KathDMD -You asked for it, and you got it! I wanted to get this out tonight, and I delivered! Keith and the gang will be hanging around the next few chapters, as it seems Daniel's disappearance has more to do with this than you realize. As for JC and Roxy, I think JC is figuring it out, but Roxy is clueless. He's gonna have a tough time knocking down walls. As for Wade and the Space Marshall...You know Lenora won't come quietly, and yes, the Explorer is headed back to New York at break neck speed. Will they be in time? ;)
Voltrex - Glad you are enjoying the story. You can always shout out to me via my post on the Official Voltron Forums. You know I'm always up for answering questions about the cadets and their ships. :)
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins belongs to KathDMD.
Episode 13 : Prophecy – Part I
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The Space Marshall sat there for a moment, horrified. The voice behind her was a ghost from the past to her. In seconds, her fear turned to rage, and she stood up, violently kicking her chair backwards into Wade. She turned and launched a throwing axe at him, which he narrowly avoided. As she pulled another one and swung back, he rushed at her and grabbed her arm. He struggled with her for a moment before the axe vanished, and the weapons cache detached from her arm and fell to the floor.
"I believe that belongs to me," he said calmly. Two wade-Bots entered the room, and he held up his arm to halt them, pointing their weapons at her. He forcefully released her arm, pushing her back into her chair.
"What are you doing here, Wade?" she said defiantly.
"You of all people, Mrs. Hawkins, should have figured that out by now," he replied. He began to pace around the room. "I've worked hard my entire life to get where I was in this job. Spending countless hours coming up with military strategies and ingenious technology, and attending countless meetings of the council with those idiots Graham and Steele. They decide to take early retirement, and who do they choose to take their place? A child!" He pounded the desk hard with his fist. He looked at her, and she stared back at him in anger. He slowly picked up the device and wrapped it around his arm. It locked into place, and pulsed with power. He pointed at her, and a shotgun of pure corrite appeared, the barrel inches from her face. She cringed slightly, but tried to show no fear.
"Are you going to kill me?" she asked with a hint of defiance in her voice. He smiled.
"No," he replied. "After the years of you being hidden right under my nose, it would be only fair that I do the hiding this time. No, I have a lot more interesting plans for you." He tapped the cache, and the soldiers came forward. "Take the Space Marshall to the transport, and take her to Lotor's command ship. I'm sure he'll find some use for a pretty young lady such as yourself." He laughed maniacally as the robots took her away.
The team had successfully made it back to Mira, and were trying to assess the damage to Jet Red in an attempt to make repairs and attempt to drive the Drules from Quantus. While the others, with the help of Miran technicians, attempted to diagnose the issue, Roxy had wandered off onto one of the docks and sat down, staring off across the endless ocean. She then felt someone come from behind her, then sit down right next to her. She tensed up and tried to pretend he wasn't there.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" JC asked.
"I don't feel like talking right now," Roxy replied. I don't need you to tell me what a fail I was. I got enough of that on Arus.
"I know," he replied. "But I have to. Look, Truvall, I'm not your enemy. I don't claim to be your superior by any stretch of the imagination, but I am your friend. At least, I want to think I am. I just want to try and understand why you did what you did."
"There's nothing to understand," she replied harshly. "Sometimes I feel my way is the only way. I'm the only one who knows what's best for me."
"And that almost got you killed," he replied.
"Don't start lecturing me, Grend!" she snapped back. "I don't need your crap."
"I'm not starting anything with you, Truvall," he said. He thought for a moment, and chose his words carefully. "I know your life's been rough. We've talked about this. I just want you to trust me."
"I don't trust anyone," she replied. "I've spent my entire life relying on myself. The only people I trusted back then either tired to kill me or ended up dead. I don't want you to…" She stopped herself, and instead looked down at the water. "Look, I'll try not to disobey orders again. I just need you to stay as far away from me as you can. Can you do that?"
