Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“PIRATE SLAVE”
EPISODE 51 – RESCUE
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Altarian sat inside the cockpit of the Vizha'i he stole with a total feeling of numbness as he watched the pirates surround him.
GORBIN
Pop your canopy and come out with your hands up, Astrisi.
He reluctantly popped the canopy and climbed out onto the wing with his arms raised.
GORBIN
What's this? He's in a solid black flight-suit!
ZOKTO
Never seen that before.
GORBIN
Take the helmet off.
Altarian slowly lifted his arms and decompressed the seal. He pulled the helmet off and raised his arms again.
GORBIN
It's the little slag, Altarian!
He pulled out his communicator.
GORBIN
Baltazaur, we've got Altarian! He was in that fighter we snagged.
BALTAZAUR (V.O.)
Take him to my torture chamber.
Altarian leapt down from the wing between Gorbin and Zokto.
They grabbed each of his arms, pulled him across the flight deck through the halls of the ship toward the fore and pushed him through some parting doors.
Altarian stumbled across the deck a few paces before he caught himself.He was taken to a room full of stretching racks, a gallows and an ancient guillotine.
He yelped involuntarily when he was grabbed by the throat.
BALTAZAUR
Here, let me help you undress and get uncomfortable.
Baltazaur pulled his knife and ripped his flight-suit from neck to thigh.
He felt a thick warm gel ooze from the slashed fabric.
Baltazaur kneed him in the small of his back.
His legs fell out from under him and he crashed to the floor.
Baltazaur removed the last of the flight suit while he kneeled on Altarian's back.
BALTAZAUR
You know I hate it when I don't get my way.
Baltazaur stood and drove the edge of the heel of his boot into Altarian's shoulder blade.
Altarian bit his lip until it bled.
Baltazaur took a flexible stiff rubber shaft from the wall and flicked it across Altarian's back.
Altarian gasped at the incredible pain.
BALTAZAUR
Yes, you should get a spanking for running away from me.
He cracked it across Altarian's buttocks.
Altarian shuddered.
Baltazaur cracked it across Altarian's buttocks five times more in rapid succession.
Altarian bit his lip again to keep himself from screaming.
BALTAZAUR
If it's any consolation, slag, I don't want to kill you, you're much too valuable as a slave. I just want you to remember what happens when you try to get away from me. You know, it's clever of the Astrisi to hand you back over to me without looking like they're giving in. Did they get tired of my attacks?
ALTARIAN
No, I joined the fight without anyone knowing. I wanted to kill you!
BALTAZAUR
Aw, I'm touched by your affection for me. It doesn't matter. I'm your master and I always will be.
He cracked the shaft across Altarian's back. Then, he kicked Altarian onto his back.
Altarian shuddered when his aching back and buttocks touched the floor.
Baltazaur picked up energy shackles and fixed them onto his arms and legs, then pried his mouth wide open and checked around his tongue.
BALTAZAUR
Making sure you don't have a lock pick anymore.
Altarian's eyes widened in shock.
BALTAZAUR
Yes, that spineless Jedron told on you after you escaped with The Destroyer. Then I knifed him. I think some reflection time on the punishment pole in the slave hold will complete my punishment nicely.
He pulled out his communicator.
BALTAZAUR
Gorbin, come take the slag to the punishment pole in the slave hold. Leave him naked until he's brought down again.
GORBIN
Right.
The door swept open again. Gorbin and Zokto walked in and jerked Altarian off the floor.
Baltazaur turned the energy shackles on.
Altarian felt the shackles crackle to life. He was pulled through the halls to the slave hold and was hung on the t-pole. He was secured to the metal bars and then the shackles were turned off. He sagged down painfully on the pole and immediately felt his own weight press painfully against his lungs. He took a shuddering breath and tried to relax to reduce the stress on his limbs.
INT. SANNARO'S VIZHA'I – SPACE
Sannaro laid his head back on his headrest to control his breathing.
SANNARO
Okay, lets recover this battle and drive the pirates back.
SETO (V.O.)
Aren't you going to help him?
SANNARO
Fly right into a pirate ship and get myself caught, too? Now isn't the time.
SETO (V.O.)
But, Sannaro, he's your ward!
SANNARO
I know who he is. Get your mind on this battle and cut the chatter!
Everybody reluctantly quieted and got back into their normal battle rhythms again. He worked to detach himself from his own raging emotions before he rejoined the fighting.
The pirates finally turned back.
SANNARO
They're pulling back. Let's retreat.
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, you okay?
SANNARO (V.O.)
No, I'm not okay. I'm shaken to the core and I know my ears are going to be raw before the reactions to this debacle settles down.
ARCAS ( V.O.)
I wish I could take some of the pressure off you, but I know I can't. Hang in there, you'll get through this.
He lined his Vizha'i to landing strip one and cruised in. He pushed the breaks and slowed to a hover, then set it down without a bump on the lift.
A minute later, he heard the clang, and the lift lowered into the Upper Flight Deck.
He felt the jerk as the magnetic pulleys locked on to his landing gear and he was pulled into the Refuel and Rearms tunnel.
The ladder was rolled up to the side of his ship. He reluctantly pushed the button to unlock and raise the canopy.
HADAH (V.O.)
Sannaro, meet me in your office.
He stepped down to the floor.
Suddenly he was surrounded by his Red team.
ARCAS
Let San through, everyone. He needs to get to the meeting with Hadah.
The milling crowd parted reluctantly.
He and his team walked in a cluster across the maintenance deck until they arrived at the pilot's lounge.
Red team fanned out to sit down on the couches while Sannaro proceeded up the stairs.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before he walked into his office.
Hadah was already inside, fuming.
The door closed.
HADAH
Of all the stupid stunts! Can you tell me how in the Great Firebird did Altarian get on the flight line and steal a Vizha'i?
SANNARO
No.
HADAH
No? No? That's all you have to say?!
