Here is the next installment. I know I have not been posting at my normal rate. I have been sick for the last week so I have not been writing as much. But not to worry the sequel will be completed. Amber
Corruption Chapter 7 VF
Pidge stopped the engine of the jeep and parked. He held her hand for a moment. "How do you want to do this?"
"They have to know. But I don't know how I can deliver safely off Balto."
Pidge had been thinking about that as well. One of the benefits of having an alliance was doctors being certified in multiple disciplines. "We can get Baltan sanctioned equipment here because of my GA connection. I'm an officer and they have to give me and…my wife services."
"Pidge we aren't married yet."
"I know…but that is the only way I can get the benefits too you."
Tandy turned away from him. "Don't take this the wrong way. I want to marry you. If I didn't I wouldn't be wearing this." She tapped her ring. "But damn it...my step-father keeps interfering with my life and I'm tired of it."
"Sweetheart…Remember just after our engagement we said we wanted to savor this time together. I know that….But…if getting married early means saving both yours and our baby's life. I want to try."
Tandy nodded. "Then we will."
Pidge spoke into his Voltcom. "Voltron Force and Veterans please meet in the conference room for a briefing." Pidge then sent messages to Chip and Maggie. They said they would be there. Pidge and Tandy arrived just as Chip and Maggie did. They saw the looks on their faces. Chip shivered. He could feel the anger coming off his brother in waves. Tandy looked like she was holding onto control by her fingernails. He didn't know what to say. They all entered the room to find all the veterans and the force present. The chatter in the room stopped when they entered.
Allura was glad that she was sitting down. If she hadn't been she would have probably fallen to her knees because of the plethora of emotions that were coming from Pidge and Tandy. Her heart was pounding. What were they about to tell them?
Vince took a breath. "Uh before they start. I was able to reconstruct the bomb somewhat. This is what I came up with."
Pidge studied it. "It's done by the Military division specifically Black ops. They specialize in infiltration, intelligence, and covert operations."
Keith asked. "How do you know that?"
Pidge studied his nails. All the loyalty he had for Balto was now gone. At least until a new regime was started. He said. "You want what you can tell the GA or what I can tell you as my friends?"
Lance frowned. "Start with what you can tell the GA."
Pidge nodded. "Basically the alloy has an extra component that is not available in the private sector. The trigger is not typical of a normal Military device which indicates a special unit."
Hunk took a bite of sandwich. "What can you tell your friends?"
Pidge smiled. "Well when I was 8. Mom and Dad told me to research my options for military duty. I researched the GA and the Balton Ninja Corp. Both had impressive literature for recruitment but I wanted to go with the one with the most integrity. I hacked into both databases accessed a lot of data which helped me make a decision. I saw the special ops units and this particular bomb is only used by the shadow whispers which is a secret unit."
Keith said. "I will definitely be sharing the first version with the GA."
Pidge continued. "Tandy and I went to interview Jon Barron regarding the bomb. He denied knowing about plans to detonate a bomb on Arus. But I suspect he was lying. It was probably one of the options they were considering when he came here and was arrested. But we have a better understanding of the regime and what their long term goals are."
Pidge then cleared his throat. He told the force everything that Barron told them and what Tandy had discovered. When he got to the part about the breeding program and the intelligence testing no one in the room dared to breathe. Chip let out a string of curses in Baltan that no one else could understand. Keith was beyond angry. He had been planning on going to Balto to address some of these concerns. Now he was being forced into action. What action to take is the question?
Allura said what he was thinking. "We need to get our allies together; The GA, Chief Kalan, Manset, Bandor, and Sipat. Balto relies heavily on these systems as much as we do. We can enforce some sanctions and initiate a propaganda campaign. If they set another bomb which takes more lives we will not have a choice but to declare a state of war against them. Believe me…Balto is in no position for that right now."
"Yeah but Balto controls the market with computer technology. It is going to be hard to sanction them completely." Lance said.
"Balto can't just go and bomb planets as they please either." Larmina said. "Sanctions aren't enough they need to be held accountable."
Allura smiled. "Larmina they will. The propaganda will do that. Believe me what I have in mind Balto isn't going to have room to breathe."
"Why can't we take Voltron into battle?" Larmina exclaimed.
Keith answered. "Because the Baltans choose stealth to attack us. No ordinary citizens know what happened. If we send in Voltron to attack it sends the wrong message. It will look like we are on the offensive. We know they pulled the trigger first but no one else does. We sanction them hit them where it hurts and combine it with a propaganda campaign to overthrow the leadership. We control the tone and essentially where Balto goes from here. Balto has to have new leadership and the government must be reorganized. This is going to take time and discipline."
Daniel licked his lips. "They over played their hand and they don't know it."
Tandy felt herself getting sleepy. Her fatigue was really starting to catch up with her. It was hard to stay awake. Every so often Daigo would tap her leg jarring her back. Chip was looking at her with great concern. He stood up. "Keith you need to address the fact that Barron administered a drug to a subject without consent. That's a crime. There is a reason why Baltan girls are given the implant to start with."
Lance frowned. "Why?"
Tandy answered. "Because our bodies aren't fully developed it makes the pregnancy and the birth more difficult. Do you know anything about Baltan anatomy and physiology?"
"Not really…but you and Chip can explain it." Lance said
Chip sighed. "Baltans are a hybrid humanoid race. The race adapted so that we could produce offspring faster. Our pregnancies are between 20 and 22 weeks. Infancy, toddler, years are similar to humans accept our race is naturally smaller. Adolescent years is longer from the age of 10 to the age of 15. During that time full brain function occurs by age 12. We have a category that is pre-adult 16 to 21. Full growth occurs at age 20."
