KathDMD - You're on the right track with Ryan. This episode, however, will give you an idea of how this operation is run. Help or hinderance? We'll see.
Author's Note - Without my muse, I am nothing.
Theme Music : None
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Admiral Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.
Episode 96 : "The Replacements"
"Panthera Force?" Seth asked as he shook Ryan's hand.
"Top members of the Black Panthers," he replied. "The Garrison sent us to assist in recovering the Space Marshall's children and their caretaker."
"Who gave that order?" Seth asked, pulling back.
"I can't tell you that," he replied.
"Then how do I know we can trust you?" Seth asked, becoming defensive. Dariana held him back.
"There's a large battle happening above ground," she said. "Can you see them to safety while we return to the others to deal with the threat?"
"It's being taken care of," Ryan replied. "My men are up there right now fighting off the Drule Snipers."
"We were sent here by Admiral Fabrere to…" Seth said.
"Can you get them to safety?" Dariana asked.
"Of course," Ryan replied nonchalantly.
"Come on, Seth," she said. "Follow me back to the ships." She nodded to them, and Maria nodded back. She took off running, and Seth reluctantly followed.
"You're just going to let them take them?" Seth asked. "He seemed shady."
"He's snarky for sure," she shouted back, "but I sensed his intentions. I don't know who sent him, but he is there to help."
"Then let's get back up there to help JC and the others," Seth said. They continued to run through the tunnels, heading back towards their ships.
JC, Roxy and Tails focused fire on the same sniper, and managed to destroy it.
"Another one down!" Tails shouted.
"A few more to go though," JC said. "I don't know who's flying those other ships, but I'm glad they're on our side.
"Commander," the Drule officer said, "additional ships arrived, presumably from the Alliance. They are taking out our Snipers one by one."
"Impossible!" Kala replied. "And the Voltron Force?"
"Two of their ships broke off and headed for the planet," he said. "They haven't been seen since."
"Then perhaps it would be a strategic decision to boost our firepower," she said. "Launch the robeast!" The cargo bay opened, and humanoid robot with laser blasters attacked to its forearms was ejected into space. It came to life and began opening fire on the ships, scattering them.
"Snart!" Tails shouted. "They just launched a robeast!"
"What?" JC asked. He hit the com. "Seth, Dari, where are you?"
"We just got back to the ships," Seth said as he climbed into his cockpit. "Maria and the twins were found by the Black Panthers."
"Black Panthers?" JC asked.
"They said they were sent by the Space Marshall," Seth replied. "Guy seemed really cocky though."
"We have trouble up here," JC said, disregarding Seth's information for the moment. "Kala set a robeast loose. We need to form Voltron."
"We're on the way, boss," he replied. The com ended.
"JC," Tails said, "that team of flyers is trying to take on the robeast."
"Are they able to damage it?' he asked.
"I don't see any structural damage," she replied. "And because I've never seen ships like that before, I can't get an accurate gauge on their firepower."
"Then let's see if we can gauge it ourselves," he said.
"Now you're speaking my language," Roxy replied with a smirk.
"Tri-wing formation, then burst," JC said. The ships flew at the robeast in close formation. They fired their forward arrays, focusing on a single point on the robeast, then split apart and flew separately away. "Anything, McGovern?"
"Basic weapons are useless," Tails replied. "Kala's trademark alright."
"You mean WADE'S trademark," Roxy snarked.
"Whatever it is, we can't take it on ourselves," JC said. "Those pilots have no idea what they're up against." They watched as two of them fired simultaneously at a joint in the robeast's neck. While there seemed to be only minor damage, it reached up to protect itself, then instinctively went to swat them, missing one of them by feet.
"Giant robot time," Seth said, as JC caught sight of Blue and Yellow approaching.
"Activate interlocks!" JC shouted. "Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!"
"Let's go Voltron Force!" they shouted. The five flew in wing formation, then changing to star formation as the energy field took hold.
"Form feet and legs!" JC shouted. "Form arms and torso! And I'll form the head!" Voltron arched back as the energy filed dissipated, his eyes lighting up with power.
"Commander!" the officer shouted. "They've formed Voltron!"
"Voltron?" Kala shouted in rage. She clenched her fists. "All forward arrays, open fire! Keep Voltron on the defensive! I want that robeast to level that damned robot once and for all!"
"Yes, ma'am," the officer said.
"And what about the troops on the ground?" she asked. "Have they found the children and their caretaker? The traitor, Manset?"
"We've lost contact with our troops on the ground," the officer replied. "There was some commotion, and interference, and…." She let out a fierce growl.
"Alright team," JC said, "let's show these guys what Voltron can do!"
"Look out!" Tails shouted, and Voltron dodged the laser fire coming from the command ship.
"How are we gonna get a clear shot at the robeast with the command ship providing cover fire?" Roxy asked.
"Like this," JC said, yanking the controls. Voltorn weaved in and out of the laser beams, turning to face the ship. "Eye Beam!" The Eye beam fired several short bursts, taking out several of the ships forward arrays before turning around and swinging, clocking the robeast in the chest, sending him hurling backwards into several Drule Stingers.
"The robeast is arming its cannons!" Tails shouted.
"I got this," Seth said, connecting his voltcom to the console. "Defense boost!" The robeast fired at Voltron, and Voltron crossed his arms in front of him, the laser fire deflecting off the shielding.
"Shielding is holding at sixty-seven percent," Tails said, keying things into her panel rapidly.
"Seth, Dari, let's give Kala some of her own medicine!" The two nodded, and Voltron's boosters fired. The robeast followed, and they headed for the command ship.
"Bring us about!" Kala shouted. "FIRE!" The command ship once again opened fire.
"Shielding is rapidly depleting!" Tails shouted.
"My Voltcom's power is draining," Seth said. "If you're gonna do this, now's the time!"
"Now!" JC shouted. Seth and Dari fired boosters at full moving out of the waty. The crossfire hit the commans ship and the robeast, severely damaging both.
"You idiots!" Kala shouted.
"But Commander," the officer said, "you told us to fire…." She grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up, and flung him across the room into the wall.
"Get us out of here!" she screeched, her face scrunched in anger.
"Form Blazing Sword!" JC shouted. Red reached over to meet Green at the hip, pulling back, the energy beam forming the sword. "Aim for that weak neck joint!"
"Let's weaken it a bit more," Dariana said, her eyes glowing as she connected her Voltcom to the console. They flew at the beast, the Blazing sword catching fire with blue flame. He swung, slicing through the neck, then backswung through its waist. The pieces froze into solid ice.
"Form Blazing Chargers!" Dariana shouted. Voltron clanked its hands together, and the spiked handles formed. He reached back, then fired the first one, smashing the head, the second firing and hitting the legs, shattering them to pieces. Voltron spun around and fired both at once at the remaining torso, shattering it to pieces as well. The chargers disappeared, and Dariana slumped back in her seat, exhausted.
"That was cool!" Tails said. Seth groaned.
"Hopefully that means Kala will think twice before attacking Dradin again," JC said.
"What about the twins?" Seth asked. "I still don't trust that guy. We shouldn't have let them go with him."
"I left him with a little present," Dariana said, still trying to catch her breath. The other Allaince ships flew off into the distance.
"We found them, Commander," Ryan said, saluting the image on the viewscreen.
"Excellent job," Commander Steele replied. "Report back to me when you arrive. The Space Marshall will want to hear of your success."
"Thank you, sir," he replied with a salute. A scurrying sound echoed through the back of the ship as a small space mouse made his way up onto a console, transforming and blending in with the equipment.