Hearts of Courage
Arus
arus(dot)geo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Relative disclaimers apply. Authors Note: Since it's been a while since I updated this story, this will be an extra long chapter. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10
Dylan watched as the control panel came into view as his chair came up and locked into place. The cockpit of the lion was silent, no hum of the engines to drown out the sudden feeling of being alone. He looked down at the key he held, studying the design of King Alfor's crest that was there. He let his gloved hand run over the raised edges of the design, tracing the cross with his thumb as he stared at it.
He then raised his hand as he inserted the key into the panel, however nothing happened. The key had remained in its original form, doing nothing to activate the lion ship. Dylan then felt defeated. He leaned forward against the control panel before him as he closed his eyes, going over every training program he had to endure to get here. The silence around him was deafening, but, as he lost himself in his thoughts, even the noise of the silence seemed to stop. He gasped as he sat up in his seat, finding the the air within the cockpit seemed to have stilled.
'If you think that Black won't respond, just talk to her.' Lance's statement echoed.
Taking a hard gulp, he looked up at the blank view screen before him. What was he supposed to say? How do you talk to a machine? He cleared his throat, to try and find his voice.
"I...I know you can sense me," he started, barely a whisper. He nearly felt afraid about what he was doing, about what he was admitting himself to believe. "I...I know that you know what has happened," he said a little louder. Feeling a little more confident he then spoke a little louder. "I'm not here to replace Commander Takashi, but you should know that he has been severly injured. It will be a long while till they feel he will be able to return to active duty. Arus...Arus can't afford to be unprotected during this time.
"My own team members were also hurt," he continued. "We've been here, barely for 72 hours, and I've seen more in these short days, than most have seen in all of their life. I...I was wrong to assume that my role here would be to replace anyone...I know that now..."
He then stared down at the control panel before him. "I only ask, that we trust each other," he said. "I have to prove to myself that I am capable of being part of this team. And I need your help now. Allow me to help defend Arus and protect its people. I know that I am ready to do that."
The silence around him remained as he stared up at the view screen. Closing his eyes, he leaned back into his chair. It was at that time, he noticed the slight hum and as he opened his eyes, he watched as the key, slowly transformed and the systems before him started up. He leaned forward as he breathed in deeply, looking around him as he did so.
"Thank you."
Lance hovered in the air as he looked down upon the Black Lion as it rested on the Lion Monument before the Castle of Lions. He breathed in deeply noticing that it had been 20 minutes since Dylan entered the Lion.
"Any response from the Lion?" Lance asked Coran over his com unit.
**Nothing,** came his reply. **If the Lion hasn't responded to him by now, I don't think it ever will.**
Lance breathed in deeply as he looked at his view screen. Still the Black Lion did not move.
"Coran, we tried," Lance stated. "Initiate the reverse sequence for Black Lion's chair. We'll have to..."
**Wait, Lieutenant,** Coran's reply came over the comm. **Detecting the start up sequence for Black Lion.**
"My my," Lance said as he watched as the Black Lion slowly dip its head, then stretch to let out a resounding roar. "The kid actually did it."
"Sir, we'll be in Arus' airspace in 10 minutes."
Lotor smiled as Tarris joined him by his side. "Their Castle is weakest from the North," Tarris stated. "It may be wise to concentrate your attack there and draw their attention to the south. With several of the members from both of the Voltron Teams out of commission, they'll be hard pressed to defend against attacks coming from two different directions."
Lotor nodded. "I must admit, General, you have succeeded where many have failed," the prince stated. "If we are successful today, I will be sure to see that you are greatly rewarded."
"Reward is not what I am after, my Prince," he stated. "If you need any assistance from my forces, don't hesitate to inform me. I'll be aboard my ship in the mean time."
Lotor nodded as he watched the General leave. He then turned slightly as Haggar's familiar form emerged from the dark shadows within the main command center of the ship. She slowly approached him, coming to stand at his side.
"I trust that you were able to get the information you needed?" Lotor asked of her.
"Tarris' infiltration into the Castle of Lions, not only benefited you, my Prince," she stated. "He did provide enough distraction for me to access their databanks."
Lotor nodded. "Found anything interesting?"
The old witch laughed to herself. "More than just interesting, my Prince," she said as she pulled out a small disc from within her robes.
Lotor smiled to himself as he stared at the disc she held. "Then we'll have to see what that information holds."
