Disclaimer:  I don't own Voltron, Star Trek, or any characters mentioned here that are cannon to either franchise.  What I do own are the fighter, Thunderwing, and the crew of the Berlin, except for Mordock.  The rest I'm just borrowing for a while.

Star Tron:

The Black Suits Cometh

Chapter 8

The next day passed uneventfully on the Berlin, a welcome thing for her crew.  As the period of rest and repair got underway, most conversation was about the evens of the past two days, and what was in store for the future.

But it was the present that occupied the minds of the Voltron Force as they approached the ship aboard the shuttles Dorothy and Scarecrow.  Keith, Lance and Allura rode in the first shuttle, while Hunk and Pidge were in the second.  Driscoll led the formation in his fighter, and the shuttles followed close behind as he led them around the ship so that the visitors from Arus could get a good look at her.

Pidge and Hunk were particularly impressed by what they saw.  The ship was a pale blue overall.  The forward part was a broad, flat disk, which bore the ship's name and registry number.  The disk was connected to a roughly pan-shaped secondary hull by a semicircular, ribbed, black neck.  From this secondary hull, two pylons extended out and bent upward, where they attached to two long, cylindrical structures, which, they suspected, were engines.  As they approached the shuttlebay, they saw another set of engines mounted on the back of the saucer, above the neck.

Disembarking from the shuttles, the Voltron Force was impressed by what they saw.  The large chamber was brightly lit, and exuded and atmosphere of organization and efficiency.  They saw several smaller craft in the bay, parked side by side.

"I think I'm gonna like this," Pidge commented.

As they looked around, Commander Gredar and Lieutenant-Commander Jacobs approached them from the far side of the bay and welcomed them aboard.  The uniforms they wore were somewhat different from the ones they wore the day before.  Their jackets were white with gray fronts and gold accents.  Obviously dress uniforms, although Gredar's was a vest version, like his regular duty uniform.

Driscoll joined them a moment later.  "Okay, everybody's here.  Great.  First of all, let me welcome you all aboard the Berlin.  As you've noticed, we're currently in orbit above Arus' north pole.  Anyway, what we had planned was a tour of the ship, followed by dinner in the officer's lounge, where you'll be able to meet the rest of the senior crew.  Sound good?"

"Captain, what if we should need to contact Castle Control?" Keith asked.

"Not a problem.  Just let me or Commander Gredar know, and we can open a channel whenever you need it."

There were no more questions, so Driscoll led the group out of the shuttlebay and began the tour.

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During the tour, Pidge, Hunk, and Allura asked many questions, most of which the Captain or Commander Jacobs answered happily.  Some, though, were dismissed with that classic military catch phrase, "Classified."  Gredar was a silent presence throughout most of the time, as were Keith and Lance.  The Voltron commander and his second kept their own council, trying to assess just how far these newcomers could be trusted.  They put on a pretty show, but that was no guarantee of their intentions.  Despite Allura's confidence, Keith still had questions, and Lance even more so.

But the more they saw, the less threat they perceived.  On almost every deck, there were science labs, crew amenities, lounges, and all manner of things except weapons.  In fact, only about a dozen or so weapons control rooms existed on the entire ship.  Keith found that interesting, as did Lance, who decided to ask Captain Driscoll about it.

Finally, the group reached the officer's lounge.  Several tables had been set up buffet-style with a sampling of dishes from all over the Federation.  Hunk eyed the spread hungrily, earning a poke in the ribs from Keith as Driscoll introduced his crew.

The group was quiet for several minutes as they ate.  Allura was the first to speak.  "I'm amazed at the diversity of races on board.  Most Alliance ships are predominantly crewed by a single race, but the Berlin seems to have more of a mix."

"Most Federation ships are like that," said Dr. Saladin.  "The Berlin's crew includes a dozen races.  Mostly human, but there are also Vulcans, Bolians, Andorians, Bajorans, Elasians, Grazerites, Ktarians, Betazoids, Gorn, Benzites, and Denobulans."

"That's so wonderful.  Everyone working together like that," said Allura.

"That's what makes the Federation great, lass," said Scotty.  "It's a cooperative effort.  Individually, we're vulnerable, but together, there is nothing we canna accomplish."

"United we stand," said Curtis.

"The ship seems lightly armed for its size," said Lance.  "Almost defenseless."

Jacobs expected Driscoll to play the "classified" card again, but he didn't.  "We're far from defenseless.  Our weapon systems have been downgraded, and we carry more probes than torpedoes, but we are more than capable of defending ourselves if need be.  But our defenses are just that.  We don't fire unless we are fired on first, and then not until we've exhausted every other option."

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment.  Lance's comment had shown his mistrust of the Federation people, and Keith, for one, didn't appreciate his timing.

Luckily, Hunk saved the situation.  "Mr. Scott, with engines as big as she has, I'll be the Berlin is pretty fast."

