Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“TO TAME a FIREBIRD”
EPISODE 42 – FINAL DECISION
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Hadah stepped out of the elevators onto the Upper Flight Deck, hoping this would be the last time he had to see ADF soldiers occupying it. He nodded to the guard and walked to the Flight Lounge, then up to the office that recently had been his. Marc was at work at the desk.
MARC
How can I help you, Commander?
HADAH
I've come to tell you we are preparing to hand Mina over to you for trial.
MARC
You're extraditing an Astrisi to Alliance law?
HADAH
She did sabotage your equipment.
MARC
Ah, I see! You're trying to make a good-faith move. Very astute of you, Commander! My father will be pleased to hear about this decision.
HADAH
Also, the Council of Ships has offered to make today's meeting an open council. Could you and your men transport any Astrisi who would like to attend council?
MARC
I'll be glad to. How’s San?
SANNARO
He's still sad that Kuro forced him to kill, but his family is supporting him. He'll be all right.
MARC
I've also heard you're implementing a penal system for small crime offenders?
HADAH
Yes, it's a locator system. We can't afford to have a jail because of our limited space so it's easier for us to use more of a system you would call House Arrest.
MARC
If it works for you, you do it. I already see some positive changes in the Astrisi. I hope your council decides to have you remain in our territory and apply for membership.
HADAH
So do I, Marc. If we don't, I'll be losing two of my very best pilots who are both section seniors, a teacher and one of my doctors at the least.
MARC
A sizable amount of talent.
HADAH
And because San's sister Varanani has been taking intergalactic net classes in Psychiatry, we thought she would be able to treat Ku'an. If she goes, I don't know how we'll treat him of that obsessive compulsive disorder Zhad says he has.
MARC
It sounds like you really want to stay.
HADAH
I guess it's better to hold on to what's known than to brave the unknown. Well, I need to let you work on how you're going to shuttle people. I need to announce to the ship about the open council and that you'll be transporting people.
MARC
Then, see you later, Hadah.
Hadah left the office.
INT. ADF SHUTTLE
Hadah was in the shuttle among a crowd of Astrisi who were eager to attend the council.
Hadah was cheered to see Lazha had come even though she was now confined to a hover chair. Beside her was Ki'el who seemed in good spirits.
He meant to visit the two to see how they were doing, but with the chaos of the Council meetings and the criminal activities against Sannaro, he hadn't had the time.
A row back was Sannaro and Cherna who, as usual, were deeply absorbed in each other, partners to the very end.
Parik was in deep conversation with Zhad. The two cerebral men always enjoyed intelligent exchanges.
Hadah was drawn out of his thoughts when the shuttle bumped the ground. He stood up and was the first down the ramp. Then he stood to the side to watch everyone come out.
Hadah was pleased to see that Lazha and Ki'el were next to disembark with Lazha in her hover chair and Ki'el guiding it. The rest followed down soon after.
Hadah saw another shuttle set down a few hundred meters away just before Parik joined him and they guided their group to the Council chamber.
They entered and fanned out into seats at the back of the room while Parik and he joined the Senior Councilmen and Commanders.
Jon Daniels and several other Alliance Representatives, including Ambassador Eradano, were standing near the side speaker’s chamber door.
Hadah noticed that Dusti broke away from the council and was squatted down beside Lazha who's hover chair was parked in the aisle midway down the floor. They spoke for a while before Dusti stood up, hugged Lazha and her brother Ki'el and then rejoined the Council.
When the room was full to capacity with people lining the walls, Jon Daniels stepped up to the podium.
JON
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Astrisi, have you come to a decision?
PARIK
Speaker Daniels, I motion that we take a vote to decide this matter.
JON
Motion approved.
Jon stepped away from the podium.
Parik took his place.
PARIK
My brothers and sisters of the Council of ships, I put to vote the following: Should the Astrisi design a treaty with the Terran Alliance as a first step toward application for membership into the Alliance? If you are in favor of this, raise your hands.
Hadah gladly raised his hand and felt his heart leap when he saw the majority of Council members also had their hands in the air.
PARIK
Anyone opposed to this motion, raise your hands.
Hadah dropped his hand, but very few people raised their hands now.
PARIK
Ambassador DanielsThe Astrisi Council of Ships has voted. The Astrisi appeals to the Alliance for membership!
A thunderous cheer boomed through the room.