SANNARO
I only realized it after he vaped a pirate and cried out excitedly and Seto started suspecting that the pilot in Blue Six wasn't Teric.
HADAH
This is a serious breech in discipline, Sannaro!
SANNARO
I know.
HADAH
I could have your sash for this!
Sannaro reached to untie his Senior Vizha'e sash from around his waist.
HADAH
Not now. I need to cool off and do an investigation on this. But, I'm telling you, you may still have that sash pulled.
SANNARO
I understand. Now may I be dismissed to go into isolation at the hospital?
HADAH
Yes, get to isolation.
Sannaro whirled on his heals and left the office, resisting the urge to run. He forced himself to walk impassively down the stairs.
Arcas leapt from a couch and rushed up to him.
ARCAS
Team, guard positions.
The rest of the team leapt up and surrounded him again. He walked through the flight line to the elevator.
SANNARO
I'll be okay getting to the hospital, Arc.
ARCAS
Your voice sounds so strained. You sure?
SANNARO
I'm sure.
He stepped inside the elevator and called for the hospital.
The door closed and the elevator moved.
He was so relieved to finally be alone, he felt his shields waver. He quickly firmed them to rigidity again.
After a minute, the door opened again and he walked down the central hall of the hospital.
The staff froze in place and watched him walk past.
Zhad had the door to the isolation room open.
Sannaro felt his will waver and he leapt for the open door.
Once he was clear, Zhad stepped in and held his hand out.
Sannaro unclipped his pistol belt and laid it over Zhad's hand. Then he pulled off his air tank and Zhad took it with his other hand. With a look of sympathy, Zhad backed out of the room.
The door closed and locked.
Sannaro took a deep breath and screamed. With tears streaming down his face, he punched the wall repeatedly until his knuckles were slick and glistening with bright yellow blood. He collapsed onto the floor and cried. Finally, his deep sobs settled into a lethargy and he slipped into sleep in a ball on the floor.
INT. KUMANI CHERNA'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Cherna jerked awake when the battle klaxons blared and Sannaro ran out of the room to address the threat. She bounded out of bed and crashed down to the floor. She shook her head to ease the jarring pain.
Zhad rushed into the room and squatted beside her.
CHERNA
Sorry, knee-jerk reaction. I just forgot I don't have knees anymore.
She pushed off the floor and rolled onto her bottom.
Zhad gathered her up in his arms and returned her to bed.
ZHAD
I understand.
CHERNA
San's battering the bulkheads again.
The pounding stopped and everything became painfully silent.
ZHAD
Yes.
CHERNA
Why did Altarian steal a vizha'i? He was far from ready to do a real battle! Now he's captured again and San is raging!
ZHAD
Those pirates hurt him many times. I'm no warrior but maybe he was trying to avenge your injuries? He has barely spoken to anyone since your crash.
CHERNA
That sounds like something Altarian would think to do.
ZHAD
I need to check on San now that his rage is spent.
Zhad left the room.
HADAH (V.O.)
This is Hadah. I'm sure Sannaro's apologetic for his immense sound disruption, but we've suffered a terrible tragedy today. The slave boy Altarian took an unauthorized flight and has been recaptured by the pirates. An investigation is being made to learn how the boy managed to steal a ship. That is all.
Cherna rolled to stand on the stumps of her thighs. She swung her stumps ahead of her and traversed the length of the bed and swung herself down to the floor. She continued until she came to the chair in front of the computer. She put her hands on the seat of the chair and vaulted herself up onto the seat. She opened a channel to cent-com.
DI'OK
Cent-Com.
CHERNA
Di'ok, please tell Hadah I want to speak with him.
DI'OK
Cherna, what are you doing?
CHERNA
Put him on, Di'ok.
DI'OK
Okay, okay, wait a minute.
The screen went dark for a minute, then lit up with Hadah's image.
HADAH
Cherna, what are you doing?
CHERNA
Hadah, don't pull San's sash, it'll devastate him.
HADAH
What? I haven't told anybody- Oh your marriage link told you. Look, I don't want to discuss this on a public line. I'll be down at the hospital in a few minutes and we'll talk. Houk?
CHERNA
Houk.
HADAH
Now you return to bed right now. I don't know how you're at a computer station.
CHERNA
Just get here, please.
HADAH
I'm on my way.
Zhad rushed back into her room.
ZHAD
The nurses station picked up a communication from your room. Cherna, what are you doing out of bed and how did you get to that chair?
She leapt down from the chair to land on her fists and swung back over to the bed.
ZHAD
Fausa, we'll never keep you down!
CHERNA
Strong arms from years of weight training and combat.
ZHAD
Okay, I'm putting stump cups on you. You're not going to stand bare-legged on fresh stitches. First Sannaro, now you! You both are incorrigible!
Hadah walked through the door and stopped with his jaw dropped.
Cherna looked up from the floor and grinned. She put her hands on the mattress of her bed and leapt up onto it. She swung back up to the pillow and sat down.
HADAH
You're moving like an Earth monkey!
CHERNA
It works. Please have a seat, Hadah.
ZHAD
What's this about?
HADAH
I'm really sorry you lost your legs,
Cherna.
CHERNA
What have you found in your investigation of Altarian's theft of the Vizha'i?
HADAH
You know everything San knows, then?
CHERNA
We share minds, Hadah. He really didn't know what happened until Altarian gave himself away in battle. But, then again, he's been a bit distracted lately.
She pointed to the stumps of her thighs.
HADAH
I talked to Lazha. He was in her class when the the alarm sounded. She evacuated the classes to the safer levels of the primary school. When they first moved out, she saw Altarian at the back of the line, so she thought everything was going well. When she got to the school, Altarian was gone. A short while ago, Arcas called me and said Teric woke up in the bunk room, on the floor under a bunk. He was late to scramble because he'd been replacing the pads in his helmet. He was finishing up when the student pilots came through the pilot's lounge. As soon as they were passed, he saw a solid black flight-suit from the corner of his eye, then he just lost consciousness. I talked to his ground crew and they said they saw Teric get into his Vizha'i and they launched him, so they were as confused as San was when they were told Altarian had piloted that ship.
