The Greatest Gift Part Two
The Academy YearsHome, Fan Fiction, The Greatest Gift, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Adaptation by MoiraOriginal story by Philip Van Doren Stern
Story adaptation for the big screen by Frank Capra
Further adapted by me, borrowing from both the authors’ classic tails.
This is a stand alone tale, not pertaining to any other story I have done.Legal Stuff
Voltron, Defender of the Universe and its characters property of World Events Productions, Ltd. ‘The Greatest Gift’ originally written by Philip Van Doren Stern. Story adapted for the big screen by Frank Capra. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce, or repost without permission.Rating NC17
The NC17 rating due to sexual situations, violence, drug use, and strong language.
So, if you don’t care for that kind of stuff, stop now! You’ve been warned.
And yes, even with all that, is really is a Christmas tale.So, if you dare, grab a fresh box of Kleenex, a cup of cider, dim the lights, and dive in.
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Christmas Tale
Part Two
The Academy Years
“Mother please, I need your help.” A woman’s voice pleads to her vid-com.“No! Absolutely not!”
“Why not? What’s one more?”
“I will not have the son of that deserter living in my house. It’s embarrassing enough that your husband is in prison.”
“Mother! Don’t start with that again!. What’s wrong, he’s just a boy…”
“No! There are homes for cases like his and it’s not mine! I’ll see you and my grandchildren tomorrow and no one else. Do you understand?”
“Yes Mother”
Mrs. Kray cuts the transmission and lets her head thump to the desk. She then slowly rises up and flinches as she meets the gaze of the one person she doesn’t want to face. A seven year old Keith is staring blankly back at her. “Keith? You heard that? Oh Keith…” She rushes over to him but he evades her outstretched arms and sprints away. “Keith… I’m sorry…I…” She drops crumpling to the floor.
It has been a little over a year since Keith had come to live with them. But, now with her husband in prison and infant to care for… not to mention her four other growing children. She had to stop working, relying on government hand-outs and the aid of her family. Her husband’s money had been cut off once his court-martial was final, as was the money Keith would have received from his father’s death benefits. Desperate, she has had to move to a small apartment but still she could not get by and her family is suffering because of it. Her mother finally offering her the only means out. She and her family could go and live with her mother but Keith would be left behind.
That evening after dinner, Keith sat hiding in the hall as Mrs. Kray and their guest Admiral Jones talk. The Admiral takes her into his comforting arms. “I’ll do what I can. God knows I owe his parents that. I owe them my life many times over.”
“But how? He hasn’t any means. How can he possibly afford what you suggest?” She sniffs.
“The boy is gifted like his father. They’ll just have to make room for him.” He smiles. “Besides I have connections.”
“But he’s so young?”
“I know. But he’s a smart kid and he’s done a lot of growing up this last year. He’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
“But what if he doesn’t want to? It’s going to be so difficult all on his own. The stories my husband had told me about what goes on there…”
“If he is anything at all like his father he’ll be just fine.” He hugs her.
Keith gets up and wanders into the room he shares with the four other children. Ignoring them, he flops onto his bed next to his already packed bag, the head of his stuffed black lion poking out the top. He is scared. Scared of the unknown future that is before him. Yes, he always wanted to go but now? So soon? They’ll eat him alive. How can he possibly survive? He’s just going to have to suck it up and do it. Not like the options are all that great. He grabs his bag and marches out of the room down the short hall and right up to a surprised Admiral Jones, determination set in his youthful dark eyes. “I’m ready Admiral. Take me to the academy.”
Keith will be spending the next two weeks with Admiral Jones as the man takes care of the last of his business on the base. Then it is off to the Academy. On the first evening the Admiral returns to the suite he has been assigned. Walking in the door he finds Keith reading a book out on the balcony. He approaches the boy handing him a brand new portable computer. “You’re going to need that where you’re going. It’s top of the line, just like you.” He watches as Keith’s eyes boggle at the slim metal case running his fingers over it. The Admiral smiles to the boy. “You’ll need to practice with it. I put some games in there too. Go ahead and try them, they’re fun.”
