Keith perched precariously on a high beam, one leg swaying slowly. Lance was below bent into a cramped corner between the cargo boxes. Keith glanced down every now and again. Lance had taken apart an imperial rifle. He was muttering under his breath while he propped a hand held device on his leg to draw the rifle parts in detail. Notes about how it fit together filled the margin. He'd use a finger to slide between different drawings in different angles. He was engrossed.

Keith smiled fondly and watched the door Krolia and the others had gone through hours before. What could possibly be taking so long? He spun Allura's ring on his finger. More time passed. Then the door opened. Keith dropped to the floor and wound through the emerging assassins. Before anyone could stop him, he ducked under an arm and slid in as the door closed. A few people watched him curiously, but no one intervened.

Inside, the leader, the quiet giant, and Krolia were standing close together speaking in hushed tones. Keith paused and glanced back at the door. A slightly breathy, but hoarse voice coaxed, "Join us, little one."

Keith approached somewhat apprehensively. "I was looking for Ulaz about Lance's prosthetic."

"Ah. He spoke of the blue paladin's impairment."

Keith bristled and corrected brusquely, "He's not useless."

The stranger chuckled lightly and held up a hand. "It wasn't my intention to imply he was. I mean no insult, kit." He sat on the back of a chair and pushed back his hood. His features were blue. Silver hair was razed to the scalp on one side, the other half pulled into a loose braid that brushed his shoulder. He gestured to a chair and said, "We haven't been properly introduced. I am called Antok. Myself and Krolia operate beneath our leader and father, Kolivan."

Keith gripped the back of the chair with white knuckles and repeated, "Your father?!"

Krolia shot a glare at Antok who said apologetically, "There is no need for secrets here, sister."

Krolia said through her teeth, "Of course, dear brother."

Antok wore a shit eating grin as Kolivan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please, it has only been two quintants."

Krolia folded her arms and sulked, "Father, this is the red paladin. The one I told you about." Her voice dropped with heavy meaning Keith could only guess about.

Kolivan blinked down at Keith and he gulped. His grandfather. His uncle. His mother. He was suddenly light headed and fell into the chair. Antok's warm hand gripped his shoulder and he asked, "Are you well, lad?"

Krolia knelt on his other side and put a hand to his forehead. "Precious one, you look pale."

Keith cleared his throat. "Uh... maybe I should see Ulaz in the med bay. I've been kind of sick all morning. Bad food, I think."

Krolia bit her lip and knit her brows in worry. "Want someone to go with you?"

Her concern made guilt settle in his stomach like the illness he was lying about. "It's probably nothing. Nerves or something dumb."

Krolia held eye contact and exhaled slowly. "Alright. If you feel worse, tell someone."

"Yes, Krolia." He stood and backed toward the door praying his knees didn't give out. "I'll, uh, be in the med bay if you're looking for me." He tapped the doorpad and turned straight into Lance. They both stumbled, holding each other's arms before catching their balance.

"What-"

Keith grabbed Lance's hand and squeezed. Then he tugged Lance after him. They passed several assassins, but Keith kept his hood up and his eyes down. He needed every second it took to reach the med bay to get his nerves back under control. And he prayed that Ulaz wasn't in the med bay so he and Lance could have a private conversation for the first time since the blades had shown up.

When the medbay opened, it was dark inside. Taking a relieved breath, Keith shut the door behind them and messed with the keypad. It flashed twice and a somewhat familiar icon lit up. He bit his lip, unsure if that was the lights or the lock emblem.

"What's the matter? You're all spooked."

"Lance, I need to talk to you. Sign language doesn't... it can't..." Keith ran his hands through his hair and paced the length of the room.

"It's not the same. I get it." Lance pulled him to sit on an exam table. "So talk. I'm listening."

"Lance, holy frick, you know that guy? The one who sparred with Thace until he passed out? His name's Antok, and he's my freaking uncle! The leader guy, Kolivan... He's Krolia's dad! My grandfather, I guess. And I'm freaking out. It's like, why couldn't I just tell her before that I knew what I know? Now I have no options!?"

"Keith," Lance said slowly. He put his hands on Keith's shoulders and said, "Slow down. Start over. Your mom has family here?"

"Yes! And they're the ones in charge. Why-" He froze as the hair on his arms stood up. The room was dark, but he felt a flash of energy. In that moment, he saw the body shift on another exam table. "Lance-"

"Calm yourself, kit. It is only me."

"Thace, it's not what-" Keith cut himself off and backed into Lance. His mentor slowly sat up, his shoulders slumped and his gaze on the floor. Keith swallowed and asked, "How much did you hear?"

