Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“RAGING VENGEANCE”
EPISODE 19 – TRIAL
BY: LYSSA THORNE
ACT 1
FADE IN:
A short while later, Hadah, Sannaro and Cherna landed on the Kumani.
FILP (V.O.)
All Team-leaders report to the team-leader council room.
HADAH
It seems Filp wants us to choose a new team-leader. You two go rest. You've had a hell of a day. San you should go to Zhad to have yourself checked for injuries from your crash and to make sure that medicine put your Gonkacha in remission.
Sannaro nodded and put his arm around Cherna's waist. They walked together to the elevator.
The elevator opened. They stepped in and Sannaro called for the Hospital.
CHERNA
Hadah's right. What I sensed from you was very scary.
SANNARO
I know. For a short time, I understood what my father must have felt. The rage I felt was so uncontrollable. I wanted to murder Tim and I would have if your voice hadn't cut through my rage and told me murder wasn't the way.
CHERNA
I'm glad I have that much influence on you.
Sannaro took her in his arms.
SANNARO
You mean everything to me.
The door swept open and Sannaro pulled away from her. They walked into the hospital and Danu looked up from a computer he was entering information into.
DANU
San's back!
Danu guided him into an examination room.
DANU
It's amazing your walking in on your own! We heard your crash was brutal!
SANNARO
I'm aching a bit, but I don't think I'm injured.
Sannaro sat down on the examination table.
DANU
I'll be back with Zhad.
EXT. Danu.
ENT Zhad.
ZHAD
I'm so relieved you were rescued! Cherna please wait out in the hall.
EXT. Cherna.
Zhad helped Sannaro out of his air tank, then pulled off his boots and helped him out of his flight suit.
ZHAD
Lay down.
Sannaro laid down.
Zhad physically examined his body, then picked up a sensor and waved it over him. He looked at the readout.
ZHAD
There's further cellular breakdown here, but not a lot. The Gonkacha has returned to remission. Can you explain to me why you had Gonkacha again, but it's back in remission?
SANNARO
A doctor on Regalis saw my symptoms while we were taking Tim Werner to Saratoga to be handed over to the police. He injected me with a medicine he said would put my Gonkacha into remission.
ZHAD
That would be Gontametlazine.
Zhad scanned Sannaro's body again.
ZHAD
Houk, I'm seeing traces of Gontametlazine. It's a good thing he injected you with it. I don't have any. I would've had to special order some. What symptoms of Gonkacha did you feel?
SANNARO
Nausea, sight distortions and intense rage.
ZHAD
Intense rage?
SANNARO
Houk, I couldn't control myself at first, but I eventually worked through it and regained control. It was scary.
ZHAD
I can image. Let that be a lesson to you that Gonkacha isn't a disease to mess with. You could have gone insane.
SANNARO
I don't ever want to feel it again.
ZHAD
Well, your body's beaten up from that crash. I see plenty of contusions, but I can't see any serious injury. I think you need some Catowsh and some rest. This liquid dose of catowsh should help.
Zhad turned around to a cabinet and filled a syringe. He injected it into Sannaro's arm.
HADAH
Sannaro, report to Upper Flight Deck Council Room.
Sannaro widened his eyes.
ZHAD
I hope they don't keep you long. If they don't release you in a half hour, I'm giving Filp a serious talking to.
Sannaro dressed again and rushed out of the room back to the elevators.
INT. FLIGHT DECK COUNCIL ROOM
Hadah walked from the shuttle to the fore and entered the flight lounge. He went up the stairs and into the Team-leader's Council Room.
All the team-leaders were there except for him.
FILP
Sit, Hadah. We've got unfinished business. Is the situation down on Regalis under control?
HADAH
Houk, Tim Werner's captured and handed over to the Regalis Police.
FILP
Why the police?
HADAH
San suggested we have Tim arrested for attacking the Kumani to show the other worlders attacking the Kumani will get them in trouble with their own laws.
NA'AMA
Now, only a worlder would think about using worlder laws to our benefit!
FILP
About that worlder, is he back on board?
HADAH
Houk, he's at the hospital being treated for Gonkacha resurgence. Tim threw seranimite into San's face and made him very sick. Even though he was nauseous and had a pounding headache, he still pursued Tim and captured him to end the attack.
ESLIN
Wow, that's dedication.
FILP
Okay, so he's back. We need to choose a new Team-leader. Give me nominations for Red Team-leader.
ESLIN
How about Ka'ila?
HADAH
Ka'ila spends too much time at the hospital. She's reckless.
NOKI
Dimei.
FILP
I wouldn't trust Dimei as far as I can throw him.
NO'AMA
Sannaro.
FILP
You just had to bring him up?
HADAH
I see that he has a high kill rate and very little injury downtime. His telepathy improves his ability to avoid volleys. And what he did today was just incredible.
NOKI
Come on, he's only nineteen!
ESLIN
And how old were you when we voted you in?
NOKI
I was twenty-one, two years older than him!
ESLIN
I made my point.
FILP
He went crazy in the debriefing.
HADAH
And after that debriefing, so did Ha'iku, Ikku and Saru. Saru was in the cafeteria trying to give himself alcohol poisoning! Did San react any different? Then San turned it around the next battle and killed the bomber as he was making another run to destroy the Kumani!
NO'AMA
That's right, he did!
ESLIN
That was a big kill.
