KathDMD - Wade knows he might deal with four Voltrons, but he has a planet-sized robeast! Oh, and as for the relationships...keep an eye out for nJustine after the New Year! ;) And one relationship aboard the Defender is budding in the most unusual way...
Author's Note - Without my muse, I am nothing.
Theme Music : "Sledge Hammer" by Fifth Harmony
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 114 : "Infinity"
"Greetings, members of the Galaxy Alliance," Wade said. "Or should I say…future slaves of the New Drule Empire!" The bridge crew was taken aback.
"Where is it coming from?" Jeff asked. "Is it coming from the Bogart?"
"I'm sorry, Sir," Sparks replied, "the communication is a one way broadcast. There's nothing to reply to."
"As you are fully aware of by now," Wade continued, "Earth and all of its military forces are currently under the command of the Drule Supremacy, and therefore, under the direct command of myself. I'm sure you all have questions, but I'm sure your representatives on the High Council will be more than happy to answer them in due time. However, there is one thing that I am demanding in advance of our eminent takeover…the unconditional surrender of Lieutenant Lenora Stensson." He leaned in to the camera. "I know you are watching this, Lieutenant. You saw what was done to Hydra. I'm not afraid to do it again." He allowed a slight grin to tug at the corner of his mouth…as if he knew how infuriated Lenora felt at that moment. Christiane could almost sense Jeff's blood boil. "Planets of the farthest reaches of the known universe, be advised that beginning with the invasion of Earth and the annihilation of the Alliance Headquarters, the alliance itself will fall under the rule of the Drule Supremacy. You have two choices…..join us, or be destroyed. I will give you less than twenty-four hours to send your reply."
"The Alliance will never surrender to the likes of that arrogant jackass!" Jeff blurted out.
"Len won't let that happen," Christiane added.
"To the Voltron Force," Wade continued, "I, of course, ask for complete surrender of your vehicles, without resistance. Of course, I'm absolutely expecting you to instead launch an attack to save your precious 'Defenders of the Universe', but please be advised one way or another, they will be utterly destroyed….with you in it." He stepped back slightly. "As for you, Lieutenant, I believe you have already run into Commander Kala's ship, and are following her to Earth as we speak. You have one hour to report aboard her ship, or instead of firing on the Garrison, I'll begin with firing on civilians. Perhaps the entire city of New York should serve as reminder of exactly how hated you are."
"You don't think he'd fire on defenseless civilians, would he?" Christiane asked.
"He would," Jeff replied. "You can count on it. Wade doesn't care who he hurts or who he kills. If he really was responsible for blowing up Hydra, then he's more than capable of destroying an entire populated city."
"In the end," Wade continued, "this will all be for the best. The Alliance and the Supremacy united in one glorious empire…and empire under the rule of the worthy. Until then, ponder your decision carefully. A new era….has begun." The communication ended. Jeff gritted his teeth.
"Sparks, try hailing the Bogart again," Jeff ordered. 'We have to find out what's going on.
"I'm trying, Sir," he replied. "There's plenty of interference."
"What about the ships, Jeff?" Christiane asked. "If we rush into battle without finding a way to repair it…"
"It's a chance we're gonna have to take," Jeff replied. "If we don't stop Wade, we won't be able to continue. We'll have no home to come home to."
"You're right," Christiane replied.
"Sir," Sparks said, "a communication is coming in from the Bogart."
"Put it on screen," Jeff ordered. The screen came up to show Captain Stebbins. "Stebbins! What's happening?"
"I'm assuming you heard Wade's little speech," Stebbins replied. "The Space Marshall is going with a small force, including the Voltron Force, to try and take back the Garrison. The High Council has gone insane! They are firing on us from all sides and need backup immediately."
"We're already on our way," Jeff replied. "we are trying to make repairs to our ships along the way, but we'll do our best. Please notify the Space Marshall of this when you can."
"Will do, Commander," Stebbins replied. "Good luck. Hope to see you soon." The com ended.
"Sparks," Jeff said, "get in touch with Engineering. I want all thrusters at maximum. We need to get back there as quickly as possible. And notify the repair crews to speed up their work. Looks like Voltron's gonna have its work cut out for him."
"Yes, Sir," Sparks replied, carrying out Jeff's orders.
"Commander," the officer said, "I'm receiving an incoming transmission."
"Put it on screen," Kala ordered. When it came up, Lord Kanji himself displayed.
"Commander," he said, "I am presently on my way to meet with your ship as you begin operations. I trust everything is going well?"
"We have run into some difficulties, Your Excellency," she replied with a slight bow to the head, "but everything is going exactly as Sky Marshall Wade has planned."
