Hunk thought small thoughts and whispered, "Are they still there?"

Nadia stretched awkwardly and reached into a pocket. Removing her compact mirror, she used it to peek around their hiding place. She pulled back and nodded, fear and pain on her face. Hunk tightened his hold around her and tried to keep his breathing quiet. If the aliens didn't leave soon, it was only a matter of time before they were discovered and they'd already been hiding so long.

When Ina had woken them up during her watch, they'd barely managed to break camp before the galra patrol could be heard approaching. Iverson had motioned them to head back to the tunnel for cover. They hadn't even made it halfway before a second patrol flew overhead.

In the mad scramble, Hunk and Nadia had broken right and found cover in a pile of rubble beside a burned out car. If Hunk strained to look over his shoulder, he could just see Ryan and Ina from where he lay beside Nadia. He'd lost sight of Iverson and James instantly. Fear made him believe the aliens had stuck around because they'd been caught. Maybe their camp had been discovered. So many things could go wrong.

The sun burned bright in the sky. There was little shade behind the rocks and Hunk could feel the heat on his exposed skin like a laser. How many hours had passed? Would Sanda even know what had happened? He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain in his back and side from laying awkwardly. Pain was better than death.

He'd just begun to think they'd never move when there was a strange blip in his ear. Nadia jolted beneath his arm, letting him know she'd heard it too. Then a strangely familiar accent said, "Stay low, close your eyes, and cover your ears."

Nadia made eye contact with Hunk, her question as hot in her eyes as the sun on his skin. The man added, "We have eyes on and will eliminate hostiles in five... four... three..." Hunk gasped and quickly covered his ears and shut his eyes before the silent 'one'.

The area erupted with a massive bang and even though his eyes were shut, the flash that followed left spots inside his eyelids. The galra cried out in pain and alarm, their guns priming with a low whir. Footsteps in the dry desert dirt rushed by followed by the sound of wind over metal and multiple heavy dull thuds.

Hunk lay frozen, terrified to move in case whoever had rescued them decided they were a target too. The man said in his ear, "The area is clear. You can come out of cover now."

Hunk gently shifted against Nadia and he heard stone scraping behind them. He slowly poked his head out and looked around. Ryan and Ina were crouched pistols half raised in disbelief and caution. Hunk's mouth hung open. The galra they'd been hiding from lay dead in the dirt.

Hunk tried to stand and get a better view, but Nadia's hand clung to his arm. He whispered, "Nadia, it's oka-" when he saw her looking past him. He cursed and reasoned, "You didn't close your eyes."

"Hunk? I..."

He pulled her under his arm, close to his chest, and looked to Ryan. They made eye contact and Ryan pointed to something out of sight. Hunk nodded and guided Nadia out. She ducked her head against him and shamble ran as best she could. Then they rounded the corner and Hunk slid to a stop. He struggled to keep Nadia on her feet before Ryan and Ina collided with his back.

Their rescuers stood at the ready watching all sides and angles. Their dark armor had been form fitted with hoods and masks to obscure their identities, but Hunk still recognized a galra... and that one definitely had a tail. He tried to motion Ryan and Ina back when one of their rescuers turned and spotted them.

With no discernible signal, the galra quickly surrounded them. Hunk moved Nadia between the three of them and she clutched the shoulder of his jacket in a tight fist. They watched, wary and afraid, waiting for the next attack that never came. Then five others rounded the far side of the debris field escorting James and the general.

Two wore a strange cacophony of metal armor wielding galra rifles. The other three wore the same dark armor and all five were closer to the height of the cadets. One of the rifle bearers informed, "We spotted another patrol three clicks out. We've got maybe ninety ticks before they arrive."

One of the smaller galra holding a vibrant red sword said in the same voice that had first spoken to them, "Red leader to bear cub one. We've made contact with the missing squad, but have drawn too much attention. Is there any route to avoid engaging further hostiles?"

Hunk heard Ryan groan beside him and knew they were thinking the same thing. There was something weird going on. The combination of foreign words mixed with their own language did not reassure them. Hunk kept his eye on James and Iverson. The general leaned heavily on their leader with his jaw clamped shut. The other rifle bearer moved to relieve James, but he shirked away.