FILP
When Sannaro and I were kidnapped by the Werners, he was constantly looking for ways to escape. When we did, it was incredible how he used that damned telepathy of his to sense electrical currents to find where he could snap the wire to free the shuttle from that energy field that kept us away from the shuttle. Damn it, I was still trying to think of a plan to escape. That kids so good, he's annoying.
HADAH
That's just it. He is good. I think he's earned the sash, especially with all he did today. Eslin, you sound comfortable with choosing Sannaro?
ESLIN
Given the other choices, I think he may be more dependable.
HADAH
Noki?
NOKI
He's a kid, but he does know how to avoid volleys.
FILP
Damn it, all right, he's outmaneuvered me again. He can have the red sash.
NO'AMA
Do I detect respect in that voice, Filp?
FILP
He's still damned annoying. Hadah, just call the kid up here and let's get this over with.
Hadah grinned and opened a communications line.
HADAH
Sannaro, report to Upper Flight Deck Council Room.
Several minutes later, Sannaro stepped toward the door.
Filp stood up.
FILP
Sannaro, it is the decision of this Team-leader council to award you the Team-leader position for the Red Team.
He held a new red sash in front of him.
Sannaro walked around the table. He untied his yellow sash, laid it across Filp's hand, then took the red sash and tied it around his waist.
HADAH
Welcome to the Team-leaders! It's also San's birthday, tomorrow, so this is a great day for him!
NO'AMA
That's all well, honey. But San's about to collapse from his day. He needs to go home and rest. Since we have to stay around Regalis for another day to salvage the pieces of his space plane, he should be given tomorrow off.
FILP
He's definitely earned a day off. Sannaro, report to the Upper Flight Deck day after tomorrow for your briefing on your new responsibilities.
SANNARO
Houk, Filp.
FILP
Oh, and no more tying things around those ears anymore? I don't need you with a splitting headache and go vomiting all over the place. You understand me, boy?
SANNARO
Houk, Filp.
HAHAD V.O.
What happened between those two? Filp's almost acting like San's father!
SANNARO V.O.
A lot, Hadah, a lot.
FILP
Off you go. Get some sleep.
Sannaro left the room, fingering the tail of his new sash. He stepped into the elevator and called for the general quarters deck.
It moved downward and stopped.
He stepped out and walked to his foster family's apartment.
The hallway seemed so long.
He finally reached the apartment and walked in.
Adara lunged at him with concern inundating his senses.
He ducked around her.
SANNARO
Sorry, Chali, I'm exhausted and my body aches. I don't want to be touched right now.
ADARA
You had me so worried!
SANNARO
I know. It was scary. I desperately need sleep.
He slipped into his room and kicked his boots off. He took his air tank off and slipped it to the floor, then grinned as he untied his red sash from his waist. He carefully put the sash on his desk. He pulled off his gun belt and put it and the air tank into his closet. He groaned as he pulled off the flight suit and threw it into the laundry shoot. He pulled off his underwear and gratefully laid down on his bed.
It felt so good to be free of all clothing.
He cringed at all the bruises that stained his yellow skin green. He pulled up his blanket. He reached up to his alarm clock to set it to zero-one-sixteen, then quickly slipped into sleep.
Sannaro heard an annoying buzzing sound near his ear. He fought to regain consciousness and looked up with blurry eyes at the alarm clock. Zero-one-sixteen! He leapt out of bed and shook as he pulled his robe on.
He rushed across the dark living room to Cherna's bedroom.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cherna?
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Come in, lover.
He took her to her bed and explored her physically and telepathically.
He took her around her shoulders and rolled them to the bed. He put his arms around her back.
She laid her head on his arm and cried.
SANNARO
Are you all right?
CHERNA
That was the most glorious thing I've ever felt and I'm crying.
SANNARO
It was intense. But you feel so beautiful against me. I've waited so long for this.
CHERNA
I know.
She slid her finger along the outer part of his ear.
He gasped, shivered.
CHERNA
Oh, wow, touching your ears does cause nerve stimulation!
SANNARO
I told you years ago, touching my ears excites me. It really does.
She reached up and licked his ear.
He shivered and groaned.
SANNARO
You want more, woman?
CHERNA
It's your birthday, lover. Merge minds with me again? It's so erotic to feel your powerful body as if it's my own. Did you go inside me, too?
SANNARO
I did. I'll never see you the same again.
CHERNA
You're still aching from the crash, I can feel it.
SANNARO
It's not more than I can ignore.
CHERNA
Anyway, I think you should sleep.
SANNARO
I don't want to leave you.
CHERNA
Why do we have to become two again? Why can't we be one forever?
SANNARO
I'd love to do that, but I don't think they'll let us stay in bed for the rest of our lives.
CHERNA
Houk, our jobs and our friends.
Sannaro felt a twinge in his back and gritted his teeth.
CHERNA
Oh, I felt that. That hurt.
SANNARO
Houk, reality's invading my body again. I guess I'd better sleep. Filp's told me I have just one day to recover from the crash before I take up my new responsibilities.
CHERNA
It's all over the flight deck you were given the red sash! I was so excited for you.
SANNARO
I finally proved myself to Filp, but my body's been put through hell to do it.
CHERNA
Sleep, lover.
He reluctantly rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. He felt her curl up beside him. He smiled and surrendered to sleep.
(LATER)
Sannaro was brought out of sleep by a knock on the door.
ZHAD
Cherna, is San in there with you?
