Chapter 4

Pidge looks around the control room of the castle again. He feels guilty. He had this wild idea come to him while the team was talking about their new orders. It wasn't fully realized then, but he just couldn't sleep. It kept nagging at him when he closed his eyes. Usually that means he's onto something big. Pidge knows better to ignore that feeling, so here he is working in the control room.

Breaking into the Galaxy Alliance network was harder than he remembered. "They got better hackers than last time, I bet," He says out loud. "I wonder who's the paranoid one?"

He types in yet another passcode. This is his fourth try on this satellite. He swears again in Arusian when the access denied screen shows up. To make it even more difficult he needs to disguise his entry point. He thought about routing his attack through one of the satellites on new Balto, but it just didn't feel right. Picking an allied planet that has no obvious ties to Arus and one where he could 'borrow' a satellite network connection was hard.

"But that's why I'm a genius," he mutters to himself. He's down to three satellites on the planet he chose. "If one of these don't work, I'm gonna have to build one myself and launch it," he grumbles. He takes off his glasses and rubs his burning eyes. "At this point it might be easier."

"Hey little buddy!" Pidge jumps as Hunk comes up behind him. His glasses clatter on the console in front of him.

"Whatcha doing?" Hunk peers at the screen. "Satellite connections? Are the Arusian ones down?"

"No. They're fine." Pidge snaps as he picks up his glasses.

"Then why you not using them?"

"I wanted to..oh never mind Hunk. Stupid idea." Pidge says.

"My little buddy never has stupid ideas." Hunk says loyally.

"I thought maybe we should keep an eye on Wade's movements, finances, stuff like that."

Hunk nods. "See, brilliant idea. And not let him know we are looking, right?"

"Yeah, but I can't get into any satellite connection to cover our tracks. I've been trying all night."

Hunk scans the last three satellites orbiting the planet Pidge chose. "Hmm. I think...there!" He punches a few numbers on a keyboard and the weather satellite connection is open.

Pidge stares open mouthed at his best friend. "How did you do that, Hunk?"

The big guy blushes. "It wasn't anything. A guy I knew at the academy designs these and I helped once or twice when they had to be tuned up in orbit. Remote maintenance codes." He shrugs again. "Like I said, not hard."

"Genius." Pidge says admiringly. "I should have asked you hours ago."

"Teamwork, Pidge." Hunk says. "We always do our best work then."

Pidge nods in agreement as they maneuver into the Alliance network.

Working together they find and download information on the Sky Marshall. Watching the printout pile up they're amazed.

"This can't be good." Hunk comments. Hunk even does the scheduled maintenance on the satellite for his buddy which gives them some cover if the information download is ever traced back to Arus. "I doubt it," he tells Pidge. "Since a bunch of us do the upkeep on them and we're all over the galaxy now."

"But you never can be too careful," Pidge agrees. He yawns widely. "I'm gonna drop this off for Keith and sack out for a few hours."

"Okay buddy." Hunk pats him on the back as he leaves the control room. As Pidge leaves he hears Hunk hum some new song.

Pidge knocks on Keith's office door. Keith answers the door still dressed in his flight suit even at this late hour.

"Hey Pidge. Up kinda late aren't you?" Keith greets him tiredly. He was hoping the late night visitor was Allura. He hasn't seen her all day and the way his schedule for tomorrow is shaping up he won't see her then either. He's amazed how empty his day feels without even brief contact with the Princess.

"I haven't had a bedtime in years, Keith." Pidge retorts.

Keith backs off, his hands in the air. "Didn't mean it that way, buddy. I'm up because there's some one I need to talk to and this was the only time to do it." Keith yawns. "I'd rather be asleep. What's your excuse?" he asks the youngest member of the team.

"I had this idea, and wanted to work on it." Pidge begins. "Here's some of it," he shoves the file at Keith.

One dark eyebrow arches as Keith takes in the file's thickness. "More paperwork, huh?" he grins taking the sting out of the words.

"It's stuff on Wade. Lots more than we thought. I don't think this is going to be easy, Commander." Pidge sighs.

"Thanks." Keith starts to thumb through the papers when his computer beeps. "I gotta go, Pidge. Someone I've been waiting on."

"Sure, Keith. I'm exhausted anyway." Pidge heads off toward his quarters.

Keith tosses the file on his desk and opens the communication line with an old Academy buddy.

Early morning in another wing of the Castle of Lions

Coran knocks on the door that houses the royal offices. The door slides back with a soft hiss. Inside the Princess of Arus sits cross legged on the floor in front of her bookcase. She is surrounded by books.

"Your Highness?" Coran is startled at the disarray in the formerly neat office.

Allura looks up at her adviser. "I'm trying to find some law or tradition that will keep the lions here on Arus."

"You've been holed up in here for days, Your Highness. You should take a break." Coran is concerned for his monarch and her new obsession.

"We need all 5 lions to rebuild, Coran. There has to be a way!"

"I understand, and I'm just as concerned. But there are other things that need your attention," he reminds her. "People want to celebrate the end of the war. We have to reconvene the royal council, rebuild the royal mint, and train the new royal guards. You need to do this." Coran gestures to the paperwork and files on the Princess's desk that she has largely ignored.

She sighs. "Yes, I know Coran." Allura stands up. "Send out an invitation to all the surviving members of the council. We will meet in the Castle council chamber. Have Keith, Lance, Pidge, and Hunk start training the new recruits."

Coran winces. He didn't know that she hasn't seen the orders from Galaxy Garrison. "They will be able to start, but-" he trails off at the look on her face.

"But what, Coran?" Her voice is sharp.

"They were recalled yesterday. The Voltron Force has been disbanded by the Alliance."

"WHAT?!" Allura is stunned. "They can't do that! Why didn't anyone tell me?" she shouts.

"We didn't realize you didn't know until now. But, Your Highness, you knew this was possible..." Coran trails off as Allura rushes out of her office.