Someone replied on com, "Negative, 'Red Leader'."

"Fuck."

"Language, kit," scolded one of the tallest armored galra. 'Red Leader' ducked his head and the other continued, "Houston, we will go dark for fifteen vargas and then contact Rebel Base One once we are confirmed clear of any tails. Please inform the Admiral."

"Bear cub copies, Command. Do you have a destination in mind?"

"I know a place," 'Red Leader' spoke up. "Completely off the grid."

Another galra turned to him and nodded, "There are already some counter measures in place."

'Command' looked toward the woman and ''Red Leader'' and the galra started moving as one. 'Command' said, "We're leaving," for the cadets' benefit.

Hunk allowed himself to be shepherded along, still uneasy, but willing to acquiesce for the moment. It helped having his teammates close at his side. When James and Iverson limped to them, Ina moved to the general's other side as Iverson hissed, "Damn knee."

Hunk also noticed that 'Red Leader' stuck closer to the cadets than the other galra. Though at least one of them always kept an eye on 'Red Leader' and Hunk's team. They moved with barely a sound, swords out. Who were these aliens that they preferred to use close combat over distance weapons?

They'd crossed maybe three hundred yards when 'Command' held up a fist and 'Red Leader' whispered, "Get down."

Hunk and the others grabbed what cover they could and 'Red Leader' sidled silently through them to find a vantage point. Hunk peeked over the low wall, but the other galra had vanished like smoke. A hand on his shoulder made him jump.

'Red Leader' said close to his ear, "There's a camouflaged ship two hundred meters ahead past that building with the crescent hole in the roof. The others have fanned out and will handle the imperial patrol that arrived twenty ticks ago. I'll watch your flank. Don't stop for anything."

"Who the hell are you," James growled.

The galra leveled his gaze on James completely unfazed by his hostility and answered, "There's no time. Move, cadets."

Hunk grit his teeth and reached for Nadia's other arm. He lifted both around his neck and she clasped her arms with a small nod against his shoulder. Then he reached beneath her knees and picked her up piggyback style. "Two hundred meters, one o'clock. I'm on point. Stay right on my six." And then he started sprinting.

He hated running almost as much as the strange goo they'd been forced to eat for the first eight months of captivity. There was nothing pleasant about the way his weight jarred his legs with every step or the sharp pain in his lungs from every panted breath. Carrying an extra hundred and eighty pounds plus equipment only exacerbated him further. He hated this, but there was no other option.

He heard the others on his heels and kept his eye ahead. Somewhere at his peripheral left, he saw a galra raise their weapon. A dark flash darted past followed by a short guttural scream. More attacks in the distance drove Hunk onward. Get to the ship. Get to the ship to reach safety so you can go home. Go home to Katie. That was his goal. That was why he ran.

They were twenty feet from the house when a voice commanded, "Halt!"

Hunk heard someone curse behind him. Fear made him keep going, sliding around the corner as shots hit the building. Brick shards exploded past him and he slipped, falling to one knee. Hunk turned back, looking to see where the assailant came from. A familiar galra soldier used a hand to hurdle a concrete barrier and charged toward him and the rest of his team hidden across the street.

Their escort shot up from where he stood over a fallen enemy soldier, his attention snapping to the galra. He sprinted, low and fast, and his sword changed. The blade shortened, splitting in half with a burst of light until the hooded galra duel wielded red pistols. He fired both at the soldier, clipping his shoulder and forcing him to roll and dive for cover.

Hunk looked from their escort to James and motioned them to cross the street. James nodded and put a hand on Ina's shoulder. She sprinted with her pistol out and crouched beside Hunk, aiming back in case the soldier decided to shoot at them. Then James hoisted Iverson over his shoulders and ran as fast and evenly as he could. Hunk jerked his head toward their ship and Ina followed the two of them. Hunk waited for Ryan.

