apter 25 – Questionable Actions
I don't own Voltron Legendary Defender. I'm taking the characters out for a spin.
Shiro crossed his arms over his chest as Keith stepped on the bridge. He studied a holographic display of ships with the lions matched up with a ship. He barely spared a glance at the new Black Paladin. "Keith, good, you're back. The team's on a mission. You need to get to your lion and join them immediately."
Keith gazed at Shiro. "I will, but I think we discovered a new form of quintessence. The readings are off the charts. Kolivan says it could be linked to Lotor."
"Okay, we'll discuss it when you return. The team's escorting refugees out of the Fimm System."
Keith wasn't about to back down. How could Shiro not see how important this was? "This is Lotor I'm talking about? He hasn't been seen in months. This might be our chance to track him down."
Shiro's eyes narrowed slightly. His voice was firm. "I said, we'll discuss it later. Right now, I need you to focus on the mission at hand."
"But—"
Shiro turned to face the teen. "This isn't a request, Keith. Get to the Fimm System. That's an order."
Keith stormed off the bridge.
Adam was a silent witness to what happened. He turned in his seat as he removed the earpiece with a connected microphone from his ear. "Takashi, you were hard on him."
Shiro sighed. "I know, but when he's here, he's the leader of Voltron." He shook his head. "I just don't understand why he decided to also join the Blade of Marmora."
Adam sighed. He couldn't tell Shiro what was going on in Keith's head. He put the mic back into place and turned back in his seat as he monitored the Paladins transmissions. He frowned when Keith joined him because Pidge and Lance had vented their frustrations on Keith. He mentally decided he had two more victims for extra training.
Keith stood next to Shiro in front of the Black Lion on Olkarion. "Were you able to speak with Kolivan about the intel?"
"I did, and we need to find out all we can about that quintessence." Shiro turned to face Keith. "But more importantly. Voltron needs a strong leader."
Adam, who stood close to them, rolled his eyes. How many times was Takashi going to sing that tune?
Keith sighed as he turned to face Shiro. "I know they do, and it should be you."
Shiro frowned. "Keith, we've discussed this before."
Adam released his sigh. Shiro turned and raised an eyebrow in his direction. Adam shook his head and stuck his hands in his pockets.
Shiro shrugged and turned back to Keith. "We both know the Black Lion chose you."
"You only tried once. You had a connection with the Black Lion, and I know it's still there. If you just give it another shot."
Shiro shook his head. "Keith, we all have a part to play. This is mine now. I've come to terms with that. Now, you need to. I support your decision to continue with your Marmora training, but not at the expense of the team. They need you, Keith. They need you to be their leader."
Adam's shoulders tensed. He was tired of all of it. "You're full of shit, Takashi, and you know it!"
Shiro jerked back as if slapped. "What?"
"The Takashi Shirogane I know would never turn his back on a chance to fly."
Shiro shook his head. "People change, Adam."
Adam shook his head and jabbed his index finger in the air toward Shiro. "You don't get it, do you? When you figure it out, let me know." The Cuban dropped his hand, turned, and stormed away.
Keith blinked a few times as Adam disappeared from view. "Wow, I didn't know he felt so strongly about that."
Shiro glanced back at Keith. "Me neither."
Coran faced the assembled team. "Okay, everybody. Today, we'll be heading to Reiphod. A planet recently liberated from Galra forces."
Keith gazed at the Altean. "This is embarrassing. We're basically the grand marshal of a parade."
Coran shook his head and raised his fist in the air while flexing his muscles. "Not a parade. A show of arms!"
Pidge gazed at Shiro, who stepped up. "Whatever it is, this is the second one of these we've done this week."
Allura gazed at the others. "I know it's not exactly battling the Galra, but believe it or not, this helps us boost morale and strengthen alliances."
Lance waved her off. "Right, right, strongholds, blah-dy, blah-dy, blah."
Adam grit his teeth. Between Shiro and now Lance showing how much of a smartass he could be, he was getting sick of it. He raised his hand and swung, but the Red Paladin ducked.
Lance turned and smirked at Adam. "Haha. Your too slow."
When Lance started to turn his attention back to the others, Adam's hand snaked out and caught him on the back of the head. He shot his younger cousin a smirk. "You were saying."
Lance bowed to Adam. "Well, played."
Both Pidge and Hunk chuckled at the pair.
Lance placed his hands on his hips and glared at Pidge and Hunk. He leaned forward. "Now I say we go over our lion choreography one more time. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time," he turned his head toward the Yellow Paladin, "Hunk."
Hunk frowned, "I thought my lion had more room."
Before anyone could say anything else, a new voice entered the conversation. "Shiro, my apologies for interrupting, but this is an urgent matter." Everyone looked at the main screen to see Kolivan's face. But it was replaced by data being transmitted to the Castle. "A Galra supply ship has been spotted passing through Quadrant Omega-Raylar-Six."