CHERNA
How did Altarian know San's ability to send false images into other people's minds?
ZHAD
The escape! San told me he used the trick to get him and Altarian to that shuttle so they could get off the pirate ship!
CHERNA
That's it. Altarian's clever. San said that when Altarian was tested in the sim, he had remarkable knowledge of the controls. He'd bragged about how he'd had a flight student as a friend on the Intoku and they'd sneak to the simulators to do battle sims. He could have noticed where San sent his telepathy into the receiver's mind and he did it to take the form of Teric on the flight line.
ZHAD
Fausa, I'm so glad San was more restrained as a child!
HADAH
And it seems Altarian doesn't have the same self restraint Sannaro's always had.
CHERNA
San wasn't raised by criminals. Altarian was. Hadah, don't pull San's sash. It will destroy him.
HADAH
In light of what I've learned, no one could have foreseen Altarian's actions. He's devious, rash and refuses to accept authority when it doesn't suit him. And you're right, San's been understandably distracted because he's been deeply effected by your injury. It would be heartless of me to take his sash.
CHERNA
I'm glad you think that way. I hope you understand, San's my soul-mate. I didn't want you to destroy him for this.
HADAH
He's the best Senior Vizha'e in the history of the Kumani. And, by the new knowledge of the pirates, the most hated Astrisi fighter in Allied space. I'm beginning to realize it would be to everyone's detriment if I pulled his sash. This has been the most intense fighting we've been through since the Zuran war and San's successfully kept those pilots going, nearly around the clock, to counter this threat.
Sannaro wearily entered the room.
SANNARO
Having a pow wow without me?
Hadah stood up.
HADAH
Sannaro! Come in, man.
SANNARO
What have you found in your investigation?
HADAH
Altarian used false imaging to slip away from Lazha and the student pilots.
SANNARO
He stole my stealth technique.
CHERNA
He learned it from observing you when you were sneaking them off the pirate ship.
HADAH
No one on that flight deck could have seen his deception except for you and you were already deployed into space. You were at your battle station so you can't be faulted.
Sannaro sighed in relief.
HADAH
The only faulty judgment was by Altarian. I'm not pulling your sash.
CHERNA
San, you have to mount a rescue.
Sannaro's eyes became onyx hard.
SANNARO
It was his lapse in judgment. Maybe this is what he deserves. I can't trust him ever again.
Cherna rocked onto the stumps of her thighs.
CHERNA
Sannaro Damirateyak, how could you say such a heartless thing!
ZHAD
She's right! Altarian became a like a son to you and you're just going to turn your back on him and leave him at the pirate's mercy?
SANNARO
He compromised the security of my force!
HADAH
Man, do you hear yourself? You're sounding like Filp!
SANNARO
You're asking me to deliberately invade that pirate ship and risk being beaten to an inch of my life again?
ZHAD
You're afraid!
Sannaro's dark eyes became rippling pools of dark blue.
SANNARO
They hung me on a t-pole naked, my weight pressing agonizingly against my lungs. I could barely take a breath.
CHERNA
Can you bear to think about Altarian hanging there abandoned by you?
Sannaro gritted his teeth and shuddered.
SANNARO
No.
HADAH
Then chose a special invasion force and get your flight deck ready for attack, Senior Vizha'e!
Sannaro nodded and walked from the room.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Zhad looked at Cherna and Hadah worriedly.
ZHAD
I'm going to get Vara to talk to him before he goes. It's not like San to let a capture effect him so much.
CHERNA
But every inch of his skin was cut, he was beaten and hung from that t-pole for who knows how long, Zhad. He's always been afraid of being captured by pirates since he met and freed the Adharan Abroc Hyan from Arlington's pirates when we were teens. His worst private nightmare came true when he was captured.
ZHAD
All the more reason for Vara to talk with him, Cherna.
HADAH
Well, we're done here and I have my part of this invasion to work out with my staff.
CHERNA
Fa'arata, Hadah. I'm fine now that I know you're not going to pull San's sash.
HADAH
It was a very enlightening meeting for me, too, Cherna.
EXIT Hadah.
ZHAD
Now, you need to rest. You've done way too much for just being out of major surgery for forty-nine hours.
CHERNA
Houk, Zhad.
She laid back in her bed.
INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY
Sannaro walked down the hall of the hospital, thinking about who he was going to take on the raid.
Ahead of him, the elevator doors opened and Varanani stepped out.
Varanani grabbed Sannaro's arm and was redirected to the isolation room.
He didn't dare pull out of her grasp with her mind so grave and intent on talking to him. She was stronger than a humanoid woman and she was a telepath, too. She'd know what he intended to do before he did it.
VARANANI
Wise choice, brother.
Two engineers were in the isolation room preparing to replace the bulkhead.
VARANANI
Please work on the wall later, I must talk with Sannaro.
The engineers nodded and left.
The door swept closed.
SANNARO
What's this about, Vara? I have a mission to plan.
VARANANI
I just had a message from Zhad. He's worried about your state of anxiety about this mission.
Sannaro glanced nervously around the room. He centered his sight on the deep craters on the wall.
VARANANI
You were very enraged.
Sannaro looked down at the floor.
VARANANI
Take as much time as you need and as much mental link that's comfortable.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
His thoughts went back in space again and he was floating helplessly as the terrifying pirate mother-ship loomed closer. He remembered the images he'd received from the Abroc Hyan who'd suffered a year with the pirates, starved and tortured. He had to take his helmet off! They couldn't get him alive! He closed his eyes and shuddered.
BACK TO ISOLATION ROOM
VARANANI
I can understand why you were terrified and thought suicide was a better option. Pirates live to terrify and intimidate.