Thace exhaled with a low groan. Keith put his hands over his face and fell into the wall. This was the worst. Lance made a surprised noise and a taloned hand landed on Keith's shoulder. He looked up into Thace's face. Thace blinked sympathetically and knelt. Keith exhaled and knelt in front of him then reached for Lance's hand. Lance knelt as well and Keith signed, "I'll translate." Lance nodded and they both looked to Thace. Keith swallowed his fear. It was too late for that. "Why didn't she tell me?"

Thace smiled crookedly. "Why didn't you tell her?"

Lance asked, "So she really is his mother?"

Thace's ears drooped and he put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I do not need to answer. You know the truth in your hearts, children. Kit... perhaps I was wrong to discourage open sensitivity. I believed there would be more time for you to learn each other before your relationship was revealed." Thace closed his eyes and exhaled. "Even Antok has already broached the topic."

Keith furrowed his brow as the uncomfortable feeling from the day before came back. It had been frightening to see Thace lose consciousness. Keith's fists curled up and he said, "I don't trust him. Krolia doesn't seem sure about what he knows either."

Thace replied, "Antok is astute in ways only those trained by the blade from birth can hope to acheive. Kolivan has groomed him to be his inevitable successor. Krolia knows this. Though even I do not know if I passed his test."

"But you're a blade! Why would he-" Keith shut his mouth and forced himself to take a deep breath. He didn't need to get upset. Thace would tell him or he wouldn't. Only patience would tell which.

Thace's upper lip twitched and he praised, "Kit, you're learning faster than I can teach you."

Keith's chest twinged with pride and he sat up straighter. Lance giggled at his reaction when he translated. Keith elbowed him lightly in the ribs and flushed in embarrassment. Thace cleared his throat to draw their attention and explained, "Not every agent is chosen for the role of mentor. It is one of our highest honors to pass on the knowledge protected by our order. Especially to one such as yourself. Keith, I do not know if I will be your teacher much longer."

"I don't want a different teacher," Keith protested. "I won't accept that decision."

"Even if they are a better fit?"

"I assure you, they are not," Keith said adamantly, "and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise."

Thace nodded reverently with a hand over his heart. "Your continuing perseverance brings warmth to my being, little one. However, I believe we must address the situation at hand before antagonizing anyone. Keith... you must talk to your mother."

The lump in his throat doubled in size and Keith felt the blood drain from his face. He nodded rapidly, his chin barely moving. "Yes, Thace. Um... Now? Will you be there?"

"If you want me to accompany you, I shall."

Keith felt Lance lean into his side and heard him say, "I can bother Coleen and the guys if you want more privacy."

"Thanks, Lance. That would help a lot. I don't know if I could face both of them." Keith stood and took a breath to focus. "Let's take care of this, Thace."

"I have your back, kit."

Lance gave him a quick hug and backed away with a wink mouthing, 'good luck'. Keith nodded and turned back toward the room he'd left Krolia and the others. They hadn't moved in the time he'd been gone. He paused in the doorway. Krolia was half turned away, one hand picking at a chapped spot on her lower lip while she nodded in agreement with what Kolivan was saying. Keith cleared his throat, struggling to find his voice, but no one turned. He croaked, "Kro... Krolia...? Um... I..."

Her ear twitched and she turned wide eyed. "Kit, you should be resting." She came toward him and gently cupped his face in her palms. "Is your stomach getting worse?"

"No, no, it's okay," Keith denied. Someone sidled past and Krolia pulled him to the side of the doorway. "I need to talk to you... in private."

Krolia bit her lip, worry in her eyes, and glanced toward Thace. He nodded resolutely and she nodded quickly to Keith. "Alright. Give me a dobosche and we can go somewhere quiet. Okay?" She offered a warm smile and returned to the conversation.

Keith took another deep breath and looked at the ceiling. Thace's large hand squeezed his shoulder and he winked. Keith blew out his cheeks. Step one done.

"Leader, a balmera has been spotted within this solar system. The empire will surely be there, but that only means we will find what we need."

Keith's attention snapped to the conversation and he asked, "Wait, are we going to get another crystal?"

The agent who had spoken looked from Kolivan to Keith and back. Antok nodded slowly and answered, "Without a crystal, the ship is dead metal. And we need it if we want to keep your lions safe."

"Red could get the ship airborne," Keith volunteered. They all looked at him in varying degrees of belief. Krolia seemed the most convinced and he puffed up his chest. He wanted to get his head cleared, but he wanted Krolia to be proud as well. "She's powered by the energy of the universe, right? I'm sure Coleen could figure out a way to give the ship a jump. We get the ship into space, and we can tow it to the balmera. The less time between getting a crystal and installing it in the ship the better... right?"

The assassins in the room all shared a look and Keith glanced around for confirmation. Antok folded his arms and sat on the back of the chair again. "The kit has a point, leader. The sooner the lions leave this planet, the faster we can secure their location safely behind our strongholds."

