Final Resistance: The Re-Write of Beginner's Resistance
Team Reunion
Disclaimer: I don't own Voltron. Voltron belongs to World Events Productions and whoever they decide to license the big guy to. The only thing I own are Diana, Ethel, Bernice, Cheryl, and Alex.
The door creaked open, the first sound in the small room since leaving Th'iant's hilly and equatorial capital city. The noise woke Diana up from her nap, and she stared at the intrusion of bright light entering the small, dark room. For the last three days, there wasn't much for her to do, and she only heard the faint shuffle of her daily meal through the small slot at the bottom of the heavy metal door. Her temporary jail cell was prepared as an early punishment for people bound to the hard to find invisible prison called The Void. Except for the small while toilet at the far wall, everything else in the room was dark to help bring a sense of deprivation—the walls, the floor, and the twin-sized bed was dark and blended into the room.
The group of Wade Droids entered the room, giving the room a pale light. The last Wade Droid entered the room and started broadcasting a message. Sky Marshal Wade's face filled the screen. "Hello, welcome new prisoner to The Void. These droids will escort you to your new home. You will first go through a brief intake process, followed by your cell assignment. All the comforts you once knew no longer exists. What are you waiting for—get a move on!" Before Diana could take the opportunity to stand-up, two of the droids grabbed an arm each and pulled her up.
"Alright, alright, I'm moving. It's not like I'm a machine," She grumbled as she stepped inside the small circle of droids. Three droids were standing behind her, a droid on either side of her, and finally, three more droids led their procession through the small ship into the high-tech prison. They first walked through a small hallway before entering a sizeable cargo hold. At the end of the cargo hold was a ramp, and the droids made sure that Diana didn't slip away or escape their grasp. Once they left the ship, there were in a giant hangar. A couple of other vessels were parked, and they walked in between the ships to arrive at the large bay doors.
The bay doors opened immediately for the droid party, and they continued through another small hallway. The group passed two entrances, before taking a right, then a quick left to enter a large room filled with quietly humming machines. The room was bright with a couple of screens and consoles filling out the walls from Diana's left and right sides. The room was bright in comparison to the place she was a forced guest during the trip here. With her eyesight used to the bright lights surrounding her, Diana was mildly surprised to see Sky Marshal Wade sitting erectly at a desk in the middle of the room.
"Hello, Diana Suzanne Smythe-Williams. I trust that your lodging was satisfactory and the trip uneventful."
"I'll have to say that it was the worst room I've ever been in my whole life. And of course, the trip was extremely uneventful," Diana answered as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Well, it's not supposed to be a pleasure trip, my dear," Wade replied back. Diana hmphed before he went on. "I wanted to personally welcome you to The Void and handle your intake process personally. I've been waiting for this day for a while now."
"Aren't you so special," Diana replied as she rolled her eyes at Wade.
"Aren't you so snappy," Wade stated as he stood up. "It's not too late for you, Diana. You can still walk away from this experience and work at headquarters again under my watch. All you have to do is tell me everything you know about the Den Resistance. Members, missions, future plans, how did Black Lion find its way back to Keith Kogane and Arus?"
"You're just wasting your time, Wade. I'll never tell, and we will be successful in returning the Galaxy Alliance to its former glory," Diana stared at Wade defiantly. "You don't scare me, and I won't be in here too long."
"Oh well, I tried," Wade stated, before standing up from his chair and pressed a button. "Have it your way, Diana. A small machine rose from under the floor in front of Diana. Immediately, she was pushed into the device, which latched on to her wrists and ankles. Before she knew it, her clothes were torn apart, allowing Wade a full view of her mostly naked body. A more towering droid scanned Diana's body for contraband and any hidden weapons on her body. After the brief scan, the machine she was on unlatched her wrists and ankles, only to force her into a loose-fitting jail uniform. Diana looked down in disgust as she was outfitted into pull-on orange uniform pants, plain white tank-top, and an open orange shirt/jacket. Instead of the black boots on her feet were now socks and canvas boat shoes. Her ankles were covered with a pair of anklets.
"Those anklets are part of our security protocol here. They can track your movements and more. The better behaved you are, the more you can move around your new home here." Wade explained about the anklets. "And since you're so lovely, instead of tossing you in the Blackhole where you belong, I'm going to assign you to a cell block full of other VIPs. Right now, your group is hanging out in the open yard." Wade stated. "Droids, take her to the yard. After Open Yard period, take her to her cell."