Ryan glanced around the wall and a blast hit the edge. He flinched, falling back into cover. Hunk heard footsteps slowly crunch closer and stole a glance, palming the knife strapped to his calf. If that galra came within range, he'd slit their throat before they hurt his friends.

The footsteps slowed five feet from the corner where Hunk hid. He heard the gun prime and whine. Seconds passed. Come on, bastard. Move.

"Tretok, stop!"

Hunk struggled not to gasp as Ryan jumped from cover, empty hands slightly up and out from his body. Blood dripped from a cut on his right cheek where shrapnel struck him. Hunk mouthed at him, "Get down!"

Ryan glanced sideways at him and back to Tretok, still walking forward. Hunk glanced around the wall and saw Tretok hesitate, moving the barrel to aim away from Ryan. Tretok tilted his head, confusion and betrayal in his eyes. "What are you doing here, Kincaid?"

Ryan took another step and licked his lips. "Lower your weapon, Tretok. We don't want to hurt one another."

Tretok took a step back, his hands gripping the rifle tighter. "Are you-"

Whatever he was going to say ended when 'Red Leader' jumped out of cover a few feet from Tretok and punched three times. The rifle fell out of Tretok's hands and 'Red Leader' used a foot to kick it away. Then he knocked out Tretok's knee and used an elbow to strike him where his neck met his shoulder. Tretok fell to the ground and lay still.

Breathing hard, 'Red Leader' said harshly, "I told you to keep moving, cadets."

Hunk stood and glared at their rescuer, biting back a remark. He saw Ryan stare at Tretok unconscious or dead on the ground. Kincaid looked from Tretok to 'Red Leader', and jogged toward Hunk. 'Red Leader' looked around to make sure they were clear and then he caught up, running at Hunk's side leisurely.

The others had already reached the ship and their galran rescuers guided Hunk onboard. He breathed a sigh of relief. One of the tall galra stayed outside with 'Red Leader'. Hunk set Nadia on the floor against the wall and looked outside. Weren't they coming with?

He felt the ship move. There was something disconcerting about it. He'd been in ships. He'd piloted ships. The way this thing moved... defied all of his previous experience as a pilot. The door to the outside started to close, but before it did, 'Red Leader' looked up and part of the ship bent around toward him.

Within seconds, the ship started moving. Hunk sat beside Nadia and covered her hand on his knee. They were finally out of their stalemate. They were safe. Though he had no idea what was going to happen now. James sat close and the rest of the team followed suit. They watched the galra who had saved them with confusion and more than a touch of distrust.

"Redtail to Red Leader, over." A new man's voice spoke on the coms.

"Red Leader copies, Redtail."

"Are you really going there?"

"Can you clarify, Redtail?

"You know what I mean," 'Redtail's' voice dropped in concern. "I don't want you to go alone. Over."

"I won't be alone, Redtail," 'Red Leader' replied. "I'm going to be fine, alright? We made the decision together."

'Redtail' made a noise, still clearly worried. Hunk shared a look with his team to see if they all heard what he did. Then someone new said, "This is still an open channel, kits."

'Redtail' cursed and 'Red Leader' chuckled. The com blipped again and one of the galra muttered, "Every time."

The rest of the galra relaxed, seemingly put at ease by 'Redtail's' intimacy with 'Red Leader'. Hunk tipped his head back and took a deep breath. Safe... for now.

Ina assessed the situation while her team sat in disarray. Nadia had been incapacitated somehow. Hunk kept her close, tucked into his side, though he didn't look ready for a fight if their circumstances deteriorated. Ryan seemed shaken with his head on his knees. That galra with the red sword had stared at him for a few seconds longer than the rest of them. Something must have happened, but she didn't dare ask until they were alone.

James kept twitching every time the galra moved across the space they were confined in. His training was the source. Training to keep him alive that contradicted what had happened to them. Ina scooted closer to him and took both of his hands so he was forced to look at her.

Their eyes met and she gave a small smile. James furrowed his brow and took a shaky breath. Ina bit her lip and nodded. He finally stopped fighting his emotions and exhaled in a gust. He fell forward and she caught him against her shoulder. She lightly ran her hand through his hair while he collected himself.

