was hovering over her with his shoulder-length blue-black hair dangling around his face.
SANNARO
How are you feeling, ko'ia?
CHERNA
Like I crashed my Vizha'i. My legs hurt. They must be a mess.
Pained discomfort crossed Sannaro's face. He shot a pleading look at Varanani.
CHERNA
What?
SANNARO
Cherna, I'm sorry, but the pain your feeling is a ghost pain. Zhad and Danu couldn't save your legs.
CHERNA
What?!
She tore the covers off her and looked down at her hospital gowned body. There was nothing beyond the hem of the gown.
CHERNA
Blessed Firebird!
Sannaro bent down and hugged Cherna.
She sobbed into Sannaro's shoulder.
SANNARO
Oh, love, Zhad and Danu tried for two hours to save your legs. Zhad said the exploding panel splintered the bones in your legs. There were too many pieces to fit back together. They had to save the rest of you.
She poured her pain into her tears for a few minutes more. He laid her back down on the bed and then stroked her hair.
Zhad rushed through the door.
ZHAD
Oh, Cherna, I'm so sorry.
Sannaro pulled the blankets over her again.
CHERNA
I know. San said you told him there was too much damage.
ZHAD
My priority was to save your life with as much as your body I could save. I saved about two thirds of your thighs, but that's all I could do.
Danu entered the room, put his arm around Varanani and pulled her close to him.
DANU
Houk, Cheri, we saved as much as we could.
CHERNA
I don't blame you.
Sannaro bowed his head and closed his eyes.
She reached up and stroked his cheek.
CHERNA
I don't blame you, either, San. You risked your own life to get me back to the Kumani. I was just outflown by two pirates.
ZHAD
Let's leave San and Cheri alone, now.
Each of them gave her a sympathetic smile before they walked through the door.
The door swept closed.
Sannaro's head was bowed in sullen silence.
CHERNA
We'll be all right, San.
SANNARO
I should have withdrawn and treated my headache.
CHERNA
That wouldn't have mattered. I saw a pirate breaking through the skirmish line. I went after it and missed. He called for support and they surrounded me. I was hit once mildly and thought my ship had taken it without damage, but something must have snapped a minute later and made my steering sluggish. I couldn't evade another shot that blew my control panel. I called for Batu, but everything happened too quickly for him to have helped me.
She pressed her hand against his cheek.
CHERNA
We're senior pilot's, San. You know there wasn't much we could have done different.
He pressed his cheek harder into her palm.
She felt her finger become wet.
He slipped around her hand and embraced her.
CHERNA
Let the tears go, San. This is our pain and if you seal it away, it'll only hurt you more.
SANNARO
You're babying me when you've lost more than I have.
CHERNA
Nui, it's our loss. I know you were with me the whole time after my panel blew. I'm never alone with you.
SANNARO
Oh, Cherna, I needed you to live. A part of me would've died if you'd died.
CHERNA
I just know that I needed you so much and you gave me everything. I'm alive because you cared.
SANNARO
And I'll keep giving everything I am just to keep you with me.
Cherna pulled away and kissed him passionately.
He pressed into her kiss desperately.
CHERNA
As much as I would like to continue, I'm exhausted.
SANNARO
Of course. You need to rest now.
CHERNA
I can see you've been struggling with your feelings, love, but you should check on the kids. They need to be reassured that I'm still alive. We'll work out the other problems later. I need to sleep.
SANNARO
Houk.
She laid back and her eyelids fell closed. Her body was trembling. Whether it was from fatigue or anxiety, she didn't care. She needed to sleep.
Sannaro kissed her forehead before he slipped out of the room.
She drifted to sleep.
INT. KUMANI ZHAD'S APARTMENT
Sannaro hesitated for a minute outside his childhood apartment to collect himself before facing his foster mother and the children. He blew his breath out slowly, then stepped through the sweeping doors.
Adara met him at the door.
ADARA
The children are anxious, San. What they've been sensing has them alarmed.
SANNARO
I can imagine.
ADARA
Should I bring them out into the living room?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Andu, Ambri, Altar, please have a seat on the couch in the living room.
SANNARO
I've sent them a summons, Chali. Please have a seat in your chair so I can explain to everyone at once.
All three stepped out of his old room and crowded around him.
AMBRIKA
Is Chali okay?
ANDOKU
I sensed so much pain, Ya.
ALTARIAN
That was a terrible battle!
SANNARO
Please sit down and I'll explain.
Once they'd sat, he took a deep breath.
SANNARO
Yes, each of you have sensed that your mother is hurt. Her Vizha'i was struck twice by energy beams. The control panel of her Vizha'i exploded. I helped her guide her Vizha'i back to the Kumani where she crash landed on the Upper Retrieval Deck. She's just gotten out of two hours of surgery and is awake again.
AMBRIKA
Will she be okay?
SANNARO
She's alive.
ALTARIAN
But? There is a but there.
SANNARO
You sensed right, Altar. The panel of the Vizha'i exploded and sent shrapnel showering through her legs.
Adara drew a sharp breath and held her hands before her mouth.
SANNARO
The damage was too extensive. Zhad and Danu tried, but they couldn't save her legs. They had to be amputated.
ADARA
Oh, Blessed Firebird!
ANDOKU
You mean, Chali will never walk again?
