Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“TO TAME a FIREBIRD”
EPISODE 41 – A FATHER'S OBSESSION
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI HALLWAYS - TRAVELING
Sannaro backed up and studied the elevator door.
CHERNA
Why are we stopping?
SANNARO
Mina's tracks stop here. She seems to have taken the elevator.
CHERNA
Great!
SANNARO
Wait.
(beat)
She's gone below to the ship's stores.
Sannaro pushed the call button for the elevator.
When the doors opened, they stepped in and Sannaro called for Ship's Stores, Level 3.
The doors closed and they moved downward.
Upon stepping out of the elevator, Sannaro remembered this area was where he went through with his body severely beaten by Kuro. He could now remember where the metal storage room was.
He reached out to find Mina's trail and headed right, the opposite direction from the metal storage room.
He rarely came here, so he was amazed at how many doors and rooms were running off the wide hallway they walked through.
The farther he walked, the more uncomfortable he felt. His body was straining from too much fighting and stress.
He sensed Mina wasn't too far away.
They continued cautiously and passed many doors then Sannaro turned left down another vast corridor. He quickened his pace down the long hall. He slowed slightly as they came to an intersection.
Just as he reached the end of the wall, a fist flew out at him.
He grabbed the arm, spun around then slammed Mina into the wall. He grabbed her wrists and held them against the wall.
Mina kicked out at him.
He raised his leg to block it then kicked her in the knee.
She hissed and sank down the wall.
Sannaro pulled her up and slammed her against the wall again.
MINA
All right! You've got me!
SANNARO
Well, now you're involved in this mess too. Did Nasu put Kuro up to beating me?
Mina spat in his face.
MINA
I'm not talking to slag!
Sannaro wiped his face dry.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah, we have the saboteur. It was Mina.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
I thought that sabotage was too electronically complicated for you to do. The level of expertise fits Mina. That means Nasu's whole family was involved. Where are you?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Down in Ship's Stores near Elevator door 98.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Okay, I'm coming with some Protocol Enforcers.
MINA
You know, you're body looks pretty stacked up close, short-wire! Let’s have a threesome and call it even?
Cherna grabbed the front of the older woman's shirt.
Hadah came around the corner flanked by two Protocol Enforcers.
HADAH
We'll escort her to the PE's office, San. How the fausa did you track her down here?
SANNARO
I'm fully-trained in Telepathic Police Tracker methods. Gavasno taught them to me while we were looking for a new planet for the New Saili to colonize.
HADAH
Impressive!
They followed the PE's who were guarding Mina to the elevator. It opened up across the hall from the security office again.
Before Sannaro could follow them in, Cherna grabbed his arm.
CHERNA
I want to check on the kids, see if they're all right.
SANNARO
Okay.
He stepped into the Security Office where Hadah was already questioning Mina.
HADAH
Well, so now you're in this mess too, Mina?
MINA
You took my son and my mate! What do you think, idiot?
HADAH
Enough with the name-calling. Did you and Nasu give Kuro the idea to kidnap Sannaro?
MINA
The slag has no business being with the Astrisi! How many times do we need to tell you dimwits?
HADAH
Telling us is one thing, but attacking Sannaro's another. Many of us don't share your opinion. Are there more involved in this scheme besides Kuro, Nasu and you?
MINA
Go jettison yourself, Hadah.
HADAH
It seems convenient that as soon as I suspected Nasu helped your son kidnap Sannaro, you suddenly decide to slip unseen onto the flight deck and sabotage the ADF shuttles and make the ADF go after Sannaro?
MINA
Why not? You've got my family!
HADAH
Yes, it's a shame your whole family’s going to go down alone.
MINA
No, we won't!
HADAH
Oh, so who's still out there to spring you, Mina?
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
Mina talked to Ku'an about sabotaging the ADF shuttle for arresting Nasu.
BACK TO PROTOCOL ENFORCER'S OFFICE
Sannaro stumbled backwards.
SANNARO
Ku'an?!
MINA
He hates this slag fucking his daughter!
Sannaro flushed and slammed his fist into the wall.
MINA
I'm just telling the truth, alien! He thought if we made you disappear, the Astrisi would come to their senses and Cherna would love him again.
Sannaro concentrated on sensing Cherna.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
Ku'an rushed around a corner and knocked Cherna out. He swung her over his shoulder and rushed to the elevator.
BACK TO PROTOCOL ENFORCER'S OFFICE
He held onto the wall.
SANNARO
No, Ku'an, don't take her from me!
HADAH
What, Sannaro?
SANNARO
When you asked Mina about who'd save them, Mina thought about Ku'an! Then I saw Ku'an knock out Cherna and take her! Ku'an's kidnapped Cherna!
HADAH
Fausa! And we had to release Nasu because we couldn't prove his involvement!
MINA
You bastard! You lied to get me to talk!
SANNARO
I have to find her!
Sannaro rushed from the Security Office. Sannaro sprinted down the hall.
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro, I know you can hear me.
Sannaro shored up his shields a little more to tone down the rage-filled thought.
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
By now, you should know I took my daughter back. If you don't want her hurt, slag, I want you to take your mixed-breed kids and get the hell out of the Astrisi.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
And what if I do? Will you return Cherna to me?
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
I told you, she won't be hurt if you take your half-breed kids and leave!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Ku'an, you don't understand! If you keep her away from me and I go far away, Cherna’s going to sicken and die!
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
She's Astrisi and you're not! If you leave, she'll come to her senses and take on a real mate.
Sannaro (PSI V.O.)
She can't, Ku'an.
KU'AN (PSI V.O.)
Enough! You have your warning! If you come after her, I'll hurt her, you hear? Leave the Astrisi and take your half-breeds with you!
Sannaro stopped to lean his head against the wall and close his eyes. Suddenly, he pulled back, then slammed his fist into the wall and let out a frustrated howl.
Hadah caught up with him.
HADAH
Wait, San! Give the PEs the chance to find her.
