Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“PRIVATE TRIALS”
EPISODE 54 – ANXIETY
BY: LYSSA THORNE
Warning: This story involves graphic sexual violence, alternative sexuality and may be offensive to some readers.
FADE IN:
EST. ARCTURUS SAILI TRIBUNAL HOUSE -DAY
Sannaro, Cherna and Hadah exited the courthouse to see a cluster of human reporters with cameras ready to record reports.
SANNARO
Oh, I don't want this.
A woman in a business suit rushed toward him with a microphone in her hands and shoved it into his face.
REPORTER
Aurum Damirateyak, rumor has it the Saili trial wasn't a proper trial, what do you have to say about this allegation?
SANNARO
I'm Saili. The trial was done by my people. Our burden of proof is different than for humans. My people were satisfied the testimony convinced them beyond doubt she's guilty and that's all I wanted.
REPORTER
Commander Hadah, what did you think about the trial?
HADAH
We all have different ways to try a criminal and we're all entitled to it. They tried her their way and convicted her and I'm glad. My pilot shouldn't have been abused like that. If she didn't want to face Saili justice, she shouldn't have raped my Saili friend. That's all I have to say.
They took a taxi back to the space port.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Hadah stopped Sannaro with a hand on his arm.
HADAH
San, can I have an unofficial meeting with all the adult telepaths on this ship?
SANNARO
I assure you, Hadah, we haven't done any inappropriate spying with our telepathy.
HADAH
I'm not accusing you of an inappropriate behaviors, far from it. I just want to talk to all of you.
SANNARO
I'll ask them.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
My family, I'm back.
DI'OK (PSI V.O.)
How'd the trial go?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Tell you in a bit. All the adults gather at my place. Hadah wants to speak with all of us.
DANU (PSI V.O.)
Why?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
To discuss new things he learned about the Saili during the trial, I guess. He's asked for us all to come.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
San, I sense you're in a better mood.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, I'll tell you about it when we meet.
Cherna stepped back and grabbed Sannaro's hand. She pulled him to the elevator.
Hadah laughed.
CHERNA
You can talk to the family when we get home.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Ah, why do we have to be left out? You adults get to talk and Andu and I have to stay with Ki'cha!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You're too young.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Ambri, some very mature subjects were discussed at the trial and we don't want you to hear them.
AMBRIKA
Are you all right, Ya?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I'm better, Ambri. Please wait until we're done to contact us again, okay, honey?
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Okay, Ya.
ANDOKU (PSI V.O.)
I told her to wait.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
That's fine, Andu, now please, you wait too until the adults are done.
ANDOKU (PSI V.O.)
Okay, Ya.
Hadah chuckled.
HADAH
Is everyone asking him at the same time what happened?
CHERNA
Pretty much.
They entered the elevator.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
HADAH
So discussions like this are always happening without everyone else knowing?
CHERNA
Not always, but they can be.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Chali, Andu's being mean to me!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Ambrika, talk to Adara! Chali and I are busy. Wait until we're finished!
SANNARO
I need to talk to those two again.
CHERNA
Nui, lover. I'll talk to them. You need to relax.
SANNARO
You're just going to make me bored. I need my life back.
HADAH
Really, San, go slow.
They arrived at Sannaro and Cherna's apartment.
Danu, Varanani and Di'ok were already standing in the hall.
Sannaro called for the door to open and they stepped inside.
Each of them took a seat in the living room.
DANU
So how did it go?
DI'OK
Link with us and show it?
Sannaro blanched.
CHERNA
I don't think San can take it right now. The testimony was very graphic.
HADAH
Talk about linking and sharing I've seen a whole lot today how the Saili communicate. I was very shocked. I want to know, do all of you share thoughts as easily as the Saili? Are you that open with one another?
VARANANI
It's a natural part of being telepathic. It's more difficult to censor thoughts like the spoken word.
DANU
But we're all very good friends and family here. We like being linked together.
HADAH
Well, I feel like a friend who's just realized he's the odd man out.
SANNARO
Hadah, we thought if you were linked to us, we'd make you depressed about loosing No'ama.
HADAH
I am kind of lonely. She was everything to me.
VARANANI
Hadah, do you want to set up a session with me? I can help you with your grief.
HADAH
I see all of you so into one another. Those Saili were so open and together. Then when San and Cheri did that mind merge, it was so incredible. I missed No'ama.
Sannaro remembered that day Ki'el called a battle alert and shared it with the family.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
Sannaro had deployed with his Red Team and No'ama's Yellow Team was sent to help with the pirate attack.
The battle had gone routinely until a sudden flash flew through the battle field.
SANNARO
What the fausa was that?
NO'AMA (V.O.)
That was strange.
KI'EL (V.O.)
That was an anomaly. Astrology analyzed it as flying debris of unknown origin.
NO'AMA
Okay, let's get our minds on the fight again.
A pirate swept in toward No'ama's Vizha'i.
SANNARO
Nomi, dive six o'clock low, now!
No'ama immediately dove.
NO'AMA (V.O.)
Fa'arata, sweetheart.
SANNARO
Nichawei.
He turned and strafed the offending pirate into a fireball.
He narrowed his concentration back to the battle and everything resumed it's normal pace until he saw a blinding light before his eyes. In his mind, No'ama screamed.
SANNARO
Nui!
NO'AMA (V.O.)
What the fausa, San?
SANNARO
Nomi, back off!
NO'AMA
What? I'm clear! You're seeing things. Maybe you should withdraw, San.
SANNARO
Nui, Nomi!
A bright light lit space.
Before the light dimmed, Sannaro saw a pirate fighter cut through the light and shoot No'ama's ship.
No'ama screamed.
NO'AMA
Mayday, Yellow Leader hit! Controls are sluggish but responsive. I'm coming in.