Iverson, good eye scrunched up in pain, reached out and patted James on the back. "You did great, kid. I just wish this old injury hadn't held us back."

James shuddered and muttered into Ina's collarbone, "Thanks, sir."

"Is anyone hurt?"

Ina jumped along with the rest of her team, Iverson sucking in a pained breath through his teeth. James pushed off of her and scrubbed his eyes with the heel of a palm. "Wh-" he cleared his throat and tried again, "What's the catch?"

Two galra knelt nearby with an unmarked box and a woman said, "No catch. We just want to help. Admiral Sanda was very worried when we offered assistance."

Iverson asked suspiciously, "You spoke with her?"

The woman opened the box and opened the wings to reveal first aid supplies. She shook her head and answered, "We were busy in Houston at the time. Our ship orbiting Pluto contacted us after being briefed by your admiral."

"Pluto?" James repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," the woman confirmed. "Now, is anyone not injured? Maybe that would get us somewhere faster."

"Injured?"

Ina looked at Hunk as he finally noticed someone was talking. His eyes were soft and shining and he shifted upright, holding Nadia tight to his side. The galra who hadn't spoken motioned the woman toward them with a tilt of his head. She walked on her knees over to them and asked, "What's wrong?"

Hunk whined in the back of his throat, suddenly hesitant. He looked to James and back to the woman before answering, "She didn't do what we were told when you jacked into our channel."

The woman made a sympathetic noise and clicked her tongue behind her teeth. The man noted, "Her pupils are unequal and there's some retinal scarring. The sclera is also slightly bloodshot. Can you tip your chin up, child?"

Nadia didn't respond apart from shrinking further against Hunk, aware of someone approaching, but unable to see. Hunk rubbed her arm and said, "I don't think she can hear anything."

The male galra reached out and snapped his fingers a few inches from her ear. No response. The woman gasped and asked, "This isn't like-"

"No. This was caused by the grenade, but her senses will return naturally with time."

The woman sighed in relief and reached out a hand to gently rub Nadia's forearm. Nadia flinched and pulled away, but the woman caught her hand. Ina watched closely as the woman turned Nadia's hand over and moved her own hand against it. Nadia stopped resisting, head tilted in confusion.

Ina bit her lip and noticed James staring hard as well. She reached for his hand and duplicated the galra's hand motion. He jerked and looked at her incredulously. "Friends?" he mouthed.

Ina nodded and tipped her chin back to Nadia to watch what the galra were doing. The woman rested her fingertips beneath Nadia's chin to tip her face into the light. The man mumbled to the woman and then she reached into the box. Shuffling items aside, she found what she was looking for and passed it to the man.

Nadia tried to breathe easy as she stared blankly at the ceiling. Tears welled and spilled from the corners down her temples. The woman tsked again and reached out to gently rub the tears away. "I'll keep her calm."

"I only need a few ticks."

Ina's chest tightened as they suddenly turned urgent. The woman slid until she knelt beside Nadia and lifted her other hand to gently cradle Nadia's head. The man inverted the vial in his hand several times and then removed the lid revealing a dropper filled with a slightly shimmering liquid. Before Ina could question their actions, the man lifted his hand and dropped the liquid into Nadia's left eye.

She flinched and he quickly repeated the procedure for the other. When she tried to rub her face, the woman grabbed her wrists with firm gentle pressure and mumbled, "I'm sorry, but you have to let the medicine work."

Ina squeezed James's hand and watched Nadia blink rapidly. The man said, "That should be long enough."

The woman let go and Nadia looked down. Ina saw her focus and look around the room. She let out a startled shout and pressed into Hunk's side. The woman waved a hand and said, "We're not enemies," at the same time she signed 'friends' again. Nadia grit her teeth and the woman kept signing, "Your hearing and vision were hurt. We healed what we could. You will hear again in a few hours."

Nadia looked to Hunk and then James. James nodded, shaky, but encouraging enough to make Nadia stop reaching for a weapon. Hunk wrapped her in his arm again and leaned his forehead into her shoulder.

