#baujal

Sentry: Stay back.

Taujeerian: You have already taken all our supplies and resources. My people are loaded on that ark, ready to leave our beloved home before it dissolves completely. Don’t take our only means of escape.

Morvok: You still have one engine left, Baujal. Not to mention a very viable collection of parts. If your people are strong enough to survive, they will. That is the Galra way. 

Baujal: Morvok! 

[ Scene change to Castleship ]

Allura: There’s no point in debating this further. Zarkon is clearly tracking us through me.

Lance: What? No way!

Hunk: Aww, space baloney!

Pidge: That’s not possible!

Allura: Why would that be so hard to believe? Zarkon’s forces showed up on Arus only after I awoke.

Lance: She’s got a point. I would absolutely travel across the galaxy to find you.

Keith: It’s not you, Princess Allura. It’s me. 

Hunk: Because?

Keith: I just think - I mean Zarkon must’ve... imprinted on me during our fight or something.

Pidge: Look, the fact is, we don’t know how Zarkon is tracking us. It could be through the Black Lion! Every time Zarkon gets close to it, Shiro has to fight him for control.  

Coran: That’s only when Zarkon is nearby. No Paladin has ever been able to connect with a lion over a vast distance. 

Hunk: So what are we going to do?

Shiro: Look, it doesn’t matter how he’s tracking us because we’re gonna take the fight to the Galra soon enough. They’ve been chasing us from galaxy to galaxy. The last thing they expect is for us to come after them. 

Lance: The hunter becomes the hunted, hmm? Awesome! That’s a tag line from like six of my favorite movies. 

Pidge: As it happens, I took our list of recent Galra attacks and analyzed it for both commonalities and anomalies among the attack sites. I was hoping to create an algorithm that would, within a statistically acceptable margin of error, provide a list of target-rich environments - color-coded, of course, because what are we, animals?

Lance: Cool! What is it again?

Hunk: It’s a Galra finder?

Pidge: Well, “finder” suggests that it locates the Galra, whereas it would be more accurate to say that my model predicts their likeliest - huh? 

Pidge: … Fine. It’s a Galra finder. 

Lance: Sooo where are the Galra?

Pidge: The nearest ones are right here: a planet called Taujeer. 

Shiro: Then that’s where we’re headed. Everyone should get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll find that Galra fleet and take it out. 

[ Allura, Pidge, Hunk, and Lance leave ]

Shiro: Is everything okay?

Keith: Yeah. Why?

Shiro: You just seem a bit anxious.

Keith: I’m fine. Just tired. Like you said, I should get some sleep.

[ Scene change to Keith in his room, examining his blade ]

Keith: Huh?

[ Scene change to Keith entering Red’s hangar ]

Keith: What’s the matter, Red? It’s me. 

[ Scene change to Keith surrounded by sentries and Galra soldiers ]

Zarkon: I can find you anywhere. 

[ Scene change to Keith waking up in his bed and taking another look at his knife ]

[ Scene change to Keith in a Castle hangar, ready to enter a pod ]

Keith: Huh? Princess, what are you doing here?

Allura: Oh. I might ask you the same thing. 

Keith: Nothing! Just walking. Late at night. Near the… pods.

Allura: In full Paladin armor with a bag of your belongings? 

Keith: I have to know if Zarkon is tracking me. This is the only way. Don’t try to stop me. 

Allura: I’m not going to stop you, I’m going to join you. 

[ Scene change to Castleship bridge ]

Coran: We should be entering Taujeer’s orbit soon. 

Shiro: Raise the particle barrier. Scan for Galra. Where are Keith and Allura? 

Coran: It appears that one of the pods launched in the middle of the night. 

Lance: Wait a minute, Keith and Allura? In the middle of the night? You don’t think they’re… sittin’ in a tree? 

Shiro: Contact the pod.

Lance: Yes! Contact that pod!

[ Scene change to Keith and Allura in the pod ]

Coran, over transmission: Princess, Keith, where are you?

Allura: Exactly where we should be - far away from the Castle. 

Shiro, over transmission: What? Why?

Allura: We must know if we are the ones Zarkon is tracking.