SANNARO
Close ranks so we can finish this fight. Good luck, Nomi.
NO'AMA
You haven't heard the last of me yet, Sanna.
SANNARO
Better not.
No'ama had a rough landing but she managed to get back home.
Sannaro led her team and his until they drove off the pirates. As soon as he landed everyone, he rushed to the hospital.
In the waiting cubicle sat a terribly worried Hadah.
Sannaro sat down beside the Commander.
SANNARO
How is she doing?
Hadah sighed and shook his head.
HADAH
Zhad and Danu are still in surgery. What was out there, Sannaro?
SANNARO
I don't know. I didn't sense anything more than light from it. It must have blinded Nomi from seeing the pirate dive at her.
Hadah slouched against the wall and sighed.
HADAH
I remember the first time you called No'ama Nomi. You were still a kid and had trouble pronouncing some of our names. I tried to correct you several times but you had so much trouble. No'ama chuckled and told me to leave you alone and just let you call her Nomi.
SANNARO
Yeah, I had trouble at first. I had to repeat Zhad a dozen times to get that buzzing sound sound right.
HADAH
San, I hoped this day would never come.
HADAH
We all do. Cheri was beside herself with worry when I almost amputated my left leg.
SANNARO
And I was the same way when Cheri got her legs shredded and she had to get both amputated.
HADAH
You'd think I'd get used to this.
SANNARO
Don't get used to it. It will harden your heart and you'll stop enjoying everything good in life.
HADAH
No'ama was one of those good things in my life. Now it's No'ama in that surgery.
Zhad stepped out of surgery and walked to Hadah.
ZHAD
She's alive but she's very weak, Hadah. We'll have to give her ICU status and hope for the best.
Hadah nodded.
Sannaro had stayed with Hadah for several hours until Hadah told him to go home and rest since he had to be exhausted from the battle.
Sannaro had reluctantly gone home and promptly fell asleep. The next time he woke, he sat up and cried. He no longer sensed No'ama.
Shortly after, Hadah showed up at the door with a devastated look on his face.
Cherna invited Hadah inside and Sannaro joined them in the living room.
HADAH
No'ama's dead. She succumbed to her injuries during sleep phase.
Sannaro closed his eyes and sat down.
SANNARO
I should have stayed with you.
HADAH
What would you have done, Sannaro? You have many talents but healing isn't one of them.
Sannaro hid in his hair.
SANNARO
I'm not a healer but you shouldn't have been alone.
HADAH
I wasn't alone. Zhad remained with me all night to monitor her condition. She was just too weak from her injuries.
CHERNA
I'm sorry, Hadah.
SANNARO
Damn my sensitive eyesight. Maybe if I saw better through light, I would've seen the pirate soon enough to vape him before he hit Nomi.
HADAH
Nui, San, no one could have seen through that intense light. Don't fault yourself. Well, I need to go arrange for her burial launch.
Hadah stood up with a sigh and walked from the apartment.
BACK TO PRESENT SANNARO'S APARTMENT
Sannaro sighed at the memory.
Varanani took Sannaro's hand and squeezed it gently.
DANU
You mind merged in court?
Sannaro blushed and flipped his hair in his face.
DI'OK
Oh, now I really want to get the scoop!
Cherna slapped him across the head.
CHERNA
Di'ok! San's been through a very stressful day.
SANNARO
It's all right. Here's the whole trial.
He closed his eyes and relaxed before he opened his shields. He entered Hadah into the link and sent his memories of the day for them all to sense.
Danu's eyes got wide.
Di'ok began to sweat.
Varanani shook her head.
Only Hadah and Cherna weren't shocked because they'd been there.
DANU
Oh, that viper!
VARANANI
She got what she deserved.
DI'OK
Fausa, that was a stressful day. You should be wiped out by now.
SANNARO
Believe me, I am wiped out. But it was wickedly enjoyable to see her so confused in that courtroom. She couldn't figure out how she could have been convinced after so few words and just a few images! She was pulled from the courtroom screaming it wasn't a fair trial because her lawyer didn't get to open his fucking lying mouth! The humans are totally confused. That was so funny to see. They couldn't figure out how Cheri and I having mental sex in the courtroom could convince the Saili that black widow was a rapist!
VARANANI
Simple. Your emotions clearly showed who you'd rather open your mind to Cherna so the other woman had to be the violator. Even if you'd sought her as a prostitute, which, I know you wouldn't do anything like that to Cherna, you wouldn't have been so revolted by her when they made you look at her right after mind merging with Cherna.
DANU
It's a telepathic thing. I'm just glad the witch got what she deserved.
DI'OK
Houk, what a despicable woman.
HADAH
She was despicable. That story she imagined was so out of character for San, it was disgusting.
Sannaro buried his head in his hands.
SANNARO
Oh, I thought I'd die in my seat watching that smut about me. So now my whole personal sex life is laid bare for everyone to see. I might as well stop wearing clothes and go naked all the time.
VARANANI
You've only confided in your family, San. We'll maintain your privacy. And the Saili in that court are also sworn to keep what happened in court in confidence. They won't let you be completely humiliated.
HADAH
Besides, it's not a good idea to go naked flying a Vizha'i.
Di'ok bellowed in laughter.
DI'OK
Oh, now that's one hell of a mental image!
Danu sputtered into laughter and so did Varanani and Cherna.
Sannaro heated with a blush, then burst out laughing too.
SANNARO
Uh-oh, P.E.s are coming.
HADAH
It was my remark, so I'll pay the citation.
SANNARO
Ahkla.
The door opened to reveal Pirlo as he reached to ring the doorbell.
He stood in the open door flabbergasted.
PIRLO
You did it to me again, Sannaro!
Sannaro laughed.
