Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“TO TAME a FIREBIRD”
EPISODE 38 – ULTIMATUM
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro licked his dry lips as he did a systems check on his Vizha'i for the fifth time.
Half of Cherna’s White Team were already locked into the catapults on the launch deck above them and the other half were idling on the lift to take their places once they were launched. All the teams except the Blue team were ready to be pulled out behind the White Team.
After a few minutes more, Sannaro popped his canopy and stood up on his seat. He wanted to be out of that tight cockpit. When he was in action, his claustrophobia didn’t bother him, but the wait was breaking his concentration.
Sannaro’s headphone activated.
RETAL (V.O.)
This is Retal, San, stand down from alert status.
SANNARO
I can still sense the ADF, Retal!
RETAL (V.O.)
We’re being herded to Earth to face the Allied Council. Stand down and await further orders.
SANNARO
Herded to Earth? Why are we being herded to Earth?
RETAL (V.O.)
Seems we’re under arrest for attacking Arcturus.
Sannaro sank down onto the cockpit wall.
SANNARO
Attacking Arcturus? Fausa, I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand! Nui!
Sannaro rolled up into a ball in his flight seat.
RETAL
Are you all right, San?
Above him stood Metei and Zhuni who returned the flight stairs to the side of his fighter-ship.
Sannaro took a few deep breaths and uncurled himself.
SANNARO
I’m all right. Metei, stand down the alert and return all Vizha'i.
METEI
Houk, San. Are you sure you’re okay?
SANNARO
I’m okay. I’m just a bit stressed.
Sannaro climbed out of the fighter. He pulled his helmet off and clipped it to his left hip.
Once the Vizha'i were back in their parking spaces, angry pilots rushed him.
ARCAS
We’re being herded to Earth?
ITAI
How dare Arcturus say that we attacked them! We can show them a real attack!
DA'IU
Would serve them right!
DRU'AS
We’ll burn their whole colony!
Many fighter pilots yelled their approval.
SANNARO
Stop! No one's going to burn anything! We all need to calm down and think this through reasonably.
PAKWA
They’re being unreasonable! We should go out and destroy the ADF Dreadnoughts, then go where they can’t follow us!
SANNARO
Nui!
The whole Flight Deck quieted to the humming of machinery.
SANNARO
That was tried once before and that’s why Belso eventually died. Hadah is thinking wisely in his decision to go with the ADF to talk with the Alliance Council. We must support his decision because it's our duty as Vizha'e. Sure, you’re angry that the Alliance would gang up on us like this. Now we need to listen to them so we can resolve the matter; not make it worse. All pilots except for Yellow Team are dismissed. The watch schedule will be followed as planned until we’re given further orders. Dismissed.
Sannaro plowed through the sea of bodies and rushed across the deck to the pilot’s lounge.
He rushed through the door to his Assistant Senior Fighter Pilot’s office almost too fast for the door to part out of his way. He leaned against the wall behind his desk and buried his head in his arms.
He heard the door open again.
He was about to say he wanted to be alone when he sensed the very familiar mind of Cherna. She put her arms around his chest and pressed her head into his back.
CHERNA
I felt you get upset about what Retal said over the tac-net. This incident has nothing to do with the attack on Regalis.
SANNARO
It’s close enough.
SANNARO'S VISION
He had been brought home from school at lunchtime that day because the bully Jake Arlington slammed his ear into a wall and he needed it treated by his mother. She had just discovered that Sannaro had seen Jake’s father and the mining foreman steal fuel from the warehouse and was taking his sister Varanani, brother Devakio and he to the mining camp to confront Foreman Aldinon when the attack began.
Sannaro was pulled by his mother’s hand as she stomped through the hard dirt street with Varanani and Devakio rushing behind. He was so intent on keeping up with his mother, he almost fell into the dark hole that tore through his mind. He telepathically watched in horror as his father's mental essence was swallowed by that black maw, then was gone.
His mother dropped his hand and began to run.
DAMIRA
No, Giovano!
LITTLE SANNARO
Daddy, Daddy, don't go away!
Sannaro ran as fast as his little legs could go as his mother ran through the streets toward the mining camp.
Varanani grabbed Sannaro by his shoulders, but Devakio ran after their mother.
He wiggled out of Varanani's grasp and chased after Devakio.
DAMIRA
Giovano, don't leave me!
She finally reached the edge of town as the alien shuttle was opening its cargo hold.
The air held the acrid smell of fire. Red and orange flames poured from the windows of the mining office and a black column of thick smoke billowed into the air.
Aldinon ran down the hill and met up with Sannaro's mother.
ALDINON
Damira! No, lady, you must leave! Go to your children. Giovano’s dead and the Independents are angry.
Fighter ships screamed as they sliced through the puffy, white clouds. They hovered like birds of prey, while a fleet of shuttles landed beside the other shuttle at the storage area.
Gritty wind stung Sannaro's face from the landing thrusters.
The wind gust nearly knocked Devakio to the ground as he raced to catch up with his mother.
Rough-looking men and women jumped out and manned the crane, stacking the seranium cases into the shuttle.
Varanani yelped from behind Sannaro. He heard the gravel scritch in a quick rhythm. He saw a glint of yellow and black of his sister in his peripheral vision.
His mother ran back toward them.
DAMIRA
My habi!
Aldinon looked into the sky.
ALDINON
A fighter's coming! Go, woman!
Aldinon ran toward his mother to push her along.
The fighter fired.
Time slowed eerily as Sannaro sprinted behind Devakio toward their mother.
She was bathed in the lance of energy that went through her chest, jumped across to Devakio's middle then hit the ground before Sannaro's feet.
A wall of flame erupted ahead of him.
His stomach lurched at the acrid stench of his own burned flesh as he was propelled several feet through the air.
Intense pain caused his body to shake uncontrollably. He slammed into the ground and felt the rocks of the road tear his skin off his face and chest. The fire within his lungs robbed him of his breath before everything became black.
BACK TO KUMANI TEAM-LEADER OFFICE
CHERNA
No matter how many times you relive that, it hurts so bad!
Sannaro turned around within her arms. He shuddered.