SANNARO
No! I can find her faster! I'm entitled to challenge him! Hadah, Ku'an just called me telepathically and told me if I don't take the children and leave the Astrisi, he'll hurt Cherna! All this skisla time, I've been fighting the wrong skisla people! Hadah, Cherna and I can't be split up or we'll die!
HADAH
I remember your Uncle saying something about it, but how would it cause the two of you to die?
SANNARO
It's the Saili marriage link! Even when both mates are Saili, the long absence or death of one has caused the other to die of grief! If I lost her, I don't know if I could survive it. Ku'an could kill us both if he forces us apart! I have to do this alone.
Sannaro ran down the hall and left Hadah shocked and speechless behind him.
Sannaro sensed Ku'an stronger as he approached the apartment he shared with Ba'ia. Sannaro paused outside of Ku'an's apartment to take a deep breath.
SANNARO
Medical override, door open.
The door swept open and he rushed inside.
Nasu leaned against the sofa and chuckled.
NASU
Good job, Golden Retriever, you sniffed the trail, but she's not here.
He rushed Sannaro with a right cross to Sannaro's face.
Sannaro blocked it with his left, then tried to jab Nasu's side with his right. He missed.
Nasu whirled around and brought up his elbow to slam Sannaro's face.
Sannaro ducked under and stepped back against a chair.
NASU
Ha, scared to fight me?
SANNARO
Not at all, but it's Ku'an I want to fight, not you.
NASU
It took you long enough to figure that out!
Sannaro growled then swept in with fists flying.
Nasu blocked all of them.
He threw a left roundhouse kick.
Nasu blocked it.
Sannaro drew back again, panting lightly.
The door swept open and Ba'ia came rushing in. She stopped, wide-eyed when she saw Nasu and him in fighting stances in her living room.
NASU
Get out of the way, Ba'ia! I'm teaching the slag a lesson.
BA'IA
This is my home, Nasu. I'm calling the Protocol Enforcers.
NASU
That's too bad.
Nasu rushed forward and hit the base of her neck with the blade of his hand.
She dropped to the floor.
Sannaro narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw.
SANNARO
You shouldn't have done that.
NASU
She was in the way.
Sannaro relaxed from his fighting stance and swaggered toward the door.
SANNARO
Nice sparring with you, Nasu. I've got to find Ku'an.
Nasu snarled and charged.
Sannaro waited until he sensed Nasu was almost on him. He snapped up his arm and about-faced. He grabbed Nasu's outstretched arm and gave him a strong shove into the wall.
Nasu crumpled to the floor.
SANNARO
Kohura, Nasu, enjoy the headache you're going to awaken with.
Sannaro went to Ba'ia and gently shook her shoulder. He shook her twice more before she groaned and pulled her head off the floor.
SANNARO
Ba'ia, can you move?
BA'IA
I think so.
She sat up.
SANNARO
Go ahead and call the PEs. Nasu’s unconscious and shouldn't wake until after they're here. I have to go find Cherna.
BA'IA
Who has Cherna?
SANNARO
Ku'an wants me to take Andu and Ambri and leave the Astrisi or he said he’d hurt her.
Her eyes glistened with tears as she stroked his hair.
BA'IA
Just go, Sanna. Go get your mate back.
SANNARO
I will.
He half-smiled before he stood up and rushed from the apartment.
He followed the hallway aft-ward through the general quarters until the trail stopped
at an elevator door.
SANNARO'S PSYCHIC VISION
He scanned outward. They weren't in the forward upper quadrant of the ship and they weren't in the forward lower quadrant either so that left aft.
He scanned the aft upper quadrant and still didn't find them so that left the aft lower quadrant.
He scanned the ships stores and the Lower Flight Bay.
Sannaro scanned the farthest reaches of the ship and familiarity blossomed. Ku'an was in the Fuel Manager's area and Cherna's signature was still weak, but detectable.
BACK TO HALLWAY
Sannaro called the elevator.
When the door opened, he stepped in.
SANNARO
Fuel Management.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Security Access Code required.
SANNARO
Medical emergency, code red.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please, key in emergency code.
Sannaro punched in the emergency code again and the elevator began to move.
Sannaro paced nervously in the elevator.
The doors opened into a short hallway.
Sannaro cautiously walked down the hall until he came to a ladder that went through a hole in the ceiling. He searched the upper area with his telepathy, but he didn't sense anyone there.
He moved on until he came to a door. He went toward it and slipped through the opening doors.
There was a small common room with electronic games in it. On the far wall near the entertainment screen was a couch. Cherna lay there with Ku'an kneeling beside her, her limp hand in his. His face showed pain and grief.
Sannaro narrowed his eyes.
Ku'an looked up at Sannaro and glared. He squeezed Cherna's hand.
She squirmed and moaned in her sleep.
KU'AN
Why can't you just go away?
SANNARO
I can't. I love her too much.
KU'AN
You love her! What about me?! She loved me once. She was so tiny and cute once. She used to look at me the way she looks at you! You corrupted her! You made her hate me!
Ku'an lunged at Sannaro with his hands out to grip Sannaro's throat.
Sannaro swept his arms up, knocked both arms away then slammed Ku'an in the chest.
Ku'an fell the floor gasping.
KU'AN
Have you fucked my wife too? She won't talk to me anymore either!
SANNARO
You're a sick man, Ku'an! It disgusts me that you think I'd have sexual relations with someone I consider like my mother! I couldn't shame that wonderful woman who's my adoring wife like that! Don't you understand that the sensations I feel, she feels? When you hit me, she hurts too! When I crashed my Vizha'i, she nearly lost control of her own, reacting to my pain! If I even tried to have a sexual relationship with another woman, she'd know it! She would feel it! We're connected!
Ku'an reared up and slammed Sannaro in the face.
Sannaro staggered back and held his stinging cheek.
Cherna moaned and grabbed her face.
Ku'an starred in amazement at his unconscious daughter. He turned back to Sannaro and hit him deep in his abdomen.
Sannaro woofed and doubled over with his hands pressed against his stomach.
