KathDMD - Jeff makes a great commander, but remember, he's not Hawkins. Jeff can be hot headed, and some of this will shine through in this next episode. As for Cinda, this episode should begin to answer your question there.
Author's Note - For the few of us that love Vehicle Voltron, and the many that love KathDMD's OC, Christiane, this is gonna be a great episode! Between the Alliance, the Drules, and the Halas, who will win out?
Theme Music : "It's Goin' Down" by The X-Ecutioners ft. Mike Shinoda and Mr. Hahn of Linkin Park
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 2 : "It's Goin' Down"
Jeff sat in his office filing through paperwork and checking his datapad, when he heard the door signal.
"Come In," he replied. The door opened, and Christiane walked in. "Chris, what brings ya by the office?"
"It's about my position on the Defender," she replied.
"We've had this talk, Chris," he said. "I'm extremely nervous about you being out here. I know you have plenty of experience co-piloting with Taye Benton, but out here in the unknown, it get's alot rougher."
"You don't understand," she replied with a smile. "I'm looking to resume my post on Systems and Tactical."
"What?" he asked. It was then that someone slowly and carefully limped into the room. She saluted.
"Tech Sergeant Cinda Kirigas reporting for duty, sir," Cinda said.
"You're up and out of your chair!" Jeff said excitedly. "Is the Professor aware of this?"
"After a lot of persuading," she replied, "he's agreed to sign my release papers. I can return to active duty."
"But are you up to it?" Jeff asked. "I want you to be completely sure, Cinda. You're still a bit wobbly, and I don't want anything happening to you either." She nodded.
"I can do this," she replied adamantly. "I've fought so hard to get to this point. I want this." Jeff looked her in the eye.
"I'm sending the Land Team out to scout this new planet," he said. "You'll need to be ready to launch within the hour."
"Yes, sir!" she replied ecstatically.
"But first," he said, "there is a little matter I need to attend to." They both looked at him inquisitively. He reached into his desk drawer and pulled something out and handed it to Cinda. "This is your voltcom. Cliff and the others just got theirs. You'll need it if you plan to join them out there." She placed it on her wrist, and it snapped in place. "Chris, I'll ask you to hand the key back to Cinda, then join hands." They both looked at him strangely, then turned to one another.
"You're OK with this?" Christiane asked.
"You know what I know," Cinda replied. "It shouldn't be a problem." They wrapped their wrists around each other and held hands. The energy flowed from Christiane into Cinda. Christiane's uniform tunred from red to standard grey, and a uniform appeared on Cinda, red with black trim, with two chevrons showing her rank. They released and looked down at their uniforms.
"Now get out there with your team and check out that planet," Jeff said with a smile.
"Yes, sir!" Cinda replied with a salute. She carefully made her way out of the office. After the door closed, Christiane turned to Jeff.
"I'm gonna miss being out there fighting with everyone," she said, "but I have a feeling I'm going to be needed on the bridge….now more than ever."
"The space explorers from the Galaxy Alliance are continuing to research planets in this sector," General Binak said. "Our sources say they have launched exploatory ships to scout this planet." He pointed to a planet on the holo-screen.
"Something else is troubling about this world, General," Merla replied.
"What is it, Your Highness?" he asked. She stood up and walked towards the holo-screen.
"That," she replied, pointing. "The other planet in this system. We overlooked it when we arrived, but I heard voices."
"Voices?" He looked at her quizzically.
"Don't look at me like a blithering idiot, Binak!" she scowled. "I sensed a presence I have never felt before. Whether it is in some way related to the Alliance's presence in this sector has yet to be determined. But I would proceed with caution if we are to attempt to take this planet from the explorers."
"Yes, Your majesty," he said with a slight bow.
"I want you to launch a small fleet of robot fighters to the far side of the planet," she replied. "I want them to scout the area for a place to set up operations. If the exploring team from the Voltron Force approaches, engage them immediately."
"What if we are unable to stop their forces?" he asked.
"Don't be an idiot, Binak," she replied. "Our scientists have just shipped us the latest robeast in their arsenal. And I have no doubt it will have the power to put a stop to the mighty Voltron and its exploratory fleet once and for all!"
