And a little more, just to tempt you all! Enjoy!
The Vehicle Voltron Force quickly advanced on the Robeast attacking the 'Explorer'. "Spinning Laser Blades!" Crick ordered. The blades shot out from Voltron and hit the Robeast in the chest, knocking it backwards off the ship. "Now, herd him out into the open."
Inside his ship, Cliff punched up communications. "Admiral! What kind of damage did that thing do to my ship?"
"Minor structural damage, nothing to worry about. You pulled him off before he could really get started." Harrison replied.
"Good. This Haltor bastard has alot to answer for." Cliff cut the channel and Voltron moved in on the Robeast.
Crick sent Blazing Sword flying and it lodged in the creature's midsection. It roared in pain and fury. "Finish him off. Fire missiles." Crick ordered. The creature spun backwards from the impact. Voltron grabbed his sword and lopped off the Robeast's head. It stood still for a moment, then exploded.
"Brilliant work Team." Cliff told them.
"Damage report." Crick demanded. Everyone checked in fine.
"I think we should separate and help out the fighters around the Castle. Keith took out Haltor's launch bay, but there's still alot of them out there." Cliff said.
Crick nodded. "I agree. Separate!" Voltron split into fifteen ships. "You heard your Commander, move out!" Most of the ships flew off towards the Castle.
"Dreana, Hans, you stick close to the 'Explorer'. We'll take care of the fighters." Cliff told them.
"We came here to help." Hans said vehemently.
"I know you did lad, but right now I want you here. Those fighters have already taken down half of a superbly trained air squadron. You will not be added to the list of casualties." Cliff said firmly. "That's an order Cadet."
Hans clenched his jaw tightly. "Yes Sir." He responded shortly and watched as Cliff flew off in the distance.
"He is right Hans. Besides, some of those guys are sure to get through and go for the ship. We'll get first shot at them." Dreana told him.
"Ja, I suppose you're right." The two young pilots flew off towards the 'Explorer'.
The Lion Force continued attacking the Robeast. The creature tried to catch the mighty robot in its grip, but Keith kept them just out of range. "Electro Force Cross!" The cross shot out of Voltron's chest and caught the Robeast. The creature fell back, stunned. "Finish him off!" Keith ordered. He swung Voltron's sword and cross-sliced the Robeast across the chest. The creature bellowed in pain, then exploded.
"That takes care of big, brown, and ugly." Hunk quipped.
"Don't talk about Lance like that." Pidge laughed.
"Hey!" Lance called out indignantly.
"All right Team, let's separate. Pidge, you and I will go for the command ship and that communications array. Hunk and Lance, help out our fighters and cover the Castle. Allura—"
She cut him off. "I will go with Lance and Hunk. Even with both Voltron Teams, my fighters are severely outnumbered."
Keith sighed in resignation. "Fine, all of you have your orders. Move out!"
Voltron quickly split into the five Lions. Green and Black headed towards the command ship while the others sped off towards the Castle.
"What do you mean all my Robeasts have been destroyed!" Haltor roared.
The robot bowed in submission. "The two Voltron Teams have managed to destroy all three of them Sir."
Haggar shuffled forward. "I told you they would be hard to kill. Like your father, you chose not to believe me."
Haltor snarled at her then turned back to the robot. "Where is the Voltron Force now?"
"They have split into individuals again Sir. Most of them are attacking our fighters. Two of the Vehicle ships have stayed behind to protect the 'Explorer'."
"What of the Lion ships?"
"Three of them, Yellow, Blue, and Red are amongst the fighters."
Haltor frowned. "What about the other two? Where is the Black Lion?"
"I am uncertain My Lord. We do not see it or the Green Lion on any of our sensors."
Haltor growled. "Find them!"
"Yes Sir." The robot bowed and hurried back to his post.
Haltor stood seething, as he watched the battle enfold on the screens. "Where are they?" He muttered to himself.
Suddenly the ship rocked, and the lights flickered for a moment.
"I believe you have the answer to that question." Haggar cackled.
"Sir! Black and Green Lions are attacking the ship from below! They are trying to take out the communications array!" One of the soldiers told them.
"WHAT? How dare they!" Haltor roared. "Call the fighters back. Blast them from the sky!"
"No. I have told you, I want Keith!" Haggar told him.
Haltor whirled to face the witch. "Why? What is so important that you need him alive?" He demanded.
"I plan on turning him into a Robeast. He will be under my control, but his mind will be aware of everything." She cackled evilly. "Think of the irony as his friends destroy yet another Robeast, never knowing who it really is! Then, their horror when they discover the truth."
Haltor paused thoughtfully. "It might work. How long will it take to transform him?"
"Once I have him in my grasp, less than a week." Haltor stared out the window, silently watching the battle. "Keith killed your father, he will do the same to you if you give him the chance." Haggar said quietly.
Haltor's expression hardened. "Release the last Robeast! Destroy the Green Lion, but bring the Black to me."
Keith arced his Lion around in a tight circle. "I don't think they've spotted us yet Pidge. How're you doing?"
"Working on it Keith." Pidge's hands flew across his keyboard, his forehead furrowed in concentration. "There!" He fired one of Green's missiles, hitting the underside of Haltor's ship.
"Is the net down?" Keith asked.
"It should be. Coran?"
"I'm not sure…Wait! Yes, we are receiving incoming transmissions!" Coran told them.
Keith allowed himself to relax marginally. "Send a message to Galaxy Garrison and let them know what is going on. Tell them we need whatever help they can send us."
"Hazar is already on it Keith."
