KathDMD - I'm actually putting a serious spin on Mai's crush on Jenny. I truly want to flesh out Mai"s backstory, and cement not only the comfort with her own sexuality, but showing that in this age, it really is less of an issue. As for Cliff though...he's kinda caught in the middle.
Author's Note - Without my muse, I am nothing.
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 115 : "Can We Fix It?"
"I hear the Defender is going to heading out again tomorrow," Justine said, sitting at the bar, gently shaking her glass, the last bit of her drink swirling around inside of it.
"Yep," Cliff replied. "We're not headed back to Delta Five just yet, but Jeff said he has an idea about where to go to make the repairs to the damaged power core."
"Something happen during the battle?" she asked.
"Weeks ago," he replied, "Voltron was up against a hard hitting robeast, and it managed to blast a nice size hole in his chest. Ever since then, we've had a strange power leak, and the whole blasted thing goes haywire. Jeff said if we don't figure out how to properly repair it, we may lose the Air Team, and possibly Voltron altogether."
"As much as I'd like to see the team back home for good," she said, "I know how important the mission is, and how important the Voltron Force is to the galaxy."
"You know I won't be gone forever, Love," he said with a smile. He gently lifted her chin with his finger, meeting her gaze. "Once we finally find livable worlds and complete our mission, the force will be home for good."
"I hate being patient, Cliff," she replied. "I just wish the job didn't take you so far away for such a long time." Suddenly, a noise came from her pocket, alerting her. She reached down and pulled out a small datapad device, tapping on it. Moments later, her eyes widened, and a smile appeared on her face.
"What is it, love?" Cliff asked.
"A message from Admiral Fabrere," she replied. "The Space Marshall needs me to go to Ariel to talk with their leader about setting up an academy branch there."
"That's great news," Cliff replied, "but why this excited?"
"She said I'll be travelling aboard the Defender," she said ecstatically, "and that once the mission is done on Ariel, I will be accompanying you all to Delta Five to assist with setting up operations there!" Cliff smiled.
"That's wonderful!" he shouted, standing up. He wrapped his arms around her and practically lifted her off the ground, hugging her.
"Oh my gosh," she said, "I gotta get back to the apartment. I have things to pack, preparations to make….we're leaving tomorrow!"
"I'll be glad to help you pack," she replied with a mischievous grin. She elbowed him, and the two left the bar.
Christiane walked up to Keith as he finished a conversation with one of the security guards. He turned to meet her, and the two hugged.
"I missed you so much," she said. "How have things been on Arus?"
"Somewhat chaotic," he admitted. "Allura and Alexander are doing fine though." She blinked twice.
"And the new addition?" she asked. He laughed.
"I could never hide anything from you," he said. "The pregnancy has been fine, a few stressful moments not withstanding. In fact, Allura is due in the next few weeks."
"That's great news," she replied.
"I heard there's an issue with your Voltron," Keith said.
"Yes," she replied. "Keith…I was trying to diagnose the system issues, and when I touched the cold metal, it was as if I were touching the skin of a living being. I saw things I didn't completely understand."
"What damage was there?' he asked.
"A robeast managed to penetrate something in the Strato Weapons Module," she replied. "It followed by a strange energy leak….and strange power surges have been causing configuration changes with Voltron's weapons." Keith's eyebrows raised inquisitively.
"Could it be possible….that the vehicles have a nexus?" he asked.
"They're alive, Keith," she replied. "I don't know how or why, but they are. Added to that, I had a vision of Alfor. I saw him as a young man talking to Dr. Loring. I think he was trying to create and grow his own nexus crystals." She looked him in the eye. "The immediate problem though is the power leak. Chip took a look at the damage, and strange information is being released that even the universal translators can't decipher. He has no idea how to patch it, and is afraid if we attempt to, we could do more damage in the process. Chip mentioned Ariel…."
