When all the children were off the ship, he followed the captain in charge to a room in the healing center were the children were being kept after their physicals. Alex was beside himself and latched onto Lance the moment he came through the door.
"Have you seen Will and Cass yet?" Ollie asked as Lance bent down and picked Alex up.
"Not yet," he said, "I wanted to make sure everything here was under control. Once I'm with the other two, I won't be leaving their side."
"We got it," Gen said with a nod and Gom also nodded.
"I shall keep things in order," the adult half-blood replied.
"And we'll keep everyone safe," Gen said indicating Ollie and himself.
Lance smiled, reassured.
"Am I to stay with Ollie?"
The voice was small, so small that Lance only heard it because Alex was right next to his ear.
"That's right," Lance said, "I want you to stay with your siblings here and look after each other, ok? Can you do that for me?"
Alex gave a small nod.
()
"Lance?"
Pidge stopped him in the hall as he made his way to the room William and Cass were being cared for. Her eyes were red and she looked scared.
"Lance I'm sorry," she said, her voice thick, "We really thought this would be…we really tried…"
Lance smiled and hugged her, "everything will be fine. They say we got here in time. Think you guys can keep an eye on the other kiddos while I'm with these two?"
"Of course!" she said, "…you…you don't hate us…anymore?"
Lance laughed, "I never hated you guys. I just couldn't stand Shiro and Allura. Both of them, plus trying to figure everything out on my own was a little…much…"
"you know you did have to do it on your own," She scowled, "I know we screwed up, but we are right here."
"…I know…" he shifted uncomfortably, "it just took me a while to realize that."
"Then answer me honestly," she said jabbing a finger into his chest, "if you need anything or need to talk or ANYTHING, you WILL come to at least ONE of us, right?"
Lance shook his head and grinned, "yes, ma'am."
()
The team checked up on Lance and the kids periodically. The kids stayed in a group room at the hospital. None of the healers wished to be wrong again and desired they stay at the building until they were positive no one would suddenly become sick.
Forming an alliance with the leadership of the planet was also important. Which was why the paladins only checked in when they could.
The paladins were up front about their mistakes and past deeds. The leadership consisted of a king and his many generals and barons. They sat in a semi-circle while the paladins sat in the front of the room.
"You are not the first to be swayed into their thinking," the king replied, "you are also not the first to suddenly realize you were wrong. You are the first, however, to avoid the fate of being completely erased or being killed."
"How had this planet survived so long?" Allura asked, "all the other planets were destroyed decafeebs ago!"
"Our planet is not…conducive to their tactics," The kings lips twisted into a grin, "They favor a T'kip form of attack when whipping out a planet."
"…aaannnnd that would beee…"
"Infiltration and sudden annihilation," a baron replied, "they would send down trouble makers to disrupt society and then when everything is simply chaos, they would attack all at once."
"You are immune to this?" Shiro asked, amazed at their confidence.
"We are not immune to chaos, but if they were to suddenly sweep in and start shooting at the planet, it would explode, taking out five systems in every direction."
They went pale.
"This…planet is…volatile?"
"Extremely," a general said, smiling, "we do nothing to upset the planet, and it protects us from those that wish to wipe us from existence."
"That would be why there is such a melting pot here," Keith added, "everyone who don't fit in anywhere else just comes here."
The king nodded, "My world is a messy one. But it is mine and I do enjoy it."
"So what now?"
"Pardon?"
Shiro sat up straighter, "there are people being harmed by this stupid council out there and who knows what their end goal really is. For all we know, they could just be saving your planet for last after they've scared everyone else into coming here."
The king frowned, "I hadn't thought of that…they do not mind suicide missions…"
"And there are other nests of children that are being attacked," Pidge added, "we need to go and gather them. Its not safe for them to be out on their own."
The king shook his head, "then we need a safer place to send them. We are able to accept those that make it here on their own because they are few and far between. However, if they are to come all at once, our way of life…our economy, can not withstand it."
"So, like a sister planet?" Allura asked, "our ship should be able to gather data from this planet, if you would also share information with us, and then we should be able to find another planet that should be safe enough."