Dylan let out a grunt as Lance's missiles impacted against the side of Black Lion, sending the ship into a spinning dive. Angrily, he pulled off the gloves he wore as he gripped the controls and pulled on them with all of his strength, so that he could regain control of the lion. The action helped him to avoid crashing into the ground, however, he clipped the side of the cliff face near, which caused the lion, to spin uncontrollably as it crashed into the ground. The lion then came to rest on its side as Dylan yelled out in frustration.
**Are you alright, Commander?** Lance's voice came over the comm system. His image then appeared on the view screen before him.
"No worst than an hour ago," Dylan stated. "This lion is like trying to maneuver a bus."
Lance chuckled. **The Lion may not be cooperating with you fully, Commander,** he suggested. **You have to show that you are capable of handling it without the assitance of the onboard computers. They can be very fickle.**
"Its so odd to hear anyone refer to these ships as if they are alive, Lieutenant," Dylan stated. "Something I have to get used to, I guess."
**Trust me, Commander, when we came to realize that there were more to the Lions than we first thought, we were also surprised,** Lance stated. **The Lions chose us as their pilots for a very good reason. You have to make Black understand that you are the right choice.**
Dylan slowly nodded as he gripped the controls again, and righted the lion back onto its legs. "Let's do this again," Dylan stated. "Same maneuvers. But give me a moment."
Lance nodded and his image disappeared from the view screen before him. He then breathed in deeply as he reached up and took off the helmet he wore. Breathing in deeply, he threw the helmet toward the back of the ship he leaned forward in the chair and closed his eyes, resting his head against the control panel before him.
He took the moment to think back about his journey here, as he remembered back to Madison's question from the day before. Why he was chosen as the leader of the Beta Team...
"I bet you're wondering the same thing, hmm?" Dylan asked, to no one in particular, but hoped that it was the Lion that was listening. "They all say that you choose your pilots, yet you chose Commander Takashi. Like you, he is the strongest member of his team, but it's his history that has made him the man he is today. Know this, I know what it is like to lose those you love. I was only 3 when I lost my parents, and then juggled in foster care until I could be accepted into the Academy. It was later that I learned, that my parents were part of the mission in which the Commander lost his entire family as well. He and I are not that unalike. We know heartbreak and the hardships. I...know how much it hurts to see those you love suffer. And I vowed that I would work hard to see that no family ever has to go through what I've gone through. To lose the people they love is a punishment no one deserves and something I would never wish upon my enemies. I promise to devote every fiber of my being to protect Arus and it's people, even if it means that I have to give up my life to do so. Understand this, you and I will have to work together to accomplish that goal. You need me as much as you need Commander Takashi, if we want to keep Arus safe."
A silence fell on him in the cockpit as he looked down at the controls before him. "Now, let's prove that we are capable of fullfilling that job."
He pulled on the controls and launched the Lion into the air. He piloted the Lion toward where Red Lion was waiting above, but as he joined the lion ship, he saw a weird grey object streak toward the unsuspecting pilot.
"Lance! Look out!" Dylan pulled on his controls as he pulled Black Lion in front of the oncoming missile, firing a volley of stingray missiles to blow it out of the sky. The explosion caused both lions to loose control, and both pilots were sent careening toward the ground below.
"Lt. Hale, I have to ask that you remain in this infirmary until Dr. Gorma gives a full assessment of your injuries."
Madison eyed the nurse next to her as she tried to pull off the respirator mask she wore.
"I said that I feel fine!" she nearly yelled, which caused her to start a fit of coughing.
"Madison, just stay calm," Pidge stated as he approached the side of her bed. "Dr. Gorma is in surgery right now, so you need to be patient."
"Surgery?" Madison asked as she sat up, breathing hard through the respirator mask that covered her nose and mouth. "Oh my, is it Commander Takashi?"
Pidge slowly nodded. "They've been in there for nearly 3 1/2 hours."
Madison let out a grunt as she laid back against the bed she was in. "God, I shouldn't have been so stupid," she muttered.
Pidge could only stare at her as she muttered to herself about getting electrocuted by the window panel in the observation room. It was at that moment that he noticed that her the finger tips of her left hand was covered in blood. Pidge stated as reached out and grabbed Madison's hand. "How did this happen?"
