KathDMD - Creeped out? You should be. But like i told you, the twins aren't Len's only family! We won't see what Chris saw for a while...but it will come out at some point, especially if and when the spy is found! And by the way...read carefully. Alex won't be travelling with them! Nanny will see to that!
Author's Note - I'm excited to bring you these last few chapters! As the mid season comes to a close, I should have the last episode done shortly, and I guarantee you will enjoy them!
Theme Music : "Who Made Who" by AC/DC
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 and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.
Episode 63 : Who Made Who
"What do you want from me?" Lysette demanded, struggling against the chains her hands were cuffed to, holding her to the wall. "You know, this isn't the first time I've been handcuffed to a wall."
"Silence!" the voice of the Doomite in charge shouted. "You are being held here at our outpost until our master, Haggar the Witch, gets here to take possession of you."
"Haggar?" she asked.
"And once she does," he continued, "and Lord Kanji has had you disposed of, we will launch our full scale attack on Arus!"
"Hah!" she shouted. "You're wasting your time! The Voltron Force will stop you!"
"Without you, they cannot form Voltron," he replied. "And soon, we will destroy the Castle of Lions, and all of your friends as well!"
"Whatever you're smoking," Lysette replied with a laugh, "you better hand it over. I been without a cigarette for hours, and you obviously kidnapped the wrong girl!" The Doomites looked at one another, then the leader looked at her again.
"Do not think you can trick us into believing your lies," he said.
"Hmph," she replied. "Suit yourself. When they find out I'm not…." She thought for a moment. Snart….if they realize I'm not the one they want, they might kill me. I better come up with some sort of plan, and quick. Suddenly, the doors opened, and Haggar stepped in.
"Have you captured the girl?" Haggar asked.
"Yes, Your Exellency," he replied. He gestured to Lysette. Haggar looked at her quickly, then turned back to him.
"You fool!" she shouted. "That is not the girl that won the contest! She is not the Red Lion Pilot! I set you up with the perfect plan and you blew it!" The Doomite leader cowered in fear.
"I'm sorry!" he said, trembling. "She was the only girl in the room, and we thought…"
"You didn't think at all you bafoon!" she shouted. She was about to strike him with her cane when she looked at Lysette again. She paused, and actually stared at her for a moment. An evil grin came upon her face. "This is interesting." She lowered her cane, and walked towards Lysette.
"You heard them," she said. "I'm not the one you're after."
"No," Haggar replied. "You certainly are not. But on a second glance…" She walked back and forth, looking Lysette up and down, and studying her face closely. "You bear a striking resemblance to the Queen of Arus."
"So?" Lysette said.
"So," Haggar replied, "the blood of the Arusian royalty flows through your veins!" Lysette began to laugh.
"Kill me now," she replied. "Don't dance around me with your crazy ideas. I'm from Dradin."
"You will find I am serious about a great many things, child of Arus," Haggar scowled. "I can see your soul. You share the blood of the late King Alfor's mother." She struck her cane down hard, making a loud tapping noise that startled the Doomites. Lysette stood firm. "Even if you don't believe it, I do. I would embrace it if I were you….it's the only reason I don't have you immediately thrown in the Pit of Skulls. Even if the Queen herself doesn't know it, perhaps there is some way I can use you to bargain for Voltron's surrender."
"The Galaxy Alliance and the Arusians will never surrender!" she shouted. "Not to you or anyone!" Haggar looked her in the eye, and Lysette spit in her face. Haggar stepped back and wiped her face with her cloak. She grabbed one of the Doomites and pulled a small knife from them, and held it to Lysette's throat.
"You'll find there are a lot of things worse than surrender….or death," Haggar replied, looking Lysette in the eye. In one motion, she sliced a gash in Lysette's arm that started to bleed immediately. She reached into Lysette's pocket and pulled out a small flask. She opened it up and poured it on the open wound. Lysette winced at the pain, but resisted the urge to scream. "You won't be needing this." She threw the flask across the room, then walked out. Lysette slumped over exhausted, hoping some way, Marina and the others would be able to find her.
