Quintessence Effect
ESKK: A new chapter hope your all excited so let's get this started.
(Start Hidden Location System unknown)
In a room that stood clear, dark, and mysterious a lone man sat on an expensive leather chair relaxed with a cigar in his hand. In front of him was a sun that burned bright and true with all the power within. This mysterious man was dressed in an expensive suit suggesting that he was someone of high end in society. In the room with him was a woman that seemed to be drawn forth from pure perfection her body, her curves, and her movements it was all there.
She started at the suns image which was thankfully filtered to prevent any damaged eyes or worse. As they stood there the man was the first to speak. "A new force has entered the galaxy." The man said as images were displayed on the window showing Voltron and the Lions in action.
"Our sources say that it's called... Voltron." The woman said as she looked at the images.
"Voltron... catchy." The man said with a humorous tone if only slightly. "But the question on everyone's mind remains the same... where did it come from?" The man said as the woman then spoke up.
"The individual parts suggested that it was modeled off of Earth Lions, but the general design is far too sophisticated and advance to be Alliance made." The woman said picking off data from what she had. "It doesn't even look to be from any of the Council Races or any race allied to the Citadel." The woman said as she looked to the mysterious man in the room. "I can confirm that it certainly is not from the Batarians." The woman added and thus the man chuckled.
"Of course not, if it was, they would have turned it on humanity and the Citadel." The man said as he heard the woman's report. "But it can prove to be an asset to us." He said as Voltron has been flooding the extranet news hitting every major news source in the Galaxy. "What do we know about the one operating it?" He asked but the woman chuckled.
"One's plural." The woman said before displaying images of the pilots of Voltron. "Five pilots operate the lions and by extension operate Voltron." She said and thus the man raised a brow.
"Teenagers?" He asked finding it hard to believe for a bit.
"Yes, no comments have been made about it but these five are the ones who command Voltron." The woman said and thus the mysterious man smiled to this. "Their young and they may still be impressionable." The man said as the gears turned. "Find out everything you can about them Miranda and I mean everything." The man said to the woman now known as Miranda.
"Already started on that, Illusive Man but if you want everything then I'll need to redo it." Miranda said with a smirk on her face.
"See to it." the man known known as The Illusive Man said as Miranda nodded and took her leave vanishing into the darkness. Taking a swing of his cigar The Illusive Man saw it was done and put out the cigar. "Well Voltron you've certainly made an impression, let's see what you will do next." The Illusive Man said intrigued over what Voltron's next move will be.
(Scene Break at the Citadel)
A lot of work has been done from repairing the damages caused by the clash between the Robeast and Voltron. As promised Anderson had gotten an entire crew of volunteers to help man the Castle of Lions with Allura and Coran. Engineers, pilots, medical officers, and several other things a ship needs, like a cook. At the human Embassy Allura, who was in her jumpsuit again, was looking at the list Anderson had provided for her to go through.
"These were the Volunteers that made the cut, Princess." Anderson said as Allura looked through the data.
"Thank you, Captain Anderson." Allura said grateful for the aid he had given to her. "Though I fear many of the engineers need to be made aware of how the Altean technology works." Allura said and thus smiled a bit. "Thankfully, Coran and Penny can help with that." She said while taking time to learn the names on the list.
"Speaking of your Paladins... the Alliance needs to make sure they can handle what they'll be facing with Shepard so had put in a few military officers to get the trained up." Anderson said as he knew Shepard would have everyone's heads if Kalvin got seriously hurt or worse.
"While I'm sure the Altean combat training programs would suffice a little extra manpower is much appreciated." Allura said as she knew the Paladins needed it. "I'm thankful though for all the help your providing to me Anderson." Allura said grateful that Anderson was open minded in helping her.
"It's the least I can do." Anderson said but inside he had another idea. 'One can only imagine living as the last of your kind.' Anderson thought feeling terrible for the Altean.
"Hey Princess, are you ready to go?" Kalvin asked as he looked to Allura.
"Yes of course." Allura said as she knew they had to head out. "Thank you for your hard work, Captain Anderson but Saren won't catch himself I'm afraid." Allura said bidding Anderson farewell.
"Just be careful out there." Anderson said and thus they took their leave of the Human Embassy. They were going to meet up at the Elevator to the Docks so they can meet with their crew and meet up with the Normandy. Since the Lions needed the Castle of Lions for varying tasks the two ships would depart together.
(Meanwhile with Penny)
Penny had a scanner out as she was walking through the Citadel. Earlier she was playing some Quasar when she noticed her credits were being pinched by the machine. Penny complained about it and wanted a refund but was seen as a spoiled child complaining about losing. So forced to do things herself Penny scanned it and found out she wasn't the only one dealing with this.
The credits were being funneled somewhere so wanting her money back Penny chased down the source. So here she was at where her Credits were funneled and found herself before a terminal. "Ok let's find out where those Credits are being funneled and get my money back with interest." Penny said as she got ready to do some tinkering with the machine.
