Disclaimer: What's owned by either Paramount or WEP isn't mine.  The rest is.  Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Star Tron: Louder Than Words Chapter 6: The Secret of Thunderwing

Captain Driscoll pulled out of his reentry dive at 70,000 feet, and descended to 50,000, where he was supposed to rendezvous with Allura, but there was no sign of her.  So, he began to circle the area in a slow, left turn.

Suddenly, he saw a flash out of the corner of his eye.  Instinctively, he rolled into a split-S, simultaneously arming his phasers, activating his gunsight and turning on his battle music.  Pulling out of his dive, he rolled in on his attacker, rockin' and ready to fire.  At the last second, he broke off, realizing he'd lined up Blue Lion in his sight.

"You're not the only one who can sneak up on people, Adam" Allura said, grinning proudly.

"Apparently not," Adam replied, safetying his guns.  "Well, done, Allura, good bounce, but you almost got blasted.  Next time, announce yourself after you buzz me, okay?"

"All right," said Allura.  "So what are we doing today?"

"Well, I wanted to show you some offensive tactics, like wingovers, up-and-unders, and overheads.  After that, I was thinking just free-fight."

Allura nodded.  "Right.  I'll follow your lead."

Driscoll smiled.  "Well, you can try."

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Aboard the Berlin, Lt. Cdr. Jacobs sat in the command chair, scanning lazily across the bridge.  She had pretty much been in charge of the ship for the past two days, while Driscoll and Gredar were on Arus working on the treaty.

She heard the turbolift doors open behind her, and a moment later, Captain Scott settled into the engineering station.

Jacobs got up and walked over to him asking, "What brings you to the bridge, Scotty?"

Scott glanced up at her as she stood beside him.  "In all honesty, Commander, the boredom.  We' been in station-keeping for the last three weeks now, and there's only so much I can do in engineering."

"I know what you mean.  But can't you maybe tweak the engines a little or something?"

"I've already tweaked the bloody things!  I've adjusted and upgraded until I was blue in the face.  There's just nothing more to do.  We've even overhauled the damn shuttles."

"What about the Skipper's plane?"

Scotty looked at her like she'd just sprouted two more heads.  "I'm not that desperate, lass.  One of my lads tried to, and the Captain tore 'im apart.  He doesn't let anybody touch that bloody fighter of 'is."

"So I've heard."

"Aye, he's a strange one.  A fine officer, but when it comes to that plane…"

"Uh-huh.  Well, enjoy your technical manuals."

"I always do."

Jacobs returned to the command chair and flopped down, thinking about how the crew was becoming restless.  They needed some action.

What she didn't realize was how soon her wish would be granted, or how much she would regret it.

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Adam and Allura spent two hours going over offensive tactics, then another thirty minutes dogfighting.  Adam was highly impressed with how readily Allura was able to adapt the maneuvers and tactics to Blue Lion's abilities and her own flying style.  In his estimate, with a little more instruction, her dogfighting performance would be nearly up to spec with the rest of the team.  From there, it would be just a matter of practice.

Allura had a natural talent for flying.  But like most people, a strict, military regimen didn't often afford her opportunities to explore her skills and expand her ability.  That was one of the reasons she looked forward to these practices with Adam.  She could concentrate on just flying, and not have to worry about formations or objectives.  That was what she enjoyed the most.

Finally, the exhaustion of the past two days started catching up to her.  She pulled into a slow turn, saying, "Okay, Adam, let's call it a day."

"Roger that, forming up."

As Thunderwing took up position on her eight o'clock, Allura scanned her instruments, then looked around.  Just as she was finishing her visual scan, she saw two objects diving on Thunderwing.  "Adam, break left!" she called, guiding Blue Lion into a sharp right turn.

Coming around, she saw two Doom fighters behind the Mustang.  "Adam, you've got two on your tail."

"I know," he replied as he weaved back and forth.  "Get 'em off me!"

"Dive out."

Thunderwing rolled and dove, followed by the fighters and Blue Lion.  Pulling out of the dive, the P-51 broke hard, giving Allura a clear shot.  Blue Lion pounced, shredding the fighters with two strikes of its electro-claws.

"Thanks, Allura."

"You're welcome, Dinoman," Allura replied, using Driscoll's callsign.

Suddenly, Adam yelled, "Allura!  Four bandits on your six!"

Allura pulled Blue Lion into a jump-turn as Thunderwing came in on a firing pass, sending one fighter down in flames and damaging another.

The other two looped around and made a head-on attack on Thunderwing, scoring hits on the left wing and tail.  The string of curses that came over her radio made Allura cringe, and the loud rock music did nothing to cover it.  She'd heard some crude language out of Lance before, but Adam took it to a whole new level.  The Mustang broke hard left, pursuing the two fighters.  Allura joined up beside him, and the two each downed one of the fighters.

"Yeah!  Suck that you mother…"

"Adam!" Allura cut in.  "Is that it?"

She saw him look around.  "I think so.  I don't see anybody, and my sensors are clear.  You?"

"Same here.  Nothing on sensors, nothing in sight."

As they resumed their formation and headed for the castle, Lance hailed them.  "Control to Blue Lion."

