Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“TO TAME a FIREBIRD”
EPISODE 40 – SABOTAGE
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMNAI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Once Sannaro and Marc were back on the flight line, Marc called for his shuttle to be prepared for flight.
ADF #1
Sir, not to sound disrespectful, but, can you trust that Astrisi Saili on your shuttle? Why do you need to take him anyway?
MARC
He has business he must attend to with his commander in person. Our orders are to prevent the flight of Astrisi crafts, not to prevent the Astrisi governance. I'll return in a few hours with the Senior Fighter Pilot.
ADF #1
Sir.
ADF #1 stepped around the shuttle.
Marc followed him.
ADF #1
Are you aware that guy shoved his fist through a desk top when Colonel Coron got him angry?
MARC
He should have known better than to get a Saili angry. It takes a lot of goading to cause a Saili to show anger. That’s why he was relieved and I was called in. I served on this Astrisi vessel during the Zuran War with Senior Team-leader Sannaro, junior lieutenant. I know he wouldn’t harm me. I’ll return in a few hours. In the meantime, restrict access to this deck to all, but a woman with blond hair who wears the black flight-suit with white panels. She’s the Assistant Senior Team-leader and may need to conduct business while Senior Team-leader Sannaro’s away.
ADF #1
Yes sir.
MARC
Good.
Marc returned from the other side of the shuttle then hit the hatch release on the outside of his craft.
MARC
Senior Team-leader, let's get your business concluded.
SANNARO
Thank you.
He bobbed his head toward the junior lieutenant before he skipped up the ramp.
Marc pointed for Sannaro to take the copilot seat as he closed the hatch.
Sannaro finally allowed himself to chuckle.
SANNARO
Did you almost have to make the kid pee his pants, Marc?
MARC
Hey, sometimes it's necessary! Coron's a jerk. Among us Interstellar Patrolmen we even say he stinks. He's got a corncob up his ass and he thinks he's too damned important. I'm not surprised he made you so mad you splintered a table. He was damned lucky it wasn't one of your famous Zuran-flooring mind-slams!
SANNARO
I'd never mind-slam someone unless I was seriously in fear of my life. The Saili have criminal laws governing mind-slams.
MARC
I was joking, San, don't break out in sweats!
SANNARO
Sorry, my friend, I've felt a massive mind-slam and it felt like I crashed my Vizha'i into a wall again.
MARC
Whoa, no wonder you floored a whole ship of Zurans!
Marc taxied the shuttle forward and it rose into the retrieval deck.
MARC
Then I'm glad the Saili have criminal laws governing their use.
Marc started up the engines, hovered the shuttle off the deck and flew it out into space.
INT. EARTH TERRAN ALLIANCE COUNCIL ROOM
Hadah reluctantly entered the room the Council of Ships was using for their continued deliberations.
Dusti met Hadah.
DUSTI
Hadah, Parik, have you resolved the conflicts on your ship?
HADAH
We have. It was tough, but we got through to the truth.
ERM
Good. Now we can resume this council.
KITO
We know when and how you came to command, Hadah.
DUSTI
Please, let's not snipe at each other. We’re all having a tough time with this dilemma right now without resorting to petty remarks.
ALE'US
I agree with Dusti. You aren't the only one who’s overwhelmed by the immensity of this decision, Hadah, even though you’re the newest Commander here.
KU'AL
What's so immense about it? We just declare the Alliance our enemies and take out some of their little carriers before we head out to new territory!
CHI'ON
That's suicide!
ERM
Have the Astrisi become cowards? It's the Astrisi way!
UNLA
Astrisi way? We've been flying between Allied worlds since they formed!
ELAM
We must talk this out!
The door opened.
All talk silenced as everyone whirled toward the door.
Hadah drew in a sharp breath when Sannaro walked in among his leaders with eyes onyx hard.
Erm rushed to intercept Sannaro.
Quite a few council members muttered their disapproval.
SANNARO
Why? Because I wasn't born Astrisi, I was deprived of my right to defend myself and speak my opinion about our current problem! Is Astrisi pride more important than survival? Is changing just a- few rules- so hard to do to have continued prosperity Pride will destroy the Astrisi!
ZHAMA
This is shameful. Everyone’s entitled to defend themselves from attack.
PARIK
We proved who did it and convicted him. But, as you can see, Sannaro’s far from recovered from the attack.
CHI'ON
With reason!
SANNARO
I have lived among the Humans! They never demand total control be given to them! We can keep our own government! They’re only asking that we respect their laws and ask for police intervention when we have a dispute! Please, I may be Saili, but the Astrisi are my people too! Don't tear apart the Astrisi just for pride!
ERM
You can't come here!
SANNARO
Are you going to try to prevent me?
ERM
Your Vizha'e dares to challenge me, Hadah?
HADAH
San, you should return to the Kumani.
SANNARO
Not until I've been heard. I refuse to be brutalized by those closed-minded Astrisi among us who think that because I’m not born Astrisi, my voice must be silenced.
UNLA
Brutalized?
SANNARO
When we need unity the most, there’s division instead. I was kidnapped and hung from a ceiling with shackles on my hands and feet. An old rival who hated my presence among the Astrisi ripped the clothes off my body and used me for a punching bag.
While the other commanders and Senior Councilors stared dumbstruck at each other, Hadah broke away and stood beside Sannaro.
HADAH
My friend, you did a brave thing.
SANNARO
I'm tired, Hadah. I'm tired of the arguments, the mean-spirited name-calling, my beaten body. If the Astrisi leave the Alliance, I won't come with you. I will go to- I’ll go to New Sailia and take my family with me.
HADAH
I understand, San. Now I think you need to be taken to a place where you can rest and recover.
Sannaro nodded.
Hadah took him around his shoulders and walked him to the door.
Once Sannaro was out of the room, everyone began to talk at once.
HADAH
My pilot can be unconventional, but his bravery is legendary on my ship.