"Ya bet yer fanny, she is," the Scotsman replied.  "She's nae the fastest ship in the fleet, mind ya, but any engine I work on is in top condition.  Why, just a few days ago when we were chasing that subspace beastie…"

Several pairs of eyes rolled skyward.  In resurrecting the situation Lance had created, Hunk had created another almost as bad, for once Scotty started talking about the warp engines, it was nearly impossible to shut him up.

At length, the engineer ended his dissertation on the nacelles, and the gathering rose from the table and broke up into smaller groups while dessert was laid out.  Keith and Allura caught up with Driscoll and Gredar, who were topping off their drinks.

"Captain, I think I should apologize for Lance," said Keith.  "He doesn't trust people easily."

"Not a problem, Keith.  And call me 'Adam.'  I hate this formal crap.  We're all friends here.  Besides, any fighter pilot that's not hotheaded, at least a little, has no business in a cockpit."

"You're right there," Keith agreed.  "But still, it was uncalled-for."

"You apologize for Lance a lot, don't you?" Driscoll asked.

"More than I'd like to admit," Keith replied wryly.

"As Gredar does for me," Driscoll added, earning a grunt in reply from his first officer.

"You don't' say much, do you, Commander?" Allura asked.

"We Gorn are people of few words.  We speak only when we have something worth saying," Gredar rasped.

"You look like you have something to say, Princess," said Driscoll.  He had noticed that the Princess was acting tense throughout dinner, and now hoped to find out why.

"I do," said Allura.  "There's something you should know, and probably Commander Gredar, too."  She proceeded to tell them about the prophecy, adding how she suspected that the Starfleeters were the 'men in black' the prophecy referred to.  "And that's why I want to ask for your help against Zarkon and Lotor," she concluded.

"And what of the Alliance?" Gredar asked.

"They're stretched thin right now with the problems they're having elsewhere with the Drules.  We would welcome the help," said Keith.

"I'd like to help," Driscoll replied, "but this isn't my call.  I'll forward your request through channels, but it's not likely…"

Just then the yellow alert sounded, and the captain and his senior officers were summoned to the bridge.

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"Report!" Driscoll ordered as he stepped off the turbolift, followed closely by Gredar, Singh, and Jacobs.  Curtis, Mordock, and the Voltron Force arrived a moment later on the starboard lift.

"Five unidentified ships approaching Arus," the tactical officer said as Jacobs took over the station.

"Onscreen," Driscoll ordered.

On the main viewer, five vessels were visible.  They all had the sleek lines of warships, with long prows and overhanging structure on the bow.  On top, roughly three-quarters of the way back, was a conning tower of sorts.

"Those are Doom battleships," said Keith.

"Have they detected us?" Driscoll asked.

"It does not appear so," Mordock replied.  "We're still running silent."

Driscoll rubbed his chin, debating his next move.  "T.J…red alert.  All hands to battle stations, but leave the weapons and shields offline."

"Aye, sir.  Should I lock weapons?"

"No.  No aggressive moves."

"Why doesn't he attack them?" Lance muttered.

The Captain heard Lance's criticism.  "Because, Lieutenant Corman," Driscoll replied, "the Federation is not at war with Doom, and those ships have made no aggressive moves toward us.  We don't fire first."

"That may be a moot point, Captain," Mordock announced.  "Two of the vessels are heading toward us.   The others are holding position."

"Here we go," said Driscoll.  "Bridge to shuttlebay."

"Shuttlebay.  Go ahead, bridge."

"Ready Thunderwing for launch.  Load out six rockets and microtorpedo launchers."

"Aye, sir."

"Shields up, stand by phasers.  Hail."

Jacobs tried to raise the lead ship.  "No response."

"They're firing," Mordock warned.

The bridge crew braced themselves as the ship rocked under the Doom ships' lasers, then settled again.

"No damage," Singh reported.

"Shields holding," said Jacobs.

"And they will continue to do so," said Mordock.  "Their weapons are not strong enough to breach our shields."

"In that case," Driscoll said with a smug grin, "continue hailing and let them have fun."

"The other ships are closing to attack," Mordock warned.

"Hold position," said Driscoll.  "Reroute auxiliary power to forward shields."

All five Doom ships commenced firing on the Berlin, causing the starship to shimmy and shake, but her shields held with little damage.

"Persistent, aren't they?" the Captain asked the Gorn beside him.

"Indeed," Gredar growled.

Finally, after several minutes of constant bombardment, Jacobs announced, "They're responding to our hail, sir."

"On audio, Commander," Driscoll replied, glancing at the Voltron Force and motioning them to silence.  All but Lance, who folded his arms in disgust, nodded understanding.

"Identify yourself," A voice said.

Short, sweet, and to the point, thought Driscoll.  "This is Captain Adam Driscoll of the Federation starship Berlin.  To whom am I speaking?"

