Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
"TWO BROTHER'S NIGHTMARE"
EPISODE 30 – NEGOTIOTIONS
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI – UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Days later, Sannaro was busy with the last minute details of the landing.
DI'OK (V.O.)
All hands, we have arrived at Gasbaja. Landing parties prepare to launch.
SANNARO PSI (V.O.)
Let’s get going! Shuttle pilots, is the central tent and supplies packed and ready?
KOSI (PSI V.O.)
All packed.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, take off.
KOSI (PSI V.O.)
Houk, San.
SANNARO
Landing Vizha'e, prepare for takeoff.
Sannaro unclipped his helmet from his hip, then stopped beside his own Vizha'i. He pulled the helmet on then climbed the stairs up to his cockpit.
Minutes later, he was in space.
The orbit around Gasbaja was the most crowded than it ever was with all twelve Astrisi ships and the ADF Destroyers surrounding the two remaining ships of the Zuran invasion fleet.
His scanner was splattered with dots from ADF fighter-ships and cruisers as well as his own Vizha'i joined with more from the other twelve ships.
Just then, one lone shuttle came out of a Zuran ship and flew toward Gasbaja.
The ADF fighters and cruisers surrounded the Zuran shuttle.
HADAH
Ku-Vizha'i, hover until the ADF are past then we can join the procession in the aft position.
VIZHA'E
Houk.
Shortly they joined the other ships and followed them down to Gasbaja where the Us’uata Os Huen central tent was erected alone on the worn grass that was still growing back from their interrupted Us’uata months before.
He landed, then slid down to the grass and went toward the tent. He was intercepted by Marc and Jim who walked up to him.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Miss us?
MARC
What’s with keeping the helmet on?
SANNARO (V.O.)
It was suggested by the Council of Commanders that we keep our identity covered. I think it’s unwarranted, but orders are orders. I hate staying in it because I'd rather breathe the fresh air.
MARC
So where’s Hadah?
Jim pointed a finger toward a sweeping Vizha'i in flight with the blue and red tail fin.
JIM
There he is. It doesn’t work with us because we know you guys and remember your colors.
SANNARO (V.O.)
True.
MARC
So how is Cherna doing?
SANNARO (V.O.)
It’s going to take a few more days for her to completely recover.
Sannaro looked toward the ground, then saw a glint in the grass and knelt down. He parted the grass and picked up a fork.
SANNARO (V.O.)
That’s where that thing fell to! I lost this at the Us’uata Os Huen months ago after an Uzhume boy splintered our table.
JIM
I can still see some splinters. This is a beautiful planet, San.
SANNARO V.O.
It is. It’s too bad we only visit every ten years and leave it untouched between times.
MARC
How long have the Astrisi come here?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Many centuries. This planet once was occupied by humanoids who were very industrial and military. After the Zurans massacred everyone, one remaining Gasbajan warship asked the Astrisi for asylum then they bred into the Astrisi. So in a way, this is the closest to the Astrisi’s native planet besides an asteroid field several parsecs away from here.
JIM
Fascinating! The home of the Astrisi!
LAZHA (V.O.)
Lazha to Sannaro.
SANNARO (V.O.)
San here.
LAZHA (V.O.)
We want you to be present during the negotiations. Please enter the tent.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Excuse me, my friends, I’m being called by Lazha to go inside.
MARC
See you later, San.
JIM
Later, San.
Sannaro walked into the large tent.
Four long tables were set up in a box formation. The head table was taken by the Speaker of the Alliance Council, Howard Bell, the ADF fleet Commanders including Steve Leighson as well as Ambassadors Daniels and Zerbeck.
The next two tables occupied by the twelve Astrisi Council Seniors and Di'ok who was there to finish his job as the liaison as well as the Belvan Senior Scientist Jahium.
The Astrisi Commanders were standing against the wall talking in groups quietly.
Lazha was again talking to her sister-in-law Dusti and to Unla. Anlin and Zhama were talking to Cu'al and Chi'on. Fildes and Polred were whispering conspiratorially with Kito, Erm and Ba'id.
Sannaro passed all the Commanders and settled beside Lazha.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Do we really have to keep these helmets on?
LAZHA (PSI V.O.)
It was decided. If it’s any consolation, I voted nui, but this time I was outvoted. I forgot how ominous a Vizha'e looks in full battle gear!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
We can look scary, but I think that was the idea.
Speaker Bell struck his gavel on the pad three times.
BELL
As the Speaker of the Terran Alliance of Planet’s Governing Council, I call this negotiation to order. We're here under a Cease Fire Agreement between the Allied Defense Force, the Astrisi fleet, and the Zuran Invasion Force.
ZERBECK
What I want to know is why you invaded our area of space?
A spindly Zuran with white hair, wearing a silver tunic spoke.
ELSISK
I am Elsisk I will talk for Zuran. We are not as able to move objects as your kind is. We cannot build like your kind build. We are numerous in our space. We need more to help them. That is why our once leader Sikzik led us here. He knew of the first war and saw your kind spread out again. We did not realize that the blue ones of Belvas would come from the dead to help you.
JAHIUM
We were not dead, we were only hiding in another dimension slightly shifted from this one, preparing for your return.
BELL
We are grateful for the aide your people have given to us, Dr. Jahium.
ELSISK
Our once leader Sikzik thought we could win like we did long ago. He was surprised that all worked together to keep us away. We wanted to leave many days before, but Sikzik thought that hurting your representatives would give us information we need to defeat you. We apologize for the damage of your people. We need your machines to help Zurans without.
JON
You don’t have to kill everyone and steal their belongings. I will repeat the offer I gave Sikzik when we were captured. We're willing to set up a commercial treaty with the Zurans so they can be given the machines they need in exchange for a service or money.
ELSISK
What is money?
