Hello Again!
This is part two of a building series in my Voltron stories. Many of my supporters have asked me if I was going to continue, and yes...I have!
I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as you enjoyed the first one One Man's Princess...if you haven't read it, some of what you read in here may not make sense, so check it out!
I would love to thank my friends, Mertz, CMS, Wade Wells, Dark Empyrean, Harm, and Melody for all of your encouragement and support...love you girls!
As always, I don't own Voltron...which is a damn shame!
I present...
Deadly Secrets
Chapter One
Planet Arus…
It is another beautiful morning on this remote planet of the galaxy; the birds are singing and the breeze softly blows the petals of the many wildflowers that cover the lands on the planet. You can almost think that nothing could ever mar the tranquility that is created by this scene…that is until the faint shadows of five figures pass over the fields, causing a stronger breeze to overtake the fragile fauna…
"Alright team, ready for maneuver Alpha 3," calls the captain as he pilots his ship into a steep climb.
"Roger, Alpha 3 it is," returns the second-in-command while shifting his ship into the same steep climb. The other three follow suit and the vessels head further into the stars.
"Now, break off and fire ion blasters on my mark…three…two…one, mark!"
The five break apart into a starburst of sorts and a simultaneous blast of ion energy emerges from each of the cannons on the ships. The blasts hit all their respective marks on various floating targets placed in space for this practice.
"Woo-hoo! 100 percent efficiency! That's the best we've done in a while," exclaims the big pilot.
"Great practice, team. Let's take it in."
The five ships change course and head for the massive castle in the middle of that fauna field. The sunlight glistens off the huge towers and beam back its strong light into the cockpits of the vessels. In front of the castle stands a large platform and the largest ship heads for it. The black lion ship circles the pedestal and prepares for landing. The retrothrusters fire as Black Lion lands and settles in as one of the fierce protectors of the Planet Arus. The other four lions head to their perspective docks; Red rests in the volcano, Yellow in the desert, Green in a forest cave, and Blue in the lake surrounding the castle. The five protectors of the planet have finished their daily drills and head for Castle Control to debrief with the Royal Advisor, Coran. In the main control room, there are a few figures that are responsible for monitoring the planet defenses, but they all turn when they feel the floor vibrate under them. Always impressed by the sight, they watch five transport tubes emerge from the floor and wait for the pilots of the five lions to come out. The doors slide open and they watch the five as they step into the room and remove their helmets. The first one is the hulking figure in the orangish-yellow uniform, Hunk. Usually a jovial fellow, he flashes a huge grin to the people surrounding him and places his helmet on the stand next to the chutes.
"That was a good practice, team. All of your correspondence and reports are in the lounge area," says Coran. The older gentleman in royal attire shows no emotion; his eyes searching out the one person that he has been placed in charge of since the death of King Alfor, former ruler of Arus. He relaxes his features when he finds who he's seeking; a slender figure dressed in a pink uniform is the next one to slowly move over to the helmet stand and remove her helmet. Placing it down, the young woman lifts her head and shakes out her hair as much as she can with it being braided. She turns to look at Coran and flashes him a quick grin. "It was a good one, wasn't it?" she returns as she heads in the same direction as the others. Coran shakes his head for the millionth time since she decided that taking on the responsibility of piloting Blue Lion was part of her commitment to her people.
She was always too headstrong for her own good! He thinks to himself. The only ones that could really reel her in were her parents, but with them being gone……the tedious task fell on him and Nanny.
And what a job that was!
She is Allura, the Crowned Princess of Arus and she just shouldn't be doing things like this. It was very unbecoming of a monarch, but they haven't had any success in trying to make her see that. Nanny tries over and over to get her to take on more responsibility in the castle and her royal duties. The argument is she IS doing her royal duty; piloting the Blue Lion and joining the force sent from Galaxy Garrison to revive the powerful robot that lived on this planet, Voltron. These space explorers accepted the title of the Voltron Force and have been protecting Arus and its neighboring planets ever since. One of the original explorers, Sven, was the pilot of Blue until Haggar almost killed him…the recovery needing to take place on the Planet Ebb for him to live, before the final insult…being captured by Zarkon. She knew that she needed to learn how to pilot the lion and felt that it was as important as listening in on any legislation or trying to take care of her peoples' other needs. Coran shakes his head again, realizing that it was an argument that they were never going to win.
