cubbieberry -Above all those titles, Keith is still Keith. And just like in the 80s DotU, Allura doesn't ever stray far from his mind.
KathDMD -Marina really was the center of last episode, and yeas, even I gotta admit "Admiral Crankypants" was hilarious. The Lion Team is beginning to mesh, and that's important to the story. Part of the story is for the ragtag bunch to come together and fight Hagar and her minions! As for Kristoffer...there will be more emphasis on the why than the who, because the one behind this has it in for whoever posesses that watch!
selena devargo - Indeed, it will be fun to watch Marina grow into her role, but just relax and enjoy the other teams' sagas, as we get closer to Lysette's part in all this!
Author's Note - Cheers for the Vehicle Team! You get to see the new cadets and the remaining crew mesh as they begin to once again explore the unknown! What troubble will they run into? By the way, i haven't forgotten... #WatchTheWatch
Theme Music : "Mocking Bird" by Eminem
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 68 : Mocking Bird
Jeff sat quietly on the bridge of the Defender, looking carefully at the viewscreens as it made its way through space for the unexplored territory known as Yolon. He let out a sigh, and turned to the navigator.
"How long before we reach Y-001?" he asked.
"We should be arriving there within the hour," the navigator replied.
"Do we have any preliminary scans from the planet?" Jeff asked. "I know our last trip here we didn't even get a chance to even look at it let alone explore."
"Preliminary scans show an oxygen-nitrogen rich atmosphere," Sparks replied. "From afar it's not looking all that bad. Professor Paige has yet to make an initial assessment based on the scans we've performed."
"He's aboard?" Jeff asked. "I never expected him to get the exploration bug again. But hey, at least we know the research will be thorough, right?" Christiane laughed. "Hey, what's so funny?"
"Don't care for him too much, do you?' she laughed. "I can sense it."
"After that time we found that planet the Drules were trying to improve," he replied, "I always held a grudge against him. He always puts cold hard facts against our hopes."
"Well don't let your hopes go down due to some cold facts, Jeff," she replied. "We'll check out the planet and get a better look."
"Don't tell me you're still gonna pilot in Cinda's place," Jeff said with a scowl. "I know you're a pretty good pilot, but I worry about you."
"Jeff," she said, becoming serious, "I touched Cinda. I saw everything that happened to her. Not just the struggles she faces now, but the incredible pain from the accident. But I also saw everything she did for that team, and how it made her feel. I owe it to her to take care of her team…her family…until she is able to resume duty."
"I understand," Jeff replied. "She's not too happy that Kovinx is under house arrest on Nebb instead of facing a firing squad. Can't say I blame her."
"Time heals all wounds," she replied. "You know the kinds of things I've been through. I've had to learn to let go myself."
"Let's just focus on the mission at hand," Jeff said, trying to switch focus. "Head down to the lounge and let the others know how close we are. I'm gonna launch all three teams to explore the surface and analyze the planet." She gave him a salute, then left the bridge.
A thin Drule woman walked carefully through the halls of the command ship. Once reaching the end, the doors opened, and she walked inside. Everyone standing dropped to bended knee, and a smirk appeared upon her face. She heard every thought in their minds and every whisper on their lips, and reveled in the fact she could wipe them out in the blink of an eye….but now was not the time.
"What is the status of our mission?" she asked. One of the men looked up at her.
"We should be approaching the planet soon, Your Excellency," he replied. "Long range scans show it may be a wealth of minerals."
"No slaves to fill the ranks," she replied sadistically, "but an abundance of resources to plunder. That's reason enough to give it a good look. Prepare the robot fighters to begin destroying anything not useful to us. And if they do find any life down here…." She laughed. "…put them to work."
"Yes, Your Excellency," he replied, and the ship operations continued as she climbed into a throne-like chair and relaxed.
"The Supremacy will find its power in the unknown," she said softly. "I will see to that."
"Approaching Planet Y-001," the announcement blared. "Voltron Force to the launch area! All units launch!" The team scrambled to the launch area. Each one sat in their chairs, and the platforms rose to the next level. The chairs one by one slid along the rails into the hangar area, locking into place in the cockpit modules. The modules slowly lowered and locked into the vehicle.
"Air Team ready," Jenny said.
"Land Team ready," Cliff said.
"Sea Tem ready," Krik said.