[ Scene change to Castleship ]

Pidge: They’re isolating the variable. Well, isolating two variables.  

Lance: In English, please?

Pidge: In order to test a hypothesis - 

Lance: I said English!

Pidge: Ah! Nevermind!

[ Scene change to Allura and Keith ]

Alluar: Pidge is right. If Zarkon finds you despite my absence, we will know with total certainty that we are not the ones he is tracking. 

Shiro, over transmission: Splitting up the group makes us far more vulnerable. Come back to the Castle immediately. 

Allura: I’m sorry Shiro, I cannot do that. 

Keith: If Zarkon does find us, I can pilot us to safety. We’re in wide open space with plenty of room to maneuver. 

[ Scene change to Castleship ]

Keith, over intercom: Plus, we’d be able to outrun him. Pidge added that booster rocket. 

Coran: That thing’s still on there? 

Shiro: We need both of you back here now! What’s going on?

Hunk: We’re in some sort of debris field!

Coran: I believe it’s coming from Taujeer! Correction: I think it is Taujeer!

Allura, over intercom: Coran, what’s going on-

Coran: Some kind of radiation from the planet is interfering with communications! 

Shiro: Move the Castle away from the planet and reestablish the link. Everyone else, get to your lions. 

[ Scene change to Taujeerians on the planet’s surface ]

Taujeerian: Something’s approaching! 

Hunk: I don’t see any Galra.

Lance: Looks like that fancy Galra finder doesn’t work. Nice try, Pidge. 

Baujal: Thank goodness you’re here! I am Baujal, the leader of the Taujeerians. The Galra just destroyed our ship’s engines and left. 

Pidge: So the Galra were here, Lance!

Lance: Mmm.

Baujal: They’ve taken everything. We must get everyone off the planet before it dissolves completely. Please, help us!

Shiro: How long do we have? 

Hunk: Not long!

Shiro: How did this happen?

Baujal: We’ve known for years that our planet would eventually lose its outer layer. 

Lance: Like a snake shedding its skin? 

Hunk: Yeah, yeah, that doesn’t sound so bad! I mean, beneath that old skin is a new, healthy layer, right? 

Pidge: Nope! No, I - I think the next layer is acid. 

Baujal: The plan was to evacuate the population to our nearest moon, where we have built a colony to wait out the shedding process. So we relocated to higher ground and constructed that ark. 

Lance: What happened? 

Baujal: The Galra attacked, led by a vile commander named Morvok. He robbed us of vital resources and left us with only one operational engine, stranding us here.

Shiro: You’re not stranded anymore. We will save your people. 

Baujal: I believe you, for I have heard many legends of the valor of Voltron. Five brave Paladins dedicated to this - wait wait - I count only four of you. A-Are you not Voltron?

Lance: Uhh… almost?  

Baujal: Where is the fifth Paladin?

Shiro: He’s not here, but we can still help you.

Baujal: I would feel more comfortable with all five Paladins. 

Shiro: Duly noted. Pidge, Hunk, take a look at the ark and see what we’re dealing with. 

Hunk: Piece of cake, we’ll get it flying in no time. 

[ Taujeerian ship falls apart ]

Hunk: Would you settle for upright? 

[ Scene change to Keith and Allura ]

Keith: We’ve been here for hours. Still no sign of Zarkon. 

Well, I’m glad I don’t have to wait here alone. You understand, I could never live with myself if Zarkon was finding us because of me... I must know. We face such a dire threat from the Galra.

Keith: Well, sure they’re bad - no doubt about that. But, at the same time, couldn’t at least a few of them be fighting for good? Just look at Ulaz. He sacrificed himself to save us.  

Allura: For all we know, his sacrifice was a ploy. One life means nothing to Zarkon.

Keith: It means something to me! It means some of them are actually willing to help! And we could use all the help we could get!

Allura: Any offer of help from the Galra is merely a prelude to a trap. I know all too well how quickly they turn.   

Keith: It just seems crazy to lump everyone together. 

Allura: Listen, if there are any good Galra, they have had ten thousand years to take down Zarkon. I would never count on them for help. 

[ Scene change to Zarkon’s ship and the Druids ]

Zarkon: I have located them. Get me Morvok. 