Shiro frowned. "What's it doing so far from the normal supply route?"
"We can't be certain but taken together with the fact that Lotor hasn't been seen in some time and the emergence of this new form of quintessence, we feel compelled to investigate. Normally, we would wait for better intel, but I believe we should act on this now." Kolivan's face reappeared on the screen.
"I'll send Voltron to intercept."
"An infiltration mission makes more sense. We can plant a tracker and see just how far the supply route extends. With all the Galra activity as of late, my agents are spread thin."
Keith spoke up. "Not anymore. Count me in."
Lance turned on the Black Paladin. "Hey, what about our performance? We can't razzle-dazzle the crowd with four lions."
Keith turned on the Red Paladin. "This mission is more important than a show of arms. Shiro?"
Shiro turned back to the screen. "How long will it take?"
"Not long, but we must act fast, or we risk the ship jumping to hyperspace.
Shiro turned back to Keith. "Go. But when you're done, meet us on Riphod."
Adam gave Shiro his nod of approval.
Shiro pointed at Lance to stop him from mouthing off. He turned to Adam. "Monitor their comms during the performance."
Adam stared at Lance. "Don't worry. I will. I have some new drills in mind."
Lance swallowed, hard.
Coran's voice came over the PA System. "Citizens of Reiphod, on this day, we honor you for your perseverance. Your refusal to bow down in the face of such adversity is a testament to the fighting spirit of your people. You've put aside your differences and united in dispelling the oppressive Galra regime, bringing freedom to all!
"We thank you for joining the coalition and continuing the fight against the Galra that began with the reemergence of the five Lions of Voltron." Coran raised his arm in the air.
The four lions flew over the crowd, trailing colored smoke behind them. They started an acrobatic display.
Adam stood backstage and frowned as the Red Paladin complained. "I thought Keith said he was gonna be here. He's going to ruin our show!"
Adam opened his mouth, but Allura spoke up. "Lance, this isn't about putting on a good show. It's about uniting people and bringing them to the coalition to help the fight against the Galra."
Lance sighed. "Fine. I don't know why I try."
Adam decided to let the Red Paladin slide.
As Coran continued his spiel, Adam frowned as his earpiece beeped, signaling another communication coming in. He placed his hand up to the earpiece listening, and his eyes grew. His body slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor. "Are you certain, Thace? What went wrong with the mission?"
"According to Kolivan and Keith, it was a trap. They'll meet us back on Olkarion."
Adam sighed. "At least they're okay."
"Barely. Regris was killed in the blast. Keith's communicator broke, and he had a tear in his suit. He came close to dying himself."
Adam placed his hand over his eyes as he wiped at the moisture that formed. He took a breath to steady his breathing. "Okay, I'll relay the news to the others." He ended communications with Thace, but the more he thought about what could have happened, the more his hands shook as he placed his arms across his knees.
When would things settle down like before? He ran a hand through his hair as his breathing increasing. No, he couldn't lose another of his family. Spots danced before Adam's eyes and his chest hurt. He didn't hear the bootheels striking the floor until he blinked to see both Coran and Shiro kneeling in front of him.
Shiro placed his hands-on Adam's face. His human hand caressed Adam's cheek. "What's wrong?"
Coran pulled out his scanner and ran it over the younger man. "Somethings wrong. He needs something to calm him down."
"Is it Keith? Did something happen on the mission?"
Adam couldn't get his mouth to work.
Shiro pulled the mic out of Adam's ear and turned it on. "Lance get the Red Lion down here, NOW!"
"Wha—"
"Don't ask questions. I need you to get Coran and Adam to the Castle immediately."
Lance replied, "I'll be there in a tick."
Coran pressed a button on the wall lowering a bed. He turned to Lance. "Get your cousin to sit there. I'll just be a minute. I'm giving him a dose of the sedative, but I'll reduce the dosage so it will relax him."
Coran raced to the other side of the and prepared the shot. He moved back over to Adam and pressed the injection against the side of Adam's neck. As it hissed into his vein, Adam reached up and grabbed Coran's arm. His breathing started to slow. "This isn't going to make me drunk, like last time?"
"No, it won't. Well, I hope it won't."
Adam rolled his eyes as he leaned forward. "I have something to tell the others, and then we need to get back to Olkarion."
Shiro and the other paladins joined Lance, Adam, and Coran in the infirmary.
Adam stood up from the bed. "While you all were doing your show, but towards the end, I received a message from Thace on Olkarion. That Galra ship they went to investigate was a trap, and Regris sprung it when he went to check the ship's logs. Kolivan and Keith barely got out in time before the ship blew up."
Everyone gasped as they heard the news.