"All units launch!" Jeff announced. One by one, the teams launched from the shuttle bay, flying towards the planet.
"All teams, remain in separate units," Krik said over the com. "Cadet Owens, I want you to do a simple fly by around the northern hemisphere and take atmospheric readings. Land Team will get a closer look at the terrain and collect some soil samples. Sea Team will check out the oceams and collect samples for the professor. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," Jenny replied.
"Loud and clear," Cliff replied as well. The teams split up and went on their own missions. The Air Team flew over some terrain and around various mountains.
"Sergeant," Jenny asked, "are you picking up anything?"
"Real quiet and peaceful," Rocky replied. "Not used to that."
"Aside from the scarceness of plant life," Ken said, "everything seems very similar to Earth."
"Oxygen levels are well within acceptable levels," Wolo commented. "Still high considering the lack of plant life. But maybe these plants are something special?"
"Phht," Dixie snorted. "Nothing special. Those are Vinarous Marvous."
"A what?" Jenny asked.
"Toxans call them 'power plants'," she replied, "mostly due to their high oxygen output. When their space program began, they used the plants to maintain oxygen levels in the cabin. All natural."
"Never took you to be big on plants," Ken said.
"Hmph," Dixie snorted. "You're too busy stroking your…."
"Enough, guys," Jenny said. "Let's just get the samples and report back to the Defender." The Air Team units continued to fly over the land, looking for a good place to touch down and collect plant samples.
"Almost the entire surface is nothing but stone and clay," Cliff noted. "Not lot of plant life, but all around reminds me of the deserts back home."
"Seems the further we get from home," Marvin said, "the more the planets we see look like it!"
"Yeah," Hutch commented," but for once I wanna land on a planet and discover a Starbucks, or a casino, or something that would remind me of home."
"Guys, look over there," Christiane commented. The vehicles came to a stop at the edge of a cliff and they looked through the viewscreens at smoke rising in the distance.
"You don't suppose there's life down there, do you?" Modoch asked. Christiane felt a chill enter her body.
"I feel like we need to be careful if we're going to scout it out," she replied.
"Something bothering you, love?" Cliff asked.
"Just a feeling," she replied. Cliff went silent for a moment.
"Alright," he said, "I want everyone to remain in a tight formation, and follow me down there. We need to check this out. Modoch, send a signal to the Defender and let them know what we're up to."
"Sure thing," he replied. The Land Team took off and glided into the valley, heading for the rising smoke.
Professor Paige stepped onto the bridge. Jeff turned to greet him.
"Have the explorers returned from the planet?" he asked.
"Not yet," Jeff replied. "We're still waiting to hear back from them on their discovery."
"The scans we have taken from here have yielded very little," Paige replied, "with the exception of patches of what appears to be vegetation across the landscape. I'm actually anxious to hear back from them to see what it is, as long range scans show the oxygen levels to be rather abundant."
"That's surprising news," Jeff said before catching himself. "I mean…I'm glad you're as anxious as I am to see what they have to report."
"Sir," Sparks shouted, "There's an incoming message from the Land Team. They spotted what appears to be smoke rising from the landscape in the horizon from their position. They are moving in carefully to investigate."
"Smoke?" Jeff asked. "I don't like the sound of that. Where there's smoke there's fire. And where there's fire…."
"People?" Paige asked.
"Drules," Jeff said adamantly.
"Your Excellency," one of the generals reported, "our scouts have witnessed an unknown vessel approaching the planet as well. Exploratory vehicles have been launched from it, and appear to be scouting the planet!"
"Impossible!" she shouted. She silently contemplated. "Let us send a message to these people that we have a foothold on this planet, and that the Drule Supremacy is not to be trifled with."
"Yes, Your Excellency," he replied, placing his arm with a closed fist across his chest. He turned to his officers. "Relay this message to our landing forces. If they spot any of the exploratory vehicles, destroy them on sight. If resistance is met, we shall use our superweapon to destroy their command ship." The woman laughed maniacally.
"Mai, do you see that?" Shannon shouted. "It looks just like a manatee!"
"What's that?" Mai asked.
"It's a sea creature that's been long extinct on Earth," he replied. "They used to refer to them as 'sea cows' because of the way they look."
"Doesn't seem very nice," Mai said with a frown.
"I remember dating girl that looked like a sea cow once," Eddie remarked laughing.
