Yikes! I forgot to restate that VOLTRON and any of the characters within the original series do not belong to me. This is what I get for not paying attention to copyright laws. (*sigh*) Oh, well! Anyways, I'll try to start updating every few days or earlier, okay? Now, to the Lions--er, I mean the story! :D

During the three hours of the team's practice sessions, Sierra had been exercising vigorously. Now, she was walking towards the kitchen for a glass of water, sweating and panting profusely. Dude, I really need to stop doing this to myself, she thought, as she wiped her brow. Sheesh, when will I learn? As she entered, her black braid swinging behind her back, she saw Nanny, muttering to herself over the morning's events.

"She is a royal princess, yet that girl acts more like a commoner than is good for her," the matronly woman grumbled. "Oh, what is to be done about her?" Then, hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around to face the visitor. "Ah! My apologies, Miss Sierra--I wasn't aware of your presence."

"That's all right, Ma'am. I was actually just coming in to get some water before I go running around the grounds again," Sierra replied.

Nanny shook her head, nose in the air. "I do hope you know that running right after drinking water isn't good for you."

"Yes, Ma'am, I'll wait a while."

Nanny sighed. "Good. I wish Allura was more like you in that respect."

Sierra sat down with her water. "Why?" she asked respectfully.

"Well, why shouldn't she be? As Arus's sole monarch, she should be settling down, marrying, having children. Instead, she insists on running around with these hooligans fighting battles that aren't any of her business. It's one thing for her to interact with her citizens, but to leave this planet defenseless and protect others?" Nanny sat down herself, bowing and shaking her head. "I will never understand that young lady."

Sierra looked up at the ceiling with a small smile, thinking quietly while Nanny was speaking. Then she answered, "'All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.'"

Nanny raised her head and looked at her, and inquired, "I beg your pardon?"

Sierra looked back at Allura's nursemaid. "Edmund Burke once said, 'All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.' Dietrich Bonhoeffer said the same thing later on during World War II on Planet Earth."

The older woman's brows furrowed. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Are you saying that it is a good thing that her majesty is risking her life all of the time?"

"Well, yes and no. You see, even if Princess Allura is not in battle, I'll guarantee you that she's still at risk. First, there's Loser--ah, Lotor--trying to capture her. If you think ti kwan do is a bad sport, consider the other option of her being forced to marry that moron. At least if she's taking self-defense, she has a somewhat higher chance of warding him off.

"And second, leadership is a lonely occupation, so it's a very good thing that she's so connected with those she leads and follows. Even most of us Terrans know the disasters that can come when leaders won't dirty their hands, just because of birth or social status." Here, Sierra bowed her head in sadness briefly. Then, she continued with a smile, "Besides, the more Allura interacts with those from other planets, whether as a member of VOLTRON or as a visitor of state, she gains the experience she needs to be the great queen that you and everyone else wants her to be, right?"

Nanny scratched her head. "Hmmh--you know, I have never thought of it that way." She stood up and smiled at her young friend. "Thank you--I think I understand a little bit better. And I will try not to bother Allura as much. I still do not like her gallivanting around with your brother and his friends, but I'll manage."

Sierra, likewise, got to her feet. "Don't worry about it, Nanny--and if Keith and the guys try anything they shouldn't with Allura, then I'll personally knock them out cold."

The royal governess gave a sigh of relief. "All right, then--I trust that you will keep your word to me."

"Hey, no problem! Just let me know if there's anything else you need, okay?" Sierra walked over to the sink with the empty glass.

"Understood. Oh, and Miss Sierra?"

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Take some water with you--it will save you the time you'd take running back and forth from the castle when you're thirsty. There's a large thermos and some disposable cups in the cabinet that you can use." Yep, Nanny was back in charge.

"Ah, thank you--I'll make sure to take them with me right now," Sierra said with a small chuckle, as she proceeded to do as she was commanded.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Koran sat in the control room, staring at the monitor. On the outside, it seemed like he was watching the team work on battle tactics; on the inside, however, he was experiencing great disappointment.

All the research I have done has come to nothing, he thought. What am I missing? There has to be something that can allow Keith and Allura to marry.

Just then, like out of the blue, the idea hit him: What about Galaxy Garrison? They might have some information about the Commander that might help.

Without hesitation, he proceeded to attempt communication with those who he hoped could help him out. He was immediately connected to Admiral Graham.

"Good day, Koran--and to what do I owe the honor of this conversation?" Galaxy Garrison's head director asked.

"Good day to you as well, Admiral," Koran began. "I was hoping that you might be able to help me out in some area."

"I should hope not--with the VOLTRON force around, you don't seem to need any assistance anymore. What could you possibly need my help for?" Graham replied.

"Don't worry, sir--it isn't military help that we need. I was actually in need of information regarding Commander Kagone's past."

Graham shook his head. "That I cannot help you with, I'm afraid. For one thing, that is classified information, and for another, it is a sore topic for him. You will need to go to Kagone directly in order to find anything out. He's the only one who has access to his files--he made sure of that once he hit legal age."

"So there is nothing that you can do about it?"

"No, there isn't. Besides, Galaxy Garrison has some issues of its' own right now. We fear that there has been enemy infiltration as of late, and almost everything you would need to know seems to have been compromised somehow. I'm sorry."

"This is insane--I am trying to do something for Keith's sake, and now I'm left helpless because of some enemy?"

Graham sighed, and added with exasperation, "Listen, Koran, we don't know how deep the roots are in the ranks here, and for all we do know, one of the VOLTRON force might be suspect, too, so it would be best if you left things alone for now. But if you really feel it necessary to investigate, I can tell you that about twenty-five years ago, a cargo ship from Planet Arus came to Earth to trade supplies, and there were human passengers on board--about five of them, I believe. Why don't you look to see if anything like that was reported in Arusian history books or King Alfor's personal memoirs?"

Koran nodded. "I think I will. Thank you for your time, Admiral."

"Anytime."

Once the communications were cut off, Koran sat back. He had hoped for an immediate answer, but now he was pretty much forced to do more research. I just hope this is worth my time, he thought with a heavy sigh.