Ku'an snapped his head around in time to see Cherna clutch her stomach and curl her legs to her chest. She shook her head violently and looked up.
Sannaro stood up again and went toward her.
Ku'an jabbed his fist into Sannaro's side. Sannaro arched his back and fell to his knees.
Cherna yelped and grabbed her back.
CHERNA
Stop it, father! Stop hurting him!
Ku'an grabbed Sannaro's hair, yanked him up and kneed him in the chin.
Sannaro collapsed on the floor wheezing and holding his throat with clouds of blue-black hair floating to the floor.
Cherna bent over coughing.
KU'AN
Oh, Iachi'awei Ushi, Cherna, you're acting like I'm hitting you!
CHERNA
You are! If you hit him, you hit me, too! Please, father, I love him!
Cherna slipped off the couch, collapsed beside Sannaro and held his head against her breast.
Sannaro snuggled into her.
CHERNA
Why can't you love him too? You use to care about what made me happy. Then when Sannaro came, he was so horribly scarred, but I thought he was so fascinating. I couldn't understand why you turned mean to me and Di'ok! I tried to help you like him, but it was as if you stopped caring about me! Don't you see that hurt me? Sannaro cared about me as you did once. He felt sympathy for me when things upset me. He played games with me and sparred with me. He didn't get mad when I beat him in a video game! He laughed at my jokes! He grinned at me when I flirted with him! You just got moodier and ruder with me so I went to the man who cared! I love Sannaro with my body, my heart and my mind!
KU'AN
He coerced you with his demonic telepathy!
CHERNA
Coerced? He's never forced me to do a thing! He was even immensely embarrassed when I admitted I was attracted to him! He thought I was just another friend! If anyone has coerced me, father, it’s been you. You tried to coerce me to turn away and reject Sannaro. If Di'ok and I had listened to you, he would’ve been friendless and miserable. We aren't selfish like you are. We don't try to own everything around us. We just allowed Sannaro to be himself. That was enough because he's a very sweet person. You may have helped to conceive Di'ok and me, but you never had the right to own us.
KU'AN
I only tried to do what I thought was right! The Astrisi aren't like they once were, you aren't my adoring baby girl. I'm losing everything!
SANNARO
Maybe if you'd just let go and stop holding back natural evolution, you’d be a much happier man, Ku'an. Look at all I've lost. I lost my home, my father, my mother and my brother. I thought I lost my sister. Thankfully, she survived, but I still lost ten years of my life with her. I lost fifty-two percent of my natural skin to third degree burns! You can even say I lost my freedom to the control of the Astrisi for ten years! I didn't hold on to what I lost. I let it go and began again. Because I let go, I gained a new loving family and three great friends. One of those friends shocked me with the request to become my lover and life partner. I even got my sister back! I gained so much more by letting go, Ku'an!
KU'AN
I don't know how to.
Cherna held out her hand.
CHERNA
Come with us and we'll help you.
Ku'an shivered then slowly took her hand.
Sannaro laid his own hand over Ku'an's.
Ku'an gasped, but didn't pull away.
Sannaro pulled his hand away then stood up.
Cherna stood up with Ku'an, still holding his hand.
SANNARO
I hope you understand, we’ll still have to give you over to the Protocol Enforcers.
KU'AN
Yes, I did some terrible things.
SANNARO
But I'll talk to Zhad about finding a good psychiatrist for you.
CHERNA
See, father? Sannaro’s already willing to forgive you.
KU'AN
Maybe someday I can be deserving of his forgiveness.
Ku'an walked toward the door.
Sannaro and Cherna followed him to the elevator and took it to the Security Office.
Ku'an stepped up and held his arms out to Zho'ab.
KU'AN
I've done some criminal things. I'm handing myself in.
Zho'ab shook off his shock and put handcuffs on Ku'an's wrists.
CHERNA
Now you can get better, Ya.
Tears flowed down Ku'an's cheeks.
KU'AN
It has been too long since you called me Ya, Cheri.
Cherna kissed Ku'an's cheek then took Sannaro's hand.
Zho'ab led Ku'an back to a holding cell.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
The entry door opened and Marc Daniels rushed in. He glared at both of them.
MARC
I hope you're satisfied. Cherna, I gave you the keys to Sannaro's ear shackles so you could bring him back here to be detained, not to help him run all over the ship being a fool hero!
SANNARO
I had to clear my name, Marc. I could track Mina better than anyone here. You should know that! I helped you find your father on the Zuran ship!
MARC
I have my orders to follow, Aurum! I let you escape! I should have kept you locked up in the hospital until I found out the sabotage was too complicated for your skills.
SANNARO
I'm sorry if I got you in trouble with your superiors, Marc. I'd only meant to bring the one who did it to justice.
MARC
That kind of behavior got the Astrisi in trouble with the Alliance! You just have to take on everything yourselves!
SANNARO
What I did was Astrisi justice!
Zho'ab entered from the door to the holding cells.
ZHO'AB
He's right, Lieutenant Daniels, Sannaro did carry out Astrisi justice on an Astrisi ship. Sannaro's a Defender. The Protocol Enforcers mission is to do just as our name suggests, we remind people when they are acting beyond acceptable behaviors and give them citations when things get too rowdy. When someone moves through the ship attacking people, the Defenders find them and stop their rampage. We P.E.s are only called on to support the Defenders when the scope of the battle within the ship becomes too big for them to fight alone, such as, when pirates board the ship in large numbers. You see, we P.E.s don't carry weapons unless we're called on to do so, the Defenders carry weapons. Sannaro did his job even if you don't like how he did it, but the offender who sabotaged your ships was Astrisi. In this unusual situation, we allowed the ADF to seal off the Flight Decks. You had no authority to take the ADF to hunt down an Astrisi criminal through an Astrisi ship.
MARC
Okay, I should have remembered we’re occupying your ship, not running it. The Astrisi haven't agreed to become part of the Alliance.
