KathDMD - First off, you'll see these scenes have more to do with Dari, even if it is great to see the interaction between the Gladiator's creators. But put Dari and Len on the side and make way for the real star of the show...that blasted hoverbike!

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 116 : "End It"

"What do you mean 'end it'?" Tetsuya asked. "I didn't save your life just to let you give up."

"I have my reasons," she replied. "Like you said before, I can't go back. I've lost my home, my career, and now my honor. You would do the same, would you not?"

"I wouldn't give up," he replied. "Sure, I've run from problems, but I never ever gave up. Not really. It's something ingrained in the human spirit."

"Human…phht," she scoffed. "There you go again boasting of your strength and your supposed 'compassion'." She looked him in the eye again. "Compassion is for the weak. The sheer fact you show compassion for me proves how utterly weak you are."

"Our compassion isn't a weakness, General," he replied. "It is one of our greatest strengths. It's our compassion for others that not only saved your life, but gives us the strength to keep on fighting and defending this world from the Supremacy. The Gladiators were constructed as machines to help mankind. It was the compassion for those who could not defend themselves that made them Gladiators….warriors to defend the universe." He let out a sigh. "I guess that's why they were destined to become Voltron."

"Voltron destroyed our world," she retorted.

"Voltron stopped your military from destroying this world," he replied. "Even the home planet Drule was annihilated by the greed and power of their leaders. Their people didn't give up either. The Alliance found them a new world, and today the Drule Confederacy flourishes under the guidance of their new leaders." He looked back down at her. "I'm no fan of the Alliance military, by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a fan of doing the right thing. You wanna know why I saved you? That's why." He turned to walk out of the room. She paused for a moment, then struggled to try and sit up.

"Wait," she said, still straining. He stopped and turned to look at her. "I have nothing left in this life. Nothing left in this world." They stared at one another for a moment. "Tell me, human, what would be the 'right' thing to do?" He thought for a moment, then took a deep breath.

"Making your life mean something," he replied. "This whole project brings meaning to my life. What do you want to do with yours?" She kept her stare on him, but he turned and left the room. She fell back to the bed, exhausted.

The doors to the ships opened up, and the team came running from the doors, fresh home from Earth.

"Home, sweet home," Taye said.

"Our home away from home," David quipped.

"Relax while you can, boys," Kelly said. "Twyla's still out there. It's a miracle she hasn't tried anything while we were gone."

"With the entire Supremacy trying to converge on Galaxy Garrison?" Aidan asked. "I highly doubt it." He chuckled.

"Professor," Kelly asked, walking up to Hotaru, "has there been any activity at all since we last spoke?"

"No, Admiral," she replied. "None at all."

"And our guest?" Kelly asked.

"Tetsuya has been keeping an eye on her," she replied. "Last I saw, she was stable, and resting peacefully. Perhaps when she wakes up, she'll be able to help us figure out where Twyla is, or at least help us figure out how to stop the attacks."

"Her?" Aidan asked. "Phht. When that nutjob wakes up, all she's gonna want to do is get the hell outta here, and fight each and every one of us to do it."

"You really think that, Aidan?" Lisa asked.

"I came face to face with this woman," he replied. "Hell, I was held prisoner by her. The only things the Drules seem to understand is violence and chaos. Nothing I ever said to her ever got through to her, and it probably never will."

"That doesn't mean we stop trying!" Lisa replied. She suddenly hunched over, grabbing her stomach. Aidan instinctively ran to help her.

"Baby," he said, "you alright?" She winced, then looked up into his eyes as she stood back up.

"I'm fine," she replied. "Seems the baby's as ticked off at you as I am." He let out a small laugh, but she didn't find it funny.

"Go back to the house and get some rest," he ordered. "I promise I'll try to play nice with the General….one last time."

"Fair enough," Lisa replied before leaving.

"You really have a way of running your mouth, Dalloway," Morgan quipped.

"Can it, Feld," he replied, making his way out of the control room as well. Kelly put her hand over her face and shook her head.

"This is MY team," she muttered.

Lieutenant Centa walked up to the computer terminal and began keying in codes. Within moments, the screen began displaying logs from the Commander herself. Centa studied them intently….there were many entries about the robeasts they had launched, plans that were made…and failed. Then one thing caught her eye….the mention of….

"The Omega Comet?" she asked herself quietly. "It hasn't passed this way in millennia. Why would her logs mention this?" She skimmed the pages more carefully. "What's this? Temporal….flux? I know the Supremacy was testing out time travel devices, but I had no idea…." She continued to read frantically, taking in the information like a sponge. Her eyes widened.

"The vortex created closed," she said quietly. "The comet is now part of an infinite time loop that we have left far behind us." She thought for a moment. "There must be a way to reopen it….a way to harness the same power of that comet. If not for the Commander….then for myself." She closed the logs, and made her way over to the hangar.

"You there!" she shouted to one of the crew working on the robeast standing tall before them. "Come over here!" He did as she asked, saluting as he approached her.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" he asked.

"The Commander would like a progress report," she replied.

"With the main crew working on her own secret project," he said, "we have been short handed. However, I'm proud to report that this robeast, whom we've dubbed 'Electros', is nearly complete. It will be ready for launch within the next twenty-four hours."

"Excellent," she replied. "The people of Terra will surely get a charge out of this…." She laughed. "…as will the Voltron Force."

"Hey, Kelly," Taye said, "would it be OK for me to head home for a bit? I could sure use the rest myself."

"Oh no you don't, Benton!" she snapped. "I know damned well you're running off to work on that piece of snart hoverbike of yours." He stared her down for a moment, then lowered his head.

"Yes, dear," he said softly.

"What is your obsession with that thing?" she asked.

"It's a guy thing, Kel," he replied. "Come on, you got Dalloway here running frickin' perimeter scans as if he were Kogane, and you got Dave and Morgan working on repairs to the mechas. You could at least give me a few hours to get the new fuel cell installed." She turned away, throwing up her hands.

You owe me, Benton," she said, turning around and planting a single finger in his chest. "I want you back here in four hours, no excuses. And in exchange…" She pulled her hand back, placing the finger on her cheek, as if lost in thought. "….I want you to take me on a date."

"A date?" he asked. "Is that all?" She huffed.

"Taye Benton, this isn't gonna be a trip to Taco Bell!" she blasted. "We are not going on an ordinary date. We are gonna go on a double date with David and Morgan."

"The Rackens'?" he asked, making a strange face. He wasn't averted to hanging out with David and Morgan, it was the whole 'date' idea that gave him jitters. "Fine. It's been a while since you and I've gone someplace fancy I guess. Yeah….alright, we'll do it."

"Good," she replied with a smile. "See you in a bit." He made a half smile, then left. Morgan walked in, and seeing the look on her friend's face, realized she'd dropped the bomb.

"How did it go?" she asked.

"Could have gone better," she replied, "but as they say….the trap is set."