HADAH
Here, I'll take the citation. We're discussing the trial today and I cracked a joke to ease the tension.
PIRLO
It must have been a great joke, Hadah. I'll give you a warning for now since you seem to be trying to improve San's mood.
HADAH
Fa'arata, Pirlo. We'll try to keep it down.
Pirlo walked away and the door closed again.
CHERNA
Besides, I don't want Zhuni to see you, San, then she'll never stop undressing you in her thoughts!
Sannaro groaned and covered his face with his hands.
SANNARO
Oh, fausa, not Zhuni!
DI'OK
Now he doesn't want to walk around naked anymore.
DANU
It's better that he doesn't. Too many women would be hyperventilating when he'd walk past.
VARANANI
Well, he has a hot body, even to Saili.
SANNARO
Vara!
VARANANI
His muscles are still very toned.
CHERNA
Besides, he'd get too cold!
HADAH
I'm not increasing the Kumani's internal temperature to One hundred degrees. It takes a lot of energy to maintain internal atmosphere at our current temperature!
VARANANI
Well, I hate to bring this gathering to a close, but Marcario's getting impatient and Indumati's hungry. Motherhood calls.
They stood up, hugged each other and went out the door.
Hadah was the last in the apartment.
HADAH
Thanks for the explanation, San. I'm still stunned this microcosm of a telepathic community has been living on this ship with no one noticing.
Sannaro hugged Cherna tiredly.
CHERNA
I think you should to go bed early, lover. You're exhausted.
SANNARO
I think I will.
He sighed and walked through the bedroom door. He stripped himself naked and slid into bed. He pulled his knees his chest and hugged his arms around his knees. He thought he should have felt better now that the trial was over but he felt dread that he hadn't heard the last of Tristin Sarto.
(LATER)
The next day, Sannaro woke with a splitting headache. He groaned as he pulled a pair of black shorts on and shuffled into the dining room. He sat at the dinner table with his head bowed over his breakfast plate with his hair fallen before his face.
CHERNA
Oh, your mind's so raw this morning. Maybe you should go back to bed?
SANNARO
Maybe I should. Fausa, I hate headaches.
Cherna stood up, drew two tablets of Catowsh from the medicine cabinet and handed them to him.
He gratefully swallowed them with his orange juice.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Oh, quit it, Andu!
Sannaro leapt up and rushed to the bathroom in time to vomit.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Ambrika, Andoku, your yaro has a bad headache and your sending's making him ill. Quiet down and get ready for school.
AMBRIKA (PSI V.O.)
Sorry, Ya.
ANDOKU (PSI V.O.)
Houk, sorry, Ya.
Sannaro slipped from the bathroom right into his bedroom and laid down on the bed. He laid flat with his arm over his eyes.
Cherna entered and kissed his forehead.
CHERNA
I'm going to work. Before I begin my class, I'll tell Arcas you're sick and that he'll have to run the flight deck. I think this is just your mind telling you it's been through too much and needs some down time.
SANNARO
It's possible. Now I just want to lay here in the total darkness and sleep off this miserable headache.
CHERNA
Okay, I'm going.
She left the room.
He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
San, Hadah. I have some distressing news from Arcturus.
Sannaro groaned and screwed his eyes closed tighter.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What now?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Owe, that's one splitting headache you have.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Aw, that makes my news worse. Shit, I wish I could delay this, but I've just been told the humans have thrown out the Saili trial and are calling for a new human trial with all telepathic testimony thrown out. They told me if you don't appear in court tomorrow, she walks free.
Sannaro held his head in his arms.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Fucking shithead humans! That was a fucking fair trial!
Sannaro leapt out of bed and ran to the bathroom to vomit again.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Uh, San, are you hurling?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, I'm hurling!
Sannaro was in a shaking ball on the floor at the base of the toilet.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
I'm contacting Zhad.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I can't let that fucking woman walk! She'll disappear as soon as she's free!
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
My thoughts exactly. Hang on, my friend, help's on the way. Unfortunately, your human council wants to talk to you today.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Shit! Oh, my fucking head feels like it's going to explode!
The door to the bathroom swept open and Zhad rushed in.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Is Zhad there yet?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, I'm breaking contact to talk to him.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Good, I'll see you a little later.
Zhad squatted down beside Sannaro.
ZHAD
Did you take Catowsh this morning?
SANNARO
Houk, but I immediately vomited it.
ZHAD
Hadah said your headache is very painful.
Sannaro turned back to the toilet and vomited again.
Zhad gathered Sannaro's hair into his hands and pulled it away from his face. He found a hair band and wrapped it around his hair.
SANNARO
Great, now my hair is going to fall out.
ZHAD
I didn't bind your hair tightly. It shouldn't break off immediately. Besides, you know it'll grow back instantly. Why didn't you contact me sooner?
SANNARO
I thought I could just sleep it off on my own, but now that I have to go talk to a fucking human attorney for another fucking trial, I need to suppress this as soon as possible.
ZHAD
You know this is a signal from your body that you're too stressed?
SANNARO
Houk, I got that message loud and fucking clear.
ZHAD
If you weren't nearly forty years old, I'd tell you to watch your mouth, young man.
Sannaro blushed.
SANNARO
Houk, Yaro.
ZHAD
I understand your very upset and unbalanced right now because of the stress, but your mouth is getting a bit too foul for your old yaro.
Zhad prepared an injector and pressed it into Sannaro's arm.
Sannaro felt his headache dampening.
ZHAD
Now let's get you to the hospital for that anti-nausea med.
Sannaro stood up. He heaved and returned to the toilet.
Zhad pulled out his communicator.
ZHAD
Zhad to hospital, bring 10cc Saili anti-nausea med and a full package of vomit buckets to Sannaro's apartment.
KA'ILI
Houk, Zhad. Hospital, out.