SANNARO
Just as the Alliance doesn't want the Astrisi to ignore the authorities of planetary government, Astrisi don't want the ADF to ignore the authority of Astrisi government, Marc. I grew up in this Astrisi culture. By Astrisi law, I was entitled to work to clear my name as long as I had clear reasons. I knew from your thoughts that the sabotage you found couldn't have been done by me because it was too electrical.
MARC
Then why did you attack me and my men in the shuttle?
SANNARO
I'm sorry about that, but I can still explain it. Saili are very dependent upon telepathy as a mode of communication, but also for our mental stability. When a Saili is deprived of telepathy, they can panic. I was already panicked from claustrophobia because you locked me in a small closet. The combination of the two forms of panic made me go berserk. I guess you could say I fell back on my warrior training with only one thought, I had to get out of that room.
CHERNA
When I found him, Marc, he was huddled in a dark corner with his hands pressed over his ears and rocking back and forth. He was so desperate to have telepathic contact.
MARC
So, I guess Zhad was right, I didn't handle the situation with you well. I'm sorry, Sannaro, I guess I need to learn more about detaining Saili. So much for my diplomatic background helping me.
SANNARO
Now, don't kick yourself so hard, my friend. We both made mistakes. I should have warned you that someone could try to enter the Flight Bay by going through the aft Maintenance Deck.
Marc held out his hand.
MARC
Let's start again?
Sannaro shook Marc's hand.
SANNARO
Let's start again.
MARC
Now, you need to get to the hospital, buddy, you look like you got the crap knocked out of you!
SANNARO
I did.
Marc patted Sannaro's shoulder.
MARC
Take care, friend.
Sannaro shuddered as he massaged that shoulder.
SANNARO
Oh, I must have sprained my shoulder when I grabbed the catwalk rail after Mina threw me off.
MARC
Ouch. Get going.
Sannaro shuffled out the door.
Cherna put her arm around his waist. Although she couldn't conceivably support his more massive weight, the feel of her pressed against him was comforting.
INT. EARTH TERRAN ALLIANCE COUNCIL CHAMBER
Hadah followed Parik to the chamber the Astrisi were using.
Right outside of the doors stood Dusti. She approached them eagerly.
DUSTI
Nice to see you again! Have you finally settled your ship again?
HADAH
Fausa, it was difficult. Sannaro was beaten again, but he gave better than he got this time. He rounded up the whole gang conspiring to kill him nearly by himself.
DUSTI
Sannaro's fighting skills are even legendary on my ship! I've heard rumors that the pirates in your sector call him The Destroyer!
HADAH
Oh? I haven't heard that one!
PARIK
A small, fast, highly maneuverable warship armed with guns and guided missiles?
HADAH
That sounds about right for a description of Sannaro!
ALE'US
Ambassador Daniels is ready to address the Council.
Hadah gestured toward the door.
HADAH
After you, Dusti?
DUSTI
Fa'arata, Hadah.
Dusti stepped through.
Parik and he entered right after.
Once they settled in chairs, Jon Daniels stepped up to the podium.
JON
The Alliance Council of Representatives thank you and applaud you for making this large step toward mutual understanding. The Alliance Council recognizes the Astrisi have a very adequate government within the twelve ships. The Alliance sees no reason to disrupt the government you have already designed. The Alliance will recognize that any Astrisi mother-ship is a sovereign nation within the Astrisi. However, once a shuttle or fighter ship leaves the confines of the Astrisi ship, they are in Alliance space, subject to Allied laws.
Hadah felt irritated and the room rumbled.
JON
Please, bear with me. All sovereign nations are allowed to engage in defense against invaders and are allowed to maintain a Defense Force so your Vizha'i are not endangered.
Hadah sighed with relief and sensed that many were also relieved.
JON
However, if a Vizha'i invades another sovereign nation's boundaries without invitation, that is an invasion by the Astrisi on that sovereignty. Also, if a shuttle is landed upon another sovereign nation, their laws of conduct apply to the Astrisi for the duration of their stay. If an Astrisi engages in unlawful activities, that Astrisi will be subjected to the sovereign law of that planet or base. If the Astrisi find themselves in a dispute within the boundaries of another sovereign nation, the Astrisi must contact the sovereign authorities to resolve the dispute by the local sovereign law. The resolution of disputes by the Astrisi without consent by the sovereignty will be considered a criminal act. Those Astrisi who are involved in that criminal act should surrender themselves to the sovereign authority. One step that must be taken for the Astrisi to successfully apply to the Alliance for membership is that a treaty must be designed for extradition of the suspected criminal upon the supplying of reliable evidence to support suspicion. If one Astrisi vessel flees from sovereign justice, it will become the obligation of the remaining Astrisi vessels to retrieve the offending vessel to be remanded to custody to participate in the processes of law. Failure to retrieve the offending vessel will be considered a declaration of war. These are the conditions the Alliance Council of Representatives have brought forth as the conditions for the Astrisi to apply to the Terran Alliance for membership. I sincerely hope the members of the Astrisi Council of Ships will consider carefully these conditions. I now open the floor up for questions.
CHI'ON
Will we be charged with any attacks that have been done in the past?
JON
No, the Astrisi will not be subjected to litigation concerning past actions against sovereignty of the Alliance.
DUSTI
Does that include what happened on Arcturus?
JON
Yes, this does include the incident on Arcturus that precipitated the Alliance Council of Representative's current actions.
ERM
You aren't going to tell us all these promises, then take us over, are you?
JON
That is not our intention. I have personally seen your government and I have told my colleagues I was impressed with your self-governance. The Alliance Council of Representatives see no reason to insist on changes within the Astrisi government.
INU'US
You mean, that's it?
JON
Would you please rephrase your question?
INU'US
We just promise to you humans that we'll ask for help from your police when we have a dispute with any worlders?
JON
Yes, as well as your collective assurance that the Astrisi will answer for their actions from now on if any Astrisi fail to follow sovereign law of the planet visited.
Hadah heard many Seniors and Commanders whispering among themselves.