He turns back to the console that he was observing a moment ago to make sure that all of the flight data has been transferred to the small terminals in the lounge. The next two pilots place their helmets down and move to their seats. Dressed in green, the pilot of Green Lion is Pidge; the youngest of them, but equipped with a genius intellect and the wonder of a child. Pidge is the only one in the group that can view things from a child's point of view and that comes in handy more times than can be counted, especially when it comes ot the rebuilding of the villages and mapping out the proper security routes to evacuate the towns The pilot of Red Lion is Lance, a rogue for lack of a better term. He's the Casanova of the group and he is never without a smart quip or sarcastic verse. He moves to his seat and flashes a smile at the Princess, winking as he does so. "So, what's the verdict? I think this practice was flawless, if I do say so myself."
Smirking back at him, Allura returns, "The only one that can tell us that probably won't."
"But he never thinks that any of our flights are flawless."
"And you would be right about that. In battle, being too perfect can get you killed." As the other pilots settle in their respective seats in the pilot's lounge, their leader removes his helmet and runs his hand through the thick mass of raven black hair on his head. He looks at his team and clears his throat; carefully avoiding the gaze of the Blue Lion's pilot.
The effort does not go unnoticed…
"Hey, nice maneuver out there, little buddy!" says Hunk as he slaps the smaller man in green on the back.
"Thanks, I just decided to try a little something different with the Green's new mega thruster. I wanted to see what it could do since it had the upgrade."
"Well, I thought that it was a little too dangerous…" is the start, but the commander finishes with, "But, it was well executed…good job, Pidge."
The smaller man smiles and looks into the face of his commander. The captain smiles back and turns to his best friend. "Your reactions were a little off today, what's on your mind?"
"Oh, nothing…everyone has an off-day…..sir!" the young pilot exclaims and is popped in the back of his head for the effort by his best friend.
"We can't afford to have an off-day, Lance, especially after the events of the past week…maybe you need to slow down your nightly activities."
"Ha-ha, Keith. Maybe if you indulged in some extra-curricular activities of your own, you might have an off-day every now and then!" returns Lance as he watches his friend sit in the chair closest to the terminals. Those remarks hit home for Keith…he can't let the ever-inquisitive lieutenant read his thoughts. No one needs to know about his newly discovered 'extra-curricular activity'!
Lance shrugs, realizing he's not going to get anymore of a rise out of him, and decides to move over to one of the lounge chairs and drops down in one. Now that everyone has gotten comfortable, the leader of the Voltron Force picks up the reports and quickly peruses them before speaking.
"Today's practice was well-run, but the purpose was to calibrate our aim in high risk situations," starts Keith. Lifting his gaze from the reports, he focuses in on two of his teammates. "Hunk and Pidge, at the start of the target run your reaction time fell a little under specs. We have to be able to maintain speed while hitting what we aim at with a better efficiency. Take a look at the last few seconds of the run."
Keith presses a button and the scene he was referring to plays on the small terminals in front of them. Looking at what he was referencing, Hunk and Pidge examine the move and nod to each other. "We see it. A few adjustments on the portside of Yellow will compensate for the speed loss."
"And working out the kinks in the ion cannon on Green should help with the accuracy."
Nodding at the responses, Keith turns to Lance and smirks. "Your targeting percentage was way off. You need to sharpen your laser targeting system."
"I'll see to it, but I still think that we had a perfect practice."
"Not with you missing four out of ten targets, we didn't. You're one of the best fighters I've ever worked with…and we need those skills of yours in top form." returns the commander. The initial look of disappointment in Lance's face is enough to cause Keith to smile, but teasing Lance right now isn't going to serve any purpose other than a sick personal pleasure. He knows nothing bothers his friend more than being shown that he's not perfect.
