Status Quo
Chapter Twenty-Two: Final Battle Preparations
by Kyence
Disclaimer: All Voltron characters are property of World Events Productions.
‘’ denote character thoughts.
"Hunk! Hunk! Answer!"
Hunk groaned in response to Pidge's scared voice over the speaker. He rubbed his head. "What happened, Hunk?!"
He sat up in his cockpit seat gingerly pressing the bruised half of his forehead. Wincing, he replied, "I dunno. I think Zarkon threw a chainsaw at my Lion…"
"I think you may have another concussion there," Lance's voice chimed in. "Seriously though, gravity's gonna give you hell without that leg to support ya, so use the thrusters instead until we get back to Arus. And make it snappy; we have our hands full."
'So, something DID happen to my Lion,' Hunk vaguely recalled. He could have sworn he saw Zarkon launch something at the Lion. 'How many more times am I going to receive traumatic blows to my head fighting these Dhm jerks?!' he pondered angrily. It was just then that he realized he was not falling out his chair. "Wait, why am I not falling out of my chair then?" he reiterated, this time verbally. "The last thing I remember was Yellow Lion falling on its side…"
"My Lion is propping yours up," Pidge explained. "You will be very happy with this other piece of news: Allura is back with Blue Lion! She escaped, isn't that great?" he proclaimed boisterously.
Hunk clasped his fist. "Yes! Now we can form Voltron! Ow," he grimaced as the excitement created a painful jolt in his head.
"Yes, there is a very powerful robeast loose. The others are keeping it occupied for now," Ana joined the conversation as she leaned on Pidge's shoulder. "But, this is one battle I have to refrain from," she mentioned suddenly.
Hunk heard Pidge's confused protest. "Ana, wait, what do you mean?" he asked her over the speaker.
"If you desire closure, meet me outside your Lion. But first, put your thrusters on so Pidge can leave and rejoin the others." Pidge could be seen shrugging on the console screen. Hunk complied, and had the Yellow Lion level on its own within the minute.
"Go on ahead, Pidge," Hunk stated. "I'll catch up." The young pilot gave an uneasy wave goodbye before speeding off. Hunk closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Slowly standing up from the seat, he activated the exit hatch. He looked out and saw that Ana was waiting in front of the Lion's mouth. Her eyes were dark, her normally smiling lips a straight line, an unwavering sense of duty coursing through every feature of her kind face.
"Ana?" Hunk asked with worry. She turned her head, responding to his concern with a cold smile. "You have a generous and honest heart, Hunk. You will raise some fine children someday. Find yourself a strong human woman to take care of you, 'kay?"
At the mention of having a family, Hunk blushed. It was flattery but undoubtedly the strangest compliment he had ever received. The words possessed finality in their tone that bothered him. 'But I want a strong Ana to take care of me!' his heart screamed to his soul. "You're speaking to me as though you're never going to see me again," his voice raised in a vigilant tone.
Ana nodded. "That is most likely. I have a task that I was sent to do, and the opportunity to fulfill it is now. My next mission will be far from here, from Arus…from you, and this is the first time during any mission I have felt this type of…regret, I believe is the apt word." She reached into the large sachet attached to her belt, removing two hilts. Hunk's eyebrow arched. 'Hilts without blades? Hmm…unless they are retractable?' Four lasers of orange sienna burst forth to answer his thoughts, and he jumped back.
"Whoa! I've NEVER seen a double-bladed sword on the same side of the hilt before!" he shouted. "Is that a sort of Arusian martial weapon?"
Ana chuckled as she shook her head. "No, these are definitely not designed by any human. Granted, I should not even allow you to see them, but…I wished to give you a parting gift of some sort. Entrusting the identity of these weapons to another is a sacred bond of trust. Tell no one of them; this is meant only for you, understand?" Her voice ceased with a morose tone. She had come to find this male rather amicable. Using her carefree side as part of her undercover mission was a welcome change to the stoic demeanor she was forced to wear by her exalted position. Upon meeting Hunk, she had decided that were survive through her tenure, she would choose mates with his disposition to make exemplary fathers. Of course, the concept of propositioning Hunk for procreation was absolutely impossible and against every aspect of her society's dogma.
"I…I won't tell anyone, Ana," he began, "but, please, PLEASE, whatever you are about to do, don't do it alone! Let me help you!" he pleaded as he offered his assistance towards her enigmatic battle. She again shook her head. "I am coming with you, Ana, and that's that!" Hunk exclaimed firmly as he advanced towards her.