"Why?" he asked.
"Because you have to!" she screamed. "Geez, Grend, can't you just listen already!" She got up and stormed off. He let out a sigh.
"I've only seen these types of repairs once," Tails said, pulling wires and reconnecting them, then keying commands into a terminal. "Chip showed me some of the schematics. This is utterly frustrating!"
"At least I have the easy job," Dariana said.
"Easy?" Tails asked. "You call repairing the landing struts and replacing blasted corrite panels easy?"
"Yes," Dariana replied. She lifted the entire replacement strut and carried it over to the ship and hoisted it into place. Seth's jaw dropped. "What?"
"Nothing," he replied. "I didn't know Drules had so much strength."
"I don't know," she replied softly. "I was always able to do this. I used to help my mother with heavy chores now and again."
"You just look so..." Seth started to say. Dariana tightened the connections by levering an enormous wrench.
"Scrawny?" she asked. "That's one of the reasons the other cadets make fun of me. It doesn't matter how much strength you have, or how much you care, they will always find a reason to bring you down."
"Listen to me, Dar," he said, "you have the strong mind and an even stronger heart. And I don't care what any of those other cadets say. You are a part of this team, and I'm proud of you." She smiled at him, like she always did.
Is this what it feels like?
"Where's JC and Roxy?" Seth asked.
"Probably screaming at one another again," Tails remarked. "I never seen two people so in love and so oblivious."
"You really think so?" Seth asked.
"Know so!" Tails said, winking. "Trust me, I know a pair of lovestruck fools when I see them! Me and my Pooky Bear are one in a million. And I can see it in their eyes. She's got the look." She giggled.
"Not much can be done about it though," Seth said. "She seems..."
"Stubborn?" Tails asked. "Nonsense! Just leave it to me! Sheri McGovern, matchmaker extraordinaire! Before you know it, I'll have those two wrapped up naked in a pile of comforters with JC givin' her the ol..."
"Seth, can you hold this while I tack it in place?" Dariana asked, interrupting.
"Sure!" Seth said, trying to scrub his mind clean of that image. Tails just shrugged and continued working on the ship.
"How much longer until we're within the outer perimeter?" Hawkins asked Sparks.
"About five minutes, Commander," he replied.
"Any further word from Galaxy Garrison?" he asked.
"None, sir," he replied. "We should have heard something by now."
"I know," he replied. "Something is wrong. You should at least be catching the subspace chatter about the situation on Quantus. To have radio silence…" His thoughts wandered for a moment.
"What are your thoughts, Commander?" Captain Newly asked.
"You already know what I'm thinking about, Rich," he replied. "Take us in, full jets. Do not land until I have a perimeter scan of the area on my screen." Suddenly, the view screen changed, and Wade appeared.
"Greetings, crew of the Explorer," he said.
"Wade," Hawkins said to himself. "What is the meaning of this?"
"The meaning is simple, Commander," Wade replied. "I am in control of the Galaxy Alliance. You on the other hand are charged with High Treason, and aiding and abetting an enemy of the state. Normally the council would suggest exile…but I feel a public execution is in order."
"Where is the Space Marshall?" Hawkins shouted, anger in his voice now.
"Your wife is safe…for now," he replied. "You on the other hand won't have to worry about that much longer." The screen went black.
"Sparks, can you pinpoint his location?" Hawkins asked. "Can you see anything down there at all?"
"Sensors indicate the entire Garrison is swarming with robot guards," he replied. "But that's not the worst part. It appears he's launching a…."
"Robeast," Hawkins finished. "Red alert! Get on the com and order the Voltron Force to launch immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" he replied.
"Voltron Force to the launch area!" the voice shouted. The team rushed to the launch chairs, and rode them to their vehicles.
"Air Team ready," Jeff shouted.
"Land Team ready," Cliff said.
"Sea Team, Ready!" Krik said. The ships immediately launched from the bay and headed down to the planet below.
