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.
Thanks for all the great reviews, they really help motivate me.
Star Tron: Hidden Dangers
Chapter 14
Emerging from the Federation side of the wormhole, the Voltron Force took their heading from the Berlin, and made straight for the Doom battlegroup. On the way into the Sol system, Timberwolf's handiwork was evident as the group passed several Doom ships, some crippled and struggling to regain power, others reduced to shattered hulks.
But where was the fleet? The trail of disabled ships ran on and on into the system, through the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt, and in past the orbit of Pluto. Then, finally, Mordock reported, "I'm reading weapons fire ahead, and a number of ships."
"The Timberwolf?" Driscoll asked.
"Yes, sir. And fourteen other ships."
"Fourteen?" came Keith's voice over the open channel. "Has the Timberwolf taken out that many of Lotor's ships?"
"Negative, Commander," Mordock replied. "The fourteen other ships are Starfleet. Lotor's fleet still numbers over seventy ships."
"Picking up audio from the fleet," Singh reported.
"On speaker," Gredar ordered. A moment later, a cacophony of orders and exclamations came over the channel: "Hood, coming right to engage the flank." "Enemy ships approaching Neptune base, redeploy to block their approach." "Akron's hit, Timberwolf and Kasserine, close in and provide cover…"
To this cacophony, Driscoll added his voice over the fleet channel. "This is Berlin, engaging now," he said.
"Welcome to the show, Captain," said Captain O'Donnell from the Timberwolf.
"Voltron Force, prepare to engage," Keith ordered. The others chorused their response as the Lions and the starship approached the swirling melee and braced for the fight.
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"My Prince, enemy reinforcements approaching," said the crewman at the sensor station.
Lotor looked at him. "How many?" he demanded. His fleet had encountered less resistance than he'd expected, and their new topaz-enriched armaments had worked well to keep the starships at bay, and they had even managed to knock out a few, though they were unable to destroy them, as he'd hoped. But that was no matter. His ships could finish them off later. But now, he had to establish a foothold in this system if his invasion was to succeed.
"It is the Lions and the Berlin, Sire!" the sensor officer replied in alarm.
"What? How can that be? They should still be back at Arus! What is that fool Kozal up to?"
"Perhaps Commander Kozal has already fallen," Haggar said.
Lotor's fist came down hard on his chair's armrest. "Imbecile! I should have known better than to leave him in command of the Arusian task force." He turned to the witch at his side. "Is your robeast ready?"
"It awaits only your command, Sire, and it will unleash all manner of nastiness on these Starfleet urchins."
"My command is given," Lotor sneered. "Deploy the robeast! Destroy every ship in their puny fleet!"
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The Lions rushed in at the nearest group of Doom ships. "Okay, team, let's slice this one like a pizza," Keith said, indicating a large battleship directly ahead.
"I could go for some pizza right now," Hunk chimed in.
"Let's deal with Lotor first, Hunk," said Pidge.
"Lion Daggers!" Keith called. The knives appeared in the cats' mouths as they zoomed in between two Federation ships that were skirting the edge of the Doom formation. "Attack!"
The Lions blitzed the Doom ship from different angles, all but shredding it as they dug their blades in and rent gaping wounds in the ship's flanks. As the Lions cleared away, explosions began to blossom along the furrows they'd dug in the ship's hull, and the burning battleship fell away, tumbling out of control.
Keith looked off to one side to see the Berlin engaged with two other battleships, while a group of cruisers headed toward Neptune. There must be a base there in this dimension, just like there was on the Neptune he knew. And Lotor must want it.
He was about to vector the rest of the team over to the cruisers, when another message came over the fleet channel. "Doom command ship is launching another craft. It looks like a… coffin?" said the surprised officer.
"A coffin? Keith, that's a robeast!" Lance said.
"I know, Lance. And you know what that means." He gripped his control yoke a bit tighter as he began the formation sequence. "Ready to form Voltron. Activate interlocks, dynotherms connected. Infracells up, megathrusters are go!"
"Let's go Voltron Force!" the others chorused as the Lions tightened up into formation and began to glow with energy. "Form feet and legs," Keith called, and Blue and Yellow Lions folded their legs and tails up and stood on their chins. "Form arms and body." Red and Green Lions' legs and tails folded up and disappeared, and the four Lions docked with Black Lion. "And I'll form the head!" Keith finished, as Black Lion's head morphed to form the head and helmet of Voltron.