"Halt!" she commanded, holding her right arm straight at him, the orange sword gleaming. The ground around his feet rattled as Hunk wobbled. He instinctively looked down at the floor. Clawed hands of metal and stone grabbed his calves.
"Nnngh! Enngh!" he struggled as he tried to wrest his limbs free. When that failed, he attempted to punch through the mineral with his knuckles. Despite the considerable force he prepared himself for, the heat emanating from the manipulated earth was enough to start his reflex and halt the move. 'If this stuff is that hot, why hasn't my suit melted and my legs burned?' Hunk thought, the idea unsettling. 'Not that I'm not happy to be okay…'he added.
"Ana, did you do this? Ana," he repeated her name when there was no answer. He lifted his head, hoping to see her face. "Ana?" She had continued to her destination alone.
"ANAAA!!"
* * *
"It looks like I've still got it!" Hagar swelled with pride at her newest creation, complete and ready for any adversary-especially one composed of five robot lions. Her smile was beaming, uncharacteristic of her swarthy nuances. "And, dare I say it, this is one of my best works."
Cossack whispered to Reyk, "If a had a piece of gold for every time she's said that, I would be able to buy a galaxy." Reyk struggled to trap the laugh in his throat. Choking it down by feigning a cough, he brought his hand to his mouth to hide the unstoppable grin. His eyes held a twinkle in them that suggested something humorous was known. Hagar crossed her arms around her staff, tapping her foot as she narrowed her eyes at him. Reyk looked away. "It was him," he admitted quickly, pointing at Cossack.
Arjuna finished his walk of the robeast's perimeter just as a magically blasted Cossack flew past him. He whistled and ran his fingers through his black hairs. He pointed in the direction of Cossack's trajectory. "Now, THAT really impressed me, Old Mother," he mouthed.
Hagar frowned. "You don't think much of the Hydra?" Arjuna sauntered up to her and turned around, pinching his chin as he assumed a deliberating, scrutinizing stance. "Hmm, mmhmm," he muttered as he cocked his head at varying angles. "Uhhh…huh," he drawled out. Completing his survey, he looked intently at Hagar. His face was expressionless. "You know what I think?" his flat visage spoke. "I think…" he trailed off, turning his face slightly, "that Voltron is gonna have its robotic ass handed to it!!!" He whipped his head back, his multi-hued hair responding with a stiff backlash while his eyes were overflowing with glee. He grabbed Hagar and swirled her about. "We're gonna wi-in," he chimed melodically. The witch cackled wholeheartedly, "You are such a cad, Arjuna. I've taught you well."
"I am cool, I know," he agreed. Hagar shook her head, though she could not help but find his comedic egotism charming time and time again.
Karna smiled as he approached from the other end of the Hydra with Yudishthira. "Arjuna, no victory dancing until AFTER Voltron is defeated," he chided playfully. A calmer Yudishthira replied, "I am rather apprehensive about launching this without an adequate field test." Observing the sleek dark metal grafted into sundry spots, she frowned. "Are you certain the enzymatic compounds are compatible with lazon and Dhmk metals?" She looked inquisitively at Hagar and Reyk.
Reyk scratched his head. "I have been aware of the Apodian's biotechnology for some time, but duplicating it independently has been haphazard thus far. There is no substitute for what they have achieved, but then again, Shai has given us assistance, and magic is in a class all its own. Thus, between Hagar, Karna, and myself- whatever shortcomings there may be in scientific and Apodian terms have been more than compensated for."
"I do hope so," Yudishthira revealed. She glanced upward at the monolithic serpentine robot that was countless multiples of her size. It was sleek with no indication of rivets anywhere on its body. At regular intervals there were dark bands of enzymatically enhanced metal, while the remainder gleamed in steel flares. The head of this mighty marvel was smooth and homogenous in its black Apodian metal. Two pairs of circular eyes were located around it. The lower jaw hung open, appearing toothless due to their lazon generator being inactive now. When it was, nothing would be spared from that devastating bite. Yudishthira noted the sleek, minimalist look to its overt features, wondering if that was more Reyk's influence than Hagar's. 'Hagar always prefers to have her creations look complex and compartmentalized. How did Reyk convince her to go the "less is more" route? Regardless, I am honored that they chose my idea for a robeast,' she smiled to her herself as she recalled the tale of the Hydra, a serpent that began life with one head and ended it with one hundred. Every time a head was severed, two sprang up in its place. She had been enamored with that particular human myth, gleaned from the ancient books of her childhood. How her grandfather's library contained a book about human fables thousands of years old even before they migrated to the Denubian was still a mystery, and one she hoped to ask Reyk about someday. 'The more you hack with that Blazing Sword, the stronger your enemy will become,' she challenged Voltron in her mind. She was roused from her thoughts by Reyk's growling.