JON
Money can be a useful metal of some kind or a foodstuff we can eat. There are many ways you could pay us for machines for your people and you won’t have to kill again.
The Zurans exchanged looks that could have been perceived as puzzlement.
ELSISK
We will consider your offer. We promise that we will not kill your kind any longer. We will go to our home.
BELL
We would welcome trade with you.
ELSISK
Can we go home now?
BELL
We have a few documents we have drawn up concerning a non-aggression treaty with you.
ELSISK
We will consider your offer. We promise that we will not kill your kind any longer. We will go to our home.
BELL
We would welcome trade with you.
ELSISK
Can we go home now?
BELL
We have a few documents we have drawn up concerning a non-aggression treaty with you.
Everyone but the Zurans promptly opened the book.
Elsisk looked on in puzzlement.
ELSISK
Our voice is not good enough?
JON
We like to have agreements in writing.
ELSISK
What is writing?
JON
On your ship there was many writings to show what things did and where you were in your vessel.
Elsisk body wiggled in what Sannaro guessed was a Zuran shrug.
ELSISK
The scribbles on things are for other owners.
ZERBECK
Do you have a written language?
Elsisk’s fingers were undulating on the table like fettered snakes that were eager to be released.
ELSISK
Like scribble stuff?
JON
Yes, like scribble stuff.
ELSISK
Our voice is enough.
Lazha sighed in frustration.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What’s wrong, Lazha?
LAZHA (PSI V.O.)
Because they can’t read script, the whole document will have to be read and each part explained. We’re in for a long meeting.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know, Saili are a lot like that. I learned when I was in the Saili School for two days that Saili language is actually partially spoken, but mostly telepathic. It actually depends on the images a person's thinking of to complete the whole communication.
LAZHA (PSI V.O.)
So that’s why I have never heard Saili speak their native language! We non-telepaths could never completely learn it or understand it.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
It’s even hard for me to grasp because I've always learned to communicate verbally or telepathically using words.
Well into the night, they droned on with reading the political language of the document, then having to stop to explain it to the Zurans.
Even some of the Astrisi Senior Council members had to have some of it explained.
Finally, Sannaro exited the tent and joined the guards at a small fire they started.
Lazha came out of the tent to stretch her legs.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Lazha, my people are getting hungry and they’re tired of being enclosed in these helmets.
LAZHA
That's a problem. Plan out shifts. Have the kitchen set up a tent down here to feed people and set up tents for sleeping. Have several groups eat while others are out here doing watch. Rotate sweep patrols for some ground duty. Keep everyone inside while eating or sleeping so they can have the helmets off, but when they leave that tent, the helmet will be on. Got that?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Houk. I’ll get to work on it. Hadah, Lazha wants us to set up shifts for sweep and ground patrols. She wants a kitchen tent set up for feeding everyone and a large tent to set up bunks for sleeping.
HADAH (V.O.)
Houk, you start on getting the facilities set up and I’ll work on a shift schedule up here. How is it going down there?
SANNARO (V.O.)
The Zurans don’t seem to understand the concept of monetary exchange and they have no written language so the Council's having to read the whole treaty with full explanations. Lazha thinks it may take days for them to finish and get down to the signing although I have no idea how they’re going to get people with no written language to have a signature.
HADAH (V.O.)
They may have to record their agreement.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Good idea! I’ll suggest it to Lazha. I’m going now.
HADAH (V.O.)
Talk to you later, San.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Sannaro to Kumani.
KO'EPE (V.O.)
Kumani. What’s up, San?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Lazha wants cafeteria personnel assigned to build a kitchen tent on Gasbaja. We also need a large tent and bunks for sleeping quarters. We’re going to be here a while.
KO'EPE (V.O.)
Houk, we’ll get on it. Anything else?
SANNARO (V.O.)
Nothing more now. Sannaro, out.
A half hour later, two shuttles landed and stevedores buzzed around to erect two large tents.
As Sannaro watched, his ears itched. He scanned behind him. He sensed that Jim was walking up to him.
JIM
Settling in?
SANNARO (V.O.).
We’re working with aliens who don’t have a written language! The whole document has to be read aloud and explained phrase for phrase! We might as well set up the Festival of Ships around this meeting and start where we left off! That is, if the Commanders would only let us take these helmets off!
He thumped the black and red helmet with his hand.
MARC
No written language? When you said they were completely alien, you weren’t kidding!
SANNARO (V.O.)
I sure wasn’t.
HADAH (V.O.)
Hadah to Sannaro.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Houk, Hadah?
HADAH (V.O.)
I’ve finished the rotation schedule and downloaded it into your Vizha'i. Go ahead and implement it when the cafeteria tent's ready to serve.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Houk, I sure will be glad to have my turn!
HADAH (V.O.)
I’m hungry too and my legs are cramping a bit. I wouldn’t mind exchanging places with you.
SANNARO (V.O.)
So let’s rotate sweep patrol and give you a rest. We’re bored down here. It might be good to have a change.
HADAH (V.O.)
Good idea. Gather up your guard to your Vizha'i and we'll land.
Sannaro turned to his patrolmen friends.
SANNARO (V.O.)
I have to go, Marc and Jim. Hadah wants my group to relieve the sweep patrol. Talk to you later. Maybe we can visit when I land for dinner.
MARC
Sound good, San, see you later.
EXT./INT. GASBAJA, SANNARO'S VIZHA'I – DAY
Hours later, Sannaro flew over the camp and sighed as he imagined the people below him who were eating dinner.
ARCAS (V.O.)
Ku-red two to Ku-red one, when do we get relieved?
Sannaro called up the schedule on the screen then looked at his chronometer.
SANNARO (V.O.)
We’ll be relieved any minute, Ku-red two. I’m feeling it too.
He stretched his legs above his foot pedals and shrugged his shoulders to relieve his tight muscles.