Kolivan inhaled slowly and lowered his hood. Keith held himself at attention and clenched a fist to keep himself from saluting. They held unwavering eye contact. Then Kolivan blinked and nodded toward the assassin that had entered. They turned on their heel and left. Kolivan walked forward and stood before Keith. "Kit, are you certain your lion will comply with what you've suggested?"

Keith nodded as if Kolivan were the admiral herself. "Red will help."

Kolivan nodded slowly and moved on. "Antok, scout the surrounding space. We don't want to draw the attention of the empire. If the balmera is too heavily defended, this plan will not work. Krolia, talk to your tech and see about powering the ship. Thace... take care of your student and Regris as well. Antok will be too busy for a time."

Thace put a hand on Keith's shoulder and said, "Of course, leader. Come along, Keith. Let's tell Regris the news."

Keith glanced at Krolia. She smiled and ruffled his hair. "We'll talk as soon as I finish with Coleen." Then Thace guided him to his side and they left.

Keith sat in the hangar of the ship on Red's foot. He gently rubbed the side of her face with a hand and comforted her while Coleen hooked up cables here and there. Red groaned and shifted her head. Keith slid to his feet and stood in front of her face. Stretching his arms as far as he could, he murmured, "Easy, girl. It's just a jump. A slight pinch and the worst will be over."

Coleen chuckled and said while she worked, "You sound like a pet parent at the veterinarian. This is a little bit more than a rabies vaccine, Keith. Worst comes to worst, the whole thing shorts out. Baseline readings between the crystal in the other ship and that feline are night and day."

"Don't let her hear you say that," Keith hissed over his shoulder. Coleen laughed again. Keith was quiet for a few more minutes while Coleen worked before he mentioned, "I'm going to make them take me with."

"What do you mean?"

The worry in her tone made him slide down Red and sit on the floor. He shrugged. "The blades are going to a balmera to find a crystal, the same energy source that Lance needs for his hearing aids. I don't know how, but I have to get him a pure crystal."

Hands held his own and he looked up as Coleen knelt in front of him. "Honey, it's not your fault he lost his hearing."

"I know, but I want to help him." Keith bit his lip. "You've seen how much he wants to contribute. With the galra tech, he will be completely whole. Maybe better. Ulaz said sometimes the implants actually give you hearing like when you were a baby before your nerves start deteriorating from loud noises and stuff."

"And Lance... He doesn't want to see you hurt either, Keith." Coleen tsked and ran her thumbs across his hands. "Sweetie, if you want to go with them, for the crystal, I won't stop you. But please..." she gently cupped his face in one palm, "don't do anything reckless. We can't lose you too."

Keith held her worried eyes with his own and nodded. "I'll be careful, I promise."

Coleen smiled, that maternal worry still there, and stood back up. "I think we're about ready for an engine test. Keep Red calm."

Keith stood and put his forehead to Red. "Okay, Red. It's going to happen now. Don't budge and it'll be over in a minute." She growled, but seemed to understand.

Coleen crawled beneath a console and there was a loud electric snap. She emerged shaking her hand and primed a switch. "Hold tight, kitty. Three, two, one." She hit a dial and the lights flickered. "How's it going, Keith?"

"Honestly, there's a ton of butterflies in my stomach, but I'm not sure what that means. How much longer?"

She ran to a second console and frantically tapped a bunch of buttons. "Hang on, sweetheart. Just a little bit- There!" The lights stopped flickering and became bright as full power kicked on. Coleen jumped in place and clapped her hands excitedly. "Mr. Hammond, I think we're back in business!"

"Ugh, I forgot Matt got his references from you," Keith teased. He ran a hand over Red's nose and whispered, "Are you okay, big girl?" She shuddered and laid her head on her paws. Keith furrowed his brow and kissed her. "Rest. You did good."

Her glowing yellow eyes closed and her purr rumbled the floor. When he stood back up, Coleen asked, "How is she?"

Keith rubbed his arms, suddenly shivery. "We're a little dazed, but we'll be fine in a bit."

"Why don't you take a nap? The two of you deserve it. Even I didn't think to power the ships from the lions."

"Keith! You did it!"

Keith was blindsided when Lance tackled him. Keith heard a low chuff and looked over to see Blue duck under the hangar entrance. She curled up beside Red. They looked so big outside, but the ship hangar dwarfed them.

Lance tugged Keith upright and said, "The blades are all getting ready. When they heard the ship start, they all started running around."

Thace and Krolia ran in then. Krolia exclaimed, "Coleen, you did it!"

"Keith and Red did most of it," Coleen went to the console and checked engine output. "Readings are normal. Core stable. Krolia, I think the ship can take off."

Thace reached for Keith. "Come then. It's time we left our exile."

So there's a little bit more than I realized left in this story. Whoops