Chapter 30 – Secrets Revealed

I don't own Voltron Legendary Defender. I'm taking the characters out for a spin.

Team Voltron stood around the pod facing Sam Holt. Shiro spoke, "We're going to miss you, sir."

Sam smiled. "Ah, you guys seem to be just fine without me. Your mission is here. Mine is on Earth. As soon as I get back, I'll inform the Galaxy Garrison what's going on and start working on upgrading the planetary defenses."

"Tell Iverson the next time I see him. I'm going to kick his butt for strapping me to that table."

Pidge grinned.

Sam chuckled. "I'll be sure to tell him that."

Adam stepped up to Sam. "It was nice to see you again, Commander Holt."

Sam grinned at the other man. "No need to be so formal, Adam. But it sure was nice to see you too."

The two men shook hands.

Hunk approached Sam. "Hey, I had everyone record some messages for our families. Uh, a little heads up, I got teary in mine, so that's mom's eyes only."

Sam took the device from Hunk. "Of course."

Hunk slid toward Lance. "You don't wanna see Lance's either since it's probably a love message to Jenny Shaybon or the other Jenny. What was her name again?"

Lance's eyes narrowed as he glared at the Yellow Paladin. "Shut up, Hunk!" He turned away and crossed his arms over his chest.

Hunk's eyes grew. "Hey, are you okay, dude?"

Lance replied as his voice thickened with unshed tears. "I'm fine. It's just once I started thinking about going back to Earth, I started missing my mom, my brothers Marco and Luis, and my sister Veronica, and my grandma, and—" his voice trailed as he sniffed.

Hunk tentatively reached out, but he stopped. "Um, are you crying?"

Lance's voice cracked as he rubbed his arm over his eyes. "No!" He sniffed again. "No, I just-I just got space dust in my eyes." The harder he tried to hold the tears back, the more he lost whatever composure he had. "It's very dusty in here."

Adam stepped over to Lance and threw an arm over his shoulder. "I know you miss them all. I do too, but you remember we're going to get back to Earth one day, and when we do, they'll probably have a parade."

Lance nodded.

Sam turned to Pidge and Matt. "I guess this is it."

Matt said, "I wish I could go with you. I'd love to help build Earth's first galactic defense system."

"I'm just worried we won't have enough time or resources to make a dent before we need it."

Pidge gazed at her dad. "A wise man once told me, if you get too worried about what could go wrong, you might miss your chance to do something great."

Sam smiled. "Sounds like a wise man indeed." He turned to his firstborn. "Matt, you be careful on the front lines. And, Pidge, keep an eye on your brother for me."

"You've got it, Dad."

Sam gazed at his children and whimpered. He suddenly reached out and embraced both of them.

Pidge returned the hug. "We love you too, Dad."

Hunk wiped at his eyes. "There is a lot of space dust in here."

Coran began bawling. "It's filthy!"

Lance gazed out the window of the bridge of the Castle as the ship approached the Galra command ship. "I can't believe we're flying into the belly of the beast."

Hunk nodded. "It's strange to think that last time we were here, we were fighting the Galra. Now we're working with them."

Allura replied, "We have to do everything we can to support Lotor. This is our chance to promote a new era of peace."

Adam shook his head as he frowned. He still didn't like the idea of working with Lotor. His eyes slid over to gaze at Shiro. Before Sam left for Earth, he almost sounded like himself. But now? Could this Shiro be Lotor's puppet?

He focused back on the Castle as it docked with the Command ship. He sighed, but his hand rested on the butt of his pistol. It made him feel better, and he'd use it if need be.

The door slid open, revealing Lotor's throne room with sentries lining both sides of the room, all standing at attention. Lotor stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the Galra throne. Two sentries flanked Lotor, one on each side. His voice rang out. "Thank you for coming, friends. I have prepared a new imperial banner to herald over the alliance. This is the same symbol that flew over our fathers when they worked together as the original Paladins of Voltron. I hope that we can return the universe to that golden age. Since I ascended to the throne, the Galra Empire has been torn apart. A sizeable portion has sworn its allegiance to me. However, large factions remain in revolt."

Allura led the way with the others following as Lotor spoke. They stopped a short distance away.

Hunk glared at the new emperor. "Uh, okay, the Galra aren't exactly known to turn the other cheek."