SANNARO
I know that’s a drawback about having a marriage link with a telepath. The non-telepath feels everything the telepath does during close contact.
CHERNA
It’s glorious during sex!
SANNARO
You’re hopeless.
CHERNA
May I never be rescued.
She kissed his lips. He slipped from her arms and went to his desk.
SANNARO
There’s so much to do. I have to move my personal items over to the Senior office and I have to choose who'll be my Assistant. Everybody has hair-trigger tempers and the ADF is flying parallel with tempers just as short. I have to thank Gavasno again the next time I see him for teaching me how to control my telepathy with the precision of a Saili Police Tracker or I'd go insane with all these angry minds around me.
CHERNA
I remember when you did go insane when the Deviant Saili first came to the Kumani to live until we found them a planet to colonize. That was so scary how you ran through the ship to try to get away from the overwhelming emotions and almost threw yourself out an airlock.
SANNARO
Gavasno was the one who brought me back and worked with me to block out most of the emotions. But it still is a lot of work when emotions run high like right now.
CHERNA
What's going to happen to us? What's the Alliance going to do when we’re at Earth?
SANNARO
I don’t know. I hope it will just be a trial. We may be able to prove it was only self-defense.
CHERNA
A trial?
CHERNA'S VISION
Cherna stepped from the stands and took one step toward Sannaro before Lazha grabbed her arms and led her out into the hall.
CHERNA
Please, Lazha, we can’t leave him alone like this!
LAZHA
He’s not alone. We’re still here for him.
Lazha stroked Cherna’s hair.
Cherna stayed in the comfort of Lazha’s arms as she led them into the hall.
The doors were closed behind them.
She jumped when she heard Sannaro’s furious scream.
SANNARO (V.O.)
Verano! Please, not again! Oh, blessed Firebird! Uncle Devasru, don’t let them hand me to Verano!
DEVASRU
Verano? Hiamovi, you were sanctioning him all along!
When the doors opened, Cherna slipped out of Lazha’s arms and rushed into the room.
Sannaro was collapsed in a heap on the floor shaking.
HIAMOVI
As Grand Akuba, I find his research is useful to the Saili. You may have your nephew back after the rehabilitation as long as you accept the conditions that he is to be rigidly taught proper Saili behavior. If you tell him anything about his Astrisi past, you and your family will be dealt with harshly. Do you accept these conditions?
CHERNA
That's not fair!
LAZHA
(whispered)
Quiet, Cherna! Now is not the time!
VARANANI
What about me?
HIAMOVI
You will return with your uncle and promise you will never go off-world again. You may live with your brother under the conditions I have named to your uncle. Do you both accept these conditions?
VARANANI
Oh, San, I'm sorry!
CHERNA
But what about me? What about our baby?
HIAMOVI
Your fetus will be aborted and you will leave.
LAZHA
But you're sentencing her to die!
HIAMOVI
And this Marriage link should not have been encouraged to be made. Sannaro is a child, too young to be sexually active. I don't care what happens to the Astrisi girl. Sannaro must be reintegrated into the Saili with no further connection with non-Saili.
Sannaro slammed his body against the bars.
SANNARO
NO! You'll kill us both!
HIAMOVI
Without memory, you should forget your relationship with her.
SANNARO
I don't want to forget her!
He reached out for Cherna.
Cherna ran to grasp his hand.
Saili guards grabbed her and pushed her back to Lazha.
Cherna fell against Lazha.
CHERNA
Nui!
HIAMOVI
Furthermore, all relations with the other worlds will be severed except for one representative to the Terran Planetary Alliance. Further civil unrest will result in severe punishment. Human-like behavior will be no longer tolerated. Any violators will be given similar treatment in rehabilitation. This trial has ended.
Hiamovi led the panel toward the door.
Cherna jerked her head up when she felt like the whole room exploded in anger like a volcano’s eruption.
The crowd surged forward and spilled around the cage. The cage rose off the floor and
with a mighty roar, the cage crashed onto its side.
Sannaro was surrounded and herded from the room.
Another group of Saili surrounded Lazha, Zhad and her and pushed them along to the Flight Deck.
Cherna frantically held on to Zhad to keep herself from falling as the living sea of metallic people who pushed the three of them onto the shuttle Lazha piloted Zhad and her to the trial.
Through a haze of despair, Cherna saw Lazha close the hatch, quickly go through the pre-launch checks and fly the shuttle out of Vagakta Station.
Cherna collapsed into Zhad’s arms and sobbed continuously until they landed on the Kumani.
BACK TO KUMANI FLIGHT OFFICES
Sannaro turned to her and took her in his arms.
SANNARO
That wasn’t a fair trial, Cheri. Grand Akuba Hiamovi tried to use the cover of a trial to show the Deviants and Gonkacha Saili what would happen to them if they didn’t behave the way the Grand Akuba wanted them to. I was as devastated about it as you were. I'd begged them to take me home to the Kumani, but they were desperate for me to continue the war I started on Vagakta Station. You were always on my mind while I fought in that civil war. This instance is different because Arcturus didn’t rise up and attack us. I lived with humans for seven years of my life and I found there were more good people than there was bad. Unfortunately, Belso only met the bad people of our community. We know some good humans who're in places of authority and remember how we contributed to the Zuran War. We must try to trust they'll be on our side.
ENTER HADAH.
HADAH
Don’t be so sure. The threat came from Ambassador Jonathan Daniels.
SANNARO
I hate when people sneak up on me.
HADAH
Sorry, San, I didn’t realize you were so absorbed with your mate. The door wasn’t locked.
SANNARO
We weren’t being intimate.
HADAH
But very close. I understand you both are worried about what’s going to happen to us. I’m worried too. As soon as I get handed the sash, a monumental crisis falls right into my lap and I don’t even know the job.
SANNARO
What matters most right now is to keep everyone calm. I’ve already talked to the Vizha'e about not attacking the ADF.
HADAH
I had to give a similar talk on the bridge.
SANNARO
I’m beginning to understand why Lazha refused to get into an incident with the Saili and the Alliance when I begged her to let me stay on the Kumani after Uncle Devasru, Aunt Tsekani, Varanani and I was rescued before we could be taken by the pirates. At the time I was so angry that she told me I had to stay with Uncle Devasru and go to Sailia.