CHERNA
Houk, he is.
ZHAD
Couldn't wait?
CHERNA
Oh, he did, only one minute beyond the time of his birth!
Sannaro sat up and rubbed his eyes.
Cherna was standing at the end of the bed dressing.
SANNARO
Do you have to dress?
She sat down beside him and kissed him.
CHERNA
I wish, but Zhad wants you.
SANNARO
I know. He wants to examine me again and Chali's making my favorite breakfast to pamper me on my birthday. But all I want is you.
CHERNA
Life goes on.
AHDRI
Sanna and Cheri did it!
SANNARO
Oh, be quiet, Ahdri!
ZHAD
He's at the age he promised his uncle.
He rushed across the living room into his bedroom. He dressed into a pair of black pants and a forest green sweatshirt then returned to the living room.
ADARA
Pancakes and sausage for the birthday boy!
Adara set plates onto the dinette table.
ZHAD
Adara, San's twenty years old, I would hardly call him a boy any longer.
AHDRI
But didn't Uncle Devasru say San's not an adult until he's twenty-four?
ZHAD
Who's the specialist on Saili anatomy, here, young lady? I know he's not a Saili adult until he's twenty-four, but by Astrisi standards, he's an adult.
Tanei bounced out of Ahdri's and her shared bedroom.
ADARA
Breakfast first.
AHDRI
Now I can have my own bedroom!
ZHAD
How are you feeling, today, San?
SANNARO
A bit sore, but I'm all right.
ZHAD
So, Filp made you the new team-leader?
Sannaro slipped into his room and brought out the red sash to show to his family. He grinned and raised it up.
ADARA
Oh, I'm so proud of you!
Tanei reached up and caressed the dangling tails with reverence.
TANEI
Wow, a team-leader sash!
SANNARO
I have to send my flight suits to have the chest panels changed to red. I'll be working on the Upper Flight Deck from now on.
Adara pulled Sannaro to the dinner table.
ADARA
Come on, my pancakes are getting cold!
Sannaro chuckled as he folded the sash a few times and set it on the table beside his plate. He sat down and ate.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Once they were done eating, they eagerly took Sannaro and Cherna to their new apartment and showed them around. It was fully furnished with brand new furniture each of the crafters made especially for this occasion.
As Sannaro walked through admiring their new furniture, the doorbell rang.
SANNARO
It's Di'ok and Danu. Akla.
The door swept open. Di'ok poked his head through.
DI'OK
So are we the first visitors to your new home?
SANNARO
You are. Come in, guys.
They stepped in and looked around.
DANU
Houk, they're so lucky!
SANNARO
But the Festival is next year!
DI'OK
Houk, we have to wait a whole luyaki year!
SANNARO
You'll live.
DI'OK
So, San. Did you already, like, do my sister?
Cherna put her arms around Sannaro's chest and pressed her cheek into his back with a wicked grin on her face.
CHERNA
What do you think, silly? He was wonderful.
Sannaro slipped out of her embrace, sat down in a chair and flipped his hair into his face.
CHERNA
I think that would be good. San's a bit green in some places.
CHERNA
I think that would be good. San's a bit green in some places.
DI'OK
I'm sure you saw plenty!
Cherna pushed Di'ok's shoulder.
Sannaro pulled his shirt up in the front.
DI'OK
Oh, that's some bruising.
DANU
Houk, classic case of sub-cutaneous contusions.
The computer chimed an incoming message.
Sannaro went to the computer and opened the channel.
The screen lit up with Lazha's face.
LAZHA
San, I've been contacted by the Regalis authorities. They want you and me to attend the hearing for Tim Werner. They're also wanting us to go through a public questioning.
SANNARO
If we don't, the problem with Regalis will never be resolved. But I don’t want to go back to Regalis.
LAZHA
Then you should wear an air tank. I don't want you breathing in any seranimite.
SANNARO
I apologize, Lazha, but I refuse to go back to Regalis.
LAZHA
Sannaro, this isn’t the time to get obstinate. You said you wanted to resolve this. You’re risking an incident.
SANNARO
I’m not saying I won’t go to the hearing, just that I won’t go to Regalis.
LAZHA
One minute, San, I’m getting in another communication.
The screen went blank for a little over a minute, then turned on again to the view of Lazha.
LAZHA
The situation has changed. Because it was decided a fair hearing would not be possible on Regalis, a delegation from Arcturus is being called in and the Saili refused to go to Regalis as well, so they’re talking about moving the hearing to the fueling orbital satellite station.
SANNARO
Saili are coming?
LAZHA
San, I don’t need telepathy to see the conflicting feelings you’re experiencing.
SANNARO
I’m beginning to understand why Belso wasn’t sure he liked the idea of calling the authorities, now. It greatly complicates an issue when there are extenuating circumstances.
LAZHA
But you were right! If we don’t have their authorities stop this retaliation, we’ll continue to be threatened by violence. It’s so inconvenient for me to have to make sure we can fly to Oronio for fuel when Regalis is closer!
SANNARO
All right, I’ll agree to the hearing at the Orbital Fueling Station.
LAZHA
I'll be leaving in about a half hour.
SANNARO
I'll be on the Upper Flight Deck.
LAZHA
Oh, and Ha Tana Ateakili. Lazha out.
The screen went blank.
CHERNA
What do they want from you now? Haven't you been through enough?
SANNARO
I guess not enough.