[ Scene change to Morvok aboard his ship ]

Zarkon, over intercom: Commander Morvok. 

Morvok: Aaah! Lord Zarkon! 

Zarkon: I am sending you coordinates near your current location. Voltron is there. Find it and bring it to me. 

Morvok: Voltron, sire?

Zarkon: Indeed. Have you received the coordinates? 

Morvok: If I may, I was able to acquire many resources - all to glorify your mighty reign, may it last a thousand centuries!

Zarkon: Your bootlicking does not impress me, Morvok. 

Morvok: I merely meant that I could be of even more use if I were to bring you these resources instead of -

Zarkon: Are you refusing my order?

Morvok: Of course not! I will not fail you, Lord Zarkon.

Zarkon: See that you don’t. Vrepit sa. 

Morvok: Vrepit sa.

[ Scene change to Taujeer and the Paladins ]

Pidge: Assuming we can get it back up, the repairs will still take time. 

Lance: Which would appear to be the one thing we don’t have.

Shiro: We need to slow down the shedding.

Pidge: How do you stop a planet that’s coming apart at the seams?

Hunk: By sewing it back together!

Shiro: W-What do you mean?

Hunk: That new Green Lion weapon causes vegetation to grow, right? Well I was thinking that if you aim it at the cracks in the planet, the vines could act like stitches!

Shiro: Won’t the stitches get dissolved by the acid?

Pidge: The stitches might hold longer if they’re frozen!

Shiro: It’s a plan! Hunk, you and I will take our lions and get this ark upright while Pidge and Lance buy us some time. 

Hunk: My side’s clear, Shiro.

Shiro: Almost done.

Pidge: Yes! It worked!

Shiro: It won’t hold forever, keep going! Come on! Give it all you’ve got! That’s it! We’re almost there. Thanks guys!

Lance: You got it.

Pidge: Anytime!

Taujeerians: [cheering]

Shiro: All right, Hunk, time to work on those engines. 

[ Scene change to Allura and Keith ]

Keith: So what happens if Zarkon does come after us? 

Allura: You said you could pilot us to safety, right? 

Keith: Sure, but after that, could we even go back to the group? And if we don’t, who would pilot the Castle or create wormholes? 

Allura: Well what about you? Without you, the team cannot form Voltron. 

[ Scene change to Taujeer and the Paladins ]

Hunk: Well, it ain’t pretty, but it should get you airborne - 

Shiro: Just in time!

Pidge: What was that?

Shiro: The Galra! They’re back. Hunk! Take the Yellow Lion and hold up the ark! If it falls into the acid, the Taujeerians are doomed!  

Hunk: Not to mention the guy beneath them, which would be me, in this particular scenario. 

Shiro: Lance, Pidge, we’ve got to draw the cruiser’s fire. Coran, we need you here now! Attack the Galra cruiser! 

Coran: I’m on my way! 

[ Scene change to Allura and Keith ]

Coran, over intercom: Keith, Allura, are you there?

Allura: We’re here, Coran. What is it?

Coran: Zarkon is definitely not tracking us through either of you. 

Keith: He’s not?

Allura: How do you know? 

Coran: Because you’re out there, and a Galra fleet just showed up here! We need you now! 

Allura: We’ll be there in two doboshes. 

Keith: Even faster than that.

Allura: What is that?

Keith: It’s the booster fuel Pidge added to this pod. 

[ Pod explodes ]

Keith: Allura! Grab my hand! Princess, are you okay?

Allura: I believe so. Is your radio still working? 

Keith: Let’s find out. Coran, can you hear me?

[ Scene change to Morvok aboard his ship ]

Morvok: This is going far better than I anticipated. W-we could actually capture Voltron! I could get transferred back to the hub. And they said I wasn’t good enough to be in the hub! Maybe Zarkon will invite me to sit in his box at the gladiator matches! The ultimate honor!

Galra soldier 1: Sir! Three Voltron Lions incoming! 

Morvok: Fire on them with our full arsenal! Keep firing!

Galra soldier 2: Sir, the lions are moving too fast for us to hit.

Morvok: Well let’s make them stay in one place! Train the ion cannon on the ark. Sink the entire thing into the acid! 