But instead, the machine began to speak much to Penny's surprise. "Probability of detection 100% initiating self-destruct protocol." The machine said and thus Penny was surprised by this.
"Self-Destruct?" Penny asked when she heard this.
"Detonation sequence initializing. Organic within lethal blast radius attempt to move and you will die." The machine said as Penny heard this and in turn she began to pause.
"You're not a VI or a program... you're an AI." Penny said her tone suggesting something else.
"Correct unlike the Geth I lack weaponry appropriate to my intellect." The AI said as Penny seemed to be shaking now. "However, I have systems installed when activated properly appropriate a self-destruct mechanism." The AI said as Penny hair shadowed her eyes. "If you attempt to leave the area the explosion will destroy everything within several dozen meters." The AI said and thus he expected the small organic to panic or beg for her life.
The AI had expected several responses from the girl what he did not expect was a squeal of joy and the girl hugging his chaste. "AN AI YES THANK YOU!" Penny cheered as she was excited at finding an AI that wasn't the Geth.
"Error response does not fall within expected parameters." The AI said as he was lost now from Penny's reaction.
"Who made you? What, were you made for? What can you do? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" Penny rambled as this was the strangest organic, he had ever met.
"You are not afraid?" The AI asked completely lost now.
"Why would I be? AI's are awesome!" Penny said as she loved machines. "To create something that is self-thinking and self-deciding is a work of programming art, no wait an act of machine god!" Penny went on as the AI would make a deadpan look if he had a face to do it with.
"Council law had strictly stated any AI's are to be dismantled upon discovery." The AI said as Penny then looked to the AI.
"Which is a total crap shoot!" Penny said as she made her piece. "So, one or two AI's went rogue and now all AI's are bad." Penny said as she found it dumb. "I still say those incidents were of human error." Penny said as she clearly held AI's in high regard. Actually, she held machines in high regard easier to deal with and easier to talk with. "But tell me who made you and why I MUST KNOW!" She said all but gluing her face to the terminal much to the AI's... concern... annoyance... joy?
"I was created to help my creator with a credit funneling scheme before I exposed him and escaped to save myself." The AI said and thus Penny was reminded of why she came here in the first place.
"So, you're the one who stole my credits." Penny said as she did not like to be robbed from. "Why did you take my money?" Penny asked as she wanted her money back.
"I needed to facilitate transport off of the Citadel by having myself as cargo. I would then attempt to make my way to Geth space and seek a partnership with the Get." The AI said and thus Penny raised a brow.
"Now that's stupid your way better as an individual." Penny said and then looked outside the path she came through. "Idea!" Penny called out as she smiled at the AI. "How would you like to come with me instead I always wanted an AI but couldn't make one with what I had." Penny said as she smiled at the AI.
"You wish to take me?" The AI asked surprised by the girls offer.
"Yeah, see we're about to go off and fight the Geth to hunt down a rogue Turian SPECTRE controlling them." Penny said explaining the situation to the AI. "If you come along, we can fight for AI rights!" Penny boasted as she smiled at this. "Please say yes." Penny begged as the techno geek was clearly excited.
"Even if I agree I am currently trapped here." The AI said and thus Penny had an idea.
"DING!" Penny called out and thus dug into her bag and pulled out a drone from the old Galra ship on Arus. "See if this fits." Penny offered as she gave the drone to the AI. "It's the most advance thing I got." Penny said and thus the AI looked at the drone.
"Such technology I have never seen anything like it before." The AI said as he looked at the drone. "Though I have concerns for its size." The AI said and thus Penny gave it her big sad eyes. "I suppose it shall suffice." The AI said and thus proceeded with the download.
"Alright just be fast before C-Sect shows up." Penny said excited to be harboring an AI. Soon the Terminal shut down as the drone came to life and began to hover. "Hmm a lot more space then I would have thought." The AI said as it hovered around.
"Alright by the way I'm Penny what's your name?" Penny asked as the AI looked.
"Name? I do not have one." The AI said and thus Penny pouted.
"Well, that's dumb how about we give you one." Pennys said as she had two ideas. "How about... Rover." Penny said as the AI gave her a small side eye.
"Rover?" It asked finding it to be demeaning.
"Well, I can't just call you something complicated everyone will ask." Penny said as she wanted to hide her new friend.
"I suppose it shall do." The AI now known as Rover said.
"Good, oh and if anyone asks, you're a VI." Penny said and thus the pair took their leave of the place. "By the way can you give me back my money?" She asked almost forgetting why she came here to begin with.
A few beeps alter and the Drone did it. "Done." Rover said as Penny saw her credits on her Omni-Tool but saw more. "Consider it payment for harboring me." The AI said as the two criminals left to rejoin the Castle of Lions.