HADAH
Believe me, it wasn’t easy for her to refuse you. She came to me and cried because she knew how unhappy you were and how helpless she felt.
CHERNA
So why's Jonathan Daniels turning on us? Di'ok told me he's an honorable man who believes in talking things out.
HADAH
He’s now the Speaker for the Allied Council of Representatives. You know how in council a decision can be made by most, but the Senior doesn’t agree. Even though the Senior doesn’t agree, he’s bound to carry out the decision of the council. I’m hoping that's the position Jonathan Daniels is in.
SANNARO
I hope so. I’m still good friends with his son Marcayo. I'd hate to see that friendship strained.
HADAH
Anyway, I really didn’t come up here just to have the comforting company of friends. I received a communication from the ADF. They’re telling us to close down the flight decks. The only systems up here that can be functional are the retrieval ramp and the shuttles.
SANNARO
Fausa, now they’re telling us what systems we can run?
HADAH
Houk, and we are going to comply.
CHERNA
That stinks worse than the ikata recycling plant!
SANNARO (V.O.)
Cheri, be calm. We’ll all work this out. I hate to say this, but I’m glad the Astrisi have finally been brought to answer for our actions.
CHERNA
What? How can you say that, San?
Hadah’s brow wrinkled as he looked to Sannaro and then to Cherna.
HADAH
What?
CHERNA
How could you be glad about this? The ADF is arresting us and you're glad?
SANNARO
Belso avoided the Alliance after the attack on my colony Regalis because he didn’t want to answer for what he did there.
Cherna cringed.
Hadah glared and crossed his arms.
SANNARO
I know what I'm saying hurts both of you. I'm just saying, don’t make that mistake again, Hadah. Firmly state our reasons for the storming of the warehouse and trust the Humans that they'll make a fair conclusion.
HADAH
Do you think that'll make a difference, Sannaro? They’re human! Many dislike Astrisi!
SANNARO
And have we given them much reason to like the Astrisi? We come into their colonies swaggering with pistols on our hips. We snub the Human police and do anything we want to, but they tolerate us because we have good art, good technology to sell and our shipping record's the best because freighters don’t keep a full skisla defense force on call anytime they get attacked by pirates!
HADAH
Well, I guess you’re right.
CHERNA
It looks like we’ve pushed them a little too far this time.
SANNARO
Houk, it does. I’m sorry I upset both of you. I’ve been remembering how terrified I was when I was seven and saw my mother and brother die in front of me as well as the agony of being hit by that same laser bolt. I’ll start shutting down the Flight Decks.
Sannaro slipped around his desk and went out the door.
Just as Sannaro was about to go down the stairs, he was blasted by hot animosity.
Ku'an rushed through the pilot’s lounge door and stomped up the stairs. He stabbed his finger at Sannaro’s chest.
KU'AN
Now see what you’ve done, you stubborn unkakab? Before you came and made the Astrisi weak-minded we would've attacked those arrogant humans for daring to threaten us!
Sannaro stepped back away from the raw fury. A cold anger swelled in him.
SANNARO
That would have been foolish.
KU'AN
It was foolish for us to listen to you in the first place! Now you have us groveling at the human’s feet to beg for mercy! They should be asking us for mercy while we pound their precious ADF into space-dust!
Hadah and Cherna joined them in the hall.
SANNARO
I’m Vizha'e, I know what we can do and what the ADF fighters can do. I can tell you that although we may get some hits in, the ADF will slaughter us, including your daughter! Those of you with your narrow-minded no-one-tells-us-what-to-do attitude are who will destroy the Astrisi!
HADAH
Sannaro didn't convince me to surrender to the ADF. I made that choice as the Commander of this ship.
KU'AN
You’ve helped that alien every step of the way just like Lazha has! Both of you have forgotten how to be Astrisi because of Sannaro’s corruption! We should take that sash away from you and give it to someone who will preserve our Astrisi ways!
Ku'an stomped down the stairs and left the pilot’s lounge.
Sannaro leaned against the wall and bowed his head.
Cherna put her arms around him.
CHERNA
Don’t listen to my father. He can be so mean when he’s angry.
HADAH
Whoa, can he. Don’t listen to Ku'an. I’m not going to. I made the decision to listen to what the Humans want to say because I think that running away from the consequences or fighting against taking responsibility for our actions is more cowardly. I need to get back to the bridge.
Sannaro sensed Cherna enter his mind radiating with sympathy. He took her in his arms and nestled his head into her shoulder.
A few minutes later, Sannaro pulled back from her and stroked her cheek.
SANNARO
I have to shut down the flight decks.
He turned from her and went down the stairs.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. TERRAN ALLIANCE COUNCIL CHAMBER
Jonathan Daniels sighed with relief as he entered the stadium-style council room of the Terran Alliance and stepped up to the podium.
JON
I have spoken with all twelve of the Astrisi Commanders. Even though they each met my announcement with varying hostility, they have all agreed to voyage to Earth.
Mutters of disappointment or relief fluttered through the chamber.
Zerbeck Matauni sprang from his seat.
ZERBECK
We should push those Astrisi out at gun point! We’ve suffered enough at the hands of those arrogant space gypsies!
He turned around to the majority of the council.
ZERBECK
How many deaths do we endure before we make them pay for what they’ve done to us?
Eradano of the New Saili stood up.
ERADANO
Mister Zerbeck Matauni, I'm not without sympathy for the loss of lives the Astrisi have caused, but as the Representative of the New Saili, I have a different perspective toward the Astrisi. Our Astrisi-trained Saili warrior Sannaro was instrumental in our conflict with the Government of Sailia to strive for a Saili culture where interaction with people other than the Saili was tolerated.
Jon noticed the representative for Sailia wore a stone mask of disapproval. He knew there was still bad blood between the two Saili factions, but Ambassador Eradano continued as if he either didn’t know or didn’t care.
ERADANO
Because of the Astrisi and his help, we exiled Saili have a thriving new colony. I would mourn the loss of the Astrisi and highly encourage the Astrisi’s current cooperation. The Astrisi have a very practical side we must implore to. Please, I ask that we reserve judgment until we have the Astrisi response to our conditions.