Lance's eyes blazed as he glared at Lotor. "They're more likely to swing the other fist."

Thace stepped up beside Allura. "I don't know what you're getting at here, but Voltron isn't your mechanism of revenge against those factions in revolt."

Lotor waved a hand in front of his face. "That was never my intention, Commander Thace."

Thace's eyes narrowed at the use of his old rank.

"I did my homework. You were instrumental in freeing Voltron when they came to rescue the Princess from Zarkon."

"That was my duty. I had to be certain that both Allura and Voltron stayed out of Zarkon's hands."

Lance nodded, "Thace is the man."

Shiro gazed at Lotor as if nothing had been said between Thace and the new emperor. "How do you get an empire that's only known violence for thousands of years to put down their weapons?"

Lotor stepped forward. "By providing them with the very thing they're fighting for. Quintessence, unlimited amounts of it." He stopped in front of the princess. "And, Allura, you are the key to getting it." He gazed at the others. "I'm sure you'll be interested in inspecting every aspect of Galra headquarters."

Shiro replied, "I'd like to cross-reference our star charts with current Galra troop locations."

Lotor nodded. "Consider it done."

Coran gasped, as one of his eyebrows rose. "You want to sync our intelligence to the Galra headquarters? I never thought I'd see the quiznaking quintant."

Lotor turned, "Sentry, take them to the record room. You will find everything you need there." As Shiro and Coran followed their sentry guide, he turned to the other Paladins and Adam. "I'm leaving you with a personal escort that will take you where ever you'd like to go." Lotor turned to Allura. "Come, Princess. There is much work to be done."

As the pair walked away, Lance tried to follow but was stopped by the sentry.

Hunk asked, "So we're free to roam around Galra HQ and have some fun?"

The sentry replied, "What is fun?"

Lance gazed at the sentry. "You're about to find out."

Pidge gazed at the Red Paladin. "Lance, it's a robot. It can't have fun." Pidge gripped her chin with her hand. "Unless," she released her chin as her hand shot up in the air, "I reprogram it."

Hunk raised his arms over his head. "Take us to the sentry repair center!"

Adam groaned. This didn't sound like a good idea.

Thace glanced at the others. "I need to contact Kolivan. I should fill him in on what is going on."

Adam gulped. "You're going to leave me alone with these three?"

"They are still children. What trouble can they get into?"

Adam resisted the urge to facepalm. "You have no idea."

Pidge spoke, "Reconfigured processor inserted."

Hunk nodded. "Check."

"All rewired for an optimal fun performance."

Hunk vigorously nodded. "Checkity-check."

Pidge stared at the sentry. "Now, gotta upload the new program, and—" she entered the program. "All right, I'm finished."

Hunk and Pidge slapped their hands together. "Yeah! Team Punk does it again."

Adam snorted at their nickname.

Lance asked as he played around with a piece of a sentry, "How do we know if it worked?"

Pidge looked down on the sentry as Hunk and Lance did. The sentry sat up so fast that the Green Paladin lost her balance and fell backward. The sentry gazed at Lance then turned it's head to Hunk. "You dum-dums got any non-lethal semi-combustible diversionary devices?"

Lance blinked. "What?"

Pidge pulled herself up from the floor. "I think he's looking for firecrackers!"

Hunk grinned. "Oh. It worked."

The sentry led them to the mess hall, where they figured out how to make low explosive bombs out of Galra food goo packs. They hid behind a counter as the bomb ticked away and then exploded, sending food goo splattering around the kitchen area of the mess hall and into their hair and on the metallic head of the sentry.

As the sentry and three paladins cheered, Adam slapped his hand to his face.

However, the three paladins and sentry took off running when two Galra appeared. Adam found himself separated from the trio. He gazed at the pair of Galra officers. "I'm not involved with their shenanigans, but if you do catch them, contact me. I'm heading back to the Castle of Lions."

The pair of Galra gazed at each other then took after the three paladins, and the former sentry turned fun robot.

Adam gazed around, trying to remember which way they'd come to get where he stood in the kitchen area of the mess hall. He sighed. "If all else fails, get a map," he muttered as he brought up his holographic screen from his wrist gauntlet.