But the Arusians weren't the only ones preparing for battle. As they had formed up, the robeast had deployed from its coffin ship and grown, fueled by lazon energy from Lotor's ship and Haggar's dark magic.
This robeast was more humanoid than most, and pale purple in color. He had a helmet and cowl of dark blue, which hid his face except for his eyes, which glowed out yellow. He stood facing the great defender with his feet spread and his hands up, ready to fight. He carried no weapons.
That gave the Voltron Force pause. They had never seen an unarmed robeast before. This was new, and any new thing from Lotor automatically led them to caution.
"What's it doing, Keith?" Allura asked.
"I don't know, Princess, but I'd say it's waiting for us to make the first move."
"Well, let's not disappoint him," said Lance.
"Right," Keith replied. But before he could say anything else, a starship came in behind the robeast, launching a spread of photon torpedoes at it. The robeast saw the attack from the corner of its eye and nimbly ducked out of the way. It spun around and came up under the ship's saucer with a karate chop, cutting right through the disk. As the ship fell off to one side, the robeast delivered a roundhouse kick, crushing part of the hull and sending the ship tumbling helplessly away.
Allura gasped in astonishment. "Keith, did you see that?"
"I wish I hadn't, Princess," Keith replied. "All right, team, let's see how fast he moves when he's all tied up. Fire tracking coils!"
Voltron reached toward the robeast and shot the green, tractor-beam like rays toward the Doom construct, ensnaring its arms. The robeast tried to break free, but Voltron was ready. He leaned to the side and hauled the robeast into a spin, flinging him away.
"Form electro-sabre," Keith ordered. Voltron pulled the two halves of the blade from behind his back, locking them together to form the energy blade. He rushed at the disoriented robeast, twirling the electro-sabre for a moment before hurling it at the confused robot. At the last second, the robeast ducked out of the way, turned toward Voltron, and charged.
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As Voltron squared off against the robeast, the Starfleet ships were trying to regroup. The Doom star-cutters had done their job well, and now bore the brunt of the fight while the cruisers and battleships proceeded toward Neptune almost unopposed. The small, nimble Doom ships flashed among the Starfleet vessels, delivering their potent lazon punch and withdrawing before the starships could come around and counterattack.
"All ships, form up on us," said Captain DeSoto of the Hood, the flagship of the defense group. He saw the enemy battlegroup moving toward the planet, and knew that his ships had to punch through the escorts to attack them, but those damn missiles…
Out of an initial force of twenty-two ships, DeSoto had already lost nine destroyed or disabled by the Doom ships, and now that horrible robeast. If Captain Driscoll hadn't warned them of Voltron's presence, he'd have thought the Arusian robot was part of the enemy fleet as well.
As his ship circled the area, gathering what others it could, his tactical officer reported, "Captain, the Berlin is attacking the invasion force."
"Alone?"
"Apparently, sir,"
"Godspeed to them. DeSoto to all ships: Push in on the invasion force! We have to stop them!"
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"Already on it, Captain" Driscoll called out. The Berlin had caught a lucky break, finding a weak spot in the Doom star-cutter screen and punching through. They now had the main invasion force, some forty ships, in their sights. "Stand by torpedoes, pattern echo, independent tracking."
"We're out of torpedoes, sir." Jacobs replied.
"Then ready phasers. Helm, bring us in from their six o'clock."
"Aye, sir," Curtis replied, his hands dancing across his control panel.
The starship came around on the fleet, her phasers striking out at the few fighters that tried vainly so stop her. "Target the cruisers first. Leave the battleships for the planetary defense batteries," Driscoll ordered. He knew that the massive phaser banks installed at Neptune base would be able to handle the heavy ships, but there were simply too many ships in the fleet for the antiquated weapons to deal with by themselves.
The Berlin entered the rear echelon of the invasion force, crimson and white beams streaking everywhere as the starship attacked, slashing its way through the formation while the Doom ships returned fire. The Excelsior-class ship ripped through the Doom fleet and bore down on Lotor's ship. "Target the bridge of the command ship, fire as soon as you have a shot," Driscoll ordered.
"Aye, sir, targeting," Jacobs replied.
Suddenly, a barrage of missiles from one of the cruisers slammed into the Berlin, knocking her off course and sparing Lotor's cruiser.