"What is the matter?" Karna asked him. Reyk turned towards the lab's entrance as Shai, Lotor, and Zarkon flew in by Shai's spell. As their feet met the floor, Karna asked in a somber tone, "It's here, isn't it?"
"Not so fast, we still have Blue Lion," Arjuna reminded him. "Can't have Voltron without Blue, right, Reyk?" he asked for confirmation. When the response was a shaking head, Arjuna clenched his fists in sync with his teeth. "Damn them all! I thought Jepaya was supposed to care o' that, Lady Shai!" he shouted desperately at her. At that cue, Jepaya marched in, decorated with the abstract portrait from her blood and a deceased Ecchai.
"I know Allura did not do that," Zarkon offered in a gruff tone to show his mild concern.
"There was a Veneer that Jepaya disposed of," Shai explained. "However," she added as she approached her, "I was not informed of any injuries you received," she changed her focus to Jepaya. The warrior shrugged. "It is nothing, Great Meteriarch."
"Sure it isn't," Zarkon replied icily to her in Sapientydan. As she glared at him, he continued, "You ARE aware that the Arusian princess commandeered the Blue Lion." Her face was one of loathing surprise.
"But I… I thought the crates crushed her! There was no movement or moaning!" she stammered. She lowered her head. "I have failed."
"Yes, you did," he concurred patronizingly. Then he pats her on the shoulder. "For what it is worth, since I am in this whole situation to begin with, I guess in some minor way, I did once."
"Did what?" Jepaya looked into his eyes, demanding a certain word from him to complete his confession.
"You know," he answered with agitation as he crossed his arms. "Do not make me say it."
She crooked a fanged, impish smile. "You…failed…" she enunciated in perfect Standard English. The Triplets heard the words and collectively gasped. Reyk rushed to Zarkon, expecting to restrain him as Shai shook her head at this latest battle of their rivalry. Hagar was having her guffaw stifled by a panicked Cossack covering her mouth.
"Now is not the time," Reyk intercepted Zarkon. "The Hydra is ready for deployment. You can bond with your step-sister over this later."
"Very well," Zarkon conceded, casting a fierce sneer as he pivoted away from Jepaya's smirk.
Shai nodded. "We cannot distract ourselves with squabbling now. Unity is a must. Now, let me see if I can sense any additional infiltrations." She closed her eyes, stretching out her arms. The long sleek sleeves draped down, pulled into a gold clasp dangling from each side. Her cape and clothes blew outward from an unknown wind centered at her solar plexus. A nimbus of blue light coursed over her in lightning branches. Quietly, everything settled as her aura's visibility faded. Opening her eyes, she frowned to Reyk. "I sense no Arydican here. I require your assistance."
Reyk nodded as her shifted through the present seconds of present time passing by. In his mind, his will shifted his awareness of different locations, functioning as a psychic surveillance system. He spotted a human girl, appearing no older than nineteen, running through corridors with Veneer blades. "Yes, there is a Veneer several corridors away, and she is in human form," he provided.
"This Veneer can block out my probing spirit; X!chre's paragon, I wager. I will handle this one myself," Shai announced as she started for the exit. Both Jepaya and Zarkon interrupted her egress.
"I will not permit this," the king protested, shaking his finger at her. "Let Jepaya handle this one also," he suggested in her native tongue. Jepaya nodded," Allow me to rectify my previous aberration," she furthered.
"You are wounded," Shai replied in a motherly voice. "While you attest that your cuts are minor, I know that you have lost a great deal of blood. I do not desire to lose you. We have had enough unexpected events for one day," she said gently. Jepaya did feel fatigued and weary, but would never utter such things out loud, especially with Zarkon around. She smiled at the sagely, mental acuity of her beloved Great Meteriarch. It made her all the more willing to sacrifice her life.
"At the very least, let Hagar accompany you," Zarkon sprang forth with an alternative strategy before Jepaya could affirm her opinion. In English, his words were powerful and confident in everyone's ears. "Coba can sniff out the Veneer, relay it to Hagar, and lend you aid if you need it. How about it, Hagar? Can I entrust with this task?" Zarkon gestured to Hagar, his face subtly warning her not to refuse nor fail him in this if she wanted to stay alive herself.
'I would help Shai even if he didn't shout the order,' Hagar grinned at Shai. "It would be just like old times, spellmate."
Shai smiled in turn and agreed. "Since you put it that way, Zarkon, I cannot do it any other way. Bravo; you have not lost your touch."
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