DANU
Di'ok and I will relocate your belongings while you're away.
SANNARO
Fa'arata. What a birthday.
DI'OK
We'll have a big double chocolate cake ready for you when you return. We're going to celebrate your birthday one way or another.
SANNARO
That sounds great.
DANU
I want you to take a bottle of catowsh down with you in case you need it.
SANNARO
Houk, doctor.
DANU
Well, almost. I'm still an intern.
SANNARO
Close enough.
Sannaro stood up and kissed Cherna, then reluctantly left their new apartment.
INT. UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro rode the elevator up to the Upper Flight Deck. He stepped out and looked right.
Lazha was there beside a shuttle buzzing with engineers.
He walked up to her and stopped beside her.
SANNARO
I'm here, Lazha.
LAZHA
Good, I’m glad we came to an agreement.
METEI
It's all yours, Lazha.
LAZHA
Fa'arata. Come, San, you'll be my copilot.
Lazha and Sannaro walked into the shuttle.
Soon Lazha flew the shuttle to the lift and they were raised into the retrieval deck.
She flew the shuttle out of the Kumani and directed it toward Regalis again.
They flew closer to the fueling station. Sannaro gasped and closed his eyes.
LAZHA
What's wrong, San?
SANNARO
So many angry minds. We're not going to receive a nice welcome, Lazha.
SANNARO
But, like you said, if we don't face this, this problem won't come to an end.
He swallowed hard and nodded.
Lazha brought the shuttle to land in the shuttle bay of the station.
A crowd surged around the ramp.
Sannaro reluctantly followed Lazha to the ramp.
Policemen and women stepped out and began to push the crowd back from the ramp.
A Policeman again stopped at the base of the ramp.
POLICEMAN #1
Are you the current Commander of the Kumani?
LAZHA
Yes, I am Lazha, the current Commander of the Kumani.
CROWD
Kidnappers, killers!
Sannaro pressed his hands over his ears and screwed his face in pain.
LAZHA
Can we be taken somewhere where my young friend won't be overwhelmed by the crowd?
HUMAN #1
How dare you stand with that murderer, Sanna Damirateyak!
HUMAN #2
Traitor!
SANNARO
I'm not a traitor!
LAZHA
Sir, we need to leave now. San's control is slipping.
He rushed them through the crowd to the inner corridors of the station.
Policeman #1
That was about to become a riot. Shuttles are bringing up people from Regalis that want to watch the hearing. The people of Bristol want Tim Werner set free. They think he's being arrested unfairly.
SANNARO
Tim was trying to kill five thousand people with the destruction of the Kumani!
POLICEMAN #1
Believe me, Aurum Damirateyak, by any law, Tim Werner committed a crime, but I'm sorry to say, so did Belso and he never returned to face his criminal charges.
LAZHA
Belso's dead.
POLICEMAN #1
That's why you're here, Commander Lazha, you'll have to inherit the charges. The people of Regalis want to sue the Kumani for the attack. They say if your ship doesn't stay for the trial, they want us to open fire on the Kumani.
LAZHA
Then for the safety of my ship, I will face the charges against the Kumani. San, are you all right?
Sannaro was bent over with his face nearly to his knees and his hands over his ears.
SANNARO
The anger's so strong. Why are they mad at me? I was only a kid, just a little kid! I didn't betray anyone!
LAZHA
Did you have to make him come? This is tearing him apart.
POLICEMAN #1
The people want Sannaro to testify against the Kumani.
SANNARO
What? I can't testify against the Kumani!
POLICEMAN #1
Either way, just say your side of the story. The rest will be decided by someone else.
LAZHA
But the people of Regalis are too angry to decide this clearly.
POLICEMAN
I agree. Arcturus is sending a judge and jury here to hear the trial. Last I heard, they're almost at Regalis.
He stopped in front of a door and entered a suite of rooms.
POLICEMAN
This is the security suite for the station. We’ll remain here until the hearing begins.
SANNARO
Can I have a private room for a while?
POLICEMAN
Of course, Aurum. Turner, please escort Aurum Damirateyak to a private room.
SANNARO
Please, if you hear screams, don't enter.
LAZHA
Try not to tear down a wall, San.
SANANRO
I'll try.
POLICEMAN
Tear down a wall?
LAZHA
San needs to express his anger. He's nearly in overload.
SANNARO
Too close!
POLICEMAN
Oh, god, Gonkacha! Does he need a doctor?
SANNARO
Please, I need to be alone, now!
POLICEMAN
Taylor, take him to that room.
TAYLOR
Okay, come with me.
SANNARO
I won't attack you. Just take me where I can be alone.
Taylor shook his head, walked down the hall and took him to a small room.
TAYLOR
Is this interrogation room okay?
SANNARO
It's fine. Now leave.
Taylor shivered and left.
Sannaro slammed his fist into the wall and screamed in rage. He punched the wall until his knuckles bled. He sat down, laid his head on the small wooden table and cried until the pain in his chest eased. After several minutes, he was finally lethargic.
The door opened cautiously and Ken Togahashi stepped in.
KEN
I was called because you're having telepathic problems.
SANNARO
I'm not sure I'm ready to be with anyone again, Ken.
KEN
Your fists are a mess.
Sannaro flexed his throbbing hands.
SANNARO
The pain blocks out their terrible thoughts.
KEN
Your telepathy is an integral part of who you are. Why would you wound it?