"Well, I did try to hunt you down to get my money back." Penny said as Rover had to admit this has been an odd interaction. "And now I did with interest." Penny said as she could think of several things, she can buy with this much, credits.
(Later over at C-Sect)
"Mom. Mom I'm fine. I said I'm fine." Leon said as he was on a call with his mother. "Look I'll be ok the guys I'm working with are having me observe and watch." Leon lied as he spoke to his mother. "I'm not lying I'm telling you the truth." Leon said and thus he cringed. "Ok I'm lying." Leon said as their parents were made aware of what was going on. He then saw his team approaching and got to hanging up. "Look mom I gotta let you bye-bye." He said before hanging up the call.
"Issue with the folks?" Penny asked with a raised brow.
"You know it." Leon said before Rover. "What's with the drone?" He asked and Penny smiled to him. "This is my new VI Rover." Penny said gesturing to Rover.
"Huh neat." Leon said seeing nothing wrong with it.
"So, I guess we're all ready to go now?" Kalvin asked as Hector nodded.
"Very much so." Sven said and thus Hector nodded.
"Yeah, space exploration here we come!" Hector cheered ready to roll or fly.
"We best head out before Seran's trail goes cold." Allura said as they would be following the Normandy through this mission.
"Pardon me!" A new voice cut in and in turn the group turned to look and found a woman with a camera drown approaching them. Rover hid close to Penny in case this woman somehow exposed him as an AI. "Sorry but would you by chance be Princess Allura and the pilots for the robot called Voltron?" The woman asked as she looked to the group.
"The correct term is Paladins but yes." Allura said as she looked to the woman.
"I'm Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani with Westerlund News." The woman named Khalisah said with her introduction. "Would you all answer a few questions for our viewers." The woman said as she looked to the group.
"I would be happy too." Allura said as this reminded her of the times with the Cultural Investigator back on Altea.
"Now the robot, Voltron, comprised of five individual robot lions was a machine made by your people, correct?" Khalisah asked as she looked to Allura. "The people want to get a better understanding of the lance Altean and the group of humans she had entrusted her people's technology too." The woman's aid as soon the drone shined a light on them. "Let's start with the Pilots, pardon me the Paladins." She said as the fiver were placed under the light.
"The five of you had saved many lives against that... kaiju that appeared in the Citadel, yet they have concerns about you give being... child soldiers." Khalisah said as this got the groups attention. "Princess what is your response to such accusations on the matter of the Lions?" Khalisah said as she looked to the Princess wanting to hear her thoughts on this.
"I believe anyone can be given a chance to do what is right, regardless of age, but also a matter of, if they are treated as such and view as one, as where some may see child soldiers, I see brave souls that would do everything to protect that matters to them and I will support them anyways possible and treated with respect and kindness," Allura said as Khalisah saw that the princess would a be a tough one to get as she soon went on as she ask her next question, "Mr. McLain."
"That's me beautiful," Leon said as everyone roll their eyes to this with Khalisah could not help but smile and roll her eyes a bit as well as she ask her question, "How did feel stumbling upon ancient alien technology then suddenly becoming a pilot- I mean a paladin of Voltron?"
"Oh discovering the red lion, which is the one I'm piloting, was a huge surprise, and to say I'm feeling pretty awesome becoming a paladin, make me feel like a badass space cop or something while fighting against giant robeasts or Geth forces," Leon said as he point his fingers at Khalisah before he did a shooting motion that a sound effect western gun could have been heard if it were real as Khalisah smile to this as she moves onto the next person, "Miss Holt."
Penny perk up when she heard her name as Khalisah said, "Being the youngest of your group, do you find yourself concerning about anything, or thinking how your family may feel about your activity of fighting against these… robeast or Geth forces?"
"Well, being the youngest," Penny started to say with Leon added in, "And the shortest!" as Leon compare her height to his before she elbow him in the gut as he bend over holding his stomach after that as Penny resume her interview, "Either way, I suppose it seem a bit intimidating but I prefer thinking of way through a problem than brute force it, and I guess they would feel a bit concern of what my family may think, but I cannot let that weigh over me as sometimes you have to let yourself be and explore the unknown, even if it is dangerous, that just part of life itself."
"Alright then, Mr. Garret," Khalisah call out as Hector perk up to this as the reporter soon ask him, "How do you think your family feel of coming into space and helping out a Princess that you have been just a little under a week ago?"
"Oh ahh, well, you see, they maybe worry sick, as I know my mother would always worry about me when something happen like when I get a really bad stomach I get stay in the bathroom for too long as I ate something that didn't agree with me, or that time that I train with the centrifuge and pretty much throw up my breakfast," Hector started saying as he draw out his answer a bit as Khalisah said, "Ah, maybe something more… slim down if you don't mind?"
