I do not own any of the original WEP characters.
Hunk and Pidge went to the control room and took to the air in Yellow.
"I think I found the hangar last night. I couldn't see an opening in the dark."
"I guessed that you might have that's why you wanted to fly on your day off." Pidge answered.
"Were you able to find any schematics?"
"Some, but I don't know if they will do us any good."
"Let's see what we have to work with."
Soon Hunk set Yellow Lion down in the clearing in front of the battered hangar. Hunk snapped his flashlight onto his belt and grabbed the sheathed machete. "Ready Pidge?" he asked opening the hatch.
"Sure"
From on top of Yellow's head, the pair gazed down at the hangar. "It might be easier to bring it out through the roof if it is down there at all." Pidge observed. "Or what's left of it"
"Easier, but more noticeable"
"True, let's see if we can find a way in." The pair walked around the hangar. "There, I think I see am opening." Pidge pointed.
Hunk unsheathed the machete and began clearing a larger hole as they could pass through. Replacing it into its sheath he stepped through. Sunlight danced on the rubble. "Watch your step," he warned.
"Is that it?" Pidge asked spotting a fighter nearby.
"Let's find out," Hunk moved closer.
"She took some hard hits," He ran his hand over the laser pocked hull. The fighter sat at an awkward angle. "The canopy is all but gone. It's clear that she took a direct missile hit on this side. The landing gear is gone."
"This is definitely Ice's ship." Hunk murmured, caressing the faded image of the firebird.
"Hey Hunk come here and give me a boost. I want to take a look at the cockpit."
"Coming" Hunk broke the spell and rounded the nose of the fighter.
Pidge dropped some splintered wood on the floor as he climbed in. "It might be better to start over with the cockpit." Pidge shook his head as he climbed down. "It is in pretty bad shape."
"The next major question, will she fit into the workshop?"
"It'll be a tight fit." Pidge commented.
"You ready to load her?"
"In broad daylight, I thought you said it would be too noticeable?"
"I know what I said earlier," Hunk grinned, "But we've got to take Yellow to the repair bay to run some tests, don't we? We are going right to the castle. What better opportunity are we going to have?"
"Yea, I suppose."
"I think you were right the roof is the way to go. We can use some cables and hoist it up to the under belly."
"Okay, then let's do this," The pair made their way back to the lion.
Hunk grabbed a pair of heavy thick gloves, "Don't let her try to man handle you," He smiled handing Pidge his key. "Hover over the roof and then lower the cables."
"I can use the tractor beam too. It will add more stability to the cables and allow the fighter to be closer to Yellow's body."
Hunk jumped down and hurried back to the Phoenix. Moments later, Pidge was lowering the cables.
Soon the pair had the damaged fighter nestled close to the lion's underbelly. As Yellow approached the repair bay entrance, Pidge exclaimed, "Hey, what's that?" He pointed at the lower left corner of Hunk's view screen.
"I don't know. I have never seen that before. Let me zoom in on it."
"A hangar? How did that get there?"
"Who knows? We live in a castle that appeared out of no where then why not a hangar? It will be perfect for the Phoenix. We'll have plenty of room to work without interruption or prying eyes."
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Meanwhile Keith was furiously typing his request for information. "I hope that Commander Steele or Space Marshal Graham can give us something to go on." He turned off his monitor and turned, collapsing on top of his bed, exhausted. His mind was a jumble of mixed emotions. His dreams reflected his feelings. They were fragments, bits, and pieces of memories. He relived the day when they had met.
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It had been the first day of officers' tactical training, she was seated in the front row her head bent reading when he and Lance had entered the room. Keith had sat down diagonally from her. Then the Major had entered the room. Everyone quickly stood at attention. The Major was not fond of women in his classes.
"Well, well what do we have here?" He had drawled, walking arrogantly up to her the only female in this class.
"Where did you come from?"
"Arus, Sir." She had answered.
"Why, are you here, Lt. Commander?" he had emphasized her rank.
"I needed a refresher, Sir."
"You need refresher? Why?"
"Memory lost due to a head injury that I received in battle, Sir."
As he had continued to look her over, she had never flinched. She had stood stoically regal before him. Noticing the tiny symbol of the Royal House of Arus, he had stopped, "Well, well I've got a call sign for you." He had growled, "Ice Princess."