SANNARO
But I couldn't. The tractor beam wasn't strong enough to crush me, but it kept me from moving.
VARANANI
You hate being helpless.
SANNARO
Yes, I felt so helpless when Aldinon and Arlington chased me under the Werners porch. I swore after I came to the Astrisi, I wouldn't be helpless again.
VARANANI
And that's why you became a warrior.
SANNARO
Yes, but I was helpless again and facing capture by pirates.
He held his breath to stop the swelling of pain, but it was too much. He sobbed and put his head in his hands.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
He felt the pain again as the pirates shredded his flight suit and skin, then kicked his naked body until he was almost faint. He was dragged again through the shaking corridors as his body screamed in agony, but that pain was nothing compared to when he was hung on that t-pole with his weight crushing down on his lungs, his body naked and on display for all the curious slaves to gawk at.
BACK TO ISOLATION ROOM
Varanani closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
SANNARO
Now do you see why I'm scared as hell to go back to that pirate ship? Sure, I've been beaten within an inch of my life before, but never so-
VARANANI
Helplessly humiliated.
Sannaro paced the room.
SANNARO
I couldn't fight back! They had energy shackles on my wrists and ankles with the power level to muscle paralysis. I saw no hope of escape until I saw Altarian. I begged him for help, Vara! I couldn't get off that t-pole alone. I didn't dare wait for the pirates to come back because I was weakening by the minute the longer I was crucified! I would've been totally disabled by the time of their return! I was suffocating! In the past, I always had a plan of escape minutes after my capture. This time, I could hardly think!
VARANANI
But you did think. When you saw Altarian, you formulated a plan.
SANNARO
I used him!
VARANANI
And he used you. It was mutual need. That's a common behavior in dire situations and you rewarded him handsomely by opening your home to him.
SANNARO
I felt guilty for using him like I did.
VARANANI
But he used you by forcing you to take him with you so he could escape from the pirates. That's reciprocation, San, you bartered one service for another. That's very sentient behavior. You didn't take advantage of him.
SANNARO
I know I need to rescue him from his cruel fate, but what do I do when I'm so afraid to go back for fear they'll take me again and put me through that humiliation again?
VARANANI
I'm sorry, San, but you risk that just by being a warrior. It's your job.
SANNARO
And I've done it willingly in the past, but now I'm hesitating.
VARANANI
Because you've been humiliated and you hate that feeling. But now there's a young boy who admires you in a very deadly situation and you're the only guardian he has.
SANNARO
Yes, I'm the only guardian he has and Cherna says I must free him. I will free him, but I'll be controlling fear the whole way.
VARANANI
So you're telling me you haven't felt fear before on dangerous missions or past captures?
SANNARO
If I said I didn't, I'd be a blind fool. Of course I get scared.
VARANANI
Then is this any different?
SANNARO
I guess not.
VARANANI
Can you do this invasion with confidence?
SANNARO
I've got some good men and women under my command. I was already thinking about who was going to be on my invasion team when you intercepted me.
VARANANI
Do you feel calmer and more confident now?
SANNARO
Yes, thanks. I'm ready to do this.
VARANANI
Good.
SANNARO
Now can I leave, Doctor?
VARANANI
You may leave now, Team-leader.
Sannaro flashed a smile, then swept out the door.
He returned to the elevator and called it to return to the Upper Flight Deck.
The elevator door opened again and he stepped out into the flight-line, toward the pilot's lounge.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Arcas, meet me in my office.
ARCAS (PSI V.O)
Ah, a mental summons, just like the old days.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I've missed you at my side too since you got voted to lead the Green team.
He entered the pilot's lounge and walked up the stairs.
Arcas met him at his door and they entered.
ARCAS
What? Am I going to spring the kid?
SANNARO
Sorry, Arc, again I need you to lead the troops while I take an infiltration team in.
ARCAS
Ah, you made me do that when you infiltrated the Zurans, too!
SANNARO
I know, but your good, my friend. I need capable leadership when I can't be in a skirmish. That's why I'm giving you Assistant Senior Vizha'e.
Arcas' jaw dropped.
SANNARO
Normally, I’d put it to vote in a Team-leader meeting, but I'm kind of hurried here. There's a kid that needs saving right away.
ARCAS
Have you thought about who's going with you?
SANNARO
Houk, I'm taking Tisa. She's my assistant Team-leader and I need her for rapid telepathic communication.
ARCAS
Who's taking over Red Team in both of your absence?
SANNARO
Saru will.
ARCAS
Okay.
SANNARO
I'm taking No'al, Batu, Eron, Di'eta and Saka.
ARCAS
Batu will have to choose someone to lead White, then.
SANNARO
I'll discuss it with him when I call them in for briefing.
ARCAS
We other Team-leaders have been sympathetic to you and Cheri, boss, but we all agree that we need to have the meeting soon to choose who's going to lead White.
SANNARO
Fa'arata, I appreciate your patience, but you're right, a decision needs to be made. I'll call a Team-leader meeting after I return from rescuing Altarian.
ARCAS
Fair enough.
SANNARO
Now, please prepare the remaining pilots for an assault on the pirate ship while I call the infiltration team for briefing.
ARCAS
Ready and willing, boss.
Arcas gave a smart salute, turned on his heels and rushed out the door.
Sannaro sat down at his desk and called Shuttle Operations office across the flight deck.
A man with auburn hair and a slender face appeared on the screen.
SANNARO
Ki'iwa, Kosi. I need a shuttle pilot for a dangerous pirate infiltration mission.
KOSI
What kind of module will you need?
SANNARO
From what I sense, we’ll need a medical pod.
KOSI
Okay, you know a medi-pod has to be manned by hospital personnel?
SANNARO
That’s why I want it.
KOSI
Okay, I’ll set it up.
SANNARO
Can you have your pilot come to my team briefing in five minutes?
