++LOG DATE 7-20-8. Keith video recording audio. Earth day: September 7, 2016. Altean deca-phoeb: 22.016++
"Is… is this thing working? I think I need to… Okay…. I got it, well them. Ahem. I'm Keith, member of the Marmoran Blade and Paladin of the Red Lion. Right now we are in at Eldar cruiser call it Vontoning's Spear. I've never done this before, but apparently, these are helpful… get your thoughts out there, kind of thing. Also, with everything that's happened as of late; I think it would be a good time to vent or my head is going to explode.
I'm… I'm angry. I and everyone else found out that Allura was keeping a truth that we deserved to know from us from the beginning of our travel to defeat the Galra. She explained why she kept it from us, and I tried to see it through her perspective, but I can't. I trusted her… we believed in her… she's been working to re-earn that trust, but… I think this… is why Marmora agents are trained not to have personal attachments. It's a rule I've broken on occasion, but with Allura… it's different.
Besides the Olkari; Allura, Lance, and Coran look at me and don't see just another Galra as others would; but they see me, for me. She didn't have any malicious intent behind keeping what she kept, but it still hurt us all nonetheless. I've always put my faith into people I know I could trust, like Shiro and Matt. However, I'm starting to think I haven't been as careful as I could be, anymore.
Then again, if I didn't open-up… I don't think I would have the relationships I do, with the people I care about; like Steven, Connie, Katie, Peridot, and Amethyst. The very people I'm trusting my own life with. Not saying the same with the Eldar onboard here, but they put their lives in risk too, so… it's something to took in count.
When I first met Steven and Connie, I didn't think they would be able to be Paladins this long. Connie knew what was at stake, but Steven was a naïve kid who tried to see the best in everyone; even in the Galra Empire. I didn't think they would be able to handle being in the situations we were thrown continuously in; desperately fighting to survive each battle. But they've proven me wrong continually, and I think it's because of their bond as Stevonnie. And do not ask me how Gem Fusion works. I was younger than them when I went on my first mission; I never had that much of a childhood. But that's part of the reason I fight, so that no else that young will have too… I have fear to something horrible happened with the child, no one in this cold and cruel universe deserves live in that type of insecurity. I only hope that both are strong enough to keep facing the horrible things outside.
Well… Katie was pretty much everything Matt described her to be; the guy wouldn't shut up about her. But I think he knew it annoyed me and would do it whenever I acted like an asshole; which was… most of the time. I used to think Matt was exaggerating at first, but the girl really is a genius like him. Comprehending mathematical, scientific and technological problems like they were second nature to her. She also has a fierce dedication to her family; which can cause her to make brave, yet stupid decisions. But it's admirable at the same time. I really hate myself for letting happen that he miss his arm during that Dark Eldar attack, but his it's taking good with that new arm that the cogboys give him."
There's also the Crystal Gems; whom I was unable to get a read on at first. I've heard stories about the atrocities Gem-kind committed like any other species, and was surprised to meet some that weren't… that cruel and sociopath beings. Then again, they're like the Galra; not all of them are evil. And the ones Steven encountered that used to be... bad... he helped them turn good.
I know that this isn't a lot; I'm not good at sharing my feelings, especially to a camera. But it did kind of feel nice to get this out. Well… I have nothing else to say; so, I'm going to-"
"Hey." A voice came behind Keith who move his head and see an Eldar male looking him. "What are you doing?"
"A video recording." The young Galra said simply. "The other Paladins said that helps with the stress."
"Okay, mister stressed. If you finished talking to the device go to the navigation room. Captain Nuller and Princess Allura have called a meeting."
The Eldar left Keith who stared at where it came from for a second and then looked at the camera with an expression of mild annoyance.
ENDING OF THE TRANSMISSION++
Now that Zarkon has no way of tracking the Black lion; Ulaz advised the Voltron Force that they should seek the Blade of Marmora's base of operations so that he and Thace can deliver their intel to Kolivan and mount an effective strike against the Empire. Then Allura contacted Captain Nuller to set up a meeting to explain the new situation. By the time Keith arrived, the place was packed with people consisting of the entire Voltron team, some Eldar pilots and technicians, and a trio of Harlequins named Jonseng, Phirta, and Mona. All of them were gathered around a holographic table which showed the two 3d figures of the Seer and the Exarch.
"Well, that went as well that I expected. Not only did you recover the Black Lion, but you also left The Astral plane without consequences in your soul or mind." Guren said with complete honesty towards Shiro.
"Hmp! No need to get arrogant, human." Yotundu said with his arms crossed. "Maybe even one of those Space Marines could do it with no problem."
"Lady Guren, regarding what we discussed..." Allura began.
"Yes, although Saim-Hamm or perhaps any Craftworld never had a direct association with the Blade of Marmora, Lords Ulaz and Thace have proven themselves trustworthy enough to proceed in their new assignment." Guren said looking the two pure Galra.
"You honor us with your words, Seer." Thace gave him a quick nod.
"If you don't mind me asking, how are the castle repairs going?" Pidge asked the Exarch.
Yotundu bowed imperceptibly before replying. "All of the ship's armor has been repaired, life support has been recalibrated, and all auxiliary power supplies have been replaced with more advanced versions without the need to make a radical change to the visual appearance of the castle." The Eldar Exarch paused to pull out a holographic scroll. "Although, it was in the engine room that we ran into a problem."
"What kind of problem?" Coran asked with a slight frown. "Were there any leaks in the Nihilant valves?"