Madison looked at her fingers and smiled. "I scratched the bastard at least," she said. "I would have bit him if his hand was close enough."
"What?" Pidge asked. "Nikki, could you grab me a cotton swab and a small container?"
The nurse that was in the room looked at him, but quickly grabbed the supplies he asked for.
"Pidge, its just a few fingernails," Madison stated. "I can live without them for a while."
"No, Madison," Pidge stated as he looked at her fingers. "Its not what happened to your hand. Its what you were able to get off of him that I want."
Madison watched as Pidge spread her fingers and used the end of the swab to dig under her nails. Then with the swab, he wiped off the small amount of blood that were present on her nails.
"What are you going to do?"
"Test out a theory," he said.
At that moment, the Castle's alarms started sounding which caused both Pidge and Madison to look up.
"Damn, figures that they would try something now," she muttered.
Pidge quickly placed the swab that he had into the small container and handed it to the nurse. "Nikki, when Dr. Gorma is done, have him take the samples on those swabs and get a solution made from it. I'll need to test the results."
The nurse slowly nodded as Pidge then turned to Madison. "Hate to break protocol, but looks like we're needed."
Madison's expression only brightened, but then she looked over to the other bed where Eysia was sleeping. "Want to help me get the big lug up?"
Allura looked up as the Castle's alarms sounded, then it was followed by a resounding beep on the operating room's communications system.
**Princess, Lotor's forces have been detected and are attacking a nearby village,** Coran's voice came over the system. **Two robeasts have been sighted, one to the North and one to the South. We need you.**
Allura looked to Dr. Gorma wondering how far along he was.
"Go..."
Allura turned to Keith as she met his gaze. "You're needed." he choked out. "Dylan...Dylan will need the help."
Allura nodded as she leaned up to him and kissed him on his forehead. She then stood as Dr. Gorma nodded to her. "We are ready to start the next part of the procedure," he told her. "From here on out, he'll be under anesthesia."
Allura nodded. "I know that you can do this, Alan," she said. "I know he is in good hands."
She rushed out of the infirmary quickly, making her way toward the Control room where Coran, Benson and Jeryn were assessing the oncoming forces of Prince Lotor. Coran met her gaze as she joined them, evaluating what she was seeing on the screen before her.
"How is the Commander?" Coran was quick to ask.
"Dr. Gorma is starting on the operation to repair the damaged muscle and tissue," Allura stated. "Nearly 300 shards of glass were removed, and Gorma believes that during the operation, he will be able to extract those that penetrated deeper."
Coran nodded. "Two attack forces, both backed by a robeast of their own," Coran started his report. "Jeryn, bring up the attacking force to the South."
Jeryn nodded, and Allura had to smile to herself seeing that the displaced Prince had quickly worked his way and had become familiar with the many systems in the Control Room. "It's a larger force than the one from the North," Jeryn reported. "They know that we are several members down from both teams, and are taking advantage of that."
Allura nodded. "They're using the larger force South to distract us," Allura stated. "Tarris chose the North Observation room for a reason. He knew that our defenses on that side of the Castle would be severly weakened if he took out that floor and the floors below."
Coran nodded. "And we also have a problem."
Allura turned to him. "What is it?"
"Lance took Dylan out to practice an hour ago, and we haven't heard back from them since," he reported. "I have Hunk out scouting for them right now, but we can't afford to leave the Castle undefended."
"Who on the Beta Team are capable of combat?" Allura asked.
"That would be all of us, Princess."
Allura turned as Dylan's team entered the control Room, Madison was sporting a slight limp in her left leg.
"Madison, Eysia, you shouldn't be off the respirators," Coran stated.
"As I see it, Coran, we are no help in the infirmary, and no help to anyone if we can't get up there to defend this Castle," Madison stated. "Besides, our leader is out there right now. He needs us."
Allura nodded. "Coran, get the Beta Team up in the fighters and have the rest of the Arus guards join them," she stated. "Concentrate most of the fighters toward our North. Pidge and I'll join Hunk in locating Lance and Dylan, and we'll confront the larger force to the South first."
"Understood," Coran stated. "Last known location of the Red and Black Lions was 1000 clicks North East of the lake. I'm sure that Lance would have taken Dylan on the Aegis Canyon run."
Allura nodded. "Radio Hunk let him know to meet just before the canyon."