"You, kit, you're bleeding."

Ina looked again at the man as he approached Ryan. When Ryan lifted his head off his knees, dried blood flaked from both. He rubbed at his cheek and said, "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," the man denied. He sighed when Ryan jerked away from him and said, "I only want to heal you, child. May I touch you?"

"If you're asking, then no. I'd really rather you didn't."

The man rubbed between his eyes with a frustrated shake of his head. He sighed in exasperation and insisted, "Are you sure?"

"Completely," Ryan answered and folded his arms adamantly.

The man gently shook his head and looked around the room. "You," he said to Ina, "are you trained in wound care, little one?"

Ina blinked at the strange moniker. She was easily one of the taller members of her team. Several seconds passed before she remembered he was waiting for her answer and she replied, "We're all capable of field dressing injuries."

The galra man nodded and reached into his medical box. Taking several items, he set them on the ground and pointed as he described them. "Use this to wash the debris from the cut. Make sure it's cleaned thoroughly and dry. Less blood will give the bonding agent more contact to seal the wound. If you are unsure if the wound is clean enough, speak to me and I will examine it as much as the kit will allow."

Ina took the items and nodded. "Affirmative."

The man sighed again and moved on to his next patient. Ina knelt beside Ryan and dabbed at the cut on his cheek while watching the man kneel by Iverson. "Can you describe what ails you?"

Iverson smirked crookedly. "Oh this?" he patted his bad knee, "just a souvenir from the line of duty. Nothing more to be done, unfortunately."

The galra tilted his head in consideration. "Perhaps... but our diagnostic equipment is all aboard the castle." Ryan met Ina's eyes silently repeating a word. Castle? Who were these people? The galra reached into the box and pulled out a hinged contraption. "For now, all I can offer is support."

Iverson stretched his leg and bit back a groan. "Alright. Do your worst."

The galra chuckled and lined up the knee brace. "Very well."

The two galra worked and Ina returned her attention to Ryan's cut. When she dabbed at the cut with the clean bandage material, he winced and she echoed the motion. "Sorry."

Ryan murmured, "It's fine."

It really wasn't, but she didn't say so. Instead, she finished washing the cut and reached for the final ointment. She held it up and Ryan tipped his head away for her. She looked the cut over. It seemed clean... right?

"Let me see, little one."

Ina jumped and Ryan grabbed her hand. She shifted aside enough to let the galra see. He still respected Ryan's wishes though and didn't touch him. Ina asked, "Is it good enough?"

The galra replied with admiration, "You've done very well. Now then, take the spray and hold it about a hands width from the target and depress the top. Three ticks should be sufficient."

Ina squeezed Ryan's hand and followed the galra's instructions, but before she sprayed it, she said, "I don't know how long a 'tick' is."

The woman said, "I'll count for you." Ina finally sprayed the cut and watched as Ryan's skin seemed to knit itself back together. He reached up to scratch with his free hand, but the woman said, "Wait a moment. Two... Three. There. All done."

The ship shifted and the galra all took notice. The galra who'd been treating them said, "I'll stay with the kits and the general."

"I'll confirm our status and inform you when we're prepared." 'Command' strode toward the door and called, "Mama Bear, Papa Bear, we might need you two."

"Roger," a man said. The woman who'd helped treat them stood as well and joined the man to trot from the ship. The rest of the galra filed from the ship into a somewhat shaded area. Ina caught the musty smell of old hay and a few rays of sunlight through a dirty window before the ship door closed again.

She heard the galra ask, "Is anyone else hurt?" Ina turned and blinked blankly at him and his gaze moved on. He closed up his supplies and stood. "I know you are all confused and skeptical, but I ask for your patience. Everything will be explained at the appropriate time."

He crossed the hold and secured the med-kit in place. Then he hesitantly reached for a compartment. "General, if you would allow, I have strong anti-inflammatory agents I can administer. They would significantly reduce any discomfort for the next sixty vargas."

"How long is that?"

"Three days," 'Red Leader' said on com.

Ina saw the others flinch. The galra chastised ,"It is rude to eavesdrop, kit."