"What is that thing?" Jeff asked.
"Scanners indicate it's a robeast of some sort," Cliff replied. "It's nothing like the Drules created. It's almost like a gigantic Wade-Bot!"
"Everyone in formation!" Jeff shouted. "Ready to form Voltron." Jeff grabbed the lever and pushed it forward, engaging the interlocks. "Form feet and legs! Form arms and torso! And I'll form the head!" As the final connections were made, Voltron punched the air and energized. "Let's give this robeast a proper welcome!" Voltron came down fast with a flying kick which knocked down the robeast. "Follow up!" Voltron swung with a right, but the robeast caught his punch, and instead pulled Voltron, forward and to the ground. It pulled a polearm and tried to stab him, but Voltron rolled out of the way and got back to his feet.
"Two can play at that game!" Jeff shouted. "Form Solar Combat Spear!" Voltron readhed down and pulled the halves of the spear, then put them together, spinning it in the air. The beast came at Voltron, and he swung the spear, knocking the polearm to the left. Voltron pushed forward and shoulder tackled the robeast. "Now!" Voltron pushed forward with the spear, then impaled the robeast. Just then the earth shook.
"What is it now?" Jeff asked.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good!" Krik replied. The sea outside of New York parted, and another giant robot appeared from the depths, the likes of which they never seen.
"We have to finish this," Jeff said. "Form Blazing Sword!" Voltron raided the Spinning laser Blades over his head and pulled strait down to form the sword. Voltron ran at the robeast and in two swings, sliced through it. It fell apart and exploded.
"How is this happening?" Wade shouted. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his head, and his eyes glowed purple. He knew Kala had felt it too. Something was calling out to him….to them. He keyed in some commands on the weapons cache, and a pair of robots came in.
"Stay here and do not allow anyone to enter," he said. He ran for the hangar and took off in a private shuttle.
"Sir!" Sparks yelled, "A shuttle just left the hangar below! Should we open fire?"
"Negative," Hawkins replied. "We don't know who's aboard."
"They won't answer our hails," Sparks said.
"Could it be?" Hawkins asked. "Keep focusing fire on the Drule ships! We need to clear a path for ground forces….if there are any."
"Hurry!" Commander Stormclaw yelled. He lead the remainder of the cadets and officers not captured or killed by the Wade-Bots into the underground bunkers. One of the guards approached.
"Are we really gonna be safe down here, sir?" he asked.
"I sure hope so," Stormclaw replied as he closed and sealed the hatch.
"We need to find Black and bring Daniel back," Keith said. "Allura, you're with me. We're riding in Blue with Larmina." They ran for the chutes and rode the swings down to the shuttles. Once they docked inside the lions, they powered on, and launched from their dens and took off into the air.
"I can't believe he would do something like this," Keith said. "On the other hand, yes I do. I don't understand it. I thought he understood why I had to take Black back from him, and I thought he was finally starting to take some responsibility…"
"I guess now is a bad time to mention Daniel's infected with haggarium?" Vince blurted out.
"What?" everyone said.
"Yeah," he said, "I kinda didn't want to say anything, but I've been unable to communicate with him, and I think the infection has taken hold of him. I don't think he intentionally wanted to steal Black. He seems to be headed somewhere with a purpose."
"Where though?" Keith said angrily.
"If my calculations are correct," he said, "…the Haggarian Quasar." Everyone gasped in shock.
Princess Romelle stroked her son Erik's hair as he fell fast asleep. She looked back at Sven, and smiled. He smiled back, as he always did, happy that his son was safe, and fast asleep.
"It's nice to have things be normal for a change," she whispered. They walked into the hallway. "Erik has been a lot happier with you being around. I'm actually a lot happier that you are around too."
"It is good to be here," he replied. "Our family is the only thing that keeps me grounded right now." She gave Sven a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm going to bed," she replied.
