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.
RedLion2-You're getting a little ahead of me. You'll just have to wait and see what happens later on. There will be more Star Tron after this, so stay tuned.
Star Tron:
The Black Suits Cometh
Chapter 12At the Miramar Shuttleport on Earth, the first light of morning painted the sky in rich hues of red and gold. Captain Driscoll stood at the door of the old hangar and watched the sunrise for a while, before heading in.
The room was nearly empty, except for some miscellaneous equipment along one wall, and a P-51D fighter sitting proudly in the center. Thunderwing had been delivered overnight by a transport ship. Driscoll could have just beamed up to the Berlin, but he'd been out of his cockpit for too long.
He walked up to the plane and patted the side of the nose as if it were a horse, then climbed onto the wing. He studied the three red skull emblems painted on the rim of the cockpit for the three Doom fighters he'd downed. As he did, he reflected on the events of the past day.
Driscoll had expected to be immediately dismissed from Starfleet, but he was wrong. The sentence Nechayev passed was that he be removed from command and serve a sentence of five years on a penal colony before being dishonorably discharged from Starfleet.
But then, in the next breath, Nechayev suspended the sentence, pending the outcome of his next mission. The down side was that, no matter the outcome, he was to be denied any further opportunity for promotion. He would never rise above captain, no matter how long he served. His rank was frozen.
Not that that bothered him. He had no ambitions to the admiralty to begin with. He didn't even think he'd be in Starfleet long enough to make it, rank-freeze or no.
So, he climbed into his cockpit, put on his helmet and mask, and taxied out. This time, there were no gawking Red Squad cadets. There was only a man, his plane, and the wild blue yonder. And as the old fighter left the runway and took to the air, Driscoll thought about the mission ahead of him.
The assignment he had been given was to return to Arus and defend the wormhole. While there, he would act as a liaison between the Federation and the Galaxy Alliance, and help work out a treaty between the two powers. Once that was done, he would be responsible for guarding the Federation's interests in the Denubian Dimension. It was a big job, but the young Captain felt more than equal to it.
And mixed with that confidence was a measure of pride as well. He had been able to make good on his promise to Allura. Maybe Nechayev respected his promise, or perhaps the brass only wanted to grease a few wheels, but the Berlin would be followed within a few days by a Deneva-class transport ship loaded with humanitarian aid goods, including replicators, food, and medical supplies, among other things.
As he approached his ship, Driscoll thought of something Kirk once told him that seemed to be very true to the circumstances he now faced. "Adam," he'd said, "the most important thing about command, about being in command, is that you can make a difference."
And Driscoll knew that now, on this assignment, he could make a big difference.
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The alarm klaxons shattered the peace of the Castle of Lions, and sent the Voltron Force scrambling to the Control Room to investigate. Before any of them could ask, Coran announced, "Doom attack force approaching Arus. One battleship and a squadron of fighters."
"Have they launched a robeast?" Keith asked, scanning the readouts over Coran's shoulder.
"Not yet," Coran replied.
"Okay guys, let's go," said Keith, leading the way to the launch tubes.
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The Lions quickly formed up over the Castle and headed up to engage the fighters. Over one hundred of the small ships dove on the Lions, embroiling them in a chaotic melee. For the most part, the Lions had the better end of it, but none of the pilots noticed that they were being drawn farther from the castle, nor did they see the space coffin launch from the battleship and head for the ground.
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"The robeast has landed, sire," Haggar said, stroking her blue cat. "It can attack at any time."
Lotor nodded. "I can see that. We'll hold off for a while and let the fighters wear down the Voltron Force."
"But you know they cannot last long. The Lions are simply too powerful."
Lotor thought a moment. Voltron would be easier to defeat if he were weakened when he formed, but he could still prevail. But then…
"Perhaps you're right, Haggar. Deploy the robeast!" Lotor commanded.
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Coran's eyes went wide as he scanned the sensor displays. The Lions had already destroyed several dozen fighters, but that wasn't what had surprised him. His shock stemmed from the giant robeast approaching the castle. Not only had the space coffin landed undetected, but the Doom battleship had used the growth ray an enlarged the robeast without his knowing.