Shortly, a tech entered the bathroom and handed him a vial, a small package and a long pack of buckets.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Zhad tore the package open and pulled out a syringe. He pushed the vial into the syringe and poked it into Sannaro's arm while he continued to bow over the toilet.
KA'ILI
Hope you get well soon, San.
ZHAD
Now, I think you should return to your bed until the medicine takes effect.
SANNARO
I need to get down to Arcturus.
ZHAD
If I could, I'd go down to those worlders and give them my mind. You need recovery time and they're not giving it to you. Saili may have great stamina, but they still can be just as mentally injured as a human.
KA'ILI
Hope you get well soon, San.
ZHAD
Now, I think you should return to your bed until the medicine takes effect.
SANNARO
I need to get down to Arcturus.
ZHAD
If I could, I'd go down to those worlders and give them my mind. You need recovery time and they're not giving it to you. Saili may have great stamina, but they still can be just as mentally injured as a human.
Varanani stepped in to the apartment as Sannaro was shuffling back to his bed.
VARANANI
That's why I'm going down to Arcturus with him. They have to listen to me because I'm a doctor of human and Saili Psychiatry. I can tell them they're putting too much stress on Sannaro.
Sannaro went to his bed and curled on top of the blankets.
SANNARO
Vara, don't get near me. My mind's in raw agony.
VARANANI
I can sense it, even with my shields up. The medicine should effect you soon to ease your pain.
ZHAD
San, aren't you cold? You're still only wearing shorts and you've been awake for about an hour.
SANNARO
Houk, but I can't do anything without vomiting.
Hadah entered the room and looked at each of them.
HADAH
San's a wreck, isn't he?
ZHAD
He's too nauseous to do anything.
HADAH
And his human attorney wants to see him this afternoon, Arcturus time.
Sannaro sat up and hung his head. He took a few deep breaths before he stood up. He swayed against Zhad before he caught himself.
SANNARO
I'm coming.
HADAH
You're going with green circles under your eyes and your hair all over the place?
SANNARO
Why not? The humans want physical proof I was raped? They can see a Saili man as a fucking mess. I'll even take the vomit buckets with me. Zhad, would you help me dress?
ZHAD
Son, I don't think this is wise.
SANNARO
I'm not letting that bitch walk! She wants a human trial, she'll get a human trial, even if I show up puking my guts in front of that fucking judge!
He stumbled over to his dresser and grabbed on to the top for a minute to regain his balance. He opened drawers and pulled out a pair of black pants. He opened another drawer and flipped several sweatshirts around.
SANNARO
Shit, I don't know what to wear.
He sat down on the bed and put his head between his knees.
SANNARO
Grab a shirt and put it on me. I'll go like this.
VARANANI
This isn't like you, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Please, just grab a shirt and put it on me. I'm going to show up at that attorney's office naked if I have to.
ZHAD
Let's dress him nicely and all of us will accompany him. We'll tell that attorney, San's very depressed and in no condition to do this trial right now.
VARANANI
The Saili are already going to the Terran Alliance High Court to protest this retrial. They're saying the humans are doing this retrial out of prejudice.
HADAH
That is what they're doing.
SANNARO
Would you please just dress me so we can go get this shit over with?
VARANANI
I'll go to the living room. You guys can dress him.
She left.
Sannaro struggled to take his shorts off and kicked them on the floor.
HADAH
All right, you weren't wearing underwear and you were going to go down there just in your shorts? So where do you store your underwear?
SANNARO
Top drawer.
Zhad pulled out the underwear, then went to the open shirt drawer.
ZHAD
Green is definitely out, it'll accentuate the discoloration under his eyes.
HADAH
Blue will too. Let's put him in a basic red. That will take attention from his sickly coloration.
SANNARO
Fausa, you two sound like mother hens.
Sannaro snatched his underwear and pulled it on.
ZHAD
That's what you need right now.
Zhad handed Sannaro the black pants and red sweatshirt.
Hadah went to his closet and pulled out a pair of black suede boots.
SANNARO
Not those, they're too soft for landings. Take the stiffer boots.
HADAH
They're not going to care if you wore your house slippers, San.
ZHAD
Just take the stiffer boots, Hadah.
Zhad helped Sannaro shrug into the sweatshirt. He pulled socks on Sannaro and slipped the black leather boots on his feet.
HADAH
Where's your hairbrush, San?
SANNARO
In the bathroom. The black brush. Don't get the light green one, that's Cherna's.
A few seconds later, Hadah was back with the black brush.
Sannaro took it, carefully pulled out the hair band, brushed through his hair quickly. He pulled his bangs back and used the hairband to tie them back. He set it down on the bed. He stood up a little shakily, but he felt a little more able to move. He walked out of his room into the living room.
VARANANI
You look a lot better now.
SANNARO
I still feel like hell.
Sannaro stood himself straighter and tried to walk more normally, but he still swayed a bit more than he liked.
Zhad, Hadah and Varanani followed him to the elevator.
Soon they stepped out onto the Upper Flight Deck.
Cherna rushed up to meet them.
CHERNA
San, you look like hell. Why do you have him up, Hadah? Can't you see he's sick?
HADAH
Houk, I can see very well he's sick. The humans are calling for a retrial in human court and if San doesn't show up on Arcturus by their afternoon, that rapist walks away free.
CHERNA
How could they? That Saili trial was a fair trial!
VARANANI
The Saili are protesting to the Alliance, but the humans are pressing for this retrial.
SANNARO
I'm not letting that bitch walk. Even if I have to crawl into that courtroom.
CHERNA
I'm coming with you.
HADAH
What about your flight class?
CHERNA
Lazha can combine our classes into one and finish the rest of the day.
HADAH
Go work that out with Lazha while I prepare the shuttle. I know it's no use arguing with you when it comes to San.