Keith looks up stunned. “Th…thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles back. “There’s also maps of the academy and all sorts of study guides, everything you’re going to need. Don’t stay up too late, alright?” Keith nods eyes still looking at the gift. The admiral stands ruffling Keith’s hair. “See you in the morning.”
The two weeks pass quickly for Keith. Totally absorbed in the information now at his fingertips. He played all the games but soon got bored with them. Now he is lost in reading the study guides, seeing all the things that he might get to learn. All endlessly fascinating to him.
The two soon are on a flight, a flight to take Keith to his unknown future. He is still nervous and unsure if they will even accept him but the Admiral keeps telling him everything will be fine, and if by the odd chance that they won’t take him, there are many other schools that would.
“Alright Keith, you just wait right here while I talk with the Dean. I won’t be long. Okay?”The boy nods but doesn’t look up.
Admiral Jones then enters the Dean’s office. “Hello stranger!” He smiles at the woman sitting behind the desk.
She stands and moves around toward him. “Why if it isn’t old Commander Jones or eh, should I say Admiral Jones? Some guys have all the luck.” She gives him a hug.
“Well hell, Chris, look at you Mrs. Dean. Not too shabby yourself.”
She leans back on the edge of her desk, crossing her arms. “So tell me, Admiral Jones, what do you want now? I know this isn’t a social call.”
“Boy you never did beat around the bush did you?”
“Nah, run in with both guns blaring. That’s me. Quit stalling.”
He laughs then quickly turns serious. “I need you to find a full scholarship for me.”
“What! Do you think I have those just lying around? Have you seen the waiting list to get in here? It’s a mile long.”
“This is a special case.”
“With you they’re all special. No I’m sorry I can’t. The council would have my head if they thought I was playing favorites.”
“Come on, Chris, just meet him.”
“Oh no, not again. Parading your hard luck cases isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
“Humor me. Okay?”
“Fine, make it quick.”
He steps out the door and walks up to Keith tapping him on the shoulder. “Come on. It’ll be okay.” The boy slowly gets up and follows him back into the office. “Here he is, my latest protégé.” He steps aside revealing Keith.
Chris laughs. “You’ve got to be kidding me? What is he, six?”
Keith looks up a bit dejected but remains quiet. The Admiral smiles, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder. “He is seven and a half.”
“Oh… I see.” She shakes her head. “Still, I can count on one hand how many cadets we’ve accepted under the age of nine. There is just no way.”
Keith’s eyes fall on a medal framed on the dean’s desk. Mesmerized, he walks up to it touching the frame. “You were at Qitlal?”
Chris’ eyes flash to the boy in shock as the admiral smiles down at Keith. Chris picks up the frame reverently. “Well, yes I was, as was the Admiral here. But how did you know what this was for?” She kneels down to get a better look at the boy, studying his face intently.
Keith almost speaks but the Admiral hushes him and pulls Keith behind him. “Well, sorry to have wasted your time.” He turns to leave.
“Get back here!” She stands up.
The Admiral smiles and slowly turns handing her a file. “These are his scores on the aptitude tests. I promise you they are real.”
She quickly looks over the file. “Impossible! These are his scores?” He nods at her. She looks down to Keith. “You took these tests?”
Keith drops his head. “He tricked me, saying they were games. I messed up didn’t I?”
“Sounds like something he’d do.” She shoots the Admiral a glare. “Intelligence, problem solving, military tactics and the combat simulator, all top of the charts. I’ve never seen such a thing in someone so young. Tell me, how in the heck does a seven year old know military tactics?”
