KathDMD - Ryan Steele...where do I begin? I actually borrowed a quote from Power Rangers SPD, as it fits perfectly for an entire team to go rogue on their own accord. Not under a spell, not being forced, they are seriously working for the enemy. As for cliffhangers...yeah, about that, see, this was supposed to be a solid end, but there's too much to fit in the episode. So the final part will have to wait for the beginning of the second half of the season.

Author's Note - Hope you all enjoy...this one's for the record books.

My muse is gone.

Theme Music : None

Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Admiral Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.

Episode 513 : "Voltron's Legacy - Part IV"

The doors to the Space Marshall's office opened, and Commander Mike Stormclaw quickly walked in, giving the Space Marshall a quick salute.

"Ma'am," he said, "the Voltron Force has returned from the Outer Perimeter. The damage to the ships appears worse than we've feared."

"And the patrol?" she asked.

"The patrol made it out of the fray thanks to Voltron," he said. "But they took a heavy hit. I looked over the footage, Marshall, and that thing looked unstoppable. It was, as Sergeant McGovern said, another Voltron."

"We've learned much about the Defender of the Universe over the years," she said, standing up and walking over to the window. "We've seen the Drules try to copy the technology before, but have had less success than we had."

"But this time, it appears they have found the secret of Voltron," he replied, gesturing to her desperately. "If that thing can damage Voltron as badly as it did, then how can our forces fight against it?"

"We are the Galaxy Alliance," she said calmly. "But over all, we are the best hope that the universe has of overthrowing the Drule Supremacy." She turned to face him. "We've suffered losses before and have come back stronger. You may say it's a losing fight, Commander, but I sure as damn well am not going down without a fight!" She turned back to the window. "If their plan is to take this world, they are going to get every last ounce of resistance we have. I want you to have Admiral Fabrere order her security forces to begin enforcing Order Zero. I want all civillians evacuated to the underground shelters. I want you to reach out to our forces and our allies and begin to create a strong defense perimeter between us and the Moon. I don't want them to take an inch without taking damage!"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"I assume you have Katz and Karatea working on repairs?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Good," she said. "We'll need them back in action if we want to have a fighting chance. Also…I was not able to get any more information from Baltan High Command about the whereabouts of Lieutenant Commander Stoker, but they did send a package to us. The explicit instructions were to give it to Katz and Karatea. Perhaps they might know more about it, or what it is."

"I'll take it to them immediately," he replied.

"After my family is securely below with the civilians," she said, "my husband will be leading a fleet of ships fresh from the 'yard. Should the Drules get through our blockade, they and our ground forces will be our final defense."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, giving another salute. She continued to stare out the window.

"We will not fail," she said to herself."

"The Allaince is gathering its forces," the bridge officer said to Commander Kala. Kala barely blinked, still staring at the viewscreen as if watching the ships carefully and strategically mapping out her kill order.

"Maahox seems to have done his job a little too well," she sneered. "Flexing the might of the robots has caused them to take on a defensive stance."

"Then our offence needs to be just as good," a voice came from behind her. She turned quickly to see Sky Marshall Wade come onto the bridge.

"Charles," she said, without thinking, 'I thought…"

"I do have my own plans, Kala," he said to her. She knew he could hear her thoughts still, even after everything that had happened between them. "I wanted to see the fear we've instilled in the heart of the Alliance. To that credit, I think Maahox has performed admirably."

"And what of the pilots" Kala asked.

"They work for me now," Wade said, gesturing. "Steele's son is a prodigy among cadets. He fears nothing, and he knows opportunity when he sees it. He's ruthless and cunning, just as I was at his age."

"The son you never had?" she quipped. She, for a moment, feared reprisal, but instead, a smirk appeared on his face…a sight she rarely saw.

"As close as one can get," he said. "He and his team will help us single handedly squash Voltron, and become the superior power in this part of the universe. And only one thing remains."

