Voltron and characters belong to WEP, the others are mine!
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Keith entered the briefing room behind Allura. She walked over to her chair, and Keith took his accustomed seat at her left hand. Coran sat at her right, and the rest of the Arusian council sat in their seats beside him. Also assembled were Lance, Admiral Harrison, Kim, Marshall Graham, Commander Hawkins, Cliff, Edward and Cassandra Montgomery, and Russ Pollodin. A small group of Alliance officers sat at the far end of the room. Hazar and Dorma entered right behind Keith and sat at the opposite end of the table. Keith watched Dorma glance at Lance and send him a small smile. Hazar followed his sister's gaze, and watched Lance measuringly. I'll have to have a talk with Lance, Keith thought to himself. He noticed everyone was in uniform, except for himself. Even Lance was dressed, the sling on his arm showing up clearly against the dark blue of his jacket. Aunt Brenda must have bullied him into it.
Allura cleared her throat, and the room grew silent. "Marshall Graham. I believe you requested this meeting. The floor is yours."
Graham got to his feet. "Thank-you Majesty." He nodded at Allura, then turned to face the rest of the room. "First let me say that we at Galaxy Garrison deeply regret the fact that Lotor of Doom was able to escape from the Mars prison base and cause the incident that brings us here today."
"He should have been executed." One of the councilors said heatedly.
"Nevertheless, we are sorry." Graham bowed his head towards Allura, then sat back down.
She nodded. "Thank-you Marshall Graham." She turned to Coran and nodded.
The elderly advisor faced the rest of the room. "Her Majesty has decided that now is not the time for Arus to join the Galaxy Alliance. While there is still unrest amongst yourselves, it would be unwise to add our own tribulations." He sat back down.
The room erupted with everyone arguing to be heard. Graham looked shocked, the Admiral appeared unsurprised, and Lance wore a smug look on his face. Allura looked calm, but her eyes were troubled. Keith's expression didn't change.
Finally, when it was apparent that no one was going to back down, Keith spoke up. "QUIET!" Silence abruptly filled the room.
"Captain Montgomery, did you recommend the Princess on this course of action?" Graham asked angrily.
"This decision was not come about lightly. And yes, I did advise Allura against it. After all the help you've given her already, it didn't take much urging on my part." Keith told him savagely.
Graham glared at the young Captain. Keith stood his ground and glared back. "All right, that's enough." Allura spoke up. "Marshall Graham, for now that is my decision. I need to do what is best for my people and my planet. No matter what advice I was given, the decision was ultimately mine to make, is that understood?" Graham nodded. "Good. Now, you had something else to discuss?"
Graham turned back to everyone assembled. "We need to know exactly what happened with Lotor. It is not morbid curiosity, we have to be prepared for any ramifications that might ensue." He paused a moment. "There is some one missing. Where is Sergeant Packard?"
"Hunk is helping Commander Hazar's crew with the repairs to the ship. He felt it was the least he could do." Keith said sarcastically. "Lieutenant Oleson and Princess Romelle have chosen to stay out of these affairs. Their situation on Pollux is rocky enough without adding the Galaxy Alliance." He finished coldly.
Lance shot a sidelong glance at his father. The Admiral shook his head, sighing. Edward and Cassandra caught the look, and watched their son with concern.
There was silence in the room for a few moments. Admiral Harrison spoke up. "Keith, perhaps you'd better tell Marshall Graham exactly what happened during your wedding and the events on Trasana."
Keith looked apprehensive and Allura placed her hand on his arm. He took a deep breath and began. "Lotor, with the help on one of Arus's Councilmen, landed here on the planet. He crashed our wedding, holding Admiral Harrison's youngest daughter hostage. He then demanded Allura be turned over to him or he would kill Annie. I refused to give her to him, but Allura has a mind of her own." He smiled thinly at his wife. "She stepped forward, hoping Lotor would release Annie. Instead, he fled with both of them, but not before shooting Captain Jeffery Dunbar point-blank in the chest. Lotor then sealed the doors, and made for his ship. Lance, Sven and I broke the window and sped for the Lions, while Hunk and Pidge got the doors open. We found Annie in one of the Castle gardens. Apparently, Allura had somehow convinced Lotor to free her. We launched the Lions, and managed to get a tracking missile aboard his ship. Before we could do much more, he fired upon my Team, taking down Pidge Yvontil and the Green Lion. He then appeared on my Com-screen, telling us to break off our attack or he would kill Allura." Here Keith paused to take a shuddering breath. "I believed him, and called off our attack." His voice trailed off.
Allura looked straight at Keith. "You had no choice. Lotor had nothing to lose and everything to gain by killing me. You did the right thing." She said vehemently.
Admiral Harrison picked up the story. "Commander Hazar contacted us shortly after this incident, and offered his assistance."
