Voltrex - Episode 24 is here. I told you another bombshell was coming, but this one is a happy one! Very unexpected!
KathDMD - This is definitely a chapter for the VV fan in all of us! This is a happy surprise! I'm glad you've enjoyed the entire series, and you know I'll keep writing as long as you and everyone else keeps reading :) And don't worry...that project will finally be revealed by the end of Season 1!
Author's Note - I had this story in mind since beginning to write Voltron Legacy. I always wondered what happened, and now you get to find out. Confused? Read the episode and comment! Don't worry, I'll wait...
Theme Music : Indestructible, by Disturbed
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins is the property of KathDMD.
Episode 24 : The Man Time Forgot
"Hey Roxy!" Tails said as she came into the living area of the dorm apartment. "Whatcha doin'?"
"Working on my final essay for Universal Cultures," she replied.
"That thing?" Tails asked. "I finished that weeks ago. As soon as the Air Team returns from patrol, Chip and I are heading out to this little place on the Boardwalk that he says make THE BEST nachos ever. You and JC wanna go?" Roxy stopped writing, paused for a moment, then slammed her pen down and sighed.
Oh boy, here it comes!
"McGovern," she said through gritted teeth. Then out of nowhere, an exasperated sigh. "I don't know how else to explain it to you. Stop wasting your breath. There's nothing between me and Grend, and there never will be. You need to stop with the delusions and focus on your own life instead of mine."
"Seriously, Rox," Tails replied, "that boy is crazy about you. Why the crap are you not even giving it a thought?"
"Because my thought needs to be on this team," she replied, "not some stupid romantic fantasy. I refuse to put myself in a position where I can be compromised." She looked Tails dead in the eyes. "I don't have time for games and bullshit. Now I don't want to hear another word about this idea of me and Grend together in the deepest regions of your mind, and that's an order." She started to walk away.
"You had time to find that Dudley guy," Tails said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"That was different and you know it!" Roxy shouted back.
"How different?" she asked. "You know damned well you were trying to make him jealous! And what about back on Arus? Don't tell me kissing Daniel wasn't an elaborate ruse to make JC feel guilty!"
"That was all about Larmina!" Roxy answered. "That had nothing to do with how jealous I was!" She caught herself, placed a hand over her mouth, then her eyebrows scrunched. Tails could almost see smoke coming out of her ears…but in true form, Tails had to nudge her over the edge…just to be fair.
"Ever picture him naked?" Tails asked. "I bet she did…" Roxy flipped the table in a rage, then turned and stomped away, slamming the door to her room.
"I'll get them to admit it one way or another," Tails said to herself as she left the dorm apartment.
In the farthest regions of the Near Universe, bordering on the Denubian Galaxy in the Far, deep space is dead quiet. But in that moment, and explosive force of light the intensity of a thousand suns blasts forth in an instant. When the light fades, a lone ship listfully drifts ahead, its signaling lights dimming from power fluctuations. Inside the ship, a crew of mostly robots is badly damaged, to the point that most no longer function. On the bridge, three robot soldiers remain active. Two remain at the navigational terminals, while one is making adjustments on a console to the side. This one walks up to the command chair where a man is sitting, slumped over. A man of average height, his short blonde hair a bit longer than usual, seemingly had been knocked unconscious from whatever put their ship in all this peril. After a failed attempt to rouse the captain fails, the robot tests his vitals.
"He is alive," he said, "but barely."
"Are we to return to High Command?" one of the Navigational robots asked.
"No," the one next to the man said. "His orders were to avoid contact at all costs. We must not deviate from our orders or our programming."
"Agreed," the other robot said. "Do we know where we are?"
"I'm not sure even WHEN we are," the first replied. "The captain is hurt. We should consult all start charts and try to ascertain where we are, and try to make our way to the closest planet."
"I am picking up a planet not too far from here," the other robot said, looking at the scanners. "I'm showing the surface is livable…and I'm seeing large traces of lazon!"
"We must get the captain there as soon as possible," the robot standing next to him said. "Life support will cease in several hours without finding a fuel source." The navigational robots plot the course, and the ship begins to move slowly towards the nearby planet.
