KathDMD - Jeff really IS an awesome Commander, and you see more of that this week. The Keegans are a couple of winners too. Things are going to start to unravel with this chapter, so read on!
Author's Note - I miss my muse more than I can put into words.
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 111 : "A Partnership"
"You better have a good reason for interrupting my meeting, General," Viceroy Throk said over the UltraWave. "We are currently working with Lord Kanji on a plan to take control of the Alliance's main base in the Solar System."
"I am aware of this, Viceroy," he replied, "but the situation out here in Yolon has gotten a bit more complicated."
"How so?" Throk asked "And where is Merla?"
"She is awaiting my report," Binak replied. "She is sleeping."
"A fine time to be napping!" Throk replied in disgust. "No matter, what is your current situation?"
"The Alliance forces are trying to establish a base on the other side of Delta Five," Binak said. "They managed to destroy our robeast."
"Incompetent fool!" Throk shouted back. "And I suppose you are calling to ask for more reinforcements? Perhaps a robeast or two?"
"I am," he replied, "but there is more to this, Viceroy. And I'm sure you will understand better once I explain. The Yolon system is currently under the control of the Halas."
"The what?" Throk asked.
"We have encountered a race of people on the planets of Yolon," he replied. "At first we thought they were natives, but have found they are more savage conquerors than anything. I came up with a strategy to befriend these people and try to earn their trust."
"What for?" Throk asked angrily. "You're starting to sound like Hazar! Talking of peaceful negotiations!"
"Viceroy, they are fighting the Alliance!" Binak said. "It would be foolish not to allow your enemies to wipe one another out while you swoop in and claim victory, wouldn't it? Queen Merla herself suggested such!" Throk scratched his chin.
"Indeed," he replied. "I will authorize a small fleet of ships, along with enough equipment to begin manufacturing more stinger drones. I will have our scientists construct a few robeasts capable of dealing with the Alliance….or the Halas, if they should come out of this victorious. If the reports of vast mineral wealth in the Delta System are true, I want you to hang on to that planet at all costs! The raw materials gathered could make or break us in the war against the Galaxy Alliance!"
"Understood, sir," he replied as the transmission ended. One of the officers approached Binak.
"Any further orders, General?" he asked.
"Inform the troops to continue construction of the base," he replied. I have a feeling the Alliance is going to be kept busy while we rally our forces."
Ken pulled out a cleaning wand and began violently scrubbing one of the toilets. Dixie pulled the mop out of the bucket and began doing the floors.
"You know, this is a little awkward," he said, still scrubbing. "Not often I get to spend time in the girl's room."
"Couldda fooled me," she snarked, mopping the floor quickly.
"So tell me," he said, stopping for a moment, "what's made you this way?"
"Beg your pardon?' she asked, stopping and snapping her head around, giving him a mean look.
"You said there's a lot I don't know about you," he replied. "Now's as good a time as any. So spill it. What makes you tick? Who ARE you, Dixie Calla?" She let out a sigh.
"You need to understand," she replied, "my life wasn't easy."
"Who's is?' he asked. She frowned.
"I grew up in Round Rock," she replied. "My momma died when I was three. Barely even remember her. Strangled to death. Daddy told them there was a break in…but I knew who done it." She took a deep breath. "Living with him….was hell. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who held it all together." She let out a nervous laugh. She then turned and looked Ken in the eye. "He beat us you know. A lot. I don't think there was a day I spent in that damn house I didn't get the snart kicked outta me for one reason or another." Ken was taken aback, but not taken completely by surprise. "But hell I'd take the beatings ten times over….wouldda been better than the other things he did to me and Lil." She turned her head. "I still remember how he'd threaten us to keep quiet….especially around that bimbo half-his-age girlfriend of his. Guess she wasn't puttin' out enough for his liking, right?" She let out another nervous laugh. Ken continued scrubbing the toilets, though deep in thought.
"You're right," he said. "I can't imagine a life that insane. But I mean, look who you've become." She let out another laugh, trying to mask a few tears that has somehow escaped her eyes.
"What?" she asked. "A twenty-one year old drunken sex-crazed sociopath?"
"A cadet in one of the finest military organizations in the galaxy," he replied, looking up with her. "A member of the Voltron Force, an elite pilot of the Defender of the Universe." She let out a sigh.
"You make it sound so simple," she said.
"Because it is," he replied.
"Ken, I barely escaped with my life, if not my dignity," she said, still trying to hold back tears. "And I went from being raped nightly by my own father to sleeping with strange men for just enough cash to get by. I went from the frying pan into the fire. Honestly, if I hadn't been found by a GA captain by sheer chance…I might still be there."
"So that's how you got into the academy?' he asked.