Everyone stopped talking and paid attention to Hadah.
HADAH
I didn't see it before, but even I’ve suppressed Sannaro's voice when I didn't tell all of you about the violence I've been involved with on my ship.
PARIK
Hadah, you're judging yourself too harshly.
HADAH
No, Parik, I'm not. I’ve seen that boy grow from a grotesquely burned seven year-old who struggled against all odds for acceptance on the Kumani to the strong warrior you saw today who dared to throw off convention and speak for himself before us. My heart went out to that boy because I saw an indomitable spirit in him. Kuro tried to crush that spirit because he hated that Sannaro became successful. He's torn by our fighting! Can't you see that? He isn't the only one who’s torn by our fighting, either. Let's seriously take a look at the conditions the humans will ask of us for entry into the Alliance before we make our decision. What would it hurt to just listen?
ALE'US
No, Hadah, it wouldn't hurt us to listen.
KU'AL
All right, I'll listen.
DUSTI
Erm?
ERM
Okay.
PARIK
Does anyone else have any objections?
When no one spoke, Parik smiled and nodded.
PARIK
Then we’ll ask that Speaker Daniels speak to us about the changes in our laws the humans will ask for to consider applying for membership to the Alliance. Until Speaker Daniels is ready to address us, this Council is adjourned.
Hadah was relieved as he rushed out of the room to learn how Sannaro was doing. He found Sannaro on a couch asleep in a ball on Marc Daniels' shuttle.
Marc sat on the next couch reading a palm computer in his hands.
Hadah sat down beside the Centaurian.
HADAH
How is San, Marc?
MARC
Devastated, he's being put through hell, Hadah.
HADAH
I know.
MARC
He loves the Astrisi. Why can't they love him in return? They saved his life! He'd give his life for them yet they beat him!
HADAH
Only a few hate him, Marc.
MARC
So why are those few allowed to hurt him?
HADAH
Because until now they kept their peace, but no more will they be allowed to hurt San. I care very much for this man.
MARC
Yet you kept him sealed on your ship, begging to deaf ears, allowing despair to eat away at his confidence.
HADAH
I am truly sorry. I have been so wrapped up in learning the command position; I didn't support Sannaro like I should have. He has changed drastically since the Saili War.
MARC
How has he changed?
HADAH
When he came back from the Saili War, he was so desperate. His emotional state was so delicate; he went insane for a while. He ran through the Kumani screaming for everyone to get out of his head until he came to the forward hatch. We stopped him before he threw himself out the airlock. Sannaro's family told us he killed his own cousin in the heat of battle. He carries a lot of regret about that. He worked extensively with Saili doctors and was tutored on telepathic control. Since the war, he seemed to get his center back. I don't know. He's had so much experimentation done on his body by intolerant Saili and ground war is so much different than space war.
MARC
Experimentation, what experimentation?
HADAH
He took Cherna to Sailia when she became pregnant with Andoku. While he was there, a crazy Saili scientist kidnapped him and forced him into DNA re-sequencing to eliminate the Gonkacha mutation from his body. Cherna said that for a time, San had copper hair and green eyes, but he suffered terrible pain. The DNA re-sequencing was reversed, but then he was tried and convicted on Sailia for leading a revolt with the Gonkacha Saili against the Saili scientist who forced the DNA re-sequencing on him. He was freed by the Saili that rose up to protest the ruling and it started the whole damned Saili Revolution that tore them into two groups, the old Saili that stayed on Sailia and the new Saili who began their own new colony, led by Sannaro's own uncle.
MARC
By the suns! I thought my life since the Zuran war was rough! I've had it easy!
HADAH
Our young men and women grew up in a different universe than I did with the Zuran War and actually living with hundreds of Saili on board while we searched for a new planet for them to colonize. The Kumani has become separated into factions of old Astrisi and new Astrisi and now the two are fighting with Sannaro in the middle because he represents the change.
MARC
It sounds like you have the same problem on your ship that you have here, just on a smaller scale. It has to be resolved too. As a Police Officer, I wonder if Kuro was acting alone.
HADAH
That is a very good question, Marc.
MARC
I don't think your investigation's done, Commander. I replaced Coron as commander of the ADF guard. Would you like me to fly you back to the Kumani? Kowalski can follow us back.
HADAH
Parik?
PARIK
I have no objections. You bring up some unsettling, but valid points, Lieutenant Daniels.
HADAH
I am very relieved you were chosen as Coron's replacement. You are San's friend. You know the Astrisi and San's temperament.
MARC
Unlike Coron, I also know manners.
Marc stood up and went to the pilot's seat.
PARIK
As an Ambassador's son, I dare hope you know manners.
Marc simply chuckled as he put his headphones on his head and sat down to prepare the ship for flight.
After a quick communication with Kowalski, Marc raised the shuttle toward space.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro felt a tap on his shoulder along with a mental summons to wake, but he pushed it away. He didn't feel like waking because he'd just have to face frustrating reality again.
The tap and mental summons hit him again.
He was about to send a mind-slap to force the person to stop when the mental pattern accosting him was identified as Hadah. He didn't want to mind-slap Hadah so he reluctantly pushed his consciousness toward wakefulness. He uncurled himself and looked up.
Hadah bent over him.
HADAH
We're home, San.
He sat up and swept his shoulder length hair behind his ears.
HADAH
Now it's time for part two, telling the Ships' Council. If you're sensing what I think you're sensing, no, I'm not enjoying this at all. I'd rather take back that sash you're wearing and let someone else handle this fausa.
SANNARO
I wasn't sensing anything, I had my shields up.
HADAH
Would you like to take the command sash?
SANNARO
Are you rachi? Half the ship want to kill me for getting the Senior Vizha'e sash! They respect you more than me.
HADAH
I never wanted to be Commander of the Ship. I thought I’d be happy to be Senior Vizha'e until the day I was vaped.
