KathDMD - That hoverbike needs its own show, but I digress. Don't lose focus, or our fearless leader may not make it out alive!

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 117 : "Short Circuit"

Lieutenant Centa walked onto the bridge of one of their new command ships. She looked around, looking over the robots and Derinja officers working on various terminals in the room. She carefully walked up to the command chair and sat down. One of the men took notice and turned to look at her.

"Lieutenant," he said, giving her a salute, "what are your orders?"

"Has the robeast been loaded into the cargo bay?" she asked.

"Yes, Lieutenant," he replied. "The robeast has been loaded, and the fleet is ready for launch. All weapons systems are online and fully charged."

"Perfect," she said, rubbing her hands together. "Notify Commander Twyla that we will be commencing our attack on New Bay City, including their precious Command Base. And if they do manage to launch their Voltron Gladiators….well, I'll let the robeast speak for itself."

"Yes, ma'am," the officer replied, once again saluting. He walked over to one of the robots and began issuing orders.

"Once my robeast is done leveling the Voltron Force and their home," she said aloud, "all of Terra will fall to their knees in fear of the Drule Supremacy!"

David carefully placed a sheet of metal over a panel that had been cut out of one of the legs of Beta, and began to tach-weld it in place.

"David," Morgan shouted from up higher, "I need your help running this system diagnostic."

"Seven hells," he replied, lifting up his visor, "what do you need my help to do that for?"

"Because I need you to read off the numbers from the screen on the onboard computer while I check the datapad connected to the main power system down below." He took off the visor and began climbing the scaffolding.

"On my way," he said, carefully climbing.

"All these changes to the systems," Morgan said. "I can rewire and program navigational systems in my sleep, but the power system in this thing is so damn complex." David climbed into the door leading to the cockpit area.

"It wouldn't be Voltron if it wasn't complex, love," he replied, giving her a wink. She shook her head and pointed him in the direction of the console. She began climbing down to one of the lower areas.

"Keep your eye on the numbers for a match," she shouted. "I want to know if there are any interruptions in the power flow." After a few moments of silence, she looked up at him again. "By the way, we're going out with Kelly and Taye tomorrow night." She heard a wrench drop.

"Seven hells," he shouted, "I'm sure glad you didn't drop this on me minutes before the bloody affair."

"Look," she said, "if we want any hope of breaking this habit of taye's…"

"It's just a hobby, love," he laughed. "A sad one, but a hobby nonetheless." She fumed.

"David Rackens, you are going to help me fix this damn marriage!" she shouted. "One way or another!"

"Alright, alright, love," he replied. "Whatever you say. Let's just get this work done here so I can get back to patching the hull before Twyla decides to wreck it again." Morgan smirked, and they began comparing numbers again.

Lisa carefully sat up on the exam table. The doctor turned after typing some things into her datapad and smiled.

"Everything is looking fine," she said to her. "All the tests we did today are normal. We should still be on track to induce you beginning of next week." She keyed in a few more things into the datapad. "I was thinking Thursday morning?"

"That sounds great," Lisa replied, carefully coming down off the table, "provided we aren't attacked."

"I'd rather you try to stay on the sidelines these last few days," the doctor said. "I know you've been taking a lot of risks lately, but right now, you'll need your rest. Believe me, you'll thank me for it."

"I'll do my best, Doctor," Lisa said with a smile.

"Good," she replied. "Just see the receptionist on the way out to schedule the…." The room shook, and a low booming noise could be heard and felt through the building. Some people stumbled. Lisa looked at the Doctor.

"I have to go," she said, going to run out of the room.

"Hey!" the doctor shouted at her. "Remember what I said!" List tapped her Voltcom.

"Kelly," she asked, "is something going on? Are we being attacked?"

"We just felt it here too," Kelly replied. "Aidan, Morgan and David are on their way to the Control Room now. I'm going to have taye get back here to meet you as soon as possible."

"I'm on my way," Lisa replied. "Kaga out." She tapped the com again and continued running out of the building.

Taye tightened the last fastener connecting the fuel cell to the hover-converter, then wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"This ought to do it," he said to himself. He grabbed a rag and carefully and meticulously wiped the seat. He then climbed on and was about to start it when he heard a boom, followed by his com sounding. He tapped it.

"Taye!" Kelly shouted, "Twyla's launched an attack on the city! I need you back here now!"

"But," he said, "I was just about to…."

"NOW!" she screeched in frustration. "Lisa will meet you here when you arrive. She's on her way." He sighed.

"Understood," he said. He turned off the com and climbed off the bike. "I guess our trial run will have to wait." He wiped the seat again, then walked away. He turned one last time to look at it, pointing to it with a smirk, snapping his fingers. He then ran off towards Jet Gamma.

"Launch immediately!" Kelly shouted. Aidan, Morgan and David ran through the doors, and into their jets. The jets took off, docking inside their gladiators. The cockpits slid into place.

"Skip the formalities," Aidan shouted. "Keys in, and lift off! Meet up downtown!" Alpha and Beta took off through their respective launching tubes. Alpha came out of a metal door in the ground opening, and Beta from the mountain. They took of screeching towards downtown. As they touched down, they got their first look at the situation.

"Same snart, different day," Aidan commented. "Rackens, you and Feld pick off those flyers. I'll size up the command ship."

"Just what I needed," David commented as Beta held out its hands, a pair of blasters forming in them, "target practice." Beta took aim and began firing on the approaching flyers, picking them off one by one. Alpha took off, making a beeline for the command ship. Before he could get there, however, the cargo bay opened, and a robeast quickly flew out to meet him.

"Robeast," Aidan commented just loud enough for the com to pick up. "No surprise there. Let's see what it can…" It hit him head on, sending an electrical charge throughout Alpha's hull. Aidan jerked backwards in pain, both robot now in freefall.

"Dalloway!" Morgan shouted. Alpha hit the ground with a thud, the robeast now getting to its feet. 'Dalloway, are you alright?"

"What's going on out there?" Kelly shouted over the com. Lisa and Taye ran into the control room.

"Aidan's been hit by the robeast!" Morgan shouted. "He's not responding!"

"Aidan…" Lisa said, staggering forward in pain. Taye caught her.

"You alright?" he asked. "Maybe you need to sit this out…"

"The hell I will," she said through her teeth. "Let's go, Benton." She turned and ran for the doors, Taye in pursuit. Kelly turned back towards the screen, looking on as the robeast formed a bladed staff, completely electrified, and took careful aim at the now prone Alpha….

To be continued….