"Found some minor gaps, but it's been fixed. The problem is that the last two jumps they took caused severe cracks in the power conductive disc, a dozen were shattered and a couple were crushed to dust." Yotundu finished explaining him.
"Quiznack." Coran covered his face. "It's going to take a miracle for our Teladuv portal system to function optimally."
"That can't be replaced?" Matt asked the older Altean.
"Yes, but the problem is that they are not easy to get anywhere except for some systems, but at this point they should have stopped manufacturing them." Coran took a few seconds to think and snapped his fingers. "Though, perhaps it's likely that he's still selling at a specific place."
"Well, what do you suggest we do?" Amethyst asked over the comms. "It's not like you guys have a space Walmart we can go to or something."
"What's a Walmart?" Lance, Allura, Coran, and Keith all asked simultaneously over their comms while some Eldar looked at each other with confusion.
"It's a store back on Earth," Katie stated. "It sells a lot of the things that we are in desperate need of."
"Some things are imported from other parts of the world." Matt said. "Like clothes, accessories, food, things you couldn't find in your home country world."
There were murmurs in the room, some Eldar talking to each other while others had a vague idea of what he was referring to. It was Coran who finally realized it with an excited smile.
"Wait, I think we do have a space Walmart!" Coran ecstatically said.
"Seriously?" Pidge, Peridot, Amethyst, and Connie all said in disbelief.
"Wait a minute, do you really want to go there?" Guren asked, this time without avoiding making a facial gesture of discomfort.
"Yeah, what's wrong with it?" Coran asked with a shrug. "There you can get everything for all tastes."
"Coran, wait for a tick." Matt stopped the conversation and pointed at the older Altean. "You're saying there really is some kind of special Walmart in space?"
"Well, it's not a space Walmart per se; but it's something close to it." Coran clarified.
"Coran, please tell me you're not suggesting going to one of those filthy swap moons?" Allura questioned. "The last time you went, those shifty space pirates took everything you had."
"Space pirates?" Pearl asked over the comms.
"More like space hoarders." Nuller said with slight distaste in his tone.
"They were known as the Unilu." Coran began. "Infamous pirates that roamed the universe and dealt in black market goods. Unique spices, water, Weapons, little bottles of vapors. Of course, you had to bargain. No one could bargain like the Unilu. Last time, I ended up giving away three-quarters of my shipment of lango in exchange for a used pogo oscillator."
"Oh yeah, I remember that," Lance added in with some teasing laughter; along with Allura. "Uncle Alfor was not happy about that."
"How could you commit a sin like that?" One of the Harlequins, Mona said in a flat tone. "And to think that they are our distant cousins."
The Blue, Green and Yellow Paladins all looked at each other in confusion; not understanding what was supposed to be funny.
"So, you know the location of this place?" Connie asked.
"Like the spots on a Snowy Yalmor." Coran clarified.
"We'll take that as a yes," Amethyst added in.
"Hold a tick." The leader of the group of Harlequins, Joseng spoke, drawing their attention. "Things have changed drastically for the Unilu species as well as the universe. They are no longer the shadow of their former selves: three millennia since Voltron's demise. A 'visionary' Octopod tycoon by the name of Mkkt Bkkt made a completely lucrative deal with the greatest trading powers in the universe, including the Imperium, the Tau, and surprisingly: the Galra."
"They have practically evolved their economy to titanic scales, thus becoming one of the greatest economic powers in the entire universe." Mona said.
"You say Mkkb Bkkt? The name seems familiar to me." Coran scratched his mustache and mumbled to himself. "And to think he was just a Squilfel salesman back in my academy days."
"Thanks for the info. But I think it would be risky if we all went there." Allura said
"We could take a Lion," Steven suggested. "And just a few of us go."
"I call dibs to be your escort." The third Harlequin: Phirta, raised his hand as he spoke rapidly, earning everyone's gaze. "What!? Perhaps we are above such mundane things, but there is no denying that there are very curious things there!"
"Quiet you, Moron." Jonseng said disapprovingly, but after reconsidering he only let out an irritated groan. "Fine, but you will only be an escort and Mona will accompany you!"
"Why me?" Mona asked pointing unhappy about this decision.
"Because you are older than Phirta and more responsible." Jonseng replied simply.
"That's a child's guess!" Mona said annoyed.
"We accept the offer." Pidge said with the intention of ending this unnecessary discussion.
"I'll stay here with Captain Nuller." Shiro stated over the comms. "There's things that need to talk with it."
"We have no interest in shopping." Keith dully added in; speaking for Ulaz and Thace. "We'll be here with you Shiro."
"Mmm, annoying creatures." Nuller muttered under his breath.
"I'll stay." Connie volunteered. "I can pilot Blue on my own."
"Connie, you don't have to do that," Steven told his Jam Bud. "I can be fun.
"It's okay, Steven" Connie said. "Besides, I think it would be good for you to get out of the Castle for a while. Plus, I need practices my sword abilities with lady Moshka."
"I concur," Pearl added in over the comms.
"I think I'll stay back too," Peridot added in. "I not good with the mass."
"Are you sure?" Katie asked her co-pilot. "Green has certain preferences on who controls her movements."
"I'm positive," Peridot answered. "Besides, I don't need to enter the Lion to help out."
"Well, that settles it." Coran began. "Anyone who wants to come with, meet me in the hangar in next ten dobashes."
"You heard, move." Jonseng told the other two Harlequins who nodded and left the place with Phirta trying to hide her excitement.
"Make sure you all stay safe," Allura added in.
"We will," Lance stated.
"We'll be back soon," Steven assured Connie and Peridot as he, Pidge and Amethyst were about to leave.