Dariana's eyes blinked, and she saw that she was walking through what looked like a factory-like laboratory. As many times before, she realized she was once again in a vision-like state, and had no control over what was going on. She did notice two men were walking with her, one of whom she recognized immediately.
"I'm glad you were able to come in person to observe the project," the man said. "Ever since the kingdoms of Korronith became more aggressive in the Denubian Galaxy, communication with your people has been scarce. And rightly so."
"It has been rough," Alfor replied. "The seers have prophesied that trying times are coming, and that Voltron itself may not be able to save us. That is why when you came to me with your ideas, I felt the need to come to you in person and advise you."
"I am honored, Your Majesty," the man replied. "I have been in talks with technicians from Balto, and even sent an emissary to Ariel to try and track down materials."
"Indeed," Alfor said, "you have done your research, Doctor. But there are still factors that even you cannot account for."
"Which is precisely why I contacted you," he replied. "There are more factors….more variables….than I can even begin to describe. And with the way this project is structured, it is even more complex." He led Alfor over to a screen. Dariana was forced to look up as Kovinx did, looking at the exoskeleton of ships in the making. She looked down at the screen. "Fifteen individual vessels, grouped into three teams of five. Each team is linked to basic terrain elements….air, land, and sea."
"I see," Alfor said. "My question is how Voltron fits into all of this."
"You've said yourself," the doctor continued, "there may be a day, perhaps soon, when Voltron will not be able to defend. Indeed, he is a protector of Arus, but he is a defender of all, if the legend is true."
"If what I know from my father is true," Alfor said, "there is more to Voltron than mechanical parts."
"Indeed," the doctor replied. "Most scientists would overlook the mystical and unexplained. It's not in their nature. I, on the other hand, have done my research. The equations used to calculate the immense power of combining these vehicles into a robot of that size are nearly unfathomable. But I have seen them all in my head. They haunt me in my sleep. One variable lies unexplained in this power chain. And that secret lies not in the elements the Nebbians fawn over, but in the very spirit of Voltron."
"You wouldn't be far off in your assumption, Dr. Loring," Kovinx said. "It was a grave sacrifice that brought life to the defender. The power of a soul at the very heart of its nexus. Its power bends to our will because we bend it its will." She looked him in the eye. "Dr. Loring, if you do mean to create another Voltron, you must be willing to accept the same sacrifice they made. Can you honestly say you would sacrifice one life for the sake of building a machine?"
"Lady Kovinx," he replied, "you know as well as I do that Voltron is not just a machine. It's an idea. It's unity. The hopes and dreams of our ancestors rested in his ability to protect us from harm. I look at you with the utmost sincerity, Lady Kovinx. If it meant saving the life of a billion, a million, a thousand, a hundred….or even just one innocent life, I would sacrifice myself." She nodded.
"Part of me saw this day coming," she said. "The day I would make my sacrifice."
"I can't allow that," Alfor said.
"I didn't have you hide young Loken just so he could suffer and die at the hands of the Evil Ones," she said, "or be sacrificed by those who misunderstand our power. I did it to protect him. Prophecy isn't spoken to make you aware of its coming. It is spoken to prepare you for its coming, in the hopes you can change it."
"You don't even know how it will affect you," Alfor said. "You said your own mother protected you from this fate. Would you dishonor her memory by risking your own life?" She turned to him and smiled.
"I will always love you, Alfor," she said. "My mother gave me these years to continue the legacy. Now it is my turn to give that same gift to young Loken." She turned to Dr. Loring. "When will it be ready?"
"With cooperation," he replied, "and of course with permission from His Majesty, I could have the work done within a year's time."
"Enough time to get one's affairs in order," she said. She bowed her head to Dr. Loring. "I will go back to the hotel and rest. We will have a long journey ahead of us." She turned and walked away. Alfor looked Dr. Loring in the eye.
"Speak of this to no one," he said.
"I will carry the secret to my grave," he replied. Alfor shook his hand, then went after her. Catching up to her, he tried to attract her attention.
"You can't be serious," he said.