The land Team Vehicles launched from the Defender's hangar. As they approached the planet, Cliff came on the com.
"Alright team," he said, "after what happened the other day, we need to be on our toes. For now, I want to go down in group formation."
"Yes, sir," the team replied.
"Land Team," he ordered, "form Turbo Terrain Fighter!" The ATSVs connected together, then latched on to the Jet Radar Station. The Carriers likewise connected together, and then to the Station as well, completing the formation sequence. The Turbo Terrain Fighter then descended through the atmosphere towards the surface of the planet.
"It looks pretty similar to the conditions we saw on the other planet in this system," Modoch said. "It's relatively primitive, covered in lush, prehistoric-looking plant life and animals."
"I'm sending preliminary scans back to the Defender," Cinda replied. "I'm sure Jeff and Professor Paige will be anxious to see this."
"Is anyone else picking up anything unusual?" Cliff asked.
"Not a blip," Hutch replied. "Not a sign of technology."
"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Marvin asked.
"I'm guessing," Hutch replied.
"There looks like a good place to touch down over there," Cliff said. "Let's take her down and get a closer look." The Turbo Terrain Fighter glided in an arc and landed carefully on the ground below. When it came to a stop, the team exited the vehicles.
"Oxygen levels are well within normal limits," Cinda said, looking at a holographic screen on her voltcom.
"These things come in pretty handy, don't they?" Cliff asked, chuckling.
"Not seeing anything harmful in the air mixture," Cinda said. "It should be alright for breathing." She pressed another button on her voltcom, and the screen vanished, and her helmet disappeared. After a moment of watching her, the rest of the team removed their helmets in the same manner.
"Sorry," Modoch laughed, "you remember what happened the last time we weren't careful."
"Don't remind me," Cliff said. They walked forward, scanning the vegetation, and in general, looking around.
"It's a prehistoric paradise," Hutch commented.
"Let's just hope we don't run into any prehistoric wildlife!" Marvin replied.
"We have detected a strange life force on the surface," a soldier said , saluting when he came into the room. A man in full dress uniform turned to face him, the orange skin on his face beginning to bead with sweat.
"Does it match the signatures we detected on Masfa?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," the soldier replied.
"It's that 'Galaxy Alliance' ship," he sneered. "We will show them not to mess with us. Send ground forces to the surface! Prevent them from returning to their ships! And should their command ship come down to rescue them, sent the Iron Weapon to deal with them!"
"Yes, Sir!" he replied, saluted then left. The man turned back to the console.
"The Halas will not have their land encroached upon by outsiders," he sneered. "This galaxy belongs to us!"
"Sir!" Sparks shouted. "I'm detecting Drule ships approaching on the long range scans!"
"What?" Jeff shouted, running over to Sparks to check out the monitor with his own eyes. "These guys never quit, do they?"
"No, sir," Sparks replied.
"Jeff," Christaine said, turning from her console to speak to him, "Have you tried reaching out to them?"
"The Drules?" he asked. "What on Earth for?"
"The Derinja were a very misunderstood people," she replied. "We once spoke to one of their generals. A lot of their aggression was built up from a misunderstanding between the Terrans and the Derinja. Perhaps the Drules that have been following us have some sort of claim, or reason for fighting us?"
"I admit," Jeff said, "there have been many honorable Drules, but the ones from the Supremacy, I've learned, are not to be trusted."
"It can't hurt to try and talk," she said. She looked at him with pleading eyes, and he could tell something more was on her mind than what she would mention out loud.
"Oh alright," he said. He turned to Sparks. "Sparks, open a channel to the approaching Drule command ship. Maybe there's a way we can reason with them."
"Yes, sir," he replied.
"We should get this report back to the Commander," Cliff said. Before they could turn to head back to the ships, a swarm of soldiers, all with orange skin, came out of nowhere and began opening fire on them. The five scattered to find cover. Cinda dropped to the ground and pulled herself behind a rock.
"Cinda!" Hutch yelled. "You ok?"
"I'm fine," she replied. "They have us pinned down!"