SANNARO
You don't have to hear their thoughts. Ken, please, leave me alone.
KEN
You're just as wounded from what happened here as they are.
SANNARO
But I can't see it like they do. I - there's so much more to the situation than they think. They're calling me a traitor! I'm not a traitor, I'm just an innocent kid trying to make a life for himself after that terror. Why do they want to make me relive it for their morbid benefit? I thought I was more mature than this. Now I see what the Saili have been telling me these last years, I'm still a kid, a goddamn teenager. They're hurting me with their cruel thoughts.
KEN
Yes, you are still a teenager by Saili maturation standards, but even a man would have trouble dealing with all the anger without telepathy. You are a telepath and a Gonkacha. You're more emotional than a non-diseased Saili.
SANNARO
Regalis made me this way! Do they apologize to me for forcing my father to stay on a world that was making him sick? No! They call me fucking names and spit in my face!
KEN
Easy, Sannaro.
Sannaro scowled, but reluctantly sat down.
SANNARO
Are you just going to dope me up so I don't feel anymore?
KEN
No, I can give you a small sedative if you like. I'm just here to help you. Would you let me treat your hands too? I have a little bottle of Cerlacticine for you to wash your hands and a hand held dermal regenerator to heal the lacerations.
SANNARO
Do they know I'm risking serious sickness being here?
KEN
Not all blame you, San. Some feel sympathy for you. And refined Seranium doesn’t have the properties that cause Gonkacha so you’re safer here.
SANNARO
There are more who think I'm a sellout.
Sannaro splashed a little Cerlacticine onto his hands and scrubbed the blood loose again. He took a towel from Ken and wiped his hands dry. He handed the yellow stained towel back.
SANNARO (CONT.)
Here, have a little tip for your work.
KEN
You should know rendering Saili biological gold's illegal?
SANNARO
I know, just a little morbid humor there.
Ken turned on the dermal regenerator and shined it on Sannaro's knuckles.
KEN
It's a shame I didn't get to know you better when we were kids, San.
SANNARO
Yeah, I wasn't so bad. Why would I want to intrude on other people's minds when I had my own problems?
KEN
Don't we all?
SANNARO
I'm not a telepathic voyeur! That's so sick, even to me! Right now I wish I had ear shackles so I don't have to hear them!
KEN
Ear shackles? You haven't committed a crime!
SANNARO
No, but those people out there are driving me crazy with their unshielded anger. I'd rather take the discomfort of the ear shackles than to take their anger! Ken, do you have something for me to wrap around my head, like a headband?
KEN
You're going to give yourself a headache.
SANNARO
Yeah, but would you rather me tear through a wall?
KEN
Self-harm is never good.
SANNARO
Then find me a headband to cover my ears, something tight.
KEN
Okay, if that will get you through this.
EXIT Ken.
After a few minutes, Ken returned with a terry cloth black headband.
Sannaro took it and pulled it over his ears.
Ken opened his bag and brought out a syringe.
Sannaro pulled his arm out of his sleeve and Ken injected him with the medicine. He dressed again.
KEN
Are you ready to come out of seclusion now?
SANNARO
I think so.
They left the room and returned to the main room.
POLICEMAN
Are you under control now?
SANNARO
Yes.
KEN
I've injected him with more Gontametlazine. That should help him control his symptoms for another few hours. It really isn't beneficial to his health to be here after twelve years of not being exposed to any seranimite and even this station has seranimite dust from the landing pads of the shuttles. His body's not adjusted to filtering it any longer.
POLICEMAN
Thank you, doctor, but he's still been called to testify in the trial.
KEN
Then I'll have to stay with him and continue to inject him with the Gontametlazine until he can leave.
POLICEMAN
The judge and jury have arrived from Arcturus.
Sannaro held his aching head and sighed.
POLICEMAN
Are you under control now?
SANNARO
Yes.
KEN
I've injected him with more Gontametlazine. That should help him control his symptoms for another few hours. It really isn't beneficial to his health to be here after twelve years of not being exposed to any seranimite and even this station has seranimite dust from the landing pads of the shuttles. His body's not adjusted to filtering it any longer.
POLICEMAN
Thank you, doctor, but he's still been called to testify in the trial.
KEN
Then I'll have to stay with him and continue to inject him with the Gontametlazine until he can leave.
POLICEMAN
The judge and jury have arrived from Arcturus.
Sannaro held his aching head and sighed.
KEN
Would you like some catowsh?
SANNARO
Not right now. Ha tana skisla ateakili ti ya.
KEN
What's that you said?
SANNARO
I said, happy fucking birthday to me.
KEN
It's your birthday today?
SANNARO
Yeah, great one I'm having, huh? I'd rather be having chocolate cake with my wife and my friends than be enduring a damn headache here.
KEN
It's not much consolation, but happy birthday. How old are you now, about twenty?
SANNARO
Yeah, I'm twenty today.
KEN
Your wife's pretty.
SANNARO
Yeah, she is. She's smart and one out of three times she can kick my butt in a martial arts sparing match.
KEN
Interesting marital pursuits.
SANNARO
The Astrisi teach everyone martial arts for exercise and self-defense.
KEN
It sounds like the Astrisi didn't treat you at all badly.
