Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who's reading & following along!
WarzonePrez owns Commander Stormclaw, selena devargo owns Lysette Fabrere, I own my own characters and planets, and WEP owns everything else.
To sunshineleo - Believe it or not, I actually do know who's in the casket. I've known it for a long time. But you're very correct; lots of times, the story dictates where IT wants to go, not where YOU want it to go. Boy, do I know that firsthand...
To Cubbie - You know I love K/A! Just because I write an ensemble piece, it doesn't mean I ever forget about quality K/A time. Or, as in the case of this chapter, quality Allura time. ;)
To WarzonePrez - Yes, there is definitely some foreshadowing with Pidge's lamentations. I wouldn't be surprised if he handed over the reins to Vince by the end of this story. On that note, you bet General Soltorn made a poor choice in underestimating Wade! Why do you think he hates her so much in your latest story?
Title Song: "Crack The Shutters" by Snow Patrol
With the Explorer docking in mere hours, Kelly had been running around the Garrison frantically, trying to finalize the short list of candidates for High Command. Commander Mike Stormclaw was first on the list, and he had graciously accepted, mentioning something about how flattered he was to even be considered for the position. He was the easy part, the First Officer thought grimly as she scanned down the queue of names. The rest of these guys are complete jerks. No wonder Len didn't want to reinstate any of them.
In the end, they'd had no choice but to accept that some of the former High Command members had to be reinstated. While Lenora had vetoed Commander Loehmann, saying that he was of retirement age, and Major Connor, believing his abilities were better suited elsewhere, she'd had no choice but to reinstate several others. Those men, particularly Colonel Dillin, looked gleeful at the prospect of returning to their previous positions.
Kelly sighed. She didn't want to reinstate them any more than her friend did, but it seemed they had no other choice.
When she made it back to the Space Marshal's office, she was both pleased and confused as to why there were several people already there. Lenora sat at her desk, flanked by Commander Stormclaw. Lieutenants Lysette Fabrere and Justine Gartrell were also there, sharing the seat across from the desk in an entirely inappropriate manner. "Well," she cleared her throat, eyeing the crowd suspiciously. "Good to see we have company."
"Close the door, First Officer." Lenora stood behind the desk, and the commander placed a hand on her shoulder. "We have much to discuss."
"I'll bet." Kelly's gaze fell onto Justine and Lysette, who seemed - in her opinion, anyway - far too chummy sharing that small chair.
Standing away from desk and the commander, Lenora hit a switch on the panel to close the blinds. Sunlight strained through the cracks, leaving the room in near darkness. "I am glad the four of you are here right now. As you all know, Space Marshal Graham and Commander Steele have requested that I reinstate the Garrison High Command, and though I am loathe to do it, I would do anything to make them happy."
"We know that already," Lysette piped up. Justine elbowed her to be quiet.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Fabrere." Lenora took a moment to lock eyes with all of them, her chocolate gaze spanning the room. "Then you must also know that I don't trust these men as far as I can throw them. They have caused near-irreparable damage to my career, and I suspect that any one of them would gladly see me replaced as Space Marshal."
Lysette whistled. "They still believe you had an affair with the old geezer, don't they?"
Mike shook his head as Justine elbowed her once again. "Geez, Fabrere!" she hissed. "Don't you ever know when to keep your big mouth shut?"
Kelly couldn't help but agree with her.
Ignoring them, Lenora continued, "Please don't refer to Graham as an old geezer, Lieutenant. But yes, they do. They still believe that I got to where I am because I slept my way to the top. I intend to prove them otherwise." She sat back down behind her desk. "The four of you are my most trusted allies within the Garrison. I not only have faith in you, but I believe you to be the only four who are loyal to me, and not to Graham or the ideals of old. I need you to be my eyes and ears, keeping a close watch on what these newly-reinstated members of High Command do and say behind my back. Because I don't intend to lose my position as Space Marshal. Not again."
Mike nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, Space Marshal. I think I speak for all of us here when I say that we're ready for new blood in the Garrison. The Galaxy Alliance has improved greatly with you at the helm, and I expect the High Command to fall in line." He raised a sharp eyebrow. "Or meet considerably staunch opposition."
"Well said." Kelly liked the way Mike thought.
"I appreciate the sentiments, Commander." Placing her hands upon the desktop, Lenora looked up at her assembled crew expectantly. "You are all dismissed. Again, I thank you for coming here."
The four saluted, and Kelly watched as the commander exited the office first, followed by the two lieutenants. She closed the door behind them, then stared her friend down. "You barely know these people, Len. How can you trust them right out of the gate?"
"These are three people who were actively outspoken against Wade - not only before he took over, but during his time of command," Lenora replied, leaning back in her chair and placing her hands over her stomach. "I can see why you would have a hard time with Justine, though, since she's dating Cliff."
Kelly felt herself turn red. "I can't believe you're calling me out on that."
The Space Marshal laughed. "Don't think Justine didn't tell me about what transpired. Relax, Kell. She's not gonna break Cliff's heart. I think she's genuinely in love with him. And doesn't he deserve that?"
The First Officer sighed. "Fine. I'll be nicer. I just wanted to make sure that she knew that if she broke my best friend's heart, there will be seven hells to pay."
"Sure you did."
"Well, of course. What are friends for?" Then abruptly, she changed the subject. "I've got to tell you, some of those old High Command members are rotten. Miserable, really. They've been driving me up a wall. No wonder you had that headache."