They all took turns telling the story, Hazar and Dorma included. Edward and Cassandra spoke of their surprise at Keith and Lance finding them. Lance told of how he found Allura and got her back to the ship. Cliff recounted the battle between Voltron and Ryklos's Robeast. Finally the Admiral finished, with Keith nearly dying, and their landing back on Arus the day before. Everyone was quiet for a few moments.
Graham looked up at Keith. "You claim Lotor is dead, but can you be absolutely sure? You were wrong the last time." He said accusingly.
"I shot him in the chest, then stood over him until he stopped breathing." Keith said flatly. "That good enough for you?"
Lance shivered at the coldness in Keith's tone. Allura was right. He has changed. And not for the better…Lance shook his head. "All right, now you know everything. What does this have to do with Galaxy Garrison? We asked for your help and you refused to send any. We did what we had to do."
Cliff nodded in agreement. "If it weren't for Commander Hazar, the Princess would still be a captive of Lotor, and Jeff would most probably be dead."
"You all should have waited for Alliance Forces to arrive." Graham faced each of them in turn. "You do realize you could be court-martialed for this. Your careers in Galaxy Garrison could be over."
Kim nodded. "We understand that Sir. Keith—Captain Montgomery tried to talk us out of going with him. We chose otherwise. To quote another member of the Voltron Force, 'Some things are just more important.' I for one, would do it again." She stated firmly.
Lance grinned at his sister, his heart swelling with pride. He glanced at his father, and though the Admiral looked grave, there was a twinkle in his eyes.
"Marshall Graham, we've had problems with Lotor kidnapping the Princess before and Galaxy Garrison never lifted a finger. What brings you here this time?" Keith asked irately.
Graham shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He glanced up at Admiral Harrison, who shrugged and folded his hands across his chest. "Well Charles, answer him. They have a right to know."
Lance looked sharply at his father. "Right to know what? Dad, what are you talking about?"
Graham cleared his throat. "There is a faction in the Alliance who does not wish peace between our people and the Druhle Empire."
Hazar nodded gravely. "I have heard rumors of the same, amongst my own citizens. It is mostly those who have a vested interest in the war, such as weapons manufacturers and chemical factories."
Graham nodded. "It is the same within the Alliance. Some have even tried to aggravate the situation with sabotage and treachery."
"But what does that have to do with us?" Allura asked.
Graham paused. "Lotor was allowed to escape in order to uncover who these collaborators were." He said quietly. "In essence, we let him go."
The room erupted in chaos. Lance bolted to his feet, shouting accusations at his father. Kim tried to calm her brother, to no avail. Allura and Coran had their hands full, trying to quell the anger as most of the Arusian council members began calling for the dismissal of the meeting and order all the foreigners off the planet. Even Cliff was fuming, pointedly ignoring Commander Hawkins's attempt at an explanation. Dorma turned to her brother, a betrayed look in her eyes, while Keith's parents talked quietly to themselves. Only Keith sat unmoving, his face an emotionless mask. Finally everyone seemed to run out of steam, and they all settled back down into their seats.
"So that's why I wasn't allowed to testify." Keith said in a calm, deadly voice, once the room quieted down. "I suggest you tell us the whole story Marshall Graham."
"Princess, please believe me when I tell you that it was not supposed to go as far as it did. If we had even suspected that Lotor was in cohorts with one of your people, we would never have allowed this to happen." Graham said earnestly.
"Lotor killed three of your people during his escape Marshall, didn't that give you a clue of what he was capable of? Not to mention all the misery he has caused to me and my planet. He should have been brought to justice." Allura said coldly.
"I can't argue with you Your Highness. But what's done is done, and we can be thankful that there was no real harm done." One of the G.G. aides spoke for the first time.
Cliff looked at the man, incredulous. "No harm done? Tell that to Jeff Dunbar. That bastard tried to kill him." Everyone started talking again.
"All right, that's enough. Please, Marshall Graham, continue." Coran said.
Graham looked at the angry faces around him. "He was supposed to escape only. Our sources told us he would see refuge with one of his allies. We did not expect him to come to Arus."
"Why didn't you tell us all this when he escaped? We could have been more prepared." Allura said accusingly.
Graham shook his head. "We knew there was some one here on your planet Princess, who was aiding him. We couldn't risk a leak."
"You could have told us something." Lance snapped angrily.
"In retrospect, yes, we should have."
Keith spoke. "What else aren't you telling us? This goes alot deeper than one manic who wants to rule the universe. This is about Voltron."
Graham shifted uncomfortably. He glanced at the Admiral for support. Harrison shook his head. "I told you a year ago that this wouldn't work Charles."
"You knew about this?" Keith asked his uncle.
Harrison shook his head. "Not about Lotor. Just about Voltron."
"What about Voltron?" Allura asked.
Graham sighed. "Some members of the Alliance and Galaxy Garrison were hoping to bring Voltron under their control. They want to use him to help keep control over other parts of the universe."
"Voltron belongs to Arus and her people." Coran said. "Only the Princess has the right to say when and if he will be used."
Keith's mind was racing. It's all starting to make sense. "That's why you were so eager to see this treaty signed. You wanted to take control of Voltron."