This one was more human-like than the last. It looked something like a gladiator, with blood red eyes and an overall dark blue color. Its armor was black, and the left hand had blades for fingers. The right hand was not a hand at all, but a great hammer. Spike protruded from the robeast's shoulders, knees, elbows, and chestplate, while a series of smaller ones ran down its back and studded its helmet.
"Voltron Force, there is a robeast approaching the Castle," Coran warned.
"Roger, Coran," Keith replied. "We're on our way."
Coran looked again at his sensors, trying to gather all the information he could to relay to the Voltron Force, when he noticed another ship approaching Arus. He waited nervously for the identification, but when it came, he breathed a sigh of relief. This ship was a most welcome arrival indeed.
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"Approaching Arus, Captain," Mordock announced as the ship cleared the wormhole.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Driscoll replied. "Standard orbit please, Mr. Curtis."
"Aye, sir," the southerner drawled.
"Sir," Mordock called. "I'm detecting weapons fire on the surface of Arus, near the Castle."
"Confirmed," said Singh. "There are two energy patterns, and one is consistent with Doom weapons."
"We're being hailed but the Castle of Lions," said Jacobs.
"Onscreen, T.J." Driscoll rose from his seat and approached the viewer as Coran's image appeared there. "What's wrong, Coran?"
"We're under attack. There is a robeast on the ground, and a group of fighters is preventing the Lions from forming Voltron. We could use any help you can give us."
"We're coming, Coran. ETA…"
"Three minutes," Curtis chimed in.
"You get that?" Driscoll asked.
"I did. Please hurry, Captain." The channel closed and Driscoll whirled around on his heel. "Driscoll to shuttlebay, load two torpedoes onto Thunderwing and stand be for launch. He turned to Gredar. "The ship is yours, Commander." The captain headed for the turbolift and was about to step on when Gredar said, "Captain?"
Driscoll stopped and turned, expecting his first officer to protest his actions. Gredar's next words, though, shocked the captain. "Good hunting," the Gorn rasped.
Driscoll smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, then boarded the lift.
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On the planet below, the battle between the Lions and the fighters had become a running dogfight as the Lions tried to reach the robeast, and the fighters tried to stop them. The Voltron Force had destroyed most of the fighters, but their job had only gotten tougher, as the few fighters remaining were the fastest and nimblest, and flown by the best pilots. Every time the Lions tried to turn and attack the robeast, the fighters would swoop in, lasers blazing, and force the Lions to turn and defend themselves.
Lance was struggling with the four on his tail, unable to shake them. He'd used Red Lion's tail laser to damage one, but they weren't falling for it again. The lead fighter swung in, preparing to fire, and Lance readied his tail laser, hoping to catch the fighter off-guard as it fired.
Just then, a hail of red energy bolts rained down on the fighter, setting it ablaze as it careened out of control toward the ground.
"That's four!" Lance heard over the radio, accompanied by rock music in the background.
"Dinoman?" Lance called.
"I told ya I owed ya one, Lance. Now let's clear the rest of these fart-knockers outta here," the captain replied.
"Sounds good to me," said Lance.
With Red Lion now free of pursuers, and with the addition of Thunderwing, the fortunes of battle shifted. One by one, they rid the other Lions of their attackers, and once the fighters were gone, the six craft turned their attentions to the robeast.
The Lions made a direct attack, focusing their firepower on the robeast. Driscoll, rather than dive-bombing the robeast as he had before, fired his torpedoes at the monster, putting both right into the robeast's face and sending it over backwards.
"Good shooting, Captain," said Keith as Driscoll jettisoned the launchers. "Now, while the robeast's down, let's form Voltron."
"Activate interlocks. Dynotherms connected. Infracells up, megathrusters are go!"
"Let's go Voltron Force," the six pilots chorused.
"Form feet and legs. Form arms and body," Keith commanded. He was about to call for the head, when he remembered another element that had yet to join up. "Thunderwing interface."
Once again, Driscoll felt the tractor beam lock on and pull his plane into Voltron's back. Once there, he began sending extra power to the megathrusters and shielding.
"And I'll form the head," Keith finished as the formation sequence completed and a mighty roar shook the air.