"I will be there soon," he replied. She could sense he was troubled, but she knew what was on his mind. She made her way back to her quarters. After a few moments, he turned to walk down the hallway, and he was suddenly hit with a wave of emotion. Rage filled him as his eyes changed color and glowed a maddening purple. He lost all control, and he turned around and ran down the hallway, down staircases, and out to the nearby hangar. Several guards tried to get in his way. Armor appeared around his body, and with little effort, he swung at them and knocked them down and away from him. He climbed into a shuttle and took off. Alarms went off all around the castle. Romelle came running out of her room, and Bandor met her.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"Sven has gone mad," Bandor replied, "and he took off in one of the shuttles!"
"You don't think he…." She started to say.
"I checked the course and heading in the computer," he replied. "It looks like he's headed for the Haggarian Quasar." Romelle put her hand to her mouth in shock. "I am launching our fleet as we speak. We will find him, Romelle. I promise."
"We have total control of the mines, Commander," the Drule soldier said to Kala. She smiled with satisfaction.
"Is the robeast secure?" she asked.
"It is standing by in case the Voltron Force returns to try and rescue the miners," he replied.
"Good," she replied. "With Lotor's foot soldiers and Wade's drones keeping the people of Quantus at bay and working as our slaves in the Lazon mines, nothing can stop us from taking the entire empire!" Suddenly as Kala started laughing, she fell to a knee in pain.
"Commander?" he asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine you idiot!" she scowled. She felt it though. She sensed the same thing Wade felt. A calling. A longing. Something drawing her to leave this place and follow. "Ready my ship."
"But Commander," he said, "your presence here is vital! What if Voltron returns with reinforcements?"
"The robeasts and wade-bots will more than take care of that," she screamed. "I need to get to the Haggarian Quasar. Now!"
"Yes, Commander," he replied. "I will ready your ship at once!" He left the room, and she held her head in pain.
"May my own rage add to theirs," she said in a state of delirium. Her eyes glowed purple as the infection began to spread even further.
Lotor walked out onto the balcony and looked into the sky. He gazed at the Quasar, which had seemingly doubled in size over the past few weeks. He knew Wade had noticed, but never knew why. But he knew….he knew.
"When Voltron struck me down," he said to himself, "and I laid there in the wreckage breathing my last, knowing full well Maahox had no intention of reanimating me, I prayed. I looked at the heavens and for the first time ever I prayed. I prayed for life and death. I prayed for rescue, for Allura, for my own selfish needs. And as my life flashed before me, the life force inside of me brought me peace. I closed my eyes, then opened them again not as a weak and frail child, but a strong and powerful man!" He pounded the railing. "A strong and powerful soldier! A strong and powerful king! It was then I realized it wasn't Maahox that was keeping me alive. Just as Kala was pieced back together over and over again, the force within me pieced me back together, and made me whole. And there is only one way for someone who makes his life denying others their wants and desires over his own…to give thanks for the life that remains." He turned, and his cloak swung around him as he left the balcony. "Ready my shuttle!" he shouted. "Time to welcome an old friend home."
"We're almost to the quasar," Vince said.
"But where's Daniel?" Hunk asked.
"Probably laughing that we followed his sorry butt out here," Lance said.
"Not funny, Lance," Keith said. "Larmina, can you reach him?"
"He's still not responding to hails," she replied. "I'm honestly worried about him. I'm sorry Aunt Allura for not telling you about this sooner."
"It's alright," she replied. "As long as we get Daniel back safely."
"I see something else," Vince said, looking at the scanners. "Another vessel….it's Polluxian!"
"Sven?" Allura said, almost instinctively.
"And that's not all," Vince said. "I see several larger ships headed this way. Two Drule vessels, and a Galaxy Alliance shuttle!"
"We repaired red as best we could," Tails said to JC. "It'll be good enough to knock around that robeast at least."
"Good," JC replied. "We don't have a moment to spare."
