Krolia pinched the bridge of her nose and asked again, "Remind me how this is a bad thing?"

Brona folded her arms and growled, "This is a horrible thing! You put them together, but they should be afraid and helpless like the other prisoners."

Krolia played the video again and watched as Keith and Lance wrestled on the floor before Lance accidentally caught Keith's jaw with his elbow. Keith fell backward. Lance swore loudly and quickly made sure Keith was okay. Keith started laughing and insinuated with a smirk, "At least hurt me on purpose."

Lance exclaimed, "Hey!"

Then Keith said, "Come here, idiot. It was an accident."

Lance folded his arms and turned away. "Don't patronize me, mullet. I'm trying really hard."

Keith smirked and wrapped his arms around Lance's chest. "I'm not, Lance. You're doing great."

Lance blushed and shut his eyes while Keith whispered in his ear too quiet for the camera to pick up. Then Lance reached back, flipped Keith over his shoulder, and pinned him to the floor. Lance put his face by Keith's and whispered something back. The two boys hugged on the floor and burst out laughing.

Krolia leveled a bored gaze at Brona and shrugged. "They're just doing what you wanted. Haxus said they needed to grow to become acceptable challengers for the arena."

Brona snarled out, "They're enjoying their captivity. The other prisoners are becoming affected."

Krolia shrugged again. "If it's really so annoying, I'll put them in solitary confinement. They can keep doing whatever they are doing and you don't have to listen to them."

Brona's snarl turned into a smug grin. Krolia quirked an annoyed lip. Did Ulaz's bitch really think she'd one upped her? Brona blinked slowly and said, "That is acceptable, Second Lieutenant. Thank you for your understanding."

"I always listen to the complaints of my fellow officers, Lieutenant Brona, third class." Krolia felt a touch of pleasure as Brona's grin nearly fractured. "I will rectify the situation as quickly as possible."

Brona glared and walked toward the door. "I have actual work to do."

"Vrepit sa," Krolia drawled, her gaze falling on her blade strapped to Brona's belt. The idiot still had no idea what incriminating evidence she wore as a trophy. The door shut and Krolia looked at the console. Keith really wasn't great at discretion if this was what he thought wouldn't draw attention.

Krolia smiled at her son and his friend. They were both much stronger now than when she'd trained Keith. The door opened again and she groaned, "What now, Brona?"

A masculine chuckle startled her and she turned. "Sir, I-"

Sendak smiled and walked toward her. He leaned on the console and brushed her hair back from her face. "Forgive me, Krolia. I didn't mean to disturb you." His gaze flitted down to the camera footage and he purred, "It seems you were right about the alpha child and his omega. I'm pleased your judgement paid off. No doubt the alpha will do anything if his omega is threatened."

Krolia suppressed her nausea and didn't respond since she knew she'd betray herself. Sendak continued, "The empire has confirmed Commander Prorok's replacement vessel will arrive within ten vargas. Soon, we will no longer have to cater to that buffoon's needs."

Krolia felt her heart race. Everything was falling into place. She smiled and saluted. "And after that you will present your prize to our emperor and achieve what none have done before."

Sendak stepped closer and dropped his voice. "You will be at my side, Krolia. I wouldn't have the red lion without that primitive you brought under control."

"You flatter me, Sendak. I look forward to supporting you."

Sendak caressed the side of her neck and she glanced away with flushed cheeks. "Sendak, perhaps now is not the most appropriate time."

Sendak's chest was less than a hands breadth from her's and he whispered against her ear, "Then tell me when and where, and I shall make time."

Krolia thought quickly and looked up to his face. Closing the distance between them, she put a hand to his chest and answered with intent, "When Prorok and his crew are gone, await me in my quarters."

He shivered beneath her touch and leaned down. She inhaled quickly as he covered her mouth with his own and he barely touched her tongue with his. Then he stepped back and said, "A promise of more to come, my lady."

Krolia struggled to catch her breath, but he seemed to misinterpret her disgust as lust. She smiled nervously and nodded. "A promise indeed."

