KathDMD - Jenny is my favorite of the cadets. I'm hoping Chip gets things together so I can show everyone what the team can do! Lisa is right at home in the water, and yes, Tails' plan is going better than expected...a little too well. This next episode should start the climb for this story arc, as the competition for Red begins!
Author's Note - This episode came a bit easier. Hoping the return of my muse will help with ideas and motivation. I am looking forward to the competition, and we get to see a few faces this time we haven't heard from in a while!
Theme Music : "Wild, Wild Love" by Pitbull feat G.R.L.
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Lieutenant Lysette Fabrere is the property of selena devargo.
Episode 58 : Can't Be Tamed
Kanji Red sat in his throne and pondered the events of the last few weeks. He had single handedly taken control of the Supremacy, just short of naming himself Emperor. No, he thought, assuming that role means accepting responsibility for the failure of the incompetents. No, that is not what I will do. Power is nothing without respect. And if it's one thing I demand…it's respect. He lifted his head slowly as he heard footsteps approach, and caught sight of Viceroy Throk making his way into the throne room.
"Throk," Kanji said, "I take it you have news from the Supremacy endeavors throughout the galaxies?"
"Yes, sir," he replied, bowing slightly.
"I take it you don't take to kindly to taking orders, do you?" Kanji asked. "I sense your distrust of me. Do you need another demonstration of my authority?"
"No….sir…" Throk replied with a gulp. He remembered all too well how Kanji asserted his authority during the last council meeting. The bruises on his throat were a clear reminder of that.
"Good," Kanji said. "What news do you have? I assume Commander Twyla has met an unfortunate end?"
"No, sir," Throk replied. "Although her robeast was defeated….again, her forces were able to establish a base and a foothold on Terra."
"Interesting," Kanji said. "It's fascinating to see some sort of victory come out of that much failure. Maybe there's use for her after all. And what of General Kovinx?"
"Kovinx reports that all is going according to planned," Throk replied. "The fortifications of the new underwater station on Earth are in place. The Alliance forces have unfortunately discovered what our spy has done to their ships, but that will not affect our plans. That Voltron has been all but permanently incapacitated."
"Excellent," Kanji said. "Now, on to matters with Arus."
"The Alliance is carrying on with their plans to run a training facility there," Throk replied. "Attempts to thwart their efforts, and to stop Voltron have been fruitless."
"Indeed," Kanji replied. "I have been watching Haggar's attempts closely. I also know that there is another force there hindering our efforts."
"Our sources on the planet are saying they are looking for a replacement for the pilot of the Red Lion," Throk said. "This may be an excellent time to hinder their efforts."
"We must tread lightly….Viceroy," Kanji replied, addressing Throk formally for the first time. "Your knowledge of Arusian affairs and its history are alien to you. My heritage, however, goes far deeper than you can imagine." He stood up and slowly walked down the steps towards Throk. Throk took a step back, but tried to stand his ground. Kanji got within a few feet of him and stopped. "Listen well, because I'm only going to say this once. I want you to personally lead the next attack. But it won't be during their silly competition. It will be much afterwards. They will be lulled into a false sense of security. We will launch an elite force to kidnap the one who wins this competition. Once secured, our forces will strike." He turned from Throk for a moment. "I want the occult scientist from Callum to build the robeast we will use in the attack." He turned back towards Throk. "And I want you to command it." Throk gulped. "Oh come now, Viceroy. Have you no faith in your own fighting skills? Have you spent so much time standing behind walls and soldiers that you have forgotten what it means to be a warrior?"
"Of course not!" Throk shouted. "I will sit at the controls myself if that is what you command!" Kanji turned back to Throk and got within inches of him, looking him in the eyes.
"You will sit in the command ship and give the orders," Kanji replied. "But you will act as if you are behind the controls. As if your very life depends on the life of that pilot." He smiled. "Because it does." Kanji turned and walked back up to the throne. "Go! Prepare your forces! I want the hopes and dreams of the Arusians crushed, along with that of this Galaxy Alliance! Show them the heart of a true warrior!"
"Yes, sir," Throk said with a slight bow, then left.
"So, tell me why we're doing this again?" Tails asked as Roxy and Dariana carefully circled one another in the middle of the training room.