SANNARO
It didn't work out that way.
Sannaro leaned forward and rubbed his eyes.
PARIK
Are you both going to hide in this shuttle or are you going to finish the job we started?
HADAH
We've got to face them sometime. Coming, San?
Sannaro groaned, but he forced himself to stand and joined them down the ramp.
As Sannaro was just about to reach the elevator, Marc put a hand on his shoulder.
MARC
Hang in there, buddy. Things will get better.
Sannaro joined Hadah and Parik in the elevator.
PARIK
Abazhara.
The doors closed and they were on their way.
When the doors opened again, they met a crowd of people.
They pushed through; assuring everyone, they'd tell everyone about the Council meeting once they were seated.
They met Retal on the other side of the crowd. He had his feet planted shoulder-width apart and his arms folded across his chest.
RETAL
You were not authorized to leave this ship, Sannaro.
SANNARO
I know, Retal.
HADAH
I'll vouch for him.
RETAL
You know I can't allow people to make unauthorized landings!
HADAH
Please, have a seat, Rey. We'll explain everything.
KU'AN
Wait, Retal's not on this council!
HADAH
Normally he isn't but, since he needs to know Sannaro's reasons, I’m inviting him to stay.
NASU
What law are you going to throw away next?
BA'IA
Why are you complaining, Nasu? You were Ordinance Senior while you were Belso's second-in-command so you got to sit on this council anyway!
NASU
At least I didn't dispose of the rules when it didn't suit me! Hadah has no respect for the laws we’ve kept for hundreds of years!
The room exploded into angry chatter.
Hadah surged from his chair and swept toward the door.
HADAH
Fine! I'm damned tired anyway, I'll just end this meeting now and I don't care if you get our news or not!
PARIK
Hadah, calm down. It's custom that after a Council of Ships the Council Senior and the Commander of the Ship pass on the news to the Ships' Council.
HADAH
Not if they’re going to act like ikata idiots! I've had enough of all this arguing! What Sannaro said in the Council of Ships was right. Do we have to destroy the Astrisi out of pride?
KU'AN
Sannaro spoke to the Council of Ships? No one outside of the Council Senior or the Commander has spoken to the Council of Ships without prior permission! This should not go unpunished! Hadah should fight Sannaro in a challenge to remind him of his place! Furthermore, he should have his sash taken for this insubordination!
PARIK
Enough! This situation has no precedence! Sannaro begged the Council of Ships to listen to what conditions the humans want so we can consider our dilemma. They listened to him and so should we! It doesn't matter that Sannaro broke rules to speak with the Council of Ships!
HADAH
Parik’s right. Sannaro broke a stalemate and convinced the more resistant members to listen to Ambassador Daniels tell us what conditions the Alliance would want for us to apply for membership!
NASU
That's insane. We don't need to listen to them.
HADAH
If we’re to make a sure decision, we should hear all the possibilities! We shouldn’t make a hasty judgment based on pride.
KU'AN
Pride is all we have left! The Astrisi were once glorious! We did what we wanted to and we took what we wanted to!
SANNARO
That makes us no better than pirates! Why don't you find the nearest pirate ship and ask if you can join them, Ku'an! Then you can have your vain glory!
KU'AN
How dare you speak to me that way, bastard mind-rapist!
Ku'an surged from his chair, about to leap over the table.
Ba'ia whirled Ku'an around and slapped him across the face.
BA'IA
What a cruel thing to say!
Ku'an glared at his mate and flexed his jaw before he ran from the room.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
Sannaro felt his chest ache as he stood up with his head bowed and rushed for the door.
BA'IA
Don't believe what he says, Sannaro.
SANNARO
Please, move out of the way, Ba'ia.
She reached out to grab his arm.
BA'IA
Oh, San, don't let him get you upset!
He shrunk away from her touch.
Her hurt look almost made him loose his iron control.
SANNARO
It's not you. I need-
The door swept open and Varanani rushed into the room.
VARANANI
Please, Ba'ia, he doesn't mean to hurt you. He is trying with all his strength not to. Let him leave. He must.
ZHAD
What's wrong, Varanani?
VARANANI
My brother must get to his isolation chamber now. He is about to lose control!
Zhad slipped around them and tripped the door sensor.
ZHAD
Let's go.
Sannaro rushed out of the council room.
Once they were in the hall, he sprinted toward the hospital section.
He bumped off the corner of the doorway to stop himself, then rushed through a door before it was fully opened. He spun around and waited until the door completely closed.
He could sense the kinetic energy crackling around him. He stiffened up and screamed.
A flash of light exploded and hit the walls with an earsplitting BOOM!
He grabbed his head, shrieked and then fell to the floor on his knees. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed. His head ached like a raw wound as he sank into unconsciousness.
INT. KUMANI COUNCIL ROOM
Hadah was still trying to calm things down in the council room when the walls shuddered and rumbled.
HADAH
What was that?
ADARA
That was a mind-slam. All of you should be thankful Sannaro thinks too highly of us to release one unshielded. Now he'll wake up later sick and miserable. Ba'ia, know that he loves you. That's why he wouldn't let you touch him. You would’ve been burned by his aura. He doesn't blame you. That mind-slam could have been for Ku'an. The rest of you who speak against Sannaro, he’s too fair to fry your brains, but sometimes I wish he would!
Adara stood up and rushed from the room.
Hadah put his head in his hands and blew his breath out slowly.
HADAH
That's why I chose San as the Senior Vizha'e; he knows how to restrain his impulses.
MINA
What do you mean? He was going to hurt us!
HADAH
But he didn't! Look, it's been a rough day. Our nerves are frayed to a thread. Let's end this meeting. I need some rest.
PARIK
Agreed, this meeting is adjourned.
Hadah stood up and rushed out the door.
Retal caught up with him.
RETAL
Thank you for allowing me to stay.