JON
Are there any more questions?
there any more questions?
No one else was standing to speak.
JON
All right, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Astrisi, thank you for your audience.
Jon Daniels stepped down from the dais and swept out of the room.
PARIK
I think that went very well.
HADAH
That Jon Daniels can sure speak.
PARIK
Do you mean he’s vociferous or that he’s an exceptional public speaker?
HADAH
That speech got me listening.
PARIK
As well as many of our other brothers and sisters, it was a very compelling speech.
HADAH
Do you think it worked, Parik?
PARIK
I sure hope so. Oh, it looks like I'm needed.
Parik stood up and went to the front of the room.
PARIK
Ambassador Daniels gave us a lot to think about.
There were many rumbles of agreement.
PARIK
I move that we adjourn this council so we can carry this new information to our people and deliberate on our reply. We'll meet again in two days.
Many in the room stood up and broke off into cells to talk more, but Hadah walked up to Parik.
HADAH
I'd like to go back to the Kumani. I want to see how everything's going.
PARIK
As do I. We’re finished here.
Parik followed Hadah out the doors and returned to the shuttle.
INT. KUMANI COUNCIL ROOM
When they entered the Council room, he noticed Sannaro was looking back to normal and a whole lot more relaxed than he saw him in a long time. But, more noticeable was the three empty seats left open by Ku'an, Nasu and Mina.
PARIK
We have brought back a recording of Speaker Daniels' speech to us so you can hear it for yourself.
Parik used the computer to play it back.
TEKLA
That Jon Daniels is quite a speaker.
MORI
I think the conditions he speaks about are quite reasonable.
AMIDA
I'm worried as the Senior Mother-ship pilot if we're going to see his promises honored.
HADAH
We won't know unless we accept membership and allow them to prove their intentions.
ADKI
We're not assured survival if we reject membership and go out on our own. I'm worried about finding food to feed us if we do.
Many nodded in agreement.
PARIK
Okay, we'll see what the other ships have to say when we adjourn next.
ZHO'AB
I think we need to conduct the hearings on Ku'an, Nasu and Mina.
PARIK
That needs to be done. Escort Ku'an into council, Zho'ab.
A short time after, Zho'ab returned with Ku'an.
Ku'an looked drawn and somber as he looked up and met the eyes of each council member.
KU'AN
I've done some terrible things. I talked Kuro into attacking and killing Sannaro.
Angry whispers flooded through the room.
KU'AN
I persuaded Nasu to steal flash bombs to help Kuro disable Sannaro. When Nasu was taken for questioning, I talked Mina into sabotaging the ADF shuttles and make it look like Sannaro did it. After Sannaro caught Mina, I kidnapped Cherna and told Sannaro to leave the Astrisi or I'd hurt her.
BA'IA
Oh! Ku'an, how could you! She's our daughter!
KU'AN
Ba'ia, please, let me finish. Then when Nasu was released, I set him up to be in my apartment to attack Sannaro if he tried to find Cherna. I really am sorry you got hurt in the fight, Ba'ia. I don't blame you if you can't forgive me either.
ADARA
Why, Ku'an?
KU'AN
I was jealous. Cherna didn't love me anymore and I couldn't stand how she just hung on him all the time. The looks she gives him.
Ku'an choked and tears streamed down his cheeks.
KU'AN
She used to look at me like that.
ZHAD
Ku'an's mentally ill. His condition seems to be that of an obsessive compulsive.
KIKI
What's that, Zhad?
ZHAD
It's a personality disorder. Ku'an has a problem with wanting things to stay the same and in his control. What started as a feeling all parents have toward their children, that is, in itself, a desirable trait in the bonding process became an obsession in Ku'an to keep Cherna as his daughter, loving and innocent. Ku'an couldn't accept his daughter had to grow up and separate from him. He seems to have decided Sannaro was taking something from him he couldn't bear to lose. He was able to reign in these feelings until our current dilemma that signified to Ku'an he was going to lose the Astrisi too.
This manifested in criminal behavior where Ku'an convinced himself that Sannaro had changed his daughter and the Astrisi so if he eliminated Sannaro his world would resettle into what he deemed comfortable. He just used Nasu, Mina and Kuro's frustration toward Sannaro's continued presence in the Astrisi to convince them to carry out his criminal plans against Sannaro. Once they were out of the way, then Ku'an tried to do it himself. Ba'ia, I don't think Ku'an would've hurt your daughter much, he just thought if he denied Sannaro access to Cherna, Sannaro would leave. But, Sannaro can't leave his wife because they have a telepathic link that's stronger than any Astrisi could imagine.
PARIK
How's something like this treated?
ZHAD
It takes medication and psychiatry to teach Ku'an how to resist acting on his impulses.
KRATIS
But how do we rule on something like this? It's not been handled before.
SANNARO
Ku'an needs medical help. He did criminal activities, but it was out of misguided love for Cherna. I hope I never react to Ambrika as Ku'an did with Cherna, but I can sympathize with his desire to keep his daughter. That really isn’t criminal even though what he did to me was. He needs medical help, not more pain. I don't want to challenge him because he's my wife's father. I just want him to get well.
PARIK
All right, Ku'an, I'll hand you over to Zhad for treatment. Zhad, you’ll have to work out how Ku'an will be handled since Sannaro thinks it’s a medical matter.
Zhad nodded and smiled sadly before he stood up and walked to Ku'an's side.
ZHAD
Come on, Ku'an, I'll take you to your room.
Ku'an stood up and faced Ba'ia.
KU'AN
I've been mean to you, Ba'ia. I've been mean to all my family. I don't know if you can ever forgive me, but I know now that our daughter’s in good loving hands. Sannaro treats her a lot better than I did. I did love you.
Ba'ia nodded to him with her face wet with tears.
BA'IA
There's no reason to make decisions right now, Ku'an.
Ku'an smiled then turned to Zhad.
KU'AN
I'm ready to go now.
Zhad took Ku'an's upper arm and led him out of the room.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Once Zhad returned to the council room, Nasu was escorted in.
