Lance did not forget those days at the military academy, all the times Baron humiliated him, when Baron insulted him and his father, when he almost killed him.So, Lance was not just going to stand there like he was one of them. He switched off his Manus armor and got Baron in a headlock before anyone said anything. "Okay, Baron." He snarled with disgust, "Why are you here?"

"L-Lance?" Baron struggled to say before he jabbed Lance in the stomach with his elbow and knocked him on the ground. "I'm here because I found the message from the princess. What are you doing here?"

Lance got to his feet and answered, remembering his dream, "I'm protecting her from people like you." He then lunged at Baron, but Octus stopped him before Lance could rip out his face.

"Lance stop." Ilana said firmly, "Let's just here what Baron has to say." She looked up at Baron and said sweetly, "Please continue."

"Well, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted." He shot a look and Lance, who glared back at him, "I was in the Royal Palace with a squad of soldiers still faithful to our King. We were planning on doing a surprise attack on the Mutraddi, and kill their leader. Unfortunately, many of my fellow soldiers were murdered in the process. I had escaped to one of the abandoned rooms in the Palace, and then I found your message, Princess. It said you were still alive and safe. And then I suddenly knew what to do."

Baron contined his story, pacing in the inch of snow that covered the ground, "I then did a surprise attack on the Mutraddi guarding the pods, killed them all, and escaped here using the coordinates in your message." he then turned to Ilana, "I'm just so glad you're alright."

"Oh, PLEASE!" Lance said, "Ilana, you don't believe this crap, right?"

"Lance!" Ilana said shocked, and Baron looked almost hurt, "What's your problem?"

Lance went over and took Ilana's arm and whispered in her ear, "Can I talk to you, privately?" Ilana rolled her eyes and sighed, but followed him into the forest.

They had walked about 30 yards when Ilana asked, "Okay Lance, know what's up with you? We finally have someone from Galaluna come and their not evil and-"

"Not evil!" Lance spun around to face her, "Baron tried to kill me Ilana! When we were at the academy together! He hates me and I hate him; But not just regular hate, I'm talking about loathing."

Ilana stared at him in disbelief, "You can't be serious. You guys were just kids! People change, Lance! He probably just wants to help us! And so, we should help him. I'm pretty sure Octus said the couch can pull out into a bed and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Lance said, cutting her off again, "I'm not letting that creep into our home!"

"What, were going to let him starve and freeze out here?" asked Ilana.

"Sure, why not?" Lance said.

Ilana sighed deeply, "Lance," she tried to stay calm and not yell, "I'm not going to leave him here alone, especially since he's never been on this planet before. Also, it's probably going to be just a few days."

"No! I don't want to be with him for another second!" Lance yelled.

He and Ilana glared at each other for an entire minute until Ilana's face softened and she said with pleading eyes, "Please Lance? It will only be for a few days...Also, he could gives us information on the war in Galaluna..."

Lance sighed and rubbed his eyes, he knew he couldn't win, "Fine, whatever. Just don't expect me to be super-duper nice to him like you will."

Ilana smiled, "Thanks Lance!" And gave him a quick hug before running back to Octus and Baron to tell them the news.


"So, here's a blanket and a pillow, and the bathroom is just down the hallway. Do you need anything else?" Ilana asked Baron as she put a spare blanket and pillow on the bed Octus had pulled out of the couch.

Baron, now wearing Lance's gray t-shirt and sweatpants that Ilana also let him use, responded, "No, I'm good. Thank you so much for your kindness." Ilana blushed a little before Baron said, "Now, is this house protected enough? Do you have security monitors? A ray shield?"

"Wow, you sound just like Lance when we first moved here." Ilana said, "But don't worry, Octus knows right away if the rift gate has opened, so we can prepare to attack whatever the heck it is." Baron didn't seem to convinced, but didn't question her anymore as she said good night and went upstairs to her bedroom.

Now, you might be wondering, why wasn't Ilana siding with Lance and not accepting Baron. Well, let's say it was you who had to leave your planet, your kingdom, your own father, and come to a foreign planet because of some war. Now, lets say you had no communication with your kingdom and had no clue if your father was injured or dead or how bad the war actually was. And now, you have a soldier from your side to tell you everything you want to know and more. This is how Ilana felt about Baron: A person who wasn't trying to kill her that could tell her what's up in Galaluna. So why wasn't she listening to Lance? Well, that was his opinion, and Ilana dosen't judge people like that.

Ilana lay in her bed, thinking about Baron. She couldn't help it, she felt as though a part of Galaluna had come to comfort her. Besides, She thought before she doze off to sleep, He is kind of cute...for a soldier, that is...

Lance, on the other hand, tried not to think of Baron as he lay in his bed. He kept tossing and turning, thinking to himself, Why did Ilana let him stay? Why didn't she listen to me? Why? Then he answered himself, saying it was in her blood to help those in need. Lance, however, did not. The first thing he did when they arrived home was go straight to his room, not wanting to look at Baron's face for one more second. Ilana, why didn't she listen to me? Why did she just accept him? Of all people, he had to come to Earth. Lance sighed and rolled onto his side. Only for a couple of days...she promised only for a few days...He kept repeating to himself as he too, dozed off to sleep.