He stretched his legs above his foot pedals and shrugged his shoulders to relieve his tight muscles.
HADAH (V.O.)
Take your teams to the cafeteria tent to eat. I’m going to stand you down and give you the first sleep cycle.
SANNARO (V.O.)
That'll be appreciated.
HADAH (V.O.)
You've been busy all day and you were the Zuran escort so I think you deserve it.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Fa’arata. Come on, team, let’s eat.
ARCAS
Ha'iko, it’s about time!
When they entered the tent, Sannaro felt relieved. He pulled off his helmet and clipped it to his hip. He shook his hair out then swept it behind his ears before he joined the food line.
Arcas shielded his face.
ARCAS
Thanks for the shower, San!
Marc poked his head into the tent flap.
MARC
Do you mind if we come too?
SANNARO
Come, Marc.
Soon Marc and Jim entered the tent and stopped beside Sannaro.
MARC
So they finally let you feel the ground?
SANNARO
I want to feel food in my stomach! It’s been a long day.
After they got their food, they found a table and sat down.
SANNARO
So how is it like being on the Yorktown?
JIM
Very different.
MARC
After being on the Kumani so long, the Yorktown seems so stuffy and formal! We’re bunked in a long bunk room with a wall locker for our personals. We have to stand at attention for uniform inspections almost every day! I haven’t had to salute so much since I graduated from the Venus Police and Military Academy!
SANNARO
Difference in culture.
JIM
I didn’t realize how comfortable I had become with the informal.
SANNARO
I hate to break this up, but my team has the first sleep cycle so I need to be going. I’ll see you in the morning.
JIM
Sure, San.
Marc and JIm stood up and left the tent. Sannaro stood.
SANNARO
Ku-red, finish eating so we can hit the bunks.
When everyone was accounted for, they went through a side panel right into the sleeping tent.
Sannaro gratefully sat down on a lower bunk and groaned as he pulled his boots and gloves off.
ARCAS
I can sympathize.
Sannaro stood up and untied his sash, then released his pistol belt. He carefully laid the pistol belt down on the floor with his helmet then did a big stretch. Then, just in his flight-suit, he climbed under the covers and laid down.
SANNARO
See you guys in the morning.
Sannaro settled in to sleep.
INT. GASBAJA – COUNCIL TENT
Two days later, the Council finished and took verbal statements from Elsisk that he understood the conditions of the treaty.
As they were packing the tents up, Sannaro felt a bit sad that he'd have to say good bye to his ADF friends who were being recalled to the Yorktown for the voyage back to Earth.
He was standing outside with his helmet off, enjoying the breeze that blew through his hair when Hadah moved up to him.
HADAH
I’ve just heard some surprising news from Lazha. The Alliance Council's inviting the Astrisi to Earth for a victory celebration.
SANNARO
I’ll actually see Earth?
HADAH
That’s how it sounds. Many of us have never seen it because that's the Uzhume sector. Even I’m feeling excited about it. I’ll even get to see my daughter’s baby boy!
SANNARO
That will be very nice.
HADAH
Well, it’s time to go. You did good work the last few days.
SANNARO
The war is over, Hadah. Do you want to reassign me?
HADAH
What for?
SANNARO
Lazha said I'd be Senior Second for the duration of the war. The war's over now. You have that option.
HADAH
I hadn’t even considered handing the sash off. You’ve proven yourself to be a competent Senior Second so you can call it permanent.
SANNARO
Fa'arata!
HADAH
See you ship-side, San.
Hadah's canopy lowered.
Sannaro pulled on his helmet and climbed into his cockpit.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. KUMANI – UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Almost since the day they left Gasbaja, Sannaro had been working with the rest of the Team-leaders, shuttle and mother-ship pilots to coordinate the large-scale movement of people down to the celebrations on Earth.
He was making sure each pilot knew what shuttle they were assigned to when an announcement was given.
LAZHA (V.O.)
Lazha to everyone, I have some unfortunate news, the Council of Commanders have rendered a decision that no multi-ship bazaar will be set up on Earth. It was decided if the people of Earth saw the talents of all the ships, people will start wanting to order from other ships and cause loss of revenue for the Uzhume. Sorry, I know some of you crafters were wanting a bazaar, but this'll be a completely non-working Us’uata. Prepare ship for arrival at Earth. Lazha, out.
ARCAS
Fausa, Iara was looking forward to making her first public display of her artwork!
SANNARO
Maybe another time.
They walked over to the shuttle Sannaro would pilot along with Arcas as the copilot.
SANNARO
Here we go again!
Sannaro sat in the pilot’s chair beside Arcas to shuttle the passengers.
ARCAS
Houk. Has Zhad cleared Cherna for flying again?
SANNARO
She’s working her own shuttle even though she says her shoulder still feels a little sore.
They had to make several trips before they parked their shuttle at the Houston Spaceport.
They walked through the strange busy building to join the rest of the pilots in their final briefing before they were released to go to the hotel they were assigned.
ARCAS
We’re actually going to live in a very tall building while we’re here instead of tents!
Sannaro listened to an announcement on the intercom announcing that the ADF soldiers were arriving and sensed an eager image of Marc. He allowed his telepathy to guide his vision to a woman with pleasant features and auburn brown hair. He walked up to her and another woman with brown hair who had an image of Jim firm in her mind.
SANNARO
I'm Sannaro of the Astrisi. I'm Team-leader of the team Marc Daniels and Jim Meyers fought in.
The auburn brown haired woman pointed to herself and then to the other woman.
AMBER
I'm Amber Daniels and she's Malia Meyers. I’m glad to meet you, Aurum Sannaro.
SANNARO
Formalities aren’t necessary. I've heard much about both of you from your mates. Congratulations on your recent marriage, Ms. Daniels.
MALIA
Now who’s being formal?
AMBER
Amber and Malia will do, Sannaro.
