Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters belong to WEP. I make no money, I just do this for fun. With the 30th anniversary, this story has been a dream come true for me. My characters, though, are of our my own design. It's great to be working on this story again. Just two more chapters to go, then "Deception" wraps up, but then we start "Deceived", followed by the finale, "Redeemed". I am also working on completing "A Mothers Love". Thanks to the two most important men in my life. My husband Keith (aka our_man_guido, and my editor and faithful friend WarzonePrez, my partner in Ciroc KatherinePopeDMD, the tweets from the K/A Fan ship, and all the wonderful reviewers. It's great to be back in action. Enjoy!
AN: "A Mothers Love" will help fill in the month gap, as well as "Seduction, Dradin Style", which will be a Lotor & Lysette pairing. I am almost finished with it, and will also send a playlist of songs I used to write it. I will be posting a Rated M version, and by request, a slightly racier version will be available. For that, you must request it, as I dare not post due to its very graphic content.
Magnolia Ridge
New Orleans outskirts
The private jet touched down on the tarmac in front of a spacious plantation estate. Once the jet came to a complete stop, the pilot came out and lowered the hatch. A woman was standing at the bottom. Her blonde hair was pulled back. A white T-shirt was tucked into white jeans. High heeled Chanel Boots completed the outfit. Her makeup was artfully applied, leaving just a few of the heavy scars that marked her face.
"Welcome to Magnolia Ridge," she said. "I'm Angelique Fabrere." She smiled. Lenora came out first, followed by Jon, and finally, Mike came out last. Mike looked around to see if she had come to meet him. It had been over twenty years since they last saw each other…had she changed, or was she the same woman who broke his heart? Angelique turned to face Mike.
"She is in the house," she said. "She felt it was better for me to meet you first, as she wasn't sure if you would want to see her again." Mike sighed.
"She told you then, I guess," he replied.
"I've known for years," Angel said before turning back to face Jon and Lenora. "I'm sure you have tons of questions, so I'm not going to bore you. Let's go back in and I'll explain everything."
Stasia was standing at the Office window staring at the four figures standing on the tarmac. Her hand involuntarily went to her neck. The engagement ring that Mike had given her she had made into an amethyst pendent. Even through her hellish years as Edward's wife, she had always loved him. Now she was in the middle of divorce proceedings, and a corporate takeover. Once I'm free, will he still want me, even after what I've done? She reached for the glass of whiskey that was filled, but changed her mind and dumped it into the plant by the window. No, I refuse to do this anymore. I turned to alcohol to numb the pain, but never again. The voices in the hallway came closer, and soon they were facing each other. Mike noticed right away that Stasia was not the same. Her once glossy brown hair was streaked with grey and pulled back into a tight bun. She was wearing a simple black dress with black low heeled pumps. Her once vibrant violet eyes that he loved were dull. She also had a slight blotchiness that he heard was from the years of drinking.
"Hello, Mike," she said softly. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has been," he replied, before turning to face Lotor who had finished setting up the projection from the holoscreen.
"Angel," Lotor said, "it's ready."
"Good," she replied, "let's get started." Angelique motioned for them to sit in the three chairs. "It was actually Stasia who found out the information. Some of the board members had come to her in secret. Over ten years ago, Edward had formed a new division within the company. It was doing record breaking profits, so the board was ecstatic. However, over the past three years it slowly started to underperform. Upon further investigation, the board members had noticed that massive amounts of money were being funneled out of the account. Once we traced the money, it was then things started making sense. It was filtered through the Galactic Alliance bank on Dradin. The money was then divided up into many accounts." She handed out the list to the three. "The names are listed to the account. Can you name any of them?" Lenora swore a blue streak when she read the ten names on the list.
"Jon, Mike, this is everyone on the high council!" she said.
"I'm afraid that's not the only thing we found," Stasia said. "Garrison supplies were also being transported off the planet, as well as intelligence. Lotor was the one who found the link between. The supplies ended up on Korronith, as well as the most recent intelligence that was gathered. We then questioned why they would need all of this, we realized…they were building a robeast."
"And the bribes were to keep the High council from asking questions, and looking further into this," Lenora finished with a grimace.
"Exactly," Angelique and Stasia replied.
"Ahh, money laundering at its best," Stasia said.
"And I thought Drules were ruthless and devious," Lotor quipped. "I guess we have a lot to learn." Angelique turned to face the three.
"This is why we had you come down here," she said. "I knew you would be the ones to best handle this information. As you can see…" She pointed at Lotor "…he's a wanted criminal, I'm supposed to be dead, and Stasia is supposed to be the long suffering alcoholic wife of the Admiral." Stasia laughed.
"After I get done with Edward in divorce court," she said, "I won't be the long suffering wife, I'll be a very happy ex-wife. I've got more dirt on him than the Galaxic Enquirer." She then turned to face Mike. "I know you can never forgive me, but once I explain what happened, it might change your opinion." Angelique noticed a woman in the door motioning her.
"I believe that dinner is ready," she said. "Let's adjourn to the dining room for something to eat. I've got a feeling it's going to be a long night. I've also arranged for you to have sleeping quarters here for a few days." Lenora nodded.
"I can notify my second in command, Kelly, to handle things," she replied.
"This is a state of the art communication center," Angelique said, "or you can use my study." Jon and Lenora got up to follow Lotor and Angelique out of the office, leaving Mike and Stasia together.
"I hope you will hear me out, please," she said to him. He sighed.
"Alright," he replied.
Arus, Castle of Lions
Lysette awoke with a groan at the sunlight pouring into the quarters she was given. She pulled the pillow over her head.
"It's too early for this," she groaned.
"Well considering how much you drank last night, I'm not surprised," a voice spoke with amusement. Lysette turned to see Jessica standing in the doorway, holding water and two aspirin. "Peace offering?" She held them up.