Dylan woke with a gasp as he struggled in the harness that strapped him into the seat of the Black Lion. He quickly looked around, seeing the cabin was illuminated in the red emergency lights and the view screen before him flickered with a static image. He shook his head as he leaned forward, pressing a button on the console before him to activate the emergency start up system to get the Lion to move.
**Dylan!**
The shout came over his communications as the lion's system came alive again. "Lance," Dylan stated. "Are you alright?"
**Fine and dandy,** Lance's reply came. **Was that a missile that hit us?**
Dylan nodded. "Yes," he stated. "Came from the North. How is your Lion?"
**We've been through worst,** Lance stated. **Comm check with the Castle, we have to let them know of where we are.**
"Can your Lion fly?"
**Controls are a little sluggish, and half my viewscreen is out,** Lance reported.
Dylan nodded as he launched the Black Lion into the air, to meet Lance. Over the horizon, they could see 3 colored streaks race across the sky toward them. "Seems that the team has found us already," Dylan stated.
Jeryn stared at the view screen before him as the Voltron Lions raced toward the South, to confront the larger force of incoming Doom forces. It brought back memories of the time that Akian's forces attacked his home planet. A two prong attack against the main forces, all wiped out in less than day of battle. This was a definite attack plan that General Tarris had used often.
His gaze then slowly dropped to his arm. The arm that held a secret weapon that Tarris had sought for years. Hiding it away as he slowly hunted down every single one of his people until it was found. Though as he stared at his arm, he then thought to the weapon again. A sudden realization came to him.
"Coran, is it possible to have Hunk, Pidge and Reiji return to the castle?"
Coran turned to the young prince, a little concerned that he was asking to pull 2 of the Voltron Force Lions from battle. "What is it?"
"I want to test something on one of the Lion ships and I'll need all their help to do so."
"We can't keep them away for too long, my prince," Coran stated.
"Yes, I know," he said. "Have them meet me in Repair Bay 6."
Coran nodded, then watched as he quickly stood and ran toward the door to the Control Room. He then took the seat he vacated and immediately radioed for Hunk, Pidge and Reiji.
Dylan gritted his teeth as he an Lance raced toward the battle ground, pushing Black Lion as much as he could. As they flew over a mountain ridge, he and Lance pulled their lion ships to a halt as they witnessed the attacking forces to the North and South of the Castle of Lions.
"Two robeasts," Dylan stated as he watched as Blue, Green and Yellow Lions joined them. "They aren't kidding around are they?"
**Welcome to your first taste of battle by the likes of Doom's forces, Commander,** Allura stated as she eyed up Black Lion. **Seems that you got a good introduction.**
Dylan nodded. "Princess, how is...,"
**Commander, concentrate on what we have before us,** Allura stated as she brought her lion before Black. **What are we up against?**
"Two sets of forces," Dylan stated as he read the feed coming from the Castle of Lions. "Two robeasts, along with their own Doom Fighters to protect it. Head on attack may not be possible unless we take out the fighters."
**A moment Commander. Coran is asking that we return to the Lieutenant and I return to the Castle,** Hunk radioed over his com. **You will have to buy us some time.**
Dylan watched as his view screen flickered, showing him the battles raging before him. "Hunk, be quick and see what they need," Dylan stated. "Lance, I'm sorry to ask this of you..."
**Commander, all due respect, you are the one in command here,** Lance came through. **Out here, whoever pilots Black, is the one who has to be in control. Black needs to know that if you are the one that should be in that pilot's seat.**
Dylan nodded to himself and looked down at his controls. Looking back up at his view screen he grabbed his controls tightly. "Hunk, take Pidge back with you to the Castle and see what Coran has in mind," he stated. "Lance and Allura, we'll have to split up to create a distraction. The village to the South is the one that is in most danger so get there quick. Lure the robeast away, and I'll try to get the 2nd one to follow me. If we can coordinate and stall the attacks, maybe it will give us enough time."
**Aye, aye Commander,** Hunk's reply came over the com. **Take care of Black, I can already see that I'm going to spend most of this afternoon fixin' her up.**
"I'll be sure to avoid flying missiles."
Dylan watched as Yellow and Green Lions fly toward the Castle. With one look toward Lance in Red and Allura in Blue, the lions separated, heading toward their destinations.