KOSI
Houk, someone will be there.
SANNARO
Fa’arata, Kosi.
He opened the flight deck intercom.
SANNARO
This is Sannaro. I want the following pilots to report to the pilot's lounge in five minutes- Tisa, No'al, Batu, Saka, Di'eta and Eron. All remaining personnel, prepare for battle. We're taking Altarian back and destroying that pirate ship forever.
He heard a loud cheer echo through the walls of the flight deck.
He grinned.
When his door swept open, he looked up and saw his old friend and bomber Di'eta walk in.
DI'ETA
Hi there, kid. Just had to duck in before the briefing. I'm glad you're giving this old warrior another chance at glory. You sure have made something of yourself since the days I took you under my wing as a new-color and showed you how to ignore your noisy head!
Sannaro laughed, stood up and gripped Di'eta's forearm.
SANNARO
You're still the one who taught me how to be a sharpshooter, Dia.
DI'ETA
Still modest, too.
SANNARO
I need your sharpshooting hand on this infiltration.
DI'ETA
Hey, I'm sorry about Cherna. Terrible loss.
SANNARO
Houk, but she's already learning new ways to get around.
DI'ETA
Good girl, don't ever let anything keep you down.
SANNARO
Well, I sense the others have arrived in the lounge. Let's go join them.
Di'eta winked an eye, clicked her tongue and pointed to her head.
DI'ETA
Still listening to that noggin of yours.
SANNARO
Only when I'm not in battle.
They left Sannaro's office and went down the stairs.
Batu and No'al meet them at the base of the stairs.
BATU
How's Cherna, San?
SANNARO
Zhad's ready to put her in the healing tent to keep her in some kind of bed.
BATU
That's Cherna, she never can be held down for long.
NO'AL
Unless these two are in bed.
Sannaro blushed.
SANNARO
Who says she's always down?
BATU
Oh-ho!
NO'AL
Feisty lady, that Cherna!
Sannaro flashed an image of the two men sitting down.
NO'AL
Gotcha, boss.
BATU
Oh, that's Saili for sit down?
NO'AL
That's right.
SANNARO
Okay, all of you know about Altarian’s stunt and that he’s back in the hands of the pirates?
Everyone nodded.
SANNARO
I can tell you from personal experience, this pirate commander loves to torture. I have very vague residual feelings from Altarian and he’s in a great deal of pain.
DI'ETA
Is it effecting you a lot?
SANNARO
Not as much as I would feel it from Cherna, my sister, my children or close friends because Altarian and I haven’t known each other for long and there was some inherent distrust between us. It’s just like a dull headache. Still, I feel I owe him a rescue.
TISA
No one should live a tortured pirate slave.
BATU
Yet, I heard about the problems he was causing in your family, San.
SANNARO
He tried to fit in, but his past is more horrific than mine was. He had a terrible nightmare he didn’t wake well from and he forgot where he was when he attacked Andoku. Like Tisa just said, no one should live a tortured pirate slave. So I want those of you here to be my infiltration team while the main body of the defense force attacks the pirate ship. I’ll fly a bomber with Di'eta doing what she does best. Tisa will be my wing-man. The rest of you will be taken over by Kosi in a med shuttle. Once we get to the pirate ship, Di'eta will punch a hole into their flight deck and we’ll land there.
DI'ETA
Uh-oh, I got a feeling here’s the kicker.
SANNARO
You know me too well, Dia. Yes, here’s the kicker. All of you will keep the pirates on board busy while I search the ship for where they’re keeping Altarian.
NO'AL
You’re not going alone, boss.
SANNARO
Yes, I am going alone. I have unmatched stealth and I know the lay of the ship.
No'al shook his head and sighed, but Sannaro sensed no further argument from him.
SANNARO
Tisa, you’ll be in charge of the infiltration group.
Tisa nodded.
SANNARO
Once I inform Tisa I have Altarian, I’ll take Altarian to the shuttle and rejoin you for an assault on the bridge. If the pirate shuttles are defeated outside, Arcas can bring the rest of the force inside the pirate mother-ship to help us defeat them completely. I want that ship trashed and every slave freed.
NO'AL
Whoa, your mad as hell at them!
TISA
Why not? They captured him, tortured him and they destroyed his wife’s legs. I’d be furious at them if it were me.
SANNARO
Let’s get to work.
Sannaro watched as the team left and saw Kosi leaning against the lockers beside the doorway.
SANNARO
So, you’ve volunteered yourself?
KOSI
Like you said, this is a very risky infiltration slipping through a big pirate battle. You need a steady pilot who won’t be frightened by the action outside. Did Filp ever tell you, I spend some time in a fighting wing?
SANNARO
No, he never did.
Kosi pulled his pant leg up and showed that the muscle of his shin was missing.
KOSI
I was a really promising junior pilot at the time. My wing-mate exploded beside me in a pirate battle and a sheet of his fuselage sliced through the my cockpit wall and sliced the back of my shin off. Keba tried to reattach the muscle, but my body rejected it. He had to take it back out. Well, I lost a lot of fine motor control of my leg so Filp had to take me out of the Vizha'i. Since I was still a damn good pilot, Filp traded me to the shuttle corps. You need someone who’s been a fighter pilot to fly that shuttle.
SANNARO
Wow, you’ve convinced me.
Danu stepped into the pilot’s lounge behind Kosi.
DANU
You’ll need a doctor to take care of Altarian as soon as you bring him in.
SANNARO
I guess I have my full team then. Kosi, Tisa and I will be your protection. If you see a bogy sweeping in on you, call us for assist immediately.
KOSI
You better believe I will.
SANNARO
Once we land on the mother-ship, the two of you may have to defend yourselves on your own, but I hope not, so I’ll have lasers issued to both of you.
DANU
Uh.