"Good. Pidge, let's head back to—" His words were cut off as his Lion was rocked by enemy fire. "Where did these guys come from? Pidge! Retreat!"
"No kidding!" Pidge and Keith swung their Lions away from the Command ship. A dark shape loomed in front of them.
"He's got another one!" Pidge said incredulously.
"Get out of its way!" Keith hollered. They both sent their Lions into a dive, trying to avoid the creature's grasp. "We could use some help over here!"
"On our way." Cliff responded.
"Right behind you Cliff." Lance added. "Allura, stay here, close to Hunk and the others. We'll take care of Keith."
Allura nodded into her viewscreen. "Be careful! All of you."
Lance and Cliff quickly flew off. Kim and Cinda followed close behind.
Keith and Pidge meanwhile, zipped in and out of the Robeast's reach. They fired missiles and lasers, but nothing seemed to faze the creature.
"This isn't good…" Pidge muttered.
"Hang in there, help's on the way." Keith told him.
More laser fire erupted around them, startling the creature back.
"You rang?" Lance called out.
Keith grinned down at his friend. "It's about time you got here."
"Bitch, bitch, bitch. Are we going to take this thing down or what?" Lance quipped good naturedly.
"Try and distract it, aim for the head." Cliff ordered. His Team flew at the creature's eyes, forcing it back.
"See if we can knock it into the command ship. Take care of two birds with one stone." Keith called out. The seven ships moved forward.
Without warning, the Robeast lunged out and grabbed Cliff and Lance's ship. It clenched them in its fists, then smashed them together. Cliff's ship and Red Lion tumbled out of the sky.
"Cliff!" Kim screamed. She sent her ship into a steep dive, following her husband's.
"Lance!" Pidge and Keith hollered together. Neither answered. Keith tried not to wince as he watched his friends hit the ground. "Kim, Cinda, get down there and cover them! Hunk! We need help over here!"
Back at the Castle, Hunk swung his Lion around. "On my way Skipper."
"I'm coming too!" Allura answered. They sped off.
"Commander Hazar!" Crick called out.
"Yes?" The Druhle Leader answered from the Castle.
"Lance and Cliff have both taken a hit. I need a medic team sent to my location." Crick paused a moment. "Sir, you might want to alert Lady Dorma. They went down pretty hard."
"I am sure my sister is already aware of the situation. A rescue ship has been launched. They will be there as soon as the area is secure." Hazar told them.
"We'll take care of that!" Crick narrowed his eyes and fired a volley off at the Robeast. He flew a tight circle around its head, then headed off in the opposite direction. The creature roared in anger and turned and followed Crick.
Kim quickly landed near Cliff and ran to his ship. Cinda trailed close behind her. Kim opened the hatch. "Cliff? Cliff?" She called out. She was answered with a low moan. Cinda pushed Kim out of the way and knelt at Cliff's side, placing her hands on his temples.
Cliff's eyes fluttered open. "Kim…Cinda…."
"Tell me where you're hurt Cliff." Cinda asked him.
"My leg…I can't feel my leg…" His eyes started to close.
"No! Stay with me Cliff!" Kim clutched his hand tightly in hers.
Cinda turned to look at his leg. It was pinned under a crushed piece of the console. Blood was splattered along his pants leg, and Cinda could see a piece of his thigh bone penetrating through the fabric. She looked up and met Kim's eyes. "Keep him talking. Don't let him pass out. I'm going to check on Lance." Kim nodded and Cinda slipped back outside.
Outside, Cinda glanced up. Crick, Keith and Pidge had managed to drive the Robeast away from their location. A sudden movement caught her eye and she turned to see Lance stagger out of his Lion. He took a few faltering steps forward, then collapsed to his knees. She was at his side in an instant.
Lance looked up at her through unfocused eyes. He had taken off his helmet, and blood ran down his face from a four-inch gash on his forehead. He also held his left arm cradled against his chest. "C—Cinda?" He mumbled.
"Lance, look at me." Cinda commanded. She placed her hands on either side of her head and looked deep into his green eyes. His pupils thinned to mere pinpoints then returned to normal size. The blood flowing down his face slowed to a trickle. She broke off contact and eased Lance to a sitting position against Red. "Relax, how's the pain?"
"Bearable…" Lance replied, grimacing.
:Cinda how are they: Crick's voice sounded in her mind.
She caught the overtones of his concern for Cliff, and instead of answering, sent an image of their friend lying in his ship. :We need a medical team before he bleeds to death.: She sent back.
:They are on their way.:
Cinda turned back to Lance. "Lance, I want you to stay right here. There's a medical ship on its way. Don't move and don't close your eyes." Lance gazed up at her, his expression blank. "LANCE!"
Lance started. "Yeah…"
"Stay awake!" She bolted to her feet and ran back to Cliff.
Inside the ruined ship, Kim continued talking to her husband. Cliff's eyes kept closing and he was clearly struggling to stay conscious. "Cliff, honey stay with me!"
He closed his eyes again. "Kim…let me rest…just for a few minutes…"
"NO!" Kim shook him lightly on the shoulder. "Clifton George Sheffield! I need you to stay awake! Don't you dare leave me! Don't you orphan our child before it has a chance to be born!" Tears streamed down her face.
Cliff struggled to open his eyes. "What?…Child?"
"Yes you moron!" She placed his hand on her stomach. "We're having a baby. You stay with me. I am not raising this child on my own do you hear me!"
Cliff smiled weakly. "I…I love you Kimberly…"
Kim smiled through her tears. "I love you too."