"I beg you not to go," she said abruptly. "Forget her. She will be annihilated and enslaved like all the other humans on the planet. She means noth…." He pulled her to him and without warning forcibly kissed her. Her eyes instinctively closed, unable or unwilling to fight it. When the kiss broke, and her eyes opened, he stared directly into them.

"I promise," he said, "I will return." He turned and left the bridge. Her face dropped in anger.

"Stubborn fool," she said angrily under her breath.

"You wanted to see us, Commander? " Zandee asked as he and Tangor walked up to the approaching Commander Stomclaw.

"Yes," he replied. "A package came to us from Balto. We were instructed to give it to you two, hoping you'd know what it is." Zandee struggled to open the container, but Tangor took it from him and managed to easily open it. Inside was a datapad along with a digitized message orb."

"A message?" Zandee asked. Tangor activated the orb, and it floated, a projection of Chip appearing before them.

"Is this thing on?" he asked, clearing his throat. "Ahem. Tangor and Zandee, if you're watching this, then I probably didn't make it back to you." The two looked at one another. "I can't tell you much about what I am doing, as the Baltan Government has strict regulations against it, but I do need to both warn you of the oncoming threat, and help better prepare the team for the challenge." They looked at one another again, then back at the image. "On this datapad are schematics. The data has been encrypted so that no one else will be able to discover what it is. While making the modifications both to the vehicle team, as well as studying the notes on Project Defender, I came across some brilliant discoveries. Unfortunately, one of those was the discovery of the Nexus crystals that appear to give the ships their unique power source. The reason I say this is because the Drules have somehow gotten their hands on this energy source."

"How can that me?" Mike asked. He looked at the two, and they shrugged and continued to listen.

"In passing, I was able to study their plans," he said. "I can't help you defend Earth, but I can give you what you need to give yourselves a better fighting chance. I wish I could make the modifications myself, but using the enclosed schematics, I have no doubt the two of you will be able to succeed. I hope to return to you soon." He reached over as if to turn off the orb. It powered off and fell to the floor. Zandee picked up the datapad and turned it on, examining it. Tangor looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening.

"This is nothing short of incredible!" Zandee said.

"The little guy really came through for us," Tangor said. "Come on, let's start making these modifications while we're repairing the ships."

"What is it?' Mike asked frantically.

"You'll see, Commander," Tangor replied as the two hurried back into the hangar to continue working.

Dariana stood at the window staring up at the sky as dusk turned the sky slowly from a bright orange to a pitch black. Seth approached her, and she could sense him behind her.

"I don't know what to do," she said. "The power of that thing…I could feel it."

"We'll find a way," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders, and instinctively rubbing them.

"It felt like we were fighting against her," she said. "Like we were fighting against ourselves."

"It's possible you were," a voice from behind them came. They turned to see Kerza and Malva walk into the room. Malva looked in her direction. "Part of her is inside that monstrosity."

"How would you know?" Dariana asked angrily.

"She's inside Haggar's head, Dari," Kerza said. "If there's some connection between her and that thing, Malva can find it."

"I can only see bits and pieces," she said. "If I try too hard, she may be able to see into my mind as well. The connection works both ways." She took a deep breath. "Somehow, the Supremacy came across this power, something containing the essence of a lamia, and they are using it as a weapon against you."

"So how do we fight it?" Seth asked.

"You need to find your own weakness," Malva said, "and exploit it. They are using your own power against you. You must become stronger."

"I'm trying as hard as I can," Dariana said, fists clenched.

"We ALL are," JC said, walking into the room with Roxy and Tails. "I just received word from the Commander that Sergeants Katz and Karatea are hard at work with the repairs, and have something that might turn the tide for us. They said the repairs should be done soon, and in the meantime, defense around the planet and the garrison has been beefed up." They looked as the sky became darker, and a fleet of ships filled the sky, readying theirselves for war. Dariana turned to the window again and stared intently.

"This is only the beginning," she said.

To be continued…