Adam entered the Castle of Lions and rode the elevator up to the bridge. As the door opened, he saw Thace gripping the sides of Coran's console.

"Thace, are you okay?"

The Galra released his grip on the console and turned around to face the human. "I've received some disturbing and distressing news from Kolivan. And I find I need someone to talk to."

"Well, I'm available."

"What about the children?"

Adam shook his head. "We got separated after they were caught blowing up packets of food goo in the mess hall. They ran off, but I did tell the two Galra who were chasing them that if they caught them to let me know."

Thace chuckled. "Are all human children so mischievous?"

Adam shook his head. "No, but some are."

Thace sighed. "Well, at least they do have someone looking out for them."

"I can tell something's bothering you."

Thace nodded. "I guess I should start from the beginning. When I contacted Kolivan, he told me he sent Keith off to get an operative we had in Warlord Ranvieg's base. That operative is my younger sister Krolia though we had different fathers but the same mother.

Kolivan said that he had received a message from Krolia that she and Keith had gotten out, but they were going to continue following the trail of this new quintessence. And that's the last anyone has heard from either of them."

Adam let out a gasp and began pacing. "But that could mean anything. It doesn't mean that anything has happened to either of them."

"I know, but it's still worrying. You see, this isn't the first time that Krolia has disappeared. The first time was when she was sent on a mission to find and prevent the Blue Lion from falling into Zarkon's hands."

Adam spun around as his eyes grew. "She was on Earth?"

Thace nodded. "When Krolia returned to the Blade, it was around eighteen of your Earth years ago. She returned without her Marmora blade. She also said that she'd crash-landed after killing a pilot in another fighter to keep him from reporting the location of the Blue Lion. She fell in love with a human male, and together they had a child. She wanted to name that child Yorak, but the human decided on another name, Keith."

Adam stumbled but focused his gaze on Thace. "So you're saying this Krolia is Keith's mother? And that would make you his uncle?"

Thace nodded. "Yes."

Adam sucked in a breath. "Okay. I'll keep your secret safe."

"Thank you, Adam."

They both turned as the door to the bridge opened, and the three paladins returned. All were laughing over something.

Adam's eyes fell on Lance. They looked onto the black eye and the bandage on his forehead. He placed his hands on his hips. "What in the hell happened?"

Hunk chuckled. "Oh, it was great! You missed it."

"Don't tell me what I missed. Tell me why Lance looks like he's been through a fight!"

Lance waved a hand in the air. "Oh, calm down, Adam. It's nothing major."

Pidge giggled. "It was a bad decision. But Lance became a real Lance in a joust with the sentry."

Hunk nodded. "Yeah, you should have seen it. We tackled those two Galra who were chasing Lance, and we got the idea we should have a joust."

Pidge giggled again. "Yeah, so we tied them to those mechanized dollies, and Lance got on one, while the sentry got on another and—" she couldn't continue as she doubled over in laughter.

Hunk smacked his hands together as he took up the story. "And wham they crashed together. And this is the result."

"And where is your friend now?"

Lance took up the story. "Well, that's the best part. He wanted to see space. So we tied him to one of those Robeast coffins, and he insisted we launch him into space. So, we did."

Hunk nodded. "As he left he yelled, 'See ya later Paladudes!'"

Adam turned as he heard a snort come from Thace, which was followed by a chuckle then by roaring laughter. He wiped at his eye and tried to calm himself down from laughing, but the roaring laughter continued.

Adam chuckled, but soon the Galra laughter was joined by four humans. Pidge even pulled out her garrison phone showing off pictures of them in the throne room sitting on the throne.

Adam shook his head as he got control of himself.

They were soon joined by Shiro, Coran, Allura, and Lotor. Allura held out the compass stone for all to see.

Pidge's eyebrows rose as she stared at it. "So, this magic rock is gonna guide us to a mysterious planet?"

Lotor replied, "A land known as Oriande."

Coran chuckled. "I'm afraid someone's been rugging your wimble, Prince Lotor. Oriande is just an Altean folktale. It doesn't exist."

Allura turned her gaze to the older Altean. "That's what I thought, Coran, but now I have a feeling it is quite real."

Lotor turned his gaze to the others. "It is the birthplace of all Altean alchemy. The place where King Alfor learned the secrets that helped him create Voltron and where Allura will master those same secrets so that my ships may enter the quintessence field."