PARIK
Nasu, the council wants you to know that Ku'an just gave a full confession and implicated you twice. Once for the theft of a flash bomb from the armory you’re responsible for to aide Kuro in disabling Sannaro in order to kill him. Then again, he had you placed in his apartment to ambush Sannaro to prevent him from searching for his mate who Ku'an kidnapped.
NASU
Well, then there's not much I can say.
SANNARO
Nasu and I had a fair fight even though it wasn't in the gym where it should’ve been. I have a radical suggestion I remember was used on my colony, Regalis, for those who committed a lesser crime.
EDAT
We've always settled criminals by challenge!
NASU
Sure, I'll be glad to fight him again. Fair fight? I don't call it fair. You tricked me.
SANNARO
Please, listen to my suggestion. If we choose to become part of the human alliance, we can't go killing everyone for any crime. The program I want to suggest works all right with the Humans. They use a location transmitter that’s installed into an anklet like a power cuff. A convicted felon wears it so the police know where that person is at all times. The felon’s given a strict schedule for his or her day that the police also have. They’re allowed to move around the community to work, to eat in cafeterias and they live at home.
If that person strays from where they’re supposed to be at that certain time, they're arrested again and confined. That way Nasu and Kuro can still be useful members of our society while they’re punished for their crimes. Like you did to me, they wouldn’t be allowed to go on landings.
ZHO'AB
Who'd monitor them?
SANNARO
That's your area, Zho'ab. You just have to install the monitoring equipment into your security office and maybe you could give your patrollers a hand-held locator device to make sure they stay where they're supposed to be.
HADAH
Can you work it, Zho'ab?
ZHO'AB
It would take some getting used to, but I think my staff can do it.
HADAH
Can you design and build this locator equipment, Ilma?
ILMA
That's no problem. A locator chip can fit easily into a power cuff. Do you want to keep the power element?
ZHO'AB
I don't think it’ll be needed if San’s suggesting the person has full mobility.
SANNARO
I agree with Zho'ab.
ILMA
I'll have the cuff done for you tomorrow and send some of my staff to build the main locator in Security. The hand-held devices might take several days.
ZHO'AB
Good enough.
NASU
You're just going to blindly follow the little idiot to the destruction of the Astrisi!
PARIK
That is our right. I always thought you were narrow minded,
Nasu.
NASU
Belso didn't!
TRAYA
That was another time, Nasu, and look how he died, violently. He caused suffering to many because he wouldn't trust worlder law. Looking at Sannaro's scarred little body each day haunted him. I can't stop thinking that if Belso had just allowed that foreman to call in the police, that little mining town would’ve been spared devastation. Maybe while they investigated why Sannaro's father had died of a stun beam, the police would’ve also discovered the foreman and seranimite processor's illegal activities! We would’ve had the gratitude of those miners for peaceably uncovering their plight! Then Sannaro would’ve never been kept prisoner on board the Kumani and he would’ve had his family cured of their disease or put in remission! Don't you see, our own actions made Sannaro a part of us?
NASU
That mining town refused to give us our seranium!
SANNARO
No! I did not refuse you your fuel! I was seven years old! Why did I have to be punished for Aldinon's decision not to give Belso the Kumani's fuel?
NASU
Your father-
SANNARO
My father? He was slapping me for asking him if I could have a snack! Could I have stopped my father from being sick?
PARIK
Nasu, we'll carry out the punishment Sannaro has already suggested for you.
HADAH
I think he should have his sash taken away and not be allowed access to the armory any longer. Nasu, you'll have to seek a new job that interests you.
PARIK
I agree with Hadah. The Protocol Enforcers will help you design a daily schedule for you to keep. If the P.E.s detect that you stray from your schedule, you'll be incarcerated. Is the rest of the council in agreement?
Everyone nodded his or her agreement.
PARIK
Zho'ab, return Nasu to his holding cell and bring Mina.
ZHO'AB
Houk, Parik.
Zho'ab led Nasu from the room.
Shortly he returned with Mina.
PARIK
Mina, I'll repeat what I told Nasu, Ku'an has given a full confession about everything that’s happened. Ku'an admitted he told you to sabotage the ADF shuttles and make it look like Sannaro was the saboteur.
MINA
That backstabber, after all I did for him, he pays me back by spilling his guts?
PARIK
Council, how should we rule on this?
SANNARO
I don't think we should rule on it at all. Mina falls under ADF law. She sabotaged ADF equipment. I think she should be handed over to the ADF for trial.
CHORUS
What?!
SANNARO
Hadah, that’s one of the conditions the Alliance Council stated for applying to the Alliance?
HADAH
Houk, San, but a final decision hasn't been made yet.
SANNARO
In our earlier discussion about that meeting, everyone said they thought the Alliance's conditions weren't that unreasonable. If we truly believe they are, then we should show the ADF a first effort by handing Mina over to them.
MINA
You've got to be rachi!
PARIK
That's very diplomatic suggestion, San.
ZHAD
It's one that the ADF and Marc Daniels would appreciate. It would go a long way to smooth our strained relations between the Astrisi and the ADF since the sabotage.
SANNARO
If we don't do it and the Council of Ships decides to apply to the Alliance, some people could doubt our sincerity about complying with their conditions.
HADAH
I can't argue with that.
ZHAD
Then we should hand Mina over to the ADF for trial.
Many voices now added their agreement.
PARIK
All right, Mina and all evidence we can find to support the charges are to be surrendered to the ADF for trial. Zho'ab, return Mina to her holding cell until preparations are completed to hand her over to the ADF.
Zho'ab nodded and guided a silent, shocked Mina from the room.
PARIK
Have you changed your mind about Kuro?
SANNARO
Nui, I'm fully entitled to challenge Kuro for humiliating me and nearly killing me.
PARIK
I guess that answers all questions about this inquiry. Is there any remaining business?
No one spoke.
PARIK
Then this Council is adjourned.
Even though most of the seniors were already gone, Hadah stayed in his chair deep in his thoughts.