Cherna rushed back to the flight lounge.
They went on to the shuttle that was being serviced to fly.
They sat down in their seats and Hadah took the pilot's chair.
Cherna rushed in a few minutes later and slipped into the copilot's seat.
HADAH
Let's get this shuttle going.
Hadah pulled his earphones on.
HADAH
Shuttle One ready for launch.
FLIGHT CONTROL (V.O.)
Houk, Shuttle One, proceed to lift.
HADAH
Houk.
Sannaro felt the shuttle rise off the ground. He groaned and closed his eyes.
Zhad handed him a flight sickness bag.
SANNARO
Fa'arata. Shit, I probably look butter yellow instead of gold. This is going to be embarrassing, but I have to show up.
VARANANI
You're not that pale, but you're not as brownish yellow as you usually are.
Cherna pulled out an old piece of paper from her bra and handed it to Sannaro.
CHERNA
I found it again and thought it related to what you're going through.
Sannaro unfolded the paper and read it.
ZHAD
What is it, if you don't mind me asking?
SANNARO
It's a poem I wrote on Belvas. It went:
Righteousness is only skin deep
Like vanity and beauty
Used by those who think their opinions matter too damned much
They go through life telling everyone I know better than you
And throw a fit when their advice is rejected.
Did you ever stop to think I could make my own decisions?
Did you ever stop to think I could think on my own?
Did you ever stop to think I could use my own voice?
You’re too damned busy using your mind and voice to drown out mine.
You don’t really care about me or how I feel.
Just how you appear to others;
Powerful, knowing, in control
Even though your own life is more fucked up than mine
If ever you fall and need a helping hand.
Who will be there to pick up your stone cold heart?
Will it be someone you scourged with your tongue?
Or will you be left to bleed in the ruins of your life.
Only time will tell.
ZHAD
Scathing words.
SANNARO
Devasru found this in my bedroom at Belvas after he allowed Cherna and me to return to the Kumani. He gave it back to me when he flew us back to the Kumani after the trial on Regalis. I was angry when I wrote this about him. We actually apologized to each other about this poem. I realize now that's when I stopped being angry with my uncle and found I could love him.
ZHAD
I'm glad you found a reason to forgive him. Devasru was only trying to help you.
SANNARO
I know that now, Father, that's why I realized when the Astrisi were confronted to leave the Alliance or join it, I seriously considered moving to Uncle Devasru's house on New Sailia if the Astrisi left the Alliance.
HADAH
Well, it sure fits Tristin Sarto.
Sannaro folded the paper again and slipped it into his pocket.
SANNARO
It fits my mood. Thanks for finding it again, Cheri.
EXT. ARCTURUS LAW OFFICE – DAY
Sannaro groaned when he saw the cluster of reporters on the stairs of the large white building.
SANNARO
I don't want to talk to them!
HADAH
I'll run interference.
Hadah was first to exit the taxi.
Everyone climbed out and made a circle around Sannaro.
Sannaro bowed his head and his hair slipped in front of his face.
They guided him up the stairs.
REPORTER
Aurum Damirateyak, what do you have to say about this retrial?
HADAH
My pilot has nothing to say. Please, let us through.
They walked through the doors and were immediately met by security guards.
SANNARO
Oh, isn't there an end to all this?. I just want to get this over with!
HADAH
San, you go through first and sit down on that bench beside the elevators.
GUARD
Aurum, our sensors are both x-ray and metal detection. Obviously, you'll set off the metal detector since you're Saili, but don't worry. If you aren't carrying contraband items, the x-ray will clear you.
Sannaro reluctantly walked through the arch.
The machine began to shriek.
Sannaro hunched over and grabbed his ears.
Varanani rushed over to Zhad, grabbed a vomit bucket and threw it at Sannaro.
Sannaro snatched it from the air and put it in front of his face in time to heave.
GUARD
Aurum?
HADAH
He's sick.
SANNARO
I'm all right.
Sannaro staggered to the bench.
GUARD
Auruma?
Varanani walked through and the machine shrieked again.
They turned the sound off again.
Zhad went through next and was quickly followed by Hadah and Cherna.
Cherna set off the machine again.
SANNARO
Aw, skisla, my head's going to explode from the noise.
GUARD
If you would like, I can call a Saili ambulance?
HADAH
No, we need to get to an appointment upstairs immediately.
Cherna pulled her pant leg up to show her prosthetic leg.
CHERNA
I'm a double amputee with metal plates in my thighs.
GUARD
Oh, I apologize, ma'am. We needed to scan you anyway.
Hadah called the elevator.
When the doors opened, Sannaro stood up carefully and entered. Again he was surrounded by his friends, but they kept a distance from him.
The doors opened again and they walked down the hall to the suite Hadah was told to go to.
Sannaro knocked on the door.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Zhad stepped up to Sannaro and took the vomit bucket from his hands.
ZHAD
I'll find a restroom and dispose of this.
The door opened and a human man with brown hair in a three piece suit stood before him. He held out his hand.
BRAXTON
Aurum Damirateyak? I'm Robert Braxton, your attorney.
Sannaro looked at the hand uncomfortably for a second before he clasped it and shook it once.
Sannaro let go turned away as he felt his stomach heave.
Varanani pushed another bucket into his hands.
BRAXTON
Aurum, are you sick?
Zhad entered the room.
ZHAD
Yes, he's very sick. You're putting too much pressure on him with this retrial. You're not giving him a chance to recover.
BRAXTON
Yes, I see coming here was a very big effort on your part, Aurum. I commend you for coming.
VARANANI
The psychological effect on him is debilitating.
BRAXTON
That's very obvious, Auruma. He's not in any condition to face a trial. Now that you're here, I can help you. I want to call a Saili ambulance and have you transported to a hospital right away.
