-------------------------
Chapter 8

"Chip?" Wolo said, seeing the young man enter the fighter bay.  "I thought I
heard you were grounded for this mission."

Chip didn't meet his team-mates eyes as he boarded the fighter assigned to
him.  "Jeff told me to come, anyway."

Wolo shrugged.  "Whatever.  I don't know why we're going to battlestations
at Arus, anyway.  It doesn't look like we're needed, from what I saw of the
scans."

Rocky seemed unusually sober as he made his way into his fighter.  "Yeah, it
's not a usual mission, alright," he said over his shoulder as he passed
Wolo.

Ginger entered next, glancing around cautiously.  "Is Jeff here yet?"

"Nope," Wolo said, climbing into the cockpit of his own vehicle.  "Haven't
seen him."

Just then, the aforementioned captain of Air Team burst into the room.
Ginger spun around and saw him, noticing a tiny bit of lipstick in Lisa's
shade on the corner of his mouth.  She smiled- it looked like her little
threats had sparked something after all.

Jeff, however, was not amused.  He glared at Ginger angrilly.  "You and I,
missy, are going to be having a LONG discussion about interfering in other
people's relationships after all this is over."

She tried to look properly admonished, but couldn't help the smile of
amusement from showing.  "Yes, sir."

Jeff nodded brusquely, obviously still not happy with her.  He moved into
his own cockpit seat, and saw that the others were settled.  He pressed the
button that lowered the cockpits into their vehicles.  "Right.  Okay, team-
let's get ready."

* * * * *

"Hey, Keith" Lance said as he burst into Castle Control and nearly bumped
into the other man.  He glanced around for Allura.  "Where's your wife?"

"Right behind you," she said, coming in behind him.  "What's going on?
Robeast or the Explorer?"

"We were just about to find out," Keith said.  "Coran?"

"It's difficult to say," the Prime Minister replied, examining the readouts.
"The recent pattern of interference in this quatrant of space is not just
making communication difficult, but is making it difficult for our scans to
detect accurate information as well.  Judging from what we've been able to
detect so far, it almost looks as if it could be both... but that might just
be a distortion of whatever is there."

Keith grimmaced.  "If it's a robeast, we need to be out there.  If it's the
Explorer, we need to be here where we can conduct negotiations."  He paused.
"Is our line to planet Pollux still open?"

Coran typed a few keys on the keyboard.  "Checking... affirmative.  We DO
still have communications with Pollux- should I contact them?"

"Not right now," Keith said.  "But can you tell if there's more interference
now than there was during our earlier communications?  It seems to me this
interference is stronger than before."

"Sorry, Your Majesty," Coran apologized.  "I don't have readouts from then."

Keith shuddered slightly.  "Coran, I don't need you to call me 'your
Majesty.'  'Keith' will do just fine unless we're in a very formal
situation."

"Queen Allura tried to convince me of that one many years before you showed
up on our world, your Majesty.  It didn't work for her, and it won't work
for you."  He paused.  "Reception for our scans are clearing... we're still
getting a double image, but I'm fairly sure at this point that it IS the
Explorer."

Keith nodded.  "Right.  As soon as you can, open a channel to them.  We have
to find out where they stand.  And as your king, I would think I have the
authority to ask you to refer to me as something else other than 'your
Majesty.'

"Of course, Sire."

Keith just sighed.

* * * * *

Zarkon jumped to his feet when the image from Haggar's robeast was
displayed.  "What the hell is that?!" he cried.

Haggar herself looked startled.  "I... I don't know."

"I've seen it, before," Lotor growled.  "It's the Explorer- the base ship
for the other Voltron.  Your robeast is too late, witch."

"No, it isn't!" Haggar insisted.  "My robeast can handle both Voltron's just
fine... but at the moment, I believe the interference which has been
disrupting communications all along this quadrant is masking my creation's
presence for the moment.  Perhaps we can surprise them."

"Face it, Haggar, your robeasts have been useless," Zarkon snorted.  "Let us
watch the battle, but you'd better start preparing for the Alliance attack.
And you're going to need to plan for both Voltrons, because I don't think
this one will succeed alone."

"It won't be needed," Haggar snorted, moving to leave.  "Once my robeast
destroys both Voltrons, the Alliance won't dare attack."

Once she had left, Zarkon turned to his son.  "So, how effective do you
think the robeast will be?"