Jeryn breathed in deeply as he watched as the Lion ships land in the docking bay. He quickly ran over to Hunk as he jumped out of his Lion, Reiji had just entered the docking bay and joined them.
"Hunk, I need you to take a look over these schematics," Jeryn said as he unfolded a large piece of paper, and holding the small device that he had shown the Voltron Force earlier.
Hunk grabbed the paper for the former prince and looked it over quickly. Pidge watched as his long time friend scrutinized the schematics and the looked up at Jeryn as if the Prince was insane.
"You can't be serious," the large man nearly exclaimed. "What you're proposing could rip the lions to shreds! They weren't made to handle this kind of power output."
"Hunk what is it," Pidge asked as he came over and looked at the paper he had. "Reiji, come."
The younger member of the Beta joined them and smiled as he looked over the plans. "Hunk, we could add a power coupling to regulate the power output easily," he stated. "Do we have a free Alliance fighter that we can use?"
Pidge smiled as he pushed the glasses he wore, up further on his nose. "Reiji, you're a genius!" he yelled. He then turned to his large friend. "Hunk, this will have to work in your Lion for now. Blue and Green wouldn't be able to handle it, but yours and Black should. Unfortunately, we don't have much time. Get Yellow up in the clamps and we'll get the needed parts."
Hunk nodded then turned to Jeryn. "You and I will have to sit down and actually go through the schematics of this device, Jeryn," he stated. "There maybe other uses for it that we could never have dreamed of."
Jeryn slowly nodded. "Which is why I needed to keep it out of Drule hands," he stated. "The applications could have brought the Alliance to their knees."
"Know that its in good hands now."
Dylan yelled out in pain as a Doom Fighter launched several missiles, hitting Black on the starboard side. He pulled on his controls as the fighter gave chase, and headed toward a mesa. Pushing Black as much as he could, he dived toward the cliff side and pulled up as the Doom Fighter behind crashed in to it. Dylan let out his breath as he brought Black to hover over the mesa as he turned it toward the robeast as it continued its attack on the village.
Swearing to himself, he pulled off his gloves and removed his helmet, feeling as if they very things that would protect him, was suffocating him instead. It had been nearly two hours since the attack started. Since he sent the rest of his team back to the Castle to do heaven's know what. The longer this battle was being drawn out, the more frustrated he became.
"Are all battles like this?" he asked himself. He then looked at his viewscreen as the broken half continued to flicker. "Then again, what can I expect from being thrust into my first battle with half my team gone?"
He then watched as the robeast roared as it destroyed one of the tallest structures in the village that was being attacked. Breathing in deeply, he continued to study the large monster as it turned, swiping one of its large taloned arms as it destroyed another. It then took three steps and repeated the action.
Dylan then breathed in, as he watched the monster as it just circled around, repeating over and over again the same attack pattern.
"Wait a minute..."
He quickly pressed a button and switched over the viewscreen to a scan mode. He watched as the computer scanned the battle scene before him taking read outs of the rest of the Doom Fighters as well as the robeast in front of him. Once done, the computer came with a read out before him.
"Son of a ..." He quickly grabbed his controls pushed his lion forward, racing toward the village under attack by the robeast.
"Form Ion Knife!"
Dylan quickly sped through the line of Doom Fighters surrounding the robeast and just as he approached the monster, he dove his lion toward its feet and pulled quickly up on his controls as the Ion Knife sliced through the large monster. The robeast roared as Black cut through the monster and as Dylan pulled his ship around, the robeast reared back before it froze and then was followed by a large explosion.
Dylan yelled out in frustration as he watched as the Doom Fighters followed suit, exploding all around him as well.
"It was a freaking decoy!" he yelled as he pulled his lion up and turned to head toward the South to the robeast, where Lance was confronting that one on his own.
He rounded the last mountain ridge and saw that Lance and Allura were able to the lure the robeast away from the village, but was taking a beating himself. He pushed on his controls to attack the robeast from behind before joining them.
**About time you got here,** Lance said a little breathless, but Dylan could here a little humor in his voice. **This one is one mean son of a bitch.**
Dylan nodded. "Taris played us like fools," Dylan stated. "He has been one step ahead of us this whole time. The robeast to the North was nothing but a decoy."
**What?** Allura asked. **A decoy?**
"The damn thing was just a dud, it had no real firepower. Just an empty shell controlled by a simple computer, didn't even have a lazon power source," Dylan stated. "The Doom fighters along with it were all decoys. He wanted to separate us."