"Thank you, Sir" she had spoken smoothly and undaunted.
Keith had hid a smile as the miffed Major had stalked to his desk. As the term progressed, Keith had gotten to know her and they had become the record setting team of "Fire and Ice"
Then he remembered their last good bye. They had stood at the hanger the wind was blowing her chestnut brown hair. They had hugged briefly. "I will miss you." She had whispered tearfully.
"I will miss you too. I know you will piece together your past once you arrive on Arus. You'll find happiness again. Here" Pressing a small object into her hand and closing her frozen fingers around it, he had kissed her warmly before she had run to the awaiting transport.
Finally, Keith awoke. He climbed out of bed and headed for the shower. As the cool water fell, Keith was transported to a rainy night. "Diana?" he had whispered into the darkness.
"Over here." She had murmured, softly. Keith had found her in the window seat and had sat down beside her, sneaking his arm around her waist. "How are you holding up?"
"Well, considering that my whole world has been turned upside-down again, and there is so much that I can't remember. I have started remembering bits and pieces of things in dreams so I can't be sure if they are real or not." She had sounded down heartened. "I have been told that I am a Crown Princess of a planet that I do not remember and now on my birthday I am told that I am to marry a prince that I have not seen since I was a small child." Silent tears had slid down her cheeks.
"I knew that you were royalty, Diana from the first time I saw you. You project a regal air. Any prince will be lucky to have you."
"But I don't want anyone but you, Keith Sinclair." She had whispered softly, laying her head on his shoulder.
He had gently stroked her hair "I know but-," he had paused and had taken a ragged breath before reluctantly admitting, "like you I have been promised to another that I do not remember. I argued with my parents the night they informed me. After storming out in the middle of the conversation, I have not spoken to them since."
"Really?" she gazed up at his sad eyes. Then he had held her as she had cried, melting away his 'Ice Princess'.
Back in reality, Allura was in med bay checking in on their new guest. She walked into the room; the machines drowned her high heels out. "Nanny!" she softly exclaimed, "Tell me that she doesn't she look like my sister?"
"Imposters have tried this sort of trick before remember Garrett. This could very well be another one of Haggar's tricks."
"But what about her betrothal mark? What if she has it? No magic is supposed to be able to duplicate it."
"I just do not want you to get your hopes up too high. Coran will figure out away to discover the true identity of this woman."
"Yes, Nanny" Allura gave in reluctantly.
Nanny took a long look thinking to her self, "She could be, but it is hard to tell with all of the bruises and bandages." As Nanny walked away, Allura could tell that she was thinking same thing. It was possible that Diana had finally come home.
Lance met Keith in the hallway. "How are you doing?" he asked as he yawned.
"I've been better." They walked silently to the med bay. Pidge and Hunk were already there. "How was Althea?"
"The trip was enjoyable," Lance slyly grinned.
"Has anyone seen Ice lately?"
Pidge whispered softly. "The Princess saw Ice a little bit ago, but she came out as white as a ghost."
Leaving quietly, Keith turned to go into Diana's room. The door swung open and closed behind him. His eyes clouded over as he crossed the room. He stopped beside her; her dark hair intensified the paleness of her face.
"Fight, Diana, fight for our love," he whispered in her ear. "You are safe. You are now on Arus. Lance and I will protect you."
Diana's mind was reeling. Hideous laughter echoed, as her mind's eye replayed events of the last year.
"You will obey me wench, Princess or not." The leader of the guards leered before her with a toothless grin, bad breath and a whip in hand. Then she felt the whip tear across her back. Again and again, the unforgiving leather tore at her flesh. "Answer me!" the guard shrieked, "Where are you from?" However, she did not speak. Her head lulled forward and she had lost consciousness without uttering a sound.
That event had sparked her rebellious nature. Several times, she had tried to escape, but she was recaptured and punished. The last time had been the worst and it had been decided for her that the next time would be the last or many would die in the attempt. They had succeeded; she was free, and home.
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She tried to open her eyes, but nothing happened. She began to panic. She couldn't move!
"Fight for our love." She heard as a far away whisper.
"Keith?" she whispered. She felt her body respond to his voice. "He's here." She began to fight to awaken. Keith checked on her as often as he could.