"Against both Voltrons?  It'd be lucky to last two minutes," Lotor chuckled.

"Hmm... Haggar seemed pretty convinced.  I'm betting on five," Zarkon
considered.

"The usual?" Lotor asked.

"Hmm... considering how little time you'll have left to enjoy them when this
fight is over, how about just all or nothing?  You can have all thirty girls
in my harem if you're closer to the robeasts destruction time.  If I'm
closer, I get all of them."

"If you wish," Lotor said, nodding.  "I'm looking forward to trying out your
latest aquisition- Melinda, was it?"

"Cecilia," Zarkon corrected.  "She's the ultimate combination of your
fantasies- the golden hair of those two human princesses you lust after, and
the soft blue hide of that Merla girl I engaged you to a while back."

"Her name is unimportant, as long as she doesn't try and turn me to the
'good' side, like the others do."

"Hush!" Zarkon commanded.  "The battle is beginning- look."

* * * * *

"Captain Hawkins," Ensign Sparks said.  "The Castle is hailing us.  Should
we respond, or maintain radio silence?"

"Open the channel," Hawkins said emotionlessly.  The crew hadn't noticed it
much, but the wieght of his orders were resting heavily on his shoulders.
He didn't want to obey them, but as the captain he had no choice.  Next to
him, Newley stood.  He wasn't willing to obey the orders either- but he did
have a choice.  He could make Hawkins carry out these distasteful orders.

"Ah, Commander Hawkins.  It is good to see you again," Coran's visage
proclaimed.  "We are pleased to finally welcome you to Arus, itself."

"I am glad to finally see the home planet of our friends in the other
Voltron force," Hawkins replied diplomatically, though there was a definite
strain in his voice.  "I would like to talk to Captain Keith Lockhart, if I
may."

Coran moved out of the picture and Keith moved in.  "Hello, Commander
Hawkins.  Long time no see."

"Captain Keith, we are under orders to seize control of planet Arus in
preparation for the evacuation of planet Earth.  I expect to have you to do
your duty and give us your full co-operation," Hawkins said, hoping the
other Voltron force would not contest his orders.  The entire bridge crew
save Captain Newley gawked at him, uncertain that they heard him correctly.

Keith quirked an eyebrow.  "Well, first, Commander Hawkins, I think you
should know that you've got my rank and title wrong."

That did not sound good to Hawkins.  "Oh?"

"Yes.  I am no longer just a Captain.  I am now Vice Admiral His Majesty
Keith Lockhart.  Planet Arus's government has been restored, and I have
married into the royal house.  And my duties as the newly crowned King of
Arus supercedes my duty as an officer of Galazy Garrison."

'Shit,' Hawkins thought.  'There's DEFINITELY going to be a battle, now!
When was Keith promoted, anyway?  Hell, when was he CROWNED?'

"Furthermore," Keith continued, "We were not informed prior to your arrival
of these intentions, even though we recieved orders as recently as yesterday
morning."

"Keith, be reasonable," Newley pleaded, speaking for the first time.  "The
refugees from Earth will need someplace to stay!  Arus is a large, sparsely
populated world- what better place for our people to go?"

Keith nodded.  "I'm more than willing to be reasonable.  We are more than
willing to accept a large portion of the refugees.  However, Earth is
overpopulated by itself, and Arus does not have the infrastructure to
support NEARLY that many people.  It is impractical for us to be the sole
place for these people to go!  We will accept some of the people of Earth,
but it will be on OUR terms.  We've already made contact with planet Pollux
about handling some portion of the refugees as well, and we intend to make
contact with other worlds as well.  But we will NOT give up our independance
in this matter."

"I don't have the authority to accept that," Hawkins said regretfully.  "Is
there no way to get you to agree to Galaxy Garrison's orders?"

Keith shook his head slowly.  "None, Commander Hawkins."

Hawkins gritted his teeth.  "I was afraid you'd say that.  Our orders
stipulate that if you give us resistance, we are to use force.  I'm sorry,
Keith- I have no choice."

"I know," Keith agreed.  "I don't either."

Closing his eyes and grabbing a railing to support himself, Hawkins gave the
order he knew he did not want to give.  "Launch the Voltron Force.  Mission:
Conquer planet Arus."

Sparks just sat there, his mouth hanging open in shock.  Was this really
happening?

"Ensign Sparks!" Newley snapped.  "You have your orders!"