"And I'll make sure Steven picks you up something sparkly." Katie lastly, and teasingly, said to Connie before departing. "… And secure."
"Why would she…" Connie began, only for her face to blush a deep red upon realizing what Katie was insinuating.
"You okay, Connie?" Peridot asked the blushing girl with confusion.
Coran was going to be taking Lance, Amethyst, Katie, Pearl, Steven and the two Harlequins Mona and Phirta to the swap moon via the Yellow Lion; which means Allura, Shiro, Keith, Connie, Peridot, Matt, Bismuth, Ulaz, and Thace will be stuck with the Eldar; along with the space mice, Lion, and Pumpkin inside of the Voltonig control room.
"So, what am I supposed to do?" Allura asked herself as she deactivated her holo-pads. Luego de finalizar la reunión y que todo el mundo fuera a hacer sus deberes, la princesa Altean se quedó sola y sin nada que hacer. Por suerte para ella su aburrimiento finalizaría con la llegada de amigos inesperados.
Allura turned her attention to the space mice and discovered the quartet were trying to perform adorable little gymnastics on Lion's back; which he didn't mind as he slept.
"Aw, that's adorable," Allura said.
Pumpkin barked in agreement as she watched the performance as well.
"Am I heading in the right direction?" Amethyst asked as she piloted the Yellow Lion; following Coran's instructions to get the swap moon while dealing with the fully crowded cockpit.
"You're doing fine Amethyst," Coran said of the left side of her.
Further inside the Leon, the people inside were in an uncomfortable silence, the only noise in the cabin was the engine of the Leon. Steven gave a brief glance at Harlequin Mona who was inspecting a scary looking sword known as a Hell blade. Mona turned her attention from her to her sword and gave one to Steven who made him cringe in her seat, more uncomfortable than she was.
"Perverted." There was no sound but Steven swore he heard something coming from the Eldar woman.
"So..." Lance, in an attempt to lighten the mood, said, "What sort of things changed with the Unilu in our lethargic state."
"When I finalize the commercial treaties of Mkkt Bkkt with the other galactic powers. The Unilu have expanded their catalog thousands of times larger than recorded in history." Phirta said sounding somewhat excited. "In the past, the Unilu might offer you stolen parts or scrap but now you can find anything on any of their moons, from a Brygg Meucalotic to an Apoche Katasumyrr!"
Several flickers of confusion marked the features of those present.
"Ignore him, this chump has been a compulsive hoarder for ages since he heard one of those Metrodome mega artists' records." Mona spoke with disdain towards her Harlequin partner of hers.
"They also sell music?" Katie asked interested.
"Music, books, merchandise. Everything from anywhere in the universe is sold on the moons of Unilu." Phirta announced happily.
"Stop getting excited, we only come to acquire materials." Mona almost growled.
After a few dobashes of flying, the group finally arrived at the swap moon and were surprised by what they saw. The Unilu moon was actually a vast building that covered 70% of the lunar surface, the most impressive of all was the enormous number of ships stationed in the space void, there were from the most insignificant individual ship to a large Nivelian cruiser followed by a few fat Vossk transports! There were even Imperium ships parked peacefully.
At Coran's request, Amethyst parked the yellow lion on the lunar surface and upon leaving they went to a conveyor belt that took them inside the establishment. And when they get inside they got a convenient surprise.
"Uh, Coran." Pidge began. "Is this the swap moon…"
"Yes, why?" Coran question.
"Well, this place looks an awful lot like a regular mall," Pidge stated as she looked at the escalators and clean, white stores with flashing lights. Indeed, the interior of the massive commercial establishment visually looked like a normal market that you would see on earth… with the difference that said market stretched for miles and seemed to have no end and they had hundreds of drones of different shapes flying over the place carrying boxes. along with hundreds of other species walking through the same place buying or selling their products.
It was at this moment that Pidge wondered how this 'Mkkt Bkkt' could accomplish something of this magnitude.
"I think that in the Vontoning they have clearly told them." Mona said boredly glancing quickly at her Harlequin partner who kept looking around.
"Right, it's easy to forget that everything else has drastically changed in the past 10,000 deca-phoebs," Coran stated. "Still, be vigilant. The Unilu are cut-throat wheeler-dealers. So, keep your hands on your coin and other valuables." The mustached Altean then proceeded to take out some coins from his satchel and handed a handful to the rest of the group. "If I remember correctly, this should be just enough Altean gold for each of you buy something."
"I doubt very much that they will buy anything with that gold you gave them, although I know a place where they can pawn and get credits." Phirta said before reaching into his pockets for a trio of transparent cards that glowed blue with hexagonal lines inscribed on them. "When you visit a commercial establishment of this caliber you need to have a special credit card; each empire or government has its own currency. For example: if you are a human desiring an item made solely by the Galra Empire, you would need their authorized currency to perform such a transaction and thus these cards were created which allow you to estimate the value of your currency at the price that the Galra item put."
"Like a cryptocurrency?" Pidge wondered when he took one of the cards and inspected them.
"I think I get it…" Steven said sounding a little unsure. "Does this convert the money you're using into Galra money or any other currency?"
"Almost but yes." Phirta said before pocketing hers. "Very well, I leave you these cards so that you spend your money wisely, but for no reason you are going to lose them since getting them costs a lot."
"All right, with everything explained, we'll be meeting back here in one varga; don't be late, and try to blend in." Coran said and immediately walked to a place in the north.