The doors swung open and the ADF members flowed out.
Somewhere toward the middle of the disembarkation, Marc and Jim came out and rushed over to the women.
They dropped their luggage, then took their respective wives in tight hugs and kissed them.
MARC
So the Astrisi beat us to the landing?
SANNARO
Less briefings, I imagine.
JIM
Malia, I want you to meet our Team-leader during the war. San's been a great help to us when it came to communicating with the Astrisi.
MALIA
He already presented himself. He says you guys talked about us.
MARC
Why not?
Marc sighed happily and pecked Amber’s cheek again.
Sannaro felt the presence of his own mate and embraced her shoulders without looking.
SANNARO
This is my mate, Cherna.
MARC
Hey, can we take you anywhere, like maybe, the celebrations?
SANNARO
We’re getting our assigned accommodations.
CHERNA
I already have them. Hadah only let me fly two trips so I had plenty of time until you were finished to sign for our room.
Sannaro massaged her shoulder a few times.
SANNARO
You're still saying your arm is stiff.
CHERNA
It's doing okay.
JIM
Let’s get out of this Spaceport.
Marc and he picked up their luggage again and began to walk.
Sannaro and Cherna followed the group to their fliers to drop off their luggage.
JIM
You know, since you showed us such nice hospitality, we need to return the favor.
They walked on to the shuttle bus.
MARC
Since I now have a bigger house to get furniture for, I think I’ll look into Astrisi furniture. Amber, you should have seen the beautiful furniture they make themselves for everyday use. They're beautiful! You can choose from any wood that exists anywhere in the Alliance!
JIM
That reminds me, we’re supposed to be at an awards banquet at four tonight in our formal uniforms.
SANNARO
We’ve been invited too. But we Astrisi don't have formal flight uniforms.
CHERNA
I was told to dress in nice clothes and wear our sashes.
Cherna smoothed her sash down her thigh as they stepped up to the shuttle terminal with a mixed group.
Shortly, the bus stopped and they boarded.
After a short flight, they approached some tall metal frame structures. Some were whirling around vertically in a circle. Others were stationary with a long line of connected cars driving at moderate speeds along a track.
SANNARO
What are those? Are they Human flight simulators?
JIM
No, those are copies of old carnival rides. Many common Humans are still fond of those old thrill rides.
CHERNA
Thrill rides? Why would they want to deliberately inflict varying gravitational forces on themselves for fun?
MARC
Because, they can’t get shot out of a ship from a catapult in a Vizha'i.
SANNARO
They think it's fun? I only use catapults for our ship’s defense, not because I like the violent change in velocity.
JIM
Welcome to Earth!
They pulled up to the disembarkation site and they climbed off.
Sannaro cupped his ears.
SANNARO
Although many are excited and delighted, there are also feelings of unease, fear, frustration, and concern. It’s almost overwhelming!
He moved his hands away from his ears.
SANNARO
I'm okay.
BARKER #1
Aurum, try your skill! Simply throw the ball into the basket and win your lady-friend a prize!
SANNARO
Games of skill?
MARC
Yeah, and they're real tricky. Only if you throw the ball at a certain trajectory in a certain slow velocity will the ball stay inside. It’s easier to hit a Senufo at a full run.
JIM
A Senufo is a creature on Alpha Centauri 7 that's commonly hunted by the Brocana. It kind of tastes like venison.
SANNARO
I haven’t eaten venison.
Sannaro watched a long series of cars stop at the track on the ground and humans of many sizes and colors climbed out, giggling nervously.
JIM
Venison is a meat from the Earth animal called the deer.
SANNARO
Oh, I only eat cow.
Sannaro cocked his head to follow an enclosed disk that started horizontal as it spun wildly, then slowly tipped onto its side.
CHERNA
He likes this strange food he calls Cheeseburker that's a flat disk of meat on two slices of bread with cheese on top of the disk.
JIM
You eat Cheeseburgers, San? Well, you’re standing on the planet of the Cheeseburger’s birth! Nothing compares to a good old Terran Cheeseburger!
MALIA
Definitely!
Sannaro gave them his full attention again.
SANNARO
It was invented here?
MARC
Oh, yeah, we could find you a booth that sells them right here!
JIM
Let’s help San find a Cheeseburger.
MALIA
While the guys are feeding their faces, Cherna, would you like to try a ride? It’s almost as good as flying a pursuit.
CHERNA
You know how it feels?
MALIA
I’m ISP too. I’m a Technical Officer assigned to a cruiser.
CHERNA
Then you are another couple like San and me. Surprisingly, it makes for better understanding. I talk with the mates of my pilots and they tell me they don’t understand their mate’s enthusiasm for flying.
AMBER
So pilot to pilot marriages aren’t common?
CHERNA
Not as much as I thought.
SANNARO
It also very rare for someone to mate with their childhood sweetheart!
CHERNA
That just makes me a lucky woman!
Cherna ran off with Malia.
JIM
Childhood sweetheart?
SANNARO
Cherna was one of my best friends when we were growing up. It was a surprise to us all when she revealed her intentions toward me. It made quite a controversy with the Astrisi because she was marrying within her natal ship, which isn't allowed because of interbreeding. Since I'm not even of their race, they made an exception and allowed us to mate.
JIM
Can Saili crossbreed with humanoids?
SANNARO
It’s been done before, but it has to be carefully monitored.
Sannaro picked up his burger and found a table under a sun-canopy to sit down.
JIM
Marc, San, do you realize you guys are the only people here with long sleeved shirts on?
Sannaro looked around at the crowd mostly made up of Terran Humans wearing light summer clothes of shorts and tank tops or t-shirts. He looked down at himself dressed in blue pants tucked into his black boots and his favorite wine-colored sweatshirt with his sleeves pulled up just below his elbows.