Jon Daniels rushed up to the podium and vigorously shook Parik's hand. Before he stepped up to the podium, he wiped his hand across his eyes.
JON
I am overjoyed that the Astrisi Council of Ships has chosen to remain within the Alliance. You face a long road of change, but I'm sure you will find them positive. The next meeting will be to join me and several of my colleagues to help you design the treaty. That will commence in two days, but right now, we must celebrate this momentous decision. What word did my son Marcayo tell me is your word for party?
CHORUS
Us'uata!
JON
Yes, that's right, I call Us'uata!
Another cheer shook the room and people began to leave.
Jon rushed down to Hadah and held out his hand.
Hadah grinned and shook it.
JON
You did it, Commander!
HADAH
Sannaro helped.
JON
Oh, the poor young man, I've heard from Marcayo how hard this has been on him.
HADAH
Things will get better now.
JON
I do believe they will!
Jon clouted Hadah's arm, then rushed off to shake more hands.
Sannaro was at the back of the room trying to contain his tears, but at least they were finally tears of joy!
Cherna hugged him.
CHERNA
You did it, San!
SANNARO
We all did it!
He met Ambassador Eradano's eyes.
ERADANO (PSI V.O.)
Congratulations, Sannaro.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Thank you, Ambassador Eradano. I'm so relieved!
ERADANO (PSI V.O.)
I can sense your relief. You've been torn between your loyalties to both of your families.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I honestly considered that if the Astrisi left Allied Space, I'd leave the Astrisi and relocate to New Sailia.
ERADANO (PSI V.O.)
You've grown up, Sannaro, that was a hard decision to make. You're immensely glad you didn't have to make that decision.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know it.
ERADANO (PSI V.O.)
I'll meet you at the party. Oh, are the humans in for a treat to see the Astrisi party!
CHERNA
Are you finished talking with Eradano? The room’s almost empty.
Sannaro refocused his eyes and looked around.
The room was almost empty.
SANNARO
You know what happens when two Saili are in one room.
CHERNA
I know, you strike up a telepathic conversation over us non-telepath's heads. Let's go.
Hadah intercepted them.
HADAH
San, the no flight rule has been lifted. Of course, Kiki and her band wants a shuttle to fly her equipment down. You two get with N'kosi and ask him if he needs Vizha'e to fly shuttles.
Hadah patted Sannaro's shoulder before he moved on.
INT. EARTH CONVENTION HALL
Sannaro and Cherna walked together to the hall where the Us'uata was going to be held.
His eyes widened when he saw the huge hall that had a mixture of Human and Astrisi decorations draped everywhere. There were bright tapestries, with the symbol of each Astrisi ship from the Kumani to the Wokolo. At the front of the hall was a gigantic tapestry of the firebird with its outstretched wings flying through a black field with the ships' symbols shining like stars around it.
CHERNA
Oh! How beautiful!
Hanging from the ceiling was the familiar flashing globes and streamers that were present at every Us'uata on the Kumani.
SANNARO
This is going to be as big as the Festival of Ships!
Hadah rushed over to them with a light brown haired toddler tucked in his arms.
Behind him was Hadah's daughter Na'ia, Sannaro remembered from school.
HADAH
Oh, San, Cherna, I have to introduce you to Ahote! He's my grandson!
Cherna clutched his tiny hand.
CHERNA
Ki'iwa, Ahote!
NA'IA
How are you doing, San, Cherna? I heard on the Furdusi that the two of you threw out the mating rules and took each other!
SANNARO
The rumor's not false.
Sannaro noticed Adara was approaching them with Andoku and Ambrika in tow.
SANNARO
These are our children. Our boy is Andoku.
ANDOKU
Andu.
SANNARO
And this is Ambrika.
AMBRIKA
Ambri!
NA'IA
Oh, Cherna, they're so cute!
CHERNA
I know! Ahote's pretty cute too!
Kiki's band went to their instruments.
KIKI
Hey, Hadah, are you going to start this Us'uata? We want to party!
Many cheers sounded in agreement.
HADAH
Nui, I didn't do this alone!
He settled Ahote into Na'ia's hands, then stepped up to the microphone.
HADAH
I think this occasion warrants all the Council of Ships to start.
Each Senior Councilman and Commander joined Hadah on the little dais.
Sannaro noticed that Jon and Marc Daniels stood against the wall, beaming.