"Ok, fool, you better do what Jonseng told you or I-" Mona spoke to no one particularly since her partner had disappeared from the place, leaving her so bewildered as the others that in the end she could only let out an annoyed grunt and continue to the Altean. "Why bother me..."
With that said, the group dispersed in the space mall, Amethyst taking the east, Pidge and Lance taking the west, and Steven and Pearl taking the south. However, unbeknownst to the members of the Voltron Force; they were being watched.
"Hm… I don't like the look of that group." An obese Galran said as he watched the eight, strange shoppers go off in different directions. "You better not be attempting to do this place any harm; or you shall face the wrath of Varkon, Space Mall Cop of the 13th quadrant!"
His moment of glory ended when his radio emitted a voice.
"Var, there's a bunch of idiots trying to get tough here. Can you come and take over?"
"Right away." The obese Galra got on his hovering segway and moving at a snail's pace.
"Excuse me…" Amethyst began as she tried to ask some of the passing shoppers some questions about where she is going. "Hi, can I… Um, pardon me… Does anyone… Forget it; I'll figure it out myself."
Amethyst continued exploring her section of the mall until… she came across the most magnificent sight she has ever seen; a massive, fully stocked, food court. "Oh! This... is... beautiful!" The purple Gem said with big, round eyes full of amazement. "Oh, this is the perfect place to do some shopping… and sampling. Hehe."
Amethyst quickly made her way over to the food court and snatched several cardboard cases from the counter; which she assumed to be to-go boxes. Also, as she scooped a ladle full of all the different alien foods into the boxes; she happily took a sample of them as well.
"Hm… this one tastes a bit rubbery." Amethyst critiqued before moving on to the next one.
"Mm… sweet and salty." Amethyst happily stated.
"Woah… so cold, but so spicy. Just how I like it; my compliments to the chef." Amethyst concluded as she was about to move on to the next assortment of delicacies; only to bump into a rather bloated figure. "Oh, sorry dude." Amethyst looked up and discovered that the person was Galra with a goatee, pencil mustache, and subtle sideburns; as well as a mop of purple hair no his head. However, instead of being dressed in soldier attire, this one was wearing more civilian clothes such as a scarlet shirt with rolled up sleeves, black pants, a white chef's apron, and headband.
"So, you want to give your compliment to the chef huh?" The Galran asked the little Gem.
"Yeah, this is some good grub," Amethyst stated as she showed him all of her to-go boxes.
"Well, I'm the chef, Vrepit Sal." The Galran said. "And your compliments will be five-thousand GAC."
"Excuse me?" Amethyst asked in confusion.
"Galra Authorized Currency" Sal clarified. "It is the form of universal currency established by the Galra Empire in this Quadrant. And since you ate, and are planning to buy by a Space Credit card, the sustenance that was provided by me; five-thousand GAC is now owed."
"Okay, would you possibly believe me if I said that I thought this was one of those "the first bite is free" kind of situations and I don't have that card..," Amethyst admitted, desperately hoping to be able to talk her way out of the hot water she's gotten herself into.
"Free?" Sal questioned as he raised an eyebrow. "What kind of type you see me that you came here with that? A Tau?"
"Sorry man, I don't want trouble." Amethyst chuckled; as she put the containers of food down and reached into her back pocket and pulled out all the Altean gold she had. "Look, this is all that I have to pay with; I don't think it's GAC or space credits but…"
Sal quickly took the coins from the Crystal Gem's hand and sifted through them. "This isn't GAC, purple runt, but it's still valuable." The Galran said just as a relieved smile started to appear on Amethysts face. "Unfortunately, this is only worth four-thousand GAC if I interchange this for space credits."
"B… but that's all I have." Amethyst honestly said as she began sweating bullets; then a faint boom was heard.
"Oh quiznack, not again!" Sal cursed as he quickly ran behind the counter with a confused Amethyst following him; eventually being led right into the kitchen, where she sees a profoundly damaged robot lying on the ground.
"What happened?" Amethyst asked.
"One of my assistance sustenance preparing bots just blew a circuit, again," Sal stated. "Now who's going to help me prepare my sustenance?"
A lightbulb went off in Amethyst's brain as she came up with an idea of how to get out of this unfortunate situation. "I'll be your assistant chef if you want!"
"You?" Sal questioned with a bit of a chuckle.
"Trust me; I know my way around a good dish." Amethyst self-confidently stated while attempting to do a French accent. "Also, your assistant chef is "dead" on the floor, so…"
"Hmm. That last part is true." Sal admitted, before grabbing some cooking utensil and tossing them to Amethyst. "All right, get to work, tiny."
"Okay, now watch this!" Amethyst shouted as she shapeshifted her body to be as tall, if not taller than Sal's as she flashily showed off her impressive, improvisational cooking skills by taking so tangy Tuberain mustard and using it to help sizzle a Palmagoren fillet. After the addition of several more exotic vegetables and spices; her masterpiece was complete and looked far more appetizing than anything that was presented at the food court.
The next customers in line were two Galra soldiers who were on their lunch break; with Amethyst offering the two warriors a free forkful. The Galran's accepted the offer and bit down on the dish.
The soldiers' eyes widened and began to cry tears of joy with a look as if they heard an angelic choir in the background. "This is the most delicious sustenance we've ever tasted. We'll take a plate each. Vrepit Sa!" Both commandos said at the same time.
"Amazing," Sal admitted as he turned to Amethyst. "If you keep this up for the next fifty dobashes; then you can consider your debt paid."
"All right!" Amethyst enthusiastically shouted as she shapeshifted more arms and hands to hold more utensils. "Let's get cooking."