SANNARO
I’m the same way back home too. I always wear different clothes than everyone else when I’m not in my flight-suit. Astrisi wear light clothes because of their artificial atmosphere and I’m always in sweats.
MARC
I think it’s a little cool today.
Marc shrugged then looked down at the green lightweight, long sleeved sweater and blue jeans he was wearing.
Sannaro swallowed his first bite.
SANNARO
This is good!
JIM
I told you, you'd like a good old-fashioned Terran Cheeseburger!
When feelings of shocked anxiety swept through him, Sannaro surged out of his chair and looked toward a tall ride.
The feeling was quickly replaced with delightful surprise so he sat down again.
JIM
What’s wrong?
SANNARO
Cherna was anxious about one of the rides, but she’s all right now.
Sannaro returned to his food.
SANNARO
When we’re in combat I concentrate on the battle, Marc, but when I crashed my Vizha'i months ago, Cherna did feel it. That's why she had to retreat from the battle. So sometimes it can be a drawback, but not often.
When Sannaro was finished, they rejoined the women.
Cherna leaned on his shoulder.
CHERNA
Oh, San, what a rush!
SANNARO
You’re making me dizzy!
CHERNA
What?
SANNARO
You’re showing me to whole experience in your mind, love, and it’s making me dizzy watching it.
CHERNA
Oh, sorry.
She backed off a step from his shoulder.
MALIA
Wow, I didn’t know Saili were so sensitive!
CHERNA
Almost womanish.
Sannaro found his face heating up from a blush. He lowered his head so his hair would cover his face.
AMBER
He’s cute when he blushes!
CHERNA
Tell me about it! That’s why I love him.
JIM
Come on, ladies, can’t you see he’s dying of embarrassment?
MARC
Give the guy a breather!
AMBER
You should see how Marc blushes! Yours turns orange and mine turns blue.
Now Marc was turning away to hide his own blush.
JIM
Oh, we saw how both of them flushed a few times.
MALIA
Let’s give them a break now, girls! We wouldn’t want to embarrass our men to death.
Sannaro saw a shooting gallery booth and walked toward it.
SANNARO
You want to play me in that firing range for one of those silly soft toys?
CHERNA
Let's just see who's the better marksman!
JIM
Ah, that's not fair! You two are master marksmen!
Marc pulled out his wallet and paid for two games.
Sannaro and Cherna picked up the toy guns and slipped into firing stances.
The game began.
Sannaro concentrated on firing at the silly little ducks slipping past at a ridiculously slow pace. His aim was perfect. When the game ended, he set down the toy.
BARKER #2
The Aurum's the winner!
BARKER #2 (PSI V.O.)
Damn, I've never seen a Saili shoot that good! That girl was even just one shot short of his score!
Sannaro chuckled as he claimed the ridiculous huge fuzzy brown biped animal with short arms and a smaller biped in a pouch on the belly. He pushed it into Cherna's arms.
SANNARO
I have no idea what that creature is, but you can have it.
MARC
It's an Australian kangaroo.
CHERNA
What's that flat table with those people striking that disk at each other?
JIM
Oh, that's table hockey.
MARC
Amber, you should see the game room in the flight lounge on the Kumani! It has all kinds of war games to play.
AMBER
That sounds like your kind of place, Marc.
MARC
Oh, yeah, I felt at home on that flight deck. I made a few new high scores on some of their games. Thankfully they all spoke Basic.
AMBER
It sounds like it wasn't always terrible out there.
MARC
Oh, we had our hard times. A lot of hard times, but it wasn't all bad.
Sannaro swept his fingertips along the scar around his left leg.
Cherna gripped his left hand and drew it away.
MARC
Anyway, anyone want to try a ride?
CHERNA
Go try one, San. It's kind of fun when you're not worried you're going to get shot at soon after.
SANNARO
Nothing enclosed.
JIM
How about a roller coaster?
Marc pointed to a colossal structure where people were laid on their stomachs in a rack dangling from a monorail.
MARC
The High Flier?
JIM
Oh, that ought to appeal to you two fly-boys.
MARC
You coming, Jim?
JIM
No, believe it or not, I'm not fond of speed rides.
MARC
Oh, so that's why you complain I dump your stomach into the void whenever I launch too quickly?
JIM
You found out my deepest secret.
MARC
Come on, San.
They joined the cue line and several minutes later, they were at the front of the line.
Sannaro was at a loss of what to do when Marc took his arm, pulled him to the slow moving basket and climbed up a few rungs of a ladder into the body couch.
Sannaro leapt onto it and climbed up to nearly the top rung.
MARC
Grab the shoulder handles.
He grabbed the handles just as the basket was closed around his body firmly and the basket lowered to a vertical position.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Are you sure about this?
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Too late to get off now, buddy!
The basket was climbing up a spiral into the air. It came to its apex and slid down a steep grade.
Sannaro felt his hair fly behind him and the air rushed in his face. He felt his stomach drop with the basket.
They flew around a steep bank and doubled back into a loop.
Sannaro gasped and laughed. The gravity pulling at him wasn't any worse than he'd felt before in his Vizha'i, but Cherna was right, it was more fun when you knew you wouldn't be shot at.
The ride rose up in an arch and plunged down toward the ground again, then banked to double back again. The basket slowed and rose back to horizontal again and they were back at the platform.
The baskets opened and Marc climbed out.
Sannaro climbed down beside him and laughed.
SANNARO
That was fun when you knew there were no threats facing you.
MARC
That's the spirit.
Soon they returned to Jim, Malia, Amber and Cherna.
CHERNA
So how was it?
SANNARO
It was a rush.
JIM
Well, now it's almost time for us to go get ready for the banquet tonight.
AMBER
Too soon!
Amber pouted playfully, but she took Marc’s arm and they moved toward the front of the carnival.
They took the shuttle back.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
INT. EARTH HOTEL -DAY
As Sannaro and Cherna walked down the hall on their floor in high spirits, they heard a woman’s voice cussing in Astrisi.