"Don't get me wrong, sugar britches," she replied, "I'm a helluva lot smarter than I look. I had to pass the entrance exams just like the rest of y'all. But if it wasn't for him, I'd have never gotten the chance."
"How did you meet him?" Ken asked. "I mean, what happened?"
"Like I said," she continued, "I'd been trying to survive for a few years. I thought anything's better than staying in that house. I hear my younger sisters were taken by foster care, and I never did find out what happened to Lil. My brothers…they got out of there as soon as they could, and I followed their lead. Between every job I took…among other things…I did what I could to get by. Then I met this cute looking guy in one of the local places near the Garrison. He wasn't dressed like military….I just figured he was just another hard up feller looking to drop his cash…and his pants. But honestly….when we got to talking, instead of taking me to his place, he wound up taking me to a shelter. Gave me a bit of money, and said he'd be back the next day to check on me."
"And?" Ken asked.
"I didn't expect the guy to return," she replied. "But sure enough, he did. He took me to meet a friend of his, and asked me if I wanted a job. Before I knew it, I was taking the entrance exams, wearing flacking uniforms, and being all I could be. Ironic, isn't it?"
"Not ironic," Ken replied. "It's incredible."
"Look," she replied, "I didn't tell you all this to feel sorry for me, be inspired, or whatever the flack you're thinking right now. I just think that if you really, honestly want a shot at a relationship with me, I better be honest and up front from the start."
"That's fair," Ken replied. "It doesn't make your story any less incredible though." He put down the wand and walked over to her, taking her hands in his. "Dixie, I do want to be with you. Hell, you knew that from the moment we met outside the main building the day they tested all of us for this mission."
"Yeah, I remember," she replied. "You had your nose so far up your butt…."
"Hey now," he replied, "I was just overconfident." He took her hands again. "Point is, here we are, and we can make this work. I know it." They both looked down at their hands, realizing where they were, and pulled apart quickly. They laughed and walked over to the sink to wash up.
"There's so many things I've seen and done," she said to him. "I honestly didn't expect anyone in the world, let alone another guy, to understand any of it."
"I understand," he replied. "Evidently, that GA captain did too, seeing that potential in you. Did you ever get his name? Who was he?"
"Captain Richard Newley," she replied.
Jeff walked carefully onto the construction site and approached Lieutenant Perkins, the man he'd put in charge of the build team.
"How is the construction going?" Jeff asked. "I know we have a shorter timetable than usual."
"It's going well, regardless," Perkins replied. "We have formed two teams, who have been alternating shifts around the clock in order to get this done ahead of schedule. With the Drules so nearby, and no idea what the Halassians are up to, I know we all want to be prepared for anything."
"I know," Jeff replied. "I was hoping to have a backup squadron as well, but with absolutely no communication with Galaxy Garrison, I'm afraid we're all we got out here."
"Hopefully once some of the main buildings have been fortified, we can begin construction of new robot fighters," Perkins said. "With the wealth of resources here, we may be able to pull off using them to not only build the base, but construct the fighters without putting mych strain on the repair effors on the Defender."
"That needs to remain a priority, Lieutenant," Jeff said. "Until we get those fighters constructed, the Defender and the Voltron Force are all that stands between us and them. And even worse….the damage to the Strato Weapons Module is worse than we've expected."
"But how can anything truly damage Voltron?" Perkins asked.
"We haven't been able to ascertain of a safe way to repair the power leak," one of the workers said to Christiane. "I was actually hoping you could lend us your expertise in the matter of finding out which conduit is bleeding the energy. I heard you were familiar with the Albegas Project on Terra, one of the last places Dr. Loring visited before he died."
"I was unaware he had visited Terra at all," Christiane replied. "And yes, I've had plenty of experience looking over Voltron's energy systems. If the vehicles have the same power structure, I might be able to isolate where the leak is. But it may take some time."
"Take all the time you need," he replied. "Commander Aki said unless we hear from Galaxy Garrison soon, we ain't going nowhere." The man walked away, leaving her to gaze upon the Strato weapons Module. She walked up to it carefully…remembering the visions she saw the other day.
"I don't understand it," she said to herself. "Inanimate objects shouldn't give off such a reaction. It's nearly impossible." She pondered it a moment. Then she shook her head. "I still don't quite have the hang of this yet. Maybe it's just my imagination." She tried to convince herself as she looked down at the datapad and began keying in commands, looking over the diagrams. "This is odd. The main conduits should run here and here, but there's something the flow is directed around and through. It doesn't seem to make sense…it seems like whatever it is, it's where the power flow is redirected. But that doesn't look like a regulator I've ever seen before. She walked up to the ship again and reached for one of the access panels, but when her bare hand touched the cold steel again, her whole body convulsed, and her eyes went blank. She suddenly felt the most significant feeling in the universe.
I'm…..alive…..