**Well then, is this one a dud, or is it the real thing?**
"Scanned it just as I came in," Dylan stated. "This one is the real deal. Black's reading came back with a large lazon power source, but its protected under 50 cm of thick armoring. None of our normal weapons can penetrate it in order to destroy it."
**Have you heard back from Hunk yet?**
"Not a peep," Dylan stated. "But we're going to need all the lions if we plan on taking this puppy out."
Hunk breathed in deeply as Jeryn handed him the small cylindrical device as Reiji looked on. "We won't have time to test this, and last word from Lance is that the first robeast has been destroyed, but they are having a hell of a time taking out the second one."
Hunk nodded as he placed the cylinder into it's makeshift place holder. He then breathed in deeply as the red light on the device took some time before it turned green. He then looked up at Yellow to see if there were any outward changes, but let out his breath when nothing happened.
"The system should be activated when you activate one of your weapons," Jeryn stated. "Since the lions are also powered by Lazon, you should notice a variance in the output of power that they will posses. Hopefully, the output will not be so much as to fry your on board systems."
Hunk nodded. "I'll be sure to take it easy at first," Hunk stated. "What do you think will happen if we form Voltron?"
Jeryn pursed his lips together and slowly shook his head. "I don't know, Hunk," he stated. "As I understand, when the lions form Voltron, your power systems combine together. I don't know what will happen then."
Hunk looked to Reiji and Pidge. "Well then, nothing like a real world test," he said. "Besides we have friends out there that need our help. We can't let them hog all of the fun."
Pidge nodded as he turned to both Reiji and Jeryn. "If any thing happens, be sure to have the Alliance Fighters on the ready," he stated.
Reiji watched as Pidge ran to Green and then watched as both Lions launched from the docking bay.
"Tell me that I haven't sent them to their deaths, lieutenant," Jeryn stated as he turned to the young boy standing next to him. "Tell me that what I've done won't end up destroying them instead."
Reiji turned to Jeryn as he looked at the Alliance Fighter that he piloted. "We all have to make sacrifices, your highness," he stated. "Even now, when we all think that we have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and have to depend on others to help us, we can not let our fears over come us. We have to fight back. We have to find a way to make it worth our sacrifices.
"You lost an entire planet based on the sacrifices you've made," Reiji said as he turned to him. "Yet you keep on fighting. And for anyone to keep on going even after facing such loss, we know that the perseverance you've shown can only be honored by those who believe in you."
"Lieutenant..."
Reiji smiled. "We are all not what we seem to be at times," he said as he put on his helmet. "I may be young to many, and in their eyes, maybe too young to be doing what I'm doing. I chose to do this, because this is what I wanted to do. And sometimes, that is all that is needed."
Jeryn nodded as Reiji looked at him. "I want to protect the dreams of those who are unable to do so," he said. "That is my dream."
With a nod, the young boy then jumped over the railing from where they were standing and headed toward the Alliance Fighter.
"Thank you."
**Dylan, look out!**
Allura flew her lion just as the robeast swung its large taloned arm to strike out toward the Black Lion. She grabbed onto the arm just as Dylan flew Black lion away from the robeast. The monster roared in pain as Allura closed Blue Lion's jaw on the large arm. It reacted violently, as it shook its arm to rid itself of the Lion firmly attached.
**Allura, watch out!** Lance yelled through his com. He then brought his lion forward as the monster reared its arm back again, to rid itself of the lion firmly attached to it. Just as it brought its arm forward, Blue Lion lost its grip and was flung toward Red Lion. Lance quickly reacted, catching the princess just before she lost complete control of her lion. **Damnit, we need the others.**
**Your wish is our command, Lance,** Hunk's voice came over the com. **Hope you guys didn't steal all of the fun!**
"Lieutenant," Dylan stated. "What was going on while we were dancing with this fine monster?"
**A few upgrades, Commander,** Hunk stated. **Now, if you folks wouldn't mind just moving out of the way a bit, I'm coming through!**
Dylan watched as Pidge joined him in Green Lion as Lance and Allura parted ways as Hunk brought Yellow Lion around.
**Pidge, keep tabs on my power output,** Hunk stated.
**Keeping a scan on you,** Pidge stated. **Let me know when you are ready.**
"What are you guys planning to do?" Dylan asked.
