animebookchic - Now it's time for the Voltron Force to head back to Yolon, and save what's left of Delta Five!

Author's Note - Without my muse, I am nothing.

Theme Music : "Apocalyptic" by Halestorm

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 122 : "The Fate of Delta Five – Part I"

A lone Halassian command ship lingered near the Alliance base…lying and waiting. On the bridge, the captain stared intently at the viewscreen.

"Large quantities of Ferrite and Lazon are disappearing from the nearby caverns," he said. "Our mining operations have reached areas that have seen activity prior to their arrival. Something must be happening on the surface, and I bet it has to do with that base the Alliance has placed here."

"But sir," the officer replied, "until reinforcements arrive from the home planet, we cannot possibly launch an attack against the Alliance forces."

"Perhaps not," he replied. "But those other invaders….the 'Drules'…they may still be of use to us." He stood up with a look of determination. "How long before our backup fleet arrives?"

"Within forty-eight hours, captain," the officer replied.

"Hail the Drule vessel in orbit around Delta Five's far moon," he said. "Tell them that I have a unique proposal for them."

The base itself ran on little more than a skeleton crew. Those that stayed behind knew the risks, but were more than ready to defend their little home should the Drules or the Halas return to fight.

"Are the shields around the base operational?" the Senior Lieutenant asked.

"Yes, sir," the Sergeant under him replied. "It took the boys working day and night for the past three days, but we should be able to withstand firepower even from a Drule command ship. Let's just hope the Halas don't have more firepower than that."

"I wish Voltron were still here," the Lieutenant said, "but we have to make do with what we have. Are the weapons systems operational?"

"Yes, sir," he replied.

"Excellent," the Lieutenant remarked. "And what of the scans? Last I had heard, there was a lone command ship sitting just out of range."

"Long range scans show that the vessel is consistent with the ones in the Halassian fleet, Lieutenant," he replied.

"Has it made any movement towards the base?" the Lieutenant asked.

"No, sir," he replied. "And they seem to be the only ship from their fleet left."

"Let's hope it stays that way," the Lieutenant replied. "Just keep a close eye on it, just in case."

Modoch sat at the bar staring off into space, lost in thought. Cliff approached and sat next to him.

"What's on your mind, Modoch?" he asked. "You seem to be out of sorts."

"Just mulling over the past, Cliff," he replied, then took another sip of his drink. "I probably shouldn't, but it hits me sometimes."

"It'll pass," Cliff said. "It always does."

"You're probably right," Modoch replied. "How are things with Justine?"

"She's still adjusting to life on the Defender," he replied. "Been keeping herself busy with work. But she's anxious to see what's out there in Yolon."

"She hasn't met the Halassians!" Modoch laughed.

"Speaking of the Halassians," Cliff said, "I hope the base is still standing when we get back to Delta Five." Across the room at one of the booths, Jenny sat in front of her plate of food. Instead of eating though, she had her head turned, staring out the window. Mai walked over with her tray and sat across from her.

"Hey, Jenny," Mai said.

"Oh, hi Mai," she replied.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Thinking about delta Five," Jenny replied. "I wish we didn't have to leave the base unprotected. We worked so hard to secure that land."

"I'm sure everything will turn out OK in the end," Mai said with a smile. "It usually does." Ken and Dixie walked into the lounge and sat at the bar.

"So, smartass," she said jokingly, "what do you think about the situation with Delta Five?"

"Well, cowgirl," he replied with a smirk, "to be honest, I'm not thinking about it too much."

"Oh?" she asked.

"Yolon will be there when we get back," he said, "and we have Voltron. The Halas and the Drules don't stand a chance."

"So what ARE you thinking about?" she asked, shooting him a smirk in return.

"You, me, a bottle of jack and those glorious fingernails of yours," he growled.

"A little overconfident, aren't we?" she asked, biting her lower lip.

"We only have a short time before getting back to Delta Five," he said, "and once back, we aren't gonna have a lot of free time you know."

"Yeah," she replied," you're right about that."

"I say we make the most of it," he said with a smirk. "Sammy! How about a couple of drinks over here!" Cinda stood silently at the observation window. Krik approached her.

"We should be arriving in the Yolon Sector within the next twelve hours," he said. "I know that we can handle the Drules, but there is some strange feeling I have about the Halas."

"I feel it too," Cinda replied, never averting her gaze from the stars. "But there's been a lot on my mind lately."

"You miss Tsuyoshi," he said.

"Mhmm," she replied, nodding. "I'm still working to get transferred to Arus, but right now it's just impossible. And with Hunk being bound to his lion…."

"Voltron is bigger than all of us," Krik said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We all knew this when we started. But who knows? Maybe someday they will find a replacement for him, or for you."

"I just wish that day was sooner instead of later," she replied.

Binak kneeled in front of Merly, then looked up at her carefully.

"Your majesty," he said, "the Halassian vessel is attempting to contact us."

"I see they are in much the same condition we are," she said, "waiting for reinforcements. It surprises me that they still haven't found our mining operations on the surface."

"We have been keeping our operations short and silent, as you suggested, your majesty," he replied.

"Excellent," she replied. "Put the communication through to my private quarters." She stood up, preparing to leave the bridge. "I think it might be a good idea to bargain with them this one time."

"Are you sure we should still trust them?" Binak asked. "If they find our mining operations…."

"Don't be absurd, General!" she snapped. "Besides, we need to strike while the iron is hot."

"Meaning?" he asked.

"Voltron is no longer here to protect their base," she replied. "If we can join forces and attack their puny base of operations now, there will be next to nothing in our way."

"And once the Alliance is dealt with?" Binak asked.

"Then I'll deal with the Halas," she replied, "…personally." She grinned maniacally as she turned and left the bridge of the ship.

To be continued…