"These look like the people from that other planet," Cliff said. "They look just as Jenny and Wolo described them."
"Can anyone make it back to the ship?" Modoch shouted.
"We're stuck," Marvin replied.
"Hey Marv," Hutch said, "We got these voltcom things. They're supposed to have weapons, right?"
"I think so," Marvin said.
"So let's use 'em!" Hutch replied. They pressed a button on their Voltcom, and a deck of cards appeared in their hands. "The hell is this?"
"Playing cards?" Marvin said.
"This ain't no time for games!" he shouted, whipping his hand around. One of the cards flew out of his hand and exploded. He looked at Marvin, who looked back at him. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Marvin nodded. They came out from behind the trees they were hiding behind and began flinging the cards at the enemy. The explosions knocked several of them down, and the two charged at the soldiers. They went to punch them, and the hand they held the deck in glowed and caused their blows to become charged with energy.
"This is amazing!" Marvin shouted.
"This is a brawler's weapon!" Hutch laughed as he hit one with an uppercut, sending him flying into the air.
"Well, when in Rome…." Modock said, and hit the button on his voltcom. A double bladed spear emerged, and he ran at the enemy, and began fighting them off as well.
"We have to get back to the ships!" Cliff yelled. "Cinda, can you move?"
"Not very fast," she replied. "They have me pinned down!' Cliff pushed the button on his voltcom, and a long whip formed in his hand.
"Crikey," he exclaimed. "No time for fun. Let's see what I can do with this." He whipped it at a branch high above and swung from where he was to where Cinda was. "Come on, love, let's get out for here." He helped her up and they tried to make a run for the ship.
"Look out!" Cinda yelled, hitting her voltcom. A shield appeared in front of them and blocked the blaster fire.
"That's gotta come in handy!" Cliff said. He helped her to the ship as she continued to shield them from the blasts.
"Come on, Marvin!" Hutch shouted. "Our ride's about to leave!"
"Right behind ya!" Marvin shouted, and they along with Modoch made a run for the ship.
"Don't let them get away!" one of the soldiers shouted. "Alert high command, and release the Iron Weapon!"
"Sir," a Drule soldier said, "the Defender is hailing us!"
"Put it on screen," Binak ordered. "Let's entertain them for now." The screen came up, and jeff appeared.
"This is Commander Jeff Aki of the U.S.S. Defender," Jeff said. "We're here trying to explore new planets in the Yolon Sector for colonization. It seems to me that we may be fighting when we could be working together. What are your orders in this sector?" Binak laughed to himself.
"We are here to claim new worlds for the glory of the Supremacy, and in the name of the Ruler of the Seventh Kingdom!" Binak replied. "If you mean to stand in our way, we will be more than happy to end your miserable existence."
"Now see here!" Jeff replied, clenching his fists. Christiane could feel his temper rising, even from across the room. She held her breath in anticipation. "Why would you want to continue to conquer the galaxy instead of cooperating with other worlds in a lasting peace? Surely that would be good for trade, right? You want the best for your people, right?"
"We demand total power!" Binak shouted. "If you shall not submit, then you shall meet your end! This discussion is over!" The com ended. Binak turned back to his officer. "Open fire! If their units come to their rescue, release the robeast!"
"Sir," the officer interrupted, "something is happening on the surface of the planet!"
"What is it?" Binak asked.
"There seems to be a skirmish occurring," he replied, "and something huge just emerged from the ground several kilometers away!"
"That's not one of ours!" Binak shouted. "Release the robeast now!"
"Yes, sir!" he replied, and pulled the lever.
"Well," Jeff said, exasperated, "I tried it your way, Chris."
"It was worth it," Christiane replied. "He was indeed hostile, but I could sense there's more behind their motives than just simply conquering this sector."
"Well, we have bigger problems now," Sparks shouted. "They just released a robeast!"
"What?" Jeff shouted. "Alert the teams! Get in contact with the Land Team!"
"They're not responding, sir," Sparks replied, "and worse, something else has appeared on the planet's surface." They looked at the monitors in horror as a large Iron Giant rose from the ground, glowing violet with energy, and letting out the most blood curdling screech.
To be continued…..