"What is it, Lance?" Allura asked.

"I had some blips on the radar in you area, and one headed for space.  Is everything okay?"

"It is now," Allura replied.

"Lance, have Pidge check those sensors.  We just got jumped by six Stinger-class fighters," said Adam.

"Hang on, we're coming."

"It's already over, Lance," said Allura.

"Allura scored three kills and saved my butt.  I've got two and one damaged," Adam reported.  "We're heading home."

"Roger.  See you when you get back, then."

"Right.  And have the repair bay ready.  Adam took a few hits," said Allura.

"I thought he said you saved his butt?"

"She did, but they still got a piece a' me," said Adam.

"Understood, Control out."

They flew in silence for a few minutes, then Adam said, "Thanks for the cover, Allura."

"Hey, what're friends for?" Allura replied, parroting one of the captain's lines.

"Yeah, but that was really impressive flying.  Well done."

"Thanks," said Allura.  "How bad are you hit?"

"It ain't too bad.  One damaged phaser, a few burns.  Can't see anything else."

"They hit behind your cockpit, too, near the star."

"Can you take a look?"

"Sure."  Allura maneuvered over to Thunderwing's port side and closed in.  There was a large burn running from the back of the big, white star on the fuselage down to the wing.  The paint was charred, but there didn't seem to be much else wrong.  "Looks all right.  Just a little burned."

"Thanks.  I'm not getting any Damage indicators, just shields, and they'll recharge."

"Good.  From the language you were using, I though it was bad."

"Well, you'd be swearing, too, if you spent as much time working on Blue as I do with Thunderwing.  And this is custom paint, too!"

He and Allura shared a laugh, and spent the rest of the flight reviewing the battle.

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Driscoll and Gredar dined at the Castle of Lions that evening with the Voltron Force, discussing their plans for tomorrow.  Nanny expressed her displeasure that Allura had been bounced, laying the blame squarely on Driscoll.  He listened politely to her lecture, but said nothing until Nanny asked him, "Why don't you take over flying that Lion and let the Princess get on to more important things?"

Keith rolled his eyes and Coran coughed, but said nothing.  This debate had been had before, and was not over.  It was a constant bone of contention with nanny.  However, the Force was surprised that Nanny would mention it to the captain.

"Two reasons," Driscoll replied.  "One, Her Highness doesn't want to stop flying.  Two, I like my plane better."

Allura smiled her thanks, and Lance flashed Adam a surreptitious thumbs-up.  For her part, Nanny just huffed, and said nothing.

After dinner, everyone went their own ways to prepare for the arrival of the envoys tomorrow. 

Hunk headed for the repair bay to get some things he'd left there.  Walking through the extra-wide double-doors, he saw Thunderwing parked at the far end of the bay.  Adam was standing on the port wing, pulling on one of the phasers.

"Want a hand?" Hunk asked.

"Nah, I got it, Hunk.  Thanks."

Hunk walked over to the plane for a closer look.  Several tools were laid out on the wing, and Adam was struggling to remove a phaser unit that looked like a genuine Browning M2 machine gun.  "That thing shoot bullets?"

"No, it's a phaser.  I just took a fifty-cal frame and packed the phaser guts inside.  I like everything to look like a vintage Mustang.  I haven't gotten around to the engine yet, though."

"You sure you don't need a hand?"

"Yes, Hunk, I'm fine, thank you," Adam replied, but with a slight edge to his voice.

Hunk studied him a moment.  If he didn't know better, he'd say Adam was angered by his offer.

"Okay.  Can I help with something else?  Maybe fix the paint while you work on the phaser?"

Now Adam looked up at him and spoke very slowly, ask though addressing a child.  "No.  Hunk.  I've.  Got it.  Okay?"

Hunk saw where the phaser was stuck and reached up and pulled it loose.  The weapon popped free, and a piece on the side fell off as Driscoll tumbled off the wing backwards, landing hard on his back.

"Adam! You okay?"

Adam scrambled to his feet and glared at Hunk.  "Goddammit, Hunk!  What part of 'I've got it' don't you understand?" he roared.

Hunk held up his hands.  "Jeez, sorry.  I was just trying…"

Driscoll walked up to him, fists clenched.  "Didn't I make myself clear enough?  Do NOT touch my plane!  I'll take care of her."

"Man, calm down.  Listen…"  Suddenly, Adam swung and connected with Hunk's chin.  The big man's head whipped around, but he wasn't hurt.  Hunk backed off.  "Whoa, calm down.  If it means that much, I'll leave.  Sorry."  He was mad as hell, but he'd learned to keep his temper in check.  A man of his size could do a lot of damage.  He was willing to chalk up Adam's behavior to the stress of the past few days, but he and the starship captain were going to have words about this one.

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Keith and Allura walked into the repair bay about an hour after Hunk ha told them about the incident with Adam.  Keith had wanted to have it out with the captain, but Allura had persuaded him to take a less confrontational approach.

Driscoll had apparently finished with the phaser, and was now buffing the wing.  Allura and Keith walked up to the side of the plane, near the flap.  "Adam?"