"Starboard shields at forty-eight percent, minor hull damage on decks twelve through fourteen," Singh reported.
"Come around to re-engage," Driscoll ordered. "He's not getting away that easy."
"Voltron calling Starship Berlin, we could really use Thunderwing right about now…"
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Voltron backpedaled quickly to avoid a strike from the lightning-fast hands of the robeast, which just missed Voltron's head. The mighty defender ducked low and kicked out, knocking the robeast back.
"Fire stingray missiles!" Keith commanded as Blue and Yellow Lions' jaws gaped and the rockets shot forth, striking the robeast full in the chest. The robeast howled in pain and surprise, stumbling back, and giving Voltron time to act.
The robots had been locked in combat for several minutes now, and neither had been able to turn an advantage. But that was about to change as Voltron was beginning to weaken. Already, Keith was beginning to feel a slight sluggishness in the robot's movements. And against this quick and agile opponent, any loss in speed would become a serious disadvantage.
The robeast recovered from the sting Voltron had dealt him, and took a ready stance, glaring at Voltron and bellowing a challenge. He was ready for more. Keith knew they had to end this, and soon.
On the bridge of the Starship Berlin, Captain Driscoll was torn. Lotor's fleet was continuing to bear down on Neptune Base, and the Berlin was still the closest vessel. But he also knew that Keith wouldn't be calling for his help if he didn't need it. His duty was to the Federation first and foremost. He'd said as much to Keith when he'd joined the Voltron Force.
Finally, he said, "Sorry, Keith, can't do it. We're a little tied up right now." He turned to Jacobs. "Commence firing as soon as we're in range." He tapped his commbadge. "Driscoll to shuttlebay, prepare Thunderwing for launch, six-rocket loadout. Driscoll out."
"Coming into range, Captain," Mordock announced as Driscoll turned back to the viewer.
"Firing," said Jacobs.
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Keith watched in stunned silence as the Berlin made another run on the enemy fleet, plunging into their rear echelon and advancing among the columns, her phasers slashing out like crimson knives, cutting and tearing into the hulls of the Doom ships.
But he had no time to wonder at Adam's reply, not that he needed to. Adam had made clear from day one that his first loyalty was to Starfleet.
"Here he comes again, guys!" Hunk warned.
The robeast was charging Voltron, fists up and ready to swing. The Doom machine led off with a right jab, which Voltron dodged, and followed up with a left cross, catching Voltron in the side of the helmet. Before the Arusian robot could recover, the robeast delivered a stunning roundhouse kick, connecting with Voltron's back and sending him tumbling madly away.
As Voltron slowly recovered, Keith looked around, hoping to be able to defend against the robeast's next attack. But Lance's cry of "Incoming!" ended his search.
The Federation fleet, still a dozen strong, flashed by Voltron, heading for the Doom invasion force. As they passed, they fired on the robeast, causing it to turn away from Voltron as it attempted to defend itself. "Keith, the robeast…" said Allura.
"I hear you, Princess. Let's finish this," Keith replied. "Form Blazing Sword!" he ordered. Voltron's hands clapped together with a metallic clang and formed the great blade between them. Voltron raised the Blazing sword above his head, reaching forward and unleashing a mighty roar from Green Lion.
But the robeast saw this, and prepared his own defenses. With a flick of his wrists, thick blades extended from the sides of his wrists, effectively transforming his hands into deadly swords.
"Charge him!" Keith ordered, and Voltron surged forward as the robeast took a ready stance. At the last moment, Keith ordered, "Dodge and strike!"
Voltron stopped in his tracks, and in one blindingly-fast movement, ducked to the side and attacked. The robeast was only just able to bring his own weapons around and deflect the blow, but he was sent tumbling all the same.
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As Voltron took the offensive, the Federation fleet bore down on Lotor's invasion force, which was still under fire from the Berlin. But the older starship was beginning to falter. Several of her shields had failed, and her hull was again scored and scorched by the weapons of the Doom cruisers.
As the Hood came into range, Driscoll heard Captain DeSoto say, "Good work, Berlin, we'll take it from here. Fall back to assist Voltron."
"Roger that, disengaging," Driscoll replied. Secretly, he was frustrated at being called off just as he was bearing down on Lotor, but he also knew that his ship couldn't take much more of a beating and still remain operational.