JON
I motion we adjourn until the twelve Astrisi ships arrive at Earth before this issued is discussed further.
The majority voted to adjourn.
Jon tapped the gavel and returned to his speaker's office.
INT. KUMANI TEAM-LEADER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
Sannaro sat at the head of the table in the Fighter-pilot’s conference room with the other Team-leaders around the table.
SANNARO
We’re nearing Earth.
NO'AMA
The Flight Decks are so empty it’s scary.
NOKI
I still think we should have fought the ADF!
NO'AMA
San was right to stand us down.
NOKI
I’d expect you to say that, now that your Tasra's Commander of the Ship!
ARCAS
That was low, Yuri. Get your head out of your ass and think rationally!
SANNARO
Enough! We’re not here to criticize decisions that have already been made. We’re here to discuss the replacement for Blue Team-leader and choose my Assistant Senior.
NO'AMA
I’m happy to stay a Team-leader, San. I’ve had to hear about how difficult the job is from Hadah. I don’t consider myself senior fighter pilot material.
NOKI
I can hardly keep up with my Team-leader responsibilities.
SANNARO
That leaves Arcas or Cherna. You both have worked extensively with me and you both have stepped in on the job during my absences.
ARCAS
That was not fun.
CHERNA
I didn’t think it was that bad.
ARCAS
Good enough, you can have it.
SANNARO
Wait, Cherna’s my mate. If we have disagreements or I need my assistant to work overtime, it'll affect our married life and our family.
NOKI
You two have been wing-mates since before you became mates or Vizha'e and nothing has torn your joining.
NO'AMA
Noki’s got a point, but if strife ever happens, you can call on us to help the two of you out.
SANNARO
Okay, will you do it, Cheri?
CHERNA
I’ll do it. Are we destined to be mates in all things?
SANNARO
I guess we are. Now, we need to choose the new Blue Team-leader.
CHERNA
I think Batu's ready to move up.
NO'AMA
Vaki isn’t too bad.
ARCAS
How about Hadah’s second, Tasko?
SANNARO
Okay, we have three candidates, Batu, Vaki and Tasko. They’re all fine pilots and Batu and Tasko are Assistant Team-leaders at the present time. Who do we choose?
ARCAS
Tisa’s been a great Assistant Team-leader.
SANNARO
Sorry, same reason I wouldn’t let Hadah take you when I first was given Assistant Senior during the Zuran War, Arcas, I need my second right now while I’m learning a new job.
NOKI
You’re always being given a new job!
SANNARO
Do you have a problem with Hadah’s choice to succeed him?
NOKI
Houk! It’s always Sannaro saved the ship when he was fourteen! Sannaro got his junior sash when he was sixteen! Sannaro got his Assistant Senior sash when he was twenty! Sannaro stresses his Vizha'i not the Vizha'i stressing him! He can take 10 Gs without batting an eyelash! Sannaro is more Astrisi than those born to the life! When is it the rest of our ikata turn? Fausa, you’ve already outlived most of us Vizha'e and you can live for another hundred ikata years!
Sannaro felt his face heat up. He bowed his head and his hair fell to cover his face. He had to calm down before he threw Noki through the wall.
SANNARO
You’re right about all of it. You’ve had your chances. You were a Team-leader before I was. You could have been chosen for a Senior position for reasons of seniority. But, last I checked, positions are given on skill, not seniority. So, do you want to challenge me on the mats for my position or hand me your sash?
Noki’s face reddened.
HADAH (V.O.)
Attention, everyone, we are pulling into Earth. Upper Flight Bay, prepare to meet an ADF boarding party. Do not threaten them; give them your full cooperation.
Noki snarled up at the speaker.
SANNARO
Arcas, remove Noki from the Flight Bay, then join the rest of us at the retrieval lift.
ARCAS
Houk, San. Let’s go, Noki, don’t try to fight me or it’ll make your situation worse.
NOKI
It can’t get worse than this!
ARCAS
It can get a hell of a lot worse.
Arcas pulled Noki out the doors.
Once the conference room doors closed, Sannaro turned to the rest.
SANNARO
Now, is anyone else going to challenge my position?
NO'AMA
I told you, I’m satisfied to be a Team-leader.
CHERNA
I know you've always been more skilled than I, San.
SANNARO
Then let’s meet the ADF.
They walked to the retrieval lift and stopped in the safe area. Arcas rejoined them.
The warning klaxon rang and the lift lowered.
When the lift clanked into the floor, the hatches of the ADF shuttles whooshed open and ADF soldiers rushed out with their laser rifles held vertical in their hands.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Keep your hands away from your guns and raise your hands above your heads to tell them we won’t attack them.
Sannaro demonstrated by raising his arms up.
CORON
Who’s the leader here?
SANNARO
I am Senior Fighter Pilot Sannaro. Could you please remove your ship from the retrieval lift? Keeping it there is unsafe.
The man turned around and waved to one of the men.
A dark-haired man broke from the group and ran over to them.
CORON
Tell Kowalski to move the shuttle off that lift.
The man nodded, then ran back to the shuttle and returned up the ramp.
The ramp pulled back and thankfully, the pilot hovered to a shuttle parking space and set down again.
SANNARO
Thank you, sir. Now, may I ask who I’m talking to?
CORON
Colonel Coron of the Alliance Defense Force. We’ve got orders to guard both Flight Decks to close off the Lower Flight Deck and limit access to the Upper Flight Deck.
SANNARO
We will cooperate. I've already shut down everything, but the retrieval ramp you came in on.
CORON
Good, we’ll take it from here. I also want all your weapons confiscated and brought to me in the next three hours.
SANNARO
It'll be done. Can I have access to the flight lounge and flight offices?
CORON
Where are they?
SANNARO
Forward wall, beyond the Fighter-ships.
CORON
Show me.
Sannaro stepped back.
He walked past the Vizha'i to the forward wall and stood in the door’s track to allow Coron to enter first.
Coron looked around the lounge’s multipurpose room with interest.