HADAH
You were only doing your job, Rey. Yes, San slipped off the ship without permission, but do you see how we're tearing him apart with all our arguing?
RETAL
I can't miss it. Hadah, I count myself as one of Sannaro's friends, too. My son Danu was spared a lot of teasing from the other kids because he was San's friend. He’s been so happy since he’s become San’s sister’s tasra. I've never seen San so upset before, but, from what I've learned from Danu, San would never want to hurt the people he cares about.
HADAH
I've never seen Adara so angry, either.
RETAL
She dared a lot to be Sannaro's foster mother and she felt we were ganging up on her son. She'll cool off. Now, I'm going back to the bridge. You go get that downtime you desperately need.
HADAH
Fa'arata, Rey.
Hadah walked aft-ward to go to his apartment.
INT. KUMANI HOSPITAL ISOLATION ROOM
Sannaro groaned and clutched his head. When he sat up the room spun. He laid his forehead on the floor.
The sound of the door open made his head pound.
ZHAD
San, do you want to lay down in the bed?
SANNARO
Can't move, dizzy.
ZHAD
I'll get Danu to help me move you into the bed.
SANNARO
I need- bedpan.
Zhad rushed to a table and then he slid to his knees with the bedpan in his hand.
Sannaro held his head off the floor.
Zhad inserted the pan just in time for him to lose his stomach.
He repeated several times more before he shifted away from the bowl and laid his forehead down on the floor again.
ZHAD
I'll get you another one and then I'll go get Danu to help me get you in bed.
Sannaro didn't dare move while Zhad was out of the room. He just closed his eyes and wished the hammering in his head would stop, but he knew it was just the aftereffects of releasing an uncontrolled mind-slam.
The door opened again.
Sannaro shifted his head to see that Zhad was back with his friend Danu and they squatted down beside him.
ZHAD
Can you roll over so you’re sitting upright? You can take your bedpan with you.
Sannaro picked up his head, grabbed the pan and then rolled over onto his buttocks. He curled up with the pan under his chin.
Danu grasped Sannaro's thighs as he felt Zhad place his hands under his armpits.
After a count of three, Zhad and Danu lifted him up, rushed over to the bed and set him down.
Danu helped him to pull the covers over him.
He used the bedpan twice more before he laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes.
ZHAD
I think it's safe to give you Catowsh to ease the headache and then some sleep will help you recover.
He felt himself relax and he drifted off to sleep.
ZHAD
Well, then you can have the pain reliever later.
EXIT ZHAD AND DANU
Hadah walked down the hall accompanied by two Protocol Enforcers. They stopped outside of Nasu and Mina's door and Hadah rang the bell.
A few second later, Nasu stood at the opening door.
NASU
What's this, Hadah?
HADAH
Nasu, I want you to come to the Protocol Enforcers office so I can ask you a few questions.
NASU
About what?
HADAH
Kuro said during his trial he was doing what you wanted him to do. I want to ask you about that.
NASU
I told you, some children do better than others!
Hadah nodded to the Protocol Enforcers who took a step toward Nasu.
Mina stepped up beside Nasu.
MINA
What's happening here?
HADAH
I need to ask Nasu a few questions. Now, Nasu, I’d rather this be done in a rational manner, but if you resist, I’ll have the PEs force you.
NASU
I've done nothing wrong!
HADAH
That's what I want to surmise. Of course, if you did nothing wrong, you’ll be released shortly.
Nasu glared for a minute, but then shrugged and stepped out of the door.
Hadah noticed that Mina was about to snarl something, but she refrained then whirled away from the closing door.
The PEs took up positions on either side of Nasu and Hadah led the way to an elevator.
They entered and Hadah called for the elevator to go to the Security Office.
The elevator moved up a few floors and then forward for a few seconds before it stopped. The door opened and they stepped across a hall and entered the Security Office.
They led Nasu over to a chair and told him to sit.
HADAH
Now, Nasu, did you put Kuro up to attacking Sannaro?
NASU
Kuro's an adult now, Hadah. Do you tell your grown daughter what to do?
HADAH
I'm questioning you, Nasu, not the other way around. For years, there’s been animosity between Kuro and Sannaro. Did you encourage this behavior in Kuro?
NASU
Kuro does his own thing. Isn't it obvious? He hasn't listened to me in years or else he wouldn't be so disappointing.
HADAH
How has he disappointed you?
NASU
You know, you said it in his trial!
HADAH
Oh, that you wanted him to be Vizha'e, but he was selected to be a metalworker instead?
NASU
Everyone wants to be Vizha'e, Hadah. Any parent dreams that their child will grow up to be a defender.
HADAH
Oh? I didn't. I know how it's like. I was pleased when Na'ia was content to become a computer designer. You've always had a bad attitude, Nasu. You raised a boy with worse attitude and now he's a convicted felon.
NASU
Then, you can see why I'm disappointed in him.
HADAH
You've always been vocal about your disagreement with Belso to keep Sannaro. I recall you wanted to kill the boy, melt his body down and add it to the ship's treasury.
NASU
The boy's alien. He should have never been allowed to remain with the Astrisi. Everyone knows I feel that way. What does it have to do with Kuro's attack on Sannaro?
HADAH
You’ve encouraged Kuro's animosity toward Sannaro. Did you take that a step further and tell Kuro to kidnap Sannaro? During his trial, he distinctly begged you to justify his behavior by saying he did what you wanted him to do. What was that, Nasu? Why did he want your defense? He seemed to think you'd defend him! You gave a neutral reply because you were afraid he’d implicate you so you disowned him in front of the Council! You took our minds away from you and put it back on your son to throw us off!
NASU
Hadah, this is pitiful. You're grasping smoke. You have no proof.
HADAH
Was Mina involved too? I noticed she almost had a few sharp words for us when we were leading you away.
NASU
You were taking her mate away in a Protocol Enforcer guard and she shouldn't be upset about it? You've already convicted her son! Are we done with this charade?
