KathDMD - I agree on how bringing the enemy in between Keith and Allura shows how strong their bond really is, but I have to admit, I'm surprised readers didn't pick up on Daniel's growth (or recklessness), or Marina's usefulness to the team.

cubbieBlueMako - I knew you would love the ending of that episode. Now to continue the saga and try to find out who this person is...and where the real Phage has gone!

Author's Note - Get ready for more training, and the continuation of the story arc!

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. Lieutenant Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.

Episode 4 : "Another Pretty Spy"

"How come she gets to fly the lion," Daniel asked, "and we're stuck with Garrison fractals?"

"Because you, Larmina and Vince have had plenty of practice in the lions," Ginger replied, "and Marina hasn't. And after you're adventure the other day, I'm sure you'd appreciate being able to expertly fly other vehicles in the Garrison's arsenal."

"I guess that makes sense," Daniel replied. "I just wish we weren't always stuck on the simulators."

"Speak for yourself!" Vince said excitedly. "I could do this all day!"

"I'm getting used to the controls," Larmina said, "but what's our objective? I mean, we're not just flying around doing nothing, right?" She felt several jolts behind her. "Hey!"

"Weapons systems are working fine," Marina laughed.

"The fractals are not so well equipped, but they do have forward and aft arrays to fend off attackers," Ginger said. "I want you all to practice against Marina in the Red Lion. And Marina, I want you to see if you can skillfully take out all three fractals."

"Three on one?" Marina asked. "That's not too fair."

"Neither are the Drules," she replied. "We used to have to fight off hundreds of robot stingers at a time. For a Voltron pilot, this should be an elementary skill."

"Then I guess we should get practicing, right?" Larmina said. She worked the controls, and her fractal looped around and landed several hits on Red.

"Hey!" Marina shouted. "I'll get the hang of this yet." She pulled the controls, and Red turned and swung a paw, but Larmina was able to dodge it and fly away. Red was then struck from behind by Daniel and Vince.

"You know what?" Daniel said, "I'm kinda getting the hang of this!" Marina looked at the monitors, sirens going off all around her.

"Watch your proximity monitors," Ginger said. "Utilize every weapon in your arsenal." Larmina came in for another pass. Marina hit a few buttons, and after taking a few more hits, suddenly took off strait upwards, and Larmina's fractal collided with Vince's. Red turned and fired a set of missiles, destroying Daniel's.

"Simulator off," the voice of the computer said, and the area around them switched to normal, the simulator cockpits lowering to the ground.

"Well that was a crappy end to a training session," Daniel griped.

"We did kinda fall for that way too easily," Larmina replied.

"Just gonna have to remember that for next time," Vince remarked.

"Alright," Ginger said, "class dismissed. You all did very well for your first time in a fractal. And Marina, good job looking at all of your options. Sometimes your maneuverability can be an asset when piloting, and even moreso when you have a ship as flexible as a lion."

"And speaking of flexible," Lance said with a grin as he entered the room. Ginger blushed.

"I guess we should get going," Marina said. "Thanks again, Lieutenant!" Marina left the room. Lance gave her a devious look.

"This is turning into a habit you know," Ginger said.

"A really great habit," he laughed.

"There's just one small, teeny, tiny thing I need to tell you before you continue," she said.

"You really want me to stop?" he laughed again.

"No," she said, "but….I'm late."

Keith made his way through the lower passages of the castle to the security area. After putting through his clearance, he walked in to a row of cells, and stopped just short of the cell containing the Drule woman he had placed under arrest. When she noticed him standing there, she lifted her head and met his gaze.

"I think it's time you told us everything you know," he said. "I want to know who you are, who you work for, and most importantly, where the real Phage Dratma is." She slowly got up and walked carefully to the cell door, being careful not to come into contact with the forcefield.

"It's actually painful to see you like this," she replied. "No longer bowing to my every whim…..referring to me as your queen…"

"I asked you a question," Keith said again, angrily.

"I am Malva Nor," she said. "I honestly came here to steal back the lions, and instead a young prince stole my heart."

"Yeah, real touching," he said sarcastically. "You brainwashed me and tried to make me kill my friends."

"It was nothing personal, I assure you," she replied. "Well, except for the kiss. That was rather personal." He gritted his teeth.

"Who are you working for?" he asked. "Witch Haggar? Zarkon?" She laughed.

"Zarkon is dead!" she shouted. "Really, your Alliance's intelligence reports must be absolutely dull if they haven't figured that out."

"Zarkon is gone?" he asked.