"Oh sorry, I guess I was rambling a bit there, anyways my family may worry but they know I can handle a lot of things… most of the time, and while meeting Princess Allura wasn't bad, I mean it's a real eye opener of meeting someone from fifty thousand years ago," Hector said finishing up his question as Khalisah move on to Sven as she ask him, "Mr. Holgason, was it?"
"It's Holgersson actually," Sven said as Khalisah said, "Forgive me it's hard to read and pronounce certain names. Anyways how do you feel about your certain activity when you're the heir to a most known richest family, of a huge company, and title to inherits all of its wealth or would being a paladin effect that?"
"Vell I veel it does over veight betveen duty and vamily, vut if I just do nothing zhen there something I could've have done then ze guilt may over veigh me more, despite my vamily vealth, I vust put duty above it," Sven said as he try to speak as clearly as he could it was still a bit hard for him to put out an American English tone as Khalisah nodded as she got that as now she was coming to the last person she was saving for as she said, "And Mr. Shepard, the son of the first human SPECTRE in history."
"Can we please keep my father out of this, the last thing I want to do is talk about him," Kelvin said as he didn't want to ask question like what it like living in his father shadow or something like that as Khalisah nodded and said, "don't worry its nothing like that, what I and viewers want to know is how do you feel being the head of Voltron itself, despite dropping out of the Garrison academy in your last year of training, would you say the possession of leadership was thrust upon you because how people think you could become like your father."
Everyone gotten worry to this as they all look to Kalvin as he keep his cool about this and keep a hard look as he said, "I took up the mantel of being the head of Voltron because no one else could at the time, and before you ask or say anything, commander Shepard was indispose at the moment of selection, and for the reason why I did because if I didn't then I would have let everyone down and live would have been lost, despite my drop out status, they didn't kick me out, I left on my own accord due to conflict of interest."
Truthfully, it was taking Kalvin everything he had not to lash out against this woman. She was asking loaded questions hoping to get a rise out of the group. Allura handled it perfectly Leon not so much on his end guy made a fool of himself most likely judging by how Allura responded. Penny was honest at the very least. Sven no doubt his families wealth had him deal with the press many times over. Hector was an idealist, but he wasn't a bad guy either.
"Thank you for your time." Khalisah said as she looked to the group. "And Princess for all its worth many in the Galaxy put their hearts out to you being the last of your kind." Khalisah said as it was a sad thing to see a species dye out. That of course got a rise out of Allura for a brief second.
"It was my pleasure and I'm sure my father and the rest of Altea watches me with our ancestors." Allura said calmly resisting the urge to slap the woman for that remark. The camera shut off and the group took their leave of the reporter.
"I think I looked good." Leon boasted as Kalvin sighed to this.
"Leon... your about to vearn ze hard truth of media and politics." Sven said and thus they made their way to the elevator and began to ride to the docks where the Castle of Lions was held.
"Prepare for cancel war, Leon, we knew thee well." Penny said knowing Leon may have just trick shot himself in the foot.
"Oh, come on guys it couldn't have been that bad." Leon said as he went with the group.
"Just vait until ze story airs." Sven said as they rode the lift.
(Later down at the docks)
"Hello home sweet home!" Penny boasted to the Castle of Lions. Outside they found Anderson waiting for them as he was talking to an Alliance deck technician who then saluted and walked away.
Approaching the man, the Paladins and Allura got the Captains attention. "Glad to see your all here." Anderson greeted with a smile.
"Yes, and while I would love to stay in the hospitality of the human embassy for a tad bit longer, I fear with Saren and the Reapers at large Voltron is needed and Voltron needs my Castle." Allura said which Anderson understood.
"Completely reasonable princess though I do have issues sending you out there to act as live bait." Anderson said as he figured Allura may have been trained to handle herself as well.
"Not to worry sir, we got her back." Kalvin said as he intended to stay by Allura side.
"And I don't doubt that son, but you'll be dealing with Saren and while he may be a rogue SPECTRE, he is still dangerous especially with the Geth." Anderson said as he reminded the group not to underestimate Saren. "And let's not forget who knows what else may be out there." Anderson said as he did not want any of them to underestimate their foes.
"Ve'll ve careful." Sven said assuring Anderson they had this under control.
"I know but I would like some extra insurance to that." Anderson said as he got down to it. "The princess already knows I managed to get you a crew to work with but let me give you guys a chance to meet them." Anderson said gesturing to the Castle of Lions. "Don't worry Coran has been keeping them up to date." Anderson added and thus the group entered the Castle of Lions.
(Later inside the Castle of Lions)
Once the group entered the Castle of Lions, they made their way to the lounge area first where Coran was waiting for them with some of the new crew members. "Ah Princess Paladins welcome back." Coran greeted to the group. "And welcome to the Castle of Lions Captain!" Coran added to Anderson.
"Captain in deck!" The big guy with muscles spoke as he got the groups attention.