"Commander Kala," Cossack said, "Our scanners indicated an energy fluctuation just outside the Denubian Galaxy."
"Do you know what it is?" she asked.
"It appears to be a ship," Cossack replied. "It's a Drule ship…an older class vessel, but a Drule ship nonetheless."
"Interesting," she replied. "There are no Supremacy ships set to travel in or around that sector. Where is it heading?"
"It appears to be adrift," he said. "It would seem it is on course for Quantus."
"Then by all means," she replied, "gather your men and a small contingent of ships. Let's give our guest a warm welcome."
'Yes, ma'am," he replied, and left.
"If it's an older ship," she said to herself, "it may be an Alliance trap. And if it is, we will crush them before they even have a chance to speak."
Dariana stood on a balcony outside the third floor hallway of the dorm, looking up at the night sky. Seth spotted her, and walked over to her.
"Hey, beautiful," he said. "What are you looking at?"
"Silly things," she said quietly. "I'm worried about the future, Seth. I'm worried about the path that was chosen for me. I'm worried that I won't make a good officer."
"Nonsense, Dar," Seth replied. "You're strong, brave, and powerful."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she said. "Power is not necessarily a good thing. I don't want to endanger the team."
"You won't," he replied. "I promised I'd keep ya grounded, and that's exactly what I'm gonna do." He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She instinctively leaned backwards into him, allowing him to cradle her in his arms. She closed her eyes, taking in the warmth all around her.
I feel safe.
"Seth," she asked, opening her eyes, continuing to stare at the night sky, "what is the one thing you wish for more than anything else in the world?" He thought for a moment.
"For you to always be with me," he replied. "But Dar…what's the one thing you wish for?" She suddenly shuddered, and a million images filled her head at once, as if the past cried out to her in the greatest pain imaginable. All at once, every joy and sorrow, and every rage and fear entered her heart and stabbed it like a knife. She closed her eyes tightly as the pain intensified, and a single tear fell from her right eye, landing on Seth's hand.
"I wish I wasn't me," she replied.
"Commander Stormclaw," someone from the tracking station said to him, "probes from the outer reaches have detected an anomaly."
"What is it?" Stormclaw asked.
"It appears to be a ship," he replied. "Sensors indicate it's badly damaged. There's a distress beacon."
It could be a Drule trap," Stormclaw said. "A ship that close to Quantus is either way off course, or just plain stupid." He thought for a moment. "Alert the Voltron Force. Tell them to get here on the double."
"Aye, sir," he said, running to the com.
JC was about to settle into bed when his voltcom started flashing. He hit the com button.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Voltron Force is needed in the control room, on the double!" a voice shouted. The com then went dead.
"Great," he said. He put the voltcom on his arm, and hit a button which caused his uniform to materialize. He looked around and found no sign of Seth. He left the apartment, heading for the control room.
The team came running into the control room and came to a halt in front of Commander Stormclaw.
"Cadets," he said, "we have a situation near Quantus. Apparently there is a ship in distress."
"What's a ship doing that close to Quantus?" Roxy asked. "Are you thinking it may be a Drule trap?"
"Possibly," he replied. "But we have no choice but to respond. There is a distress beacon, and it seems the ship is running on minimal power."
"On minimal power," JC said, "They might have only hours of life support left."
"One point one three five hours to be precise," Tails said. They looked at her in unison. "Sorry."
"I'll need you to launch immediately and check it out," Stormclaw said. "Offer any assistance you can. If it is in distress, and the Drule's attack it, they'll need all the help they can get."
"You heard him team!" Roxy shouted. "Move out!" They leaped into the chutes and landed in the cockpits. "Insert keys!" They inserted the keys into their Voltcoms, and the engines roared to life.
"Keys set!" they shouted. The five ships launched from the hangar, and flew off into the distance.
Aboard the ship, the robots are maintaining course and speed for Quantus. Suddenly, the captain begins to stir.
"Captain!" one of the robots say. "Are you alright?"
"Did we escape?" he asked groggily. He felt as if he were asleep for years.