Taking a deep breath, he turns his gaze to Allura and his breath catches involuntarily. Even with her disheveled appearance, she can always make him wish they were alone. Memories of that night two weeks ago flash through his head and his body reacts immediately. They have had to keep things platonic, or rather as platonic as they can, whenever they are around the others. Not being able to continue to examine their connection more thoroughly…experimenting with their new enhancement is driving them both crazy. They let their minds meld during the night, but they keep the contact minimal…not wanting to work themselves into a sexual frenzy that they can do nothing about.
But now, the separation is killing him...them. Being so close to her and not being able to hold her and kiss her into a coma is grating on his frazzled nerves. He sighs, praying that he can continue to keep it under control; or their secret will be known. It's bad, that by all intentions, he shouldn't be feeling this way for her even though they had discussed it all…his apprehension and her fears about feeling this way about him. They just didn't want to hide it from each other anymore, so on that wonderful day right before Lotor showed up and almost ruined things, he had taken her in his arms and told her he loved her…sealing the vow with a soul-rending kiss. They also discussed the fact that their feelings must be kept as platonic as possible during the days, they figured that at night however…
He can't help but smile wickedly…
He remembers that he is still standing in a room full of inquisitive people, so he tries to recall what he had to say, "Um, Princess, the water cannon on Blue needs calibration. Your hit percentage was a little off as well."
She felt him pull his gaze away, because it took a part of her with it. She, too, knew from that first day that he was special; someone who she would be able to be herself with. He would never force her to be anything than what she was and she has always loved him for it.
And that's what it was; love...as pure and as deep as the vastness of space. She loved him, body and soul and she showed it with all the fervor she could muster that amazing night. Her eyes mist over at thinking about the tender way he held her, the sweet words that filled her ears, the intoxicating movements that he was making deep inside her...unexpectantly gasping, she is sure that the flush on her face would tell everything that she had been thinking, so she turns away to get a drink of water from the nearby table. Now, she understands the reasons why Keith has been taking so many cold shower…hell, she could use one right now!
She gulps the water down and places the glass back on the table, "I'll have maintenance look over the cannons and report what they find. The laser targeting may be a factor as well."
He nods, "Good. It was a good flight and I'm sure that everyone wants to get out of their uniforms and get comfortable. The patrol duty list is posted, so take a look and find out what shifts you're on now. Dismissed."
The group gets up and quickly leaves out the control room to their quarters, leaving Keith, Allura, and Coran to discuss a few more things.
"The Denubian Galaxy Conference was to be next week and the security rotations were to have been tripled. But, after what happened, I think we need to hold it off for a little while…until we are sure that security will be more than sufficient. We can't afford to let our guard down for one moment and we can't let anything happen. This would be another opportune time for Zarkon to plan another attempt on Arus, or even worse yet, Allura." Coran states.
"Allura isn't what Zarkon wants…that's Lotor's obsession," adds Keith, feeling a lump form in the pit of his gut.
Coran stares hard at the young captain. There was no need for him to remind them of the compulsion of Prince Lotor, especially now. They have just gotten through yet another attempt on the Princess and had a hell of a lot of stuff to rebuild again. The loss of life and the new security measures are just a reminder of how they have been able to still stand after a very brutal battle. He looks to the captain and admires how he can continue working like it is just another day. The captain stares at back at him and his jaw clenches. It took all he has not to take off and go after Lotor by himself…the devastation that he left behind once more was almost too much to bear. The erotic interlude that he shared with Allura only put the harshness of reality on the backburner for a short time. He glances over to his love as she considers what has been said so far.
"I'm sure that the Captain will agree that all the arrangements for security will be more than sufficient in due time…right, Keith? I don't see any reason not to delay the talks. We need to get everyone on this side of the universe to ally with us, but we are not in a position to be able to protect all the ambassadors that would come here, not yet anyway. Once we get more planets to rebel against Zarkon, the easier it will be to gain assistance if needed. " says the Princess; her eyes boring into the captain's.