Lance crossed his arms over his chest. "And what makes you the authority on crazy Altean nonsense? Coran knows more magic made up gobbledygook than anyone I've ever met."

Adam cradled his forehead in his hand. "Why me?" he mumbled.

"Thank you, Lance. And I can assure you King Alfor never mentioned anything to me about traveling to Oriande."

Lotor gazed at the older Altean. "In all likelihood, he kept it a secret from everyone. I have been researching Oriande for centuries, hoping to learn more about my Altean ancestry. Over time, I've managed to gather evidence from all over the universe that hinted at its existence. Now, thanks to Princess Allura, I will finally gaze upon its magnificence with my own eyes."

Hunk raised his hand. "Oh, aren't you a little busy running your empire to take a magical vacation."

Adam raised his eyes skyward as he sighed and shook his head. But what he didn't like was Shiro's proximity to Lotor.

Lotor replied, "To transition the Galra Empire to a peaceful existence, I need to open a pathway to the quintessence field. Once my people have access to unlimited energy, the old ways of the empire will be behind them."

Allura gazed down at the compass stone. "If this voyage is successful, the universe will be on the path to peace."

Shiro gazed at Allura. "Well, let's find out where we're going."

Allura activated the Castle's holographic star map. She closed her eyes and focused on the stone in her hands. It began to glow as it projected an image of Oriande up into the map. She pointed up at it. "There, between those three celestial bodies. That's where we're headed."

Coran gazed at it but gasped as recognition flashed in his eyes. "Wait a tick, that's the Patrulian Zone."

Lance turned his head so fast to gaze at Coran that Adam rubbed the back of his neck. Lance ignored his cousin. "The what now?"

"The Patrulian Zone is a mysterious part of space where ships enter and are never heard from again. Princess, that area has been deemed unsafe to navigate for ages."

Lotor gazed at Allura. "The perfect place to hide a magical world."

Pidge crossed her arms over her chest. "Or to crash and die."

Allura gazed at Pidge before turning her gaze to the former royal advisor. "We will approach with caution. Prepare our course, Coran."

He sighed, "Yes, Princess."

Adam took his seat. He took a glance around the bridge. Everyone wore a troubled expression of some fashion. That is except for Lotor. He frowned. It seemed to him Lotor was expecting something. But he also didn't like how close he stood by Princess Allura.

Adam turned his gaze to Thace. His eyebrow rose as he noticed the expression on the Galran's face. Was that jealousy he was seeing? "Curious," Adam muttered.

Coran focused on the main screen. "We're approaching the Patrulian Zone."

Shiro asked from his seat behind the Altean, "What is that up ahead? An asteroid belt?"

Coran shook his head. "No. It's a graveyard."

Hunk asked, "What caused them all to lose power?"

Coran's voice held a reverence for the deceased. "No one knows."

Pidge studied the readings on her holographic screen. "I think we just found out."

Coran gasped.

Lance stood up from his seat. "Is that some kind of supermassive star."

Pidge gazed at her screen. "No. Unbelievable! It's a white hole!"

Hunk grinned. "Whoa! Take that, theoretical physics!"

Lance turned to face Pidge. "Wait, what's a white hole?"

Pidge replied, "Well, unlike a black hole, which has massive gravity that sucks everything in, a white hole is an opposite body that shoots massive amounts of energy out from an unknown source."

Hunk studied his screen. "It's blasting the whole area with crazy huge radiation."

Shiro frowned. "The energy must've fried those ships systems."

Lotor placed his hand to his face as his eyes lost focus. "The wise stand back from the fire, fools are burned on the pyre. The mystic becomes one with the flame, the embers, and he are the same."

Lance asked, "Is that, like, a song you're working on. 'Cause it sucks."

Adam groaned. "Lance, you're not helping any right now."

Lotor replied, "It's a poem by an ancient Altean alchemist. I discovered it carved next to a cave painting of a fiery sphere. I never realized until now that it described the route to Oriande. We must go into the white hole."

Hunk stood as he raised his hand. "Are you guys serious? We're going to navigate by cave poetry now?"

Pidge gazed up at Lotor. "How are we supposed to go through the white hole? If we get close, we're gonna end up like those dead ships out there."

