The Purple Paladin

Chapter Eight : Balmeran Rescue

As we approach the Balmera Hunk explains it in more detail to us. "So... the Balmera is a creature?" I ask. Hunk nods.

"And people live on it?" Alec adds. Another nod from Hunk.

"It looks like a normal planet," Lance says as we approach.

"Liberating these Balmerans from Zarkon's grasp will not be easy," Allura says.

"So what's the plan? We just go in and pow pow pow?" Lance asks.

Keith raises an eyebrow, "What was that noise?"

"Laser guns, duh," Lance answers.

Keith crosses his arms and frowns, "That sounded like fireworks."

Then an argument breaks out about what laser guns should sound like. Alec and I glance at each other and shake our heads. Before either of us can get a headache from the arguing I shout, "Shut up! It doesn't matter what the guns sound like and we can't even use them since the Balmera is alive and will feel pain if any shots miss!"

Hunk nods, "You're right, V, sorry. Plus from what I saw the last time I was here this Balmera isn't doing too well."

"It's an atrocity to see what the Galra are doing to this grand beast. Stealing the crystals, its very lifeforce, without performing the energy rejuvenation ceremonies to heal it," Coran says sadly.

"After seeing Shay's people enslaved it made me realize how bad Zarkon really is. We're the only ones who can stop him," Hunk says.

"Okay, so we can't go into the tunnels guns blazing. Plan B. We figure out how to draw the Galra up to the surface and battle them out there." Shiro says.

Hunk's eyes light up, "I know what we can do! If we attack all the big mining stuff on the surface, the Galra troops will have to come out and defend it! Then we beat them up, head down to the tunnels, Voltron saves the day," he exclaims, seeming proud of his logic.

"But how will we know how many are left down in the tunnels?" Keith asks.

"We can track the movements for the Balmerans and Galra using Biothermal Life Indicator Point Technology," Allura explains.

"Oh, BLIP tech!" Pidge says.

Allura gives her a strange look. "It's an acronym," I explain.

"Oh," she says. Then she turns back to the monitors, "One of you will need to fly around the Balmera and drop sensors into the shafts on each side. Then we'll be able to see the Galra and Balmerans. There are already sensors build into your suits for us to keep track of all of you."

I can do it! I just modified Green with the invisible maze's cloaking ability. I should be able to fly around unseen," Pidge pipes up.

Coran pulls up an image of a large group of machines on screen, "That's their main generators, if you take that out you will severely weaken their defenses.

"We'll stay in the clouds and give tactical support," Allura says, "Though with the castle's defenses weakened by Sendak's crystal we won't be of much help."

"I'll take out the main generator. Everyone else, focus on the mining rigs around the area," Shiro orders.

"Let's go kick some alien butt!" Hunk yells.

I laugh, "Hunk's right. Let's do this!"

We run for the lions. "Hey, do you think the Balmerans will hold a parade for us once we free everyone?" Lance asks.

This makes me groan in annoyance but before I can speak Keith retorts, "It's not about glory, Lance. It's about freeing prisoners from Zarkon."

"I know but still—" Lance starts but gets cut off by Blue taking off.