Coming out of his reverie, he nods. "Yes, everything will be done as needed. Back-ups are in place and Galaxy Garrison would send some extra help as well, since the gathering would be for their benefit..but there is no real need to worry about that now"
The older gentleman looks at him and nods. There is something about the way he's reacting that disturbs him and he doesn't know what it is yet, or rather doesn't want to admit to. Shrugging, he announces, "Well, since we have that under control…why don't we retire until dinner? I hear that the cook is trying out something new to serve next week and he wants us to try it first."
Neither person responds, so he turns to the person at the perimeter monitor and gives him a few instructions before leaving. After watching him disappear through the sliding door, Keith and Allura glance at each other before following him out.
"Alert me to any changes," calls Keith and moves through the sliding door with Allura on his heels. They move down the hall, knowing that this is a dangerous time for the both of them…they're alone.
The handsome pilot sighs; getting to the living quarters can't come fast enough…
"Keith, I…" starts Allura, staring at his muscular form. All of the training and workouts have kept his form immaculate; well rounded muscles and a hard torso tapering to a trim waist, making his red flight suit look amazing. Suddenly, her mouth goes dry and the thought she had wanted to tell him disappears. Now, all she wants to do is run her hands over that frame, feeling every muscle and sinew that he has...
Unfortunately, her daydreams leave her wide open for the collision into that beautiful frame. He had stopped at the start of her statement and she walks right into him, jumping back in surprise. She had been so engrossed with her own thoughts she hadn't noticed that he had stopped walking.
Having heard her soft voice pierce his muddled thoughts, he had stopped; waiting to hear more of that melodious voice. That was all he thought about all day…all that he has been thinking about until now…
**Careful, love…you'll knock me down!**
She laughs, **No one told you to stop…**
"Are you alright? I didn't mean to…" she stammers as she sees a guard pass by them. He catches on and clears his throat, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. He turns to face her and smiles. "That's okay…I'm not hurt. What did you want to say?"
The guard nods at them and continues his rounds, while they stand there waiting for him to leave…once he does; the atmosphere changes…
Her mouth has yet to lose the dryness she encountered a moment ago. She stares at his face to memorize his features yet again. His raven black hair falls past his shoulders in wild disarray, accenting his face beautifully. His eyes are that deep chocolate brown she has always loved and they seem to peer right into her very being. His face is well sculptured; with a straight nose and full mouth with lips that she has been yearning to taste…
As well as have that sexy mouth taste her…again.
**I can feel what you're thinking…and you ought to be ashamed!** he teases with a playful smile.
** Sneak!** she gives him back. Her thoughts are beginning to frighten her with their intensity. The more she is around him, the more she wants to pull him somewhere and have her way with him. **By the Lions…will it always be like this?**
**God, I hope so!**
"Excuse me?"
"You were saying something?"
"Oh, I was going to tell you that I have every confidence in our team that the ceremonies will be safe once all the new security measures are put into place," she says softly. She drops her gaze adding, "I know I'll be safe as well." He wonders why the change in the conversation, but sees a couple of maids leaving out a nearby room.
Getting exasperated with the whole situation, she takes his hand and leads him to a secret alcove on the other side of the hall. Once there, she looks back down the hall to make sure that no one has see them. Keith stands there with a smug smile on his face, **I wish I would've thought of this!**
**Shut up and kiss me!** she commands and she caresses the back of his neck. His eyes darken to coal black and his smile disappears. A typhoon-class wave of desire hits the both of them and they shiver at the impact. The Black Lion pilot stares into her glowing eyes and becomes a part of her.
**Oh God…** he sends as he continues to stare into those beautiful eyes and slowly, almost against his will, places his hand against her cheek. Her eyes close at the contact, absorbing the electric heat that he's giving off. She rubs her cheek against his palm and hears his breath catch. He shouldn't be touching her now, knowing that they could get caught at any time, but he couldn't stop if he wanted to. That powerful force between them is calling the shots now and they're helpless. He moves in closer to her, bringing his other hand to her waist. She gasps, his touch burning her through the uniform.
"Keith…" she murmurs as she concentrates on his lips. The body heat intensifies as he moves within an inch of her, forcing her to look into his gorgeous eyes. "Allura…" he breathes as he focuses in on her lips as well.
It's now or never...