"Good," Kanji replied. "Though I feel a strange force tugging at the fine wire holding this operation together, I do have faith in your ability to command. I trust the battle I will witness will be nothing short of epic."
"If all goes well," Kala replied, "The Voltron Force will have a rude awakening when they try to stop us. Not only do we have the might of their Galaxy Garrison at our disposal, but the technology of the Xyans. The might of the weapon is nothing short of incredible."
"Do not underestimate the power of their spirit, Commander," Kanji warned. "It is the only thing that strategy cannot predict."
Jenny stood in the lounge, looking out the observation window was the ship began picking up speed. Mai noticed her standing there, and got up from her stool at the bar and carefully walked over to her.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey there, Mai," Jenny replied, only taking her eyes off the window long enough to acknowledge her.
"Are you alright?" Mai asked.
"Just preoccupied, that's all," Jenny replied. "After hearing what Former Sky Marshall Wade said about what he planned to do to New York….it's unthinkable."
"I know," Mai said. "I remember when I was younger, the things Wade did. I was at the celebration ceremony for Voltron when the sabotage incident happened. I remember my mom being so frightened, and running through the streets with me, trying to escape the falling debris. If there was ever a day that made me want to join the Garrison military once Wade was gone, it was the memories of that day."
"I hope we make it there in time," Jenny said. "Even with the damage to the ships, we have to try." Mai draped an arm around her, trying to comfort her.
"We will," she replied, "you'll see."
"Thanks, Mai," Jenny said. "It's just been a stressful couple of days. You know how it's been."
"I know," she replied. "Want to join me for a drink?"
"That actually sounds good right about now," she replied. "Just nothing hard. We gotta be ready once we're in range. At least my team is finally back in order."
"Spekaing of that," Mai said, trying to slip into the conversation," what's you're take on inter-personal relationships on the team?" Jenny paused for a moment.
"As long as it's not interfering with work, I'm fine with it," she replied.
Jackpot, Mai thought.
"There they go," Captain Stebbins remarked. "Keep up the firepower! We need to buy the Space Marshall as much time as possible….even if it kills us."
"Sir!" one of the officers at ops shouted. "Another ship has joined the fight! They've opened fire on the drone ships and are taking out some of the magna lasers on the moon!"
"Who is it?" Stebbins asked. The viewscreen came on, Captain Brown on screen.
"Captain," Brown said, "glad to see you're still in one piece."
"Brown," Stebbins said, "what kept you?"
"We had a bad communications failure," Brown replied. "Our systems were sabotaged prior to Voltron Force taking off. I assume this means we won't be reporting back to the Garrison?"
"Afraid not," Stebbins replied. "We need to keep these forces busy so that the team on the ground can take back the Garrison."
"Captain," the officer said, "the scanners are picking up something huge that just….well….it just came out of nowhere."
"What?" Stebbins asked. The screen switched over, and they saw the Void approaching, as if it appeared out of nowhere. "It's….the Void? I thought that thing was destroyed!"
"Worse," Brown commented. "It's a robeast." It fired on the ships, and the missiles exploded on the ships' shields.
"Shield power down to sixty percent!" the officer shouted.
"Keep those damn shields up and open fire!" Stebbins shouted. Both ships began to fire on the Void, and the lasers struck the surface, and the missiles exploded on contact with the Void shielding.
"I don't know if we can stop it," Brown shouted. Within moments, more laser fire came out of nowhere.
"Sir, it's the Defender!" the officer aboard the Bogart shouted.
"Captain Stebbins," Jeff said, coming on screen, "We're here to help at the request of the Space Marshall. I see we have quite a robeast problem."
"The Garrison forces are attacking us as well," Stebbins replied.
"Concentrate your fire on those magna lasers," Jeff said. "The Voltron Force is launching right now to try to deal with the robeast."
"Jeff," Christiane said, "that robeast is bigger than any of us have ever faced. Voltron may not be enough to stop it. And if everything I've been sensing about the energy leak is true…."
"Captain Stebbins!" a voice came over the com. The screen split, displaying the added communication. "Admiral Kelly Benton arriving with the Gladiator Force. We received your distress call."
"Kelly!" Christiane shouted. "Yes, we need your help!"
"It looks as if Wade transformed the Void into some kind of robeast," Jeff said.
"You know what they say," Aidan quipped, "the bigger they are…."
"Can it, Dalloway," Morgan snapped.
"Where's Len?" Kelly asked.
"The Space Marshall headed to the surface with the Voltron Force and her companions," Stebbins replied. "We're here to provide cover fire….but we didn't expect this."
"Hopefully two Voltrons can take down this beast," Taye said.
"Morgan, start running the numbers," Aidan said. "Hey Jack, you guys gonna form your giant robot already, or are we gonna have to show you up?"