LAZHA
Why do I try to do anything with this luyaki hair!
Cherna peeked into the open room and found Lazha scowling in front of her mirror.
CHERNA
Can I help, Lazha?
LAZHA
If you can do something with this mane, you're welcome to it! Why did I let Ki'el talk me into wearing a luyaki dress?
Lazha sat down on a stool to allow the shorter woman easier reach to her hair.
CHERNA
Because sometimes men like to see us in more than flight-suits all the time.
SANNARO
Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like seeing you in a flight-suit,
Cherna.
LAZHA
You don’t look so bad yourself.
Sannaro buried his head in his arms.
SANNARO
Will women ever stop embarrassing me today?
Cherna chuckled as she took the hairbrush.
CHERNA
Go get yourself dressed, San.
Sannaro shrugged, but stayed there as Cherna brushed Lazha’s mid-back length, curly, red hair. She brushed the sides of Lazha’s hair up to the crown of her head, then picked up a multi-hue silver comb and clipped it into Lazha’s hair, then arranged the curls down the sides and back of her hair.
CHERNA
There, how's that?
Lazha stood up to look in the mirror.
LAZHA
That’s pretty, Cherna, fa’arata.
CHERNA
Ni'chawei.
They went to their own room.
CHERNA
San, how about that royal blue sweater? It really compliments your yellow skin.
SANNARO
How about if I wear black?
CHERNA
Then as Briarko said when you were in No'ama's team, you’d look like a bumblebee. Don’t be nervous, San, it’s an award banquet.
SANNARO
It’s for the ADF so why do we have to attend?
He scowled as he went through his old blue and yellow leather bag.
CHERNA
The ADF may want to thank us for our role in the war!
SANNARO
You’re right, I’m being nervous for nothing. I may just wear that royal blue sweater.
He pulled out that piece of clothing.
Cherna went through her own clothing selections as Sannaro pulled off the sweatshirt and replaced it with the dark blue sweater.
SANNARO
Okay, I'm ready.
CHERNA
You’re going to wear those pants?
SANNARO
Sure, why not? I didn’t drop any food on them.
CHERNA
Men!
SANNARO
Really? At that carnival you were calling me womanish! Make up you mind, woman!
CHERNA
Well, your telepathy does give you more understanding than most humanoid males, but you still can be insensitive at times.
SANNARO
Like when?
CHERNA
Like when you were dressing in your flight-suit to join the last Zuran Offensive! You told me I wouldn’t understand why you had an overwhelming need to join that fight because I was a non-telepath, isolated in my own brain. That hurt me.
He put his arms around her shoulders.
SANNARO
I'm sorry. You're right, that was an insensitive thing to say. I forgot I said that to you in the heat of battle.
CHERNA
So, why were you so frantic to go out?
SANNARO
Hadah had been getting worried that we were being beaten back and were losing ground. He'd been wishing I was out there. I picked it up so I felt I needed to rush out there to join the fight. In my haste, I hurt you and argued with Metei, but because I helped to turn the tide of the battle we were so excited to force the Zurans into retreat and call for a cease-fire, I forgot everything else.
She smiled and kissed him.
CHERNA
I forgive you.
Sannaro grinned and kissed her back.
SANNARO
Please wear that pink two-layer gauzy dress with the purple flowers. That dress looks lovely on you.
CHERNA
San, that under-dress has spaghetti straps with only the gauze layer covering my shoulders!
SANNARO
I know! I love to see a hint of your feminine muscular shoulders.
CHERNA
You're hopeless, Sannaro Damirateyak!
She giggled and pushed him back, but she still took out the requested dress.
SANNARO
I want to stay that way!
A short time later, she was tying her red sash around her waist.
Sannaro stood up to tie his own red sash with the vermilion stripe on the tail around his waist.
Cherna brushed her hair, then swept the left side over her crown and clipped it in place with a clip that had a purple flower on it to match the dress.
As they stepped out of their room, they were met by Lazha who was wearing a V-neck dress in forest green with lighter green stripes running vertically.
LAZHA
How do I look?
SANNARO
Wow, Lazha you look great!
LAZHA
That's a pretty dress you have on, Cherna.
CHERNA
Fa'arata, Sannaro chose it for me.
LAZHA
It complements you.
SANNARO
Where's Ki'el?
LAZHA
Still combing his belongings to find something he wants to wear.
SANNARO PSI V.O.
Hey, Ki'el, find a nice shirt that's green to match Lazha's dress, then get your ass out here!
Ki'el exited in a long sleeve hip-length tunic, cinched in at the waist with his vermilion sash and tan pants tucked into black boots.
KI'EL
The idea was good, San, fa'arata.
LAZHA
What idea?
KI'EL
San suggested I wear a green shirt to compliment your dress, ko'ia. Sometimes I wish I had your telepathy, San, it can be very handy.
SANNARO
Trust me, you wouldn't want it. Sometimes it's just too noisy.
They joined a large group that was awaiting Lazha's presence.
ADARA
You look beautiful, Lazha! And so do you, Cherna!
CHERNA
I guess it's a surprise to see two warrior women made up to look pretty?
SANNARO
I think you look pretty in your flight-suit.
ADARA
You'd think she's pretty in anything!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Or nothing at all!
CHERNA
San!
She slapped him playfully on his shoulder.
LAZHA
Sometimes I wonder what these two talk about in their heads!
ZHAD
I don't know, it might be too embarrassing.
Surprisingly, Danu, who'd been silent through the conversation, blushed.
DI'OK
What's got you so hot under the collar?
DANU
Nothing.
Danu glanced toward Varanani as the shuttle drove up to them.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What's up with Danu?