Sannaro didn’t understand his interest, it looked the same as it always did. On the right against the wall were couches and chairs arranged in a square. Closer to them was a round table with chairs and barely within sight beyond a stairwell was another round table. On their left was a row of lockers.
Next he went into the recreation room where there were video games lining the walls, a card table in the center of the room, a ping-pong table in the forward back corner and chairs and couches arranged in a square around an entertainment screen. This was the duty team’s favorite room.
Coron went through the door on the opposite wall and moved into the bunk room. Three sets of bunks occupied the center of this room with lockers lining the walls beside the door and almost ran all the way to the large bathroom/shower room.
SANNARO
This is where the alert team lives. Back in the pilot’s lounge where the stairs are is the way to get to the offices on the level above.
CORON
Nice facilities. My men will use these rooms for their barracks. Does the Lower Flight Deck have the same accommodations?
SANNARO
Yes.
CORON
We’ll use them as well.
Colon turned and walked through the rooms again back to the stairs. He climbed them and went into the Senior Fighter Pilot’s office.
He grunted at the large desk and the comfortable chair with a couch against the outer wall for visitors.
CORON
I’ll take this office for myself.
SANNARO
This is my office!
CORON
There are other offices?
SANNARO
There are two more offices here for the Assistant Senior Fighter Pilot and one Team-leader.
CORON
You can take one of theirs.
SANNARO
This is my Flight Deck!
CORON
Not while I’m here, mister. You’re under arrest pending what the Council of Representatives want to do with you. You’re subordinate to me, understand?
SANNARO
If you’re going to get formal, I’m not mister, I’m Aurum.
CORON
Well, Aurum, you still need to bring your weapons to me in three hours. Dismissed.
SANNARO
I am not one of your soldiers! You will not treat me as one of your soldiers! I will inform Ambassador Daniels that you're treating me in a condescending manner and you will be replaced! We Astrisi are here on our own recognizance and we should be treated with respect for acknowledging your government when it isn’t ours. You may not push us out of your way and take our facilities without asking for permission. You may be guarding the flight decks, but they are still my flight decks because I am the Astrisi Senior Fighter Pilot!
CORON
All right! May I use your pilot’s lounge to barrack my soldiers?
SANNARO
You may use the pilot’s lounge to barrack your soldiers and you may use this office.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah, this ADF commander's a big ass. He’s already taken over the pilot’s lounge and the Senior Fighter Pilot’s office. Now he’s commanding me to confiscate all our weapons and bring them to him in three hours!
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Do it. Give him what he wants.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah, he’s making me angry and I agreed with you this was the right course of action! If this guy meets one of us who's already angry that we surrendered to the ADF, we’ll have a big fight on our hands! Can’t we request a more diplomatic commander of the guard?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
I’ll try, but I’m getting ready to go down to Earth with Parik to join the Council of Ships. I’ve got a lot on my mind right now, San. Retal will be available if you need help from Command.
CORON
Well, why are you standing around, man? You’ve got work to do!
Sannaro sorely wanted to send some kinetic energy into the arrogant ADF officer, but he knew that would only make matters worse. He had to resolve this problem vocally.
SANNARO
I was communicating with my commander. Interrupting a Saili’s telepathic conversation is rude.
He strode out the door and walked down the stairs.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cherna, can you gather up everyone’s laser pistols in your team and Blue? I need them brought to the Assistant Senior Vizha'e office.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I can do that, San. Why are you so irritated?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ve got an ADF Colonel up here who's treating me like an ADF soldier he can boss around. He’s taken over the Senior Vizha'e office and declared his soldiers are going to live in the pilot’s lounges! I seriously thought about mind-slapping the unkafata.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Can’t you ask that he be replaced?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I tried to talk with Hadah about it, but he’s busy with preparations to go to Earth to join the Council of Ships.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Talk with Retal. He may be able to help you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
That’s what Hadah said!
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Then take his advice. I’m going to call the teams now to get what you want done.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Okay, see you later. No'ama?
NO'AMA (PSI V.O.)
What’s up, San?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I need you to gather all the laser pistols from your Yellow Team. Can you also make sure that Noki gets his team’s pistols?
NO'AMA (PSI V.O.)
I can try, but he’s still very angry about Arcas hauling him off the Upper Flight Deck.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
If Noki gives you trouble about it, contact me and I’ll get Noki to obey.
NO'AMA (PSI V.O.)
Okay.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Arc, gather your team's pistols and bring them to Assistant Team-leader's Office in less than three hours.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Got you, boss.
Sannaro went to talk to his own team.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK – HADAH'S P.O.V.
As Hadah walked with Parik across the Upper Flight Deck to go to a shuttle, he frowned sadly at Sannaro who was standing still as a gold statue among the Vizha'i.
Parik took Hadah’s arm as he also looked at the motionless Saili.
PARIK
He’ll be all right. He’s a strong man, physically and mentally.
HADAH
I know he is. I just wish I could help him.
PARIK
We're helping him by going to Earth to negotiate with the Alliance Council of Representatives.
Hadah reluctantly turned away to continue his walk to the shuttle.
A tall human with platinum blond hair held out his hand.
KOWALSKI
Hello, I’m Lieutenant Kowalski. I’ll pilot you to Earth.
HADAH
Why can’t one of my pilots take us to Earth?
Kowalski shook his head and dropped his hand.
KOWALSKY
I’m sorry, Commander, none of your pilots will be allowed to fly at this time.
Parik held his hand up.
The pilot seemed to relax as he shook Parik’s hand.
PARIK
Well, thank you for your offer, young man.
Hadah followed Parik into the ADF shuttle while he wrestled control of his irritation.
He stayed in his own thoughts as they flew down to Earth.
The shuttle landed on a private landing pad on the lawn of a tall building.
They met an expressionless man in black who wordlessly took them to a big room with seats positioned in stairs all the way up to the back wall. Those seats were taken by other Astrisi Hadah immediately recognized as the Commanders and Senior Council members of each of the other eleven ships although some faces looked new.
It seemed that he wasn’t the only new Commander in the room, just the Commander of the oldest Astrisi ship which made him the highest-ranking Commander.
HAR-ERM
Great, look, the Kumani’s here! You just had to cause more trouble with the Worlders!