Pearl and Steven were walking through the mall together; looking around for a store the sold the supplies that they needed. However, after several minutes of searching with no results, the two Crystal Gems decided to ask someone from one of the local shops for the information.
"Let me show you the wonderful workings of the Galasu X-90 Extreme Blade System." An alien salesman quickly began as he advertised a unique-looking kitchen knife to a group of customers. "It can slice, it can dice, it can kill, slaughter, and skin and constantly stays razor sharp! Don't believe me, look at it cut through this bloato fruit." The salesman gives a demonstration by cutting the fruit into paper-thin slices. "How much would you any of you pay for a knife like this? However, don't answer that yet, there's more! How many times did anyone here have to go on a picnic only to have to fight off a charging rock monster or a crazy Tyranid hormogaunt? If I had to guess; all the time, right? However, this knife can cut through Ceramite and still cut any fruit paper-thin. Now tell me how much would you pay for something like this? Seriously, I have a lot of these to unload, the Dark Eldar always pay for this knife every time."
Unfortunately, for the dealer, no one was interested in buying the knife that sounded too good to be true as the crowd left the salesman's shop.
"We have a question," Pearl spoke up as she and Steven walked up to the alien; who eyed the skinny Gem up and down and stared right at the gemstone in her forehead.
"What do you need?" The shifty-looking business dealer asked.
"We're looking for supplies; medical, engineering and food." Pearl listed off. "Do you know where we can find those?"
"Woah, hold on lady; everything here comes at a price." The salesman stated with a grin.
"Ugh… fine." Pearl said as she took out half of the Altean gold coins that Coran gave her. "I'm sure this will do."
"I'm more interested in that." The salesman said as he pointed his extended finger at the pale woman's gemstone.
"That is not for sale!" Pearl abrasively responded; feeling insulted. "This is part of my body!"
"Okay, okay; I know a priceless heirloom." The dealer said. "So, tell you what; I'll give you the information, plus ten-thousand GAC to take it off your hands."
"This is my literal body, sir!" Pearl responded.
"Fine, twenty-thousand GAC." The salesman continued to bargain. "Now don't waste my time, I a job to do a time is gold."
"Come on Steven, let's ask someone else," Pearl said to the young Half-Gem as they attempted to walk away.
"Tell you what; you hand over that beauty embedded in your cranium, I give you twenty-thousand GAC, and I don't call security on you for stealing my property." The salesman threatened.
"Property?" Pearl replied. "This never belonged to you!"
"Sweetheart, security is more likely to believe me than you, or your kid." The serpent of a bargainer threatened as he tried to reach for Pearl's gem. "Now fork it over…"
However, before the shady salesman could even lay a finger on the Crystal Gem; she grabs his hand and proceeds to flip him over the counter.
"Was that necessary?" Steven asked his guardian.
"Yes," Pearl replied. "Now let's go!" The two Crystal Gems ran away from the deceitful salesman as he groaned in pain.
"I knew they looked suspicious." Varkon said as he watched what just recently occurred on his security feed. "Get ready criminals, Varkon's comin' for ya!" The obese Galran hopped out of his chair and onto his Segway; which slowly flew out of his office with a whirring sound that was more laughable than intimidating.
"Wartable Fantasy! A new edition of Wartable fantasy is now available for all ages and races by four-thousand GAC! Adquire now before we sold out!" A Skaven seller scram to the multitude inside of a shop of roleplay table games
Pidge stared at the store before walking past it and continuing to look around with Lance at her side. Various screens showed commercials for whatever Pidge had no idea what they were mostly, although he was able to recognize some types of commercials.
"Love, Love, Sayu-Pyuuun!" One of the large screens showed what appeared to be a pink mermaid with white hair and light blue heart-shaped eyes. Her anatomy seemed inappropriate so Pidge concluded that she was like one of those digital idols from Japan promoting some kind of product. "Wanna be Shellfish?"
Pidge was distracted, watching the commercial when her left foot hit the ground and she almost fell on her face to the ground if it hadn't been for the Altean prince who caught her. "Sorry!"
"It's fine." Lance casually said as the Altean Prince and the human girl continued their search for supplies. As they did, they both passed by two alien girls, whom Lance proceeded to try and charm; successfully making them giggle, much to Katie's annoyance. However, this distracted the Altean to the point where he didn't realize he just bumped into another customer. "Oh, sorry; I didn't see you there."
This customer was a giant, tree-like alien with a pet, raccoon-like creature sleeping in its arms. "I am Root." The alien said in a casual, somewhat apologetic manner as it walks past the Altean Prince and Green Paladin.
"Excuse me." Another voice called out to the two of them, as they turned and discovered a grey-skinned alien dressed in what looked like clothing from the eighties; standing in front of his store as "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede played inside. "Can I interest you two in the latest Earth fashions?"
"Um…" Lance began.
"No Lance, not everyone on Earth dresses like that," Pidge answered in a deadpan tone. "And how did you get these items? I'm sure many humans in the Imperium don't either."
"Hehehe, a seller never told his secrets." The gray alien said blinked his eye to pidge. "Now I'm sure there might be something here of interest". The salesman offered again in a calm, jazzy tone "Maybe something sparkly for your significant other?"
"What's he…" Katie began as she and Lance looked at him in confusion; only for both of their faces to turn red upon figuring out what he thought they were. "No… it's not like that; we're just friends…"
"Yeah, good friends…" Lance added in.
"Nothing like you were suggesting. Come on; Lance let's go?" Katie said as she grabbed the Prince's wrist and dragged him along.