SANNARO
No, they restricted me to the ship, but within the ship, I was free to go anywhere a child my age was allowed to go. They had me go to school with the other children and advance like any other child. I lived with a mother, father and sisters. I had three friends who played with me all the time. I fell in love with one of those friends and she asked me to become her mate. My life with the Astrisi has been quite pleasant except for a few incidents. How does that make me a sellout?
KEN
You wouldn't have survived after the fire. Rescue crews were slow to reach Bristol.
SANNARO
Tim said I should have just died.
KEN
Tim's heart has been hardened by hatred for too long.
POLICEMAN
The court is ready for you.
Sannaro felt dread in his stomach as he was lead to a small theater inside the station that would be used as the courtroom.
The room was packed with people who all glared at him.
He narrowed his vision and stepped through to the front of the room before the judge. He gasped when his headache flared worse.
JUDGE GELDER
Aurum Damirateyak, are you in pain?
SANNARO
Yes, sir. My telepathy's nearly overwhelming me. There's so much anger here.
The man turned to a Saili who had come with the Arcturus delegation.
JUDGE GELDER
Can you help Aurum Sannaro?
CONTAMITRE PSI V.O.
My name is Contamitre of Arcturus. I’m dismayed at how primitive the Humans of Regalis behave. They are clearly overwhelming and your telepathic training is clearly incomplete.
Sannaro looked up to glare at the Saili.
CONTAMITRE (PSI V.O.)
I am aware that you were treated dreadfully by your Social Worker and he is the reason why you chose to run from home. You are a miasma of emotion, yourself.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know my Uncle Devasru.
CONTAMITRE (PSI V.O.)
I do. I’ve worked with him and he told me about what happened when you were with him. You know, he made some difficult decisions to protect you?
Sannaro (PSI v.o.)
I know. Has he been told about this current situation?
CONTAMITRE (PSI V.O.)
I contacted him.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
No matter what I do, I'll be in pain. I'm blocking my telepathy the best I can.
CONTAMITRE (PSI V.O.)
I can see that. Unfortunately, I don’t know what would be better. It would be terrible to put ear shackles on your ears when you’ve only acted in self-defense.
JUDGE GELDER
Aurum Contamitre, have you helped Aurum Damirateyak?
CONTAMITRE
This is a very emotionally charged situation. We have done all we can for now.
JUDGE GELDER
Please, have a seat, Aurum Damirateyak.
SANNARO
Yes, sir.
Sannaro sat down in the first row and Lazha and Ken sat down beside him.
Tim Werner was escorted in with two policemen.
Tim glared at Sannaro as he was led to a special chair in a corner of the theater.
JUDGE GELDER
This court will come to order. Judge J. T. Gelder presiding, Arcturus regional court. Case number 98567, Regalis vs. Astrisi Starship Kumani. Plaintiff, you may have the floor.
Plaintiff stood up.
PLAINTIFF
Thank you, your honor. Twelve years ago, the Astrisi Starship Kumani came to Regalis to pick up fuel for their ship. After Foreman Arthur Aldinon informed Commander Belso of the Kumani, his fuel had been stolen the night before, in a raging rampage, he shot and killed Aurum Giovano Masanateyak! When Mr. Aldinon tried to contact the proper authorities about the murder of Aurum Masanateyak, Commander Belso shot the computer, set fire to the mining office and subsequently the seranimite mines below, causing a conflagration to rapidly spread throughout Bristol town, killing and wounding countless people! The Kumani is dangerous and should not be allowed to continue business within the Terran Alliance!
The crowd roared their approval.
PLAINTIFF
Defense, your floor.
Defense beside Lazha stood up and faced the crowd.
DEFENSE
What my colleague failed to mention was that it has been proven that Arthur Aldinon and Roger Arlington stole the Kumani's fuel the night before their arrival. Before us is a witness to that criminal act, but we'll get to that in a short while. The bottom line is that a criminal act was done toward the Kumani before the fire destroyed the poor substandard housing at Bristol Mining Camp. Belso was just responding to the theft of his fuel. Who wouldn't? His ship was nearly out of fuel and about ready to cause a firefall on Regalis. He was trying to spare the lives of his people and the people of Regalis! Aurum Masanateyak was convinced by Arthur Aldinon to accuse Belso of stealing the fuel to shift blame from himself to the Astrisi for his criminal acts. Aurum Masanateyak was seriously ill with Gonkacha, seranimite poisoning, at that time unheard of by the Saili that causes intermittent insanity. After Aurum Masanateyak's death, he was autopsied by the Saili and it was proven that Belso's stunning shot did not kill Aurum Masanateyak!
Upset chatter erupted from the room.
DEFENSE
Aurum Masanateyak was gathering energy to hurl a mind-slam at Belso! I will remind the people of the court, a non-telepathic humanoid cannot withstand a Saili mind-slam! It burns out synapses in the brain, causing coma and even death! Among the Saili, to mind-slam another person with intent to destroy or kill their brain is a criminal act! Belso's behavior in the incident in question was completely in self-defense! Therefore, the Kumani should be acquitted of all wrongdoing!
Defense sat down.
A ripple of anger swept through the room.
Sannaro groaned and held his head.
JUDGE GELDER
Plaintiff, call your first witness.
PLAINTIFF
I call Aurum Sannaro Damirateyak.
Sannaro stood up and reluctantly walked to the witness stand.
PLAINTIFF
Aurum Damirateyak, you are the son of Giovano Masanateyak, is that true?
SANNARO
Yes.