When he left, she fell back into the console and wiped at her mouth. She spat on the floor and shivered. When she had composed herself, she turned to the console and input her commands. The sentries had been engaged when she left and returned to her bedroom. Going to the closet, she slid back the hidden panel and removed her armor. The time had come.

Keith knelt with his eyes closed and murmured, "Give it a rest, Lance. Nothing is going to happen."

"This is solitary, right?" Lance insisted. "Why are we not solitary, mullet?"

"Lance... hush. Save your energy."

"Hush? Why are you talking so weird?"

Keith groaned and rolled his eyes. "I don't know. I've had this weird headache for a while. Guess I'm not thinking straight?"

"You too?" Lance asked and finally stopped pacing.

Keith tipped his head. "Too? You've felt weird recently?"

Lance rubbed the back of his neck almost sheepishly. "Yeah. There's this weird static prickle that keeps nagging me, like I should be searching for something."

Keith felt a chill go down his back. "That's exactly what I've been feeling." He rubbed his arms nervously and asked, "This is going to sound crazy, but... have you heard... like... animal noises?"

Lance rolled his lower lip between his teeth. "... ... Yeah..."

Keith swallowed. What the fuck did that mean. "Lance, I-"

A familiar sound cut him off and he looked up. Glowing eyes appeared in the dark and Lance let out a startled meep. Keith asked, "Krolia?"

"Krolia?!" Lance repeated in shock.

The assassin said, "She has started her own objective, little one."

Keith grinned. "The time is now?"

The assassin nodded. "Indeed. Follow me, kits."

Keith put a hand on Lance's shoulder. "Time to go." He formed a stirrup with his hand and said, "You first."

Lance shook his head. "Keith, he's one of them. We can't trust him."

"Yes, we can." Keith opened and shut his mouth. He couldn't explain it to Lance without scaring him. He hugged Lance and said, "I know it's scary, I'm scared too, but if we don't go with him, we will never be free again."

"Children, we must leave."

Lance looked up then back to Keith. "Promise me we will be together. You never actually did before."

Keith instantly answered, "Of course, Lance. We will always be together."

Lance whined unhappily and looked up. "Alright, Mr. Alien, we're coming."

Keith formed the stirrup again and Lance used it to boost himself up to the hole in the ceiling. He let his leg hang from the hole and Keith jumped up using Lance as a ladder to grab the edge. Lance helped pull him up and they crouched in the vent while the alien covered the hole again.

The assassin started crawling and said, "Stay close and quiet. We have to cover some distance before we reach our destination."

Keith pushed Lance between him and the blade of marmora. He wasn't sure how long they crawled when the assassin used their blade to open another panel. He dropped to the floor in a silent crouch and looked up. Lance dropped next and the assassin put a hand on his back before holding a finger for Keith to stay put.

The alien pulled Lance into the shadows while a patrol passed. Then he gestured for Keith to follow. They darted through deserted hallways and then entered a room. The alien put a hand on the door pad and the lock flashed. Keith looked around and asked, "Why are we here, Ulaz?"

The assassin laughed and their mask fell away. "Was I that obvious, kit?"

Lance grabbed Keith's hand and stuck close to his side. "Keith, what the hell is going on?"

Keith said, "I don't have all the facts, but Ulaz and Krolia are part of a secret organization working to bring down the empire from within."

"Then why help us?"

Keith shook his head. "I told you, it doesn't matter. We have to take a chance."

Ulaz went to a cupboard and opened a drawer. Using his blade, he pried the bottom up and pulled out two more uniforms like the one he wore. "Keith, Lance, change quickly. There is little time before Krolia and Thace complete their objectives."

Keith took the armor with the dull insignia on the front and asked, "Thace is in on this?"

"Hurry, little one. I will explain later."

The armor was huge. Keith could hardly find the end of the gloves or the boots. Ulaz went down on one knee and fiddled with a dial on the belt. The blue emblem on the chest plate came to life and Ulaz instructed, "Take a deep breath and hold it while the uniform re-configures and conforms to your body."

Keith knew better than to question the medic and did as told. The suit began to shrink. Keith watched as the individual armor plates condensed until he was reminded of getting his blood pressure checked. The suit hugged him tightly before releasing and becoming flexible. The blue light blinked twice.