"Are you both sure?" The salesman offered one last time.
"I am," Pidge responded. "There's nothing we…" However, before she could finish her thought; Katie passed by an on-display video game and system that immediately captured the Green Paladin's attention. "Oh, my God! Is that Killbot Phantasm XIV? The first ever Killbot Phantasm game to feature four-person multiplayer? And it comes with its console; the Mercury Gameflux Two; with the original power glove that gives you unlimited lives if you manage to touch the index finger to the pinky!"
"Wait, but I thought you said there was nothing here that interested you." Lance teasingly said to the teenaged girl who was eyeing the entertainment system and game with a nostalgic look.
"Except this! We have to have this!" Pidge exclaimed as she zoomed over to the salesman; with a big, childish grin. "How much? How much? How much?"
"That'll be twelve-thousand GAC." The smooth-talking salesman stated.
"Is that a lot?" Pidge asked; as she pulled out her Altean gold coins
"I'm sure this will cover the rest of my eccentric friend's purchase," Lance said as he handed some of his Altean gold to the salesman.
"Plenty. Plus…" The salesman says as he takes the gold, and presses a button on a remote that causes a whirring sound to reverberate. Pidge and Lance turn to where it was coming from and discover… a cow, on a hoverboard, floating towards them; which mooed "All purchases come with a free Kaltenecker."
"What is that thing?" Lance miro al animal bobino con confusión. "And why we need it?"
"I think this would technically count as buying supplies," Pidge said, slightly confused. "Now let's get the game and meet up with Coran."
Speaking of Coran, the mustached Altean with the female Harlequin was walking through his chosen side of the megastore and stopped by one of the shops upon recognizing the saleswoman to be a young, Unilunian.
She had green skin with four arms and wore a bunch of leather clothing with pink, half-shaven hair, and a disinterested look on her face.
"Um, like, can I help you?" The alien girl said with an even more disinterested tone.
Coran thought to himself that this Unilunian might be a shifty pirate pretending to be disinterested to catch him off guard and grab all his coin with her silver tongue. But this Altean isn't going to fall for any of those tricks. "Yes. Could you tell me where the "other" market is?" Coran discreetly asked.
"The what?" The impartial Unilunian asked.
"Well, some people might call it the "black market." The older Altean tried to clarify in a secretive manner.
"I don't think I know that. Maybe check there." The Unilunian said as she pointed at the mall-map in the far-left corner.
"I don't think this would be "on" any map," Coran stated. "It might be more "off-book." Hm? Maybe this will help you remember?" The Altean reached into his satchel, pulling out and showing the alien girl some of his coin with a shady grin while Mona covers her face in shame.
The saleswoman still looked at him with disinterest.
"Ah, the old Unilu shakedown, eh? Fine." Coran chuckled as he took out the rest of his coin. "Starting to get a fuzzy recollection yet?"
"Again, what?" The alien girl questioned, finally convincing Coran that she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Kid." Tired and wanting to get away, Mona headed towards the young Unilu. "We are looking for a place that sells antiques from the Pre-Galra Empire era."
"Pfft, they would have started with that." The Unilu said boredly as she pointed her upper left arm at where East was. "There's a guy who sells really old stuff way east past the Nivelian liquor store."
"Thank you and sorry for wasting your time." Mona said quickly before pushing Coran forward. "Go."
"Come in." Coran said irritably, walking towards his new destination.
"I'm so out of this dump." The girl groaned once the both gone.
-0-
"Excuse me. Coming through. Official Mall Cop business. I'm in the middle of a hot-pursuit." Varkon ordered all the shoppers as he levitated past them on his hovering Segway, but stopped upon seeing an unusually large gathering of people down by the food court. "What's going on here?"
"I said, over medium. Over medium, ya rube!" Amethyst, shapeshifted into Gordon Ramsey, shouted at Sal; presenting a blood-red alien steak in front of him. "Does this look over medium to you?"
"No, Chef," Sal replied.
"That's right; because it's raw! It's quiznacking raw!" Amethyst stated as she through the slab of meat back onto the grill. "Let's get it right, then? If it isn't perfect, it isn't coming out of this kitchen!"
"Right, Chef," Sal replied as he rectified his mistake; after a few more dobashes of cooking, the steak finally came out the way it's supposed to be.
"That's how you do it." A pleased sounding Amethyst complimented. "Order up!"
"I know you!" Varkon shouted, getting Amethyst's attention. "Where are the rest of your criminal compadres?"
"Oh, quiznack; it's the fuzz!" Amethyst shouted as she returned to her normal form. "Hey Sal, is my debt paid?"
"Yes, it is." The Galran chef answered.
"Well, I got to go," Amethyst said as she scooped up all her to-go boxes of food. "Don't forget what I taught you! Those are the fundamentals of cooking!" Amethyst shouted as she made a break for it.
"Stop, in the name of Mall Law!" Varkon shouted as he slowly gave chase.
"That kid is a genius." Sal said with proud tears in his eyes. "I don't care if I must search the entire galaxy! I want her back at Vrepit Sal's!"
Steven and Pearl were finally able to find the store that sold medical supplies and Pearl casually materialized them into energy and placed them in her gemstone; as they made their way to meet with Coran and the others. Not before stopping at a food stall where a Gretchin was selling Grox and Squig beefburgers that no doubt smelled delicious so they ordered a few to go.
"Are you sure it was wise to spend what was left of our money on this food, Steven?" Pearl asked a little awkwardly after the verbal exchange she had with the little green skinned gem.