Hadah leaned down toward Nasu's face.
HADAH
What would Kuro say about you if we asked him?
Nasu shift his eyes nervously.
HADAH
I might just do that.
NASU
I might have suggested it, but I'd be crazy to really mean it! Kuro was always a little dimwitted. Last I heard it wasn't a crime to voice an opinion.
HADAH
What’s your opinion, Nasu?
NASU
The acceptance of an alien among us has weakened the Astrisi. The Humans have no right to force us to comply with anything they want! We were in space first. We shouldn't bow to the ludicrous wishes of a race of intergalactic infants!
HADAH
Zho'ab, confine Nasu to the brig.
EXIT HADAH.
INT. KUMANI- KU'AN'S APARTMENT
Ku'an sat in his chair at home and worked to contain his fury.
He was startled when the doorbell rang. He leapt up and stopped beside the door so as not to trip the sensor.
KU'AN
Who is it?
MINA
Mina, Ku'an.
Ku'an stepped forward and the door opened.
Mina rushed inside with her eyes wide.
MINA
Hadah took Nasu!
KU'AN
Calm down, woman.
MINA
What if Nasu tells Hadah about our involvement with kidnapping the alien?
KU'AN
Nasu’s strong! He kept Belso fooled for years and Hadah's stupider than Belso. We'll just have to get their minds off Nasu.
MINA
How?
KU'AN
Let's give the alien a little more time to recover so he's got the run of the ship again.
MINA
Are you rachi? That gives Hadah plenty of time to get Nasu to talk!
KU'AN
Control yourself, girl. Once the alien's free, let's throw in a little doubt about the alien's loyalties.
MINA
He's got a solid reputation!
KU'AN
For sneaking around the ship undetected! He made that stevedore doubt he saw him in the stores. He's sabotaged this ship before so everyone knows he's a slippery piece of slag. Let's work that against him.
MINA
I can slip around this ship undetected as well as he can!
KU'AN
Do your best!
MINA
You've got it!
Mina slipped out the door.
INT. KUMANI SANNARO'S APARTMENT
Sannaro was released from the hospital and went straight to his apartment. He found Ba'ia was there talking to Cherna.
Cherna sprang up to put her arm around him.
BA'IA
I'm so glad you're better, San.
SANNARO
I'm sorry I was blunt with you, Ba'ia. I could’ve hurt you if you touched me.
BA'IA
Adara explained it to me.
CHERNA
I've felt San's aura before he threw a mind-slam and felt my hair stand on end! That energy draw's phenomenal.
Sannaro pulled away and went to sit in his armchair.
SANNARO
I was furious.
BA'IA
With right! Ku'an and I've had difficulties with our marriage for years, but I just couldn't let him get away with calling you that in front of the whole Council!
SANNARO
Anyway, I'm sure I've got stacks of work waiting for me in my office. I'll go and get that done.
Sannaro stood up again.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Why don't you stay home and relax, San?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I need some time alone to think about everything that's happened. I'm really not up to company. I'll be back home before dinner.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
You could take another nap in our room.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Nui, I've neglected work too much lately. I'd rather be doing something.
He walked out the door before Cherna could intercept him.
He took the elevator up to the Upper Flight Deck, nodded to the ADF guards, then walked up to the Assistant Senior Vizha'e office.
He turned on the computer and checked his messages. Because there wasn't any work being done on the Vizha'i and shuttles, there wasn't many requests.
He sat down in his chair, propped his feet up on the desk, elbow on his armrest and cradled his chin in his hand.
Sannaro stood up from his desk and went down the hall to the flight library where the student pilots attended study hall and called up a text file on fighter pilot maneuvers. He leaned his chin on his hand, propped on the desk with his elbow and began to read.
He had lost all semblance of time until Marc Daniels flew through the door, his face flushed blue.
MARC
You ukvatu traitor! How could you sabotage my shuttles after I took you, myself, to talk to that ukvatu Council?
Sannaro leapt up from his chair.
SANNARO
What?
MARC
Don't be coy with me, Sannaro Damirateyak! You're the only damned person allowed up here!
SANNARO
I never went on the flight line! I went straight to my office then came here to the study hall! I've been here reading a flight manual since!
MARC
I believed in you!
He waved for his ADF colleagues to surround Sannaro.
SANNARO
Marcayo, please, listen to me! I didn't touch your shuttles!
MARC
Then who the hell did? My men saw no one, but you step off that elevator.
SANNARO
There are other ways to get onto this flight deck.
MARC
Oh, so now you tell me?
SANNARO
I didn't think anyone would defy orders and use them!
Sannaro glared at Marc for several seconds before he sighed deeply then offered his hands to be cuffed.
MARC
Take him to a shuttle and close him up in an inner room. Keep a guard with him at all times. If you see him concentrate with his eyes looking remote, cuff him in the ear.
ADF #1
Yes, sir!
SANNARO
No, Marcayo! Don't sheath my ears!
MARC
Too late, my friend.
EXIT MARC.
Sannaro walked between the guards in stunned silence.
He kept his head bowed as he was led to the nearest shuttle and made to walk up the ramp.
They went to an inner door and opened it. It was a supply room that was several paces wide.
He was pushed into it and a guard took up sentry at the door. He paced three short steps then turned back.
Sannaro pressed his back against the wall and slid down to his haunches.
ADF #1
Not so bold now, are you, commander?
Sannaro closed his eyes and shuddered.
Minutes later, he heard the door open.
Marc towered over Sannaro with a scowl on his face and ear shackles in his hands.
SANNARO
Please, Marcayo, don't sheath my ears. I can't bear being in this room. If you sheath my ears-
MARC
I know about your claustrophobia, Sannaro. I'll move you to another holding cell after I shackle your ears.
Marc swept back his hair and fitted a shackle over one ear, then repeated with the other.
Sannaro gave a strangled cry and shoved Marc into the wall.