"The Blacksmith," he said. "He must have contacted Pidge. We had a similar issues when Wade smashed a hole in Black Lion with a corrite projectile. I'm unsure of the ties your Voltron has with Ariel, but if you saw Alfor in your vision talking to Dr. Loring, maybe there's more to Vehicle Voltron's creation than we know about." As he finished talking, Marina came running up to him.
"Keith," she said, "we need to get everything together for takeoff. Coran needs to speak to Allura in person about the Council, and suggesting a way to unite the Alliance planets in the Denubian…." She turned to look at Christiane. Christiane looked back at her. "Oh, I don't think we've officially met. Lieutenant Marina DeVille, Red Lion pilot." She held out her bare hand to shake. Christiane felt something odd, then reached out herself, grasping her hand. Without so much as a flinch, a surge of everything filled Christiane's mind. She saw visions of Marina's past, but the ones that stuck out were visions of her older brother. Keith realized he hadn't told Christiane about Marina.
"And this is Christiane Aki," he said, "my…." Christiane pulled Marina to her and wrapped her arms around her. She closed her eyes and hugged her.
"Sister," she said softly. Marina felt confused.
"What?" Marina said carefully.
"Christiane is my little sister," he replied. "Maybe I should let you two talk. I need to talk to Len quick before we depart." He walked away. Christiane pulled back and looked into Marina's eyes.
"Let's start from the beginning," Christiane said, preparing herself to explain to Marina who she is, and how they are sisters.
Cliff walked into the lounge and saw Jenny sitting at the bar staring into her drink. Cliff walked up to her and sat on the stool next to her.
"Sammy," he said, "grab me my usual, will ya?" Sammy laughed.
"Hope you don't think my bartending is better than my cooking," Sammy remarked. "The Vice Marshall ordered all alcohol removed from the supply shipment and replaced with a machine that produces synthehol."
"Crikey," he remarked. "I guess it's better than nothing." Sammy went off to get the drink. He turned to look at Jenny. "What's the matter, Love?"
"Nothing really," she lied.
"You can't fool me," he replied. "I've seen it a million times. Something's bothering you."
"It's complicated," she replied. She looked over at him, then back down at her glass. "Something strange happened yesterday with Sergeant Isla." He raised an eyebrow. "Well not so much strange as….well….confusing."
"How so?" he asked. She looked him in the eye.
"She kissed me," she replied. Cliff immediately flashed back to the conversation he had with Mai the other day.
"Oh," he replied, trying to think of what to say.
"But here's the strange part," she said. "I didn't mind it. Mai's been a good friend to me since we all started on the force. In a sense…I think I might actually like her too. I mean, I've never been attracted to women….but something about this is different. I dunno, maybe I'm making this out to be more than it is…."
"I don't think so," Cliff replied. "Do you honestly have feelings for her?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "That's the confusing part. I think I just need to think about all of this more before I come to any conclusions. I just don't want to hurt her."
"That's completely understandable," he replied.
"I think I'm going back to my quarters and lay down until we get to Ariel," she said, getting up from her seat. "I have a lot to think about." She left the lounge, and Sammy handed Cliff his drink. He downed the whole thing quickly, then began gasping for air.
"Bloody hell," he shouted, "what's in this, Sammy?"
"The synthehol is made using assorted vegetables in the fresh stores," he replied. Cliff hit his head on the bar repeatedly in frustration.
"Lieutenant," one of the officers said as he stared at his console, "I'm seeing incoming craft. It looks like a small Halassian fleet!"
"I knew it would only be a matter of time before they'd attack," the young Lieutenant replied. "Stone, get your men up to tactical and begin testing out those weapons. We didn't build this base only to be knocked down by a flock of renegades!"
"Yes, sir," the other man said, saluting. He took off running.
"I know we can't rely on Voltron forever," the Lieutenant said. "This will be our ultimate test. Let's just pray that the effort we put into this base is enough to stop the Halassians from taking control of Delta Five."