The Admiral smiles. “Let me introduce you to Keith Paladin…” His grin grows wider. “Jr.” Her jaw hits the floor, followed by her knees as she drops in front of the boy grabbing his shoulders and meeting his eyes. The Admiral continues. “Spitting image ain’t he? And by his scores, that’s not all he inherited.” The Admiral grows serious. “Look, I know you heard what happened and I know his parents would want this for him. Chris, it’s you or a foster home and you know as well as I, he would be stifled in a home. He needs this and we need him.”
Chris smiles at the boy. “Your mother was a teammate of mine.” She fights off a sniff, shaking it off and squaring up. “It would be an honor to have you attend this academy.”
The Admiral smiles down to Keith. “Well, what do you think, Keith?”
Keith bites his lip, fidgeting, his hand going to his hair. “How can I? I heard you talking. I can’t pay. Where would I stay?”
The Admiral puts a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll arrange the whole thing. You’ll get a scholarship and live here.”
Chris grins. “I can arrange for odd jobs for you to pay for your basic needs other than food and housing. So?”
Keith looks up to the two adults and slowly nods his head a slight smile tugging at his lips.
A raven haired nine year old boy dressed in a Galaxy Garrison cadet uniform is quickly gathering up all his belongings shoving his computer and supplies into his bag.Another dark haired boy with his bag already over his shoulder laughs. “Hey Keithey, to bad you’re gonna miss the firefight today.” He makes a gun with his hand and shoots Keith. “I’m gonna blow your record away.”
“You know I have to work…Jeffey… Don’t rub it in.”
“Sorry Keith, I am gonna miss you not being there. The others make too easy targets. Next time?”
“Count on it!” Keith throws his bag over his shoulder and heads to the warehouses where he’s been assigned for the day. In order to help pay for his personal supplies Keith has had to work in his off time doing odd jobs around the academy. Today is one of is favorites. Colonel Graham has taken on the menial task of inventorying all the warehouses in his off time stating that doing the work brings him closer to his troops. Keith has actually been able to see and touch many of the weapons they have been studying in class. And, he has been able to get to know Colonel Graham. A man he truly respects and looks up to. Keith enters and sets down his bag his eyes drawn to a large crate on the counter. He goes up to it, clambering up on a chair to get a better view. In it is an Alliance laser pulse cannon. “Wow!” Keith breathes as he runs his hand along the smooth metal.
“Cadet Paladin!”
“Yes, sir.” Keith leaps down and salutes the officer but is taken aback by what he sees. Colonel Graham is bleary-eyed and unshaven. His manner is harsh. It almost seems like he has been drinking.
“Are you being paid to do your homework?” The Colonel barks.
“No, sir.”
“I need that inventory now!” Graham shouts and goes back into his office.
“Yes sir.” Keith turns and walks over to the computer desk when he notices an open message on it. He is about to close it when his eye catches a word and he begins to read.
We regret to inform you that your son, Lieutenant Robert Graham, died this morning as a result of a injuries sustained during a Doom raid. Everything possible was done for his comfort. His service record was impeccable and his death is a great loss for us all. We await instructions from you.General Hardy
Galaxy Garrison Command
Grahams son? Keith puts the telegram down and cautiously makes his way into the man’s office seeing Colonel Graham standing there at a counter, the smell of alcohol now hitting Keith full force. The Colonel is intent on putting some rounds into a box.Keith tentatively approaches. “Colonel Graham, do you want something… Anything?”
“No.” Is Grahams sharp reply.
“Anything I can do in here?”
“No.”
Keith looks curiously at Graham, seeing now how truly drunk the man is. Graham fumbles and drops some of the rounds on the floor. “I'll get them, sir.” Keith bends down and picks up the rounds and puts them back in the box.
Graham waves Keith aside and moves to sit in an old chair in the corner on the office. Keith then turns the crate around from which Graham has taken the rounds, reading its label. ‘live munitions’. Keith’s eyes widen in concern. Live?
“Take that box over to Commander Blaine on the training range. She's waiting for them.”