"How bad is this going to be for her?" Daniel asked gripping the table.
"I could be in hard labor for 3 days. There are some things I can do to prepare my body so that it goes faster. I'll have a very brief pre-labor and it's important that I realize what it is so that I can be in aijou toransuwa." Tandy said.
"What's aijou whatsa?" Lance asked.
"It's a trance of the mind, body, and spirit performed by two loving individuals. Basically translated it means loving trance of peace. It helps with pain management because the couple is focused on each other rather than the laboring mother being focused on the pain. But it is hard to get into without a spiritual guide. There are many on Balto but they may not be eager to help because of the turmoil and because by now Pidge and Chip are considered fugitives inspite of the GA treaty. Then I have to find a doctor who can deliver me safely. Chip should be able too. But we'll see."
"What about a c-section."
Tandy smiled. "A Baltan uterus is different it bleeds and shreds if cut upon. I would bleed out before Chip could deliver. Baltan's can only deliver vaginally. There are surgical means but they are very invasive and I wouldn't be able to have any more children after that."
"Scratch that then. So what is the main reason Baltans don't deliver until after the age 21?"
"Because the pregnancy itself is draining. My body is still maturing and childbirth well it's painful but younger Baltans don't do well. I could basically go into severe exhaustion and die afterwards. What kills me is that this regime would have still been in power when I turned 21. I don't care what Jon said. They didn't plan on me leaving. They had control over me and knew in time they could get Pidge and that was probably the plan. So when I left they came up with the plot to kidnap me to slip me the drug to melt my implant and let nature take its course. A baby with two super intelligent genes in their eyes is the epiphany of perfection." She paled further. "Oh my god! They are going to seriously try to take this baby." Tandy who had been holding onto control by the tips of her fingernails finally snapped. She burst into a vicious storm of tears. Pidge pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He looked up at Keith. "We have to protect her and…" He couldn't even say it. His emotions overwhelmed him as well.
Allura fought back her tears but said in a voice of forced calm. "We will protect her and your child. No child is going to be a test subject while I'm Queen."
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Allura went to the private quarters. She found her daughter Lila playing with Lance's adopted son. She got down on the floor. "Hi Jackson! Hi Lila."
Lila turned. "Mama! We play house!"
"You did?"
"They've been so good all afternoon." Nanny said. "The older one has finished her homework."
Allura nodded. "Allison right?"
The brunette came into the room. "Yes mame. Is my daddy almost done?"
"They have a few more things to do."
Another voice was heard. "But I'm here."
They turned. Jackson beamed. "Mama!"
Allura smiled. "Hey Ginger."
Ginger got down on the floor with them. "Playing with your trucks little man?"
"Vroom!"
"I'll get our coats." Allison said.
"Did you finish your homework?" Ginger asked.
"Yes mame."
Allura looked over at Ginger. "It's amazing what you and Lance are doing for them."
Ginger put Jackson's coat on him. "He wanted to do for them what his Aunt and Uncle did for him. It's a good thing. How are you feeling? Keith and Lance went on a run earlier this week."
"Okay…not great. I have my good days and bad days."
Ginger picked up Jackson. "Eventually the bad days will occasional, then once and a while."
Allura watched them go. Lila came over with her dolly. "Mama! Help me put her to bed."
Allura helped Lila tuck in her 'baby.' Then she started the evening ritual. She ran a bath for her and laughed as Lila played in the bubbles. When bath time was complete she read her daughter a bed time story. Allura was only about a quarter of the way through when Lila fell asleep. She carefully put her in the bed. "Good night sweet girl."
Allura looked at her watch. It was 830. Keith was going to be tied up in the halo conferences until at least 10. She was exhausted. Allura went to her own bedroom and decided to go to bed early. She took off her pink boots and decided that was good enough. She turned down the bed and lay down. She was asleep before she hit the pillow.
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Keith went up to the royal residence. Lance was coming with him. "Allura wanted me to give you this cream. Lila can't use it. We thought you could use it for Jack."
"Yeah he uses this kind."
Before they could take two more steps. A blood curdling scream made the hairs on both men stand on edge. They both took off at a dead run. Keith hit the door first. He opened it and saw his wife thrashing around in the bed. He hurried over as Lance turned on the light. Keith pulled her into his arms. He murmured. "She's like ice…Allura…honey wake up."
"No! Don't leave them…please!"
Keith rocked her. "Allura wake up. You're okay….It's safe."
"No!" Her hand lashed out and struck Keith. Then she abruptly woke up. "No!"
Keith soothed her. "It's okay."
Gulping back sobs. Allura tried to regain her composure. "I'm sorry."
Lance knelt down. "It's okay. What happened?"
"It was awful. We had to leave the mountain. The people were trapped."
"Oh sweetheart. We got out everyone we could. Helped everyone we could." Keith soothed.
"Was it enough. Will it be enough to just sanction Balto? I don't know anymore and I have to know. We have to be sure."
"We will be beloved." Keith murmured. He gestured to Lance to leave. Lance tapped his Volt-com sending a silent to message to Keith. Then he closed the door.
Allura was shivering from the nightmare. "I'm so cold."
Keith kissed her temple. "I'll keep you warm."
He held her like that until she stopped shaking and her breathing slowed. When she was asleep he tucked the covers around her. Then he too fell into a fitful slumber.