By now, the robeast had staggered to his feet, dazed and angry. But the little mosquito that stung him was gone. No matter. He would take his frustrations out on Voltron.
The gladiator charged, preparing to strike with its hammer hand. "Dodge it!" Keith ordered, and Voltron dodged to the side just in time. "Lion torch!" Lance announced, using Red Lion's flamethrower to attack the robeast from behind.
The robeast spun around, swinging its blade-fingered hand in a wide arc. The fingers flew off, spinning like shirakins toward Voltron. "Jump!" said Keith, and the robot warrior leapt nimbly into the air, avoiding the attack.
But the finger-blades whirled around like boomerangs and struck Voltron in the back. If not for the increased shield power, he'd have been ripped apart. As it was, Voltron fell to his knees, and the pilots were severely rattled.
Sensing his chance, the robeast charged again, intending to strike Voltron with his hammer.
Recovering from the shock of the impact, Pidge said, "We gotta move, guys."
Keith looked at the robeast. "Ready on my mark," he commanded. The timing would have to be perfect. The robeast closed and began to swing his hand down. "Block!"
Voltron's hands came up, crossed, and caught the robeast's arm.
"And kick!" said Hunk as Voltron's left foot kicked the robeast in the chest, sending him flying back.
Voltron stood as Keith said, "Form Blazing Sword!"
Voltron's hands clapped together, and the sword formed between them as they parted. Green Lion gave a mighty roar, and the warrior stood, poised to strike.
The robeast staggered back to its feet, and the titans squared off. Suddenly, the robeast lunged with its hammer in a last, desperate attack.
But Voltron was quicker. He sidestepped the attack as Keith said, "Strike!" The sword severed the hammer hand at the elbow, and decapitated the robeast on the return, then slashed it in two with a third strike.
The headless, one-handed hulk stood there a moment, motionless, before exploding violently, showering debris all over the countryside and pushing Voltron away with the sheer force.
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"No!"
Lotor exclaimed. "Haggar! What is the meaning of this?"
"My robeast!" the witch lamented. "There was no way it could lose!"
"Well
it did," Lotor growled. "Full retreat,"
he ordered. "Return to Castle Doom."
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In Thunderwing's cockpit, still integrated with Voltron, Gredar's voice rasped over the open comm channel. "Lotor is leaving, sir. Shall we pursue?"
Driscoll thought a moment before replying, "Negative. Stand down alert. I think the worst is over for now."
A few moments later, Thunderwing was ejected from Voltron's back as the warrior broke up into the separate vehicles again. As he spun earthwards, Driscoll saw flames and smoke below. After unfolding the wings and pulling out of the dive, he circled around, surveying the damage in the village below. "Looks bad down there."
"This happens too often," said Allura. "The robeast went right through that village."
"Come on, guys. Let's see if we can give them a hand," said Keith, leading the Lions down to land.
"I'll do ya one better," said Driscoll. "Thunderwing to Berlin, we've got some problems down here. That robeast tore up a village. Get together some med teams and whoever else you can spare and send 'em down."
"Acknowledged," Gredar replied.
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A few hours later, Doctor Saladin walked up to Keith, Allura, and Driscoll, who were standing in the village square. Most of the work of checking destroyed houses and tending to casualties was done, and he said so to the Captain. "By the good will of Allah, there were no deaths, and most of the injuries were not severe."
Driscoll clapped him on the shoulder. "Thanks, Sheik. You can start beaming up when you're ready."
"Aye, sir." He nodded to Allura and Keith, then headed back to gather the Berlin crewmen and prepare to return to the ship.
The Captain turned back to his companions. All three were dirty from soot and mud, and bore more than a few scratches and cuts from their efforts. "I guess that's about it, then."
Allura nodded. "Thanks, Adam. We really appreciate your help."
"Hey, I didn't do nothin'. It was my men that did the hard stuff. But there'll be more help coming. I managed to convince the Federation to help you guys out." He explained to them briefly about the outcome of the tribunal and the aid the Federation was sending.
When he finished, Keith and Allura looked at each other before Keith asked, "So you're going to be helping us after all?"