**Test out a theory,** Hunk stated. **Unfortunately the new upgrades have to be tested in battle, since we didn't have time to monitor, Pidge has to be my backup.**
"Backup? What do you mean backup?"
**In case this all goes to hell in a hand basket,** Hunk stated. **So what is the read out on that thing?**
"15 inch thick armor, so far its immune to most of our weapons," Dylan stated. "Lazon Power source is in its abdomen, but the armor is thicker there. We can't penetrate it with what we have."
**Understood,** Hunk stated. **Abdomen you say?**
"Yes,"
**Pidge?**
**Ready.**
Dylan watched as Hunk readied the ion cannon that the Yellow Lion was known for. He then watched as the robeast turned to face all of them, letting out a loud roar as it started for them.
**Hunk, whatever you have planned, do it fast!** Lance stated through the comm.
Hunk nodded and looked at this viewscreen. **Firing Ion Cannon.**
Dylan watched as Yellow Lion's cannon fired, but the power from the cannon itself seemed, magnified. The blast from the Cannon hit the robeast square on, as targeted by the pilot. It didn't seem to affect the robeast, but a definite reaction was happening.
**Hunk, ease off,** Pidge came over the comm. **Your power has dwindled down to sixty percent.**
**Easing off,** Hunk's reply came.
Dylan watched as the robeast still stood, but this time he noticed slight damage on the armoring. He did a quick scan of the monster and fed the information to the Green Lion pilot.
**My lord, it worked!** Hunk stated.
**Celebration over guys, I think we really pissed that thing off!** Lance yelled.
The robeast roared one last time before it started its charge against the five lion ships.
"Evasive maneuvers!" Dylan yelled as the robeast neared, followed by the Doom Fighter ships that came to its aid.
Dylan pulled hard on his controls as three Doom Fighters followed after him. He watched his viewscreen to keep track of the rest of the lions and saw they were being attacked by the Fighter ships as well, while avoidng any near distances against the robeast monster. He quickly pulled his lion around to attack the fighters head on, dispatching two of them as the last one chased him toward the robeast.
The monster noticed his incoming ship and reared its large arm. Dylan watched as it reacted to his approach and counted silently to himself. Timing. Several more Doom Fighters joined the one that was currently chasing the one after him.
**Dylan, what the heck are you doing?**
Dylan didn't bother answering Lance as he continued his approach to the robeast. Watching closely the robeast's reactions, Dylan prayed that his plan would work. As he neared the robeast, the monster reacted as Dylan had hoped and in the last moment, he pulled on Black's controls just as the robeast brought its lumbering arm down, missing his lion ship and taking out the fighters that were following him. He then pushed on his controls and sped away from the lumbering monster as he helped his teammates take out the fighters they were battling.
"Hunk, that cannon, what did you use to augment the power to it?" Dylan asked as he shot down another one of the Doom Fighters.
**That device Prince Jeryn brought with him,** Hunk quickly answered as Yellow turned toward his lion ship.
**Jeryn?** Allura's voice came over the comm. **The Lazon weapon?**
**Yup,** Hunk answered. **We had to do some modifications, but with Pidge's and Reiji's help, we were able to control the power output. But as you can see it'll drain the lazon power reserves that each Lion's hold. I'm already down to fifty percent. If this battle lasts any longer, I won't have enough power to even form Voltron.**
Dylan slowly nodded as he spied the robeast. "Then that is what we will have to do," he stated.
**Dylan, you're not ready,** Lance stated.
"We will not be able to take down that robeast like this," Dylan stated. "If Jeryn's weapon can augment Yellow's cannons, then let's see what it can do with Voltron's."
**Dylan, we don't know what it will do,** Hunk stated. **The power alone could fry all of our sytems.**
"We won't know until we try," Dylan stated. "We took our gamble, and right now, we need to take out this robeast before it does more destruction."
**I'll monitor our energy levels when we are formed,** Pidge stated. **If we get below fifteen percent, we will not be able to hold Voltron together.**
"Understood," Dylan stated.
Dylan looked at his viewscreen one last time and breathed in deeply. "Ready to form Voltron."
Tarris watched as the battle waged, the lion ships taking hits against the robeast monster. Smiled when Yellow lion appeared and take it's own shot at the large monster.
"As you expected, General," Haggar appeared from behind him. "They've been able to use that weapon that you were looking for."