"Uh... aye, aye, sir.  Bridge to Voltron force- launch.  Mission... conquer
planet Arus."

* * * * *

"I can't believe it!" Pidge exclaimed.  "Our friends in the other Voltron
force... CHIP!  They're going to try and conquer Arus?  How COULD they?  How
could HE?!"

Keith chewed on his lip.  "Coran... I know it's been a long time for you,
but do you think you could pilot a Lion?

Coran frowned.  "I suppose I could... I'd be a bit rusty, but I could."

Keith nodded.  "Take Pidge's place- this battle should not be between
family."

"Keith, no!" Pidge cried.  "I won't be taken out of Green Lion.  Chip may be
family... but Arus is my home!  After Balto was destroyed, Princess- I mean,
our Queen granted me Arussian citizenship, don't forget.  I've already lost
one home, Keith- I won't let anyone, not even Chip, take away my new one."

Keith regarded him momentarily.  "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Pidge nodded.  "Yes, I can handle it."

Keith looked at Allura for support.  She merely nodded, trying to say she
respected whatever decision he came up with.  "Coran, raise the platform.
Come on team- to the lions!"

* * * * *

The robeast sat in the stream of exhaust from the Explorer.  It was trying
to hide its presence, and this location was the perfect spot for it.

This was not a normal one of Haggar's robeasts.  This one had been built
with intelligence.  Haggar had previously experimented with intelligent
robeasts, but they all proved to be massive failures.  Many would disobey
orders.  Some would retreat if there was any sign of danger.  One even
rebelled and attacked her in her own lab!  At one point long after she
realized the futility of intelligent robeasts, her lord pleaded with her to
create one, believing the stupidity of most of her robeasts were what caused
their destruction.  She proceeded to give him an example by putting one of
those who ran away at the first sign of danger up against Voltron.  The
result was for him to beg her to make only stupid robeasts from that point
on.

This, however, was the prototype model of a new breed of intelligent
robeasts.  In addition to intelligence, it also had a powerful self-destruct
feature.  Now, the robeast could activate this device if it wanted to- if it
was dying and could get its hands on one of the Voltrons, the force of its
destruction might be enough to severely damage or even completely disable
Voltron.  However, Haggar could also activate that feature... and swore that
she would, if it failed in its mission.

Motivated by fear instead of mind-controlled loyalty (a poor previous
attempt at a solution- mind control, Haggar discovered, forced the robeast's
intelligence to become dormant), it would do anything she demanded of it,
and would be able to bear all of its intelligence to the problem.

As it had real intelligence, the robeast was able to analyze the situation
and make contingency plans.  The arrival of the ship known as the Explorer
was an unforseen development.  However, it gave the robeast an opportunity
to arrive in Arus space hopefully undetected.  The ship was obviously making
its way to the main port on Arus, and so the robeast knew that it would
likely be able to hide in its trail all the way to the castle.  There, it
could jump out and attack the Black Lion, which was out in the open and
utterly undefended unless the castle was armed.  Before a single shot could
be fired from the fortress, and before the lion ship could be manned for
action, the robeast planned to destroy it, permanently rendering Voltron
unformable.  The other four lions would be more difficult to handle, but a
simple strength analysis showed that it could easily match them, and that
they had no weapons which could even dent it.  Voltron himself was
out-powered by the robeast, but the weapon known as the 'Blazing Sword' was
lethal and virtually indefensible- another sword could block it briefly, but
nothing could match it.  It was best to not let Voltron be formed at all.

In another totally unexpected move, however, the Explorer started launching
a number of small vehicles that, while not very powerful, seemed to be well
armed and could pose a threat.  Apparently in sync with that launching,
Black Lion roared to show its activation.  Arising out of the moat
surrounding the castle, Blue Lion quickly joined it.  Damn!  The plan was
ruined.  Quick, think of an emergency plan- it didn't have much time!

And what were those wierd vehicles doing, anyway?

* * * * *

"Air Team, ready!"

"Land Team, ready!"

"Sea Team, ready!"

The Black Lion rose in front of Jeff, and quickly following the Blue Lion
emerged from the castle moat and settled on the first's flank.  Jeff couldn'
t help but grin- he'd been listening to the negotiations between Hawkins and
Arus, and had heard Keith claim that he had been crowned King of Arus.
That, of course, must have meant that his one-time roomate at the academy
had taken the plunge and gotten married to that Princess he'd been
protecting.  If they got out of this on friendly terms, Keith was DEFINITELY
going to deserve some teasing for that.