SANNARO
My doctor is here already.
BRAXTON
If you return to the Kumani, our opponents could accuse you of trying to flee the trial and choose to free her.
SANNARO
I'm not letting that bitch walk!
BRAXTON
But, if you go to a Saili hospital here on Arcturus, I can convince the judge to give us an extension due to your illness makes you unable to attend trial at this present time. Then you can spend several days in the Saili hospital to give yourself time to rest. Once you're feeling better, we can meet again to discuss our strategy for the trial. I know you know what I'm thinking, so I might as well just say it. You look very ill and it sure is causing intense sympathy within me. I want to help you feel better.
SANNARO
You've never seen a sick Saili before and the green tinge to my skin disturbs you.
BRAXTON
I won't deny that, Aurum. I just want to call an ambulance and have you properly cared for.
He turned on his computer's vid-phone.
BRAXTON
I need a Saili ambulance at the courthouse, suite 95. I have a male Aurum Saili in my office with green tinged skin, intense headache and nausea.
EMERGENCY SERVICE
We will deploy a Saili ambulance immediately.
BRAXTON
Thank you.
He turned the vid-phone off.
BRAXTON
They should be arriving minutes from now.
HADAH
Why couldn't we just take him ourselves by Taxi?
BRAXTON
It's human law posturing, Commander. If the media sees Aurum Sannaro being carried out of the courthouse into a Saili ambulance, they'll have it on the news that he's ill and when we announce he can't stand trial at the present, the judge and the public will believe me and ease the pressure on him.
SANNARO
All this melodrama is one thing I hate about humans.
BRAXTON
I notice Saili are a lot quieter about many situations and the Astrisi never make their problems public, but it's our way. Our Human population felt Tristan Sarto didn't get a fair trail because it wasn't vocal enough. I don't agree with them because Saili perceive the universe very differently than humans do, but her lawyer won his protest and here we are, having to prove everything again.
A knock sounded at the door.
SAILI EMT
Saili EMT.
Braxton pressed the door release and the door swept open.
Two gold Saili entered the room and squatted around Sannaro.
MEDIC #1 (PSI V.O.)
It's terrible to see a Saili pushed to this much anxiety by humans. Didn't the first trial put him through enough?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
It's unfortunate humans are doing this to him. But he doesn't want that human woman to walk away from the punishment she deserves. Mr. Braxton's giving Aurum Sannaro time to recover before he has to face the next trial. We should be thankful humans like Mr. Braxton's willing to help him.
MEDIC #1
You're right, we should be thankful for some reprieve, Auruma. We'll care for your brother.
They helped Sannaro lay down on a gurney.
Sannaro laid his head on the pillow and relaxed.
SANNARO
Thank you for being so understanding, Mr. Braxton.
BRAXTON
I'm only defending you, Aurum Sannaro. I'm sorry you feel that humans are victimizing you. In my opinion, it's not a proud day for humanity right now. Give yourself a few days to relax and don't worry about the trial. I'll delay it for you.
The techs guided the gurney to the elevator. Medic #1 pulled out a business card and handed it to Varanani.
MEDIC #1
The Aurumna can ride with us, but I'll need for the rest of you to follow in a taxi. Here's the address of the hospital we're going to.
VARANANI
Thank you.
He was guided out of the building with Cherna at his side and pulled through the crowd of reporters to the metallic red ambulance.
The humans watched quietly, but in their minds they chattered about what was going on.
Many cameras were recording pictures of him being placed into the ambulance.
Sannaro sighed with relief when the ambulance finally pulled away.
MEDIC #1
You're already pumped with Catowsh and anti-nausea meds, we don't dare administer you anything more. At least to you, we could give it to ourselves to endure the pain you're radiating. I sense you're trying to keep up your shields, but they're ragged from fatigue.
SANNARO
Just give me a dark room and a soft bed so I can sleep.
MEDIC #1
We'll be glad you give you that, Aurum.
He was pulled into the hospital and taken to an examination room.
The doctor entered the room.
DOCTOR
Well, Aurum General Sannaro, we're protecting you from the humans for a few days?
SANNARO
At least until I can get rid of this headache.
DOCTOR
That is quite a bad anxiety headache. Can't keep any food down?
SANNARO
Not even water.
DOCTOR
Okay, we'll get you on a saline IV to rehydrate you. The EMTs report you've already had a high dosage of Catowsh and anti-nausea medicine?
SANNARO
Yes, my Astrisi doctor administered it. He'll be here soon if you have questions for him.
DOCTOR
Okay, we'll just give you the saline IV and send you upstairs.
SANNARO
Thank you.
DOCTOR (PSI V.O.)
Humans have sunk to new lows, making a Saili have to hide in a hospital just to recover from a headache.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, they have. I'm not backing down. I'll fight every human on this planet to make them punish that woman for what she did to me.
DOCTOR (PSI V.O.)
The humans will learn why we call you General, Aurum Sannaro. They'll see how you were able to defeat the whole Saili governing council.
Sannaro blushed.
DOCTOR
A med tech is coming to insert your IV.
The doctor left.
Cherna entered the room and sat down.
CHERNA
I've done all the paperwork and they're finding you a room upstairs.
SANNARO
I can't wait to be allowed to sleep.
The medical technician entered with a folded hospital gown on his arm.
MED TECH
Aurum, I'll give you a few minutes to change into this gown, then I'll return to inject your IV.
He left again.
Cherna helped Sannaro change into the gown.
Minutes later, the tech returned and quickly inserted the IV feed into the back of his hand.
MED TECH
Relax, Aurum Sannaro, we'll be taking you upstairs in a few minutes.
Sannaro laid back against the pillow.
SANNARO
This big drink of water should improve things.