Keith flexed and kicked to test the give of the armor and grinned. It reminded him of the thickness of the flight suits from the garrison, but moved like a second skin. Ulaz cautioned, "Easy, Keith. Don't bump the table."

Keith glanced curiously at it and noticed a bunch of puck shaped objects. He grabbed one and turned it over in his hand asking, "What're these?"

Ulaz sucked in a breath and snatched the puck out of Keith's hand. "Be careful!"

Lance's suit finished adjusting and he pulled up the hood. "You act like it's a bomb."

Ulaz grabbed his pack and began placing the pucks inside. "They are, children. Mishandling these explosives could risk everything."

"Oops," Keith murmured.

Ulaz slung the pack over his shoulder and checked that he had his sword. It almost looked like they were going on a picnic. Ulaz's shoulders dropped and he took two matching pistols from the table. Holding them out, he explained, "Only use them if you have to."

"Sir," they both answered and each took one.

Ulaz smiled sadly and put a hand on their shoulders. "You are far too young for this." He tapped his gauntlet and a hologram of the ship appeared above his arm before flying to Lance and Keith. "If we become separated, follow the map to the hangars. Krolia will be waiting there. I-" An explosion rocked the room and Ulaz muttered, "Early as usual. Time to move."

Ulaz activated his mask and Keith followed suit watching Lance's face vanish. They started running down the halls, only stopping when soldiers blocked their path. A lion roared, making the ship tremble again. Keith asked, "What is that?"

Ulaz answered on the fly, "Krolia must have reached her objective. We must hurry!"

"Intruders!"

Ulaz ducked and drew his sword. Keith ran ahead with him and shouted, "Cover us, Lance!"

Energy shots flew by in both directions as Keith joined Ulaz in combat. Ulaz cut down two sentries while Keith fought with the officer. She blocked his third punch and twisted his arm. Then she let go and was forced back as Ulaz slashed at her. He stood over Keith and whispered, "Are you hurt?"

Keith came to his feet and answered, "No. That galra, she's the one who-"

"I know, kit. Go. I'll be along shortly."

"But-"

"Do as I say, little one." Ulaz pushed forward. Sparks flew as he engaged the woman in combat.

Keith grit his teeth and jogged back to Lance saying, "Let's go."

Lance fell in beside him and they sprinted following the map they'd been given. After several turns, Keith rounded the bend in the lead. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement before a metal rod struck him across the chest. He fell flat out on his back gasping.

Lance slid around the corner and exclaimed with his hands out, "Wait! Don't attack! It's us!"

Keith groaned out, "Coleen?"

Mrs. Holt gasped and dropped the rod to help him sit up. "Keith? Lance? Is that you?"

The mask flickered as it vanished and Keith hugged her. "Coleen, I'm so glad you're okay. We're getting out of here. Is there anyone else?" Figures emerged from the shadows. Keith asked, "So few?"

Coleen's eyes narrowed and she shook her head. "The rest were so afraid I couldn't get them to leave their cells. They have broken."

Keith nodded and stood. "Lance, take point. Coleen, take this." She took his pistol without hesitating and motioned the collection of prisoners after Lance. They began running again and Keith looked at the map. Halfway there.

Ulaz squared off against Brona again. She was bloodied and bruised, but refused to go down. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and taunted, "I'd heard you marmora bastards were great fighters. It's a shame you're not better." Ulaz said nothing in reply. She took a wavering step and continued, "I'm not above admitting I'm curious. Who are you that you managed to sneak aboard Sendak's cruiser?"

Ulaz spun his blade and watched her for signs of advance. "That knife on your hip belongs to a friend of mine."

Brona's eyes widened in disbelief. "I thought I recognized that whelp's fighting style. Too bad I couldn't kill him with his own 'blade'."

Ulaz grit his teeth and lunged forward. He attacked relentless and fast, pinning her against the wall. Brona growled, "To fight so hard for a nothing primitive, what is he to you?"

"He is more than you'll ever be, Brona!"