"I know what ya mean, bro!" Chet shouted back. "The girl was some kinda ugly!" Krik groaned.
"Can we please focus on the task at hand?" he asked.
"Sorry, Captain," Shannon said.
"This is odd," Krik said. "Shannon, are you seeing this?"
"Yeah," he replied. "It looks like waste matter. Burnt vegetation. But burnt plants don't just find their way into the water."
"It actually looks like a mining operation," Eddie said.
"Me and my bro used to research ore recovery," Chet said. "Thought maybe we'd strike it rich someday hitting a lazon deposit or something. In certain areas of the galaxy, when a dig is started, the vegetation is burned away so that it is easily removed from the dig site."
"If that is the case," Krik said, "it's possible someone or something is already here." He pulled his controls. "Alright, team, let's surface and have a look at it." The Sea Team headed for the surface.
"See anything yet?" Cliff asked. They all carefully looked as they approached the spot.
"Those machines are burning the vegetation!" Christaine shouted.
"Looks like a mining operation," Modoch remarked. "I recognize the equipment." Suddenly, several ships swooped in and opened fire on them.
"Those aren't mining vehicles," Cliff said. "Everyone, scatter and return fire!" The Land Team vehicles scattered, turned around, and began firing on the attacking ships.
"Commander," Cliff shouted over the com, "unknown ships are burning the vegetation and digging up the ground, and some of their ships have opened fire on us!"
"Hold your ground, Cliff," Jeff replied. "I'm having the others meet you there. Do they look like Drule ships?"
"Not that I can tell," Cliff replied.
"Is it possible they could have already been here?" Paige asked.
"Negative," Cliff replied. "Their operations look like they just started."
"Engage them and return fire," Jeff replied. "Let me know when the others join you."
"Righto," Cliff replied, continuing to fire on the attacking ships. Moments later, the Sea Team burst from the nearby water and also engaged the attacking ships.
"What is happening?" Krik asked.
"Some sort of operation going on here," Cliff said. They've opened fire on us!" Krik opened the com.
"Cadet Owens," he shouted, "take your team and meet us at these coordinates! Arm your weapons and be ready for a fight!"
"Yes, sir," Jenny shouted. "Alright team, back into the ships. Be ready for anything." They climbed back into the ships, and they all took off to meet up with the others.
"The exploration vessels are firing back at us," one of the officers said to the general. "Our robot fighters are no match for their pilots!"
"Then we will just need to swat them out of the sky like the flies they are!" the general shouted. "Launch the robeast!" The bay doors opened, and a bulky robotic humanoid beast leaped out and landed on the ground below.
"The robeast will easily crush these vessels," he said. "Then we will destroy their command ship so there will be no reinforcements!"
"Cliff!" Christiane shouted, "they just launched a robeast!"
"What?" he said, checking out the scanners. "They HAVE to be Drules!" he opened the com. "Jeff, we have a robeast coming in fast!"
"I knew it!" Jeff shouted. "The Supremacy is still up to their old tricks! Cliff, Krik, Jenny, you know what you need to do."
"Almost there, Commander," Jenny replied.
"You heard the Commander, Krik," Cliff shouted. "We need Voltron!"
"Let's go!" Krik said. "All units, form Voltron!" As the Air Team arrived, the ships moved into position.
"What are they doing?" The general shouted. "Are they retreating?" The energy field surrounded the ships as they moved into position and began assembling.
"Form feet and legs!" Krik shouted. "Form arms and torso!" The CJE came down and connected.
"And I'll form the head!" Jenny shouted. The bay doors opened, and Voltron's eyes lit up with power. The Falcon turned and came screaming down, attaching to Voltron's chest. Voltron reached into the air, then powered up.
"A robot?" the general shouted. The woman stood up from the throne and approached the screen.
"It can't be," she said. "It's Voltron!"
"Voltron?" he asked. "I didn't see any robot lions!" She smacked him upside the head.
"You fool!" she shouted. "You think there's only one Voltron?" The beast came at Voltron, and the two locked up. Jenny strained at the controls.
"I need a little more power here, guys," Jenny said through gritted teeth.
"This thing's got some muscle," Ken said.
"Then hit him between the eyes!" Krik shouted. Jenny nodded and hit the console.
