PERSEUS:  "Accession" part 4
Copyright (c) 1991, Larry Mann, Ryan Mathews

[Mira and Kamu walking home after a night of partying.]

			KAMU
<C'mon, Mira, let's fly home!  Haha (hic)!>

			MIRA
<I don't know, Kamu.  You look like you can barely stand up straight,
much less fly.>

			KAMU
<I know!  What was that stuff we were drinking?  It was yummy!>
	[pause or next frame]
<Hey, what's wrong?  You look upset all of a sudden.>

			MIRA
<I'm just not thrilled about going home.  I, uh, don't get along with
my father.>

			KAMU
<Oh.  I'm sorry.>

			MIRA
<He just doesn't understand.  All he wants is for me to be just like
him.>

			KAMU
<Can you talk with your mother?>

			MIRA
<My mother's dead.>

			KAMU [embarrassed]
<Sorry...>

			MIRA [looking really sad]
<You don't know how lucky you are, Kamu.  You have wonderful parents.
They really love you.  I'd give anything for parents like yours.>

[Cut to Rastaan and Michael walking home.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
After the strategy session, Rastaan walked me home.  We took the long
route through the more scenic areas of the city.  The both of us
having been travellers, we soon found ourselves swapping anecdotes,
and becoming fast friends.

			RASTAAN
...and he said "No, my fiance is in room 203!  My *mother-in-law* is
in 202!"
	[Michael is cracking up.]
I felt it best to leave the city after that one.

			MICHAEL
Haha...oh, man!  That reminds me of the time on Elnivras when--
	[pause or next frame]
What is it?

			RASTAAN
Kamu and her friend...
	[Kamu and Mira approach.]

			KAMU
<Rastaan!  Michael!  Meet Mira!>

			MICHAEL
<It is an honor, Mira.>

			MIRA
Hi, Michael!  I speak human.

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
Something was bothering Rastaan.  Using a technique he taught me, I
opened a private mental channel with him.

			MICHAEL (THOUGHT)
Rastaan, what's the matter?

			RASTAAN (THOUGHT)
This woman has powerful psi-shields in place, of great subtlety.  It's
almost impossible to notice them unless you're looking for them.
She's hiding something, and she's very good at it.  I have to know...

			RASTAAN
<It is an honor to meet you, Mira.>
	[He grasps left hands with Mira in the Soronian greeting.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
I knew what he was doing.  It was the same way he "read fortunes".
Given skin contact, Rastaan could get past any shield, and even read a
person's subconsious.

[Rastaan draws back, stunned.]

			RASTAAN
<Dear goddess!  This woman is the daughter of the Emperor!>

			KAMU
<You're--you're Mira...Nadar?>

			MIRA [upset]
<Well, I don't like to advertise it, OK?!  I'm no different from any
of you-->

[The following caption is illustrated.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
She noticed the psi-crystal in my hand.  She gave me a funny look, and
suddenly she was in my head.  Everything came pouring out.  Rastaan
shielded me a split-second later, but it was too late.

			MIRA
<Oh, my goddess!!  You're--!  You're going to--!!>

[Mira bolts into the air.  Rastaan gestures...]

			RASTAAN
SONAMU KANAN DE!!!

[Bolts of energy leap from his fingertips, ensnaring Mira.]

			KAMU
<What's going on??!  Why are you doing this?!>

			MICHAEL
Rastaan, you can't hold her!  She'll call for help!!

			RASTAAN
You are right, Michael.  I'm afraid she must die.
	[next frame]
KANE FA!!!!

			KAMU
<NOOOO!!!!>

[Kamu tackles Rastaan just as light bursts from his eyes.  He misses.
Mira wraps her wings around herself and vanishes in a blinding burst
of light.]

			MICHAEL
A teleporter...

			KAMU
<You--!  You almost KILLED her!!>

			RASTAAN
<Kamu, go home!  NOW!!!>

[sobbing, Kamu flies off (terror is very sobering)]

			RASTAAN
We must see Kanaan immediately.  There is no time to lose.  Not one
second!
	[Rastaan wraps his wings around Michael from behind.]

			MICHAEL
HEY!!!
	[The two vanish as Mira did.]

[Cut to the lords meeting once more.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
And so another meeting was held, this one less civilized than before.

[A frame with speech balloons filling the top:]
			Lords
<We must attack now!!>
<Are you crazy?!>
<Oh, my son...  My son...>
<Our plans blown to hell by some airhead teenager...>
<I want out!>
<I knew it, I cursed knew it..>
<Why should I suffer?  It was HIS daughter!>
<I say nuke the capital!>
<You *would* like to deny me my heir, you feig-born worm!>

			KANAAN [same frame, if possible]
<Gentlemen, PLEASE!!  Let's have some order!>

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
The thought shields were failing.  I knew I had to do something, or
else this place would be raided.  I drew on my inner strength and
shouted, both vocally and mentally.

			MICHAEL [huge font]
<SILENCE!!>
	[next frame]
<May I speak?  I know I not of you, but I have... stake in this too.>

			Some Lord
<Sure, let the human speak.  We higher life forms seem unable to deal
with our problems.  Why not get advice from a tree tlanu?>
	[Laughter.]

			MICHAEL
<My lords, you come too far to back away.  You stand at beginning of
new order.  If Emperor has learned of attack, Sciranas will soon
become like fortress.  And even if you do give up, Emperor will surely
learn of your politics.  It doubtful he would allow any kind of
relations at all between you.  He may even conduct purges.  No, my
lords, if I were you, I would attack now, while you still have a
chance to make your mark upon history.>

[The lords are impressed, especially Kanaan.]

			KANAAN
<Very well spoken, Michael of Perseus.  You see, my fellow lords, this
is the race Nadar would have us exterminate.  And yet, Michael speaks
wisdom!  We will either win or lose this war!  There are no safe
withdrawals.  If we are to survive, we must act NOW!  THE TIME IS AT
HAND!!  ARE YOU WITH ME?!!>

			LORDS
<AYE!!>

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
As the lords cheered Kanaan's speech and mine, I was feeling uneasy.
Was it my mistake, or did my Soronian somehow improve during my
speech?

[Cut to the Emperor's chambers.  Mira 'ports in and lays panting on
the floor.  She gets up and walks to Nadar, gazing out the window.]

			MIRA
<Father, I must speak with you!  I have urgent--!>

[Nadar whirls around and violently backhands her, knocking her to the
floor.  Blood flows from her mouth.  Nadar is enraged.]

			NADAR
<You cheap little WHORE!!!  Do you think I don't know what you've been
up to?!  HM?  DO YOU??!!>

			MIRA [halfway to her feet]
<But father, I--ULGK!!!>
	[Nadar kicks her in the stomach.  She falls, writhing in
	pain.]

			NADAR
<Surfing the spring over at the park!!  Drinking and dancing like some
common SLUT!!  You're destined to become EMPRESS, you filth!!  You're
an embarrassment!!  I should end your life now!!>

			MIRA [weakly (small letters)]
<Father...>
	[As she struggles to her feet.]

			NADAR
<Get out.  Get out before I really tell you what I think.>

[Mira leaves, sobbing.]

			MIRA (THOUGHT)
<Oh, father, you fool.  I'll never see you alive again...>