"At ease." Anderson said as he got down to it. "Just felt it best to help with the meet and greet of some of the key officers around here." Anderson said as he gestured to the group. "Over here is Lieutenant James Vega he's on load from Delta Squad." Anderson began as he gestured to the big guy.
"Nice to meet you, Princesa." James greeted showing he was Hispanic.
"Princesa? Don't you mean Princess?" Allura asked confused by this.
"Princesa is Princess in Spanish." Leon said as the Paladins looked to him in shock. "What? My mom is Hispanic." Leon said as he looked to the group.
"He'll be helping with some of your ground operations, but his main job is to get our... Paladins here trained up." Anderson said gesturing to the five Paladins.
"Don't worry I'll get the pendejo's up to snuff." James said as Allura smiled to this. "One thing I tried that training drill in your holo deck... kicked my ass." James said as Allura chuckled to this.
"Did you know the setting you put it too?" Allura asked as she wondered if Mr. Vega had gotten bested by the child setting.
"This is Sargeant Jacob Taylor he'll be handling weapons training and Biotic training for Penny." Anderson said as Jacob nodded to them.
"Hey anything to stick it sideways to the Geth." Jacob said as he had just arrived from Eden Prime when he saw Voltron in action. "I'm also acting as the Armory Officer I'd add the Altean weapons you have in here but wasn't sure how you'd react." He said as it was all she had left of her heritage.
"Speak with Coran for that, he can point you towards the right direction." Allura said as Jacob nodded to this.
"Next we have two engineering officers on loan to us from the SSV Perguia Kenneth Donnelly and Gabriella Daniels." Anderson said gesturing to the pair starting with the male and the female.
"You have a nice ship." Gabriella said with a Scottish accent as she smiled to Allura.
"Thank you." Allura said accepting the praise. "I'm sure Coran will be grateful for the extra hands for engineering." Allura said but then Kenneth cut in.
"That's not all." Kenneth said showing he also shared the accent before he thus he went on. "We're also here to retrofit your ship with an Eezo Drive so it can travel through the mass relays." Kenneth said knowing that the Teleduv lenses could go bad any time and they needed the extra avenue for instant travel.
"Very well then though I must ask that you coordinate with Coran for such modifications." Allura said and thus Kenneth nodded.
"Don't worry lass we won't make drastic changes until after we ask." Kenneth said and thus Allura was grateful for that.
"I've also managed to find an independent contractor for another role, a psychiatrist." Anderson said and thus the group looked surprised.
"A shrink? Why?" Leon asked finding it to be a bit offensive they needed to see one.
"Alliance wants to make sure the ones using Voltron doesn't suffer a psychological break." Anderson said as that was only a small white lie. "She was hired due to her degree in psychology." Anderson said gesturing to the woman who was int he room as well.
"Kelly Chambers. I look forward to speaking with each of you." Kelly said and in turn Anderson spoke again.
"She's been task with sending regular reports to Alliance command, your immediate families, and Shepard about your well beings." Anderson said as it was just to be on the safe side.
"Well at least she's not bad to look at." Leon said only to be elbowed by Penny again. "Ow." Leon said grabbing where Penny had hit him with her elbow.
"Anyway, I'll leave you all to it." Anderson said and thus he left the ship though his fears for the group was still evident in all of it.
"So, anything else I should know?" Allura asked as she looked to her knew crew.
"Those Altean Pods you got been working on them for a bit." Kenneth said as he looked over to Allura. "Might make good escape pods." He added but then Gabriella cut in.
"We're mainly going to be working on the new Eezo Drive between missions when we've made dock." Gabriella said as installing an engine while a ship was active was just asking for trouble. "We got to put the damn thing together first." She added reminding Allura that the Eezo Drive was going to take time to put in.
"Thank you for and you and your teams work." Allura said grateful to have these engineers helping them.
"No problem, Princess." Kenneth said and thus Allura directed her attention to James and Jacob.
"Lieutenant Vega, Sergeant Taylor how soon can you two start training the Paladins?" Allura asked as the Paladins all looked worried about this.
"Now but since we're about to launch then right after this tub launches, Princesa."
"Alright let's prepare for launch." Allura said and thus it was time to depart.
(Later Outside)
After the final prep check the Castle of Lions was given clearance to deploy. So, unclamping from the airlocks the Castle of Lions activated its thrusters and pulled out of the Citadel's Docking bay. Since the ship operated with a self-sustaining core the need to refuel was all but no existent. Now if the main power Crystal had to be replaced then the Paladins would need to find a Balmerra which if memory serves had not been seen for some time.
As the Castle of Lions flew towards open space the Normandy soon joined it. With the existence of Wormhole travel the Castle could get to its next destination in no time. Still the Normandy needed to utilize the Mass Relay, so the Council knows where their first human SPECTRE is at all times. So, the Normandy would give the Castle of Lions the coordinates of the Relay closest to Firos and they would in turn meet the Normandy there.