"Eye Beam!" she shouted. The lasers fired from Voltron's eyes, stunning the robeast. Voltron let loose a hard right, then a left, sending the robeast reeling backwards.
"Electro-thremoblasters!" she shouted. Voltron arched back, and an energy surge launched from Voltron's chest, hitting the beast square on, knocking it to the ground. Voltron leaped inhto the air. "Follow up!" Voltron came down with a mighty dropkick, damaging the robeast's chest armor. Voltron turned as the beast got to its feet.
"Let's see what other enhancements Chip made," Modoch said, and checked out some of the new controls, and hit one of the buttons. "Rocket punch!" The front of his vehicle launched. The beast fired, but the armor plating on the fist deflected the shots and hit the beast square on, sending it reeling back. The fist came back and reattached.
"That was impressive!" Mai commented.
"No time to gawk," Jenny shouted. "Let's finish this! Form Blazing Sword!" Voltron reached over, grabbing the Spinning laser Blades from its shoulders, then combined them above his head and pulled strait downward, forming the sword. The beast began to regain its footing, but before it could react, Voltron ran at him, then sliced through it twice diagonally. The beast exploded in a fireball.
"We will need to come up with a different strategy," the woman said. She turned to her general. "Get us out of here!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" he replied. The command ship took off, followed by the remaining attack force. Voltron stabbed his sword through the remaining mining vehicles, destroying them one by one.
"They won't be coming back here anytime soon," Jenny replied.
"But the question remains," Krik said, "when WILL they be back."
Jenny stood by the window in the lounge, staring out at the planet. Krik approached her.
"Cadet Owens," he said.
"Yes, Captain?" she replied.
"The Drule Supremacy is one of the fiercest alliances in the universe," he said. "I have seen planets fall to their power, both physically and spiritually."
"I know, Captain," she replied. "If it wasn't for Voltron, they could have easily taken Mira or Earth without a thought."
"But they didn't," he said. "Voltron protected us, just like he protected this new world." He paused for a moment. "Professor Paige said that the damage done to the vegetation caused shifts in the oxygen supply. It could be several years before this planet could be as close as it was to habitable."
"I can't believe how thoughtless they were," she replied, clenching her fists. "They wanted to tear that world apart for minerals. And they didn't care that they were destroying the very world they were fighting for."
"The Supremacy doesn't care about life or co-operation," he said. "They care about one thing and one thing only….power. And that is the only thing they understand when communicating with them."
"I guess as long as we have Voltron," she said, "they'll be sure to get the message."
"Exactly," he replied.
Lenora sat at the table and stared down at the gold watch laying there. She was so intently focused, she almost thought she could hear her heartbeat coming from it. She shook her head and sighed. Jon returned from the Garrison, and saw her sitting there mesmerized.
"Is something wrong, mon ange?" he asked. She barely spoke a word, just sighed and continued to stare at the watch. "You know Bhed's death wasn't your fault. His heart exploded. They can't hold you responsible for that."
"He knew," she replied. "He said he knew who killed my father."
"That was a long time ago," he said. "You can't change the past." She let out a sigh.
"I know you're right, Jon," she replied. "But I can remember when I was just a girl. It affected me. You remember how I was. That's still a part of me. Part of the reason for it all was that I never understood why. I never had that closure, Jon. And for one brief second…I thought I was going to get that closure."
"I'll tell you what," he said. "I'll have security look into Bhed's past. Knowing what we know now, maybe there's something we can find out about what he said. But I want a promise from you. If the search turns up nothing, we bury this chapter in your life. Can you do that?" There was silence for a moment.
"Alright," she said at last. He placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Good," he said. "Let's get to bed. We both could use some sleep."
"Among other things," she said with a sly grin on her face.
"Don't tempt me," he replied with a smirk of his own. He went into the bedroom, and she picked up the watch. Entering the room, she opened her night stand drawer and placed it inside, and closed it. The moment she did so, however, the sound began again….
Tick…..tick…..tick…..
A voice whispered in the darkness, across vast reaches of space…..
"My power grows as time wears thin," it said. "The blood of the ancients stains the hands of the Old Ones, and draws me into existence. But the fools that locked my power away will pay. My form mutilated…but no more! No…there will be no more failures. The watch will be mine, as the power within is mine. The one who holds it I forever curse…and by the blood staining the hands of the Old Ones…her life will end.