Keith picks up the munitions box, not knowing what to do or say. His eyes go to the crate of live ammo. Keith's fingers fumble. “Yes, sir.” Keith stands still, horrified. “They’re doing reenactment drills there today, aren’t they, sir?”
“Um . . . “Graham stares moodily ahead. Keith turns to him, the box in his hands. Graham growing more frustrated tosses a file at him. “Will you get going!”
“Yes, sir.”
Keith aimlessly wanders around the compound not knowing what to do. Live rounds on a training field? Colonel what were you thinking? He can’t deliver the box. Nor can he tell anyone what happened. Graham would be court-martialed for sure. He goes to the garden and finds a tree and slumps down under it the box on his lap.
An hour later Keith fearfully returns. Colonel Graham is talking on the com as Keith comes to stand in the doorway.
”Why, those rounds should have been there an hour ago. It'll be over in five minutes, Commander.” He hangs up the com and turns to see Keith in the doorway. ”Where's Commander Blaine's munitions? “He grabs Keith by the shirt and drags him into the office.
“Munitions?“
“Did you hear what I said?”
Keith’s frightened out of his mind. “Yes, sir, I … “
Colonel Graham starts hitting Keith upside the face and head with his open hand. Keith tries to protect himself as best he can. “What kind of game are you playing, anyway? Why didn't you deliver them right away? Don't you know they’re waiting for them?”
“You're hurting me!” Keith crys.
“You lazy loafer!”
“Colonel, you don't know what you're doing. I can’t give them these rounds they’re…” Keith eyes are wide with fear. “I know you're unhappy. You got that message, and you're upset. You mixed up those rounds. It wasn't your fault, Colonel…” Keith points to the box. Graham savagely grabs it, breathing heavily, staring at the boy venomously. Keith is trembling. “Just look and see what you did! Look at the crate you took the rounds from. They’re live not blanks! Live!” Keith pulls away terrified. “I know how you feel … and…” Keith falters off, shirking away, cupping his jaw with a hand.
Graham looks at the large crate of live rounds, which has not been replaced on its shelf. He tears open the box pulling out a round and examining it. Abruptly he throws the box to the table and turns to look at Keith again. The boy is now in the corner whimpering, hurt, and frightened. Graham steps toward him.
“Don't hurt me Please.” The boy cries.
But this time Graham sweeps the boy to him in a hug and, sobbing hoarsely, crushes Keith in his embrace. “Oh my god… “
“Please don’t hurt me again!”
“Oh, Keith, Keith . . . “
“Colonel, I won't ever tell anyone. I know what you're feeling. I won't ever tell a soul. I promise.”
“Oh, Keith.” Graham sobs uncontrollably hanging onto Keith as if he were his own son.
It’s a cold December morning one week till Christmas. A group of senior cadets has gathered in the motor court all bundled up due to the cold. Keith is standing with them his hands buried in his pants pockets. He is trying to smile but it looks pathetically fake.An eighteen year old young man dressed to the tee for a skiing holiday, his brown hair perfectly in place, walks up to Keith. “Hey buddy, come on.” He wraps an arm around Keith’s shoulders. “Drop this obligation stuff and come with us. It’s our last Christmas together at the academy and I’m gonna make it a weekend to remember!”
Keith chuckles. “Come on Lance, you know I can’t afford to go to Aspen for the weekend and besides I’ll be missing out on double wages all week.”
A dark haired young man approaches. “Will you stop with the money, Keith? We’ll all pitch in. Between the two of us it’s not that much.”
“Not so fast Jeff, We’ll pitch in too.” Two young women walk up, smiling.
Keith drops his head to the ground and sighs. He glances back up to the girls. “Thanks Lisa, Ginger. But I can’t ask you all to spend your money on me. You just go have fun. I’ll be alright. Anyway, I really need the time to study.”
“I see.” Another dark haired young man joins the huddle speaking in a heavy Scandinavian accent. “He’s going to make sure he keeps ahead of you in the points, eh Jeff?”