She grinned and purred, "It is you, lover. To think you pretended to be so helpless for the sake of manipulating me. I can almost believe you would betray the empire."

"And you are still the empire's yupper, barking at shadows and so eager to please." Ulaz sneered, "Victory or death."

Brona screamed her anger and tried to break free. Ulaz took a step with her and stabbed low. Brona grunted and slumped over his shoulder. Her sword dropped to the floor with a clatter and she lifted her hand to his face. Her grimace turned to a twisted smile. "I guess this means I lost that bet, lover."

"You never had a chance of winning."

He lowered his mask to view her last moments with his own eyes. She caressed the top of his ear as blood began to trail down from the corner of her mouth, staining her lips crimson and whispered, "Cheater... I'll see you again in the halls of sacred flame, Ulaz."

He lowered his mouth to gently kiss her lips and breathed, "Don't wait up."

Her eyes glassed over and he closed them when he withdrew his sword and lowered her body. Taking a shaky breath, he grabbed Krolia's blade from Brona's belt and backed away. So much for a working relationship.

Krolia ran through the hangar in a blind dash to the airlock of the adjoined cruiser while the lions tore apart Sendak's ship from the inside. She slid under a chuck of metal the red lion threw carelessly in her direction and kept running. What the hell was wrong with them? She'd only released the airlock when they'd gone berserk. Now that they were activated, she wasn't sure they'd allow her fellow blades to pilot them, but even if they flew away of their own, they were more safe than remaining here.

A galra in a dark uniform dropped from the second level railing and sprinted toward her. He matched her pace and said, "We only have ninety ticks before the next round of explosives detonate!"

Krolia cursed and said, "Go ahead and prep the cruiser. I'll wait for Keith and Ulaz." She slid to a stop and turned to face the door Ulaz would come through. She shouted through her com, "Ulaz, where are you?"

"On my way." Fifteen ticks later, he was visible running through the halls pursued by a dozen sentries.

Krolia fired her pistol to provide cover and Ulaz turned and slashed the door lock behind him. He was breathing hard when he ran to her and asked, "Are they on board? The little ones?"

Krolia blanched behind her mask. "They were supposed to be with you."

Ulaz cursed and pulled up his map of the ship. He scanned through layers trying to find them when an explosion three floors above blew the hangar door open. Aliens in prison garb emerged from the smoky wreck before two figures wielding pistols and a third figure was thrown from the hall.

"Keith!" Krolia screamed and started running before she realized it. Keith hung precariously by one hand from the catwalk before looking down and dropping to the catwalk below. He landed in a crouch and ran parallel to the prisoners above. Krolia was still too far away to help when the lions suddenly rushed past her.

She slid to a stop in disbelief as both the red and blue lions focused on the blasted door where sentries were pouring into the hangar. After the red lion opened it's mouth, liquid fire filled the hole in the wall. The ship glowed white and when the lion dropped back to all fours, all that remained was a molten lump of metal.

Ulaz asked, "What are they doing?"

Krolia shook her head. "The red lion... it's protecting him!"

Another explosion to her left made her block on reflex. When she turned, a mechanical arm caught her around the torso and shoved her backward. Ulaz shouted, "Teacher!" and threw her knife. She freed her arm and caught it, activating the sword and stabbing into Sendak's altered arm. It released her and she dropped to the floor in a crouch. She jumped forward and ran as Ulaz engaged the commander.

He was bloodied. A chunk of hair and scalp was missing. The wiring of his arm was exposed as well. Her bombs should have done him in. He was tougher than she'd given credit. She slashed, interchanging with Ulaz. Then Thace's explosives went off and the three of them were thrown apart. Krolia shook her head and pushed to her feet.

Through the smoke, she saw a figure approach. Then a metal arm gripped her by the throat. Sparks landed on her mask while Sendak choked her. She kicked weakly, but she'd dropped her knife. He said over the crackling flames in the hangar, "So you've revealed your true colors, Krolia. I regret to say you had me fooled completely. Bitch."

Krolia fought off the black of unconsciousness. From a distance, she heard Keith scream her name. Then Sendak shouted in surprise and pain and dropped her. She gasped for breath and grabbed for her knife before turning to see Lance lower his pistol. Sendak growled and took a step toward the catwalks, but Krolia screamed a battle-cry and forced him to fight her.