'Red Leader' groaned and shot back, "So earlier when I overheard about Zarkon's son it's 'well done', but if I'm worried about the safety of my passengers, I get scolded?"

"Watch your tone, kit. You know better."

'Red Leader' groaned louder and reluctantly muttered, "Fine. Red Leader out."

The medic sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry about his attitude. He's under a lot of pressure for one his age."

"Is he a capable pilot?" James asked doubtfully.

Ina saw the others realize what he had and the ship seemed to vibrate in response. The medic chuckled and rummaged through the compartment. "Of course, but he has just entered his third decade. There is still much he has to learn... just like yourselves."

James folded his arms and hunched his shoulders. "You know nothing about us."

"Perhaps," the medic said as he started drawing up the contents of a small vial, "but I would like to remedy that. General, may I?"

Iverson groaned and moved to stand while trying not to bend his bad knee. James instantly stood and grabbed Iverson's arm to help him stand, then hovered next to him clearly questioning whether the general was seriously considering taking up the offer. Iverson braced himself with a hand on James's shoulder and nodded to the medic. "Yeah. Otherwise I'm going to be useless if things get hairy. How do we do this?"

The medic approached Iverson. "The injection should go in the largest muscle near the injury. Your upper leg will suffice."

"Want me to drop my britches here?" Iverson asked incredulously, but in a way that said he knew it would upset the cadets more than him to do so.

The medic laughed and said, "Ah, no. That isn't necessary. We wouldn't want to mortify your students." Ryan groaned queasily and Iverson winked at him.

The door of the hangar opened again and someone called in, "The area has been secured."

The medic reached to inject his syringe into Iverson and said, "Go ahead, kits. We'll be along in a few moments."

James hesitated, but Iverson jerked his head toward the door. "Go on, kid. I'm alright."

Ina checked that her pistol was where she left it on her hip and fell in at James's shoulder. The galra who welcomed them out had disappeared. Time to see what they'd stepped into.

Ryan resisted the urge to scratch his cheek again and hopped from the ship. He turned in a circle, eyeing their surroundings to get an idea what might come there way. They were inside of a barn. The middle of the loft lay open, creating an almost catwalk to the lower barn. Farm implements and rusted equipment were placed along the walls. Some had fallen to the floor.

He completed his circle and looked up frozen in place. "Um... guys? Does the ship look like..."

"A lion?"

Ryan followed the man's voice to the front of the ship where he sat with one bent leg and the other hanging off the 'shoulder' of the ship. The others tensed up behind him. Ryan folded his arms and asked, "You're the pilot?"

The galra hugged a knee to his chest and tilted his head. "Yes. I fly with Red."

"Red?" Hunk asked.

The galra tilted his head the other way. He looked beside him and ran a hand over the metal. "Wanna show them?"

Ryan heard a low rumble and saw strange movement near the barn door. He took a step back from the unknown threat. The galra pilot braced as the entire ship turned and settled on it's chest. Ryan's jaw dropped as glowing yellow eyes gazed down at him and his team.

The pilot chuckled and slid off the lion's shoulder, down her front leg, and to the ground. The lion nudged him with her jaw, knocking him off balance. He shot her an indignant look and she lifted her chin smugly. The pilot shoved her in response and she humored him by moving as if he could do so.

Ina stepped closer to the ship and asked, "What... what is that?"

The pilot turned and leaned back on his elbows against the living ship. "This is Red. She's part of the strongest weapon the universe has ever seen and I owe her my life."

"A weapon? Like Voltron?"

The pilot gasped and stepped forward taking a defensive stance between them and the lion. "What do you know about Voltron?"

Hunk startled and took a step back. He held out his hands. "Whoa, easy."

Ryan raised a questioning eyebrow at Hunk. "You've heard of this thing?" He asked hooking a thumb toward the galra pilot and his ship.

Hunk flinched. "I... I mean... Pidge and I were working on a theory and... and the galra keep whispering about a threat... and..."