SANNARO
I know, Danu, you’ve taken an oath to do no harm, but I want my sister’s husband coming back home after this job’s done. If a pirate’s coming at you, you shoot them. I don’t care if the pistol’s on stun or kill, you shoot, understand?
DANU
Understood.
SANNARO
Good, now, I need both of you to prepare the shuttle for flight.
Kosi and Danu nodded, then walked out the door together.
He blew his breath out slowly, then climbed the stairs back to his office.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Sannaro stood beside the fatter double cock-pit bomber. The flight crew was putting the finishing touches on the new seat they’d installed for his thicker frame while the engineer’s decal team had repainted the tail in his red-on-red designation signature. The top red triangle signified he was the team-leader, and the lower triangle signified he was of Red Team. A dark red stripe intersected the triangles to show he was the Senior Fighter Pilot.
Across from him, Tisa stood beside her Vizha'i with the Yellow triangle intersected by a thin red line over the red triangle that designated her as his assistant team-leader.
Around them, the flight deck buzzed frantically.
He could barely see beyond the Refuel and Rearms structure in the center of the flight deck that the rest of his special team was standing near the shuttle with the word medical painted on its side.
Hadah moved through the flight line toward him.
HADAH
Everything looks good, San. The Kumani will be supporting the fight at the rear with full batteries. Your plan sounds good.
SANNARO
Why didn’t you ever tell me Kosi was a wounded Vizha'e?
HADAH
It never occurred to me to tell you. So he told you to convince you to take him as your shuttle pilot?
SANNARO
Very convincing.
HADAH
Yes, he’s a very good choice. After the accident, I’d been really effected about his loss. He was a peer of mine who graduated from flight school close to the same time I did. So, who’s the bomber your taking with you?
SANNARO
Di'eta.
HADAH
Di'eta's without peer as a bomber.
SANNARO
We’ve also worked closely together in mind.
HADAH
Yeah, I remember No'ama telling me about how Di'eta taught you to ignore your telepathy in battle. That seems to be an important requirement for you when you’re designing a special team.
SANNARO
I’m hard-wired for telepathy. I’m just as likely to think a command as to speak it, so I need people who will take either as if it were spoken. The key people in this team are ready to accept my telepathic commands.
HADAH
A precision team for a telepath.
SANNARO
Right.
An engineer turned off the blowing fans directed at the bomber’s tail and came over to them.
ENGINEER
San, paint’s dry. You can launch anytime.
SANNARO (PSI V.0.)
Mount up.
SANNARO
Hadah, I’m beginning the scramble.
HADAH
Okay, time for me to get back to the bridge. You can tell Di'ok to announce the battle alert message.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Di'ok, announce battle stations. Hadah’s on his way back to the bridge and I’m scrambling Vizha'i.
DI'OK (PSI V.O.)
Houk, San, sounding alert. You take care of Danu as best you can.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I will. You tell your sister to stay in bed while I’m gone.
DI'OK (PSI V.O.)
Oh, no, that’s Vara’s job. Zhad’s planted her firmly beside that crazy sister of mine.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Now I know she’s not leaving the hospital.
DI'OK (PSI V.O.)
Good luck, San. Come back in one piece this time.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I hope to.
Suddenly, the klaxons blared and Di'ok’s voice rang through the flight deck for battle stations.
Di'eta climbed up the ladder and slipped into the rear of the cockpit before Sannaro climbed up and leapt into the front seat. He sat down, swept his hair behind his ears, then pulled his helmet on. He locked the seals while the ground team secured his harness.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Ready, Dia?
DI'ETA (PSI V.O.)
Ready. Haven’t heard your voice in my head for years, kid.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Lowering canopy. I’ll need to have that option periodically. I’ll try to remember to use vocal commands.
DI'ETA (PSI V.O.)
If old Lado were still around, he’d be slapping you upside the head for going back to mind-speaking.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Not anymore. This is my flight deck and my teams. My key leaders are used to my telepathic commands.
The canopy bumped shut and hissed as the pressure seal engaged. The ladders were pulled away.
He felt the whole ship shudder as the others were catapulted into space.
DI'ETA
You okay up there, San?
SANNARO
Yeah, just getting a bit bored, but we have to make sure the rest of the force has the pirate’s full attention before we try to punch through. Arc told me he’d tell me telepathically when he sees a good opening.
DI'ETA
A lot’s happened to you since you were my wing-man, San. Deaths, wars, almost a lost limb yourself.
SANNARO
And violent changes of guardianship, a marriage to a childhood friend, two childbirths, beatings, floggings, DNA restructuring, and a shit-load of other stuff. Yeah, I’m not that innocent boy anymore who thought his problems were galactic-proportioned and no one understood him.
DI'ETA
It’s a good thing I’m a bit bilingual or I wouldn’t have understood some of what you said. I still don’t know what DNA re-sequencing is.
SANNARO
Just take my word for it, it’s an inexplicable torture like your cells are being ripped apart.
DI'ETA
No thank you.
ARCAS (V.O.)
San, shuttle line’s thinning out. I think you can punch the shuttle through now.
SANNARO
Houk.
SANNARO
Red One to Flight Tower, deploy special unit, over. Let’s go, team. Tisa, as soon as we’re catapulted, we’ll fly aft and meet the shuttle. I’ll take the forward port-side and you take starboard. If any pirates try to intercept us, we’ll take them out to get the shuttle through.
TISA
Houk.
SANNARO
Kosi’s former Vizha'e, so give him some room to maneuver, too. He’ll be firing his own guns if he needs to.
KOSI
That’s right. Primed and ready.
TISA
You were Vizha'e?
KOSI
Once upon a time, but I was permanently injured early in my career, unfortunately. See you on the outside.
Sannaro felt the pulleys begin to pull him backwards to the lift.
In the next lane over, Tisa’s Vizha'i was also being pulled to the lift.
They came to a stop side-by-side and the lift klaxon sounded. They were raised up into the launch deck.