All eyes turned to Allura. "We wormhole inside."

Coran gasped. "Princess, no!"

Allura stared back at Coran. "Voltron can withstand forces other ships cannot."

Shiro jumped up and faced her. "Are you sure?"

"If this is the home of Altean alchemy, then Voltron will make it through."

Lance gazed at her as his eyebrows knit together. "And what if it's just another nuclear explosion in space? Then we're toast."

Coran stepped forward as he held his hands out in front of him. "Princess, I think you've taken this quest far enough. Lotor is sending you to your doom."

Lotor turned to face Coran. "Quite the opposite. It is a mission of life discovery."

Lance leaned over toward the new Galran Emperor. "You need to zip it!"

Thace strode up behind Lance and placed his clawed hand on the Red Paladins shoulder. "Trust her. I'm sure she'll make the right decision."

Lance nodded, but he swallowed hard.

Allura took a deep breath. "Believe me. I would never ask any of you to do this if I didn't know if I didn't feel in my heart that it is true. I belong here."

As the paladins turned to leave, Thace reached out to Allura but stopped. He turned and returned to his place on the bridge.

Adam rubbed at his bearded chin as he gazed at Lotor but turned his eyes to Thace. If there was anyone on the Castle that he'd like to see with the Altean Princess, it was Thace, not Lotor. He still had his suspicions about Lotor and the witch Haggar. He took his seat on the bridge. He'd taken to wearing his energy pistol more frequently now. "Just in case," he told himself.

The Lions flew out of the Castle and formed Voltron. Shiro's voice came over the bridge's speaker. "Alright, Coran, open up a wormhole."

Lance's sigh came over the speaker. "Well, let's fly into the cosmic death storm!"

Adam gripped the arms of his chair as Voltron flew into the wormhole. He still loved Takashi even if he was somehow Lotor's pawn in all this. He hoped he wouldn't have to use his energy pistol on the man, but if push came to shove, he would.

Shiro grunted. "We're being blasted backward! Full power to thrusters!"

Lance's voice came over the speaker. "Is that a lion?"

Adam sat up as Allura asked, "Why is it attacking us?"

Shiro called out, "Fire lasers!"

Lance yelled, "There's nothing to hit!"

The paladins screamed.

Coran turned to Lotor. "What have you done?" He jumped back as he threw an arm in front of himself. "Wait, what's happening to your face?"

"What?"

"You have Altean marks. And they're glowing?"

Adam jumped up from his seat. "Do what?"

Lotor lifted his hand to his face. "The Mark of the Chosen."

Coran asked, "What?"

Lotor turned quickly toward the screen. "You need to get out of there. That thing is a guardian! It will only allow worthy Alteans through."

Lance yelled, "Oh, thanks for the tip!"

Shiro yelled, "Pull back!"

A beam of bright white energy shot out of the white hole striking the Castle of Lions. Coran called out. "All systems shutting down! Our stabilizers aren't working. We're listing into the graveyard!"

The Paladins returned to the Castle. As they walked onto the bridge, Coran stood up. "I managed to restore auxiliary power, but it won't last long. If we don't get the Castle running within the next quintant, we'll be out of air."

Lance replied, "Maybe we can decrease our breathers by one."

Adam nudged Lance with his shoulder, getting the teen's attention. "You're using your head."

Lance's cheeks flushed slightly. "It seems only natural."

Hunk stared at Lotor. "Uh, what's up with your face?"

Pidge nodded. "Yeah, and if this is the home of Altean alchemy, why can't Voltron get in?"

Lotor gazed back at them. "I am sorry to put us in this position, but I think I know the answer. Look at Allura."

The princess removed her helmet. She stepped forward and gazed at Lotor. "You have them too."

"It's called the Mark of the Chosen. They are mentioned in some of the Oriande legends. They indicate those worthy of entering the realm."

Shiro turned to gaze at Coran. "Wait, why aren't Coran's marks glowing?"

Lotor replied, "There are different types of Alteans. Allura possesses a deep connection to ancient Altean energy. It enables her to operate the Teludav and change her shape and size. Her father had greater alchemic understanding than any before him. Others are less magical, no offense."

Hunk asked, "So, what do we do now?"

"Allura and I need to enter the white hole alone."

Lance yelled, "What?"