"But they do need help," said another baron, to the kings left, "As I've said countless times before, we can not just leave them out there while we think of a solution!"
Shiro wondered if they could put them on Lances planet while they looked for a more suitable planet.
"We may have a temporary place to put those we rescue," Shiro said, speaking up, "but I'll need to talk to someone about it first…."
The baron sighed impatiently.
"We can't move recklessly," the general said with a kind and understanding smile for his fellow, "I wish to help them just as quickly, but if we move without thought, we will just put them all in even more danger."
()
Lance sat in between Cass and William; within easy reach of both of them. Often, he would hold both their hands and comfort them that way. When they cried or were in so much pain they convulsed, Lance held them tight and rocked them. He hummed them songs and told them stories, even when they were asleep.
"You are good to them," Namith said softly as he came into the room to change out the sheets, "and good for them."
Lance shook his head, "if I were good for them…they-"
"Shush," Namith snapped, "none of that. The blame is on those that created this horrid drug and then gave it to children. And the fact that I did not see it before ends the blame with myself. However, this little one, told me you believe that mistakes are to be learned from. I took that to heart and am now doing my best to fix it."
Lance squirmed in his seat. He normally liked compliments, but this one made him feel queasy.
"But the other kids-"
"What about the other kids," Namith sighed, "I just came from that room. They are fine. In fact, I have never, in all my days, seen a group of tortured souls be so carefree and look at me with such strength. You have taught them to be strong and how to not let their experiences drive their emotions. Their lives are a hard one. And you have raised them well."
"I didn't raise them," Lance said, "I simply took over after their real nest-holders died. I can't take credit for their work. And I just let William get taken away."
Namith snorted. He moved Cass back onto her clean sheets and walked over to William. He handed the boy over to Lance to hold while he changed the sheets.
Lance cradled the small, thin child and felt like crying himself. If anyone deserved to be in pain it was him. He didn't Deserve the credit for how those kids turned out. He doubted he deserved to even be called a nest-holder.
"…papa…."
Lance smiled down at the boy in his arms, "how are you feeling today?"
"…song?" William asked, his voice barely audible, "…Sea song?"
Lance held him tighter, "Don't know if I remember it all…"
But William just smiled up at him, completely confident. Thinking as hard as he could, Lance tried to remember the first line and how the tune went.
"Hush now, my storeen.
Close your eyes and sleep.
Waltzing the waves
Diving the deep.
Stars are shinning bright
the wind is on the rise-
Whispering the words, of long lost lullabys
Oh won't you come with me
Where the moon is made of gold
and in the morning sun, we'll be sailing.
Oh won't you come with me
where the ocean meets the sky,
and as the clouds roll by,
we'll sing the song of the sea…"
Williams breathing became slow and even as he fell back to sleep. Lance continued to hum until Namith was done.
()
Shiro entered the room quietly and ran into Namith on his way out.
Exchanging awkward 'excuse me's he shut the door behind him. Lance was in his chair watching the kids sleep.
"How are they doing?" Shiro asked. Lance shrugged.
"They say William was exposed to the drug longer so he might have lasting side effects. Cass is noticeably better, but still has fits."
Shiro wrinkled his nose, "terrible."
Lance nodded.
"Lance, I need to ask you something," Shiro said and Lance looked over to him, "we're thinking of fighting back against the council, but for us to do that we'll need more information."
"K," Lance said, on board so far. Shiro told him about what had happened in the meeting and about his idea of using Lances planet as a temporary safe place.
"It would only be until we can find a planet like this one," Shiro said, "…and hope its not occupied already."
"I don't see anything wrong with the idea," Lance said, "but I'll have to talk to the kids about it. Its more their home than anything else."
"Want me to since you don't look like you want to leave," Shiro said and Lance grinned gratefully.
"sure, and thanks."
"though," Shiro added, "you should get out, if only for a little walk every day. Its not good to stay here all the time."
"I'll be fine," Lance waved him off, "go talk to the kids and let me know what the plan is from there."