“No way!” Jeff grins, holding up his duffle. “I’ve got my computer right here, I’ll be studying too.”
“Oh yeah, sure you will.” Lance smirks shooting a sideways glance to Lisa.
Keith just shakes his head. “If you guys don’t hurry, you’ll miss your flight.” Everyone suddenly realizes the time starts to scramble around gathering up their bits and pieces. Keith laughs at them as they all squeeze into Lance’s small car. “Have fun.” Keith waves at them.
“If you change your mind you know where we’ll be the next three days. And remember you’re welcome to come to my folks for Christmas.” Keith just smiles slightly shaking his head. Lance grins back at him, “See ya buddy!” and squeals his tires as he pulls away.
Keith watches them drive off, all of them stretching out the windows waving goodbye.
He makes his way down the now quiet corridor, back to the room he shares with Jeff, Sven, and Lance. Normally the dorm is it bustling with activity but now everyone is gone, gone home for the holidays. Everyone has somewhere to be, everyone but Keith. His eyes target a colorful ornament hanging from the ceiling in the hall. He leaps up grabbing it, ripping it down, and slam dunks it into a nearby trash can. “Stupid Christmas.”
He reaches the room and falls onto the sofa, propping his feet up on the table clicking on the vid screen. There too he is bombarded with images of Christmas. He frantically starts flicking through the channels but it seems every channel is showing some stupid Christmas movie. “Great a thousand channels and all crap!” He flops down flat on the sofa and closes his eyes, blocking out the screen. “Stupid Christmas.” He mutters and slowly drifts off.
He soon starts to dream. He is a little boy running through the snow, he soon reaches his dark house. Bursting open the door, he runs in. Inside the house is all aglow for the season. The tree is twinkling, the fire is burning bright, candles are lit everywhere. His heart starts to race. “Mommy! … Daddy! … ” But then what he sees freezes him cold. There on the sofa lays the bloody bodies of his parents, half battered and half charred. He spins around to the playpen and in it lay the mangled bodies of his sisters, their ruined remains shimmering in the lights from the tree. Keith moves to the middle of the room spinning from one horror to the next dizzying himself as he drops to the floor sobbing “Mommy! … Daddy! … Don’t leave me!” Looking up again he sees the tree looming over him, mocking him, twinkling cheerfully. Then he hears distant voices. “Open your present, Keith. Yes Keith, open your present.” He looks under the gaudy tree and sees a big red package. He apprehensively pulls it out and begins unwrapping it, opening the box. He reaches in and pulls out a mangled stuffed black lion dripping with blood. His small hands tighten around it in his anger, blood dripping into his little fingers and down his arms. He cradles the lion to his chest and sobs again rocking back and forth hugging the lion. The old clock in the hall clicks and starts to chime. It rings out into the dead house… twelve times… Merry Christmas, Keith.
He wakes up with a start, clutching at his chest looking for the Lion that isn’t there, gasping for air. It’s the same dream he has had for years, still so vivid. He trembles a bit, pulling up a blanket to cuddle in now thankful to be alone. This is something he never wants to have to explain to anyone. He pulls the blanket in close glancing back to the vid screen.
An old black and white Christmas movie is flickering before him. A man is running up to a snow covered sign. “Hello, Bedford Falls!” The man grins and turns, running through the falling snow up the main street of the town. As he runs, he passes some late shoppers on the street. “Merry Christmas!” The people respond in kind. “Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, George!” He continues to run. “Merry Christmas, movie house! … Merry Christmas, emporium! … Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan! …”
In mocking tone Keith glares at the images on the screen. “Merry Christmas Bedford Falls? Ughhhh. Who in the hell writes this crap anyway?” Keith scoffs switching it off and rolling over. He closes his eyes again in the futile attempt to get some sleep. But there is no restful sleep for Keith. Never at Christmas.
End of Part Two.
Home, Fan Fiction, The Greatest Gift, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
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