SANNARO
Did I ask too much, Hadah?
HADAH
What do you mean?
SANNARO
Did I ask too much for them to live with criminals surviving among them?
HADAH
You should know better than I, San. You're the telepath.
SANNARO
Firebird, like I told Ku'an while we were hostages to those rachi shippers, I may be telepathic, but I don't know everything.
HADAH
The Astrisi are changing, San. Is it's because you've been among us? I don't know. Maybe you did soften us up to worlders, but I don't see how that's harmed us. I've begun to see that we can be a very intolerant bunch of stubborn fools, but that's why we've survived hundreds of years planetless. Nui, I don't think you asked too much from us. You just begged us to open our minds and think about our future among the Humans. Jon Daniels said one luyaki good speech. For once since I've had to sit through the Council of Ships, not one person spoke until Daniels was finished. I think we needed a stubborn little Saili to knock us over the heads.
Sannaro's face turned bright orange.
SANNARO
But even I resisted the ADF by not telling Coron and then my own friend Marc Daniels about the entrance onto the Flight Deck through Maintenance.
HADAH
Oh, I didn't mean you were perfect! Just too stubborn to remain unnoticed. That just forces us to think, to go beyond our self-inflicted boundaries. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm tired. I want to go home, relax and remind my wife how lucky a man I am.
SANNARO
She deserves it.
HADAH
Naila'ahina, San.
SANNARO
Naila'ahina, Hadah.
Hadah rushed from the Council room.
INT. EARTH TERRAN ALLIANCE COUNCIL CHAMBER
Jon Daniels noticed that his own Council of Representatives room was filled so he stepped up to the podium and rang the little bell.
JON
I have news to report on the Astrisi negotiations. I addressed the Council of Ships about the conditions set forth by this Council for the steps the Astrisi must consider if they resolve to apply to the Terran Alliance for membership. My observation of the representatives once I was finished was a positive response. I assured them they would not be subjected to reprisals for past incidents.
ZERBECK
Are you all blind? Haven't you heard a word I said? The Astrisi have gone too far! They should be run out of Allied space with our cannons blazing!
JON
I don't understand your enmity with the Astrisi, Matauni. The Astrisi played a pivotal role in the defeat of the Zurans. You and I were rescued from the Zurans by a commando squad led by Astrisi and Interstellar Patrolmen.
ZERBECK
You haven't seen them at their worst, Daniels! You haven't lost friends to those marauders!
ERADANO
Did you lose a friend in an Astrisi uprising, Zerbeck Matauni?
ZERBECK
Strike that from the record.
JON
I'm sorry, Mat, but I don't think it should be erased. I, for one, would like to hear your answer to Ambassador Eradano's question. I have been concerned in the years after our incarceration by the Zurans, why you said some rather unkind, undiplomatic words to the Astrisi we were incarcerated with.
ZERBECK
Yes, I lost a friend in an Astrisi raid. Have you satisfied your morbid curiosity now?
GYRUM MAKALANI
You still hold on to much anger from the incident, Ambassador Zerbeck.
ZERBECK
Just because an Astrisi didn't like a deal my friend's father tried to work with them, the Astrisi attacked his estate and burned it to the ground! When I got there with the rest of my Zetori regiment, the whole estate was totally engulfed in flames and the gypsy trash were flying free out of the atmosphere! My friend was pulled out of the wreckage twisted and blackened. The gypsies escaped without being punished! They should be punished now! All of them!
JON
How many years ago did this happen, Mat?
ZERBECK
It doesn't matter!
JON
It does matter. Is there a chance that the same command exists on that ship? The attack on Regalis happened about twenty years ago and the Kumani has changed command twice since. Should the people of the Kumani be punished for what Belso did twenty years ago? Not even Sannaro Damirateyak, who was an innocent victim of that attack, thinks the Kumani should still be held responsible for it. He maintains the attack was also the fault of two human miners who were engaged in criminal activities that led up to the attack. Do you have both sides of the story about the attack on your friend?
ZERBECK
Not all.
JON
Then is your desire to attack all twelve Astrisi ships rational?
I'm sure many of us are sympathetic to the loss of your friend, Matauni, but that doesn't make a valid argument for the Alliance declaring war upon the Astrisi when they've been receptive to our dialogs concerning the Astrisi Ultimatum designed by this Council. I move for the floor to vote if we should await the Astrisi Council of Ships' final decision about the issues we have presented to them.
Jon was satisfied to see the show of hands for awaiting the Astrisi final decision was nearly unanimous.
JON
The Council has voted. We will await the final decision from the Astrisi Council of Ships before the Alliance Council of Representatives reconvenes. This session is closed.
Jon hit the little bell with its hand-held clapper then stepped down from the podium with a sigh of relief.
INT. KUMANI GYMNASIUM
Sannaro could just see the heads of Kuro and his Protocol Enforcer guards over the locker room lockers as he changed into the white loose pants and wraparound shirt of his martial arts practice clothes. He was thoughtful as he tied a headband around his forehead to cover the tips of his ears. The pressing of the material on them was a little irritating to the nerves, but he wasn't going to give Kuro any opportunity to grab them to disable him. He tied his black belt around his waist then he went through the doors into the gymnasium.
The stadium seats were packed as if everyone on the ship was there to watch him finally resolve his fight with Kuro.
He noticed that right up front sat his foster parents Zhad and Adara, Ba'ia, and then Cherna, and their children Ambrika and Andoku.
Ambrika's eyes were wide with anticipation and Andoku was rubbing his hands together eagerly as he talked with Di'ok's son Mata'i.
Next to him was his sister, Aki’iki, and then Di'ok and Sha'ya.
Behind Adara sat Sannaro's older sister Varanani who held her son Marcario who was trying to grab his father Danu's nose as he warbled at him.
He stepped over to the main practice mat and nodded to Edat.
Edat turned to one of his staff who went into the men's locker room.
Shortly he came back out with the Protocol Enforcers still guarding Kuro. They approached the square mat.