"Okay, boys and girls," Jeff said, his mood slightly better.  "This duty
might be distasteful, but we've gotta do it.  Our best bet is to strike
early, so lets start out straight with the big guns.  Get ready to form
Voltron!"

Jeff had figured that forming Voltron was the easiest way to deal with this
mess.  As individual vehicles, the people he recruited would be unable to
stop the others from attacking.  As Voltron, however, a small number of
people could prevent the rest from acting.  At least, he hoped it acted that
way- they'd never tried this sort of thing before.

"Activate interlocks.  Form feet and legs.  Form arms and torso.  And I'll
form the head," Jeff ordered, though not as enthusiastically as normal.

The two lion ships stood their in the air, crouching defensively.  Jeff
shook his head- it was a good thing for Keith he wasn't actually intending
to fight the other Voltron, because if he was the simplest thing for him to
do would be to destroy the two lion ships in front of him before the other
three had a chance to join them.  They were big enough targets that he could
easily destroy them before they could react.

Before Ginger's fighter could complete assembly, the two lions leapt out.
Jeff thought for one panicked moment that they were attacking prematurely-
he couldn't protect them and himself at the same time- but then he realized
they weren't going for him, but were running behind him.  Ginger's plane
connected, and Jeff spun his Voltron around to see what the lions were
after.

"Oh, hell," Jeff said, seeing a hideous robeast standing behind the
Explorer, sword raised, and the two lions charging it down.  And, in another
fighter inside of Voltron, a certain precognistic pilot realized why his
instincts had been telling him NOT to disobey orders.

* * * * *

The robeast was thankful for small favors.  Apparently, the OTHER Voltron
was in that ship it was following, and had already formed, but the one it
had been initially sent to destroy had yet to unite into the giant robot.
In fact, three of the lion ships which made up that Voltron had yet to
appear... and two of them were charging it right now, bringing them into
close range.  It only had to deal with the Lions right now, and it would be
permitted to live.  Of course, if it could do something to make the Vehicle
Voltron team easier to deal with in the future (for the robeast was fairly
sure it would be sent back to deal with the other Voltron if it succeeded),
that would be good.

The robeast raised its sword, intent on cleaving one of the lion ships in
half- and maybe catching one of the Explorer's engines and disabling the
other Voltron's base ship.  That would, as the terran expression went, kill
two birds with one stone.

Black Lion was the most powerful, it knew.  It also suspected that if Black
Lion were intact, Voltron could still be formed even if one of the other
lions was damaged or destroyed.  So, there was no real decision to make when
it came to the target.

The sword swung.  The robeast was built to be the fastest and strongest
ever, and with the speed at which it swung the sword there was no way Black
Lion could avoid the blow on its own.  Black was not on its own, however-
the Blue Lion rammed its compatriot, knocking it out of the way of the
strike.  The stroke still landed, however, but it was merely a glancing blow
to the Blue, knocking it to the ground.  The angle at which the sword hit
the lion deflected the blow from the Explorer as well.

If the robeast had been able to, it would have sighed.  Was nothing going to
work right in this battle?

* * * * *

"ALLURA!" Keith cried, seeing his wife's lion ship tumble to the ground.

"Ooh," Allura moaned dizzily.  "I think I'm alright, but Blue's front left
paw is severely damaged.  I think I could form Voltron if it came down to
it, but other than that I'm out of the action."

He watched the lion limp to its feet.  He knew Allura was more or less okay,
but her lion was not- it was hurt.  And, at that moment, it was very hard to
distinguish the woman from the ship- his wife had been hurt, and it had been
his fault for not anticipating the robeasts actions.

And it was the robeast's fault for attacking.

"That's okay, Allura," Keith growled, spinning his own lion around to face
the robeast.  Without even calling out any attack names, he formed every
weapon the Black Lion had available to it.  "We won't need Blue's help to
beat this one- I'll take it down myself, and you can count on that!"

"That's a negatory, chief," Lance's voice said.  "Red, Green, and Yellow
Lions present and ready for action."

"Lance," Keith started, a warning tone in his voice.

"Attention, Lion Team," Jeff broke in over the communication link.  "You
look after your crippled comrade- we'll handle it from here."