In the blink of an eye, two droids took over Diana's hands and dragged her down several corridors before stopping at a large bay door. The droid behind Diana broadcasted Wade's face again. "Once again, Diana Smythe-Williams, welcome to The Void. With no trace of you in the galaxy, you will quickly be forgotten. Now get in your new yard and make some friends. You're going to be here for a long time." The transmission paused as the large bay doors were opened. "Play nice!" The transmission ended as Diana was shoved into the open area and the doors closing to the sounds of Wade's recorded laughter. Diana mentally shook her head as she walked deeper into the spacious yard. Bleachers were bordering the large area, with large vents behind them. There was a small game court to one corner, a weight station filled with surly prisoners a few sections to Diana's left. There were several bench and table sets scattered across the yard as well. Looking up, Diana noticed the large glass dome, featuring a vast expanse of space outside the invisible prison.
A couple of minutes later, Diana and a small group of people recognized each other with broad smiles. For the last five years, Diana has worked with these individuals to help the Den Resistance fight against Wade's regime. Within the previous years, they were so close to their goal that they could taste it like a favorite meal. The group met at a bench and table set close to the middle rafters.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in. Diana Smythe-Williams! Long time, no see!" Alexandria Zana announced, still beaming at the sight of seeing her co-conspirator. Alex quickly scanned Diana to gauge for any injuries. "And top it all off, looking fabulous in Void Orange suit."
Diana chuckled before responding. "How have you been, Alex? At least we're finally wearing the same outfit." For the last couple of years, Alex had pointed out several times they could share the same outfit with a few modifications for their different shapes. Both women stood at 5'11" and boasted the same shoe size. Alex had red, wavy hair with green eyes, a celestial nose, and medium-full lips to go with her fair skin. Alex could be considered stocky, but with the current nutritional standards at The Void, her body was getting noticeably slimmer. Meanwhile, Diana had naturally curly, black hair with ginger highlights, a roman-shaped nose, full lips, with dark bronzed skin and round dark brown eyes.
Diana's body was also hourglass-shaped, and she understood how challenging it could be to find just the right-sized clothes for both hers' and Alex's bodies.
"Yeah, but I want to burn this outfit so bad. I promise when we get out, we're going to work on our own line of clothes," Alex replied. "Other than that, I've been in better places than this dump. I want to complain to corporate management as soon as possible." The group chuckled at Alex's joke. Diana turned and focused on the next member of the group.
With a smile, Diana curtsied Princess Bernice from the planet Cetrac. Smiling back in acknowledgment, Bernice hugged Diana. With a thin frame at 5'0", Bernice was the most petite member of the group. The monarch had a peach skin tone, chocolate-colored hair, almond-shaped brown eyes, a thin nose, and small lips. "Bernice! It's good to see you again." The hugged ended, and Diana took a quick glance at Bernice. "How are you holding up in here?"
"I've been better," The princess replied. "I hate this place almost as much as I hate the man who put me here. Honestly, whatever happened to diplomatic immunity?"
"That's a great question, Bernice. Apparently, Wade doesn't care about immunity and cleverly made it seem as if you're missing," Diana replied. "Luckily, everyone that matters knows differently. Cetrac is running smoothly, and your regents are doing a great job of managing your planet." Diana paused as she noticed that Bernice was able to smile broadly at her attempt in comforting her. "I also understand how you feel about the Space Marshall." Diana turned to glance at her next cohort. "Ethel, how are you holding up in here?"
"Despite being the first person in here, I'm holding up pretty well," Ethel replied, shrugging her shoulders. "As you can see, I've been on a forced diet, and I'm noticeably slimmer. I want my curves back!" Ethel Acenas stood at 5'5" and had a pear-shaped body. She also appeared to be Mediterranean with her olive skin and straight, black hair. Then there was her piercing black eyes, a broad nose, and rosy lips. Being part of the Den Resistance was the first time Ethel stepped outside the jewelry business but enjoyed how her adaptability was working for the better part of four years. She has been a prisoner at The Void for nearly a year, and it was an experience she wouldn't wish on anyone—except for one person. Sky Marshall Wade. "Make sure to add that he will definitely go down for his constant mistreatment of those who disagree with him politically and policy-wise."
"Oh, believe me. His ass is definitely going down for his consistent mistreatment of practically everyone who comes in contact with him," Diana replied, giving Ethel the thumbs up. "And best believe, you are going to get your curves back." Diana finished her vow before Bernice chided Diana on her language. Rolling her eyes, Diana turned to check on the last member of their small group. "And you, Cheryl? How are you holding up in this godforsaken place?"