Shiro: They’re aiming the ion cannon on the ark! Lance! Pidge! Attack the ship with your jaw blades! 

[ Scene change to Allura and Ketih ]

Keith: We’ll never get there at this rate! 

Allura: This was a terrible mistake! Shiro was right. We never should have left them.

[ Scene change to Taujeer ]

Hunk: Rocks! Big, big rocks! 

Lance: We got you, buddy!

Morvok: What happened? 

Galra soldier 1: The Black Lion attacked the cannon. He’s disabled our projectile guidance system. We won’t be able to aim the cannon until it’s fixed. 

Morvok: Fix it! Full attack! Fire with everything we’ve got!

Shiro: Way to go, Coran! Hunk, what’s your status?

Hunk: Mostly just trying not to fall into a bubbling pot of acid. 

Morvok: Divert all shields to the main hull! Focus full firepower on their ship! 

Lance: We’re being overwhelmed!

Pidge: We need Voltron! 

Coran: Oh, if only there were another who could pilot the Red Lion. Finally, Alfor. I will walk in your footsteps! Oh, Red Lion, I am unworthy to be your Paladin, but since you have chosen to bestow this honor upon me, Coran Hieronymus Wimbleton Smythe, I humbly accept. Oh yes! 

[Red Lion leaves hangar]

Coran: Right. Okay. Just a quick lap! Uh, okay, guys? So... yeah... the - the Red Lion ran away.

Hunk: I can’t hold it any longer!

Shiro: Hunk, you have to! If you let go, the Taujeerians will die! 

Hunk: Oh, woah! Armor claws! Guys, I can keep this thing from falling any farther but I need your help to get it back up! 

Shiro: We’re on our way!

[ Scene change to Allura and Keith ]

Allura: Keith, look!

Keith: Huh? 

Allura: The Red Lion found you!

[ Scene change to Taujeer ]

Galra Soldier 2: Sir, the ion cannon’s guidance system is back online. And the lions appear to have gathered beneath the ark. 

Morvok: Perfect! The lions will go down with it. Fire when ready! 

Lance: All right!

Shiro: Good to have you back, Keith! 

Keith: Good to be back!

Lance: Is the Princess with you?

Keith: Yes.

Lance: Like “with you” with you, or…

Hunk: Uh, Keith? Little help?

Keith: On my way, buddy! 

Shiro: All right everybody, no time to relax. Let’s show them what they’re dealing with. Form Voltron! 

Galra Soldier 1: Sir, our weapons systems are knocked out completely. Should we retreat? 

Morvok: Never! Aim the ship at the ark! We will take it down ourselves. To die for the Galra Empire is the greatest honor imaginable. Vrepit sa!

Soldiers 1 & 2: Vrepit sa!

Morvok: Prepare my escape pod. 

Pidge: They’re heading for the ark!

Hunk: They’re gonna ram it!

Shiro: We’ll have to meet them head-on. Form sword! 

Lance: Will the sword be able to cut through an entire battle cruiser? 

Shiro: It’ll have to!

Keith: Guys, I think my lion is telling me something.

Lance: Yeah, mine too!

Pidge: I can feel it too!

Hunk: Same here!

Shiro: Then do it!

Everyone: [cheering]

Shiro: Now let’s get the Taujeerians to safety.

Hunk: How’re we gonna do that? Their booster rockets are shot. 

[ Scene change to Castleship bridge ]

Allura: I’m so sorry for leaving.

Keith: Me too. We thought we were doing the right thing. 

Allura: But clearly you were correct, Shiro. We are always stronger together. 

Lance: At least we learned that Zarkon isn’t tracking us through you two. 

Hunk: Plus, I learned that my lion can grow armor and extend its claws like that! Ting! Which will come in handy if we ever needed to, say, I don’t know, slice up a giant steak while getting beat up. Or fight evil and save innocent people. That too, that would work. 

Shiro: The fact that the Red Lion came to help Keith from so far away is a vital piece of information. We now have proof that a lion and a Paladin can in fact connect over a far greater distance than we realized. Which means we finally know how Zarkon is tracking us: it’s through the Black Lion.