The tech unlocked his gurney and opened the door.
MEDIC #2
Here we go. I've been told to take you upstairs now.
They went to the elevator and took it to the third floor.
Sannaro's gurney was wheeled down the hall and taken into a private room.
Sannaro was helped into the bed already inside and settled under the blankets. He laid back on the pillow and closed his eyes.
SANNARO
I hope I feel better when I wake.
Cherna kissed him on the forehead.
CHERNA
I hope so too.
Hadah, Zhad and Varanani stepped into the room.
CHERNA
He's resting now. Let's go out and let him sleep.
They turned and left the room.
Sannaro turned on his side, adjusting his IV hand to a more comfortable position and slipped into sleep.
(LATER)
Sannaro awoke again feeling much better. He moved his hand and the IV tube shifted. He winced and remembered he was in the hospital.
The door swept open and Cherna, Hadah, Zhad and Varanani entered the room.
CHERNA
Your mind feels so much better now.
SANNARO
Houk, the headache's mostly gone. Once I'm fully recovered, I'll be ready to go into that trial and destroy that bitch.
HADAH
Whoa, slow down, San. You've just been here for a few hours.
ZHAD
Houk, we want you fully recovered.
CHERNA
Can I speak to San alone?
HADAH
Sure.
Both men walked from the room.
Sannaro sighed before he looked at her.
Cherna sat beside him.
CHERNA
I think you need to tell me what's been bothering you. Vara knows but she claims patient confidentiality. What happened to you on that pirate ship? You're emotions have been running way too high.
SANNARO
I'm scared to talk about it, Cheri. It chokes me up every time I think about it.
CHERNA
But your emotions are running so high, you're starting to cuss a whole lot more than you used to. You're a grown man but your mouth is beginning to wear on my nerves too. What happened to you, Sannaro?
SANNARO
I can't talk about it here. Not with a whole Saili community around me. The images are too horrific, I would only share the images with you in telepathic isolation.
CHERNA
Worse than killing Briarko?
SANNARO
Oh, that was a mercy killing beside this memory.
CHERNA
Wow, and that used to be your worst memory.
SANNARO
Houk, so please, I don't like to close you out but I want to get through this second trial first before I try to explain to you what happened on the pirate ship while we're in my isolation room on the Kumani. Will that do for now?
CHERNA
Okay, I'll wait.
SANNARO
Thank you.
He settled back into his pillow and closed his eyes.
(LATER)
When Sannaro woke again, he laid in the empty room and stared at the ceiling.
Cherna stepped in the door.
CHERNA
You're not talking to someone because I don't sense the increased aura So what's bothering you so badly you didn't sense me come in?
SANNARO
I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
CHERNA
I'm not familiar with that saying. It must be Human.
SANNARO
It is. It means children tend to repeat the behaviors of the parents. I'm being as much of an ass to you as Giovano was to Damira.
CHERNA
Uh, I wouldn't have put it that way.
SANNARO
I am putting it that way. I owe you an explanation as much as Giovano owed Damira an explanation for his surly moods.
CHERNA
I think you're being too hard on yourself.
SANNARO
No, I'm not. On that pirate ship, I was so angry at Baltazaur for shooting Altarian, I followed him blindly into a torture chamber.
He shook his head violently.
SANNARO
I want to show you the images but they are horrific as I've said! The other Saili will pick up my images and be disturbed about my thoughts. They won't like the images.
Cherna took his hand.
CHERNA
Now we have a closed connection.
Sannaro drew in a shuddering breath and closed his eyes as he remembered that terrible day.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
As they moved down the different hallways, Sannaro heard the sounds of laser fire draw nearer.
Sannaro paused near a bend in the hallway and cautiously looked around the corner.
Just beyond the bend, Tisa and her team was tucked into a recessed doorway, shooting down the hall at Baltazaur and a group of pirates Sannaro recognized from the bridge.
SANNARO
Disappear, Altarian. We're here.
Sannaro sensed Altarian's telepathy send alternate images in a wide band. As soon as the sending steadied, Sannaro slipped around the corner and walked close to the wall to where Tisa stood shooting her pistol.
SANNARO
Need help?
TISA
Wouldn't mind it.
Sannaro targeted a pirate and opened fire.
He sensed a laser beam flying straight at him and he ducked behind the wall.
Altarian's anger flared.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Steady, Altarian. Maybe you should withdraw around the corner.
ALTARIAN
I'm not going anywhere.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Stop talking or they'll target you from your voice.
ALTARIAN
Then I'll give them something to fire at!
Altarian dropped his sending and fired the borrowed pistol.
SANNARO
I told you to stay hidden and not get into the fight!
ALTARIAN
I have to kill them! You don't know what they did to me over the years. They have to pay in blood!
BALTAZAUR
Oh, there's that pair of slag! Shoot them!
Altarian edged out into the hall for better targeting.
SANNARO
Altarian, get against the wall. You're too exposed!
He heard Baltazaur chuckle.
He turned around to see Baltazaur aim carefully and shoot.
Sannaro whirled around to see Altarian scream and fall to the floor, his chest blackened.
SANNARO
No, Altarian! You're dead, Baltazaur!
He aimed at the head pirate and shot.
Baltazaur ran down the hall.
SANNARO
You come back, pirate! Tisa, take care of Altarian! I'm going after Baltazaur!
He pulled into the doorway and thought of an image of the empty corridor. He stepped into the hallway side-stepped against the wall to avoid the laser bolts until he walked beyond the shooting pirates. Once well beyond the bridge pirates, Sannaro dropped his false image and broke into a sprint down the hallway.
Sannaro tracked Baltazaur about a hundred meters ahead. Sannaro slid to a halt.
Baltazaur stopped moving. Sannaro sensed Baltazaur to his left, down a short hallway.
