KathDMD - I know Chet and Eddie are a pair, but don't start dissing what is becoming one of my most unique pairings! At least, not until yuou read this episode...
Author's Note - While this episode does not have a slightly naughtier version, I'm anxious to see what everyone thinks of the outcome of what I'm gonna call "Dixie-gate".
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 : "Fight For It"
"Sir," Sparks said over the com, "I have that important transmission from Galaxy Garrison coming through right now."
"Go ahead and patch it through to my office," Jeff replied. When the viewscreen came on, Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins appeared. Jeff stood up and saluted.
"At ease, Jeff," she said. "You said you wanted to talk to me about the state of things out in Yolon?"
"Yeah," he replied. "You see, we've encountered an entirely new race of people out here."
"Friendly?' she asked.
"Not that I can determine," he replied. "Both times they tried to attack us."
"Did you provoke them?" she asked.
"Of course not!" Jeff replied adamantly. "We made every attempt to contact them, and even left the planet we were researching, thinking maybe they had claim to it."
"So they're natives to the planet?" she asked.
"We thought they were at first," he replied, "but Chris seems to think that they are possibly trying to conquer or control this entire sector. Unfortunately, other than their aggression, I really don't have any evidence to back up her feelings."
"You know I have complete faith in Christiane's abilities as a seer,' she said, "but the High Council is another matter. Honestly, Jeff, there have been talks amongst council about replacing me as Space Marshall."
"Don't let those bureaucrats push you around, Len," he said. "You've made every right decision possible since taking your position. And honestly, we couldn't ask for a better commanding officer."
"Thanks, Jeff," she replied. "That means a lot. I'll try to give you all the support I can, but unfortunately, unless you are able to recover some hard evidence that these people are trying to take over the sector by force, my hands are tied."
"Understood, ma'am," he replied.
"Hawkins out," she said as the transmission ended.
Ken sat quietly at a small table in his room playing virtual chess against an AI opponent, when the door signaled.
"Enter," he said. The door slid open, and there stood Dixie, holding herself up against the door frame with one hand, and barely holding a nearly empty whiskey bottle in the other. Ken didn't look back at the door. "If you're here for the cleaning, I already took it to the laundry bin.
"I'm not here for the laundry," Dixie slurred, "I here for your ass!" He stood up and turned around to see her in that sorry state.
"Well," he said, "I didn't actually think you'd make it down here in the state I left you," he said. "Judging by the smell, I'd say you're even worse off. How are you even standing?"
"Shut the flack up and fight!" she shouted.
"You're serious?" he asked. "Well this is just brilliant. Well, guess it's better me than anyone else, right? Here, I'll even let you get in the first swing." He pointed to his jaw. And she wound up and slugged him in the face hard. He turned his cheek, softening the blow, then turned back to look at her. "You hit like a girl."
"ARGH!" she shouted. She swung again, hitting him in the gut, then tried to hit him in the face again. He dodged that punch and tackled her into the wall.
"You really need to control that temper of yours," he said. She held her hands together and clubbed him in the back, causing him to buckle to the floor. She kicked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall to the floor and roll onto his back. She hit the door lock.
"You asked for an ass kicking," she said, "and I'm gonna beat every last piece of snart outta you!" She went to stomp him, but he rolled out of the way. He rolled hack and grabbed her ankle and yanked, pulling up as he tried to get to his feet. He twisted, causing her to fall to the ground. She kicked violently, sending him flying into the opposite wall. He bounced back and turned around as she got to her feet.
"Come on, Dixie," he said, "I thought you were gonna give me a challenge! Don't tell me that whiskey makes you soft!" She ran at him, and he dodged, allowing her to run into the wall. He grabbed her arm and pulled it behind her back, pinning her against the wall. "Now, I'm gonna let you go, and you're gonna leave this room like a good little girl and go back to your own room, and I won't have to tell Commander Aki about your behavior in the bar." Out of nowhere, he heard a crunch, and she turned around and clocked him in the face so hard he spun and fell to the floor in pain.
"Didn't see that one coming, did ya?" she slurred. She grabbed her left arm and pulled and pushed hard, and you could almost feel the bone snapping back into place. "Dislocated it when I was ten."
"Impressive," he said as he got to his feet. She swung again, he dodged. He punched her twice in the gut, and she came back with an uppercut. She swung again, and he dodged, grabbed her head, and headbutted her. She staggered backwards a bit, then grabbed his head to return the favor….only instead, she locked lips with him, kissing him forcefully. He broke the kiss and looked at her funny. She grabbed his tshirt and punched him, sending him onto the bed, and literally tearing his shirt off.
"I'm not done with you," she grunted. She went to grab him, but he rolled off the bed and got to his feet. They grabbed one another, struggling. He managed to pull her uniform down over her arms, pinning them in place, and she headbutted him again. She pulled her arms out of the sleeves, her light blue bra holding on for dear life, and tried to come at him again. She grabbed him by the throat and tired to choke him. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head to his face. Her lips grazed his ear, and heard a phrase he never expected.
"I want you to screw me," she whispered.
"We are approaching the Delta System," General Binak said. "Should we launch our ships?"
"Not yet, General," Merla replied. "Have you had a chance to analyze the data from our last battle?"