Vehicle Voltron leapt into view, between him and the robeast.  Keith nearly
cursed- he'd had a perfect shot lined up, and Jeff flew in and ruined it.

The three straggling lion ships finally formed up on Keith as he watched the
battle progress.  It quickly became apparent Vehicle Voltron was
overmatched- the robeast was fast enough to prevent it from forming any
weapons or preparing any kind of defence, and the power of the blows
directed against were were tossing the giant robot across the landscape.

Keith's frustration and sense of helplessness grew- he knew his anger over
the attack on Blue Lion was irrational, but he couldn't help it.  Somehow,
something had changed with his marraige- he had always wanted to protect
Allura before, but now he also wanted to avenge her when she was hurt.  He
might have been willing to stand aside and let someone else administer that
vengeance, but it was apparent that the entity which had volunteered to do
so was unable to.  Finally, his patience snapped.

"Lance, Hunk, Pidge- keep Allura safe.  Look out especially for her injured
shoulder- I'm going to go help our erstwhile friends out over there."

"Roger," Hunk and Pidge replied simultaneously.

"Why aren't we forming Voltron, Keith?" Lance asked.  He could probably see
the stress lines in Keith's face, and likely was trying to prod him into the
proper action.  Keith didn't want to involve them, however, so came up with
an excuse.

"Voltron's too slow- we need speed and maneuverability to go along with
firepower.  I've got enough firepower with me I just might scratch it, and
Black's speed and maneuverability are good enough to match it.  I'm going
in- we'll form Voltron only as needed.  Your job it to help make sure Blue
is still in good enough shape to do so."

Lance's face stared into Keith's over the viewscreen.  Finally, after a
visible struggle, he nodded.  "Roger, chief.  But don't do anything stupid-
call us if you need us."

Keith understood the caution in his friend's words, but chose to ignore it.
"Will do," he said absently, speedily moving his lion ship into the battle,
weapons at the ready.  "Keith out."

* * * * *

The robeast was actually pleased that something was going for it, for once.
This new Voltron was not its equal- the original Voltron might have had
trouble, but would have at least been able to engage SOME kind of weapon,
even if that weapon was totally ineffective.  This one, however, was not,
and in fact had taken a number of serious blows.  The robeast's blade had
slashed a number of large gashes into this Voltron's thick hide, and had
temporarily even been able to dislodge that oddly-shaped red chestpiece.
That piece had quickly come back, but the mere fact that the robeast was
able to accomplish the feat was a good sign that it stood a chance of
winning.

A sequence of explosions along its back staggared the robeast.  It mentally
cursed- it had been so caught up in fighting the assembled Voltron that it
forgot about the lion ships.  They had yet to form the other Voltron-
perhaps the damage to the Blue Lion was more extensive then it had first
thought, and they were no longer capable of it, but the simple fact that
they hadn't was encouraging.  Except for the fact that Black Lion was now
able to strike against its back and keep it busy.

Vehicle Voltron, given a respite from the robeasts constant assault, quickly
formed a Blazing Sword.  There was nothing in the robeast's possession which
could counter that weapon, but it hoped that through speed and
manueverability it could avoid the strike.

The Voltron swung, and the robeast dodged back.  A second and a third swing
were similarly avoided.  On the fourth swing, however, it tripped over
something- Black Lion.  Crashing to the ground, it managed to twist away
from the dangerous weapon that Voltron was carrying, but it knew it was in
trouble.

The robeast rolled away before it was cleaved in two by the mighty robot,
but still recieved a painful gash along its shoulder and leg.  Hobbled, it
knew it was doomed.

It nearly cried.  It truly hadn't believed it would survive the battle, but
hoped that if it could do well enough that its brethren might be given the
gift of intelligence as well.  To the robeast, the lack of intelligence
Haggar gave her creations was the cruelest thing she could do- they deserved
the ability to think.  However, it was no more successful than any of the
others, so far, and wasn't going to live much longer.  It had to do more,
for the sake of its race, and it had to do it now.

The robeast saw Black Lion slowly stand up from where it had been crouching
to trip it, and instantly knew what it could do.  Using the last of its
strength to ignore the pain in its damaged leg, the robeast grabbed the lion
ship before it could react, clutching it to its chest with the uninjured
arm.  Spinning around so fast it nearly tore its own wounded leg off with
the torque, it leapt out in the direction of the base ship.

