selena devargo - Jenny is my favorite, but there are six new characters coming to the force!
KathDMD - My partner in crime...wait until you see the opeing ceremony! By the way, we'll see more of the babies later in the season. JC isn't an idiot in my opinion...Roxy is fickle! And Kanji Red is gonna make Zarkon look like the tooth fairy! (Dental humor unintentional there)
cubbieberry - Don't worry...nanny is taking very good care of little Alex! You will see more of him later on in this half of the season.
Author's Note - While the ceremony is about to begin on Arus to open the new Acadamy campus, back on Earth, a new band of cadets are being tested and chosen to take their place aboard the Defender. Will Chip and his team be able to piece together Voltron? And what will happen to the former team members?
Theme Music : "Beautiful Disaster" by Jon McLaughlin
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD.
Episode 54 : Beautiful Disaster
A crowd formed in front of the newly erected Graham Center building, waiting to enter the classrooms. A young blonde girl stood to the back of the crowd, eyeballing the scene. A young man approached her.
"So," he said, "you here to take the test?"
"No, I'm here to learn how to bake brownies," she replied sarcastically. He laughed.
"Well I plan to not only take that test," he said, "but place in the top ten. I hear there are spots open on the Defender, and maybe even on the Voltron Force!"
"Phht," she snorted. "The Voltron Force. Keep dreamin', buddy. No one gets to be on that team. Especially not someone with a stick up their ass like you." He took a step back.
"Like you'd have a chance with an attitude like yours," he retorted.
"Just being honest," she said matter of factly. "Name's Dixie Calla, by the way."
"Ken Hunter," he replied, offering to shake her hand. She brushed him off, and he slowly lowered it. "Well, regardless, good luck. I still have high hopes of acing this thing."
"Eh," she replied. "Good luck to you too then." They started letting students in, and the crowd slowly funneled through the doors, eager to begin the testing.
Twyla paced back and forth on the bridge of her command ship. The soldiers and robots around her continued to do their jobs, seemingly unaware of her plight.
"That overbearing red-skinned freak thinks he can walk in and just take over the entire empire," she said to herself. "He's not even aware of or making a move against the Galaxy Alliance and their attempt to establish a training ground on Arus! An absolute fool! It's time I take this matter into my own hands." She turned to her left. "General Dari, is the Robeast ready?"
"It has been prepped and ready for launch, Commander," Dari replied. "Before Voltron can even come to their aid, it will destroy their entire facility, and render it useless!"
"We must keep Arus cut off from the rest of the Alliance at all costs," Twyla said, slamming her fist into her hand. "The fate of the Empire, and our foothold in the areas we control depend on it.
Jeff walked into Commander Hawkins' office. As Jon looked up at him, Jeff gave him a salute.
"Sir," he said, "you wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Jon replied. "Please, have a seat." Jeff sat down. "Jeff, as you know I've been thinking long and hard about who would be replacing me as Commander of the Defender. And I think I've finally made my decision."
"Who?" Jeff asked.
"You, Jeff," he replied. Jeff almost choked.
"Me?" he asked. "I mean, I'm honored, Commander. But what about the Air team? What about Voltron?"
"We're not sure how long it will be until the Project Defender team can get Voltron pieced back together again," Jon replied. "This will give us a chance to scout around and find replacements for the members of the Force that have applied for transfer. Chip, Tangor and Zandee have taken a permanent position on the Project Defender team, Ginger put in for a transfer to Arus, and Lisa is transferring to Terra as part of the Gladiator Voltron Force there."
"I know," Jeff said. "Lisa mentioned that to me earlier today. Makes sense with Aidan being their team leader and all."
"We're also receiving a new officer on the bridge of the Defender," Jon said.
"Who?" Jeff asked. Jon smiled.
"May I have your attention please," Allura said as the festivities at the castle commenced. Nanny sat nearby holding newborn Alex in her arms. "This week marks a glorious occasion…one which will bring Arus and its allies closer than ever. The Galaxy Alliance Space and Flight Academy had been hard at work attempting to secure a place on Arus for aspiring cadets who wish to protect their homeworlds and improve the lives of its citizens. Now we finally get to see the fruits of their labor with the grand opening of the new Arusian Campus." The crowd cheered wildly. "And now, without further ado, let me present to you to new headmaster of this school, Lieutenant Lance McClain." Lance stood up and took the podium. Allura walked over to the empty chair next to Keith and sat down. Lance cleared his throat.
"I'm not so good at speeches," he said, "but I guess I better get used to it, huh?" The crowd chuckled a little. "I'm deeply honored that I have been given the opportunity to lead the new students of this academy to greatness. And that's exactly what I expect to see come out of this program every day of every school year….greatness. The same training excellence myself and my colleagues received at the GA Academy will now be readily available to the people of Arus and its surrounding allies. We hope that through our hard work and dedication, we can bring Arus and its allies closer to the Galaxy Alliance, and form a stronger relationship between our worlds." He paused as everyone applauded. "Now, without further ado, please enjoy today's festivities, and tomorrow, we will move to the campus for tomorrow's ribbon cutting ceremony." He walked off the stage as the crowd clapped. He met up with Hunk who was just off stage clapping as well.