Marc dropped to the floor like a dead weight.
The guard at the door leveled his weapon.
Sannaro rushed forward, grabbed the body of the gun and twisted the man's arm out to his side. He kneed the guard deep in his stomach.
The guard fell to the floor unconscious.
Sannaro burst out of the storage room and surprised another guard.
Before the man could turn his weapon on Sannaro, he slapped the gun away and slammed the man's chin with the flat of his hand.
That guard dropped.
He rushed to the hatch, pressed himself against the outer bulkhead and peeked around the door.
The two elevator guards were in visual range of his position.
He moaned as he touched an ear shackle. If he weren't wearing those cursed devices, he could have tricked the guards into believing they hadn't seen him like he did in the cargo hold.
Thankfully, the elevator shaft shuddered with the warning that an elevator was about to stop on their level.
Sannaro used the guard's distraction to slip over the edge of the ramp and rush under the belly of the shuttle deeper into the shuttle parking area. He cautiously approached the aft of the flight deck to the maintenance ramp that sloped down to the lower level where the engineers made massive repairs on shuttles and Vizha'i.
He went down the ramp, then stopped where the ramp turned and folded back to meet the lower level.
The engineering area was dark and empty with huge shadows looming everywhere from repair work that was halted by the ADF occupation.
He ran down the ramp to the floor and pressed himself against a Vizha'i with its whole nose taken off to listen for approaching people.
When everything stayed silent, he ran past the rotating rack that held shuttle modules and went down another ramp.
At the base of the ramp was a narrow hatch Sannaro hadn't used in centuries.
He slipped into the water treatment plant and climbed down the pipe metal catwalks that surrounded the immense water tank until he came to the floor. He slid down the wall in a dark shadow at the back of the tank.
Sannaro buried his head in his arms and cried.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Cherna rushed down the hall of the hospital sector. She pushed through several brutish ADF men until she was in the room where Zhad was treating Marc's injuries.
ZHAD
Didn't I recommend you not use the ear shackles, but to escort Sannaro to his isolation room until we could settle this whole mess?
MARC
This mess is ADF business!
CHERNA
How could you? Sannaro's your friend!
MARC
How dare he sabotage my shuttles?
CHERNA
Are you sure he did?
MARC
He's my prime suspect.
CHERNA
So you had to treat him harshly because you felt betrayed! I would've thought better from you, Marcayo Daniels. You knew about Sannaro's claustrophobia! That was a prime situation for it to manifest!
MARC
I forgot how much of a pile driver he could be! I promised I'd relocate him to a more open confinement once the ear shackles were on. Then he shoved me into the wall! When I came to, I found my two guards in the shuttle unconscious. I asked the elevator guards if they saw him leave the shuttle, but they hadn't. Sannaro’s disappeared.
ZHAD
Cherna, you need to find Sannaro and bring him back so we can clear up this mess. You know him best and where he's likely to go when he doesn't want to be found.
CHERNA
I'll go alone. San will feel threatened if anyone else is with me.
She turned around and almost bumped into Hadah.
HADAH
I don't think the sabotage was done by San. Do you remember what you said on the shuttle back from the Council, Marc?
MARC
Yeah, I suggested Kuro may have not acted alone.
HADAH
That's right, I've got Nasu under guard in the Protocol Enforcer's Office. He's not giving me a straight answer and he showed concern when I suggested I talk to Kuro about why he thought Nasu would come to his defense at the trial. I was about to go do that when I was told about this sabotage fausa.
Marc put his head in his hands.
MARC
A diversion! Why didn't I think of that?
CHERNA
You were too busy feeling betrayed by Sannaro!
Marc looked miserable as he pulled out a set of keys and handed them to Cherna.
MARC
These will unlock his ear shackles.
CHERNA
Thank you.
She slipped out of the room and rushed down the hall.
CHERNA'S VISION
Cherna thought back to when Sannaro and she'd been teens fighting against a pirate takeover. They sneaked onto the Upper Flight Deck to disable the hydraulic systems that ran the lifts and the catapults. Then they slipped deeper into the shuttle parking to the maintenance bay below the shuttle parking. From there, they went through a little used access hatch that led to the catwalks around the water treatment tank. Once they came to the floor of the tank, they went through a hatch into the hydroponics room near the galley and then they took a short elevator ride to the uppermost level of the school.
BACK TO KUMANI HALLWAY
Cherna rushed aft-ward to the cafeteria.
People looked at her curiously, as she rushed through the dining hall and back to the Galley.
Adki, the senior chef intercepted her.
ADKI
Cherna, this is a restricted area for chefs only.
CHERNA
I know, but I need to get through here. I'm carrying out Hadah's orders.
ADKI
So why don't you take the elevators to avoid my galley?
CHERNA
I can't. Elevators wouldn't be used. Please, Adki, allow me to pass. I won't touch anything. I just want to get to hydroponics.
ADKI
What or who are you looking for?
CHERNA
The more I stay and chat with you, the less chance I have to find what I'm looking for.
ADKI
Okay, just this once, Cherna.
Adki swept his hand out toward the deeper part of his galley.
Cherna rushed through the grills, stoves and mixers to the surprise of the other chefs until she came to a hatch.
She opened it and slipped into a large room with long water tanks set in neat rows.
Inside them grew many plants from carrots and potatoes to herbs and medicinal plants.
She prowled through the bright room and looked at each shadow that was cast by the murky, nutrient rich water, but Sannaro wasn't here. Cherna reached the back of the room and opened another hatch.
She looked up at the towering four-story water tank and glanced through the holes in the grating of the catwalks. They were all empty.
As she began to walk the circumference of the tank, a feeling of familiarity flooded her mind. She knew the feel of her lover anywhere. She finally began to hear a sobbing noise as she approached the far reaches of the tank.
There in a ball sat Sannaro. His body was shaking and his hands pressed against the sides of his head.