It had to time it just right- it knew it couldn't make it before the
powerful blade of the Voltron hot on its heels sliced it in two, but if it
was very accurate then perhaps-

Now.  It couldn't wait any longer.  It had to do it now.

With that thought in mind, and a prayer to whatever god might save its
fellow creatures asking that his sacrifice free its brothers from the curse
of stupidity, it self-destructed.

* * * * *

Allura watched the monitors in alarm as the robeast, moving faster than any
other creation of Haggars she had ever seen, snatched her husband's lion
ship up and leapt away towards the Explorer.  Vehicle Voltron gave chase,
leading with its Blazing Sword.  The weapon was mere inches away from
cutting Black Lion out of the robeasts grasp when suddenly, it detonated
into a blinding fireball.  The blast was so great that it even rocked her
own lion, which was a considerable distance from the explosion.

"KEITH!" she shrieked, horrified.  The dust was slow to settle on the field.
She hoped to see it soon- she had to know how he was.  "Keith, please be
alright," she whispered.  "I don't think I can go on with this war without
you.  I won't be able to fight, to move, to act on anything... please!"

Slowly, she could start to make out certain forms on the battlefield.  The
Explorer was hovering listlessly above it, and severe damage could be seen
to the structure of the powerful warship.  However, it looked essentially
intact.

Brought down to its hands and knees, blown several hundred meters from its
former location, Vehicle Voltron rested.  It was scuffed up some, but
otherwise looked essentially undamaged.

The third form, however, caused bile to rise into Allura's throat.  Lying on
its back, with portions of its hull torn away and some of the interior
superstructure visible like the bones of a skeleton, Black Lion lay
unmoving.

* * * * *

Jeff shook his head, his ears still ringing.  "Damn- what the hell was
 that?" he asked nobody in particular.

"The robeast self-destructed," Chip explained.  "Literally knocked us for a
loop."

Using the controls delicately, Jeff rolled Voltron over into a sitting
position.  He felt sickened when he saw the damage to Keith's ship, but
checking on this health of his own crew took priority.  "Is everyone
alright?"

"Lisa here- I think I'm alright.  Got a busted monitor though."

Jeff absently listened to everyone else reporting their status as he watched
Blue Lion, damaged as it was, force itself to its feet and limp over to its
larger mate.  In what he thought was a very animal like gesture, Blue nudged
Black with its nose a few times, as if checking for signs of life.  Slowly,
it rolled the other lion over, and then bowed its head to look into the
'eyes' which doubled as a cockpit window for the crippled ship.  Moving
slowly and uncertainly, Red, Green, and Yellow Lions flow over to protect
the two damaged lions flanks.  The way those ships were acting seemed so...
natural... that Jeff got the eerie feeling that they were as alive as the
humans which piloted them.

"Jeff, this is Hawkins," a monitor blared to life and said to him.  "What's
your status?"

"Some minor damage, but operational.  Everyone reports in as healthy too,
thank god," he said, directing Voltron to stand on its feet.

Hawkins eyes hardened, a reluctant look in his face.  He said something
under his breath, and Jeff could have sworn it was a curse.  Finally, the
commander nodded.  "Very well.  We will have to continue with the mission,
but this... event... may give us one last chance for a nonviolent solution.
Stand by for further orders."

Jeff nodded as the screen went blank.  He sincerely did NOT want to engage
in combat with the Voltron force, but if  he could avoid breaking his orders
he would.  Maybe Arus could force Hawkins to see reason- there was always
hope.

The monitor blared to life again, but this time with tracking bars to
indicate that it was not meant for him.  Instead, it was a special
surveillance device Chip had implanted in the communications equipment for
this event- something to intercept communications between Hawkins and Arus.
Jeff watched deliberately as the proceedings unfolded.

"Attention, Planet Arus," Hawkins imposing semblance declared.  "Your
Voltron is disabled.  Ours is intact.  If you surrender now, we will protect
you from your enemies, as you badly need right now with your defenses down.
If you do not... we will have no choice but to go forward with this battle.
You cannot fight back, it is hopeless."

Allura's face appeared in another frame on the monitor.  She didn't look
like he remembered her, cool and confident.  Instead, she looked horribly
distressed.  Tear tracks were visible on her cheeks, and her eyes were wide
and unfocused.  She was obviously in a severe state of shock, but she seemed
coherent, at least.  "I... I don't know.  You can't ask this now- not when
Keith is... is...."