"Hey," the pilot had somehow snuck closer and held out his own hand, "easy, big guy. There's no threat to you and your friends." Hunk seemed to shudder and relax when the pilot touched his arm. "Your theory?"

Hunk froze up. The pilot tilted his head again in that disarming way, but it didn't help bring Hunk out of his own mind. Ryan stepped in and grabbed the pilot's forearm. The pilot immediately released Hunk's arm and turned to Ryan, his gentle nature hidden behind his mask. If he had truly meant it. So when the pilot stepped closer, Ryan struggled to hold his ground.

"Why did that soldier know your name, cadet?"

Ryan let go and clenched his hand at his side. "That's none of your business, galra."

The pilot stood chest to chest with him and whispered, "I saw the way he looked at you." Ryan clenched his teeth and shoved the pilot's chest as hard as he could. The pilot didn't come at him again, but said, "Any information you withhold threatens our mission and countless lives. If that soldier tells his superiors that he saw you in the desert-"

"He wouldn't."

"Perhaps not by choice. The galra are ruthless. You do not want to know what they do to those who betray the empire." The pilot finally looked away from Ryan, his anger holding them all in place. "If you've put him in danger without his knowledge..." The pilot trailed off to silence suddenly distracted.

"What? Are you threatening us after-"

"Shh!" The pilot turned with a fluid grace, his attention focused elsewhere.

Ryan straightened up. "Did you just shush-"

"Quiet!" The pilot waved a hand and looked at the ship. "Where is it, Red?"

The lion stood and turned within the small space. The pilot ran and ducked under her stomach. He hopped onto her front foot and she stretched up to rest her paws on the edge of the loft. The pilot leapt to the second story and ran to the wall. Ryan made eye contact with James and they both ran toward a ladder. Climbing as fast as they could, James reached the loft first and took off to the pilot. Ryan followed and slid to a stop at his shoulder.

"No, shh, shh. It's... it's gonna... it's gonna be alright, little one."

Ryan peered over James's shoulder at the soft voice of the pilot. From the way he spoke, he half expected a kid to be hiding in the loft, but all that lay in the rotten remains of a burlap bag was the bloodied body of a near dead calico cat. James winced and muttered, "Looks like a coyote got it."

The cat struggled to move and the pilot gently ran a hand over its head and shoulders. The plaintive sound of a bell rang out and Ryan noticed the cat wore a collar. A pet. So far out here, wherever they were? Just another symbol of how much they'd lost.

"Shh, shh, easy beautiful. Let- Let me-" The most pitiful meow came from the animal and the pilot echoed the whimper. "I know it hurts. I know... oh god..."

Long black hair fell from the hood. Half had been braided loosely, providing a curtain. The pilot reached up to his face and took a shaky breath followed by suppressed sniffles. "I'm sorry, little one. I'm sorry you had to suffer alone this long."

The pilot leaned forward and pressed his face to the shoulder of the cat. When he sat back, his weapon materialized in his hand with a pulse of light. Instead of the pistols or sword from before, all he held was a short hunting knife. He gripped the hilt uneasily, preparing himself for the task ahead.

Ryan tried to step around James and hissed, "What's he doing?"

James wrapped an arm across Ryan's chest and shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. Let him end its pain."

Hearing James, the pilot moved in one quick motion. The moment passed. When he removed the knife, the cat's last fight had ended. He wiped the blade on the burlap and then carefully wrapped the dead cat in it. Water drops fell onto the grim object and Ryan looked away. Why would someone so seemingly hostile cry over a dead cat he didn't even know? He stepped away to let the galra express his emotions in peace. James had said that medic knew nothing about them, but the inverse couldn't be more true as well.

A low rumble filled the barn and Ryan heard the pilot whisper, "I know, Red. It was the only choice, but-" The pilot's head snapped up and he gasped. His braid whipped around as he turned and stumbled a short distance. He ducked under the ship's chin and knelt beside a pile of half busted wooden crates to sort through the tetanus den. Looking inside, he froze for a second before hesitantly reaching in.