Cherna slipped up to him and held up his tear-streaked face. She sank to her knees and cupped his face in her hands.
He leaned in and kissed her.
When he pulled back, she pulled out the keys to the ear shackles and sprang them open. She carefully removed the silver devices from around the delicate points of his ears and set the devices on the floor, then kissed him.
SANNARO
So, Marc has cleared me?
CHERNA
Somehow, someone sabotaged Marc's shuttles as a diversion to get Hadah's mind off of interrogating Nasu.
SANNARO
Why doesn't it surprise me that Nasu's involved?
CHERNA
The whole family's been a pain!
SANNARO
Is Mina in custody?
CHERNA
No.
SANNARO
Before I was shackled, I sensed from Marc that the sabotage was to their electrical systems.
CHERNA
You know little about electrical systems, but Mina does! She's the Senior Ships' Electrician!
SANNARO
That's right. It's time to find Mina.
Sannaro concentrated on Mina's mind.
Cherna waited for him to come out of his trance.
SANNARO
Mina’s hiding in engineering.
CHERNA
San, we've never been back there! We wouldn't know how to get around.
SANNARO
True, but I'm now a certified Saili Police Tracker, thanks to Gavasno.
They went back around the water tank to where the elevator was and called for it.
When the doors opened, they stepped in.
SANNARO
Main Engineering.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please key your security code into the data pad.
SANNARO
Security code? I didn't know you had to have a security code to go to Main Engineering?
CHERNA
I didn't either!
SANNARO
Medical emergency, code red!
COMPUPER (V.O.)
Please, key in emergency code.
Sannaro slammed his fist into the wall.
SANNARO
Fausa!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Zhad, I'm trying to track down Mina, but she's hiding in Main Engineering. I'm sorry, I used your medical override, but the computer’s asking for an emergency access code.
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
Oh, so you know my emergency override? No doubt, you've used it a few times to get to areas of the ship uninterrupted?
Sannaro blushed.
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
Is that embarrassment I sense from you?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Well-
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
I thought so. I really think you should come to the hospital and let Cherna lead your Defenders and the Protocol Enforcers to find her.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
No, I can find her faster telepathically. Please, give me the emergency code!
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
Marc wants you in custody until this is cleared up.
SANNANO (PSI V.O.)
I can clear my name faster! Please, Zhad!
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, you're already in a whole lot of trouble, escaping from Marc's guards! Please surrender yourself at the Hospital before you're hunted down by the ADF!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I can't, father! You know by Astrisi law, I have the right to work to clear my name! Please allow me to do that! I'm trained as a Saili police tracker! I can sense her movement through the ship and find her faster than anyone! Give me the chance to clear my name!
ZHAD (PSI V.O.)
Okay, key in 5822. That should make the computer respond. It's good to feel your mind slipping around the ship again.
Sannaro almost chuckled as he pulled back and keyed in the numbers.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Code accepted.
CHERNA
What's so amusing?
SANNARO
Unfortunately, Zhad now knows I know his medical override command.
When they felt the elevator slow, they tensed up and were on their guard once the elevator stopped.
The doors opened to a vast lighted room that was an incredible six stories high and as wide as the whole Kumani. Catwalks crisscrossed four immense hatches attached to each of the gigantic main thrusters that propelled their ship.
Sannaro took her hand and led her to the right.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Easy, it's not any bigger than the Upper Flight Deck.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
The- the engines!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
They’re immense, but they need to be, Kumani isn't a small starship.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
How many times have I flown over these thrusters and not given a thought about their immensity?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Over a thousand times! That's okay, we were always too busy concentrating on flying.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
Do you know where Mina is?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I really did think it was going to be easier than this, but I think I can track her even through this vast room.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
This reminds me of when we were teenagers and we sneaked through the Kumani to defeat Roger Arlington!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Destined to be wing-mates till the end!
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I hope Adara's watching the children!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I'm sure she is and I'm sure Andu and Ambri know we're busy with ships' duty right now. I owe them some time once all this is over, I've been so self-absorbed again.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
That's all right, everyone knows you get like that when you're too upset.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I'm better when I have something to do.
Sannaro slipped around a corner to a narrow access tunnel between two thrusters.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Cheri, generate your star field again, please. I don't want to go into another panic attack.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
The sight of the narrow corridor was replaced with a star field with a corridor illuminated by straight flashes of light.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You've gotten better.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
You still have my hand so I don't want you to bump into a wall.
Sannaro concentrated to walk down the corridor.
BACK TO KUMANI ENGINE ROOM
They came out to a normal-sized corridor, but the ceiling was copper-colored metal with signs on them that warned the metal was dangerously hot. Against the wall were rung ladders that climbed up dark shafts.
Sannaro extended his telepathy beyond the wall. He pulled back and stumbled.
Cherna pressed her hand into his back to steady him.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
This is the aft bulkhead! The thrusters exit the ship through here.
Sannaro thrust out his telepathy behind him and upward. He found Mina's signature and pointed to the dimly lit ladder well.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Oh, fausa, Mina’s now up on a catwalk up there!
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
I don't think it would be safe for me to concentrate on a space scape and climb a ladder.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’d be too nervous that I’d miss a rung.
CHERNA (PSI V.O.)
So you'll have to climb it unaided. Can you do it?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
If I don't, Mina may not be caught and I'll be blamed for sabotage I didn't do.
He concentrated on grasping one rung at a time and looked either up or down. He stepped onto the grating, grasped the rails tightly and saw a similar long corridor like the one they went through down below.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Here we go again, Cheri, get me through this damn tight-walk. Keep an eye out for Mina.
MINA
What's wrong, boy, scared of heights? Doesn't bother me! I'm up here all the time.
SANNARO
Your attempt to frame me as the saboteur didn't work, Mina. You sabotaged the electrical system! I wouldn't have thought to do that. I would’ve taken out the pilot's control boards!