"Good job, dude," he said.
"Again," Lance said, "speeches are not my strong point. I'm excited about this position, but I'm still not sure about giving up Red, dude. I know the Lions have a way of deeming those who are 'worthy'." He made the 'quotes' sign with his fingers. "But I don't just wanna one day just say, 'Here ya go,' and just hand it over to some random pilot. The cadets had time to prove themselves. I just want to know the pilot to sit in that seat has had that same training and experience, if not more."
"I know," Hunk said, patting him on the back. "I actually thought you'd be the last one to give up their lion."
"Not so much giving up," Lance said with a frown. "If I had my way, I'd do both."
"But you know you can't," Hunk said.
"I know," Lance replied. He let out a sigh.
"Tell you what," Hunk said, coming up with a brilliant idea. "You're the new headmaster. Why don't you try holding a competition? Like a test to see if they make the cut. This way you have some control as to who sits behind those controls."
"You know what," Lance said, "that's a great idea. The winner of the competition I'll take on as my protégé, kinda like Daniel was to Keith, or Vince to Pidge."
"Exactly," Hunk said. "Now that that's settled, can we eat now?" Lance laughed.
"Yeah," he replied, "let's just enjoy the banquet, and we'll hit up Keith and Allura with that idea in the morning."
"So what is the deal with you and Lance McClain anyway?" Tails asked abruptly as the girls readied themselves for bed.
"He's the one that rescued me from the caves," Roxy said. "I know I haven't told many people about what happened to me when I was little. I don't exactly like thinking about it. But for a couple years, I was living in the caves, eating wild mushrooms and other things, and trying to survive. It wasn't until Kogane and his crew arrived on Arus and reactivated Voltron that the people here had a shred of hope. Shortly after fighting off Zarkon's forces for the first time, Queen Allura, then just Princess, held a banquet much like tonight's. They tried to get the people to come out of hiding and for once enjoy a delicious cooked meal in the safety of the castle. Most of the people were afraid. The Voltron Force went into the caves to search for people, hoping to coax them out of hiding. Days into the search, Lance discovered a portion of the caves that was concealed by a partial cave-in. There amongst the rubble, he found me, apparently fast asleep. I was frightened at first, but I did eventually come with him back to the castle. From then on, I'd been under the care of everyone at the castle….an orphan and ward of the state. But I always had a soft spot for Lance….because he was the one who rescued me."
"A father figure," Dariana said, slipping into her flannel nightgown. "And a friend. No wonder why you remain so close."
"Did you ever…you know…" Tails said, making obscene gestures. Roxy frowned.
"Absolutely not!" she scowled. "Like Dari said, he's been like another father to me. Plus you know how he is. He's been a ladies' man for a long time."
"So," Tails continued, "now that he's becoming the headmaster of the Academy here on Arus, who's gonna be flying Red Lion?"
"I honestly don't know," Roxy replied. "I trained in Red quite a bit. It seemed to form a bond with me. But I have other things going on now…"
"Like you and JC," Tails said.
"I'm not even sure about that anymore," Roxy replied. "I still can't get over what happened at his parent's house. He introduced me as his 'friend'." Tails cringed.
"That's a tough one,' Tails replied. "Look, he's a guy. Guy's can be stupid. He probably just had a stupid moment. And for those stupid moments….you just need to teach him a stupid lesson." She winked.
"What are you up to, McGovern?" Roxy looked at her with a half smirk.
"By the time we're done," she said, smirking, "it'll be the last time he calls you just his 'friend' to anyone." She winked. Roxy shook her head. Dariana laid down, barely paying attention, and drifted slowly to sleep.
Dariana's eyes fluttered, and she found herself no longer with the team, but by herself. The room was slightly different…but it was the same room.
"My bond to this place is strong," she said to herself. "There must be a reason I'm seeing all this." She suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to leave her room. She put a robe around her and walked out of the room, making her way down the hallway. When she arrived in front of a large painting, she looked down at the signature…Lumen Truvall. She gently pushed, and the painting slid aside to reveal a passage into the catacombs. She wandered through the hallways there until she came upon a room…a mausoleum that had no occupant. She carefully approached the sarcophagus, obviously empty, and read the words engraved in the stone….Alfor Altaire. She gasped and turned to look at the wall. She suddenly was no longer in control.