"Nice to hear from you too, Dalloway," Cliff replied. "Jenny, Krik, what do you say we show 'em how it's done?" The pilots gripped their controls tightly and readied themselves.
"I'm not gonna disappoint," Jenny replied adamantly. "All units, form Voltron!" The ships flew in formation, and began to drop into place as the energy field took hold. "Form feet and legs! Form arms and torso! And I'll form the head!" The CJE locked into place, and the bay doors opened, Voltron's eyes lighting up with power. The Falcon quickly came screaming downward, locking in place over Voltron's chest. Voltron raised his hands above his head, then powered up with a series of air punches.
"Ah, the Voltron Force," Wade said. "Right on time. Dhaz, swat those insects out of our way. I need to remind the 'Lieutenant' of her obligation….and prepare to show her the punishment for not following orders."
"This thing is too big," Jenny said, pulling the controls and trying to dodge the various attacks being launched by the Void.
"That's what SHE said!" Eddie shouted.
"Dude, she totally said that!" Chet laughed.
"Hey, that's MY line!" Tails shouted as a fully formed Jet Voltron flew up to meet the others.
"Question is, how do we stop it?" Aidan said, yanking the controls to avoid another barrage of missiles.
"We need to keep them occupied," Tails said. "If we can get aboard, I might be able to overload the Void generator. Once destroyed, we can take the entire planetoid out easily."
"We need more of us," Cliff commented.
"And more is what you're gonna get," Keith said over the com.
"Kogane!" Aidan shouted. "About time you showed up."
"Less talk, more giant robot smashing," Larmina commented.
"She's right," Daniel said. "Let's work together and buy Sergeant McGovern some time." The three Voltrons took off in different directions, drawing the Void's fire.
"They're splitting up, Sir," Dhaz shouted to Wade. "I'm trying to focus fire, but it's difficult with them on opposing sides."
"It's their strategy," Wade commented. "They're trying to cause you to lose focus. Perhaps you didn't notice that," Wade pointed at the blip heading to the gap in the shielding. "That would be the fourth Voltron trying to penetrate the shielding."
"Should I stop them?" Dhaz asked.
"No," he replied. "If I'm correct, Stensson has delivered herself to me on a silver platter." He pushed a button on his forearm, and was covered in high tech armor. "And all I need to do is meet her on the lower decks to collect." He ran from the room. Dhaz continued to fire on the Voltrons, trying to focus fire on one in particular….the Vehicle Team.
"Keep moving, guys," Jenny ordered. "The others are in position, but it looks like it's gunning for us."
"But why?" Cliff asked.
"I am getting this feeling that Wade knows about the power leak," Krik said.
"Bad time to have one of your feelings, mate," Cliff replied.
"Its powering up some huge cannon!" Vince shouted. "It's targeting the Vehicle Team!"
"Form Green Center!" Daniel shouted. Voltron reconfigured, Green forming the head.
"Boomerang Shield!" Vince shouted. The shield appeared quickly in Voltron's hand, and he threw it in the direction of Vehicle Voltron. The Shield whizzed between them, and the blast hit it, deflecting off it.
"Counter quick with an Electro-Thermoblast!" Jenny shouted. Voltron arched back and fired an electro-thermal blast back at the Void, hitting the cannon and destroying it.
"Ensign, it's still focusing on the Vehicle Team," Aidan shouted.
"We know," Daniel replied.
"Keep trying to attract its attention, Dalloway," Keith shouted. "We need to buy Grend's team more time!"
"Form Black Center!" Daniel shouted, and Voltron reconfigured again, Black forming the head.
"Form Solar Combat Spears!" Jenny shouted, and the spears shot out of their holsters and into Voltron's hands. He put them together into one big spear. "Let's take out that main turret!" Voltron launched the spear, and Dhaz flinched as the spear struck and destroyed the turret, and the camera went dead.
"The Sky Marshall is not gonna like this," he grunted to himself. He tried to work the controls to continue swinging at the other Voltrons.
"Great shot!" Aidan shouted.
"Team effort," Jenny replied. "Plenty of practice."
"Pretty good for a cadet, eh?" Cliff laughed.
"We're not out of the woods yet," Vince shouted. "I'm detecting a strange power fluctuation from inside the core."
"Either that robeast is about to blast us big time," Daniel said, "or the other team was able to take out the Void Generator."
"Option B sounds like a good bet," Tails snarked as Jet Voltron came screeching past them.
"The Void Generator is down!" Lenora shouted. "Their weapons and shielding should be knocked out! Now, hit 'em with all we've got!"