"I have made up my mind, Alfor," she replied. "This is my sacrifice to you, your wife, your daughter, and our people. He is not like the others, Alfor. I sense his pure intentions."
"And what of Loken?" he asked.
"He is safe on Galveston," she replied. "I pray they understand and protect him. One day he will know me, remember me, and I will prove to him my love."
"We're just reaching the area the missiles are coming from," Cliff said over the com. "It's not looking good."
"What do you see?" Krik asked.
"The missiles are being launched from below," he replied, "but there are three heavy space cruisers that took out almost all of the robot fighters. We can take out the missiles easy, but not while dodging that much firepower."
"The only way we can take out those cruisers is to form the sub units," Krik said. "But without Cinda, you can't do it, and our weapons systems are offline."
"Islu," Jenny said, "you and the Keegans hang back. Hunter, Calla, follow me." The CJE took off, followed by ARC Blue and the Falcon.
"What are you planning?" Dixie asked.
"We need a sub-unit," Ken replied. "She gonna rendezvous with Rocky and Wolo and attempt to form the Strato-Fighter."
"Exactly," Jenny said.
"Negative," Krik said. "You have your orders! Stay back!" Jenny paid no mind, and instead turned to Rocky and Wolo.
"Kai and Shota, you guys ready to try this?" she asked.
"We gotta do something," Rocky replied. "If we don't, those ships are gonna tear us apart."
"Air Team, get ready to form the Strato-Fighter on my mark," Jenny said. "Hunter, you know what you're doing?"
"I just sent Dixie and you the flight patterns," he replied. "I've been studying Sergeant Stoker's modifications and…."
"Shut up and do it already!" Dixie shouted. Jenny gripped the controls and readied herself.
"Let's do this!" she shouted. "Air Team, assemble!" She flew upwards, and Rocky pulled into position. The dynotherms worked like a charm, pulling the CJE into place on the Module, and the interlocks holding. The ACRs attached in place on either side. "Form Strato-Fighter!" The group pulled out of the upward spin, and Dixie came in, locking on to the top of the Module, completing the combination sequence.
"Interlocks are holding," Ken said.
"Now that we got things together," Rocky said, "let's take out those ships."
"You heard him, team!" Jenny said. New controls came up around her, and she gripped the yoke tightly and pulled, sending the Strato-Fighter hurtling forward towards the action. As it blew past Krik, he got on the com.
"Cadet Owens!" he shouted. "You are going against orders! Return to the hangar immediately!"
"I'm sorry, Captain Keats," she replied. "The Land team needs us, and I'm gonna do exactly what Commander Aki would do in my shoes." The com closed, and Krik sighed.
"Indeed," he said, exasperated, "that's exactly what Jeff would do."
"Weapons systems are armed and ready," Ken said.
"Then let's give 'em a test run," Jenny replied, then hit the triggers. Lasers fired from the front, left and right of the ship multiple times, striking one of the cruisers, causing heavy damage. It started to list downward, crashing into the bay.
"One down, two to go!" Rocky shouted.
"I'm actually liking the new controls," Wolo commented. He hit one of the new buttons on the console, and a lashing beam in the shape of the Spinning Laser Blade launched and hit the second cruiser, severing several of its aft turrets.
"Keep it up!" Cliff shouted. "If you can get those ships taken care of, we can mop up those missiles."
"Cliff!" Modoch shouted. "One just made it through!"
"Krik!" Cliff shouted. "Rogue missile heading your way!"
"I see it," Krik said. "Shannon, swing left and prepare to concentrate fire!"
"You got it!" he replied. The missile approached quickly.
"Now!" Krik shouted. They fired, and nothing happened. The missile whooshed by.
"The weapons malfunctioned!" Shannon shouted.
"Cadets!" Krik shouted. "Rogue missile heading your way!" He looked up and thought. I hope their weapons systems aren't in the same shape as ours.
"Let's test fire the weapons," Mai said. She and the Keegans tried to fire their weapons, but nothing happened.
"They're offline," Chet said.
"I have no way of bringing them back on," Eddie said. Just as the missile approached, laser fire blasted by them and destroyed the missile. Mai looked to the left and saw the RPC fly by.