"I love you," Lysette said as she got up and reached for the proffered items.
"You're welcome, your highness," Jessicasaid as she curtseyed, laughing.
"Please, don't remind me," Lysette replied. "That's Allura's title, not mine." Lysette reached for her cigarette, but decided against it.
"You really must be rattled if you didn't have a cigarette," Jessica said as she came over to sit on the bed.
"Actually, this effects Marina as well as me," she replied. "I now realize where my sex drive comes from, and the reason why I love sex." Lysette grinned.
"Only you could turn the conversation to sex," Jessica said. "Just please don't tell the handcuff story again." Jessica laughed as Lysette threw the pillow at her.
"Am I interrupting anything?" a voice spoke softly from the door. Both girls turned to see Allura standing there.
"No, I was just about to regale Jessica about my handcuff trick," Lysette said smiling.
"Thank heavens," Jessica said, coming over to hug Allura. "If I have to hear that story one more time, I'll scream bloody murder!" Lysette got up off the bed,
"Has Marina come back yet?" she asked. Allura sighed.
"Keith & Lance went out to find her," she replied. "The last we know, she was in Red heading south." Lysette began to change clothes as she talked.
"Marina has always loved the beach," Lysette said. "She used to go there all time when we were in school. She said it was where she went to think about things. They might try wherever there's a beach or waterfalls." Lysette finished pulling on her t-shirt and jeans. Allura smiled.
"Thank you so much," she replied. "I'll tell them." She went over and hugged Lysette. "I know you must have many questions, and I hope that we can take today to get them answered."
"How did Nanny take the news?" Lysette asked with a grin. "I bet she had a coronary. And yes, I'd love to learn more about my heritage. My mother could never tell me anything, but she had also had what Manset called 'Retro-grade amnesia'. It's where memories are blocked that are too painful to handle. Also, I was only six when she died, so I can't really remember much." Hunk had come up the hallway and heard the girls talking. He hesitantly came up to the open door.
"Well, hello there," Jessica purred. "You come to take me for a walk?" She headed towards him.
"If you're still interested, I'd like to take you for a ride in yellow," he spoke shyly.
"Of course I am," she replied, "and with such a strong handsome man…" She battered her eyelashes, causing Lysette and Allura to crack up laughing.
"Next thing you know, Marie Christine will have Pidge eating out of the palm of her hand!" Lysette cracked. Hunk looked over
"Actually," he said, "they're together right now running diagnostics." Lysette grinned at Jessica.
"You owe me twenty," she said. Jessica laughed.
"This should teach me to never bet against Lysette," she said, handing the money over as they all exited the room.
Lance and Keith were in Black when they got an incoming transmission. Allura appeared before them.
"Lysette told me that Marina loves the beach, and water falls," she said.
"I know where she is," Keith said to her. "We'll go there and let you know what happened." A few minutes later, they saw Red Lion on the ground next to a lake with a waterfall cascading down. He noticed that Marina had her arms around her legs, and was staring blankly. He set the lion down and started to get out with Lance behind him.
"I'll stay here," Lance said to Keith. Keith nodded as he headed over to where Marina was sitting.
"So, what should I call you now," she asked, "Captain Kogane or Keith or brother?" She looked up at him.
"Let's try Keith for now," he said, sitting down next to her. Marina laid her head down on her knees and looked closely at him.
"I bet you have some questions for me," she said, "and I have some for you as well. My mother died when I was born, and I never knew who my father was. Aunt Stasia and Uncle Anthony were very closed mouthed about her, or my father. I've seen pictures of her though. When Stasia was passed out on the couch drunk, I snooped around the house. The Admiral was off with his latest mistress. When the Admiral was home I learned to stay clear of him. One day I found a jewelry box that belonged to her. Inside was a pin. It was in the shape of a shooting star made with amethyst and diamonds. She also had a locket with two pictures in it. I only saw it once. Shortly after, the Admiral caught me snooping, and he lost it. He grabbed me and threw me into the closet like he did with Lysette. Shortly after, I learned that I was going to Briarcrest Academy with Lysette. I realized when I saw the picture on the holoscreen, you are an exact twin of the man in the locket." She was silent for a moment. "What was my father like?" Keith sighed.
"I was raised by my grandparents," he replied. "My father died in a car accident, along with my mother. I asked him for years to tell me about her, but he refused to. I do have vague memories of my mother. She used to speak in this beautiful sounding language. The only thing I really remember is, 'Mon petit rayon de soleil, Jet'ame.'"
"My little ray of sunshine, I love you," Marina said. Keith looked at her.
"How did you know that?" he asked.
"That language is French," she replied. "I speak it fluently, as did our mother. It's a requirement in school when you're raised in Louisiana. If you had been raised there, you would have learned it as well." She brushed some sand around.
"I'd like to learn more," he said. "When I was on Earth, I learned some basic facts about her. And my grandfather left me a wooden box, but I couldn't open it. He also left me over two billion in a bank account, as well as some stock in DCI Industries." Marina's eyes widened.
"That's where they went!" she shouted. "We got to get back!" She jumped up. Keith frowned as she reached out to help him up. "Uncle Anthony has been hunting for those missing shares! I overheard him and Aunt Stasia talking. With your shares, you could help put the final nail in the admiral's coffin!" Keith frowned.
"How would that help?" he asked.
"Aunt Stasia needs fifty-one percent or more for the board to vote the Admiral out," she replied. "She's has forty percent already with Uncle Anthony, mine and Lysette's shares, plus the other board members. All the shares but fifteen percent are accounted for, and I think I know where they went. If the admiral were to be ousted, his money, connections and power would be lost. Also, we can get some answers about this wooden box our mother left us! I think I know how to open it."