The New Prince

Chapter 17

Chapter 17-A Mystery Somewhat Solved

Maryann tapped her heels lightly as she waited in the admiral's office at Galaxy Garrison headquarters. She found out that today, Colonel Hawkins and his daughter were briefing the Garrison as to the events that led to her kidnapping and rescue from the Drules. When she arrived both Hawkinses were being briefed. She told the secretary she'd wait there until they were done. She had cancelled all her classes for the day in case her waiting would take all day.

For the last few days, since she'd given the chips to Lieutenant Commander Starr, Maryann felt this unease that about how she had given away an entire year's worth of research in a matter of an hour. Worse, when she tried to contact Angela Starr, all that was told was that her whereabouts were confidential. She knew something did not make sense. Maryann tried going to Admiral Graham, but he was on assignment so she waited and the wait was killing her. Finally, it culminated into this, waiting for the doors ahead of her to finally open and have Colonel Hawkins walk out so she could speak to him.

After almost three hours of lingering, Maryann's waiting finally ended. The doors flew open and Hawkins emerged with his daughter in tow. Both looked worried as well as frustrated. She studied them as they walked toward her. The young girl, dressed in her Garrison cadet uniform, was the image of her father. Light sandy hair, perfectly shaped into a bun with her Garrison hat over her head. The dark uniform she wore held only a few metals, but enough to impress anyone her age. The skirt was to her knees and dark pumps completed her look.

The colonel looked impressive in his Garrison uniform, military haircut and highly shined shoes. He was tall with light blue eyes and was nicely shaped for a man his age. She could tell he still worked out by the way he filled out his uniform. Maryann's thoughts were interrupted by the young woman's voice. "Dad, you have to do something! We need to go back and rescue Angie."

"Erin, we don't know anything about this Angie girl!" he countered. "For all we know, she could have been the bait Zarkon used to get to you."

"We don't know that for sure! What if we are wrong? What if she's now being used as some kind of slave or worse! Dad, you know what Lotor is capable of! We need to help her!"

About to argue with his daughter, the colonel was interrupted by Maryann, who had walked up to them in the midst of their discussion. "Excuse, Colonel Hawkins…"

"Yes?"

"Maryann Marseille. Dr. Marseille." She confirmed.

"Yes!" The colonel suddenly smiled with recognition and extended his hand to her. "Of course…nice to see you again."

She shook his hand, "I'm glad that your daughter is safe." Maryann turns her gaze to the other member of their small group, "Welcome back Cadet Hawkins."

The young girl smiled a bit and nodded, "Thank you."

Turning to the colonel, Maryann continued, "I wanted to speak to you in regards to the chips that were used in the rescue mission that brought back your daughter."

The colonel looked at her questionably, "The study chips? Doctor, what are you talking about? Why would we use those?"

Maryann's face paled considerably, enough for the colonel to place his hand on her shoulder, "Doctor, are you ok?"

She shook her head, "Colonel, when your daughter was captured, I had a visit from a Lieutenant Commander Angela Starr. She told me you needed the chips in order to control a Drule who would ultimately rescue your daughter."

The colonel's eyes widened, "No, the Voltron Force rescued Erin. I never authorized anyone to retrieve those chips. No one was supposed to know about the chips."