Voltrex - We're gonna see some interesting twist on robeasts going forward, especially after you read the next episode. Wade has a knack for robotics, but Maahox is a genius. As for the Great Evil...we'll be going down that road in the near future.
Author's Note - While I expected to be done with this episode tonight, I expected to be well into 18. But I'm not. Having your muse stolen from you, or slowly drained from you, isn't a pleasant experience. But life isn't about the negatives. It's about the light...that tiny flicker in the distance we spend our whole lives trying to get to and capture. And maybe in that light, those who are blind to love will finally see.
Theme Music : A Light That Never Comes, by Linkin Park (feat. Steve Aoki)
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins is the property of KathDMD.
Episode 17 : Red Command
"This council meeting will now come to order!" Lotor shouted. The various kings and leaders of the kingdoms of the Drule Supremacy sat around the table and mumbles over the sudden change. "Emperor Zeppo is no more. By Rite of Succession, I am now your supreme ruler!"
"That can't possibly be true!" Queen Merla shouted. She challenged him, though she knew his was one of the only minds she was never able to read.
"Oh but it is, Merla!" he shouted. "I bested the Emperor in a challenge he accepted. My father was the next in succession, and as such, the ruler of Korrinoth had the right to challenge him. I am your emperor." The rulers murmured amongst themselves.
"They still doubt your claims, your excellency," Haggar said. "It seems the Viceroy has the strongest complaint about your succession." Upon hearing this, Viceroy Throk stood up.
"I have been in the service of Emperor Zeppo since his succession," Throk said. "I cannot see someone nearly as skilled as I with a sword could be bested fairly in battle!"
"Is that an open challenge, Viceroy?" Lotor asked. "You best tread lightly, or end up just like he did!" He sat back down. "Now, as I was saying, there are going to be changes around here. Now that we have full control of Quantus, we have control of the galaxy's largest supply of lazon. Now we need to use that power to continue to crush our enemies! We will step up our attacks not just in the far Universe, but in the near and Middle Universe as well. Every Galaxy will bend to the will of the Drule Supremacy!" He walked to the door to his chamber. "Now travel back to your kingdoms and proclaim the news. Continue your loyal duties to the Supremacy! Long live….Emperor Lotor!"
"Long live Emperor Lotor!" they shouted. After he left, they talked amongst themselves. Some were still in denial, few were furious. But one thing was for certain, they were all in agreement that the Galaxy Alliance and Voltron had to be stopped.
"You did what?" Seth asked JC as he began to get ready for bed.
"I gave up being the Force Leader," he replied. "I'm just not cut out for it."
"Who out of the five of us is?" Seth asked.
"Truvall," he replied.
"She's acted like a total bitch," Seth said, matter of factly. "Don't get me wrong, I consider her our friend, but honestly JC? She is not cut out for this."
"Actually," he replied, "I believe she is. She knows how to make split decisions. She has the background. Not to mention she's Arusian. She probably knows more about Voltron than any of us. As for me, all I do is flack up."
"That's not true," Seth said. "We've been through a ton of scrapes together. There's no better leader than you. Not by a long shot. If this is about Truvall's personal vendetta against you, or the fact you like her…"
"No!" JC shouted. "If it's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I don't like her. I tried so hard to get along with her, and yeah, maybe I thought there was something there. But she obviously has no interest in men, let alone a poor boy from Kansas with no fashion sense, drinks Bailey's, and looks as plain and unattractive as the countless other bullcrap artists that try to talk to her. Believe me, Seth, nothing is further from my mind than my 'feelings' for Cadet Truvall. She's the better leader, plain and simple. I give up."
"Really," Seth said. "And here I thought the friend I knew, Jonathan Carter Grend, wasn't a quitter. Sure proved me wrong." Seth walked into his room and slammed the door. JC sighed and went to bed.
Roxy walked into the Space Marshall's office, unsure of why she was called in.
"You wanted to see me, Space Marshall?" she asked.
"Yes," Lenora replied. "Please have a seat." Roxy sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk. "Cadet Truvall, this past month or so has been trying for all of us. It's brought us many ups and downs, and most importantly, made us think about change." She stood up and began to pace. "Being a leader takes not just a strategic mind, but a pure heart. It takes someone who can not only lead, but understand and compromise. It takes someone who has the greatest trust and respect for those they command, and who demand that same trust and respect in return."
"I agree, ma'am," Roxy replied.
"That said," she continued, "although it is not an official ranking position as of yet, seeing as how the team is made up of cadets, the position of Force Leader has opened. And you have been recommended for the position."
"What do you mean?" Roxy asked. "JC is the leader."
"Cadet Grend has stepped down," she replied. "He is no longer Force leader."
"Why?" Roxy asked, legitimately concerned.
"It doesn't matter," she replied. "As you know, matters of promotion and demotion are confidential. That said, I am offering you the position, cadet. Do you accept?" Roxy's head began to spin. Deep inside, she wanted to find JC and find out why he stepped down. But when her mouth opened, she gave the only answer she could.