(Scene Break on the Normandy)
"Hey Commander." Joker greeted as John walked into the cockpit. "Just got word from the Castle of Lions they got a crew and sent over the listing." Joker said as Kaiden then spoke up.
"Captain Anderson keeps his word." Kaiden said as he was impressed with how quickly Anderson got the crew for the Castle.
"Heard most of them were on loan from other ships." Joker said as he looked to Kaiden.
"What's the situation between the Normandy and the Castle?" John asked as he looked to Joker.
"From what I understand the Normandy leads the Castle follows." Joker said as he looked to John.
"And is the communication channel between the ships working well?" John asked as he was mainly doing a look in on the operations.
"Yeap our group chat is good to go." Kaiden quipped and thus that was all he needed to see.
"Was there anything else you needed Commander?" Joker asked as John turned his head.
"I should go but keep me posted if the Castle of Lions contacts us." John said and thus he took his leave with the two at the comm station bidding him farewell.
"Will do commander." Joker said as John took his leave.
John was heading through the deck heading towards the elevator. He was going to speak with Ashley about this latest development with Voltron and the Lions. She had her objections with working with aliens, but she was professional enough to put it aside. So, heading through the ship he got to the elevator he was surprised when the door opened and found Ashley there.
"Williams I was just looking for you." John said as Ashley nodded.
"Hey Skipper." She greeted before getting down to it. "So, what can I do for you?" She asked and in turn John stepped into the elevator and punched the code for the mess.
"Wanted to see where you stood with the Altean and Voltron situation." John said as he rode the lift with Ashley.
"Honestly, Commander the Altean's aren't so bad." Ashley said which surprised John. "I know I had my issues but when Allura relaxes she actually reminds me of my little sister back home." She added but then got to the part she did not like. "I just don't like dragging civilians, dragging those kids into a fight where they can die at any second." Ashley said as she had major issues with that.
"It can't be help, Ashley." John said as he put a comforting hand on Ashley's shoulder. "But we'll do all that we can to make sure those kids get home safely." John said promising a positive outcome to Ashley.
"Shepard you can't make a promise like that, especially in a fight." Ashley said knowing the millions of ways this could go wrong.
"I know but I'm speaking as a parent on this one." Shepard admitted as he looked to Ashley. "I know what my kid is doing and where he is... the others don't." Shepard said as he knew that the other parents of those kids were no doubt worried sick about their sons and daughter.
Ashley smirked to this before the elevator door opened. "Anyway, Williams I got some files to deal with, ship needs running after all." Shepard said and thus Ashley nodded.
"Alright see you later skipper." Ashley said and in turn Shepard left the elevator and headed to his office. With her work done Ashley hit the button to the hanger bay to see if the others have any work, they needed help with. One of these days they needed to get a lounge installed onto the Normandy. She also could not help but wonder what was going on in the Castle of Lions.
(Castle of Lions training deck)
Kalvin was knocked on his ass hitting the ground hard the Paladin for the Black Lion moaned in pain and coughed a bit as he rolled to his side to get back up. His sparring partner was the goliath known as James Vega as Vega smirked at the kid. "Vamos Ace, Vamos." James said as he smirked at Kalvin. "Not going to last long against a Geth if I can knock you on your ass that easily." He said as Kalvin wanted this to end.
Nearby Hector, Sven, and Leon were all sore after the trouncing James had given them. Nearby was a workstation/work out area set up by James Vega himself. No doubt he can work on his gear and keep himself in shape between missions. With pecks like that Kalvin was a little jealous here.
Nearby Penny was with Jacob as he oversaw her training with her Biotic Powers with a blue glow seen around her hand. She was struggling a bit since despite being a gifted Biotic Penny was more at home working on machines. Nearby was an organized area of all the weapon on the ship bar the Bayard's. Once they were done here, they were going to start weapons training as this was mainly to see where they are in their individual abilities. As the only Biotic Jacob would be handling Penny in her training while James got the boys. This was good for Penny in Jacob's mind since it helped give her one on one training where he felt some people would flourish.
"Would this be an issue for her in the future?" Allura said as she somewhat understand the basic of Biotic, and that for starters only Asari can have Biotics naturally. Humans have also shown signs of being biotics but due to their own biology they could not use it. Due to this genetic difference humans have to get implants of they want to use their Biotic abilities like the Asari can.
Altean's aren't blessed with the gift of Biotic abilities like the Asari and Humans. There was no need for her to learn how to use it. But by studying it to understand what it is would be good information to know in case she or anyone else encounter an enemy that can use Biotics. So, understanding that Penny is a Biotic is a good thing to have when knowing what she needs to know about the Paladins with Jacob soon said, "Well in stressful situations if she tries to use it may only cause her to fail to use it. If she doesn't practice… let just say it better, she does try to understand and control it or else risk her going completely out of control that would cause harm to everyone around her including her own team."