The cat crews did their checks, saluted, then ran to the safety area.
Sannaro concentrated on the red light.
It turned green and he was pushed into his seat. He punched the button to fire the engines and leapt out into space at a dizzying speed. He saw the nose of the Kumani below him and began his turn to fly to the Kumani’s aft where the shuttles launched and landed. He hovered along side Tisa and waited for the slower launching shuttle to fly out of the bay under its own power.
Once the shuttle joined them in space, Sannaro turned his Vizha'i around and they set out to the part of the skirmish line. He and Tisa flew just ahead of the shuttle into the battle.
DI'ETA
Bogy diving on us, 8 o’clock high, San.
SANNARO
Evading.
DI'ETA
Just don’t splat me to the wall and no extreme dives either, I’m only Astrisi.
SANNARO
I’ll remember that.
Sannaro did a three-quarter speed dive starboard, then folded back to port.
DI'ETA
Clean shot, I’m taking it.
The Vizha'i hopped once and a missile corkscrewed away from the undercarriage. It sped across the expanse and exploded just before the pirate shuttle.
It exploded in a spectacular fireball.
SANNARO
I never get to see it from afar like this. I’m usually too busy pulling up to not get caught in the concussion and looking for another bogy.
Sannaro banked starboard and rejoined the shuttle.
Tisa danced with her own target. She quickly dispatched the pirate and returned to their V configuration.
KOSI
Nice maneuvering. Oh, head’s up. I got a bogy at 5 o’clock low.
SANNARO
I’m on it. Tisa, guard the fore.
TISA
Houk.
Sannaro turned and headed toward the shuttle’s aft. He came in low.
SANNARO
Let me take this one by laser. We need to conserve missiles.
DI'ETA
Already got my finger on the laser stud.
SANNARO
This is weird. I’m used to doing everything myself.
DI'ETA
That’s not the case with a bomber pilot. We have to do something, you know. Can’t sit here waiting to shoot a missile.
The lasers fired and that shuttle exploded.
SANNARO
This is almost too easy.
Sannaro turned around to rejoin Tisa.
KOSI (V.O.)
There’s a gap at 3 o’clock.
SANNARO
I see it. Let’s go.
They swept through the hole and poured on speed toward the pirate mother-ship.
TISA (V.O.)
We’re through!
SANNARO
Dia, prep an armor piercing missile.
DI'ETA
Already prepped, San, just tell me when to punch it away.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Pirates retreating to attack the shuttle team. All teams, follow the pirates and keep them away.
TEAM-LEADERS (V.O.)
Houk.
KOSI (V.O.)
Fausa, I’m getting shot at aft.
SANNARO
I'm coming.
Sannaro did a tight corkscrew turn.
DI'ETA
You trying to tear me ten thousands different ways at one time?
SANNARO
Oh, right. Sorry about that.
He slowed down a little and shot past the shuttle’s aft.
The attacking shuttle veered off low to port and cut under Sannaro’s Vizha'i.
Sannaro flipped around nose over afterburner to pursue.
DI'ETA
I forgot how good you were. You seem to follow your target move for move.
SANNARO
Physical empathy.
DI'ETA
I thought you ignored your telepathy?
SANNARO
Telepathy’s listening to communicable thoughts. Empathy is sensing emotion or the motor control thoughts. It’s like extrasensory mimicry.
DI'ETA
Oh-ho, that’s your secret!
TISA (V.O.)
San, mother-ship’s in range. Change positions and I’ll guard aft while you punch through that ship.
SANNARO
Houk, Tisa.
Sannaro turned again and passed Tisa on the way past the shuttle.
DI'ETA
Here we go.
He pushed the throttle a little farther open and shot out beyond the cluster of pirate shuttles. The mother-ship loomed ever larger beyond his canopy.
DI'ETA
Fire in the hole!
Sannaro compensated for the jerk of his ship as the bomb dropped away from his undercarriage and flew toward the target.
The skin of the ship buckled inward and split open.
SANNARO
We have a breech. Special team, let's land.
He slipped through the breech, hit the brakes and switched to hover. He watched the wrecked flight deck impassively.
A pirate shuttle raised off the deck.
He swung the Vizha'i around and fired.
The shuttle wobbled and hit the deck. Debris floated all around it and it didn't move again.
He saw Tisa's Vizha'i come to a hover beside him.
KOSI
Landing shuttle.
SANNARO
Houk, flight deck pressure has leveled out. Full depressurization.
KOSI
So how are we going to get off the depressurized flight deck if the bulkheads are sealed?
SANNARO
Let's scan the deck. There has to be an airlock just for allowing work crews to enter a depressurized flight deck.
KOSI
Right.
Sannaro scanned the deck with his own sensors.
SANNARO
Ah, there it is and not too far away from the main doors. Seal your flight suits up and lets take that door. We'll approach it with caution. There's going to be a welcoming committee behind that airlock.
DA'IU
Locked and ready to go in the shuttle.
DANU
I've got a pressure cocoon ready to transport Altarian to the shuttle when you're bringing him back.
SANNARO
Okay, we're ready. Move out.
Sannaro popped the canopy, then released his harness. He floated out of the cockpit and put his hand on the canopy glass so he wouldn't bump into it. He pushed off the canopy and drifted across the wing of the Vizha'i and joined the cluster of people just outside the shuttle.
The man in yellow was Eron, white was Batu, red male was No'al, red female was Tisa, green female was Saka and Di'eta floating behind him was in yellow. Kosi was at the shuttle hatch in gray and Danu was in pure black, looking a bit awkward in full battle gear.
Sannaro stopped against the side of the shuttle and turn carefully so he wouldn't get too much force to spin him into dizziness. He slowed and faced the inner wall. He
pointed to a large hatch.
SANNARO
The airlock is there. Let's move out.