As the Berlin withdrew, the remaining escort star-cutters streaked by, chasing the Federation defenders. They ignored the Berlin, and that proved a costly mistake as two of them were struck down by the phasers of the retreating starship.
Once clear of the fleet engagement, Driscoll walked up behind Lt. Singh at the ops console. "Show me Voltron," he said.
Singh complied, and a moment later, the two robots, Voltron and the robeast filled the Berlin's forward screen. Voltron had just made an attack with the Blazing Sword, and the robeast was knocked senseless. But a moment later, it righted itself and struck out, forcing Voltron to parry and drop back.
Driscoll immediately turned to his first officer. "Gredar…"
The Gorn already knew what Driscoll was going to say. "We will provide supporting fire."
Driscoll smiled. "You read my mind, Commander." Without another word, he left the bridge and headed for the shuttlebay.
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"Keith, the Berlin's coming in from behind the robeast," Pidge said.
"Well there's some good news," said Lance as Voltron evaded a slash from the robeast.
"It'll be better when Adam gets here," Keith replied.
Suddenly, a series of explosions erupted along the robeast's back, causing him to dive away, shrieking in pain. Thunderwing broke out over the robeast's shoulder, approaching Voltron as Driscoll said, "You rang?"
"Finally decided to show up, huh?" Hunk needled as the Mustang circled around Voltron's back.
"Worry about that later, Hunk. Thunderwing interface!" Keith ordered. The little fighter's wings folded and it settled into the bay in Black Lion's back, and Voltron's power supply immediately spiked back to full and then a little.
"Okay, Keith, the gang's all here, so let's get this over with," said Allura.
"No arguments here, Princess," Keith replied. Voltron turned to the robeast as it recovered from the shock of Thunderwing's attack, clicked its swords together, and glared at Voltron. "Wait for it…" said Keith.
Suddenly, the robeast lunged, one sword pointed ahead of it to spear Voltron, the other held up to deliver a finishing blow.
The robeast was a split second from impaling the Arusian robot when Keith cried, "Now!"
Voltron spun to one side, evading the outstretched sword, and in one fluid motion he kicked the robeast in the stomach, doubling the Doom construct over. Voltron spun away, giving himself room…
"Strike now!" Keith ordered as Voltron raised the Blazing Sword above his head and brought it down across the robeast's shoulders. Coming around, Voltron cut the robeast again at the hips and leapt back as two massive explosions erupted from the robeast's wounds, leaving nothing but a swirling cloud of debris.
"Good work, team, now let's go help the fleet," said Keith, as Voltron turned to the invasion fleet, with Berlin at his side.
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Aboard his command ship, Lotor spun around on Haggar, his yellow eyes burning with fury. "You old hag! You have failed me again! Can't you even make a simple robeast right?"
"Sire, my robeast was weakening Voltron. It was the fighter…"
"Enough of your excuses!" Lotor silenced her. He turned to his monitor, where he watched the Starfleet ships tearing his fleet apart. His entire plan was falling to pieces in front of him. The greatest invasion fleet Planet Doom had ever fielded… laid waste by a defending force less than a tenth their number.
"Sire, Voltron approaches," said one of the officers.
"How many of our ships remain?"
"Thirty-two, Sire."
Lotor gritted his teeth, grunting in anger as he slammed his fist on the armrest of his chair. "We are defeated again. All ships, full retreat. Back to Planet Doom!"
"But, Prince Lotor, what of our comrades on Arus?"
"Let them fend for themselves," Lotor replied.
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"Berlin to Captain Driscoll," Gredar's voice hissed over Thunderwing's radio.
"Driscoll here, go ahead."
"The Doom fleet is turning away from Neptune. They are heading for the wormhole," the Gorn snarled.
Driscoll cheered, and was joined by the other members of the Force as he relayed the news. "Okay, muster up anyone we can, and follow 'em."
"Aye, sir," Gredar replied, closing the channel.
"Sounds like Adam's got the right idea, Keith," said Lance.
"Yeah, let's get 'em," Pidge replied.
Keith nodded. "Right, we're not letting him get away that easy. Adam, boost power to the megathrusters."
"Roger that, boss."
Moments later, Voltron sped off in pursuit of the fleeing Doom force, with Berlin, Timberwolf, and the rest of the Federation fleet close behind.