PLAINTIFF
Now, forgive us Humans who aren’t familiar with Saili surnames, but why is your name different than your fathers?
SANNARO
Because Saili don’t derive lineage from their father’s bloodline. My mother’s name was Damira so by Saili naming practices, my surname is Damirateyak which means Child of Damira.
PLAINTIFF
Thank you for your explanation. Now, were you aware your father Giovano was ill?
SANNARO
Yes, he was acting aggressive with me and my family. He was punishing us for little things. Mr. Aldinon told me he was sick.
PLAINTIFF
When?
SANNARO
When he had me cowering under Mr. Werner's porch.
PLAINTIFF
Why were you cowering under Mr. Werner's porch?
TIM
My porch? When?
JUDGE GELDER
Mr. Werner, please refrain from any outbursts.
SANNARO
Because I saw him and Roger Arlington stealing fuel during the night.
PLAINTIFF
Who is him?
SANNARO
I saw Arthur Aldinon and Roger Arlington stealing fuel during the night.
PLAINTIFF
Did you know it was fuel?
SANNARO
Not really. I was only seven years old at the time. I knew they were taking something in large metal canisters at the warehouse across from the Werner’s house and they were very angry I saw them.
PLAINTIFF
Now this was in the middle of the night. Why was a seven year-old out of his home in the middle of the night?
SANNARO
Jake Arlington stole a ball from me at school. I went to his house to - to steal it back.
PLAINTIFF
You entered the Arlington house while they were asleep to steal back a toy?
SANNARO
It was important to me at the time. My mother would've punished me for losing it.
PLAINTIFF
So when did you see the theft?
SANNARO
As I was walking back home from the Arlington's the night before the fire.
The crowd grumbled loudly.
SANNARO (CONT.)
Years later, I met Arthur Aldinon and Roger Arlington while they were attacking the Kumani with a group of pirates and they admitted to me they'd stolen the Kumani's fuel.
PLAINTIFF
They told you? And where are they now?
SANNARO
They both died during the attack on the Kumani.
PLAINTIFF
Well, that hardly helps your testimonial, Aurum Damirateyak. How did Arthur Aldinon and Roger Arlington tell you they stole the fuel when you were being held captive on the Kumani?
SANNARO
I was never captive on the Kumani. I was completely healed and raised by kind foster parents as an Astrisi.
CROWD
Traitor!
JUDGE GELDER
Order in the court!
Sannaro surged from his seat.
SANNARO
How am I a traitor? I was a little child!
JUDGE GELDER
Aurum Damirateyak, sit down and restrain yourself! Order in the court or it will be cleared out!
The crowd reluctantly settled again.
PLAINTIFF
If you weren't held captive, what happened on Belvas? Why were you kept secret until the Saili discovered you on Belvas?
SANNARO
I wasn't captive as long as I stayed on the Kumani!
PLAINTIFF
What happened at Belvas, Aurum Damirateyak?
SANNARO
I stowed on a shuttle to see Belvas when I wasn't allowed to leave the Kumani. The Saili found out about me and took me away from the Astrisi to reunite me with my uncle.
PLAINTIFF
And officially, your uncle is your guardian. Why aren't you with your uncle, Aurum Damirateyak? Why are you back with the Astrisi?
SANNARO
A Saili tried to kill me on Belvas. To escape him, I ran away from my uncle and went back to the Kumani.
PLAINTIFF
So you're a runaway?
Sannaro leapt from his seat and pressed himself into the corner.
SANNARO
Don't send me back to my uncle's! The Saili will kill me! They hate Gonkacha!
JUDGE GELDER
Sit down, Aurum Damirateyak!
SANNARO
Please, don't send me back! Please, you can call Ambassador Eradano on Belvas! He'll tell you how a Social Worker tried to kill me! I'm Gonkacha! They hate Gonkacha!
JUDGE GELDER
Aurum Damirateyak, settle down. We won't send you back to the Saili.
The crowd mumbled in startled whispers.
Sannaro took a deep shuddering breath before he sat down again.
PLAINTIFF
Did the Astrisi prevent you from having any outside contact with non-Astrisi?
SANNARO
Yes, but they healed me of all my second and third degree burns! They reconstructed my skin! They sent me to school! They taught me a job!
PLAINTIFF
Aurum Damirateyak, did they restrict you from having outside contact with non-Astrisi?
SANNARO
Yes, damn it!
PLAINTIFF
So you were a prisoner on that ship.
SANNARO
They weren't cruel to me.
PLAINTIFF
You were a prisoner on that ship.
SANNARO
Belso wouldn't let me leave because he was afraid I'd give testimony against him to the worlders.
PLAINTIFF
Aurum, just answer my question, yes or no. Were you a prisoner on that ship?
SANNARO
Yes, damn it! I was a fucking prisoner on that ship!
The man grinned and turned away.
PLAINTIFF
Your witness.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
The Defense stood up and approached Sannaro on the witness stand.
DEFENSE
Aurum Damirateyak, how old were you when you were taken to the Kumani?
SANNARO
I was seven human standard years old.
DEFENSE
And what age was that in Saili years?
SANNARO
I don't know the conversion exactly, but around five Saili years old.
DEFENSE
That's very, very, young to have already suffered second and third degree burns and be forced to live in a strange culture away from your family. Worse, you witnessed your family's murder before your very eyes?
Sannaro closed his eyes and shook his head.
DEFENSE
Aurum Damirateyak?