PARIK
For the Council of Ships, I call-
COUNCIL
Us'uata!
CHORUS
Us'uata!
Marc yelled with them.
The Councilmen and women stepped from the platform and Kiki started the music.
Sannaro pointed to Cherna that he was going to see Jon and Marc then walked over to them.
JON
That was shocking!
MARC
I warned you! That’s the traditional Astrisi call to party!
SANNARO
I don't blame you, Mr. Daniels. We Astrisi are so quiet most of the time so when we call a party, it's shocking how we drop our quietness and get real rowdy! When the New Saili experienced one the first time while they lived on the Kumani, they were overwhelmed!
Jon pointed to the ships' symbols.
JON
May I ask you what each of these banners represent?
SANNARO
The first tapestry at the left wall of the hall is the Kumani's symbol. Next wall is the Basuto, Urvasi and the Mopani. Next wall is the Binzhuru, Harozhu, Intoku and Vukutis. The other wall is Furdusi, Uzhume, Muluku and the Wokolo. Of course, the grandest tapestry at the fore of the room is the Firebird which is the symbol of all the Astrisi.
JON
Are these handmade?
SANNARO
Of course, Astrisi don't buy manufactured furniture. We make it ourselves.
JON
Even that grand furniture you have in your home, Marcayo?
MARC
That's right, father, it’s Astrisi and boy is it tough. I had a little girl bounce all over it for several years and it's still undamaged!
SANNARO
You noticed that the coils in the seats are tight and hardly make a sound?
MARC
Yeah!
SANNARO
That's so bouncy children won't get sound disruptions!
MARC
That figures!
JON
Sound disruptions?
MARC
Father, their walls are so thin within the general quarters section, we could hear San's screams at night when he had nightmares in the Zuran War and he was a few floors above us! The Astrisi regulate how much sound people can make before they're warned by their police force to keep quiet or receive a fine!
JON
Couldn't that be easy to breech?
SANNARO
There are thicker bulkheads around the total general quarters to protect the living quarters, but since so many people need apartments, we have to squeeze them in very tight.
JON
Fascinating!
Cherna grabbed Sannaro's arm.
CHERNA
Now, can I have my mate, guys? I want a dance!
SANNARO
Where's Amber, Marc?
MARC
She'll be a little late. She's just now getting off work up on the space station.
Sannaro could say no more because Cherna was dragging him toward the gyrating people.
He enjoyed dancing with Cherna until it was announced the food was ready.
With the food came the brudacha and other alcoholic beverages along with juices for the children and those who chose not to drink alcohol.
The band continued to play as some of the people ate until Kiki's band stepped down and another band from a different ship took their place and immediately started to play.
As Sannaro sat eating with his family, Marc came over, followed by Amber and a young girl a little older than Ambrika.
MARC
San, this is my Amaranta.
SANNARO
Hello, Amaranta. I'm an old friend of your fathers.
She looked up with her green, amber and brown eyes wide.
AMARANTA
Hello, you must be Sannaro.
Marc groaned.
SANNARO
That's who I am.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Don't be so embarrassed, she's a little girl, Marc!
Marc bit his lip and shrugged.
AMARANTA
Did you talk to my daddy with your mind?
SANNARO
You're very perceptive.
AMARANTA
My daddy says you can do that.
SANNARO
I sure can.
AMARANTA
Can you do that to me?
She entwined her hands together in front of her.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Sure, I can. It's the way Saili talk.
Amaranta jumped up and down.
AMARANTA
Oh, Daddy, Daddy, he talked in my mind!
MARC
Yes, Ama.
SANNARO
Grab a plate and sit down, Marc.
Marc and his family moved off to join the buffet line.
ANDOKU
What's the big deal about getting talked to in your mind? At least she doesn't have to feel mind-slaps!
SANNARO
That's because you're telepathic and she's not. It's nothing new to you.
AMBRIKA
Oh, Kokinak!
Ambrika sprang from the table.
Andoku rushed after her.
ANDOKU
Wait up, Brick!
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Stop calling your sister Brick.
CHERNA
Children.
SANNARO
Oh? I recall when you called Di'ok sopa!
CHERNA
Well, he was dumb back then!
Di'ok dropped down beside Cherna.
DI'OK
Who called me sopa?
CHERNA
I did, sopa?!
DI'OK
Sure, Chair-na!