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Other than consoling him while you were busy?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Owe, my bad decisions are coming back to haunt me today. Cherna got me on an unkind thing I said to her after my ear was healed and I was in a hurry to join the battle and now you.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
We all make decisions in life, San, some are good and some are bad.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You sound like a Psychology major.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Thank you.
They boarded the bus and sat down.
CHERNA
Talking to your sister?
SANNARO
I'm surprised you didn't join the link.
CHERNA
I'm learning that sometimes it's not good to pry. I've always teased Di'ok about being nosy, but I've begun to realize I'm not one to talk.
Sannaro entwined his fingers in hers then looked down at his left leg.
SANNARO
That's very mature. I've had to do some rethinking too since I've been dealing with my near amputation. I've realized I can handle a little limp. It's better than no leg at all. It wasn't Zhad's fault for doing what he had to do. He had to save the leg and to do that he needed to cut out some bone so the muscles wouldn't be over-strained. He was so hurt when I stormed out of his office. I hurt him and then days later I hurt you because I was still angry about the petty loss of just one inch.
CHERNA
An inch is significant on a leg.
SANNARO
A whole leg is worse. An inch can be compensated for without a big overhaul of your life. I have to remember that.
CHERNA
I guess we're growing up.
SANNARO
The hard way.
CHERNA
Isn't that always how the Astrisi do it?
The bus stopped at a convention center and they left the bus.
The banquet hall was large with four sets of long tables lined up ten deep. At the front was a dais with a huge banner behind it of the symbol of the Terran Alliance.
Beside the banner on the left was a flag of the ADF and on the right was a banner on a T-pole of the Astrisi Firebird.
At the entrance was a view screen with a map of the hall with seating assignments. The first table below the Astrisi Firebird was reserved for the Commanders and Senior Council Members with one exception, Di'ok was assigned to sit beside Parik.
The next table showed Sannaro and Cherna along with their teams. Hadah's team was next with No'ama then the next table was Noki and Eslin's teams. The next tables were for Zhad, Adara and any other Astrisi attending. They moved down the aisle to their table.
CHERNA
I wonder why Di'ok gets to sit with Lazha and Parik?
SANNARO
We'll find out. I can't believe how controlled this is.
CHERNA
Didn't Marc and Jim say Humans are very dependent on procedure and rank?
SANNARO
Something like that.
Sannaro stopped at the first chair and saw a place card with his full name, Aurum Sannaro Damirateyak, on it. Underneath his name was printed that he was the Assistant Senior Team-leader and Team-leader of the Red Team, Kumani, Astrisi. He reached over across the table and picked up the opposite place card. It read: Cherna, Team-leader of the White Team, Kumani, Astrisi. The next card beside his read Arcas, Assistant Team-leader of the Red Team, Kumani, Astrisi.
CHERNA
Do we sit where our names are?
SANNARO
I guess we do. I wonder who supplied our names?
Arcas walked up dressed in a red shirt that had a peasant collar with blousy sleeves that cuffed tightly at the wrist. The yellow sash with the red tail-stripe looked like it was a part of the ensemble and his pants were maroon, tucked inside black boots.
CHERNA
Nice, Arc.
ARCAS
It's not too much? Iara designed it. She says I look good in red.
SANNARO
Actually, she's right. I see you every day in red and I think it compliments you.
ARCAS
Did Cherna tear that old dark red sweatshirt off you? You're actually wearing something else! Royal Blue, no less!
SANNARO
Ha, ha, I think this does warrant changing clothes.
CHERNA
At least the shirt!
A man in a formal military uniform stepped up to the dais.
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats. The evening's activities are about to begin.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Hey, San!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hi, Marc.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Cherna's looking a knockout tonight!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yeah, Lazha and Cherna were joking earlier about how rarely female warriors dress up like Ladies!
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Wow, is that Tisa over there in Chartreuse?
Sannaro looked down the table at his pilot who was, indeed, in yellow-green with a low neckline.
CHERNA
Stop staring, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Well, like you said earlier, female warriors dress up so rarely, it's kind of surprising! It was Marc's fault I looked. He pointed her out to me.
CHERNA
Oh, right, and he's not even near to defend himself!
ANNOUNCER
Please stand for the presentation of colors.
ARCAS
What colors?
They stood.
They heard the clap, clap of hard-shoe feet hitting the floor simultaneously, then four males and one female, all humans in uniform entered the room in a line. Three of the men brought in a smaller version of the symbol of the Terran Alliance standing above a flag of the ADF on the left and the Astrisi banner on the other. They were flanked on both sides by a man and a woman carrying rifles. The soldiers marched up to the dais and placed the flags into stands behind the dais. They marched back out the doors.
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in Terran Alliance Pledge of Allegiance.
ADF
We pledge to the Terran Alliance to honor the brave colonists who ventured into space for exploration and knowledge!
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Astrisi code.
LAZHA (PSI V.O.)
San, the war-cry, the war-cry! Tell everyone!
SANNARO PSI V.O.
Astrisi, speak the war-cry!
ASTRISI
Ha'ao moku hata'ala, tuisa, ta chatisora!
ANNOUNCER
Thank you, Astrisi. Please, take your seats.
Everyone sat.
ANNOUNCER (CONT.)
Now we will hear from our honorary guest speaker, the Speaker of the Terran Alliance Council, Howard Bell.
BELL
Ladies and Gentlemen of the ADF, ISP and the Astrisi, I stand here today as a proud man. I am proud that this hastily joined fighting force integrated themselves into an unbeatable fighting force that indefatigably fought the Zuran invasion force back to their region of space. I especially thank the twelve ships of the Astrisi for helping in the defense of our territory. It had to be very strange for many of you to have to work together in foreign cultures to protect our ways of life. I also want to give a special thanks to the rescuers of the captured Delegation. Please rise when I say your names: Aurum Assistant Senior Team-leader Sannaro Damirateyak, Team-leader Cherna, Lieutenant Marcayo Daniels, and Technical Officer 3 James Meyers.