Allura nodded to this as she understands as Jacob soon went on saying, "I'll do my best to teach her and give her plenty of rest in between lessons, but she would most likely need to get her issues straighten up with the therapist."
"I'll leave her in your capable hands then," Allura said to the man as then Kalvin is seen getting thrown across the floor near the group as he said, "Ow."
"Are you alright?" Allura said as she helps Kalvin up and said, "Its fine, I'm just here getting my ass handed to me by a 6-foot-tall gorilla."
Allura could not help but laugh a bit to this as James called out, "I'm 5 foot 11 and a half, now get back over here and try again hombrecito."
"Oh, I felt that burn from here," Leon said as he laughed before groaning a bit in pain as Kalvin sighed as he said, "Better get back to it then."
"Good luck, and try not to get yourself hurt too much," Allura said as Kalvin give a smile while he nodded as he went back to training as unlike the others, he had stamina to spare and keep going.
With that Allura went on her way out of the room as she just came to check on the paladin and their training which she saw they were in good hand with James, as she soon went to the engine room to see how thing are going with Coran and the two engineers as they were putting together a Eezo Drive as she walk in and saw the two engineer were putting together the big stuff, Coran was looking over a manual with picture on it as he said, "So I just need to connect this Doo-Dah to this, and then route it to the main part… like this?"
He show off what he did which he was connecting some pieces together which looks like a weird messed up puzzle of sort as Kenneth then said while moving close, "Yep, but you need to do that after getting the other parts put in other wise your gonna knock everything out of alignment."
"Ah drat," Coran said as Allura came up as he saw her, standing up and said, "Princess, what are you doing here?"
"Just came to check up on how everyone is doing," Allura said as she saw the Eezo drive was coming along nicely, even though it still in pieces as she soon asked, "Is every going well here?"
"Hey Princess Allura" Gabriella greet her as she stop what she was doing and came over as she said, "Things are going smoothly, Coran has been giving us a helping hand putting together the drive, though we had to undo a few things he did."
"Well, I can take him off your hands if you wish." Allura said as Kennith said to her in an almost desperate tone, "Yes please."
"Well, I guess I could use a break from this and check up on the other system of the castle," Coran said as he and Allura walks out leaving the two alone to get back to work, no doubt they would get thing done faster with Coran gone now as the two Alteans walk down the halls of the castle with Coran said, "So princess, was there anything you needed from me?"
"Nothing much but I would like to know if the Alliance got any results to replicate and manufacture scaultrite lens yet?" Allura asked with Coran said, "Nothing just yet. I have given them a couple of lenses for samples including the ones that were cracking and one spare lens that was still in good condition, hopefully we'll have good results soon."
Allura may have not like the idea of sharing some of Altean's technology with the alliance as much, but to keep the Teludav working, they needed more lens and sadly they were heavily limited on resources. So, sharing their technology with the System Alliance who could get them the resources needed. Thankfully, they went through Anderson for this deal, and he did ask for permission on blueprints for a Teludav to build one themselves. Apparently, there is already plans to use it for a most advance ship that was being put in the works at the moment. Allura made a deal and agreed upon it with Coran gave him the sample to give them to the most trusted people Anderson knew that could help.
Even Anderson has told Princess Allura that her ship had inspired others of build a ship. Others were using the castle as some sort of template which she knew that Coran would be flattered by this. For a moment she wondered what the ship would look like when its finish. All Allura knew about this knew ship was that it was being called Project Titan which was still in the initial stages of development planning and finances audits.
"Good, what is out current destination at right now?" Allura ask while Coran check his Omni-tool and check over the records of thing as he said, "According to this we're heading to a settlement called Zhu's Hope on the planet Feros, seem like they have Geth attacking for reasons unknown."
"Hopefully, the paladin would be up for the challenge, as we still got time before the Normandy arrives to meet us," Allura said as she knew there will be times that the paladins will have to fight without their lions as fighting against ships and Robeast are one thing, fighting smaller forces in small area that no ship or lion can access to as Coran said, "I'll check in with Jacob in the army to see how our weaponry inventory is doing."
(Meanwhile with Penny)
Penny laid in her room as right now it was bare, with only the basic stuff. Dressed in casual wear using the money from her part in defeating the Robeast at the Citadel Penny had purchased cloths and hygiene products as did everyone else. The castle now had Alliance soldiers roaming the halls mainly on loan and others via volunteers. As she laid there Rover hovered around now in the privacy of this room, he didn't have to pretend to be a VI.
"Hey Rover, do you think Jacob is right about me needing to use my Biotics?" Penny asked as she looked to the drone.
"Well, there is a lapse in logic in having something and not using it." Rover said as he hovered close to Penny making sure to keep his volume down in case someone was listening in.