SANNARO
Yes, I saw them killed before the laser splashed at my feet. That laser bolt was meant for Aldinon! That thieving worlder should have died, not my mother and brother!
DEFENSE
Who told you Arthur Aldinon was the target, not your family?
SANNARO
Lazha did.
Defense turned to Lazha with his eyebrows arched for a few seconds then turned back to Sannaro.
DEFENSE
The fact is, you were a very young boy. There was very little you could do about your situation but to comply with your keepers?
SANNARO
Yes.
DEFENSE
That is, until ten years later when you escaped to Belvas?
SANNARO
Yes.
DEFENSE
Then when you were reunited with your native race, the Saili, you were turned on for acting Astrisi?
SANNARO
Yes.
DEFENSE
That's why you ran away from your uncle and returned to the Kumani?
SANNARO
They would protect me from my own people! They hated me!
DEFENSE
But they also questioned Lazha and the woman who kidnapped you. Did they level charges against the Kumani for your kidnapping?
SANNARO
No, they said I would've died if I'd been left at Bristol because none of the doctors would've been able to heal my Saili body. They said my foster father Zhad saved my life. They said Belso shot my father in self-defense. His shot didn't kill my father, but because of his Gonkacha. He lost control of the mind-slam he was going to throw at Belso because he was accusing Belso of stealing the fuel Aldinon and Arlington actually stole. He'd been their accomplice to shift the blame from Aldinon and Arlington to Belso and the Kumani.
DEFENSE
Aurum, have you heard of Stockholm syndrome?
SANNARO
No.
DEFENSE
On Earth there was a robbery in Sweden, the city of Stockholm where the employees of a bank were held hostage for quite a few hours. In that time, they became sympathetic to their captors and told the police not to charge them for the robbery. They even posted bail for their own captor to be released from jail. Those were adult humans in that bank and they were very affected by their experience. What do you think about this new information?
SANNARO
I guess I did sympathize with the Astrisi. They were wronged by Aldinon and Arlington. You think I have this Stockholm Syndrome?
DEFENSE
What I think is beside the point, Aurum. Do you think this fits for you? Do you think you became sympathetic with the Astrisi because you were also brutalized by Arthur Aldinon and Roger Arlington?
SANNARO
I was just seven at the time. I guess I did.
DEFENSE
Thank you, Aurum Damirateyak. You may step down.
Sannaro pulled himself heavily from the chair and shuffled back to his seat beside Ken. He sat down and put his head between his knees.
PLAINTIFF
I call Commander Lazha to the witness stand.
Lazha stepped up to the witness stand and sat down.
PLAINTIFF
Commander Lazha, do you deny your ship kidnapped Aurum Sannaro Damirateyak and kept him prisoner on the Kumani for ten years?
LAZHA
No, I won't deny it. That's what Belso wanted us to do, but many of us didn't want to.
PLAINTIFF
How long ago did Belso die?
LAZHA
Six years ago.
PLAINTIFF
So you're admitting you kept him prisoner for six of the ten years?
LAZHA
Yes.
PLAINTIFF
Why?
LAZHA
Belso commanded that San be kept a secret, even after his death.
PLAINTIFF
When were you going to free him?
LAZHA
He'd become a member of our ship. I was going to relax the restrictions on him around the time he stowed to Belvas.
PLAINTIFF
Relax his restrictions? Is that what you called freeing him from captivity?
LAZHA
Sannaro didn't intend to stay on Belvas, he just wanted to see the emerald pyramid buildings. He was intending on returning to the Kumani when he'd satisfied his curiosity.
PLAINTIFF
So you'd so thoroughly brainwashed him into believing the Astrisi were his people, not the Saili?
LAZHA
I wouldn't call it brainwashing. We were kind to San because we were sad to see a child that young suffer like he did.
PLAINTIFF
You felt guilty for burning the boy?
LAZHA
Yes, we felt guilty for burning the boy. The pilot who accidentally shot Sannaro was severely punished for firing on Aldinon and killing Sannaro's mother, brother and burning him. We pilots were told to intimidate the miners, not fire on them because we could ignite the seranimite.
PLAINTIFF
But Belso already ignited the seranimite when he set fire to the foreman's office!
LAZHA
Yes, that's what set off the explosions in the mines that showered the town with burning rock. It set the town on fire. Those wooden shacks they lived in caught fire and spread quickly. I was horrified to watch it from the sky. People were screaming and burning.
They were running and rolling in the dirt to douse the flames. Belso was wrong to shoot that computer. He should have allowed the police to come investigate Sannaro's father's death, but he didn't trust worlder police. Belso caused all this, but Belso's dead. The rest of us just want to leave the mistakes of the past and move on. My people didn't cause that fire, Belso did. Arlington attacked the Kumani and killed Belso in retribution for Belso ruining his criminal plan. He would've killed everyone on the Kumani if it hadn't been for Sannaro's ingenuity to cut the pirates off from reinforcements and sneaking to the bridge to fight Arlington himself. Sannaro saved the Kumani from being captured by pirates and us all becoming pirate slaves. He chose to protect us, even after we kept him captive for six years because he thought we were worth saving. Can't the people of Regalis see through a tiny child's forgiving eyes?
PLAINTIFF
I have no further questions. It's your witness.
DEFENSE
Defense has no further questions.
As Defense returned to his seat, the courtroom was in stunned silence.
FADE OUT.
THE END.