Sannaro and Cherna blushed as they stood up. Marc and Jim casually stood up as if it was routine for them.
BELL
These men and woman went beyond the call of duty to bring our Delegation back from the Zurans.
The people in the room clapped thunderously. Bell waited until it subsided.
BELL
Now, I wish for all to meet a very special young man. Di'ok, please join me.
He waved at Di'ok who was as red as his hair, but he walked up to the dais.
BELL
This young man was with the Delegation as interpreter for the Astrisi's Senior Councilman Parik of the Kumani. It was his bravery in the face of horrendous pain that encouraged the Delegation to continue their resistance with the Zurans.
The room exploded with many men and women hooting rhythmically. Soon all the Astrisi joined in the noise.
Di'ok looked like he wanted to duck behind the podium, but Speaker Bell had him around the shoulders, beaming with approval. Minutes later, Bell raised his arms above his head to signal all to quiet down again.
The silence was as deafening as the noise had been. He waited for a minute so that everyone's hearing could return to normal.
BELL
Rescue team members, please join me.
Sannaro shared a startled look with Cherna before they met Marc and Jim at the dais.
BELL
It is my pleasure to award each of you with this plaque, issued by the Alliance Council in appreciation for your daring rescue of the Ambassadors.
He handed Sannaro a plaque into his left hand, then shook his right. He did it again for Cherna, Di'ok, Marc, and Jim.
Bell held up a circular patch that showed a bird-of-prey on the left and a flaming firebird on the right with their claws reaching out menacingly toward a Zuran modified Sjujeenya.
BELL
Also, to be awarded is this patch. It has been agreed by both the ADF and the Astrisi that all active veterans of the Zuran war will wear this permanently on their respective uniforms.
He handed a patch to each of them.
BELL
Senior Assistant Team-leader Sannaro, would you like to speak as the commander of the rescue operation?
SANNARO
I want to translate what we Astrisi said tonight because I definitely think it applies here. Ha'ao hui moku hata'ala, tu'isu, ta chatisora; May we face our enemy with strength, courage, and unity. That's what all of us here did, we fought off the Zurans with strength of arms, thank the native Belvans for their invaluable roll in that, courage, I will say that I routinely work with very courageous men and women. I found Marc, Jim, Sid Powers and Greg Thatcher as courageous as any Astrisi I've fought alongside and because of that, we found a Unity that crossed language barriers and cultural bias. We have faced our enemy with strength, courage, and unity and we are victorious!
He held the patch up in the air, feeling the heady excitement of many voices raised in wholehearted agreement.
When the hall was quiet again, Bell returned to the microphone. He wiped his eyes.
BELL
That was a powerful speech, Team-leader Sannaro! Thank you for your translation of your Astrisi oath. It was very moving.
They returned to their seats.
CHERNA
Are you all right, San?
SANNARO
I wish you could have felt it, Cherna! When I held that patch above my head, it was like- like all minds in this room became one! It was a joining that was-
CHERNA
You're overwhelmed! It must have been ethereal!
SANNARO
Houk, ethereal.I'll always feel pride when I see this patch on my flight-suit. Let's put it right under the Kumani's patch on the forearm.
CHERNA
Suggest that to Hadah and see what the rest of the Senior Team-leaders think about it.
Commander Leighson stepped up to the microphone.
LEIGHSON
Before we wrap up this night’s festivities, I want to give a special thank you to Di'ok’s replacement, Communications Liaison Ko'epe. He was valuable to me throughout the conflict. Thanks, Ko'epe, and that’s Koh-ay-pay not Kwipy!
Ko'epe put his head in his hands to cover his blush.
Once Commander Leighson stepped down from the podium, they had the retreat ceremony where the same color guard reentered, took up the three flags, then marched out of the room again.
INT. HOUSTON SPACEPORT – DAY
The next morning, Marc, Amber, Jim and Malia met Sannaro and Cherna at the Spaceport.
Sannaro and Cherna were again dressed in their flight-suits with the new Combined Forces Zuran war patch attached to the right forearm just below the symbol of the Kumani. Sannaro handed Marc a box that was about 8x12.
SANNARO
Marc, Amber, we brought you something to celebrate your mating.
Marc and Amber gave surprised looks as Amber walked over to a chair and sat down to open the box. She pulled out a tall solid object, swathed in paper. Marc carefully helped her take the paper off then gasped. It was a ceramic jar with multicolored swirls around it of russet, brown, light blue and orange.
AMBER
It's beautiful!
SANNARO
It was crafted by my foster-mother Adara.
CHERNA
For your new home.
Amber hugged them both.
AMBER
Oh, thank you!
MARC
We’ll always treasure it!
SANNARO
We'll it's about time for us to get to work flying passengers back to the Kumani. It's been great working with you, Marc, Jim.
MARC
I'll never forget it. We made a great team.
HADAH
San, Cheri, let's get going, detail in five minutes.
SANNARO
As we Astrisi say; until we meet again.
CHERNA
We never say Good bye.
JIM
I guess I see why, you always come back to port. So, then, I'll see you another time.
MARC
I'll look forward to meeting you again. See you later.
Cherna gave Marc and Jim a hug, then they moved toward the outer door to return to space as Marc and Jim turned toward the parking garage to return to their former lives and wives.
SUPER: KELLIN
You wanted to give Sannaro training? I almost sliced his leg off! That burned him nicely.
SUPER: TAREK/SIKYATAVO
Yet he got back up, continued the fight and won!
SUPER: KELLIN
Those pesky Belvans!
SUPER: TAREK/SIKYATAVO
They always were my allies.
SUPER: KELLIN
You may have won a large victory here but it's far from over!
SUPER: TAREK/SIKYATAVO
I'll be ready for you.
FADE OUT.
THE END.