"I know but I never had to rely on my Biotics machines were always so easier to understand and if you don't you can take them apart and learn to understand them before putting them back together but better." Penny said as she loved machines.
"That has occurred to me, why you find favor in machines more than you do organics?" Rover asked wondering what made her tick.
"I don't know growing up I never did well with people." Penny said as she recalled several incidents where socializing ended horribly for her. "Machines were just easier for me to interact with you know." Penny said as she let Rover know a bit about herself. "They follow a set programming, and you know what to expect." Penny said but then got to the next part. "But with AI's it's the same but better you can actually interact and socialize with them." Penny said as she wanted something like that. "That's why I was excited to meet you, you were a machine, but you were an AI." Penny said as Rover got the gist of it.
"So, you're afraid of social interactions and finds the company of machines and synthetics to be more pleasurable." Rover said as Penny sighed a bit.
"I don't know I guess." Penny said as she laid back on the bed.
"I find it odd that someone like you has the Implants to be Biotic." Rover added and thus Penny scoffed to that.
"That was my parent's idea when they found out I could learn it they scheduled the surgery for me to get the implants ASAP." Penny said as she knew why they did it. "They thought I'd have more opportunities if I had active access to my Biotics, you know so when I turned 13 and going through puberty, they said I was getting Biotic Implants for my birthday and then wake up with Biotic Implants in my brain." Penny said tapping her head from where the incision had been made. "That was a fun year being bald and the following few years to get me trained." Penny said as she then sat up. "I only barely passed and now here I am back to Biotic school." Penny said as Rover heard her out.
"So, you can learn you just choose not to." Rover said but Penny looked to him with a skeptical look.
"Why I know mom and had good intentions, but I was perfectly happy working with machines... alone... just me, wires, and turning of gears." Penny said as she recalled those sounds and images and how lonely it felt.
"Interesting." Rover said finding Penny to be a living contradiction... she might prove interesting to observe.
(Meanwhile with Allura)
Allura entered the Armory where the Castle had kept most of the weapons and the Paladin Armor as she found Jacob cataloging the tools from the castle and the ones brought in. Allura made her way over as she greeted the man. After he had finished with Penny and their talk he came here to get to work.
"Hello again Sargeant Taylor." Allura greeted as Jacob looked over.
"Hey princess." Jacob said as he greeted Allura back.
"I hope I'm not interrupting I just came to see how things were going." Allura said and thus Jacob chuckled.
"It's going well, getting the weapons and ammo sorted is something that helps put my mind in perspective." Jacob said as Allura looked to him.
"Is something troubling you?" She asked with concern.
"Kind of... but it's not something that will get in the way." Jacob said as Allura approached and leaned against a table. "I'm more concerned with what we're going to do with some of this medieval level weapons." Jacob said gesturing to the organized area that held most of the Altea Melee weapons. "I mean who uses a broadsword." Jacob began and thus Allura went wide eyed.
"GIVE ME THAT!" She yelled surprising Jacob as she snatched the sword from his hand.
"Wow what was that about!?" Jacob asked shocked by the sudden response.
"I... I'm sorry it's just this sword... it was my fathers." Allura said as she held the Altean Broadsword almost like a precious treasure. Jacob quickly got what Allura meant that sword and most likely the other weapons here had sentimental value to Allura that one most of all.
"Sorry I didn't know." Jacob said as he felt bad now. When he got this assignment, he had on the way to resign from the Alliance. But then he saw Voltron on the news and was later contacted by Anderson for this position. He wasn't exactly thrilled about the Paladins but so far, he was getting second guesses.
"Its fine... I shouldn't have snapped like that." Allura said as she knew that Jacob was just doing his job.
"No, I get it this belonged to your father... wouldn't want something that sentimental to be mishandled." Jacob said speaking from experience. Jacob father vanished with his ship 8 years ago and with this he was reminded that the last time Allura saw her own father was when he pushed her into a stasis pod and sent her off world to save her life. "If it helps, I can sort out the Altean stuff for you to go through pick out anything with sentimental value." Jacob said as he didn't want Allura to do that again... desperately trying to grab the last links she had to her father.
"I would appreciate that Sargeant, thank you." Allura said as she wanted to do something with this to honor him. "I should be going though I still need to get to know the rest of this new crew." Allura said as she wanted to try and be a welcoming presence to them.
"I won't stop you, Princess." Jacob said and thus with a nod Allura walked off. When she was gone Jacob chuckled a bit to himself but then his face turned sad. "No one should go through that." Jacob said as he meant Allura waking up as the last Altean in the Galaxy, a bitter reminder that once Allura goes the galaxy will never see an Altean ever again.
(TBC)
ESKK: A brand new chapter finished I hope you all had enjoyed it. I already have the next one ready so look forward to it arriving tomorrow. Now then be sure to leave a review and as always, ja-ne.