"Shh," he whispered again followed by the sound of angry hissing and spitting. The pilot chuckled under his breath, still shaky from his previous act of mercy. "I'm not going to hurt you, little guy. I just want to- ouch!" The pilot flinched, but didn't withdraw his hand. "Now now, don't be like that. Just a little further... There!"

Ryan watched as the pilot leaned back, lifting a small calico kitten from where it'd been hiding in its mother's nest. It wriggled against the hold the pilot had around it's middle, legs and tail flailing wildly. The pilot quickly sat cross legged and switched how he held the feral kitten. It's claws sank into his gloves before it began gnawing on his thumb. A low rumbling growl threatened the one who held it.

The pilot let the kitten chew for a moment until it realized how useless its actions were. It finally stopped, still growling and tail lashing behind it, but the pilot gently ran his fingers over its head. "See? I'm not so terrible. Your momma took very good care of you. You're so nice and chubby. Such a cutie. How old are you?"

The lion rumbled, startling the kitten again. The pilot pushed his hair back into his hood and stood. He cradled the kitten close to his chest, making sure it couldn't jump away. When he turned to James and Ryan, his mask was back on. James stepped toward the pilot and reached out a finger to rub the kitten's forehead. It growled and swiped at the offending finger.

James pulled back with a small smile. "There you go, kitty. Such a spitfire."

The pilot barked a laugh, the first open burst of humor from him. He gently squished the kitten and said, "That sounds about right." He cleared his throat and went back to where the burlap bag rested. Looking from the kitten to the bag, he silently debated before James knelt beside him.

"I'll carry it."

The pilot looked at James with surprise and said, "Thank you."

James gathered up the burlap reverently in his arms. "I've buried pets myself. I know an animal lover when I see them."

The pilot went back to the lion and stepped back onto her foot where she still rested against the loft. "Stand by me and Red will help you down."

James hesitated and stepped off of the loft. Ryan wasn't sure what he'd expected, but nothing happened and he exhaled his held breath. James looked back and asked, "You coming?"

Ryan folded his arms. "I'll take the ladder."

The lion's yellow gaze passed bemusedly over him as she lowered her two passengers to the barn floor. Ryan shook his head. By the time he stepped off of the ladder, Hunk had retrieved a rusted shovel and started digging in the corner of the dirt floor. Ryan joined his friends and the pilot to see Hunk shove the shovel into the dirt and rest a foot on it.

James knelt by the two foot hole and lowered his burden. The pilot knelt on one knee beside him and boldly let go of the kitten to clasp his shoulder. He said again, "Thank you."

James offered a smile and covered the hand on his shoulder with a firm nod. There was motion beneath Red and the medic and Iverson emerged. The pilot stood fluidly and stepped away from the cadets as Iverson limped up with a questioning look at them. Ryan took a few casual steps, placing himself between the galra and his team, and listened in.

"What do you have, kit?"

"Red heard a heartbeat and we tracked it to this kitten. It's mother..."

The medic glanced toward the hole Hunk filled and replied somberly. "I see. This creature... it will need care, a lot of it. Are you sure?"

"It doesn't have anyone else," the pilot replied with determination. "I'm not abandoning it in the desert."

The medic laughed under his breath and reached out to rest a hand on the pilot's head. "I know, little one. But your actions will have consequences."

The pilot's shoulders lifted from the medic's acceptance before he seemed to stall in place and cursed. "Allura's going to kill me."

The medic laughed out loud and pulled the pilot close in a one armed hug. He put his face against the pilot's hood and whispered even lower. Ryan strained to hear him say, "I always knew you belonged to the tribe, but you prove it in unexpected ways. Your mother did the same thing shortly after we met."

The pilot swelled in the medic's arms until the kitten protested too much. Then a trapdoor opened where half the barn floor was wood. A galra popped up and said, "We've secured the property. Follow me to the house."

The pilot moved first, eagerly going to the door and dropping below. Ryan rejoined his friends as they turned to see, trying to ignore the stare the medic gave him. Iverson leaned on Ina and said, "Well, let's not keep our hosts waiting."

So glad I got to humanize these strange aliens. The cadets don't know the half of it! I'm so happy with the developments. Can I get a review?