Cheryl smiled before responding back. "I'm doing better now that I see you again. I managed to keep my sanity so far." Cheryl hugged Diana before continuing her remarks. "I can't wait to be free again so I can design and build things again. You can't keep a good sister down." At 23, Cheryl was the youngest person in the group. Cheryl Jackson had a dark brown skin tone, naturally black and coily hair that was usually chemically straightened. Her eyes were narrow and hazel-colored, complemented by a set of full lips and nose. Cheryl's mechanical and electrical engineering skills were superb, and before being sent to The Void, she was often asked to consult on new projects inside and outside the Galaxy Alliance.
"That's right. You can't keep good people down at all," Diana responded back with a smile. "I also come bearing gifts." Diana reached into her curly hair and pulled out a slim box from under the headband that Wade and his droids missed. She opened the box and allowed each woman to pull out a thin bangle. Once the bracelet was settled into their wrist, it grew in size.
"I don't know how you managed to get this past security…but how does jewelry help us?"
"Look again at the design, Ethel. Do you recognize it?" Diana asked, to which Ethel stared at the bangles before giving Diana a beaming smile in response. "There should be a message for everyone, but I would wait until you're alone or everybody else decides to nap. While I'm thinking about others, I know that this place is full of other political prisoners. Anything to report?"
"My cell block is full of them from the near galaxy," Ethel responded. "Almost everyone that we thought lost or missing is here."
"Our blocks are full of people from the middle galaxy," Alex and Cheryl responded.
"And my VIP section is filled with people from the far galaxy. Rumor has it that Wade took a Voltron ally and threw him into the Black Hole—where prisoners that are most likely to escape or cause an uprising are thrown into."
"That bastard. Only he would decide to use the Black Hole for solitary punishment!" Diana splat out. "Any idea who that ally might be?"
"I heard that it was Chief Kalon from the planet Ariel," Bernice answered. "My sources have been pretty accurate when they provide information. One was an eyewitness when Kalon was snatched from his cell."
"Whoa. I know the Lion Riders can't be too happy about that, much less the Voltron Force once they find out," Diana replied. "I believe that Commander Keith is probably finishing up a plan to set us free. It's just a matter of time."
"I hope the matter of time is soon. This place can make you go nuts." Cheryl added. "I hope my family is doing ok. They were dependent on some of the money I sent to help them weather out some difficulties at home. I also wondered what they were told."
"I never thought I would ever become a political prisoner," Bernice added.
"Who knew I would be caught first and so easily," Ethel stated as she joined Bernice and Cheryl on one of the benches.
"I also wondered what lie was told about me to my family," Alex replied as she sat next to the rest of the group.
"I knew it was just a matter of time before I would be tossed in here," Diana stated as she took a look around the open yard. "I hate that fucking bastard and the colossal chip on his shoulder."
"Language!" Bernice interjected.
"I'm being nice. I know more words than that after being around Lance for years," Diana pointed out. "He has such a varied vocabulary."
"You mean he's fluent in cursing," Cheryl stated with a laugh.
"That too," Diana said, shrugging her shoulders. "I mean the man was fully grown when I met him."
"That reminds me, we never shared how we met certain pilots. And we have known and worked with each other constantly for almost five years," Ethel stated, looking at the group seriously. "It'll be better than commiserating about being in this hellhole."
"That's a great idea, Ethel. We know almost nothing about each other before joining the Den Resistance or even before Celebration Week."
"Sounds good to me. I know that everyone's dying to know the answers to the unasked questions that's been in our heads for the longest time," Diana stated. "And it'll get our minds off of present things."
"I always wanted to know how exactly did Lance and Diana meet? I mean, there are a thousand stories out there, and each retelling just gets bigger."
"It's not like we're legendary or something. I promise our initial meetings are nothing like the stories everyone keeps spinning out there."
"So, are you going to spill the beans?" Alex asked, looking interested in the story.
"I guess, I can tell you guys the truth—"
"Time to get back to your cells! Yard Time is over!" The droids interrupted Diana's response. Quicker than a blink of the eye, the droids filled the open yard and grabbed people randomly. "There'll be playtime tomorrow for everyone!"
Diana simply rolled her eyes as she was snatched away from her friends. The group mouthed that they would be able to hang out late tomorrow. They also silently encouraged Diana before being split apart and herded to their respective sections of their prison.