"I'm sure it was a good purchase. It's been a long time since I've eaten something that reminds me of home and I'm sure others need it too." Steven said excitedly. "Even if you've never tasted Squig meat, it sure must taste good."
"I doubt it very much given the conditions that existed in that place." Pearl reformulated flatly.
"Gotta run! Gotta run! Gotta run!" Amethyst shouted as Steven and Pearl saw the purple Gem run towards them as fast as she could.
"Amethyst?" Steven questioned, as the little Crystal Gem stopped right in front of them.
"Guy's, he's right behind me!" Amethyst stated.
"Who?" Pearl asked.
"You can't escape this Mall Cop!" Varkon shouted as he continued following them in an unintimidating manner.
"Amethyst, what did you do?" Pearl accused as all three Crystal Gems began making a break for it; all the while Pearl did to the food what she did to the medical supplies.
"I didn't do anything, P! Honest," Amethyst stated as the kept running.
"No fighting now," Steven said. "We need to find Coran, Pidge and Lance." However, just as he said that; the trio discovered the latter two riding on a cow with a hoverboard.
"Steven, Pearl, Amethyst?" Katie and Lance said at the same time.
"Time to get moving guys!" Steven stated.
"Security's on our tail!" Amethyst added in.
"Ah-ha found you!" Varkon stated, after somehow catching up to them.
"Everyone up on Kaltenecker!" Lance ordered the Crystal Gems as they all did so.
"Why did you guys buy a cow?" Pearl questioned.
"It came free with a video game!" Pidge stated as they flew off on the hovering bovine; which mooed.
"Why do you always have to antagonize me like that?" Coran question the Harlequin while still searching for supplies.
"You are too indirect when you talk to people." Mona snapped back. "An Eldar is always ruthlessly direct with the other races that inhabit the stars."
"Well, I am pleased to inform you that I am not an Eldar, young lady." Coran spoke dismissively, then looked ahead. "I am an Altean."
"What is the difference? You are a subspecies from our blood so you must prostrate yourself as an equal."
"I'm sorry, but our ancestors put aside all those archaic ways of thinking and began to accept that the Eldar Empire no longer exists and that they will never return in order to start building a new future for those who were by their side when everything fell apart. ."
"Pfft! Look where that new future is taking you now." Mona said with a mixture of mockery and contempt in her tone. "They ignored our warnings and Altea no longer exists just like the people in it."
"That may be so, but Alfor accepted his fate and just like our people he accepted his with pride. She chose to trust his heart rather than higher common sense. He gave us an important mission and I will see it accomplished or I will die trying." Coran stated with determination in her eyes.
"That way of thinking of yours-"
"Hold on a tick; this looks familiar!" Coran said interrupt Mona as he walked over to it to get a better look. "This is an original Unilu swap shop!"
"Good eye, friend." A voice stated as an older looking Unilunian with a beard stepped out to greet the mustached Altean. "This 'lovely' establishment has been in my family since before the Galra Empire began. So, can I interest you in a butcher barrel? Or perhaps a set of window breakers?"
"I'm looking for ship parts," Coran stated as he entered the store with Mona behind him.
"Then why come here when you could get those elsewhere?" The Unilunian questioned.
"These parts are for and Altean Castleship," Coran stated.
"Then you've come to the right place." The dealer stated. "Those parts are rare to come by at any other store. I have some right here." The dealer turned around and pulled out an armful of technological devices from a shelf from behind. "They're not in the best condition, but it's all I have."
"This'll have to do; how much do you want?" Coran asked.
"How much have you got?" The alien began to bargain.
"Here's some valuable Altean gold, and a handful of pocket lint," Coran stated as he pulled out the coin from his satchel.
"I'll need more than that." The Unilunian stated.
"Okay," Coran said as he searched around in his satchel. "I'll throw in a handkerchief."
"Throw in your left foot, and we have a deal." The dealer bargained.
"I'll give you all of this; plus sing you a song." Coran offered.
"Or you could be my butler for one deca-phoeb." The Unilunian offered.
"What if I throw in my entire satchel and everything that's currently in it." Coran bargained.
"You've got a deal!" The Unilunian accepted as the two bargainers traded their belongings. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Thank you!" Coran took the parts and the both get out of the store. "I got the parts we neede, now let's go back with the other!"
"CORAN!" Steven, Katie, Pearl, Lance, and Amethyst all shouted as they floated Kaltenecker right into the Unilunian store.
"What are you five doing here?" Coran asked them; curious about what kind of trouble they may have gotten themselves into. "I gave you instructions!"
"No time to talk, we've got to go, now!" Pearl shouted as he energized the parts into her gemstone.
"Get back here!" Varkon shouted, slowly catching up to them just as Coran and Mona hopped on the cow and the Voltron Force members flew straight to the exit in a hilariously-dramatic chase that ended with all of them escaping.
"Doggone it!" Varkon cursed as the Paladins fled to the Yellow Lion. "Yeah, you better run! And do not ever let me catch you in this jurisdiction again!"
"Ha! You can't follow us outside! Haha... ow!" Lance taunted the Galran Mall Cop only to get hit in the head by an empty soda can that was tossed by said Mall Cop.
"That's one for Varkon." The Galra self-satisfyingly shouted as the Voltron Force members entered the Yellow Lion and flew off.
After leaving Varkon in the dust. The group finally made it to the yellow lion and as they entered they saw Phirta who was relaxing enjoying a drink with a bunch of boxes of different sizes around him that took up much of the space.
"Oh, I see they finally arrived." Phirta said nonchalantly as he sipped his drink through a straw. "It took you a long time to get back." The Harlequin gave the cow a strange look. "What is that thing over there?"