VU-DUSTI
Where’s Lazha?
HADAH'S VISION
Dusti was Ki'el's younger sister. He used to pull her pigtails when they were in primary school because he'd thought she was spunky and cute until one day in flight school, she challenged him and made him eat the foam mat.
He'd lost a tooth in that fight that had to be put back in at the hospital.
BACK TO TERRAN ALLIANCE COUNCIL CHAMBER
HADAH
Lazha is paraplegic. The shippers who kidnapped her on Arcturus snapped her spine. She gave me the Commander’s sash a week ago.
WO-CHI'ON
I understand why you'd want to rescue her, but did you have to burn down a whole warehouse district?
HADAH
We didn’t! The shipper blew up his own shipment of hydrochloric acid because he didn’t want us to survive his treachery. If it hadn’t been for Sannaro’s telepathic warning that self-destruction was the shipper’s intent, we might not have gotten out of that warehouse before the explosion.
Hadah turned as he heard a door open at the side of the stage with a dais in the center.
Ambassador Jonathan Daniels walked up to the podium.
JON
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Astrisi Council of Ships, please take your seats so I may tell you why you have been summoned here.
BIN-KITO
It better be good. We’re losing revenue because of what Kumani did!
Hadah glared at BIN-Kito as he stepped to the first stair and sat down.
Parik sat beside him.
JON
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Astrisi Council of Ships, you have been summoned by the Alliance Council of Representatives because the Astrisi have had too much free reign among the worlds of the Alliance. Repeatedly throughout our shared history, the Astrisi have caused armed conflicts upon colonized worlds, causing injury, death and destruction. Upon the destruction of the warehouse district in the capitol city of Pandruka on Arcturus, we the Alliance will no longer tolerate the Astrisi outlawry. The decision you have been brought here to make is as follows: Apply for membership to the Terran Alliance or you must desist all business practices and leave Allied space, never to return.
END ACT 2.
ACT 3
BAS-NEHRU
What?
MO-ZHAMA
We have never fought any Worlders without provocation!
JON
However much that's true, it has been decided by the Alliance Council of Representatives that the Astrisi must be called to answer for their behavior regarding the interaction with the worlds of the Alliance.
Jon Daniels had a pained look on his face even though he tried to hide it under a politician’s mask.
JON
In the past, the Astrisi have chosen not to face the courts of the Alliance for instances where the Astrisi have broken the laws of a planet and escaped before they could be detained. Because the Astrisi are not members of the Alliance, we of the Alliance have found it difficult to enforce our laws upon the Astrisi. We of the Alliance Council of Representatives have overlooked these infractions because our commercial citizens dissuaded us from taking this course of action because the Astrisi have been commercially beneficial to Alliance business. Because of the destruction of the warehouse district on Arcturus, we of the Alliance Council of Representatives will no longer tolerate the Astrisi disregard for colonial laws.
HOZ-BA'ID
How dare you tell us we have to become part of your Alliance? We Astrisi lived in space long before you Humans left your world!
PARIK
Wait! We should not make hasty judgment in this issue.
BAS-ALEUS
Parik is right. This is a delicate issue we must fully consider before we make a judgment.
VU-EDAN
We can live without the arrogant Humans!
VU-DUSTI
Should we? We know little about space beyond the Alliance! I haven’t found many planets that are inhabited by beings I would involve myself with. We’re used to having our own trade routes to give each ship a chance at prosperity. Will that prosperity be assured if we leave the Alliance?
FUR-INU'US
You’re too soft, Dusti. We are Astrisi!
UZH-UNLA
And you’ve got a hard head, Inu'us!
BIN-CHARIS
Will all of you quiet down? This is our future we’re snapping indiscriminately about.
PARIK
Ambassador Daniels, your job to inform us what our choices are is finished. Would you allow us privacy so we may deliberate on this decision?
JON
Surely, Ambassador Parik.
Jon Daniels strode from the room.
(LATER)
Several hours after they rehashed the personal views of each Commander and Council Senior quite a few times, Hadah was sunk deep in his seat wishing he could go to sleep.
PARIK
We have been deliberating for several hours. I motion that we end this session so each of us can address other responsibilities.
KITO
I say we need to end this now and jettison the ADF off our ships!
DUSTI
Come on, I’m tired and I want to go visit Lazha to see how she’s doing.
ALE'US
We need some time to allow this to sink in so we can calm ourselves and think on this rationally. This is a monumental decision that will cause significant changes in the Astrisi no matter what we decide. It must not be decided hastily. I second the move to end this session.
WO-RIS
Finally!
As people were gravitating to the doors, some like Kito were trying to make others stay to continue their gripe until they raised their arms in frustration and stomped out the doors.
Once the room was nearly cleared out, Hadah groaned as he pulled himself out of the chair and stretched his tight back.
HADAH
I'd rather be fighting for my life in a Vizha'i.
PARIK
Lazha grumbled about that too. I guess once you feel the rush of a Vizha'i you yearn for it forever.
HADAH
Houk, but I also can’t forget how many fellow pilots I’ve known breathed their last in the cockpit of an exploding Vizha'i.
PARIK
The defense of the Astrisi exacts a high price.
HADAH
It’s the skilled or incredibly lucky pilot who lives as long as I have.
PARIK
Let’s find Lt. Kowalski and return to the Kumani. You do understand our own Council is going to want all the details of this meeting as soon as we step upon the deck?
HADAH
I know, with more arguments of similar content.
PARIK
Unfortunately.
They walked out the doors and went to the private landing field.
They found Kowalski lounging in the shuttle and asked him to fly them home.
INT. KUMANI SENIOR FIGHTER-PILOT OFFICE
Sannaro was oddly pleased that two hours later he walked into the Senior Fighter Pilot’s office with all the pistol belts hanging from his shoulders and arms.
SANNARO
Here’s all our weapons.
He set them on the desk.
Coron looked up in irritation from what he was doing.
CORON
I don’t need them cluttering up the desk.
SANNARO
So tell me where to put them.
CORON
Is the shuttle back yet?
SANNARO
Nui, Hadah and Parik aren’t back from Earth yet.
CORON
Don’t speak Astrisi words! Speak only Basic.