Sannaro had not trained with Kuro since he finished Primary school so he was surprised to see that Kuro wore a brown belt around his waist. He was not a master in Astrisi Martial Arts! That made Sannaro feel more confident about the fight as Edat nodded back to him.
He stepped onto the mat and stopped at a white line.
SANNARO
Kuro, you deprived me of my right to defend myself when you kidnapped me, hung me in the metal storage room in the air with chains on my hands and feet and then beat me. I challenge you to fight me fairly in martial arts combat.
KURO
I should've killed you when I had the chance!
SANNARO
Do you accept the challenge?
KURO
I don't have a choice, do I?
SANNARO
There’s always a choice, Kuro. You can fight me now or you can show everyone your true cowardice.
KURO
You're going to wish you hadn't said that, slag!
Kuro swept onto the mat and struck an attack stance.
SANNARO
Interesting that you should select that stance to begin since, by right, I am entitled to first attack, but if you want to start first, I have no problem with it.
Sannaro slid into a defensive stance.
He sensed the crowd was displeased that Kuro would be so rudely bold before he erected his mental shields to concentrate fully on the fight.
Kuro rushed in, throwing rapid-fire blows.
Sannaro blocked a left jab, then hit Kuro's chin with his own left.
Kuro stumbled back and held his chin.
KURO
I see you protected your ears!
SANNARO
Of course, now, can we get back to the fight? I'm not in the mood to chat.
Kuro rushed in with another left jab.
Sannaro blocked.
Kuro swing his right arm around shoulder height.
Sannaro blocked upward.
Kuro's arm made a glancing blow as he redirected it upward.
Sannaro raised his arm higher, but missed.
Kuro clouted Sannaro across the head at the ear.
Sannaro reeled backward and fell to the mat.
EDAT
Foul! Non-regulation zone!
Kuro swung around and slammed his fist into Edat's face.
KURO
Who gives a fausa!
He whirled back and moved in on Sannaro.
Sannaro shook his head to clear his eyes in time to see Kuro looming. He kicked himself off the floor and head butted Kuro's face.
Kuro clutched a bleeding nose.
SANNARO
You want street fighting? You'll get it!
Kuro flew his fist in an arc.
Sannaro ducked under and buried his fist into Kuro's midriff.
Kuro woofed and stumbled back, but caught himself before he fell. Kuro threw a roundhouse kick to the right, then left, then a high front kick.
Sannaro blocked both sides, then grabbed Kuro's leg and thrust it upward.
Kuro flipped over and landed on the base of his neck before the rest of his body flopped to the mat. He groaned and sat up.
SANNARO
I think you should stay down to be taken to the hospital, Kuro.
KURO
Never, freak!
Kuro pushed off the mat and wobbled as he stood.
SANNARO
It's over.
KURO
It's not over till I say it is!
Kuro rushed Sannaro, twinned his fingers and brought both arms down above Sannaro's head.
Sannaro danced to the side to avoid the hammer fist, then rushed in and slammed the blade of his hand into Kuro's side.
Kuro swung his arm around.
Sannaro gripped the arm, rolled Kuro over his shoulder and slammed him to the mat.
Kuro swiped his other hand and grabbed Sannaro's ankle, then yanked.
Sannaro flipped onto his back and hit the mat hard. He shook his head to stop the dizziness.
Kuro was rushing at him.
Sannaro waited until Kuro was just above him and kicked his right leg up into Kuro's crotch.
Kuro yelped as he stumbled over Sannaro and fell to his knees just off the mat.
Sannaro leapt to his feet.
SANNARO
That's payback, Kuro.
Kuro's head snapped around to glare at Sannaro with crazed eyes. He stood up again and stepped back on the mat.
KURO
You're dead, slag.
SANNARO
You can try, Kuro.
Zhad stood at the sidelines where he was treating Edat on the floor unconscious.
ZHAD
Hold, this is no longer a monitored fight.
KURO
If you don't want to join Edat, stay out of the way.
SANNARO
Kuro, this fight’s between you and me. Don't touch another person until we're finished.
ZHAD
Sannaro, stop, you know the rules!
Sannaro turned around.
Kuro charged him.
Sannaro raised his left arm to block a left punch then did a reverse roundhouse kick into Kuro's side. He twirled around again as Kuro regrouped for another charge.
SANNARO
Sorry, Zhad, Kuro's not going to let me stop.
KURO
Not until I stand over your dead body, slag!
ZHAD
Cherna stun Kuro.
CHERNA
I can't, Zhad, all firearms are still in ADF custody!
SANNARO
Nui, I'll finish this myself.
Sannaro rushed Kuro and brought up his left leg.
Kuro made his lower block.
Sannaro brought his left leg down and his right leg flew up. He unbent his knee and kicked Kuro in the jaw.
Kuro dropped like a lead weight, gasping for breath.
SANNARO
I could have easily crushed your windpipe, Kuro, but I have honor. Stay down and let Zhad treat you.
Sannaro turned away and began to walk off the mat.
KURO
You're not getting me in one of those locator cuffs!
Kuro launched himself at Sannaro's back.
Sannaro felt his anger rise. He whirled around in a flying roundhouse kick and cracked Kuro across the face. Sannaro heard a sickening crack as Kuro's neck snapped.
Kuro dropped to the mat with his mouth streaming with blood.
Sannaro landed back on the mat and fell to his knees.
Sannaro saw Hadah run toward him as if all time slowed. Hadah skid to a stop beside him and bent down.
HADAH
San, don't despair, Kuro wasn't letting it end until one of you were dead.
SANNARO
I used too much strength! I didn't want to kill him!
HADAH
Stop this, Defender! You did what you had to do.
Sannaro snapped his head up and glared at Hadah.
SANNARO
Did I? Did I really need to use terminal force?
HADAH
He didn't want to live, San. He couldn't bear for you to win or else he would’ve surrendered long ago. Kuro made it a death match.
Sannaro pressed his head between his knees and sighed.
FADE OUT.
THE END.