Ambrika sobbed into her hands.
Adara sat down beside Ambrika and hugged her.
Andoku had his fist pressed to his lips and his eyes were veiled.
Sannaro felt his stomach sink when he saw Altarian's dark scowl.
SANNARO
She survived the surgery in good condition and Zhad's sure she'll live. She may need to be in the hospital for a few more days before they might even try a healing tent.
ALTARIAN
How could you let the zhecore retreat?! They should have been all shot to fausa!
SANNARO
I wasn't present during their retreat, Altar. I was told to retreat so I could be with Cherna in the hospital.
Altarian stood up and went back into Sannaro's old room.
Sannaro squatted in front of Ambrika.
SANNARO
It'll be all right, Ambri. Chali's alive. We'll get through this. Andu, are you going to be okay?
When Andoku looked up, Sannaro saw his eyes were moist.
ANDOKU
Houk, I'll be okay. She's still alive and that's what matters.
SANNARO
You should allow yourself to cry. I've done plenty today.
Andoku nodded, but did nothing more.
Adara stood up and Sannaro raised up to meet her. She hugged him for a minute, then pulled away.
ADARA
You look exhausted. You should sleep. I'll keep the kids longer for you.
SANNARO
Fa'arata.
He reluctantly stepped left the apartment. He was relieved to reach his own apartment and went inside.
He rushed into the bedroom, flopped on the bed and curled up in a tight ball. He clutched the pillow to his chest and cried himself to sleep.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
The next day, Altarian sat in flight class and tried to act as if everything was normal, but Lazha kept shooting sympathetic glances his way. He understood her feelings, but they just didn't understand his anger.
The alert klaxon sounded.
DI'OK (V.O.)
Battle alert, battle alert, pirate attack at coordinates 99675.9. All non-essential personnel, general quarters. Essential personnel, report to battle stations.
LAZHA
Class, line up and evacuate the Flight Deck.
Altarian joined the rear of the line.
NEAR-COLOR
Hey, Altarian, near-colors back here, only.
ALTARIAN
Sure, I'm moving.
METEI
About time you showed up, Teric. Any later and you'd be on report in front of Sannaro after battle.
Altarian shook his head as they strapped his harness. He pushed the button for the canopy to lower and lock and felt the pulleys pull his ship backward to the lift.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Blue Six, where are you?
ALTARIAN
Locking into the cat now, Team-leader.
SANNARO (V.O.)
When we retreat, I want you in my office as soon as you're told to stand down.
ALTARIAN
Houk, Senior.
He turned his ship to the correct coordinates and flew to join Blue Team.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Seto, I want you there, too.
SETO (V.O.)
Houk, Senior.
Altarian joined the line of blue tails and set the Vizha'i into hover. He grinned as he watched the pirate shuttles fly toward them.
Altarian waited until the other pilots flew forward to engage a pirate before he moved in.
A pirate swept in and fired at him.
He wobbled his wings like he was taught to, then did a roll. He came around and almost laughed when he found himself behind the shuttle. He pressed down the firing stud and strafed the space ahead of him.
The shuttle tumbled for over aft, then exploded.
ALTARIAN
Ha'iko!
SANNARO (V.O.)
Who said that?
ALTARIAN
Sorry, got too carried away there.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Well, cut the chatter and restrain yourself.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
New colors!
The next pirate dove in on him from 10 o'clock high.
Altarian banked starboard, but as he leveled out, he saw the pirate was right behind him.
ALTARIAN
Uh, Blue Six, need assist.
BLUE PILOT (V.O.)
I'm on it, Teric.
SETO (V.O.)
Teric, you all right? You sound odd and nervous.
ALTARIAN
Houk, I'm all right. Just a bit nervous about having to stand in front of Sannaro later, I guess.
Altarian saw a fireball blossom behind his Vizha'i.
ALTARIAN
Fa'arata.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Blue Six, retreat to Kumani, now.
ALTARIAN
I'm doing all right!
SANNARO (V.O.)
Blue Six, retreat now!
ALTARIAN
Uh-oh, can't, I've got a bogy diving on me five o'clock low.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Blue Team, protect Blue Six!
SETO (V.O.)
What's up, Sannaro?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Not now. Protect Blue Six.
ALTARIAN
Bogy firing. What do I do?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Corkscrew dive to port now,
Altarian!
Altarian vizha'i lurched and his panel sparked.
ALTARIAN
Oh, no, I'm hit! I'm out of control!
He was now in a dizzying corkscrew and his control stick was frozen.
SETO (V.O.)
Punch out, punch out!
SANNARO
Nui, if he punches out in a spiral, the engine could collide with the cockpit module!
ALTARIAN
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought I could do it and make you proud!
SETO (V.O.)
He's spiraling toward the Pirate mother-ship!
Suddenly, his Vizha'i came to a gut-wrenching stop.
ALTARIAN
I've stopped spinning!
SANNARO (V.O.)
Oh, nui, your tractored!
ALTARIAN
They're taking me back? Please, Sannaro, don't let them take me back!
SANNARO (V.O.)
Target the tractor projector!
All vizha'i fired on the ship.
Pirates converged on the area and fired back.
The pirate ship hatch opened and swallowed Altarian's vizha'i.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Damn it to fausa!
FADE OUT.
THE END.