"First of all," Roxy replied, "Dari wanted help with her hand to hand combat skills."
"I learned a lot at the Academy," Dariana replied, "but I know I'm far from the best." Roxy came at her. Dariana bet over and grabbed Roxyy by the waist, trying to use her momentum to flip her over. Roxy landed behind Dariana on her feet, and turned with a kick. Dariana turned just in time to block the kick with her forearm. Both women exchanged blows, and this went on for several minutes before Roxy was able to block a weary swing by Dariana, and counter by grabbing the arm, locking it, pulling back, and knocking her down with a leg sweep. Roxy helped Dariana back to her feet and bowed to her.
"The other reason," Roxy continued, "is to keep my adrenaline flowing. I need my reflexes to be in top shape for the competition." The door slid open, and the room's holographic setting faded to its actual technical look. Hunk walked in with a big grin on his face.
"Looks like you're ready for anything!" Hunk said, clapping. "I came to get you. The competition will be starting in a bit, and I wanted to, ya know, wish you luck and get you together with the others for the opening."
"Thanks, Hunk," Roxy replied.
"Good luck, Roxy," Dariana said. As Roxy turned, and Hunk left the room, Tails grabbed her arm and pulled her down to her level.
"You better not be planning anything stupid," she whispered loudly. "The plan is to get back at JC, not to become a competitive blit!"
"I know what I'm doing!" Roxy whispered back loudly, and followed Hunk out. Tails let out a sigh.
"She'll be alright," Dariana replied. "I do have a matter of unfinished business though."
"What's that?" Tails asked, scrunching up her face and fixing her glasses.
"I have to talk to Queen Allura," she replied. "I haven't had a moment to catch her alone, mostly due to her and Keith's child being born. The competition will hopefully provide a distraction for me to talk to her."
"About what though?" Tails asked.
"Another dream," Dariana replied with a sad sigh. "There is something about Arus' past I feel she must know."
"Welcome to the First Annual Arusian Flight Academy Aeronautc Competition!" the announcer boomed. "Today, select students will pilot their way through a grueling course for not only a chance at fame and glory, as well as a little extra credit, but for a chance to become a member of the Voltron Force!" Lance paced back and forth backstage, and Hunk walked up to him.
"How ya holdin' up, buddy?" he asked.
"I don't know," Lance replied. "I'm kinda nervous."
"You?" Hunk asked. "Nervous! That's a laugh! You're usually the one cool as a cucumber!"
"Look, I'm OK with the idea of having this competition," Lance replied. "But I'm still bummed about just handing over Red. I am glad I get to see some of the new students in action though. You know how it was back on Earth with the Academy. Training was always done behind a desk or in a simulator. I want the Arusian Campus of the Academy to be more hands on. That's actually one of the reasons I'm liking the idea of this competition."
"Then what else is eating you?" Hunk asked.
"Ginger," Lance sighed. "She was supposed to arrive yesterday. With the Drule threat increasing, it makes me nervous. She can take care of herself, but after what happened to the Vehicle Voltron…."
"She'll be fine," Hunk replied. "I'm even more worried about Cinda. I haven't been able to get out to Earth to see her. Dude, behind this façade, I'm riddled with guilt. She's gone through a lot, and I should be there, ya know?"
"I hear ya," Lance replied. "I heard she's doing better though. She's in a wheel chair and getting around, and the doctors there say she's gonna make a full recovery. Even return to active duty in time."
"I still wish there was something I could have done," Hunk replied. "But I couldn't. And I accept that. We all accepted that when we took this job, ya know?"
"I know," Lance said. "I just don't have to like it." Lance's attention shifted as the announcer came over with an unscheduled broadcast.
"Attention!" they shouted. "Please, everyone remain in your seats! An incoming fractal is heading for the main building of the Academy!"
"Is it the Drules?" Hunk asked.
"I'm gonna find out!" Lance shouted, and took off running for the elevator.
Roxy paced back and forth in the waiting area. When she turned, she saw Samantha Derrick.
"Derrick," Roxy said through gritted teeth.
"Truvall," Sam replied. "You've got brass showing up at this competition. It's not enough for you to be hand picked by some Space Marshall from Earth, you have to come back here and try to humiliate your own people?"