"Yes," she said. She still looked shocked, and maybe a bit catatonic, but her answer was indeed spoken and heard.
"It's settled then," she replied. "Within the hour, I will need you to assemble your team and meet Commander Stormcalw in the control room for a briefing on the situation with Planet Quantus, and the lazon crisis."
"Yes, ma'am," she said, saluting. She walked out of the office, confident, but deep inside still very confused.
"What do you mean he stepped down?" Tails asked Roxy.
"Apparently he went to Space Marshall Hawkins and asked to step down," she replied.
"Did she say why?" Tails asked.
"No," Roxy replied. "I'm gonna get to the bottom of it, but first I was told to gather the team together for a meeting with Commander Stormclaw in the control room. We're supposed to go over the latest intel about the situation on Quantus."
"Sounds heavy," Tails replied in less than her usual level of enthusiasm. "So…who'sthe new leader then? Have they decided?"
"Me, apparently," she replied.
"That makes sense," Tails replied.
"You think so?" Roxy asked, surprised by the response.
"Well sure!" Tails replied. "You're mean, nasty, bossy, and a total bitch. That makes you perfect management material!" She grinned.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Roxy replied angrily.
"Seriously," Tails said, "all kidding aside, you know what you're doing. I guess after the mission to rescue the Space Marshall, they figured you would make the perfect leader."
"I guess we'll see," Roxy replied. "I wonder how Grend will handle that news. But I guess it doesn't matter. He's not worth my time."
"If you say so," Tails replied, a tad disappointed. The she perked up a bit. "So, how did your dates go the other night?"
"McGovern," Roxy said through her teeth, "Go tell Grend and Derringer to meet us in the control room in five minutes. Got it?" Tails sighed, then stood at attention and gave Roxy a mock salute.
"Yes sir, thank you sir, may I please have another, SIR!" she shouted before saluting and marching out the door, closing it with a slam. Roxy sighed and put a hand over her face, shaking it.
"Maahox," Wade said, walking into the makeshift lab. "What is the status of that robeast you sent to earth?"
"As I suspected, the Voltron Force was able to defeat it," he replied, "though just barely."
"Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades," Wade replied angrily. "A failure is still a failure."
"On the contrary, Charles," Maahox said, "Sometimes failures can be a learning experience, and sometimes the lessons can be mutual."
"What exactly have we learned, Maahox?" Wade asked.
"We have learned through countless encounters that the Voltron Force will always aim to destroy a robeast in the most conventional way possible," Maahox said. "There is very little strategy when it comes to these pilots. In all honesty, I was hoping they would succeed in destroying this creation."
"You mean to tell me you knew they would succeed?" Wade asked.
"No," he replied. "But there is one thing the Voltron Force will learn from this experience."
"And what is that?" Wade asked.
"That a victory is never black and white," he replied, "and the details they overlook will eventually be the seeds that grow into utter chaos." He grinned from ear to ear as he opened his hand, and a fly no bigger than half the size of a fingernail flew out of it and around his head, then up to Wade, who looked closely as the front of the fly moved around as mechanically as Maahox's false eye.
"Over here!" the foreman yelled to the crane operator. "I need you to lift this onto the barge! It looks like we missed a part of that robeast from the cleanup!" The crane moved over it, and a few men attached the cables to it. But when they tried to lift it, it broke in half. Suddenly, a small swarm of what looked like fruit flies came from the opening. As it dissipated, the operator thought nothing of it. Unknown to them, a few of them flew into the construction equipment. As they landed, their tiny legs dug into the metal like knives, and energy began to flow between them. Suddenly, the crane and other machinery began to move on its own.
"I can't control it!" the crane operator yelled. He franticly climbed out of the cab and jumped to safety. The machines, moving on their own, began to leave the area, leaving behind the stunned construction crew.
JC, Seth and Tails walked into the control room and noticed Roxy and Dariana were already there.
"Good," Stormclaw said. "We can begin." He brought up a holo-screen. "As you know, Quantus is the galaxy's largest supplier of lazon. With the Supremacy putting a stranglehold on it, building and powering ships has been nothing short of a nightmare in terms of expense. The Drule Supremacy has given every dealer free reign to jack up lazon prices to astronomical proportions. While taking back Quantus would be the logical thing to do, due to low quantities of lazon slowing production of new ships, and the unfortunate loss of the Explorer, we just don't have the fleet necessary to undergo such a mission. To try and circumvent this, we have reached out to some of our allies in the Far Galaxy who are glad to provide us with the lazon we need at a more reasonable cost. The problem with this is that the Drule Supremacy still has a stranglehold on transit, with its acts of piracy not slowing down after the takeover. I'm looking for suggestions. Cadet Grend?"
"I have none, sir," JC replied.
"Cadet Truvall?" Stormclaw asked.
"Maybe we should….um," she said. She paused a moment in thought. Pull it together, Truvall! You look like an idiot! Grend is trying to show you up! Don't let him! "I think we should use Voltron to protect the transport ship."