"But that isn't all. Keith nearly died too. He had to make his way through debris from the explosion with a tear in his suit." He raised his eyes to meet Lance's gaze. "That's why he didn't meet us on Reiphod."
Lance turned his gaze to the floor as he fidgeted. "I didn't know."
Adam shook his head. "That's the problem. You never do know."
Shiro, along with Allura and Adam, strode through the spaceport on Olkarion to the Blades staging area. They found Thace observing the training of some recruits. Shiro stepped up to the Galra. "They're looking pretty good."
Thace crossed his arms over his chest as he chuckled. "I know they're still rough around the edges. But they are getting better than the first day they arrived here." Thace glanced over at the two humans and Altean. "I know you're not here to check out the recruits. I'm guessing you're looking for Keith."
Shiro nodded. "Yeah, we are."
Thace pointed with a clawed finger toward a building nearby. "He's in the infirmary."
Allura gasped. "Infirmary? Is he injured?"
Thace nodded as he rubbed his hand against the side of his nose. "I should let him tell you what happened. And I should mention this too. He's hurting and doesn't want anyone to know it. Regris wasn't just another Blade to Keith. He was also a friend. So, please don't lecture him." He turned his gaze on Allura.
Allura's cheeks flushed. "Am I that predictable?"
Thace nodded. "When it comes to the Paladins, yes."
Shiro chuckled. "Yes, she does at that."
Allura groaned. "Not you too. I know you do the same."
"Only when warranted."
Thace chuckled again. "I will return to the Castle of Lions soon. I think I've finally found the person I need to take my place here."
Adam nodded. "I guess we should go see Keith."
The trio crossed over to the infirmary and stepped inside, seeing Keith sitting on a bed with his Blade of Marmora suit pulled down to his waist. A Blade medic held up a strip of what looked like tape, but he snapped it, and it seemed to glow. He placed it on Keith's side over the ribs. "This will heal in a few dobashes. Your lucky you only got away with a couple of cracked ribs and some bruises."
Keith nodded, "Thanks." Movement out of his peripheral vision caught his attention. He turned his head to gaze at the three people who meant a lot to him. He schooled his face, not to show any emotions. "Hey, guys."
Shiro gazed at him and then turned his attention to the Galra medic. "Is he okay?"
The medic nodded. "Yeah, he is."
Adam gazed at the teen. "I know how important that mission was to you, but I swear if you give me another scare like that again, I might kill you myself."
Keith glanced over at Shiro. "What's his problem?"
"Coran gave him another sedative."
"Did it make him drunk again?"
Shiro shook his head. "Not this time."
Adam frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You two do know that I'm right here."
Allura frowned at the paladin and former paladin. She turned her attention back to Keith. "What happened out there?"
Keith sighed. "We entered the ship, thinking it might have been a ship full of sentries, but it wasn't manned by anyone. Regris went to check the ship's computer logs to see where it had been, but that started the timer. I tried to get to Regris to get him out, but Kolivan grabbed me, and he ran, and the ship blew. That's all I can say about it. I remember waking up maybe a minute or two after the explosion, but I couldn't raise anyone because my communicator was broken. I started making my way through the debris and saw the ship we arrived in and had to cross through the debris field to get to the ship. That's when I realized my suit was torn and had to race through the wreckage to get there before all the oxygen from the suit escaped." Keith sighed. "Kolivan even violated one of his own rules and stuck around waiting to see if I'd return. I have no idea why."
Allura stomped her foot on the floor. "It's a good thing he did." She opened up her mouth as though she were going to say more, but she closed it again. "I think I should have some words with Kolivan."
Keith's eyes grew wide. "You're not going to stop me from continuing with the Blades, are you?"
Allura shook her head. "No, that's up to Shiro." She spun on her heel and stormed away.
Adam glanced at Shiro and Keith. "I think I'd better go with her. Make sure she doesn't piss off Kolivan, much."
Allura and Adam walked around until they heard Kolivan's voice coming from another building. He stood in front of a holographic screen where some of the Blades attended but also some of the more experienced groups of the rebel forces.
Allura glanced around. "Well, this is an actual step in the right direction."
Adam glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. "But we can't stop how the Blades conduct their own business."
"No, but I can make sure something like that doesn't happen again."
Kolivan sent his teams off on a mission. His eyes rose, catching sight of Allura and Adam. "Princess, it's good to see you again. In-person this time."
Allura didn't beat around the bush. "Kolivan, I know there are reasons for you and your Blades to conduct your missions the way you do. But I've found it's better to work as a group, not in two- or three-person teams."
Kolivan gazed at her. "I suppose in some ways, Keith has been showing me that some of my tactics were flawed."
Adam gazed at Kolivan though he tried his best not to look directly into those unnerving yellow eyes. "Yeah, he can show you some new ways of doing things."
