"It's the flu…"

"You're kidding."

Hunk shook his head, "Lance gave them all the flu."

"Well, the flu did wipe out hundreds of thousands of people back in the day," Pidge said looking at Hunks data to double check, "but you'd think an advanced civilization wouldn't be bothered by it."

"Wouldn't you have to be close enough for him to breathe on you for the illness to be transferred?" Keith asked. His arms folded tightly to keep himself in check.

"Not really," Pidge said, "They would just have to touch something he'd breathed on and then eaten something, or even been in the same room as him for too long."

"Then they got what they deserved," Keith shrugged.

"They got more than they bargained for, that's for sure," Hunk said, "But why has this guy survived and not the rest of the crew?"

The captain removed his gloves and showed them his hands. Slits opened up in each palm. Pidge squealed and climbed on top of hunk who in turn hid behind Keith. Long black tendrils lifted themselves out into the air.

"These are what we use to discover," he said slowly, "by a simple touch of our filliments we are able to discover how things are made or what they are composed of without taking them apart."

"You put those slimy things inside LANCE?!"

"I did not," the captain corrected, "it is our law that to use our filliments on living creatures is to be answered with death. However, it seems this…fellow, of mine, used it to discover a way to combat the illness raking his own body after most of the crew had died in order to find an immunity."

"Did it work?"

"It only half worked. Your human bodies are different than ours. What will heal you, or what will make you immune, may not work with ours."

"True,"

"So he's still sick," Hunk said.

"And he will remain that sick for the rest of his days," the captain said pulling his gloves back on, "if you wish to take his life, we will gladly yield him over to you. If not, he shall spend the remainder of his days in this room, un able to eat anything without it coming back out of his body."

"Both sound so tempting…" Pidge muttered.

"We'll let Lance decide when we get back," Keith said and the other two nodded, "Allura, how is the Lion up there?"

"She's stopped struggling," Allura said with a sigh, "I think her fit is over…for now…"

"Don't let your guard down," Keith said, "who knows when it will act up again. Grab Red and come aboard."

"got it," she said, and Keith turned back to the alien captain, "anything else we need to know?"

"That is all for the moment," he replied, "unless you have more questions."

"No," Keith said shaking his head, "no questions. Only orders: We are now in charge of your ship now and we are going to meet up with our people. They may have questions and you will answer truthfully."

"Indeed," the captain bowed again, "we are your prisoners. Do as you wish."

()

"Atlas!"

"Keith!"

Shiro gripped the railing as another blast shook the ship.

"What's going on?"

"We're being attacked," Shiro said as reports started to come in. he made sure Iverson had a handle on it before going back to Keith, "Lance said he saw the same ship as before."

Keith rounded on the alien captain.

"You're attacking?!"

"I am not," the captain said again, "I did mention a 'number of ships' that were taken from our fleet."

"Why are they attacking?!" hunk cried.

"Didn't you say they just wanted to go and explore?" Pidge snapped, "who explores AFTER they've shot?!"

"I only know what is in my area of influence to know," the captain argued back, "They are no longer one of us. We only hoped we would find them before they attracted attention to our people!"

"Well," Shiro said through clenched teeth, "then how about coming and taking care of this mess?!"

"We're on our way shiro!" Keith called and the com ended.

Shiro took a deep breath and began to analyze the battle.

()

It was mayhem.

Lance had grown accustomed to Reds speed and had to adjust his fighting techniques to non-lion shaped maneuvers.

"Like riding…a bike," he said to himself as he banked left and destroyed three enemies at once, "I knew those simulators didn't do me justice."

"Ease up on the speed, McClain," Jordan said again, "We're pushing our limits here!"

"Got it, sorry," Lance said and frowned. He had thought he'd already been going slower.

"Flight KJ-51."

"Go ahead, command."

"Take KJ-41 and check out the mothership. Do not engage. Scout."

"Roger that," Jordan signed off, "you got that?"

"Loud and clear," Lance said pulling up from the fight and seeing one other jet do the same.

"Ryan, you alone in there?" Lance called as they broke the atmosphere.

"Yes."

"Quiznak," Lance swore, "you should have someone with you!"

"there wasn't any time!"

"Fine, stay close," Lance ordered, "we're going to go around to the left-"

"why not the right?"

"beeeecause you don't have a CO-PILOT TO TAKE PICTURES!" Lance yelled, "If we're going to do this right, just follow my lead. I've done this before…well, actually, I've helped Pidge do this before. But I was there and remember what to do, so just do it!"

"the co-pilot doesn't-"

"Jordan, explain to your brother what sarcasm is before I shoot him."

()

"What are they doing?" Shiro watched the fight as Iverson directed the Atlases cannons. The fighter jets were engaging in a heated fight, but it wasn't normal.

They weren't fighting to win.

"Iverson!" Shiro called from across the bridge, "Aim for the enemies that are flying higher than the others!"

