Chapter 28
Everyone was back on the bridge. All the Paladins were no longer suited up. Ahead of The was the Balmera. The planet looked.. uneasy washed through her like a heavy cloud...
"We'll be arriving at Balmera soon. Liberatting these Balmerans from Zarkson's grasp will not be easy." Allura explained to them Coran was still at his station while others stood near the crystal.
"So, what's the plan? We go in there and just- POW, POW!" Lanced asked as he made his hands into guns and acted like he was firing them. "And free the prisoners?" Lance asked them. "What was that noise?" Keith asked with raised eyebrow at Lance. "Laser guns." he said with a smug grin.
Kiara walked between the two boys. "Now, now, play nice. Or I'll lock you two up and throw out the key." She teased putting her hands on their shoulders. They looked at her before looking away from each other.
"No, Lance. I think you mean-POW, POW, *Screech* *Clack* POW!" Hunk said acting like ti was a machine gun. "That sounds like fireworks." Lance said.
Kiara laughed. "Maybe it's like ZAM, ZAM." she added in joining the fun. She used her arm like guns. Keith still didn't look impressed. Or was he didn't understand. Shrugging she didn't care.
"Technically, they're more like- BA-CHOO, BA-CHOO, BA-CHOO" Pidge said making a simple gun with both her hands. "Okay, enough with the bad sound effect. Besides it's more like- BLAM, BLAM, BALM." Shiro said acting like a hitman.
"What?"
"Come, on."
"You're crazy."
"No, way."
"Wrong."
"Paladins focus."
Everyone said back to back. Kiara was glad everyone was in a better mood. "Aw, were just having fun." whined Kiara playfully. Earning some chuckles from her teammates.
"Besides, we can't just shoot at the Galra. This Balmera it's like, alive. And from what we've seen it doesn't look very good." The planet the screen showed went thermal. "Yes, it's an atrocity what the Galra have been doing to this grand beast. Stealing it's crystals it's very life force, without ever performing the energy rejuvenation ceremonies to heal it." Coran pulled up more pictures of what the planet looked like.
Kiara gave a solemn look. 'Poor thing, what have they done to you?' She thought about what the planet looked like.
They had to fix this, or no one will have a place to live or gather crystals from. She understood why Hunk wanted to rush. Kiara felt it, a bit of the Balmera crying from here though faintly like a gentle breeze.
"After seeing Shay's people enslaved, it made me realize how bad Zarkon really is. And we are the only one who can stop him." Hunk said.
Kiara knew he was right. They were chosen to fight, to be heroes to those who need a hero. "Okay, so can't go into the tunnels guns blazing. Plan B. We figure out how to draw the Galra to the surface and battle them out there."
"I know. If we attack all of that big mining stuff on the surface-" "-it will draw them out to us" Kiara aid. "Yeah, then we beat it up, head down to the tunnels, Voltron saves the day." Hunk finished.
"But there is a problem though." Kiara spoke up. "How will we know how many are left in the tunnels?" Keith asked explaining one of the main problems. "We can track the Galra and the Balmerans. Using Biothermal Life Indicator Point Technology." Allura said as a hologram of the tech she was talking appeared. 'Alien holograms cool.' Kiara noted looking at the strange tech. "Oh, BLP tech!" she said getting in close and adjusting her glasses looking at the hologram.
Allura gave a blank stare as Pidge looked at the princess. "It's an acronym." She explained to the princess. Lucky she understood then continued on. "One of you needs to fly around the Balmerma and drop sensors into the shafts on each side. Then we will be able to see where the Galra and the Balmerans are." Multiple screens popped up on the holgam like a planet.
"Sounds simple enough." Kiara said as she studied the map the hologram made. "But, then who would be the one doing the dropping?" She looked from one paladin to the next. "There are already sensors built in your suits." Allura told them.
"I could do it. I just modified the Green Lion with invisible maze's cloaking ability. I should be able to fly around unnoticed." Pidge offered as she explained what she did and truly was a smart clever move. Cloaking was something she knew to be very handy. 'I think we are finally getting somewhere.' Kiara thought.
Then Coran found the main power generator. Pulling up for the other could see it. "That's the main power generator. If you take that down, it will severely weaken their defenses." It was huge and long. No way one lion could take the whole thing down, cripple but take it down. Nope.. they would fail once they fixed it.
"We'll stay in cloud cover and give tactical support. With the Castle's defenses weakne from Sendak's crystal, we won't be of much help to you." Allura explained to them that they were showing them another hollageish screen of the castle.
"I'll take out the power generator. Keith, Lance, Hunk, you take out these big mining rigs around the area." Shiro told the three paladins. "Yeah! Okay, let's do this! Let's kick some alien butt!" Hunk shouted pumping his fist up into the air.
"Is there something I can do to help?" Kiara asked. It looked like most of the jobs were covered. "I don't see why you can't help out, fly with Hunk, see if you can lead him to some help." Shiro offed. Kiara nodded. "Sure." She knew it meant she really won't be helping, but she could still be close by as back up.
"Hold on. Kia,I have something that might interest you." Allura said waving the dark violet haired teen to follow after her. "We'll be right back." with that the two girls swiftly left the room.