Tarris nodded. "Just what I wanted," he stated. "Haggar, I am very impressed with our monstrous creations. I apologize that we have to sacrifice two of your strongest to lure out this great weapon, but now we have proof that it exists."
"Such a weapon in our hands General, would make all of my creations...all of Doom's forces strong enough to wipe out the existence of the Alliance in this galaxy."
Tarris slowly nodded. "Now that we know they have it, we will now have to retrieve it from them," he stated. He then turned to the witch and smiled. "I only want what's best for the Drule Supremacy, Haggar. You need not sneak around me to get what you want."
"General..."
"Your robeast shall be destroyed by Voltron," Tarris simply stated as he started to walk away from the command center and past her. "With the knowledge of this weapon in their possession, we need to come up with a better and strong adversary for their defender. And, once we have their weapon in our possession, use it against them."
"I understand, General," Haggar stated as she turned to him.
"And Haggar," Tarris stated as he turned back to her. "Illandra has had my best interest for many years, but she has kept many dark secrets from me. I do trust her with my life, but if she has an ulterior plan, I want to know about it."
"Any means possible General?"
Tarris slowly nodded. "You can start with finding out something for me," he said as he entered a nearby lift. "A name, I've come across repeatedly, and I want to know who this person is."
"What name is that, General?"
"Takashi," he stated. "Keitaro Takashi"
Haggar looked at him darkly. "The Voltron Commander's brother?" she questioned.
"Brother?" he asked. He slowly nodded. "Send me whatever information you have, Haggar."
"I will General."
The doors to the lift slid close and Haggar continued to stare at them.
Dylan gritted his teeth as the robeast charged toward them. He pulled on his controls and brought Voltron around to dodge the attack, but as slow as the monster seemed, it lunged out with a backward strike, sending Voltron off balance. The robeast quickly turned around and grabbed a hold of Voltron by Red and Green Lions as it used its head to charge against the mighty defender.
"Damn, that's it, I'm done playing with this thing," Dylan stated. "Hunk, do you think we can focus all of our power to the Blazing Sword? Will it be enough to penetrate the armor and get to its power source?"
**Running calculations,** Hunk came over the com. **Pidge, what is our power levels?**
**Eighty percent,** the young man announced. **We have to get an opening quick. The Blazing Sword will definitely eat up most of that energy.**
"Got it," Dylan stated. "Timing...Just need to get the timing."
Dylan pulled Voltron back as he studied the robeast. He breathed in deeply as he watched as the monster lumbered from side to side, watching as it watched them. He took note of the damage it received, every hit that connected by Voltron had it's effect. Then he spotted what he wanted. The monster always breathed in deeply as it readied for an attack. And in that moment, it was the opening he was looking for.
"That's it!" he yelled. "Form Blazing Sword!"
Hunk timed his energy transfer just as Dylan finished forming the large weapon and as the monster breathed in one last time, Dylan charged forward. With as much strength as he could muster in the giant robot, Dylan stabbed the robeast right through the armor, hitting the lazon power source that fueled it. Just as he was about to pull Voltron out of the way, the robeast reacted much differently than he had anticipated. The robeast grabbed ahold of Green lion and started pulling Voltron toward it sending the sword right through it, and with its other hand grabbed a hold Voltron's head in a tight grip.
**We have to get away!** Pidge yelled. **We've ruptured the power source. The explosion is going to tear us apart.**
"Damn thing won't let us go!" Dylan said through gritted teeth. "What the hell is it doing?"
**Dylan, the Cross!** Lance yelled. **Use it!**
**No, that will just cause a chain reaction!** Hunk yelled.
Dylan breathed in heavily as he looked at his viewscreen. "You're not taking all of us with you," he stated. He quickly turned his controls down and started the sequence to separate the lions.
**Dylan, what are you doing?**
"Get away, now!"
**Dylan, no!**
The robeast reacted violently as the lions separated and was only left with Black lion in its grip. Dylan then watched his viewscreen.
"Die you son of a bitch."
Dylan fired his thrusters to pull out of the robeast's grip, but it was too late. The robeast grabbed onto Black lion with its free hand shoving, the lion to the ground as it exploded over the lion. Dylan shielded his eyes as his head then hit the back of his seat. The force of it knocking him unconscious.
**DYLAN!**