"Fate has brought us here," Kovinx whispered. "I see a vision of you here as well, asking for answers. But these will be your answers when questions in the future are posed to you. Alfor held good on his promise to hide young Loken…but at a terrible cost. As we speak, a young Drule king makes his way here. He comes under a banner of peace, but he is searching for the child! He won't find him….but he will find me. Soon I will no longer be able to hide….no longer be able to stay in the protection and care of Alfor and his betrothed. Voltron is a legacy, child. A part of us will always be with the Defender. And I need you to understand…my mother's sacrifice for me was in vain. The Empire still fears me. The universe fears the power I may wield. Whether their fears are sound or not, I may never know. But the hopes and dreams of everyone lie with the Defender…and when what's left of her comes seeking the power…seeking to take the other half of her soul back….I will be the one in control of her destiny. And the Defender will do my bidding. Not by my hands or my eyes, but by my will…and my soul." She turned and pointed to the wall.
"I don't understand," Dariana thought to herself quietly.
"Even when the monarchs of today have died and gone," Kovinx said, "they will forever hold their power here on Arus, and forever guide us to victory." She held out her hands and the sarcophagus glowed. "When it is time, the ghost will call you. Follow it." Dariana blacked out.
The phone rang and rang, until finally a tired hand reached up from the bed and grabbed it. She brought it close to her face, trying to see through her blurry waking eyes who was calling her this early. She tapped the button and answered.
"Hello?" she said. "Yes professor….yes…..this soon? How? …I see….They want to see me this morning? ….Alright, I'll be down in ten minutes. I'll meet you there." She hung up the phone. She quickly began getting dressed.
What on earth could I have scored on that test that they want to see me this soon? I know the Professor has been pushing for me to be in this program, but….
She grabbed her things and left the apartment. When she turned around to walk down the hall, she bumped into someone, knocking her things to the ground. Both girls scrabbled to pick everything up.
"I'm sorry," Jenny said, helping to pick up the papers and things the other woman was carrying. "I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright," the woman said.
"I haven't seen you around here," Jenny said. "You new?"
"Yes," the woman replied. "Just started at the Academy. I'm Mai Islu."
"Nice to meet you, Mai," Jenny replied. "I'm Jennifer Owens. Everyone just calls me Jenny."
It's nice to meet you too, Jenny," Mai replied with a smile. "I guess I better get going. Looks like you are in a hurry too."
"Yeah," Jenny laughed. "See ya around." Jenny continued down the hall. Mai turned her head to look one last time, smiling, then continued on her way.
The crowd surrounded the makeshift stage set up in front of the new Academy campus. The main building on the campus stood four stories high, and Lance and Keith looked up at it, surprised at how quickly the Garrison technicians were able to erect the structures. The Jets of the Voltron Force surrounded the area, and the pilots just within the crowd together, watching the ceremony beginning.
"Can I please have everyone's attention?" Keith said into the microphone. The crowd slowly quieted down. "Thank you. Today is a day of celebration for Arus, as well as the entire Galaxy Alliance. The opening of this campus ushers in a new era of peace and commerce between our galaxies. The cadets that pass through these doors will receive training and experience that they could have only received by attending the Academy on Earth. And the instructors that will work in this institution will be led by one of the finest pilots the Academy has ever generated…my friend and colleague, Lance McClain." The crowd clapped as Lance took the podium.
"Without further ado," Lance said with a smile, "let the ceremony commence!" He grabbed a large pair of scissors and walked over to the ribbon at the door and cut it. The crowd cheered and clapped. Lance bowed his head in appreciation. Then out of nowhere, laser fire struck nearby. The crowd began to panic.
"What's going on?" Keith asked.
"Damned if I know!" Lance replied. Keith pulled back his sleeve and activated his voltcom.
"Pidge," he shouted, "there's laser fire at the Academy Campus grounds. What do you see?"
"A large fleet has just entered Arusian airspace!" Pidge replied. "And they just dropped something huge!"
"Have the others scramble to the lions," Keith replied. "We're headed inside."
"Inside?" Lance asked. "Why are we going in?"
"You'll see," Keith replied. He turned to the crowd. "Everyone inside the main building! Now!" The crowd funneled in the doors as laser fire struck around them. JC and the others took off running."
"Rotten snake!" Tails shouted.
"Don't get mad," Roxy shouted. "Get even." They climbed into the ships, powered them up, and took off. They immediately began to take out ships flying around the area, keeping them from firing on the civilians as they piled into the building.
"We seem to be making some progress," JC said. "Their numbers are thinning." Just as he said it, Seth caught sight of something on the ground.
"What….is…..that?" Seth said. A huge mound was on the ground, and slowly moving. When he got in closer, he saw it had feet and a head the poked out, and suddenly, a huge cannon fired in his direction, which he narrowly avoided.
"What was that?" Roxy asked.
"It's….a robeast," Tails replied, as the beast let out a mighty roar. A loud and unfamiliar laugh could be heard over the com…making them wonder if Voltron would be enough.