-line break-
"I know I said we didn't have any spear armor, which is true, but, I found a suit similar to mine. You should wear it. It will provide little more protection than your Earthling clothes." Allura said holding up a white and gray suit.
Kiara managed to slip into. "Good it fits, now put this in your ear. It will help you communicate with others." She handed her a white ear cip. "No way a Ear Com." she laughed and fanined it to her left ear. "Now that's done one more thing." Allura walked to the table and held out a sword. "I know this what you have used for training... but, I figured it would work if we end up having to fight the Galra on foot." Kiara took it."Thanks, oh, and about the dress..." "..Hey, I told you don't worry about your secret's safe with me." she winked. "It's not like that." she grumbled as they walked back to the others. Allura smirked seeing the light blush on the young alien teen's face.
-line break-
Everyone was in their lions cockpit. As the Castle made its descent into Balmera. Kiara stood behind Hunk. This was it. The moment they will officially begin their quest to save those under the Galra rule.
"Ready, to be a Hero?" She asked Hunk as the Lion came to life. "Oh, yeah. Let's do this." Grinning Kiara grabbed the chair.
"Do, you think the Balmeran will have a parade for us after we've freed everybody?" Lanced asked. *It's not about the glory Lance. *It's about freeing prisoners from Zarkon.* Keith told him as he popped up on Lance's com. "No, I know. I know. But still. When they-" The Blue Lion took off cutting the feed off.
Kiara sighed in relief. She wouldn't have to listen to the Red and Blue paladins bickering. Once airborne they flew to the mine. Sound of the lasers rang out as the Galra fired at the team. The one in the center fired a large blast at them. Shiro's voice rang out in her ear.
This is it. Get your heads in the game. Remember, the Balmera is a living creature. Make sure you pinpoint only the Galra installations and not it's surface.* Shiro told the team to split up.
"Initiationing Cloak." Pidge said turning the Lion invisible and dropping the first BLP into the hole then flew to the next entrance.
The Blue lion was dodging and firing its tail. While Hunk slammed into the pillars. "Nicce work Hunk." Kiara said as they circled back around.
Shiro was contemplating how to take down the main power generator. Then the screen on his dashboard lit up and around the jawline it flashed with beeping noise. "What's that? Jawblade? Okay! Let's do this!" The Black Lion's lit up and a jawblade formed and Shro flew towards it cutting the generator flying away as explosions rang out behind him.
The Green Lion dropped the last BLP down. "All sensors delivered." Pidge said radioed into Coran and Allura. The same screen popped up showing them what they need to see.
The Red Lion doged the large blast of generator. The lion opens its mouth and shit a fire beam out burning a hole through the generator. "Whoa! Did you guys just see that? I got fire power!" Keith asked excitedly.
"Hey! I want that!" Lance complained. "Nice job Keith... and Lance stop whining everyone's lion has its own element.. So shut up." Kiara said.
Keith felt a bit of pride on the praise he received then, something went wrong. "Oh, no!" Keith said as the tower began to fall.
"Guys stop that thing!" Kiara shouts as Hunk swifty flew to hold up the falling generator. Hunk was having trouble. "Come, Hunk just a little longer." she said resting her hand on the Yellow Lion's side. 'Just a little longer bud.' Kiara thought. *I think my lion knows what to do.* Lance's voice cut through their inercoms.
"Well what are you waiting for, Yellow can't hold this up forever." Kiara snapped. *I'm on it. Just hold it a bit longer.* 'Oh, Great. Our hands are in the most reckless pilot.' she thought. Kiara trusted Blue and Lance even if he isn't the best.
Blue shot towards them. Opening up it's mouth it fired a laser at the falling generator. Hunk flew away as it froze over. "Aw, snap! These rays are super cool, just like me." Lance said as his lion froze the power generator in place. "Lance." *Yeah.* "Shut your trap!" Kiara teased. "Great job team!" Shiro said as they landed on the mountain of ice.
"Where are all the troops? They're not coming to the surface." Keith asked as everyone looked to see no Galra had come out to stop them.
Yeah, I remember seeing lots of Galra guys down in the mines.* Hunk said over the intercom.
We've located a hanger full of Galra fighters just below the surface.* Allura said over the intercom.
"Something feels off." Kiara muttered to herself. "It doesn't make sense why they wouldn't come out." she said a bit louder. "What are you saying?" Shiro asked her. "I am not sure.. But could they have known we'd be here?" Kiara added. "It makes sense, Galra aren't stupid." she lean back, crossing her arms.
Well, good theory, but someone has to take those out before they can lamch.* Allura spoke up. "They're lurring us down, but we have no choice. Keith Lance, you guys hit the hanger. Kiara goes with them. Hunk heads to the prison to rescue Shay and the other Balmerans. Pidge and I will track down the Galra soldiers." Shiro said giving orders.
Kiara was heading t o the exit. "Good luck saving your crush." she winked as the Yellow lion let her walk out. 'Who to ride with?' she thought looking between the two lions. *Hey, you can ride with me angel.* "Lance, Shut up and stop trying your hitting a dead cow." she retorted a bit annoyed with his behavior. 'Why is he flirting with me gain?' she let out a sigh. Then walked to the lion she'd ride with. "This will be a long trip." she complained.