"And they were going to use him as a bargaining chip for peace with the Druhle Empire." Hazar spoke for the first time.
"WHAT!" Echoed most of the room.
Hazar nodded. "Did you think it was a coincidence that my ship happened to be so close during your time of need?"
"So you never really meant to help us. It was all a plot to get Voltron." Keith's voice allayed his anger.
Hazar shook his head. "No Keith. I have never wanted Voltron. If I did, I would have already had the Vehicle Force. I merely wanted to open peace talks between my people and yours."
"Why should we believe you?" Lance snapped.
"True, you have no reason to. But I speak the truth." Hazar turned back to Keith. "I offered my services in earnest. Lotor should have died long ago. If you had not come with me, I would have gone to Trasana on my own."
"And Allura?" Keith persisted. "What would have happened to her?"
"She would have been returned here to Arus. With no strings attached." Hazar sighed wearily. "I have known nothing but war my entire life. This was a chance to end it all. It should have been planned out differently. I am truly sorry for my part in this deception."
The room went quiet for a moment. "I told you this would never work Charles. These young people are smarter than you all gave them credit for." Harrison said quietly.
"What are you talking about Dad? Don't tell me you knew about this whole set-up all along." Lance asked bitterly.
Harrison faced his son, and looked Lance squarely in the eye. "I swear to you, I did not know they had put this plan into action. It was brought up as a proposal months before Lotor was captured. I told them it would never work, and was the most asinine idea I had ever heard of. They dropped the subject. The topic came up again after Lotor was arrested six months ago. I could barely stomach that farce of a trial and I walked out of the briefings. I had assumed it was over."
Lance didn't look convinced. "But you had an idea. Why didn't you say something?"
"It was on a strictly need to know basis." Graham told him.
Keith's hold on his temper finally snapped. His face went red then white with rage. "Need to know! Being on top of Lotor's hit list doesn't constitute 'Need to know'?" Keith got to his feet. "Allura, I'm sorry. I can't listen to anymore of this. If you'll excuse me." He stormed from the briefing.
A heavy silence gripped the room. Allura began to speak. "Well, it seems my choice in not signing the treaty was justified. Marshall Graham, I suggest you rethink your policies. And I want it known to everyone here. Arus offers asylum to any person who wishes to abide our laws and live in peace. Any person, no matter who they are, or where they're from. Is that clear?" No one spoke. "This meeting is adjourned." She stood and followed Keith out the door.
There were quiet murmurs as the Arus Council left the room. Lance glared angrily at his father, then marched out without a backward glance. Cliff took Kim's hand and together they went after him, leaving Coran, Marshall Graham, Admiral Harrison, Edward, Cassandra, and Russ standing together.
Hazar walked over and addressed Marshall Graham. "You have done these people a grave injustice. Peace among our peoples starts with trust. I suggest you try and win theirs back." He and Dorma strode from the room.
Graham looked at the others dejectedly. "I never meant for this to happen."
"These young people are some of the best that the Academy has ever turned out. You'll regret this someday Charles." Harrison told him.
Graham shook his head. "I already do." He left the room. Russ left shortly after.
Cassandra waited until they left, then sighed. "I should go find Keith."
"That's not a good idea Cass." Harrison told her, shaking his head. "Keith doesn't often lose his temper, but when he does, you don't want to be within a light-year of him."
"Keith? A temper? Must take after you Cass." Edward smiled at his wife.
Harrison laughed. "That's for sure. The boys has incredible instincts, almost frightening, but he tends to keep his emotions all bottled up inside. After a while, they get the better of him, and he tends to blow, and God help anyone who's near him." Harrison smiled down at Cassandra. "Don't worry Cass, Lance will take care of him."
"Lance? Are you sure?" Cassandra sounded skeptical.
"Yes, Lance. He knows how to handle Keith. And Keith knows how to handle Lance. He'll be fine." Harrison smiled at Keith's parents. "Lance will poke at him until Keith either starts talking or hits him. Sometimes both."
"Keith? Hit Lance? Are you kidding?" Now Edward sounded surprised.
Harrison laughed. "Oh Lance hits back often enough. Didn't you notice the bruises on the both of them? They didn't get all those during their stay on Trasana. Even now, those two occasionally solve their problems with their fists. Trust me, Lance will find Keith, where ever he's hiding."
Cassandra's eyes filled with tears. "He's my son, and I hardly know him." Edward put his arm around her.
"Cass," Harrison said softly. "Give him time. Keith's had alot thrown at him over the past few days. He'll come around, you'll see." His expression softened. "He's not the little boy you left all those years ago. He's grown into a fine young man, one with integrity, and principles. He's going through a tough time right now. He'll be all right."
Edward smiled gratefully. "You've been so much to him. We can never repay you." He held his hand out.
Harrison grasped Edwards's hand, and pulled both of them into a tight embrace. "I never asked you to. I just thank God we've got you all back."