He pushed off the shuttle's fuselage and drifted straight to the hatch. When he made it to the wall, he gripped a handhold and pulled out his laser. He anchored himself, then pressed the button for the door to open. It swept open and everyone floated inside.
He slipped around the wall into the airlock and pressed the door close button.
He activated the cycle. Once he felt his normal weight again, he pulled out his pistol and held it toward the ceiling.
SANNARO
I'm opening the hatch. Get ready to fire.
Tisa and Saka squatted at the hatch frame with their pistols at ready.
Di'eta and No'al squatted in the center while Eron and Batu stood at the rear.
Sannaro pushed the button, then leapt beside Batu with his weapon poised.
The door opened and they opened fire just as the pirates in the hall shot.
Sannaro went into his concentrated state. He aimed carefully and shot each pirate with deadly accuracy.
The hall quieted and the team rushed down the hall to the next bend.
SANNARO
That's it for me. Tisa, take the team. I'm going stealth to find Altarian.
TISA
Good luck, San.
The team turned left to find more pirates to fight.
Sannaro took his helmet off and clipped it to his hip. He thought of an image of the empty hallway in his mind and began to project it around him. He moved down the right hall.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
San, are you and the team in?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
We're in and separated. I'm looking for Altarian now.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
Houk, I'll ask for an update later.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk.
He scanned the ship for Altarian's mental signature. He found it aft of the ship in the direction of the slave hold.
An explosion rocked the ship from an internal source.
He pressed himself against a corner and glanced around the wall.
A pirate was pacing nervously down the next hall. A boom sounded and he stopped to look toward the origin of the sound.
Sannaro aimed his pistol and shot the pirate.
Before the pirate could hit the floor, he ran to catch the shoulders and pulled him through a side hatch into a dark room.
Sannaro carefully returned to the hallway and continued on.
He slowed down as he approached the slave hold and pressed himself against the wall.
He scanned ahead and met with two presence. The slave hold was guarded.
He pulled out his laser and aimed. He shot.
One guard fell.
He shot again.
The other guard fell.
He stepped around the corner. His ears shivered in warning. He leapt back just as a laser bolt flew past ahead of him.
Sannaro pressed himself against the corner of the wall and fired back.
A few more shots and the hallway fell silent.
He cautiously moved into the hallway and moved up to the double doors of the slave hold and pressed the button for the door to open. It remained closed.
Sannaro returned to the bend in the hall. He adjusted his laser from concentrated thin ray to wide beam and aimed at the seam between doors and fired.
He felt his hair fly behind him from the strong backwash of the powerful beam slice through the air. The door exploded, leaving a gaping hole with thick metal curling inward.
Sannaro rushed into the room to the slaves huddled on the floor.
SANNARO
Go! Punish your captors for their torture!
Some of the slaves surged up and ran through the door, bellowing. Others huddled miserably on the floor, shaking with fear.
Sannaro looked around to find the signature shiny yellow skin, but he didn't see one. He turned toward the t-pole. Altarian hung from the dreaded torture device and two wicked-looking pirates stood grinning evilly on each side.
One pirate voiced a raspy bellow and crouched into an offensive hand-to-hand combat stance.
He slipped his gun into its holster and moved into a defensive martial arts stance.
The man charged his with his fist up.
Sannaro blocked with his right arm, then punched his left into the pirate's stomach.
The other man sprang to Sannaro's left.
Sannaro kicked out with his left leg.
The second man undulated to avoid the foot and whirled around to strike at the back of his head.
Sannaro ducked the fist and took two steps to the side.
The second man struck the first man in the face.
The first man faded back and glared at the second man for a second. They turned to Sannaro and scowled.
Sannaro returned to his defensive stance.
The two men encircled him.
He waited with sight, hearing and telepathy heightened.
The first man threw a punch to his head. A second later, the second man did the same.
Sannaro blocked both fists with his arms, leapt into the air and threw a split kick into both men's stomachs. He landed on the ground, then did a back flip out from between them again.
Both men held their stomachs for a few seconds before they resumed their stances.
PIRATE #1
You're an annoying little maggot.
SANNARO
I'm glad you find me annoying, but I'm not a tiny white worm. More like a small yellow and black mole with teeth.
The first man roared and charged with his fist low.
Sannaro swept a low block and raised his knee.
The man stumbled back, moaning and holding his crotch. He dropped to the floor.
The second man snarled and rushed in with a roundhouse kick to Sannaro's left side.
Sannaro low blocked with his left hand, grabbed the man's leg and corkscrew flipped him down onto his side. He bent in and chopped the man in his side.
The man kicked his free leg into Sannaro's crotch.
Sannaro faded back. He shook his head violently to shake off the pain.
The first man rushed him again.
Sannaro grabbed the outstretched arm and rolled the man over his hip and down to the floor. He punched the man deep in the solar plexus with his left fist.
The man shook, then was still.
SANNARO
Good shot back there. Now you're dead.
PIRATE #1
Aw, a kick to the nuts hurts like hell to a Saili, too?
SANNARO
Same sexual anatomy, punk.
PIRATE #1
Really?! Who'd want to do a little freak like you?
SANNARO
My wife!
Sannaro rushed the man. Punched left, right, then left leg snap kick.
The man blocked each one and laughed.
Sannaro withdrew.
PIRATE #1
Aw, I pissed you off?
SANNARO
Yes, you did. But I'm The Destroyer. I will destroy you.
PIRATE #1
You think you can intimidate me, little man?
SANNARO
I just did.
Sannaro charged. He feinted with his left fist in an upper cut.
The man blocked it with his right arm.
Sannaro stretched his left leg out, rotated his shoulder so his left elbow crashed down on the man's neck.
He tripped over Sannaro's leg and flipped to his back hard on the floor. He laid there gasping with his eyes tightly closed.
Sannaro dropped his body to the floor and drove his elbow into the man's diaphragm.
The man croaked, shook and dropped back to the floor unconscious.
FADE OUT.
THE END.