"The Supremacy answers to a new leader now," she said. "But it's better I keep that information from you. It might prove useful, and maybe a little fun." She laughed seductively.

"Where is the emissary?" he asked, becoming enraged by her nonchalant attitude. She stopped laughing and looked deeply into his eyes again.

"You think I'm mad, don't you?" she asked.

"I never said that," he replied.

"But you seem to imply it," she said. "Your eyes give you away, Admiral. Don't think I don't know about those beautiful eyes of yours."

"I said where is she?" he snapped. She took a deep breath.

"For all I know," she replied, "she could be a slave on Planet Doom. Perhaps if she's lucky, she'll get to become the concubine of the emperor." She leaned closer to the forcefield, putting her hand next to her mouth and whispering to him. "But just between you and me, I'd rather be the extremely willing sex slave of the Prince-Consort of Arus." She started to laugh, and he punched one of the walls, damaging the panel.

"Maybe you're right," he said through gritted teeth. "Maybe you really are mad." He left the room and sealed the door to the security area. She walked back to the bed in her cell and sat down.

"If you only knew, Admiral," she said softly to herself, "if you only knew."

Haggar walked down a dark and cold staircase into the recesses of Castle Doom. When she arrived at the bottom, she walked over to one of the cells and peered inside at a figure huddled in the corner.

"Today is your lucky day," she said with a cackle. "Lord Kanji himself is granting you an audience." The woman looked up at her.

"From what little we know of him," she replied, "I doubt 'lucky' is the word I would use. I also doubt he would sincerely hear the words of a captive, so I assume he must have some other use for me?"

"Of course," Haggar replied. "You should be grateful he hasn't instead put you to death."

"That would have been a more viable option," the woman replied. "In fact, why don't you kill me now and deliver that message to him?"

"The people of Drule," Haggar laughed. "So proud, and so willing to die for nothing. You could have ruled the entire universe, and instead you grovel at the feet of the Galaxy Alliance!"

"At the price of tyranny?" she shouted. "At the price of the destruction of our homeworld? Nothing is worth the cost of genocide!"

"Regardless," Haggar replied, "you will come with me."

"I refuse!" she shouted. Haggar raised her staff, and a beam of energy hit the girl. She screamed in agony, then fell to the ground unconscious. She walked up to her and lifted her over her shoulder.

"Your fate is for Lord Kanji to decide," she replied, carrying her off, Cova closely following her.

Keith walked into Allura's office, visibly flustered.

"Virtually no luck getting information from her," he said.

"You talked to her?" Allura replied, slightly confused.

"I interrogated her," he replied. "She seems crazier than Wade."

"What DID she say?" Allura asked.

"Much of it was nonsense," he replied. "She calls herself 'Malva Nor'. She said she doesn't know where they've taken Phage, only suggested she might have been taken to the Slave Pits on Doom. But out of all the crazy talk, she mentioned something else that irked me."

"What was it?" Allura asked.

"She said that Zarkon is dead," he replied. "She mentioned a new ruler, but would not tell me his name. Allura, if there is someone new overseeing the Drule Supremacy, then we may very well be back to square one as far as eliminating their presence on Arus and surrounding planets."

"I'm anxious to see if Haggar sends any reinforcements to try to retrieve their little spy," Allura said. "Coran and I already spoke to Colonel Dillin of the Galactic High Council, and he assured me that a fractal with a security detail would be arriving in a few days to transport her to Earth for an informal trial."

"Maybe they'll have better luck getting information out of her than us," Keith replied, laying back on the bed.

"Hey, Pidge," Vince said as he, Daniel and Larmina entered the Control Room, "were you able to find out more about the Predator attacks?"

"From the increased haggarium signatures," he replied, "and your observations, I can almost guarantee you're right on the money with the 'testing' theory."

"So you think that the Drules may have perfected the Predator Robeast," Daniel said, "and we may need to beef up defenses?"

"It would help to practice a little more," Pidge replied. "There's not too much more I can do to upgrade the Lions' weapons systems without fully understanding their complexities. I think your best weapon at the moment is Vince's powers. If those things do contain a combined Dark Nexus, the first step to defeating anything like that would be to expose its weakness and neutralize it." Alarms began to blare. "Hang on, something's up." Pidge looked at the scanners. "It looks like the next test is about to begin."

"Then I guess we better get back to schooling Haggar!" Daniel shouted. "To the Lions!" The three ran for the chutes. "Signal Marina and Hunk and have them meet us there."

"Guys, wait!" Pidge yelled, but they already left. "I better let Marina and Hunk know….there's a second robeast coffin."