Yes, dear readers, MustangAce is back in the saddle. It's been a long and busy four months, but this story will soon be finished, and a new one is already in the wings. I thank everyone for their patience.
Check 6 and GO SABRES!
Disclaimer: I don't own Voltron, Star Trek, or anything else that belongs to WEP or Paramount. What I do own are the crew of the Berlin, (except for Mordock and Scotty), the fighter, Thunderwing, and the story itself.
Star Tron: Hidden Dangers
Chapter 12
As the last few stragglers of his battalion returned from their skirmishes, Commander Torka surveyed the men with growing satisfaction. They were watching the robeast advancing on Olessa, crushing the defenders beneath its feet as it advanced.
At least, that's what they'd see if the creature were visible. The robeast, like the suits they wore on their raids, was equipped with devices that made it invisible to all known sensing techniques. Better than their stealthy jumpsuits, though, the beast was totally invisible, incorporating enhancements on the standard masking technology that were the work on Haggar herself.
Torka could feel his men's morale increasing around him. The robeast's apparent unimpeded advance rekindled the Doom soldiers' spirit and nerve. Victory was again within their grasp, and they were ready to reach for it. For the first time since leaving their base, Torka smiled. There was a chance.
As the robeast tore through the Arusian defenses, Torka called to his soldiers. "Men! See what we have done? We few have unleashed hell upon the enemy! Let our enemies never doubt us. We are the elite! We are the invincible! We are the Konogg Brigade!"
His men replied with a war cry that shook the forest around them, and Torka smiled again. "Forward to victory!" He pressed to the front of the group, raised his blaster rifle, and led his men through the gap left by the robeast.
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Overhead, the Voltron Force circled the carnage once as they approached from the Castle of Lions. They saw the small group of Doom soldiers following the robeast and attacking the remaining defenders of Olessa, who fled before the creature's onslaught. The starships' shuttles ran back and forth, low over the battle, moving troops and lending what fire support they could.
"They don't have a chance against that thing, Keith," said Hunk, watching the robeast's turbulence signature on his screen.
"Then let's give 'em one," Keith said. For him, the dust and debris flying around the location of the creature's feet were enough to indicate its position. "Attack!"
The Lions split and dove at the robeast from different angles, using their sensors to target their weapons. "Plasma cannon!" Keith announced as the weapon appeared on Black Lion's back. A blinding white pulse of energy rocketed toward the robeast…
And passed right through, hitting the ground on the other side.
"My turn," said Lance. "Lion torch!" Red lion's mouth yawned wide and a jet of flame shot at the robeast. Lance worked the flame side-to-side, but scored no apparent damage. "How could that not hit?" he demanded in astonishment.
"Try this on, tough guy," said Hunk as he, Pidge, and Allura came in together.
"Eye beams," said Allura
"Space torpedoes!" Pidge called.
"Neutron cannon!" Hunk yelled.
The three Lions attacked simiultaneously, and this time, they got results. Allura's laser beams went through the robeast, but Pidge and Hunk's attacks hit home.
"Way to go, guys," Allura cheered.
Suddenly, an unseen force stopped Yellow Lion in mid-air, and Green Lion was struck hard and sent crashing to the ground.
"Pidge!" Allura gasped.
"Looks like we got his attention…aargh!" Hunk cried out as the robeast tightened his grip on Yellow Lion, causing circuits to blow, shooting sparks and stray currents around the cockpit.
"Hunk, hold on, we're coming," Lance said as he and Keith came around to attack the robeast again.
"Together now, Lance," said Keith as they closed in on the robeast. "Lion blades!"
The great knives appeared in the Lions' mouths, and they charged, side-by-side, aiming to free their friend, but both missed.
"No way! His arm was right there!" Lance cried in astonishment, staring in disbelief at his sensors.
Below them, Green Lion stumbled to its feet. "Guys, we've got to attack from different angles," Pidge advised as his lion charged the robeast, the great steel cat knocking trees aside like twigs.
Suddenly, the point became moot as Yellow Lion was hurled through the air, landing hard on his back.
"Hunk! Hunk, come in!" Keith called.
There was no reply.
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Far from the battlefield of Olessa, the Berlin and the Timberwolf fought to free themselves from the assaults of the escorting star cutters.
As his ship shook under another missile barrage, Driscoll called out, "Shield status?"
"Seventy-four percent and falling," Singh reported. He could hear Jacobs directing the phasers against the attacking ships. "Helm, turn us back toward the main fleet. We have to take them down."
"Aye, sir," Curtis replied.
"Mordock, where's Timberwolf?"
"Engaged with seventeen enemy ships," the Benzite replied. "Bearing one-five-zero, 2,000 kilometers."
Driscoll cursed. This had happened twice already, where one ship shakes its attackers, only to be forced back to help its counterpart. The escorts were certainly doing their job well. Even with emergency power pouring into them, both ships were losing their shielding more with every missile strike. For some reason, no topaz-lazon missiles had been seen yet, not that anyone on either ship was complaining.
"Helm, belay previous order. Come about on course toward the Timberwolf. T.J., ready torpedoes and set all phasers for point-defense," Driscoll ordered as another attack shook the bridge.
The big starship banked around, ignoring the lasers that tore at her shields. Her impulse engines glowed red as she surged forward toward her besieged companion.
"We lost some shielding on that last barrage," Jacobs warned. "We're down to seventy percent." Though the Doom weapons normally posed little danger to the ship, some of the star cutters possessed the topaz-enhanced laser weapons, which were capable of damaging the Federation ship.
"Maintain course. All ahead full impulse."
"Aye, sir," said Curtis.
The Berlin closed quickly on the Timberwolf, which was trying desperately to evade and turn on its attackers, but there were too many for even the nimble little destroyer to shake off.
"Torpedoes… fire!" said Driscoll
"Torpedoes away!"
The star cutters attacking the Timberwolf turned to face the Berlin, but too late. The crimson fireballs found their targets, tearing into the hulls of the under-shielded Doom vessels and ripping them apart.
Berlin pressed her attack, picking off several more starships with flurries of phaser fire, while Timberwolf attacked the Berlin's pursuers.
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From the bridge of his command ship, Lotor looked down to his officers. "Recall the star-cutters to the formation. We will finish the starships later," he commanded. Of his original compliment, he had lost twenty-seven star cutters, eighteen battleships and eleven cruisers, and several dozen fighters. More than a quarter of his forces.
But then, he'd planned on taking losses. He was confident of success, but knew that no victory was without its price. He could lose another quarter of his initial force, and still the fleet would be strong enough to take victory.
Lotor touched a control on the command console in front of him. "This is Prince Lotor, calling Commander Kozal."
The screen in the front of the command center activated, and Commander Kozal's face appeared. "Yes, My Lord?"
"This is where we part ways, Kozal. Do not fail me," Lotor admonished.
"Arus shall be ours within the day, My Lord," Kozal swore with a nod. The screen went blank, and Haggar walked forth from the shadows. Lotor turned to the old witch as she stroked her blue cat and said, "I expect that's the last we'll see of the good Commander."
The cat yowled, and Haggar cackled. "It seems Coba feels the same way, My Prince," she said.
An officer approached Lotor. "The Arusian invasion group has separated and begun their attack, Prince Lotor."
"Excellent," Lotor replied. "Set our course for the wormhole. Those fools on Arus still think I intend to focus all my efforts on reconquering Arus. But by this time tomorrow, the Federation will be mine, and Arus with it!"
Dun-dun-dun………… Yes, dear readers, I return with a bang, and the revelation of Lotor's true target. Ballsy of the little blue moron, ain't it? Will our gallant heroes be able to stop him? Find out next time.