"Your Highness, my orders give me no leeway," Hawkins interrupted.  "I have
to insist on-"

"She is supposed to be referred to as 'Your Majesty," Another voice said in
a rather hoarse tone.  Keith's battered image appeared in a third frame on
the monitor.  He did not look good- he had a cut above his eye, and there
was more blood trickling from his lip.  The visor on his helmet was
shattered, only a few fragments visible.  His arm was apparently dislocated,
and black streaks that looked like burn stains covered his clothes.  His
eyes, however, were focused and his expression was furious.

"Keith!" Allura cried, her face lighting up at his appearance.  "I thought
you were dead!"

"I won't let a little thing like a robeast kill me, now that I've got you,"
he said, smiling painfully. "And I will NOT bow down to tyrany.  We have
already agreed to allow as many refugees on the planet as it can support- we
are being more than reasonable."  He could be seen adjusting a few controls
in his lion, jumping slightly at one point as if shocked, and said, "We may
be hurt, but we are not dead."

Much to Jeff's astonishment, Black Lion twitched to life, slowly staggering
to its feet.  It was obviously lot in any sort of fighting shape, and
probably couldn't even form Voltron if it came down to it.  But the mere act
of standing up looked incredibly defiant, considering its condition.

Blue Lion quickly moved to support it, finding a way to take some of the
weight of standing onto its own shoulders despite the damage it had
sustained as well.  The other three lions quickly tightened up their
defensive perimeter around the couple.

Hawkins closed his eyes and bowed his head.  "I wish... no.  I had better
not say.  I have no choice in this matter.  Good bye- I am sorry."

All three frames vanished, and Jeff's monitor was momentarily blank.  Then
it flashed back on, as Hawkins began transmitting to him.  "Jeff, I'm afraid
there's nothing we can do.  Begin the attack."

Jeff pressed a button on his console, signalling to his conspirators that
the plan was on.  "I'm sorry, Commander Hawkins, but I refuse to follow
these orders."

Hawkins almost looked proud, but then shook his head.  "Jeff, I can't punish
you with butterscotch-topped ice cream this time.  You HAVE to obey."

"No, I don't," Jeff said.  "It's not like you can do anything- I control
Voltron.  You cannot take it over- I've already got almost half of the crew
on my side.  We will NOT fight our friends, we will NOT go against what the
Alliance stands for, and we will NOT try to conquer this planet.  That is
not what Voltron has been built for.  If you want to invade Arus, do it
yourself!"

"You do not have that authority," Hawkins said.  "Voltron is not yours- it
is Galaxy Garrison's.  And, if you refuse to follow orders, then the other
team captains will have to take over for you.  Captain Crik, will you-"

"My instinct was telling me to follow orders, before," Crik proclaimed.
"But now it is saying to support Jeff in his plans.  I will NOT fight
against Arus."

"Captain Cliff-"

"Hey."  The aussie, with a verbal swagger, didn't even let Hawkin's finish.
"I ain't one to go against my orders, but if Crik's intuition is telling him
something and Jeff is willing to stake his career on this, I ain't one to
challenge them."

An outside transmission broke into the whole argument.  "Excuse me for
interrupting," Koran said.  "But I'm recieving something from someone who
just arrived on Pollux which JUST might have a solution to this problem.
Putting it through."

Space Marshal Graham's face appeared on every monitor in both Voltron forces
and the Explorer.  "...this channel.  Repeating.  This is Space Marshal
Graham.  DISREGARD any orders recieved from Commodore Patrick Steele under
Special Order 60321.  Special Order 60321 is a FORGERY based on a real order
issued by myself.  Any actions based on conflict between Arus and Galaxy
Garrison are to be TABLED until my arrival.  I will be leaving for Arus with
the Polluxian royal party which is planning to attend the wedding reception
for Queen Allura and Vice Admiral Keith.  Upon my arrival, we will discuss
the genuine orders, this security breach and other classified matters too
secret to discuss over this channel.  Repeating.  This is Space Marshal
Graham...."

If one had been looking, they would have seen identical expressions of
relief on both Jeff and Hawkins' face.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     desaix@sysnet.net
Sir Desaix, member # 116 of the Knights of the True Fiancee
              anime  fanfics available at
  http://www.geocities.com/zednik.geo/fanfics.htm

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