"That's about the size of it." Driscoll replied.
"In that case, I'd like to talk to you at the castle when you get the time."
"Sure. I'll meet you there later tonight."
Keith nodded, and the three pilots split up, heading for their craft.
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It was late in the evening and two of Arus' three moons shone brightly overhead as two shimmering columns appeared outside the Castle of Lions and coalesced into the forms of Captain Driscoll and Commander Gredar. They were escorted into the castle and led to a conference room where the Voltron Force and Coran awaited them. After everyone was seated, Driscoll asked, "So what's up, Keith?"
"Well, one thing I wanted to ask you is what, exactly, your orders are," Keith replied.
The captain could see the wheels turning in Keith's head. Something was going on, and he had a suspicion as to what that was.
"Well, without getting' into a whole lotta nitty-gritty, we're supposed to hammer out a treaty with you guys, well, the Alliance anyway, and then defend Federation interests in this dimension. Which, I'm sure, will include Arus. Besides that, we're supposed to do the usual flying around and exploring."
"What about Doom?" Lance asked.
"Don't fire unless fired upon. And at that point I open up a can of whup-ass. Starfleet don't want a war with Doom, but I think that's inevitable. Not that they'd be much threat."
"What about you personally?" asked Keith.
"What about me?" Driscoll replied, beginning to get annoyed by Keith's questions. "I'm in charge of completing this mission. I command the ship, make the big decisions, the whole captain thing."
Keith nodded. He sensed the Captain's irritation, and seeing Allura's questioning glance, decided to get to the point. "Before you left, I said we could use a pilot like you. And today you became an ace."
"Plus two," Allura chimed in.
"What I wanted to know, Adam, was if you would reconsider our offer," said Keith.
"Adam, you can't deny that you and Thunderwing have proven to be valuable members of the team," said Allura. "You've helped us a lot."
"True," Driscoll agreed. He glanced at his first officer before continuing. "I had a feeling something like this was on your mind." That was why he brought Gredar. He intended to join, but everything had to be above board, or he'd find himself on the slow train to Sing-Sing. And also, he saw this as the first of many negotiations that would eventually lead to a treaty between the Federation and the Alliance. He turned to the Gorn. "You see any problems, Commander?"
Gredar was silent a moment, thinking. "I would remind you, sir, that your responsibility is to the ship and her mission. But such an allegiance would be in keeping with our orders."
Driscoll nodded and turned to Keith. "Here's the deal, Keith. If you want me, I'll join, but I've gotta say a few things. One, my duty is to Starfleet first. If there's a conflict, that's where I go. Two, I'll follow your orders when I'm with you, but your authority ends with me and Thunderwing. And three, Thunderwing is mine. If I leave, she goes too."
Keith listened carefully to each condition. When he'd heard them all, he nodded. "Agreed." He rose and approached Driscoll with his hand out, and the Captain rose and took it in a firm grip. .
"So when's practice?" Driscoll asked.
"Zero-five-thirty, castle time. Your position will be on Allura's wing." Driscoll glanced at Allura and she smiled at him, and he returned it.
"I'll see you up there," Driscoll said, still looking at Allura.
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Thus it was the next morning that the Voltron Force was joined by Thunderwing, which now sported seven red skulls on the cockpit rim and the buzz number VF6 on either side. In days of old, aircraft marked "VF" had belonged to the USAAF's 336th fighter squadron. But now, in the skies of Arus, it meant something else.
The six craft practiced maneuvering and attacking in the dim light of morning, with Thunderwing sticking to Blue Lion like ugly on Haggar through maneuvers perfect and those less so. Keith saw this and was put at ease. Allura now had a wingman, and a good one. He knew she'd be safe.
Finally, practice ended, and the six pilots decided on some fun and raced off east into the rising sun. And as they flew into the dawn of a new day on Arus, they also flew into a new chapter in history. One full of great promise and hope for the future. Though many battles lay ahead, they knew they'd be victorious thanks to old friends, new allies, and Voltron, Defender of the Universe.
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Thanks to everyone who reviewed this story. I hope you enjoyed it. There will be more Star Tron coming soon, so stay tuned.