"The only one I'm gonna humiliate, Derrick, is you!" she shouted back.
"We'll see about that," Sam replied. "You may have been flying around that fancy plane of yours, but no matter what you and your friends do or say, there'll always ever only be one Voltron." Sam walked away. Roxy was steamed, and went to go after her, but had a hand placed on her shoulder.
"Truvall," Keith said with a smile. "I wanted to wish you and the others luck in the competition today."
"Thanks," she replied, calming down.
"I just want to give you a little advice," he said. "Keep a cool head, and focus. If you let anyone or anything get into your head, you're setting yourself up to fail. Always do what's right for the team, and not what's right for you."
"I understand," she replied. They heard the announcement over the loudspeaker about the incoming ship.
"We better find out what that is," Keith said, getting serious. They both took off with a sprint.
Lance and Hunk sprinted out of the elevator in time to see the fractal clumsily land on the landing pad on the roof of the building. When the smoke cleared, the access door opened, and a slender woman with long blonde curls made her way out.
"Ellington?" Lance exclaimed.
"Sorry about the bad timing," she replied with a grin. "We ran into some trouble in an asteroid field trying to evade a Drule blockade. Fractal's pretty banged up, but as you can see, I'm here!"
"It's great to see ya, babe," he said, running up to her. She leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs and arms around him, kissing him. Hunk laughed.
"I should probably get back down there and tell everyone what's going on," Hunk said, trying to excuse himself. Ginger stopped and looked over at him, finally letting Lance go."
"Not without us you don't!" she shouted. "These are gonna be MY students, right? Better I be the one to welcome them, right?" She turned and gave Lance a wink. He smirked.
"Indeed," he replied. He walked up to the elevator, and the doors opened. He gestured. "Ladies first." She entered the elevator, followed by Hunk. As lance went to enter the elevator, it slammed shut on him, causing him to smash into the door and fall over. The doors opened, and Ginger gasped.
"Are you alright?' she asked. He carefully got up, and holding his head, walked inside.
"I never liked these things," he said as the doors closed again.
"I want those systems checks done by 2100," Jeff said to one of the Analysts aboard the Defender. "I know we're not launching for a few weeks, but we still need this ship to be ready for anything."
"Yes, sir!" the man replied. Jeff turned to see the doors to the bridge open, and two guards entered.
"What is the meaning of this?" Jeff asked. When they stepped aside, Christiane walked in the door. He looked her up and down in her new uniform, and grinned.
"Lieutenant Christiane Aki reporting for duty," she said with a salute.
"What?" he said happily. "When did this happen?"
"Lisa took my spot on the Albegas team," she replied. "Commander Hawkins felt my skills were needed here aboard the Defender. I accepted his offer. Now you're looking at the ship's Head System's Analyst."
"That's incredible!" Jeff shouted. He took his wife into his arms and hugged her, then placed a kiss on her lips. He then straitened out and became somewhat formal, albeit mockingly. "I mean….excellent. Carry on." She walked past him and began giving her first orders to some of the bridge crew that were doing the system testing.
"I'm definitely gonna like this new job," he said to himself with a smile.
Commander Hawkins walked into the Space Marshall's office. Sitting at the desk, Commander Stormclaw was keying things into a datapad, no doubt taking care of more of the Space Marshall's paperwork whele she was away. Lieutenant Fabrere stood close by, and looked up when she noticed Hawkins enter. She beamed a smile at him, and he nodded back, clearing his throat. Stormclaw stopped what he was doing and looked up to meet Hawkins' gaze.
"Jon," Mike said. "I knew you'd be stopping by. How did everything go?"
"Fine," Jon replied. "We managed to get the CJE back into the hangar, and Cadet Owens is back safe and sound."
"Good, good," Mike replied.
"I wanted to ask you something though, Mike," he said. "I know we had talked about replacing Jeff once the ruggers are operational again. I had approached both Krik and Cliff about the position."
"Makes sense," he replied. "After all, Krik has been second in command, followed by Cliff. Have either of them given it any thought?"
"Actually," Jon said, "they both declined."
"Why?" Mike asked.
"They stated they are happy with their teams," he replied, "and feel that the transition would jeopardize their ability to effectively lead their teams. I'm not too crazy about their decision, but I understand their reasons."