Coran leaned in toward Lotor as his face flushed, and his eyes narrowed, "Absolutely not! What about the monster?"

Lotor replied, "The monster is a guard keeping the unworthy out. It won't hurt us."

Lance glared at Lotor. "Yeah, and before, you thought it wasn't going to hurt us!"

Pidge's eyebrows rose. "How are we going to get there? We're stuck."

Allura replied, "We can use the personal transport crafts."

Coran raced over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Allura, please! It's too dangerous."

Allura placed her hands on his forearms. "Coran, I must gain some kind of alchemic knowledge in Oriande, both to save our lives and bring peace to the universe."

Lance exploded, "Coran, don't tell you're going to cave in on this!"

As Allura removed Coran's hands from her shoulders, Shiro focused on the Red Paladin. "Lance, she's right. The ship is stuck unless the princess can get it restarted."

Allura gazed at the human teen. "Don't worry. This will work. I can feel it."

As Lotor and Allura walked toward the door to the bridge. Thace stepped forward. "Princess, could I speak with you for a moment." He shot a pointed stare at Lotor. "Alone."

Allura gazed up at Thace, "Of course."

Thace led her off to the side near the Red Paladins chair and lowered his voice. "I want you to know that since the day I swore myself to your cause that I do have feelings for you."

Allura's cheeks flushed as she gazed back up at him. "I-I don't know what to say."

"I just wanted you to know."

"I must go."

Thace nodded. "Return safely."

Allura hurried off to lead Lotor to the personal transports.

Everyone gathered in the engine room, and Adam approached Thace, who stood over at the side. He stood next to the Galran and lowered his voice. "You're in love with her."

Thace sighed. "Is it that obvious?"

Adam nodded as he smiled. "Yeah."

Thace gazed at Lance. "I think someone else is too."

Adam followed his gaze and shook his head. "I believe that it's infatuation. I think he's actually in love with somebody else, and he doesn't exactly realize it yet."

Pidge's voice rose from under the machine she was working on. "Shiro, can you take Lance, please."

Adam followed Shiro, who followed Lance out of the engine room. Lance sighed. "It's okay, Shiro. I'll be quiet," he smacked his head into the bulkhead. "You don't have to babysit me."

Shiro's voice came from behind the Red Paladin. "Lance, let me ask you something. Do you remember, on Olkarion, how you asked me about talking to you inside Voltron?"

Adam's eyebrow rose.

Lance turned around to face the Black Paladin. "Yeah."

Shiro asked, "What happened there? I can't remember any of it."

Lance replied, "We were all in some kind of mystical Voltron mindscape, and you were yelling something, but I couldn't hear you. Are you okay?"

Shiro sighed. "I-I don't know. My head-I'm just-I'm feeling so confused. It's like—"

"What?"

Shiro gazed at Lance. "Like I'm not myself."

Adam gazed over Shiro's shoulder at Lance. He hoped that his cousin would do the right thing and not mention their suspicions about Lotor, and this seemed like confirmation that somehow the Galra Emperor had some kind of control over the Black Paladin.

Lance replied, "It's probably a lack of oxygen. You should probably sit down. We'll get through this."

Everyone lay around on the bridge as a computerized voice said, "Oxygen levels at five percent."

Pidge struggled to breathe and tried to focus. "There must be some way for us to harness the power of the white hole and use it to get the ship working." She groaned as it became harder for her to breathe.

Hunk replied as he lay on the floor. "We've tried everything. I don't think I can keep moving."

Lance pointed at the screen as it began beeping but failed to find the words.

Allura and Lotor returned to the Castle in time for Allura to restart the Castle. Coran gazed at his princess. "You did it!"

Lance finally got to his feet. "We-We shouldn't have doubted you."

Thace bumped Lance. "Speak for yourself. I didn't have any doubts."

Allura replied. "I couldn't have done it without Lotor."

A quiet growl came from Thace's throat, only heard by those closest to him.

Lotor bowed his head toward Allura and then raised it. "You are a true Altean alchemist. Oriande was for you, not for me."

No one but Adam noticed the look on Shiro's face. It seemed almost angry.

Pidge spoke up. "So, what's the next step?"

Lance frowned at the smallest paladin. "Slow down, Pidge. We just started breathing again."