"FORM BLAZING SWORD!" they shouted. Lion Voltron clanked red and green together, then pulled apart, the energy beam forming the sword. Vehicle Voltron grabbed the spinning laser blades, then combined them over his head, pulling downward to form the sword. Gladiator Voltron raised one arm, and the symbol for Alpha, Beta and gamma appeared, and the energy beam formed the Plasma Sword. Jet Voltron Red met Green at the hip and pulled away, the energy beam forming the sword.
"Take it out, Team!" JC shouted, flying forward, Sword charged.
"Hold it together a bit longer, guys," Jenny shouted. "Get it!" Vehicle Voltron flew at it full speed.
"Rah, frickin' rah!" Aidan shouted as Gladiator Voltron sped towards it.
"Shut Wade down for good!" Keith shouted. Daniel nodded, and Lion Voltron sped towards the Void as well.
"There's no power!" Dhaz shouted. "I'm getting outta here!" He ran from the room. Each Voltron sliced through an arm and a leg, leaving the remainder of the Void drifting precariously above the earth.
"One more, for good measure," Daniel said, connecting his Voltcom. "Speed Boost!"
"Power Boost!" Vince shouted, connecting his voltcom.
"Butt Kick Boost!" Larmina shouted, connecting her voltcom. The blazing sword glowed blue as they flew at top speed at the Void, crashing through the surface. Within seconds, the entire hemisphere was bisected, and exploded. One half fell from the sky and crashed into the ocean and slowly sank. The other half spun out of control and crash landed on the surface of the moon, burning with explosions. The Voltrons flew to where the small fleet hovered and awaited further orders.
"An end to the Void….and wade," Keith said.
"You don't think he survived that, do you?" Daniel asked. Keith began to have thoughts of doubt fill his head….but for now, it was over.
"All ships, separate and rendezvous at the main hangar," Lenora ordered over the com. "We have some cleaning up to do." As they did so, a small escape pod fired into the distance.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for making this all possible," Lenora said. "Without the help of the entire Voltron Force, Wade may have succeeded in his plans. Now, as I have said, we have a long road of cleanup ahead of us."
"What about the Council?" Sven asked.
"Are you going to disband it?" Romelle asked.
"No, Your Highness," Lenora replied. "We can't have the type of government run by one person. If we did that, we'd be no better than the Supremacy. No, we need to rebuild the Council from the ground up. Most of the Council has already handed in their resignation. I think some fresh faces, put in place by the people of the Alliance, will greatly help."
"I'm shocked about Ambassador Gali," Kelly said with her head bowed. "I can't believe he sided with Wade. And he's supposed to represent my people."
"Some men are easily swayed by greed and power," Lenora said. "But no matter what happens, we know that justice will always prevail….thanks to us, and Voltron." Jenny saw Mai wander away from the group, heading for the hangar. She walked away as well to catch up to her.
"Mai, wait up," she said. "Where ya goin'?
"I was just heading back to the hangar," Mai replied. "I figured now that all this is over, it would be a good time to check up on the ships. I suppose we're going to search for a way to repair the nexus now."
"I assume," Jenny replied. "Listen, I'm glad we talked earlier. I was really tense going into this fight. I don't get to talk to Cliff or Krik much, and it's good to know someone's got my back, you know?"
"I know what you mean," Mai said, biting her lower lip.
"I mean it though," Jenny said. "It meant a lot."
"No problem," Mai said. "I'm glad." Out of nowhere, Mai racked up on her tip toes and leaned in, meeting Jenny's lips, kissing her full on the mouth. Jenny was caught off guard, and wasn't sure how to react. When she broke the kiss, Mai smiled and continued walking towards the hangar.
"I….uh…..yeah," Jenny said, half dazed. She turned and walked back towards the others again.
Two ships carefully sailed through space, heading back towards planet Doom. Aboard one, Commander Kala anxiously awaited the communication that was about to come through. As the viewscreen came up, she held her breath.
"Commander," Lord Kanji said, "it appears the Sky Marshall's plan didn't go the way he'd hoped."
"I apologize for this failure, Your Excellency," she replied, bowing her head. "Our intention was not to disappoint you."
"While this was a setback," he said, "I do not view this as a failure, Commander." She raised an eyebrow. "On the contrary, between the destruction of Hydra, and the fear instilled in the planets of the Galaxy Alliance, I feel that, at least for my benefit, and that of the Supremacy, the mission was still somewhat successful. Once we arrive back on Doom, we will need to work on a strategy to eliminate the Council."
"Eliminate?" Kala asked. "Are you planning to overthrow the kingdoms?"
"I simply plan to unify the Empire, Commander," he replied. "The first task will be to find a new ruler for Korronith."
"That may not be necessary, my lord," she replied. "Sky Marshall Wade is alive."