"Let's get going then," Roxy said. The team was silent. "You heard our team leader! Move!" Everyone ran to their ships and powered them off. They took off and started heading for Quantus. It was then Dariana started to feel sick.
"Seth," she said, "something is wrong. I don't…." he suddenly blacked out again. Tick leaped off her voltcom and jumped onto the autopilot button.
"You can't do this, your excellency," one of the men said. "The girl is far more powerful than you. You said so yourself. If she is not the catalyst, then the Drules could use her to stop the weapon!"
"I have made my decision," Haggar replied. "This is what is best. This is what fate has determined for me and for all of you. The unity the Arusians called for must come from Drule blood, and the spirit the Terrans ask for must come from a Drule soul. I will use every ounce of magic I have, and pray it is enough to bring life to this weapon." She looked over at Olan. "Please look after the child. When I am gone, she will be all there is left." He nodded, a tear forming in his eye.
"I will always love you," he said. "Always and forever."
"And I will be with you, my love," she replied. She walked slowly to the matrix. The belly of the weapon exposed and ready to bear life. She stretched her arms over the beast and began shouting incantations. Energy flowed between her and the weapon, and Dariana became so frightened she buried her head in Olan's side. When it was over, Haggar was gone. All that was left was her red cloak, and a faint flicker in the heart of the Matrix.
"She will return," Olan said, wiping away his tears, knowing that the sacrifice will save them all from the Great Evil.
"Dar!" Seth shouted. "Please speak to us!" All he heard were the clicks coming from Tick.
"Her autopilot is engaged," Tails said. "And I don't speak Space Mouse."
"We can't lead the attack on Quantus without her," Roxy said. "I'm open to suggestions."
"There's more trouble," JC said. "I'm picking up a priority distress call coming from Galaxy Garrison. Wade has invaded, and taken control of the Garrison."
"No!" Roxy said. "We have to stop him!" Suddenly Dariana came to and spoke up.
"We have to head to the Denali system," she irked out. "We have to find the quasar. Haggar..." Jet Yellow took off in another direction.
"Dammit Kovinx!" Roxy shouted. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know," Seth replied, "but I'm following her."
"Agreed," JC said. "She's never led us astray." They took off, following her to wherever it was she was heading.
"What in the name of..." JC started to say. They came upon the quasar, now a massive ball of flowing energy in the shape of something horribly demonic.
"Look!" yelled Tails. They looked on, and saw the other ships that had arrived mindlessly positioned dangerously close to the quasar. If they get any closer, the gravitational pull will suck them in and burn them up!"
"What could possibly be going on?" Seth asked.
"I believe I can answer that," Lotor said over an open channel.
"Lotor!" JC shouted. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Since you will all perish soon," he replied, "I'll gladly tell you. Kogane and his Voltron Force thought they had destroyed me. They thought they had cut down my super robeast, and put me down the way they killed my father. But you cannot kill someone with a split soul. You cannot break something that has been broken. For you see, it wasn't the matter created by that accursed Maahox that continued to breathe life into me. It was her...it was her all along. And now it is my turn to repay my debt, and return my one true servant to me!" He moved his ship in closer, and all of a sudden, a beam of energy came from him, focused into the center of the quasar.
"Look!" Tails shouted. The same beams began to emit from the black lion cockpit, the Polluxian Shuttle, the Alliance Shuttle, and the Drule warship.
"What is happening?" JC shouted. Dariana took a deep breath.
"She will return," Dariana replied. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion, and all the ships were blasted far away from one another, losing control. When everything died down, it was as if time itself stopped. The Quasar was no more, seemingly imploded into itself by the ammount of matter and energy transferred into it. But in the heart of where it was, a box now floated almost mindlessly...a coffin. Inside, an old wretch of a monster, bluish green skin and matted and wirey black hair lay peacefully. Then all at once, she breathed in, and her pure white eyes opened.