SANNARO
It’s habit! Even when we talk Basic we tend to throw in Astrisi words.
CORON
Get out of the habit.
SANNARO
You are trying very hard to make me angry!
CORON
I’m not trying to make you angry. You're my prisoners and it’s my job to make sure you follow my orders as prisoners!
SANNARO
You have no respect for anyone.
Coron surged up and bent over the desk toward Sannaro.
CORON
And you Astrisi have no respect for the sovereignty of colonies. You swagger in and act as if you own everything! If things don’t go the way you want them to, you burn the place!
SANNARO
An incident hasn’t happened in nearly twenty-five years!
CORON
Too many times as far as I’m concerned!
SANNARO
If you spent more time trying to catch and jail the dishonest criminal humans who cause the disputes, then we wouldn’t be forced to defend ourselves!
Coron slammed his hand onto the desktop.
CORON
Innocent men and women died in those attacks!
Sannaro slammed his fist through the desktop.
SANNARO
Don’t you think I know? I was one of those innocents caught in the middle of a dispute! If the foreman and fuel handler on Regalis hadn’t been stealing the fuel during the night, the Kumani would've been given their fuel and left! Instead, my father accused the Astrisi of the theft and was about to attack the commander. The commander was defending himself against a mind-slam he wouldn’t have endured so he tried to stun my father, but my father died instead! I was burned during the taking of that fuel! The only reason I’m alive now is because an Astrisi woman took pity on me and brought me to this ship to be healed! If anyone has the right to be angry about those attacks, it should be me!
Coron stepped back with fear in his eyes. He glanced at the splintered desktop and then at Sannaro.
SANNARO
So stop acting like a righteous son of a bitch with me! You couldn’t have suffered more loss than I have!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, calm down! The rage you’re radiating will spread to the non-telepaths around you and cause them to lose their own tempers!
Sannaro extracted his hand from the desk and stepped back. His hand began to throb from the splinters that lodged into his knuckles.
CORON
I could throw you in the brig for that outburst!
SANNARO
I’m sorry, I lost my mother and brother and father in that incident too. All I ask is that you drop the attitude and stop making me angry. I said I'd cooperate with you.
The sound of feet running up the stairs reverberated through the room.
The door swept open.
RETAL
Step back, Sannaro!
SANNARO
I’m under control again, Retal.
RETAL
I’m not worried about you; I’m worried about what may happen to Colonel Coron. Very few people can provoke Sannaro into getting that angry. I strongly suggest you call for a replacement and get off this ship. And as for you, Sannaro, Hadah and Parik are returning from Earth and they are calling a Ships Council to announce what was discussed in the Council of Ships. Go on to the Council room.
CORON
What? How dare you talk to me like that!
RETAL
I dare talk to you like that because I'm the Second in Command on this ship and I have to make sure my people don't kill your ass. You've provoked the last person I'd thought would lose his temper! Your life's in danger if you stay, so get the hell off my ship or I'll let Sannaro slam your ass into the deck! We're trying to remain cooperative and you're making it impossible.
Coron snarled before he rearranged his features.
CORON
I'll call for a replacement.
RETAL
Good. Sannaro, get to the Council room.
SANNARO
Houk, Retal.
RETAL
Leave those weapons and we’ll lock them in the ordinance locker.
Sannaro lowered the pistol belts onto the ruined table.
He walked across the flight deck with no engineers fluttering from Vizha'i to Vizha'i to perform maintenance or their pilots standing nearby, he thought how lonely it was up here.
Things began to liven up when he approached the refuel and rearms pylons and the shuttle storage area.
The klaxons had just sounded.
The lift clanged and began to lower.
Sannaro stood before the ADF elevator guards to await the shuttle that had hovered off the lift and came to rest in the front storage space.
Shortly, the ramp lowered.
Hadah and Parik strode down with their minds stormy.
Hadah met Sannaro.
HADAH
San, let’s go to the Council Room and we’ll explain what’s happening.
Sannaro joined them and went to the elevator.
The ADF soldier nodded to them as they passed into the elevator.
Hadah raised Sannaro's right arm and looked at the gloss of slick yellow across the knuckles.
HADAH
Hey, you've got blood on your hand.
Sannaro pulled his hand back.
SANNARO
It's all right. You shouldn't have put your hand that close to my acidic blood. You could have burned himself.
Sannaro pulled his gloves out of his sash and pulled them on.
HADAH
I want to know what happened, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Your old desk is in splinters.
HADAH
That tabletop was made of great quality hard wood. Why?
SANNARO
Cause it could have been Colonel Coron’s face.
Parik shared an alarmed look with Hadah.
HADAH
Did you call Retal?
SANNARO
I did and Retal told him to call his superiors for a replacement or he was going to allow me to rearrange his face.
PARIK
Rey doesn’t get that mad easily.
HADAH
Houk, I’ll get Retal’s report after this meeting.
They passed another set of guards as they stepped into the equally empty halls of the command center and walked into the Council Room that was already full.
They were surrounded by the rest of the Seniors all asking questions at the same time.
HADAH
Please sit down and we’ll answer all your questions.
Sannaro had to strengthen his shields against the battering of mixed emotions that radiated from the council members.
They finally sat down and allowed Parik and Hadah to get to their chairs.
Parik remained standing.
PARIK
We've just returned from the meeting with the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Jonathan Daniels.
ZHAD
He was here on the Kumani for a short time during the Zuran War. He was a kindly gentleman who was impressed with our culture.
YETIN
That makes no difference! He forced us to come to Earth so that makes him our enemy.
SANNARO
We have not made the humans our enemies.
HADAH
San’s right. We’re here for negotiations. No enmity is involved.
KU'AN
That’s yet to be decided.
HADAH
No it isn’t! The Humans have given us a chance to decide about our future relationship with the Alliance.
BA'IA
What are our choices?
PARIK
Ambassador Daniels has informed us that the Council has given us two choices: We must either apply to join the Terran Alliance or we must cease all commerce and leave Allied space.
MORI
Join the Terran Alliance? The Astrisi never hand control of ourselves over to someone else!