"Thanks," she said. "Um…who are you?"
"Sergeant Aki," Christiane replied. "I heard over the com your weapons systems are not functioning?"
"The entire Sea Team is down," Chet said.
"It's a debacle," shouted Eddie.
"Hang back for now," she replied. "I'll have Captain Keats join you shortly." She continued on to join the Land Team.
"One more to go," Jenny said as they fired once more, disabling the last of the cruisers. Before it went down, however, its main bay doors opened, and something was ejected.
"Is that….an escape pod?" Dixie asked.
"Not quite," Ken replied. "That….is a Class One Robeast."
"Tell me you didn't just say that," Jenny said.
"A robeast?" Cliff asked. It turned and fired at them, and Marvin and Hutch scattered just in time to miss it.
"I think that's pretty much confirmed," Hutch replied.
"Are there any more missiles?" Jenny asked.
"I think we got them all," Cliff replied.
"Captain Keats," Jenny asked, "Are you able to get the weapons systems back online?"
"Negative," he replied. "We're sitting ducks out here."
"Try forming the Aqua Fighter," she said. "The systems may not be interconnected properly. You might be able to get the weapons functioning."
"Looks like we don't have much of a choice," he said. "Sea Team Units, get into formation." Shannon and Mai pulled ahead of the Keegans, and Krik pulled into position. "Ignite nuclear power thrusters, and form Aqua Fighter!" The fronts of the MWEs rotated, exposing the nuclear thruster interlocks. The probers connected, then finally linked together with the Communications Module, forming Aqua Fighter.
"I'm seeing power rerouting through the Module," Chet said.
"Powah!" Eddie exclaimed. Krik shook his head.
"Let's see if we can give the other teams a hand," Krik said as the Aqua Fighter flew forward to engage the robeast.
"We can't form Voltron," Cliff said. "I wish we had our team."
"Cliff, look!" Marvin shouted. They saw the RPC coming in fast.
"The RPC!" Cliff shouted. "But who's flying it?"
"I'm almost there," Christiane replied. Suddenly, the robeast turned and took aim, and fired a blast full force in the direction of the RPC.
"Look out!" Cliff shouted.
"Well?" Lance shouted. "What are we gonna do?"
"We can't just go flying off to Doom," Keith said. "That would be nothing short of suicide."
"You got a better idea?" Lance asked. The Control Room doors opened, and Dariana walked in.
"Dar," Seth asked, "are you alright?"
"I realize the Lieutenant's kidnapping is of the utmost importance," she replied, "but something even more pressing has come to me."
"What is it?" JC asked.
"Another vision," she replied.
"In the catacombs," Allura said, looking at Dariana, "she told me that your father held the key to the secret of Voltron."
"I saw the moment of decision my grandmother was embroiled in," Dariana said. "She and Alfor shared the secret with Dr. Loring. You and I must deliver that secret so that Voltron can be reborn."
"Then we have to get you both to earth quickly," JC replied.
"What about Lieutenant Fabrere?" Roxy asked.
"We need to wait for a message from the Drules," Keith said. "Once we know where she is, and what they want, we will have enough information to mount a rescue operation." He turned to Pidge. "Pidge, I want you and Coran to mobilize the Arusian national Guard in case of further attack. I also want Lieutenant Carletti-Deville to remain here and begin training in Red. The team needs to be on standby until word comes in from the Drules. Allura and I will go as planned with Lieutenant Truvall's team to Earth." Coran approached Allura.
"Do be careful," Coran said.
"Oh," Nanny said, exasperated. "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to either of you. I will watch Alexander until you return."
"Thank you," Allura replied. She gently kissed her son on the forehead and smiled. Then without missing a beat, motioned for the team to follow her out of the room, headed towards the ships.
Turning wheels, the cogs keep time,
Sometimes hidden from all view,
Like the secret kept within,
Waning dreams, remaining few.
The loss of all that you hold dear
Fills you with eternal pain
But until my power is returned
Suffering will be your name.
And suffer she shall…until I regain what's mine.