"I believe so, captain," the robot replied. "Power systems ship wide are failing, and most of the crew is inoperable. We have found a nearby world where we can land and find help with repairs."
"Excellent," he replied. "With any luck, it'll be either uninhabited, or settled by the Alliance. I hope the war is over."
"Sensors are indicating ships on an intercept course coming from the planet," one of the robots said.
"So it is inhabited," he replied. "Can you identify it?"
"The sensor array has been badly damaged," the robot said, "however, from its size and shape, it looks like a Korronithian vessel."
"No," the captain said to himself. "No no no. This can't be right. We need to change course."
"Life support is failing, captain!" the robot said.
"We'll all die if that ship catches up to us anyway," he replied. "I was fully ready to die that day. And if I am going to die, it's going to be on my terms. You have your orders. Cut shields and weapon systems and divert all power to the primary thrusters. Get us away from those ships!"
"Yes, sir!" the robots shouted, performing the captain's commands to the letter.
"Anyone picking anything up on long range scanners?" Roxy asked.
"I can see the ship," Tails replied. "It appears to have changed course and is speeding up."
"A trap?" Roxy asked.
"I don't think so," JC replied.
"Why do you think that?" Roxy asked, slightly annoyed.
"Because if they were luring us in," JC said, "They wouldn't be changing course or trying to get away."
"And I'm also picking up several vessels on an intercept course with the ship," Tails added. "They're coming from Quantus."
"Let's try and get there before them so we can find out what's happenning," Roxy said. "Stay on your toes everyone." They flew faster, and in a short time, they caught up with the ship.
"This is Voltron Force Leader Aroxia Truvall," Roxy said. "What is the status of your ship? is anyone hurt?"
"No response," Tails replied. "Their power might be too low to transmit."
"Captain!" one of the robots shouted. "The vessels that just arrived are alliance vessels...Voltron Force!"
"Voltron!" the captain gasped. "There may still be hope yet. I hope they are smart enough to understand this. I need you to launch our last remaining missile backwards. Aim in the direction of the ships we detected earlier."
"Yes, sir!" the robot said, again complying with orders.
"What if the Drule ships on their way are coming to rescue this one?" Seth asked.
"We have no way of knowing," Roxy said, "but we can't abandon them."
"Roxy, look!" Tails shouted. They watched as the ship fired a single missile backwards, flying in the direction of the incoming Drule fleet.
"You thinking what I'm thinking, Grend?" Roxy asked.
"Message was loud and clear," JC said, pulling his weapons console.
"Everyone in position!" Roxy shouted. "Keep yourself between them and that ship!" The jets flew around and stopped in wing formation.
"What in the world is that?" Cossack asked. When the screen magnified, his eyes widened. "It's the Voltron Force! All units attack! Focus fire on that ship! Launch the robeast!" The hatch of the ship opened, and a giant metallic ball rolled out. It floated for a moment, then opened up to reveal a fierce beast.
"I think they're on to us," Dariana said.
"How can you tell?" Seth asked.
"Giant robeast," she replied. They looked on and saw the robeast.
"I have a plan," Roxy said, "but we're gonna need voltron." She pulled a few levers, and began the initiation sequence. "Activate interlocks! Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!"
"Let's go Voltron Force!" they shouted. The ships flew in formation, switching to diamond as the energy field took hold.
"Form feet and legs!" Roxy shouted. "Form arms and torso!"
"And I'll form the head!" JC shouted. Voltron arched back as the energy field exploded, his eyes lighting up with power.
"Here he comes!" Roxy shouted as the robeast rolled into a metallic ball and flew quickly at Voltron. It hit him in the chest and knocked him backwards.
"Seth!" Dariana shouted. "We need to adjust the thrusters to regain attitude control!"
"I'm on it!" Seth replied. Voltron came to a stop. Voltron kicked the robeast away.
"Eye beam!" Roxy shouted. The lasers hit the mark, but did nothing. "It's not penetrating its armor.
"It's shell is about as hard as corrite!" Tails shouted. "It's practically indestructible!"
