Voltron: Next Generation: The Beginning

Part 3: Whoopie Cushions

Ally Skrewt

Entry log #324

April 4, 2068

I'm so bored. Breakfast brings delicious food, first hour brings sore butts from the simulator seats, and second hour brings aching brains full of numbers. But all rest period brings is boredom. And thirst from too much goldfish. Boredom...

There's just not much to do with my teammates. Adrian's always reading some book (he denies it, but I swear he reads romance novels) and Micah draws fanfic or naps. That leaves me with nothing to do! We used to hang out a lot. Right after... well, right after Forrest. They helped me cope.

Crap, I need a distraction before I get lost in depressing thoughts. I say the first thing on my mind.

"I'm bored and wanna break some rules." Simple, but easy for any kind of reaction. You could read Adrian's thoughts: typical Ally, but Micah perks up to the challenge.

"We could host a party after curfew?" Micah suggests.

"You haven't done that already? No, that won't work. Something we can do by the end of the hour that won't get us in too much trouble. We are here to become Flyers, after all."

"Maybe we just shouldn't do anything..." Adrian boringly brings up.

"You're no fun Adrian. Oh! We could reprogram the main screen to a picture of Shrek!" I'd been wanting to try that one for a while now.

"That would never work! Everyone would know it was you, the only one who even knows memes from the 2010s. If we were to do anything, it would be something like pranking my dad with whoopie... cushions...... " I smiled manically as he stopped, realizing what he'd done.

"Why." The monotonous word was hushed as Micah and I rushed to our prank chest (a drawer full of prank supplies; we come prepared. And we take notes from the Marauders)

Ten minutes later, we're ready to laugh our butts off and run, waiting for Shiro to come off break. This whole plan may sound like a rather large step back from what was originally suggested, but it's perfect for us. Adrian knows the best way to get at his dad, and Micah knows the funniest places pranks could be planted. Adrian disapproves that we're breaking the rules (only a little bit; we're not supposed to enter the control room), but he recognizes the activity as team building. A small smile plays across his face.

We duck even lower behind the window sill on the wall-sized window of the command room as Shiro walks in briskly. He turns to face the front and we get a little closer, our breathing fogging the glass. He's about to sit down, when a comm request appears on the main screen. An Urgent Comm, a rare thing these days.

He answered it and all business in the room stopped. We couldn't tell what was wrong, so it must have been something that was said. General Curtis was typing furiously at his control station in the view, and he began his report. A ping sounds from my phone, and I go to see what it is. It's from Mom.

I trust you know what's going on right now, don't worry about us, we're safe. You stay safe too. I won't be able to send any more messages because the cellar blocks all signals (to block any potential tracking). We'll be safe. I love you. Stay safe

What was that about? Does this have to do with General Curtis's report? I turn back to the main screen. From outside the room, we can't hear what he's saying, but the message becomes clear with the little image that pops up next to the general's head. Micah freezes up, Adrian sucks in a breath, and I can feel the blood drain from my face. It's the Sincline, and it's attacking Olkarion!

Shiro sits down hard in his chair, deflating the whoopie cushions and making a funny sound that could be heard even outside the room.

But no one laughs.