"Yeah." Lenora gave a quick nod, her eyes shining.
Coran sat by himself in Castle Control, watching Green Lion soar through the air on the monitor.
By no means was the castle diplomat and military strategist a slow man. Despite his age, he was still quick-witted and sharp; he could see where this scenario was going. And, even better, he knew why.
The female charm is powerful, indeed. Always intuitive, Coran could sense the reason why Pidge would want to leave the Voltron Force. It was Larmina, and the fact that she had chosen to be with Daniel instead of the Green Lion pilot.
Yes, he was definitely up to speed on the romantic relations within the Castle of Lions.
"I know you, my friend. You're looking at Green Lion as though you have a secret."
Coran smiled to himself at his queen's words. "I was simply marvelling at how often Pidge has been out there training Vince, your Majesty. The two of them have gone above and beyond lion practice. I feel that it may not be long before we have a new pilot on the Force."
Allura smiled benignly. "Coran, you of all people have earned the right to call me by my name. If you call me by my title one more time, I shall be wroth with you." She raised an eyebrow. "Very."
"Of course. My apologies." He pointed to the screen. "Now, as I was saying…"
"You believe that Vince may soon take Pidge's place as the pilot of Green Lion."
"I do indeed." He tapped his cane once against the floor, attempting to find the right words to shed some light on the situation. "It may be merely observation, but I believe the seeds have been planted, and it is only a matter of time before the idea takes root."
"Well, if Vince does become the new pilot for Green, I wouldn't be surprised. Many things are happening lately, and the Force is evolving." She shrugged. "But wasn't that what was supposed to happen? Voltron isn't just the defender of the universe. Voltron evolves."
"Yes, Allura. You are correct."
The queen gave a broad smile as her advisor addressed her by name instead of title or rank. "In terms of Voltron, I am usually quite correct." She placed her arm over his. "Now, how do you feel about joining me for lunch so that we can discuss some options for the gathering in Alforia next week?"
"I would be most pleased with that."
"Wonderful." She allowed Coran to escort her out of Castle Control. Unknowingly, he had healed her of her wounds. She really was correct in her idea of Voltron evolving. Sven had piloted Blue Lion before her, Larmina would pilot after, and someone else would pilot it still, long after she was gone.
It had been a tough lesson to swallow, but she was finally making peace with it.
Every now and again, Wade regretted the fact that he had murdered Maahox, despite the fact that his blood had infused the Predator Robeast with the something extra that had been missing. Castle Doom was full of idiots.
There's no one here to listen to me. No one to bounce ideas off of. That was the worst part - the occult scientist had been his sounding board. With Maahox gone, his closest ally was Cossack. All brawn, no brains. God help me.
After he'd left General Soltorn and the Fourth Kingdom, he'd fortified his own defenses. Wade was sure that Bhorn would not renege on his promise, though now he couldn't be sure exactly how much aid the Drule High Council would give him. There was no one he could trust and no one he could share those fears with. Not even Lotor would have understood. Only Maahox would have. But they were both gone now.
I can't trust Bhorn, I can't trust Soltorn. I can't risk asking for aid from Merla and her wretched husband without provoking the Drule High Council. So what in blazes do I do? I just want that blasted woman dead!
Suddenly, Wade realized that this mission was far more personal than he would ever admit to. The current Space Marshal of the Galaxy Alliance had to die. She had humiliated him, imprisoned him, turned his own allies against him. She needed to pay for her sins, otherwise he could never move on.
In his sick, demented mind, he truly believed that everything would be better if that one woman died at his hands. So he continued to strengthen his army and his stockpile of weapons and ammunition, readying himself for the day he took on the Garrison with Soltorn reluctantly by his side.
The only way he would ever be able to regain to control would be when he had gunned down his enemies. Oh, Lieutenant, you have no idea how much I want you...and your blood...
Once the Explorer had docked and Jon finally made it back home to the triplex, he climbed up the stairs to the master bedroom to see his wife. He was surprised that she hadn't been there to greet him in the hangar, but more often than not, her absence meant that she was waiting for him at home with a bottle of champagne, wearing some lacy black lingerie. And, in all honesty, he much preferred that to seeing Space Marshal Stensson in the hangar.
The bedroom was darkened, with only a few well-placed candles to light the room. As he expected, his wife sat seductively in the middle of their bed, dressed in a black lace-trimmed camisole and matching brief. A smile lit up her face as he entered the room.
"Mon coeur! Je vous ai manqué."
He raised his brows at her as desire flooded his body. "Well. You really must have missed me if you're speaking in French, mon ange." He joined her on the bed, shooting her the mischievous grin he knew she loved. "I have to say, I'm so happy to be home."
"I'm happy, too." She kissed him, then leaned over to grab his champagne flute. With a smile on her face, she filled the glass and held it out to him. "Just so you know, this isn't Clicquot. We're trying something new tonight." She filled a second glass for herself, and they clinked their flutes together before taking a sip. "I can't wait to hear what you think of it."
Lenora watched with amusement as her husband nearly spit the champagne out. "What in the world is this?" he shrieked. "This is terrible - it's so sweet!" He rose from the bed and grabbed the champagne bottle out of the bucket. As he read the label silently, she observed his face while sipping at her glass.
As if he couldn't comprehend what he'd just read, he spoke the words aloud. "Sparkling white grape juice..."
Je vous ai manqué: "I have missed you"