CHERNA
Dee Sock!
SANNARO
Oh, now, come on! I thought we outgrew that!
DI'OK/CHERNA
Just kidding!
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Oh? I remember during the Zuran War, you called me a smarty-pants!
Varanani and Danu joined them at the table.
SANNARO
I was tired!
Marc, Amber, Amaranta returned from the buffet table.
MARC
Hail, hail, the gangs all here!
DI'OK
Ki'iwa, Marcayo!
MARC
Ki'iwa, Di'ok, Danu, Varanani. Amber, this bunch were good friends of mine during my tour on the Kumani in the Zuran War.
DI'OK
Oh, yeah, and this is my wife Sha'ya and my children Aki’iki and Mata'i.
MARC
And who’s that in your arms, Varanani?
VARANANI
This is Marcario. Danu's the father.
DANU
We're very happy.
Tila stopped behind them.
TILA
Why don't you give me my grand-baby and you take your mate for a dance, Danu?
Varanani grinned and handed Marcario to Danu's mother, then slipped into the crowd with Danu.
Retal stepped up behind Tila and tickled Marcario's stomach.
Tila smiled as she sat down in Danu's seat.
TILA
This is so good for everyone. We all have been so tense for many weeks.
Then she looked down and coed at the shiny pink-skinned baby with tiny three-pointed ears, blue-black hair and amber eyes.
He waved a tiny fist at his grandmother.
The party lasted well into the night.
Finally, parents were waking their children who were asleep on sleeping mats in the corner and they returned to the shuttles.
By the time Sannaro was finished flying, it was o'three hundred, Earth time. He went home, fell into bed beside Cherna and slept until midday.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
That afternoon, he felt comfort he had long been without, his flight-suit felt tight and warm against his skin and the weight of his energy pistol pressed against his hip.
He met Marc on the flight line as he was overseeing the packing of the ADF shuttles.
MARC
Flight Deck's yours again, San.
SANNARO
No offense, but I'm glad you're leaving.
MARC
No offense taken. Even though we both made mistakes, you cooperated to the best of your ability without abandoning your duties to the Astrisi. I'm sorry I got mad at you.
SANNARO
I'm sorry I attacked you.
MARC
Like you said, you were in a state of panic and you weren't thinking straight. I just hope we’ll never be enemies again. You are one hell of a proficient fighter.
SANNARO
So are you.
MARC
Oh, not even close to your skill. Well, it looks like that's it, San. Kohura naki.
SANNARO
Kohura naki, Marcayo. I'm surprised you remembered our words for until we meet again. Maybe someday I can convince Ki'el to give you a language program so you can learn fluent Astrisi.
MARC
It's okay if he doesn't, but it would be interesting. Time for me to fly, my friend.
Marc trotted over to his shuttle and went up the ramp.
Soon after, the hatch closed and the ADF ships taxied to the lift.
Sannaro watched the lift raise the shuttles into the aft ramp and soon after, the deck rumbled and Sannaro knew they launched.
He turned away and smiled at the active flight deck with pilots and engineers buzzing around the Vizha'i.
The intercom came on and Hadah's voice rang through the ship.
HADAH
Prepare ship for departure. We're going home to our old trade route!
Sannaro voiced his cheer with the rest of the flight deck before he walked forward to the offices.
Cherna was inside arranging his belongings in the Senior Vizha'e Office.
SANNARO
You didn't need to do that.
CHERNA
Well, I needed my new office and you were too busy so I did it for you. Oh, No'ama stopped by and she said Vaki said he'd take Blue Squadron.
SANNARO
Good enough, have him alter his flight-suit.
Sannaro went behind her, turned her around and kissed her deeply.
SANNARO
We did it, wing-mate.
CHERNA
You did it, my love.
VAKI
Uh, did I come at a bad time?
Sannaro chuckled and stepped away.
SANNARO
Nui, what do you need?
VAKI
Some requisitions.
Vaki held up an electronic pad.
SANNARO
Hand them over.
He took the pad and sat down at his desk while Cherna slipped through the door. Life was back to normal.
SUPER: TAREK/SIKYATAVO
It looks like you don't have full control of your pet Humans, Kellin.
SUPER: KELLIN
You may have won this round but it's not over by a long shot! I'll pry that child from the Astrisi someday and you'll pay for what you both did to me.
FADE OUT.
THE END.