MINA
I don't see the P.E.s up here helping you!
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
Sannaro's vision changed to the star field with the lighted path again and he set out in a jog.
Everything was clear until the star field transformed into solid wall that ended a few meters ahead.
BACK TO ENGINE ROOM
Mina jumped out and slammed his face with a two-handed fist.
Sannaro stumbled backwards and fell on top of Cherna. He sat up and shook his head to clear his blurry vision.
Mina reached down and pulled Sannaro off the floor, rolled him over her shoulder and threw him off the catwalk.
Sannaro grabbed the rail, pulled his legs up to his chest, kicked off the catwalk and leapt back over the rail, slamming his feet into Mina's chest.
Cherna swung her own double-fist into the small of Mina's back.
Mina crumpled to the floor gasping but reached to grab Sannaro's ankle.
He leapt off the catwalk in time for Mina to grasp air.
Mina jumped to her feet and back-fisted Cherna in the face, then punched her other fist at Sannaro.
Sannaro danced back down the catwalk at the fore of a massive thruster.
Mina pressed in on him throwing punches and kicks.
He blocked each of them, but his stomach was feeling weak.
Sannaro looked around for Cherna.
MINA
Oh, she's out cold.
She swiped her fist out across his chest.
He pulled in to avoid it. When pain exploded from his groin, he yelped and he fell to his knees. He grasped himself and moaned.
Mina cackled.
MINA
Like any man, you kick them in the nuts and they cry like a baby!
Mina's two fists came down on his neck. He crumpled to the grating, unconscious.
Cherna shook her head and sat up. She glared at Mina.
CHERNA
Mina!
Mina saw her approaching. She ran down the side of a thruster and was quickly out of sight.
Cherna sank down beside Sannaro and cradled his head.
Shortly, Eke'i, the Senior Engineer ran down the catwalk from another access and stopped above her.
EKEI
I was alerted that you and San were tracking Mina in here. Where is she?
CHERNA
She went towards a ladder.
Ekei
She's probably to the deck by now.
CHERNA
We can't follow her until Sannaro's awake. That underhanded snake!
EKEI
Try to wake him.
CHERNA
I'll try, but Mina gave San a savage blow to his groin.
EKEI
Oh, the poor boy, he'll hardly be able to walk when he wakes!
Cherna pushed back Sannaro's shoulder length blue-black hair and touched the highest point of Sannaro's ear with the tip of a finger and called for him to wake up. She felt the ear flutter from her touch. She felt him stir under her touch.
He woke, clutched his groin and moaned. His pain flooded her senses she had to grab the railing to steady herself.
SANNARO
You shouldn't touch me! Pain too much for you.
SANNARO
I wish to fausa that family would stop kicking me in the groin!
EKEI
Can you sense where Mina went, son?
SANNARO
Give me a few more minutes to stop hurting and I'm going back on her trail. I'm warned about her feints now. She's not going to use that maneuver on me again!
Eventually, he sat up and dried his eyes.
Eke'i wrapped his arms around Sannaro's chest and helped him up. He was relieved that Eke'i was supporting him when he swayed and stumbled.
Eke'i steadied him.
EKEI
Didn't want you to fall off this catwalk, I don't think even a Saili could survive that fall.
SANNARO
Fa'arata, Eke'i. Let's follow Mina's path.
EKEI
Because she went this way?
SANNARO
No, because it's not between thrusters.
CHERNA
San's had enough, dealing with his claustrophobia.
EKEI
Oh, my department isn't good for those with phobias, lots of tight and high places.
Sannaro was more than relieved when he touched good solid deck again then they jogged off to a thick hatch.
CHERNA
So, where do we go now?
Sannaro picked up Mina's residual trail. They went through the hatch and came into a small hallway that had another security hatch, but Sannaro was able to open it as long as he was leaving engineering.
They came out into another short hallway with a normal hatchway at the end.
They opened that hatch and were inside the main room of the gymnasium.
Sannaro reached out with his telepathy and traced Mina's trail across the floor. He was lambasted with strong anger.
He refocused his eyes in time to see a fist flying toward him.
Sannaro tried to block it, but he was slammed into his nose. He fell hard on the floor.
CHERNA
Noki, how despicable!
NOKI
That's for having me thrown off the flight deck, Sannaro!
Sannaro spit blood off his lips and jumped to his feet.
SANNARO
Well, since you shamefully attacked me without warning, I'll just take you up on your challenge, Noki.
CHERNA
San, you're already injured and Mina's getting away!
SANNARO
I can track Mina easily. Noki's not going to get away with humiliating me in front of the whole gym!
NOKI
That's the spirit, San!
Sannaro slipped around Noki and went to an empty practice mat.
Noki joined him at the other line then bowed to him with a smirk on his face.
Sannaro returned the bow and then struck a stance. He began his attack with a few easy punches to Noki's face and chest.
Noki blocked them easily then countered with two jabs and a snap kick.
Sannaro blocked those with equal ease. He began his attack with a left punch and then rotated his body to his right.
Noki blocked the punch then threw a punch with his left. It missed.
Sannaro jabbed his elbow into Noki's unprotected side, then came out of his spin with a right thrust kick into the crook of Noki's knee.
Noki dropped to the mat holding his side and his knee.
SANNARO
Sorry, Noki, I'm a bit busy.
Sannaro ran from the mat.
NOKI
San, wait! You've defeated me fairly. Please don't take my sash!
SANNARO
I really didn't want to. I just needed you to stop challenging my authority.
Noki sighed with relief as the medical team rushed to his side.
Sannaro rejoined Cherna and they ran through the gym.
CHERNA
Wow, that was a complicated maneuver you did. Noki wasn't prepared for it at all!
SANNARO
Either he terribly underestimated me or he needs to practice more. Fausa, I just lost Mina's track!
Sannaro stopped suddenly near the elevators.
FADE OUT.
THE END.