"The new enemy, or the number of casualties we sustained?" he asked.
"Both," she replied. "These 'Halassians' pose a threat to us. But they also pose a threat to the Galaxy Alliance. We are suffering great losses, and are far from our supply base. While Lord Kanji may fund our Kingdom's operations, his plans in this sector have yielded little to no fruit."
"Your suggestion?" Binak asked.
"Allow the Alliance to become entangled with the Halassians," she replied. "If they want to destroy one another, let them. If we play our cards right, we can slip by them and take the spoils for our own. They have an established empire in this sector. Perhaps we could use that to our advantage."
"An excellent plan, Your Highness," he said.
"Keep an eye out for the Halassians," she said. "If you see them, and the Alliance fleet is nearby, we shall lure them to one another. All we need to do….is spread the seed….of hate." She laughed maniacally.
Jenny, Cliff and Krik came on to the bridge and stood in front of Commander Aki.
"Alright, team," he said. "We're approaching the next system in Yolon. Delta five has been deemed by the Professor as possibly inhabitable. I believe it's Krik's turn to take this round, but I want to keep a close eye out for the Drules, and also for these 'Halassians'. I don't want to get in a skirmish, but if we need to, I want to be ready. The Space Marshall says we need proof if we are to assume the Halassians are a threat. I agree with her. If you find any indication of life down there, or the exploitation of that life, no matter how small it is, I want it on record, got it?"
"Got it," the three replied in unison.
"Good," Jeff said. "Krik, gather your team and launch immediately. I want the other two teams on standby. Is everyone accounted for?"
"My team is accounted for," Cliff said. "They're all in the lounge awaiting orders."
"Rocky and Wolo are also in the lounge," Jenny replied, "but Cadet Hunter and Cadet Calla are missing. I think Hunter went to get some sleep, and Calla…well, I'm not gonna talk about her right now."
"Well you better find 'em," Jeff replied. "I'll need you all to roll out in a matter of moments should the Drules arrive."
"Yes, sir," Jenny replied with a salute, then ran off the bridge.
"Don't be so hard on her," Cliff said. "Poor girl is doing her best. Cadet Calla is a bit of a lush though."
"We were pretty bad back at the Academy ourselves," Jeff laughed. "But regardless, as Team Leader, she has to maintain a level of responsibility, no matter how drunk her teammate gets."
"I agree," Cliff replied.
"I'll grab my team and get out there," Krik said. "If I see anything, you'll be the first to know." Krik and Cliff left the bridge. Jeff looked over at Christiane.
"You think they'll be alright?" he asked.
"Teams always pull together when things get tough," she replied. "I think Cadet Owens will find her place."
"Sea Team, launch!" Krik ordered. The five ships on the Sea Team took off and launched from the hangar. The ships headed towards the planet. "All units into formation! Ignite nuclear power thrusters, and form Aqua Fighter!" The fronts of the Multi-Wheeled Explorers folded, drawing the Space Probers into place. They all combined with the Communications Module, completing the combination. The Aqua Fighter descended towards the planet.
"This planet looks a lot more Earth-like," Shannon said. "Not like the prehistoric look we saw before, but a good mix of vegetation and dry land."
"The mineral compositions we're picking up are phenomenal!" Eddie said.
"Like a literal gold mine," Chet said. "I told ya, rocks are our thing. Hey Krik, can we go below the surface? If the reefs are any indication, there may be even more mineral deposits down below."
"I'm interested in seeing what kind of aquatic life exists down there," Mai said.
"I agree," Krik said. "Let's check it out." The Aqua Fighter flew down towards the water's surface and entered with a splash. Designed to move well in this environment, the vehicle moved with ease as they began observing.
"Look at that!" Mai pointed out.
"What is it?" Krik asked.
"It looks almost like a ship graveyard," Shannon replied. "I've never seen designs like this before. It's almost as if there was a battle here at one point."
"Dude," Chet said, "I just ran a scan on the ocean floor, and while it's littered with debris, just like my bro was sayin', there's everything down there! Precious metals, gemstone formations, and penetrating the surface, pockets of naturally forming lason deposits!"
"Lason?" Krik asked. "This could be the reason for all these ships being down here. Perhaps someone found out about the mineral wealth, and fought over it."
"Would it be possible those 'Halassians' had something to do with this?" Shannon asked.
"Just in case," Krik replied, "I think we'd better gather some samples and document what we've found down here."
"Captain Marth, the Alliance ship has sent more exploration vehicles," an officer remarked. "They have penetrated the surface of the ocean on Delta Five!"
"These 'Galaxy Alliance' meddlers are becoming more of a nuisance than they're worth," Marth said to himself. "First they try to settle our planets, and now they are trying to take the resources from our newly conquered worlds! I will not allow it!"
"What are your orders?" he asked.
"They must not be allowed to probe deeper into the planet's surface!" Marth replied. "Launch the Aqua Beast to destroy their underwater vessel! I know not their intentions, but our slaves and our resources shall not be theirs!"
"Yes, sir!" he replied. He pulled a lever, and a clunk was heard. A door in one of the rock faces opened up, and a fish-like humanoid robeast swam out. Its eyes glowed red as it spotted the Aqua Fighter, and began to power up its weapons….unknown to Krik and his team.
To be continued…..