Kolivan held up his clawed index finger. "However, Keith will be a better leader of Voltron only when he learns some discipline."
Allura nodded toward him. "That I agree with you on. He's a bit headstrong at times."
An alert rang out over the ship. Adam stood next to Shiro, and the paladins as Allura raced over to them. Coran leaned over his console. Allura stopped near the older Altean. "What's going on?"
"We're receiving a distress signal. Galra cruisers have ambushed one of our convoys."
Shiro frowned. "Our medical supply ships. We can't allow the Galra to get them."
Allura gazed at Shiro. "We must leave immediately. Voltron can keep those cruisers occupied long enough for the supply ships to make their escape."
Pidge turned and gazed up at Allura. "Voltron can't. Keith isn't here."
Shiro gazed down as if trying to remember something Keith may have said to him yesterday. "They're probably on a mission. I knew this would happen sooner or later. You'll have to go without Keith. The convoy needs you immediately. I'll send him to help as soon as I find him."
Adam ran to his station to monitor the paladin's transmissions as they ran for their places to get to their lions.
Adam raised his eyes to gaze at the main screen. He transferred what he was seeing and hearing to it as Hunk spoke up. "Someone must've called for backup!"
Lance called out. "They're everywhere!"
Pidge's voice sounded slightly panicked. "There are more fighters than we've ever seen!"
Lance called out. "Allura, I need your help. I got two on my tail!"
Allura replied, "I'm sorry, I can't get to you. They're all over me!"
Shiro turned and walked away.
Coran turned to gaze after him. "What are you doing?"
"Whatever I can."
Adam stood up as the loudest roar he'd ever heard came from inside the Castle. He gazed at the screen as a new black dot appeared on the screen. He flopped down into his seat. "Takashi did it. He did it."
Coran reached out to open communications with the other paladins.
"Don't," Adam called out. "Let's let this be a pleasant surprise for them. They deserve it."
Coran frowned as he turned back to Adam. "This just seems a bit mean."
Adam shrugged. "Maybe, but you know I think they'd be happy to know that Shiro is back as their leader."
Hunk's voice came over the speakers on the bridge. "There's no way we can beat all these fighters with four lions!"
Shiro's voice came over the comms. "You don't have to!"
A chorus of "Shiro's" came over the speaker, followed by Hunk's happy sounding, "No way!"
Shiro's voice came over the Castle's speaker. "Converge on me. It's time to form Voltron!"
Those words were literal music to Adam's ears. Voltron made quick work of the Galra ships and escorted the convoy to Olkarion.
Keith entered the bridge of the Castle. "Guys, I—" he gazed at the faces of the others. Most were not happy. Most seemed to be angry. He looked away. "I heard what happened. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help."
Allura was the first to reply. "You keep saying you're sorry, but your actions say otherwise. Do you realize that your absence put the team in jeopardy?"
Lance joined in. "And not just the team, the refugees as well."
Pidge crossed her arms over her body. "Matter of fact, the entire quadrant was in danger."
Keith frowned as his eyes focused on Pidge's general direction. "This isn't the way I wanted this to happen, but if there's a bright side to any of this, its that my absence allowed Shiro to reestablish his bond with the Black Lion. He can finally be the leader I was unable to be. I'm not meant to pilot the Black Lion."
Allura's eyes widened. "Is that why you've been pulling away from us."
Keith gazed down at the ground. "Yeah. That's part of it."
Hunk crossed his arms over his chest. "What's the other part?"
"The Blade has made headway tracking this new source of quintessence. They've pieced together a large network of hidden supply lines that have been secretly transporting it for who knows how long. And there's good reason to believe it could lead us to Lotor. A mission is being planned to infiltrate the supply line. It could take weeks maybe months to pull off, but if there's a chance I have to take it. I need to be on that mission."
He paused long enough to take a breath. "Shiro, you are the rightful leader of this team. And you proved it today by reconnecting with the Black Lion. It was always meant to be yours."
Shiro walked forward and placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Keith, if this what you feel is right, then we won't try to stop you. But know that we're here for you whenever you need us."
Keith smiled at Shiro. "I know you are. And I can't tell you how much that means to me." Shiro pulled Keith into a hug.
Coran wiped at his eye while Hunk had tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "I can't be left out of this."
Everyone, including Adam, joined in on the giant group hug.
Pidge sniffed as she gazed up at Keith. "We're gonna miss you."
Lance grinned. "Yeah, and who am I gonna make fun of?"
Allura smiled at Keith. "I know you'll make us proud."
Adam smirked at the younger man. "Try to stay out of the way of explosions, okay?"
Keith grinned back. "I'll try."
The group hug ended, and Keith walked toward the exit. He turned back and took one last look at his friends before he left the bridge.