"That's a thought," Stormclaw replied. "But that would leave Earth and the Garrison relatively unprotected. The Vehicle Voltron ships are still being serviced, as the primary solar regeneration station for them was aboard the Explorer, and…well, you know."
"There has to be a way we can get the lazon transport here safely," Seth said. Suddenly, the alarms went off. Stormclaw began to touch parts of the holo-screen, and brought up a visual of several construction vehicles smashing buildings and vehicles.
"I'm not sure what to make of this," Stormclaw said.
"Let's go find out," Roxy replied. "We'll launch and perform recon, and let you know what's going on."
"Agreed," Stormclaw replied, and nodded to her.
"You heard the man!' Roxy shouted. "Launch!" They ran to the chutes. JC walked up to Roxy and went to hand her the key to Black.
"Grend," she said, "keep your damn ship. I can command just fine from Red." He closed his hand, pushed past her and leaped into his chute. She sighed and proceeded to do the same. They inserted their keys and launched from the hangar.
"Alright team," Roxy said, "this is a scouting mission, so stay in loose wing formation until we arrive, then spread out to get a better look." The jets flew in closer, the split up as they flew around the construction vehicles.
"It looks like there's no one operating them!" Tails said. This is definitely far from normal!"
"Make sure there are no people down there near them," Roxy said. "Once that's done, everyone focus fire in front of the machines. We don't want to damage it, just stop it."
"Understood, Chief," Seth replied. They flew around the vehicles. "It looks as if any people around ran off when the meyhem started."
"Then let's start firing some warning shots," Roxy said. They fired around and in front of the vehicles. But it didn't stop them. In fact, they started to move towards one another.
"What are they doing?" Tails asked, tilting her head to the said. "Are they mating?"
"Worse," Dariana explained. "They're combining." The metal of the construction vehicles meshed around one another, until they stood up, forming a mechanical monster.
"Robeast," Roxy muttered. "Alright team, we need to take it down. Get into formation!" The team took on the standard wing formation. "Activate Interlocks! Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!" JC performed the necessary actions from Black without a verbal acknowledgement.
"Let's go Voltron Force!" they shouted. The ships switched to diamond formation as the energy field took hold.
"Form feet and legs!," Roxy shouted. "Form arms and torso!" The head appeared, and Voltron arched back as the energy field exploded, his eyes lighting up with power.
"Awaiting orders," JC said.
"You don't have to be snarky about it," she replied.
"Don't think about me, Truvall," he said, "focus on the task and issue orders."
"Fine," she replied angrily. "Let's get it away from the city. Form Raybeam Whip!" Voltron reached back and pulled out the Raybeam Whip. Voltron lashed it around the monster and yanked hard, sending it flying away from the city. Votron turned and took off after the beast, hitting it with a punch that sent it flying to the ground. Voltron landed nearby.
"Form Blazing Sword!" Roxy shouted. Voltron reached to his hip and pulled out the energy beam, which materialized into the sword. "Let's cut him down to size!" Voltron ran at the beast and swung, and the sword clanged and came to a halt against the monster's exterior."
"What the flack?" Roxy shouted. The monster swatted Voltron, knocking the sword from his hand, then shoulder tackled him to the ground.
"The Blazing Sword wouldn't cut through it?" Seth said. "Impossible!"
"Move!" Roxy shouted. They rolled out of the way just as the crane hook went to strike them.
"There's gotta be something we can do!" Roxy yelled. "That thing is built heavy duty!"
"There must be a weakness," JC said. He pulled his console. "Eye Beam!" The laser fired, and melted the line connecting the hook to the crane. It fell helplessly to the ground.
"Truvall," JC said, "Think you can focus your fire repeatedly in the same spot?"
"Who's in charge here?" she shouted. After a moment of silence, she grabbed the yokes and pulled her console in place. "Draw Magma Pistols!" Voltron pulled out the pistols and began firing. Each shot continued to hit the monster in the upper leg joints. "Come on you piece of snart…." The metal turned red hot, and soon, the monster stopped Advancing. Voltron put away the pistols.
"Let's strike while the iron's hot!" she shouted. Voltron ran to the Blazing sword and picked it up. He leaped into the air, and with several swings, sliced through where the metal had softened. Moments later, the robot fell to pieces and exploded. Voltron put away the sword. Unknown to them, several small flies escaped from the machines and off into the distance.
"Good job!" Tails shouted. "We did it!"
"Yeah," Roxy replied. "We did."
The team walked out of the control room, Roxy being the last to leave.
"Grend," she shouted. "a word please?" JC sighed and turned around.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I've been meaning to ask you…." she started to say.
"Don't bother," he replied. "I'm keeping away from you, just like you asked. I told the Space Marshall you would be a much better leader, and no surprise, you are. I'm not the only one who believes in you, you know. This whole team believes in you. Unlike me, you demand trust and respect. And you have mine. So leave it at that, and follow your own advice. Get bent." He walked away before she could utter a single word. Was he really wrong?