He nodded and gave out his orders.

"KJ pilots," Shiro announced, "keep basic. Do not show your hands."

"KJ squad leader, heard you loud and clear," came a voice over the com, "request alternate?"

"No survivors," Shiro ordered.

"Over and out."

"B1NB," Shiro called over the ships com, "get ready."

"Aye, Sir!"

Shiro waited for Lance to touch back. They needed the information that they could get to them.

()

"Quiznak, Ryan, do you mind?"

"What?!"

"stay to my left! Your dad will kill me if his spoiled little tadpole gets socked in the middle of space. Jordan, do you see anything out of the ordinary?"

"It looks like the ships that attacked Earth, but about three times bigger."

Lance bit back another sarcastic remark.

"Alright Sherlock," Lance said, losing the internal battle, "how about something else, ya know, to prove you've been paying attention to the classes Keith and Shiro have been giving?"

"Don't you know?"

Lance rolled his eyes.

"The hanger doors are the same size," Lance said, "the ship is larger, but not everything has adjusted to the new size. Everything seems to be repainted to match what the rebuilding, accept the ion canon. That canon has been untouched and more than likely works just fine, or even better. I've spotted three hanger doors that haven't opened yet, so the fight is going to be a long one- are you writing this down?"

"Everything said in here gets recorded."

"Man, and Iverson said I was lazy," Lance sighed dramatically.

"You got a problem McClain?"

"With you? When have I not had a problem with you? You're parents had seven kids. Six out of the seven are insane and the only child that your parents disowned is the only one I don't have a grudge against!"

"You're sick, McClain."

"Hey, Pot, I'm kettle, and you're black," Lance sang as he banked right, "let's head back to the Atlas and inform Shiro of what we've gathered."

"Wait, we're not going to board?"

"Why would we board?!" Lance yelled, his adrenaline due to fear kicking in, "We have no back up and we're out of radio range. If something were to happen we'd be S.O.L.-AND WHY IS RYAN FLYING THAT CLOSE TO THE SHIP?!"

Ryan, while trying to bank after Lance, was coming within knots of the alien ship.

"SPEED UP RYAN!" Lance shouted, "GET AWAY FROM THE SHIP!"

A beam of light shot from the large ship and caught Ryans Jet.

"they moved the tractor beam to the side," Lance swore and turned the jet around. Instinctually he dodged to the left as another beam shot in his direction.

"They have more than one," Jordans voice shook as Ryans calls for help came through.

"On our way, Ryan," Lance called, "Brace for impact!"

"IMPA-?"

Lance slammed into Ryans jet and the momentum took both of them out of the beams force.

"BOOK IT!"

As they both hit the throttle, three beams froze both of them in place.

"Ef…my…life…"

()

"Commander Shirogane," Iverson called, "We're pushing them back."

"No," Shiro swore, "they're leaving. B1NB! Get out there and keep them in your sights! KJ, come in and hold for orders."

"Aye Sir!"

()

"What do you MEAN we don't have WARP DRIVE?!"

"What high tech ship can't at least go fast!"

"This is a repurposed Galra ship. Right?! They have warp drive!"

"It got in the way of our cloaking," the captain replied, "and since we don't travel outside our system there was no reason to have it."

Pidge sunk down onto the floor, her hands clutching her hair, "…they took out the warp drive…they just…took it out? Like…what?"

Hunk stood there, completely unresponsive in his shock.

Allura wrung her hands while looking at Keith, who stood with his arms against, folded as tightly as possible.

"Hunk," Keith growled, "you and Pidge stay here and see if you can't get this thing moving faster. Allura, grab Red and make your way back to the Atlas. I'll go as fast as possible to give them aid."

"Shouldn't we try to stick together?"

"We were already separated," Keith said, just watch your back, "and make sure we keep in touch with each other no matter what, got it?"

"Yup."

()

"So how do we get out?"

Lance glared at the two brothers who were looking at him expectantly. They had been dragged in and thrown unceremoniously into a cell with two Olkaries who were picked up by the fighter jets as they retreated.

Ignoring them, Lance turned to the Olkaries.

"Are you two alright?"

"We are," said the older one, "This child is terrified."

Lance reached down and picked the child up, bouncing him slightly on his hip.

"Everything will be fine," Lance said giving his best smile, "they made the mistake of celling us together."

"So you do have a plan?" Ryan asked, sarcasm thick in his voice.

"What's your name?" Lance asked, again ignoring the brothers.

"Rai," he said and rubbed his face, "I would like to go home…"

"Good, cause that's where we're heading," Lance said and put him back down, "I'm going to talk to these guys over here and then I'll talk to your uncle here-"

"auntie," the older Olkari corrected.

"…auntie, and we'll formulate a plan together, ok?"

Rai nodded and sat next to his aunt. Lance turned and gave as serious a look as he could to the others as he walked over to them.