Sannaro slipped cautiously down the hall. Sannaro pressed himself against the wall and waved his hand past the sensor.
The door swept open.
Nothing, but silence.
Sannaro knew he was in there, so he must be waiting for his move.
He sensed Baltazaur was roughly at the far end of the room in the center before the door.
Sannaro took a deep breath and rushed through the door toward the right side of the room.
A long snake whip flew at him and snapped his shoulder.
He hissed and grasped his stinging arm. He gasped when he saw the incredible array of torture devices throughout the room.
Baltazaur chuckled darkly.
BALTAZAUR
Welcome to my inner sanctum, Destroyer.
He flicked the whip again and it curled around Sannaro's helmet. Baltazaur pulled.
Sannaro flipped off his feet. He slapped his left hand to the floor to cushion his fall and landed sideways.
Baltazaur dragged him across the floor toward him.
Sannaro reached to his side and released his helmet. It clattered across the floor and hit Baltazaur's foot.
Baltazaur cursed and shook his foot.
Sannaro leapt back to his feet.
Baltazaur flicked the whip toward Sannaro's chest.
Sannaro reached out and let the whip curl around his gloved hand. He ignored the sting and pulled the whip out of Baltazaur's hand.
Baltazaur stumbled back against the wall and pulled a electric stunner from a display.
He shot the wires at Sannaro.
Sannaro whirled to avoid the wires, but they shot into the edge of his left arm.
Electricity shot through him.
His body shook and he fell to his knees. Blue-black hair drifted to the floor around
him. He labored to reach out to the wires. He screamed as he ripped them out of his arm.
He gritted his teeth from the electrical shock that still bled through his gloves and pulled on the wires.
The electric stunner flew out of Baltazaur's hands.
Sannaro snatched it out of the air, pulled the wires out of the gun and threw it across the room.
It skittered under the guillotine.
Sannaro felt his new uninjured hair grow back to his shoulders as he rushed Baltazaur.
Baltazaur grabbed a pair of nunchucks and twirled them around himself. He rushed to meet Sannaro.
Sannaro blocked the rapid whirling sticks while voicing bellows to ignore the beating his arms were receiving.
Baltazaur cracked him across the jaw.
Sannaro whirled around to soften the blow and spit out the blood that pooled in his mouth.
BALTAZAUR
Thanks for adding to my wealth, Saili.
Sannaro gritted his teeth and rushed at him again. He screamed when the chain wrapped around his two fingers. He jerked the nunchucks away and threw them through the air. He turned back to Baltazaur just as he pulled a cat o'nine tails from the wall.
Sannaro groaned. He was getting battered enough.
Baltazaur rushed at him with the cat o'nine tails whizzing through the air in front of him.
Sannaro put his arms in front of his chest and stumbled backwards.
Baltazaur chuckled as the nine tails ripped through the fabric of Sannaro's flight-suit on his forearms and shoulders.
Sannaro bellowed in rage. He swept his arm out to block another blow and rotated his
hand to grab the base of the handle. He ripped it out of Baltazaur's hands and struck the weapon across Baltazaur's face.
SANNARO
No more!
Sannaro reached out with his other hand in a two fingered hook and jabbed just below Baltazaur's sternum. He rotated his fingers under the bone and pulled. Sannaro felt the ribs snap as they separated from the sternum.
Baltazaur screamed and fell to the deck.
Sannaro stepped away and shook his arms to dispel the raging pain in his bruised, torn arms.
Baltazaur looked up at him with naked hate in his eyes. He reached for his belt buckle.
Sannaro did a back flip into the air just in time to avoid metal stakes snapping up through the floor where he'd just stood.
Baltazaur laughed.
Sannaro felt raw fury rise in him. Suddenly, he felt like the metal in the room became extensions to his own limbs. He raised his bloody arms up.
All the swords, pikes, awls and maces rose from the wall.
He swept his arms out in front of him.
All the weapons flew at Baltazaur.
Baltazaur threw his arms up in a futile block.
All the weapons slammed into him at once.
He gave a sickening gurgle and fell slack on the floor.
Sannaro stood with his chest heaving. He grimaced in disgust and turned away. He staggered through the hallway back to his team.
BACK TO ARCTURUS SAILI HOSPITAL
Sannaro shuddered and opened his eyes to see Cherna's face wet with tears.
SANNARO
The Saili call what I did rage telekinesis. Even they fear a raging telekinetic. It's barely tolerated.
CHERNA
Baltazaur was brutal to you.
SANNARO
He was. I'm afraid if I admit that I'm a rage telekinetic, no one will trust me again. I'm scared of it. I can't predict if it will show again and I dread it showing again. I won't blame you if you distrust me. I barely trust myself with this pent-up rage. I'm as insane as Giovano. I'm so sorry.
CHERNA
I've known you for thirty-five years, Sannaro. You've just shown this power now after all this time. After the painful life you've led, that's quite a long time to go without knowing about this power. I still trust you. I think you've lost trust in yourself. That's got to hurt you as much as any other injury you've faced. I don't think you're insane. You haven't been insane since a year after you killed Briarko. We can work on building your trust in yourself while we help you cope with the rape. You may not feel you can trust yourself right now, Sannaro, but can you trust me?
SANNARO
I've always trusted you, Cherna.
CHERNA
So trust me now and let me help you regain trust in yourself. Houk?
SANNARO
Houk.
CHERNA
Good. I'm glad you finally confided in me. Giovano wasn't a bad man and neither are you.
SANNARO
I love you, Cherna.
CHERNA
I love you, Sannaro.
They hugged each other tightly.
Sannaro laid back down and felt his eyelids become heavy.
CHERNA
Sleep now, lover.
Sannaro felt his consciousness fade.
FADE OUT.
THE END.