"I think we're not going to fit all in there with all that stuff." Pearl said looking at the absurd amount of things the Eldar had acquired.
"I'm not even in the mood to get mad right now." Mona murmured despondently.
The Yellow Lion flew into the Vontonig's Spear hangar where the rest of the Voltron Force and Marmora agents waited. Once the beast-vehicle landed and lowered her jaw; Coran and the others stepped out.
"We got what we needed." The orange-haired Altean stated as Pearl tapped her Gemstone and materialized the food, medical supplies, and ship parts before the others.
Captain Nuller and Jonseng stared in disbelief at the stupid number of items they were sure Phirta had acquired. Speaking of the Harlequin, Phirta seemed pleased with himself while Mona just grumbled with her arms crossed. Fortunately or unluckily for her, Jonseng stood with his arms crossed. If anyone could see his face, it would be said that he was not at all happy with both of them.
"Excellent!" Allura enthusiastically said. "Now, we can get the Castle moving again soon."
Nuller gave a positive nod. "I'll send someone to deliver the new parts and supplies to Saim-Hamm so they can finish the repairs."
"I hope you guys didn't have to wait too long," Steven said.
"No worries; we were able to keep ourselves busy," Keith assured.
"I did a bit of Planewalking while you were gone," Shiro stated, looking at the others but stopped upon noticing Kaltenecker. "Is… that a cow?"
"Mm-hmm, her name is Kaltenecker." Lance said. "They give us free."
"I…doubt we have a pen on this ship to put that…thing." Nuller spoke cryptically.
"Oh don't worry, sir. I promise I'll take care of any mess she makes." Pidge cleared the matter up, adjusting her glasses.
"We'll get to the repairs right away. Then it's off to the Blade of Marmora's headquarters." Peridot stated as she looked over all the ship parts.
"The sooner we get there, the better." Ulaz calmly added in.
"While you're doing that, I'm going to hook up the video game Lance, and I bought," Pidge stated as she showed off her new Killbot Phantasm XIV and Mercury Gameflux Two; Matt's eyes lit up bright as stars upon seeing the game and console as well.
"Heck yeah, let's get this thing set up!" The older Holt sibling enthusiastically said as Katie opened the box; pulling out the square-shaped device, it's controllers and multiple plug-in wires.
"About that, where do you plan to put that?" Connie spoke to them showing curiosity.
The two brothers stopped and gave the young woman a strange look. "What do you mean?" It was Matt who asked.
"I mean: we're on a ship piloted by Space Elves." Connie began and the Eldar showed confused looks as the girl addressed the ship's captain. "Which I must ask: do you have any kind of T.V.?"
"I don't know what you mean?" Nuller answered clearly. "You're referring to the runes we use to communicate with each other, but by that method you speak of, it seems that only Mon'keigh ships could possess such devices."
The Holt brothers' eyes widen at the meaning of the exchange. "Do you not have T.V.?" Pidge asked in a shaky voice.
"What's a T.V.?" Allura whispered to Shiro feeling curious about it to which she responded with an awkward shrug.
"So… that means…" Pidge began as she and Matt instantly realized that there is no way to play the game they just bought in this ship. "Nooooooooo!"
While the two brothers lamented unnecessarily. Steven took the opportunity to distribute the hamburgers to his friends who stayed there watching the show with something to eat.
"It's delicious." Steven said in his thoughts after taking a bite. This feeling brought with it a nostalgic sense of home; he also brought back a souvenir from a friend whose status he had no idea about. "Lazuli... I hope you are well... wherever you are."
-Somewhere near the Armageddon Sector-
A lone ship was drifting in a star system. The ship seemed to have a Galra aesthetic but its design was not registered so this ship had to be modified to the point that it had lost its original appearance to a more voluminous one. A true rarity that could draw anyone's attention... if the planets that made up the star system were nothing more than barren rocks which were in different states of destruction, some had huge holes that entered through a hemisphere of a planet and came out through the other as if a huge worm entered and devoured everything inside and emerged from the other side. It didn't take a genius to connect the dots regarding the unfortunate fate of planets close to this one.
"We are in the area but there is no target signal in this system." A female voice began as she saw the barren wasteland around her.
"It's still out there." Another female voice declared. "Some of them tend to hide their presence so as not to be disturbed while they hibernate. We must stretch our minds to find a sign."
"We have already done a dozen times and nothing. I can bet that if we go deeper into the Armageddon Sector we will find more planets in this state." The other voice said showing annoyance in her tone.
"It has to be here. None of them would be as hungry as going deep into the sector to devour more planets."
"Oh yeah. Can you run me through what we need to do when we get to find him?"
"We will proceed with the greatest possible care to be able to enter and extract the minerals as soon as possible, it is possible that we will find obstacles and that is where you are useful thanks to your ability.
"Well, it seems doable but I don't like that we have to go inside it. I have heard horror stories from other Gems about that experience when the Muttradi invaded one of our bases in Kirt."
"There is no need to worry, we will protect each other during the mission. None is left behind."
"Fine, I'll trust that." She muttered before looking around the outside of the ship with a wistful feeling. "No one is left behind. Soon… Steven, soon."
Sorry for the delay guys, I've been very addicted to Genshin Impact and I didn't have time to write thanks to my university studies. Now taking advantage of the fact that I'm free, I'm going to continue writing, BUT, don't expect the next chapter to be in a few days. These chapters need a bit of work to give their touch of originality, plus I'm also busy with my other story.
Alright, that's all for now. Bye!