"Ok you two," Lance hissed, "I'm putting you in charge of those two, got it? If that means you put yourself in the line of fire to save them and to help them escape, then so be it. Do you understand me?"

"And you?"

"I'll cover you two."

Jordan laughed, "Well, that's comforting."

"If you guard them, then that's my reason to guard you," Lance said a humorless smile curving one side of his face, "Their safety will come first."

Jordan and Lance had a staring match, then he nodded.

"Fine, truce."

"Truce," Lance sighed, "Now let's come up with a plan."

()

"They don't know anything about the Olkaries, so we'll be able to use that against them," Lance said as they all sat in a tight circle, Rai sitting on Lances lap.

"How are we going to get our hands on some weapons?" Ryan asked.

"Auntie," Lance said, "we're going to need you to mess with the tech on this ship. Thank you can?"

"I've already attempted to interphase with the waves," she said, "but its like a different language I'm not familiar with. It may take some time."

"Ok, focus on that for now. Jordan and I will watch the door and make sure anyone who comes in doesn't go back out."

"Aren't we trying to get out?"

Lance sighed, "Yes, Ryan, we are. But we don't want the enemy to come in and potentially separate us. If we're separated, then not only will it mean we'll most likely get hurt, but it will take longer for us to escape."

"What do I do?" Rai asked, wide eyed and eager since Lance was so confident.

"You watch over your Auntie," Lance said, "she's going to try and hack the ship, but she needs you to watch her back. And Ryan here will watch both of your backs in case someone gets past Jordan and me, alright?"

Rai nodded.

()

Standing at the door Jordan spoke in a low voice.

"This is a crappy plan."

"It's the only one we have," Lance answered.

"what about taking off the paneling? There could be a secret passage-"

Lance actually laughed, "Yeah, already thought of that. There isn't any. Trust me."

"Paladin," the olkari called, "I believe I have an in, but its limited."

"Is it enough to at least open and close doors?"

"Mmmm…give me a few more tiks."

"Take your time," Lance said, "No hurry."

Joran scowled, "What do you mean no-"

"You don't rush a technician, Jordan," Lance hissed, "human or not, that one of the universal laws of the universe!"

"You're speaking double!"

"then get it the first time!"

"What's that even-"

"Shut up!" Ryan yelled, "Both of you! I thought we were at a truce!"

They glared at Ryan and told him to shut up himself before going back and glaring at each other. They didn't talk to each other anymore, but they weren't ever going to be friendly any time soon, if ever.

The door opened.

Jordan jumped back in surprise and Lance braced himself, ready to attack.

No one was outside.

"I told you it would only take a tik," she said a little smugly. Lance laughed and bowed to her.

"forgive me, madam, for doubting you."

"Just get us home," she said.

()

Ryan carried Rai on his back and Jordan covered the Auntie. Lance scouted a head, a little bit as a time, waving them forward when the cost was clear. When Passing through a corridor with a lot of doors, Lance had the Auntie lock all the doors to keep anyone from running into them on accident. After they passed by and were out of sight, she unlocked the doors and no one was any the wiser.

"Ok," Lance breathed as they squeezed in a small blind spot, "A few feet ahead is the Hanger they brought us though. Our jets should still be there."

"What about the escape pods?" The auntie asked, "would they not be easier?"

"Someone forgot to take notes," Lance snapped, glaring at Jordan, who in turn rolled his eyes, "we need the audio on our jets so that Shiro knows what we're facing."

"There are a ton of aliens in there, how are we going to get to our jet when we don't even know weather to turn right or left once we're thought the door?" Ryan hissed back.

Lance looked around and saw a ledge. Galras were always so fond of ledges.

"Rai," Lance grinned, "think you can climb up there and look into the hanger? Then tell us where our jets are?"

He beamed and nodded. Reaching out from Ryans back his finger tips glowed slightly as they created light dents in the metal. In a flash he began to scale the wall, only using slight momentum to keep him going.

"How the hell-"

Lance grinned, "something you learn while babysitting. Kids can do amazing things."

When Rai came back Lance took out his bayard.

"You had a-"

"Shhhhhhh!" Lance shoved his hand against Ryans mouth, "Yes, I've had my bayard this hole time. If I had taken it out while they expected resistance, they would've taken it away. Now we have it when we need it the most. Rai, what did you see?"

"There's only about ten people in there," he said, "your jets are at the end, but the blast doors are down."

"right," Lance sighed and thought for a moment.

"I can open the blast doors," the auntie said, "that is not an issue."

"We could always make a run for it," Jordan said, "You can cover us from behind?"

Lance hesitated, then nodded, "Ryan, you're a faster runner than Jordan, so you go to the Jet that's further. If at any point you guys think you can't make it, hijack one of the fighters in the hanger. You getting out is first priority.

"If that was the case, then we should've just used the escape pods," Ryan snapped.

Lance ignored him.

"Right," Lance sighed, "we've got a plan. This is good…this is…good…."