"Yeah, Keith?" he replied coolly.

"What happened between you and Hunk?"

"Dude can't take a hint.  I told him I didn't want help, but he wouldn't listen.  "I had to replace that whole phaser."

"So you slugged him?"

"Keith, I told him three times that I didn't need help.  So he rips the phaser out of its mounting!  I mean, how thick…"

"Hey!  Watch it, Adam."

"Nobody couches my plane, Keith, not even Scotty.  Nobody touches her, nobody flies her."

Allura saw anger in Adam's eyes as he spoke to Keith.  But there was something else, too.  There was pain.  And sadness.

"Why, Adam?" she asked.  "Why is that?"

"Because I said so," he replied evasively, concentrating on his work.

"That's not good enough," Keith growled.  Angry as much at how Adam spoke to Allura as with his answer.  "I need to know what's so special about this plane.  I don't' understand…"

"That's right, you don't!" Adam exploded.  "You don't understand what it's like to watch your friend go Roman candle across the sky, burned alive before he even hit the ground, all because some lunkhead…" he choked on the word, and dropped the shammy he was using.  He sat on the wing as Allura stepped closer.  She saw the tears in his eyes.

"Adam?  What happened?"

He shook his head, hoping she would take the hint, but she stood there, waiting.

Finally, he looked, up.  "It was…three years ago.  I had a friend, Tom Geilin, and we used to fly together.  He had this little Cessna, and we'd go up together, flying.

"One day, his…his mechanic didn't' come in, so they sent another guy to work on his plane.  The idiot didn't know shit about planes like Tom's.  One of Tom's fuel lines needed replacing, but the asshole didn't do it right.  They didn't have the right kind of tubing, but rather than flag it and wait until they had the right stuff, he used something else. 

"When Tom and me went up, the fuel line melted, and the gas sprayed all over the engine, and that thing lit up.  I could hear Tom screaming on the radio.  Then the flames hit the fuel tank…"

Adam paused, regaining his composure.  "An that son of a bitch only got fired.  He killed Tom, and he got away with it.

"Since then, I've never let anybody work on my plane.  Nobody.  I don't trust anyone.  And now, there's so much custom equipment on her, I'm the only one who really can do it right."

Allura looked at him.  "I'm sorry, Adam.  I had no idea."

"No, and I wish you still didn't.  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to gush like that."

Keith, who had been ready to read Adam the riot act, studied the Starfleet captain critically, then said, "Why not just tell us?"

"What would you have respected more, the cocky flyboy who's touchy about his ride, or the paranoid nerd who's scared to death of somebody screwing up?"

Keith nodded.  "The cocky flyboy."

"Well, anyway, now you know.  I didn't mean to hit Hunk.  I just kinda lost it."

Adam slid off the wing and stood with Keith and Allura.  The Princess laid a hand on Keith's arm.  He tensed at her touch and glanced at her, then looked back at the Mustang driver.  "I understand why you did what you did, but you still owe Hunk an apology, at least.  As for the rest of it…"

"It won't go beyond us," Allura cut in.  Keith nodded.

Adam nodded.  "Thanks."

"You're gonna have to get over this, Adam.  If you're going to be in combat with us and on your ship, sooner or later, someone else is going to have to work on her, and maybe fly her, too, if you can't."

"Adam realized that Keith was right, but the thought stirred his memories again.  What if…

"I'd suggest you train someone.  Either here or on your ship.  But make sure someone knows how to take care of this plane.  I know Hunk would be interested."

The captain nodded.  "Yeah, probably."

"Now get this thing fixed up.  You want your commander to see this beat up old hunk of scrap next to the Lions tomorrow?" Keith asked.

"No, sir."

Keith nodded, and he and Allura left the repair bay.  Just before he stepped through the doors, though, Keith turned.  "And Adam?"

"Yeah?"

"I do understand what it's like."

From the repair bay, Keith headed toward Castle Control, and Allura accompanied him.  "Poor Adam," she said.  "I had no idea."

"That does explain a few things," Keith replied.  "But he's got to learn to trust people."

"And you were going to yell at him."

"That was before.  I'm not heartless, Allura.  Strict, yes, demanding…"

"Overcautious," Allura added.

"There's no such thing," Keith replied.  "But I'm not heartless.  That could screw anybody up.  It's a wonder he was still flying after that."

The two walked in silence for a few minutes until they arrived in Castle Control.  Hunk was on duty and he was talking to Lance.  Both looked up as Keith and Allura approached.  "Well?" Hunk asked.

"It's taken care of, Hunk," Keith said.  "Adam says he'd like to apologize to you."

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"That kid's too hotheaded for is own good," said Lance.

"There's the pot calling the kettle," said Keith.

"At least I don't fly the kettle," Lance said with a smirk.

"Are you making insinuations about my Lion?"

"Boys," Allura cut in.  "Calm down.  Settle this after the conference."

"Yeah, you're right, Allura," said Lance.  "I'm going to bed.  See you guys tomorrow."

"Practice tomorrow, usual time," said Keith.

Allura couldn't be sure, but she thought she heard Lance mutter an off-color comment about Keith's mother as he left the chamber.