"Gives me an idea," Roxy shouted. "Form Raybeam Whip!" Voltron pulled the whip from its back, and lashed onto the robeast curled up in a ball. "Pull!" Voltron tugged hard, and the beast went flying towards the enemy, taking out several drones and damaging their command ship.
"We need to get outta here!" Cossack said. "Lotor will have my head if this ship is destroyed!" The shipd began flying away. Voltron released the robeast.
"That takes care of the fleet," Roxy said. "Now it's just you and us you overgrown bowling ball!"
"Incoming!" JC shouted.
"Dari!" Roxy shouted.
"Form Blazing Chargers!" Dariana shouted. The spiked handles dug into the beast as it crashed into them.
"Up and over!" Roxy shouted. Voltron leaned back, and allowed the beast's momentum to carry it away from them, the chargers still attached. "Shock it!" Dariana hit the button and electrified the chargers, causing the beast to uncurl.
"Form Aquatic Bow!" Seth shouted, and a bow of pure water formed, then changed to ice. Seth fired several arrows at the heart of the beast, and it managed to stun it frozen, unable to curl.
"It's now or never!" Roxy shouted. "Form Blazing Sword!" Voltron reached to his hip and pulled the energy which became the sword. Voltron rocketed towards the beast and sliced horizontally, butting the beast in two. Moments later, it exploded.
"Get us in close range of the ship," Tails said. "I can rig a power transfer. It won't be much, but it should allow them to communicate while we tow them back to the Garrison."
"Do it," Roxy said. Voltron flew along side the ship and a beam emitted from Jet Green into a port on the underside of the ship. Within minutes, the captain was hailing them.
"This is Force leader Aroxia Truvall," Roxy said. "Are you or your men hurt?"
"This is Captain Mongo of the Drule warship Experion," he replied. "Tell me, Force Leader, how long has it been since the joint research project in the Far Reaches?"
"Eight years, sir," she replied. "Why?" He chuckled.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he replied. Voltron locked on a tractor beam, and began towing the ship to Earth.
The team stood with the Space Marshall and Commander Hawkins near the shuttle landing pad, along with Captain Mongo.
"The device aboard the ship was an experimental prototype created by the scientists of my day," he said. "They hoped it could be used to go back in time and try to stop the damages caused by senseless warmongering, that Drule may survive its exposure to the transient sun. I used it to escape the Supremacy, and in doing so, the device is destroyed, along with most of my robotic crew."
"There may still be war," Lenora said, "but rest assured, there are others like you who want to see an end to the fighting." Just then, a shuttlecraft landed on the pad. Moments later, a face very familiar to the captain stepped out.
"Hazar?" Mongo asked. "Is it really you?"
"Hello old friend," Hazar replied. Mongo walked up to him, and they saluted one another. Both cracked a smile and gave one another a hug.
"I thought the Emperor would have already court martialed you and sent you to your own demise on Planet Doom!" Mongo said.
"Much has changed in these eight years, Mongo," Hazar replied. "The new Drule homeworld is a bastion of peace. The Galaxy Alliance has worked with us to inhabit sevferal nearby star systems, and create a new life for our people. The Empire could never understand the true nature of peace. Come back with me to the homeworld, my friend. See what has become of our glorious and honored people." Mongo walked over to the cadets and shook their hands one by one, finally stopping at Dariana.
"You are Drule?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," she replied softly. "Dariana Kovinx."
"A member of the Voltron Force," Mongo said. "I never thought I'd see the day. It gives me hope." He paused a moment. "Did you say 'Kovinx'?"
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"I believe I served with your father," he replied. "A remarkable man, and powerful too. I remember the things he used to do...we were almost convinced he was a lamia! HA!" He sighed. "But you stay strong too, young one. You now have one more person who is proud of you." He shook hands with Commander Hawkins and the Space Marshall, then he and Hazar boarded the shuttle. As it took off, Dariana lowered her head and began to cry.
"Sunshine," Seth said, lifting her chin with his thumb and forefinger, "what's wrong?"
"He mentioned my father," she replied.
"Why is that sad?" Seth asked.
"Because I never knew him." she replied.