"Then what do you propose?" Mike asked.
"I actually propose one of the new cadets take over command of the CJE," Jon replied. Mike's eyes bulged.
"How can that possibly be a viable idea?" Mike asked. "Giving command to a wet behind the ears rookie? I'm not saying one can't be trained. Lieutenant Grend is the perfect example of that."
"I understand," Jon replied. "But I propose that we give this person that same chance. Allow Commander Aki to mentor her and the other cadets as they assume their new roles. I'm sure Krik and Cliff can help out with the transition."
"You know as well as I do it's no picnic out there," Mike said. "The Drules are stepping it up."
"No one knows that more than me," Jon replied. "And that's why I want to begin training immediately." Mike let out a sigh.
"Very well," Mike replied. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Cadet Owens," he replied. "She handled herself well in the situation she was in, and I think she will make an excellent pilot."
"Fine," Mike replied. "You know, your wife will have my head for this."
"I'll talk to her," Jon said with a laugh. "Oh, by the way, here is the paperwork for the transfers, and the data we found regarding the accident."
"Thank you," Mike replied. "And could you give this to your wife? I was going to do this myself, but it seemed like something she'd wish to see personally. It's the paperwork for Kelly Benton's transfer to Terra, and her write-ups on the Albegas Project."
"I'll make sure she gets it," Jon said. They saluted, and Jon left. Mike turned to Lysette.
"Lieutennant," he said, "please get this paperwork regarding the incident down to Security. I want them to look into any and all footage on the Defender, and see if they can find out who or what sabotaged those ships."
"Yes, Commander," she replied. "Also, I wanted to request a short leave. Lieutenant Carletti-Deville is participating in a competition on Arus, and I would like to attend."
"Very well," Mike replied with a sigh. "Between you, these cadets, and all this paperwork, I got my work cut out for me." She let out a laugh, grabbed the paperwork and walked out of the office. After the door closed, he shook his head, trying to get the image of her backside out of it.
Cinda carefully hoisted herself out of bed, sliding herself carefully into the wheelchair next to it. The sound woke a snoozing Krik.
"Cinda," he said, "where do you think you are going? You're not supposed to be out of bed without a nurse present."
"I'm not an invalid, Krik," she replied. "I know you and the others mean well, but I'm not going to get better just laying in bed all day. Besides, I want to go out to the main waiting room and look at the sunset. The west wing of the infirmary has a beautiful view of the horizon."
"I just don't want to see you get yelled at by the doctors again," Krik replied. "The last one on call nearly put ME in a wheelchair for allowing you to go to the bathroom alone!"
"Phht," she sputtered. The bruising on her face had gone away, and the swelling down, to the point where she was looking more normal, and was quite cheery despite the fact that she was still, for lack of better terms, broken. As she wheeled herself towards the door, it slowly opened. Krik braced himself for the worst, but even his sixth sense could not have predicted what happened next. Stepping into the room was none other than Lenora Hawkins herself.
"Space Marshall," Cinda said, wheeling back to allow Len to come into the room. Krik stood up and saluted.
"At ease," Len said. "I'm still on leave. Skip the formalities." She chuckled. "How are you feeling?"
"As well as I can be stuck like this," Cinda replied. "The doctors won't even let me leave the room. I've been scolded more times here than I was by my parents my whole life!" Krik and Len laughed.
"They have your best interests in mind," Len said. "But I'll see if I can get them to ease off a bit. I do still have a little pull around here." She winked.
"What about you?" Cinda asked. "How are the twins?"
"Sleeping," Len replied. "Thankfully. They finally came home from the NICU a few days ago. Feedings every two hours were killing us till Jon and I got it down to a system. They are so wonderful."
"That's great," Cinda replied. "By the way, have you heard any more news about what happened?" Lenora hesitated. A woman who could never truly get away from her work, she had been in constant contact with Mike and Jon about the goings on with the investigation. But she owed Cinda the truth about what happened.
"Cinda," she said, "the techs investigating the accident have uncovered the possibility of sabotage." Cinda gasped, not knowing what to say, yet feeling angry that the accident that put her where she is now was no accident. Lenora continued to explain all she had learned to her, and suddenly her mind raced….wanting nothing more than to find whoever did this…and make them pay.