Keith jumped the last steps to the hangar floor and saw Ulaz. He pushed the prisoners toward the blade and shouted, "Go, go go!"

A growl made him turn. The red lion looked at him and there was something familiar in its gaze. It took a step in his direction and he should have been afraid, but all he felt was that strange buzz that had haunted him since before leaving earth. A hand grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He looked at Coleen and said, "Go with the prisoners! I have to go back for Krolia!"

"Keith!"

He heard Lance curse and then his boots echoed Keith's. They ran back toward where the'd last seen Krolia and the other. The space was bare. Keith felt a prickle at his neck and pivoted to put him back to back with Lance. He raised his fists and heard Lance cock the gun.

There was motion to the right and Lance fired. Keith turned, but something came from the other direction. Lance was yanked off his feet and dragged. Keith screamed his name as Lance shouted and shot blindly into the dark. Whatever had a hold on him jerked and Lance was whipped into the wall. He went limp and dropped his weapon.

Keith kept running and picked up the gun. He slid to a stop and lifted it as the alien with the mechanical arm held Lance's unconscious form. Keith bore his teeth and shouted, "Let him go!"

The galra smirked revealing blood in his teeth. "It is you, alpha primitive. I knew you'd do anything to protect your omega."

"I said let him go!" Keith fired wide past the galra in a warning shot. "I will kill you if you hurt him."

"You will do no such thing. Surrender, whelp."

A dark motion caught Keith's attention while two shadows loomed over his shoulder. Keith felt the lions growl in his chest and snarled, "The only way I'll quit is if you kill me."

"Very well."

The galra took a step when an explosive went off behind them. He fell forward. Keith ran and lunged for Lance. When he looked at the galra, Krolia had run him through with her sword. She slashed upward, creating a large gash in his chest. Blood splattered from his freshly displayed visceral organs. Keith looked back at Lance and swallowed his bile.

"Lance? Lance, can you hear me? Lance, respond!"

A hand on his shoulder made him look up. Krolia reached out and lowered Lance's mask manually. Keith swore under his breath. A line of blood trailed down his neck from his ear and his eyes weren't focused. Keith reached out and gasped, "He has a pulse!"

Krolia stood and looked at her gauntlet. "We have to get to the ship! We-"

An explosion went off much closer than any of the others and the floor began to give. Keith looked at Krolia in terror. Then they were falling. He screamed and landed hard. He bounced, losing his grip on Lance, and fell again. The lions roared. Keith looked up as he was suddenly free falling through space. The cruiser they'd been on exploded in a silent supernova. Keith saw the red lion dove after him. It's jaws were open, closing around him like a warm embrace.

He wasn't falling any more. Keith frantically looked around as the lion carried him into space. It was living metal. He fought against the overwhelming g-force and climbed a ramp further into the lion where an empty seat waited. He fell into it and reached for the handles of the throttles. Immediately, the space in front of him lit up and he was viewing some kind of heads up display. This was what the lion saw. He looked around and spotted the carrier they'd planned to commandeer as well as the second lion, a dazzlingly beautiful shade of blue. It was clumsy, like it was struggling to stay airborne. Keith instinctively revved the throttles and shouted through his com, "Ulaz? Thace? Krolia? Does anyone read me?"

"Keith! Keith, we need help! The blue lion, she needs her pilot!"

"Hang on Krolia! I'm coming!" The red lion dove through the void like a bird in the sky. Keith felt her needs as his own and reacted instantly. The lion locked her jaw around the back of the blue lion's neck, but Keith still couldn't get their flight under control. Then a strange blue and white light opened up before them. It was round and shimmered, drawing them in. Keith shouted, "Krolia, I can't hold her! We're going through!"

Krolia cursed and answered, "Thace, stay on our six. Everyone, brace yourselves!"

They fell through the wormhole.

Seriously, people... Can I please get some feedback? I mean, there probably isn't a whole lot to this anymore, but it's nice to know if you think the writing's good.