SANNARO
That’s not true. The history books show that the Astrisi were members of the alliance made by Gasbaja, Cashanaya and Sailia. Becoming members of the Terran Alliance isn't giving control over to someone else. I’m sure they’ll continue to let us govern ourselves with a few modifications.
AMIDA
A few modifications?
Ku'an surged to his feet.
KU'AN
Why are we listening to this alien? He shouldn’t have the high position he holds now! He shouldn’t have been allowed the freedom of the ship you weak-minded people gave him!
Sannaro leapt from his chair and felt his earlier rage engulf him again.
SANNARO
What?! What would you have done, kill me?
KU'AN
You're not Astrisi! You don't belong here and you shouldn’t have been allowed to steal my daughter away from me!
SANNARO
I did not steal your daughter! She chose me! I thought by now you would’ve gotten over your resentment that Di'ok and Cherna chose to be my friends!
KU'AN
Well, I haven’t, you yellow-skinned monster!
Sannaro almost launched himself over the tabletop.
Parik rushed around the table and set his hand on Sannaro’s chest.
PARIK
Stop this, Ku'an, Sannaro. Either you cool down, call a challenge or I'll call the Protocol Enforcers and have you both detained in separate locations.
PARIK (PSI V.O.)
I'll have you locked in your isolation room if you keep this up.
Parik’s threat snapped Sannaro out of his rage. He backed up a step away from Parik’s hand. He blew his breath out slowly.
SANNARO
I apologize, Parik.
KU'AN
I’ve only spoken the truth!
EXIT KU'AN
Sannaro rushed to a corner of the wall and buried his head in his arms.
MINA
It’s about time someone spoke up!
NASU
You’re a cancer in the Astrisi! It'll be the death of us all!
EXIT MINA AND NASU.
Sannaro cringed when he sensed the mind of his foster mother Adara flood his mind with her sympathy through her hand that touched his back. He sensed that Zhad had stopped at her side and Ba'ia, Cherna’s mother, was on Adara’s other side.
BA'IA
You’re not a yellow-skinned monster. Ku'an gets unreasonable when he’s angry.
Sannaro trembled as deep sobs tore through his chest and held his throbbing hand to his chest.
ZHAD
What gall! To dare call you a cancer in the Astrisi!
TRAYA
They’re just angry about the situation right now. I admit it's very troubling.
SANNARO
Is that what all of you think about me? That I’m some cancer?
HADAH
Come on, San, you know most of us and you know our thoughts. You knew those people were disaffected since Belso died. Many of us are your friends.
MORI
I’m not happy with this ultimatum, but I wouldn’t go tearing you apart for it. To say you’re not a part of the Astrisi now is like saying this ship isn’t a part of the Astrisi. I know how much metal content of this ship is Saili and there’s still a lot.
SANNARO
I need to go.
Sannaro wiped his face dry with his sleeve and strode out of the room.
He spoke to no one all the way to his apartment.
He rushed through the living room, then into his room. He untied the Senior sash, threw it to the floor, then pulled off his flight-suit and threw it across the room.
He sprawled across the bed. His body shook from chest-aching sobs.
Zhad sat down beside him.
SANNARO
Please leave me alone.
ZHAD
Hadah told me to follow you because he said you injured your hand when you splintered the desk table in the Senior Fighter-pilot's office.
Sannaro held up his right hand.
Zhad took it and looked at it.
ZHAD
There are wood splinters in the webbing of your hand. I want you to go to the hospital so I can clean this up properly. I'm amazed you can still move your fingers with the swelling and the hardened blood.
Sannaro pulled his hand back and curled into a ball.
SANNARO
Just leave me alone, please?
ZHAD
What Kuan, Nasu and Mina said was cruel. The rest of us don't agree with them. You need your hand treated. I am your foster father and your physician. I care about you, both physically and emotionally. You hurt right now. I want to lessen your hurt.
Sannaro stood up and dressed in black pants and a dark blue sweatshirt.
SANNARO
I'm ready to go.
ZHAD
I'm glad you're doing this. Let's go to the hospital.
Sannaro left the apartment with Zhad.
INT. KUMANI HALLWAY
Ku'an stormed down the hall away from the council room.
Nasu rushed to catch up with Mina close behind.
NASU
Wait, Ku'an. You were very brave to speak up in front of those sellouts.
KU'AN
You’re the only ones who think so!
MINA
It must be so painful for you to see your children so blind to the insidious demonic effects of telepathy.
NASU
If that creature wasn’t around, they may come around to seeing the truth, Ku'an.
KU'AN
That’s it! Your Kuro's quite talented in self defense.
MINA
My Kuro was completely humiliated by that beast on the mats years ago!
KU'AN
Would he like to have revenge?
They entered Nasu and Mina’s apartment.
Nasu and Mina’s strapping young metalworker son stood up from their couch.
KURO
How did the council go?
NASU
As usual, the council was hypnotized by the demon telepath’s desires!
MINA
But Ku'an has a plan. Ku'an?
KU'AN
Kuro, would you like to get revenge on Sannaro?
Kuro chuckled and his eyes gleamed.
KURO
Would I!
KU'AN
I learned while we were on Arcturus that if you assault Sannaro’s normal senses first, he’s momentarily paralyzed. Then once you have him, take him deep below decks, kill him and cut up the body to hide it in a metal pile. If you cut it up finely enough, it'll just look like a pile of gold nuggets.
KURO
Sounds easy enough!
NASU
I can get you a flash bomb. That ought to blind him for a short time so you can take him down.
KU'AN
We need to move soon before he can influence the council further.
NASU
Then I’ll go get the flash bomb. I can get around those idiot ADF guards unnoticed.
Nasu slipped out of the apartment.
INT. KUMANI HALLWAY
Later after Sannaro's hand was healed, he walked through the halls to the elevator to find out who the new ADF Commander of the guard was when he sensed someone stood in the recessed doorway of an apartment.
Just as his ears shivered from an aggressive thought, Sannaro yelped from a blinding light that caught him in the face and seared his eyes. He gripped his face and his stinging eyes.
He wasn’t ready for the kick deep into his stomach and the slam to his neck.
He hit the floor hard before he fainted.
FADE OUT.
THE END.