"I am Lotor, Prince of Doom."

"Prince Lotor, how's about you knock off the fireworks?  It's not easy to talk when you're getting shook up like a martini, and we just had this thing detailed."  Lance had to smirk at the captain's wisecrack.  At least he had the right attitude for dealing with Lotor.

"Do you surrender, then?" Lotor demanded.

"No, we don't," Driscoll replied.  "I just figured you might want to try to sort things out, since laser fire isn't working."

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Lotor was taken aback.  Nobody who knew his reputation would dare to speak to him that way.  The fool should be begging for mercy, not making wisecracks!  But since his ships weren't damaging the strange new vessel, he ordered a cease-fire.  "What is your business in Doom space?"

"According to the ruler of this planet, Doom has no dominion here."

"My father claimed this world by right of conquest!" Lotor yelled.  "Thus, it belongs to Doom."

"The princess Allura disagrees."

"You are allies of the Voltron Force?" Lotor asked, preparing to order a new barrage.

"No, we're neutral.  We're not here to take sides," said Driscoll.

"Then why are you here?"

"We are on a peaceful mission of exploration.  Nothing more."

"I do not recognize the name, 'Federation'.  What galaxy are you from?"

"The Milky Way, but in a different dimension.  How we got here is actually kinda cool…"

"Lies!  The Alliance controls the Milky Way.  You are spies!"

"No, we're not.  I told you, Lotor, we're neutral.  The Federation isn't interested in your fight."

"Then surrender and prepare to be boarded."

"No."

"If you're not with us, you're against us.  There is no 'neutrality' here.  Join me or die."

"Prince Lotor, please, we don't' want a fight."

"It's too late," Lotor said.  "Prepare to die.  All ships, destroy the Berlin!"

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"Dumb son of a bitch," Driscoll muttered as the ship began to shake again.  "Okay, people, we tried.  Now we kick ass.  T.J., put it all on line.  Target the nearest ship and prepare to fire phasers.  Shoot to disable."

"'Disable'?" Lance repeated in surprise.

"We're not at war with them," Driscoll reminded him.

"Phasers locked," said Jacobs.

"Fire," said Driscoll.

Red beams shot from the Berlin and struck several points on the nearest Doom ship.  A moment later, it stopped firing.

"Target disabled," Mordock reported.  "Weapons, shields, and propulsion offline, moderate structural damage."

"Do it again, T.J., but not to Lotor.  Mr. Curtis, close distance," Driscoll ordered.

Two "aye, sirs" were heard simultaneously as the Berlin began to close in on the Doom ships as a second and a third fell to the starship.  The other two ships quickly backed off.

As Driscoll surveyed the three disabled ships, he was struck by a radical idea.  "Mordock, Maria, can we remotely download the information in their databanks?"

"Perhaps," said Mordock, analyzing the sensor readouts.  "Their computer system is rather simple.  It should not be a problem."

"Good.  Do it, and get plenty of scans while you're at it."

"Why sir?" Singh asked, thoroughly confused.

Most commanders would have replied with a rebuke.  Driscoll however, wasn't so severe.  "First rule of command, Lieutenant.  'Always look at the big picture'.  I wanna see every angle."

"Aye, sir," Singh replied as she and Mordock set to work establishing the link to the Doom ships.

*******************************************************************************************

After nearly an hour, the entire databases of all three disabled Doom ships had been downloaded to the Berlin's memory banks.  "Hail Lotor," Driscoll ordered.

"Channel open," Jacobs replied, touching a control on her panel.

"Lotor, you are free to take these ships and their crews back.  And I hope next time you'll be more willing to talk.  Driscoll out."

"You're giving them back?" Hunk blurted.

"I have to.  According to regulations, I can't take prisoners without an existing state of war."

"But we could," said Pidge.

"I can't let you.  That would imply a military alliance that don't exist.  Sorry."

"The Doom ships have been taken in tow.  They're leaving, sir," Mordock reported. 

"Good riddance.  Stand down to yellow alert, but keep the shields up."  Driscoll rose from his seat and walked over to where the Voltron Force stood.  "I can't take you back until Lotor is out of sensor range, so maybe you'd like to have that dessert?"

"Thank you, Captain," Allura accepted.

As the officers and guests filed into the turbolifts, Driscoll looked up at Gredar.  "Any violations there, Commander?"

"None, sir," Gredar rasped.

Driscoll nodded.  "Good," he said as the lift doors closed.

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"What?  The entire computer system?" Lotor exclaimed.  He was debriefing the commander of one of the battleships the Berlin had disabled, and his rage flared over the commander's report.

"Yes, sire.  They downloaded copies of all our files, our programs, our protocols, everything."

As he was about to berate the skullship commander for his stupidity, he realized a way that the situation might be redeemed, when the time was right.