"What are you doing in here?"

Keith glanced up and unfolded his arms to take the coffee Allura offered. "I needed to make sure this is flawless. The difference is literally life and death. I can't risk..."

He rubbed at his eyes and she noticed just how tired he looked. "Have you been down here all night?" It was a simple question, but his small jolt made her push, "Did you sleep at all?"

Keith grumbled, "I've lasted longer."

Allura cocked a hip. "That's neither here nor there... but there's nothing to be done now." Turning to the table's holographic schematics, she said, "Everything will be fine, Keefy. You've done all the planning you can. You're thorough, methodical... for such a hothead." She covered a smirk by sipping her coffee, relishing the indignant expression Keith shot her way.

"Please rest, Keith. I hate seeing you like this." She reinforced her words with a hand on his shoulder and added, "We'll find them. I know we will. Have hope. You deserve it when you bring so much to others." He ducked his head, hesitant to meet her gaze, but she saw the depths of his grief and fear when he did. Impulsively, she reached out and embraced him. "Come. Let's get you some sunlight."

Linking arms, she led from the war room to the elevator. Even in the baggy sweatshirt, everyone saluted Keith. It had taken over a month, but it didn't seem to bother him anymore. Being seen. He didn't hide in shadows anymore. Even in the school halls, he no longer avoided crowded areas. Still, she took the back staircase up to the third floor music room.

Kincaid, Veronica, and Ina were in the process of getting ready for sleep after their night shift. They barely reacted as Allura led Keith to a sunny spot along the far wall. While Keith nestled in, Allura cast covert glances at the other three. Veronica and Kincaid were as cold as always, but Ina drew the most curiosity.

Allura sat next to Keith and lightly ran her fingers through his hair while pondering what the next days would bring. If the mission were a success, this small base wouldn't be able to support all of the refugees. People would need to relocate. People like Ina. She only hoped that part had little to no resistance.

"Hey, psst," a familiar voice whispered.Allura blinked awake to see James crouching nearby. She slid away from Keith, disentangling his hold on her thigh. James jerked his head toward the door and silently walked away. She followed, glancing back one last time to make sure Keith remained asleep. Content, Allura stepped into the hall to see the rest of the paladins.

Matt trotted up the stairs. "Admiral's ready."

Lance seemed tense, but Katie and Hunk followed James without complaint. Allura sidled up to Lance and asked, "What's going on?"

"Small change of plans. Sanda wants an escort."

"So sudden? What about tonight?"

Lance only grimaced, eyebrows lowering in frustration. Once underground, Allura noticed a small group of adults waiting with back satchels and weapons. She walked past into the admiral's office.

Sanda glanced up from her screen and folded her hands on the desk. "Good. You're all here."

Allura bit back a reply to mention that they were in fact one short when she noticed Lance stiffen beside her. She suspected he struggled not to cross his arms, though she couldn't see how Katie and Hunk were reacting. She volunteered for the team, "What is this about Admiral?"

Sanda raised an eyebrow toward James and stood. "We will require more medical supplies once we enlarge this base's capacity. An opportunity has arisen and I intend to seize it."

Katie and Hunk shifted, but Allura replied diplomatically, "The next shipment from the castle is due shortly. We don't need risk anything before the paladins' next mission.Sanda's cold eyes met Allura's and her answer was just as frigid. "We cannot depend on your fabricators alone."

Allura managed not to glare, maintaining a neutral expression, though she had understood what the admiral hadn't said. Clearing her throat, she prepared a diplomatic response, but James saved her from speaking.

"We're working toward self sustenance, always have been," he said with that charming smirk. Oblivious as always, just as Keith told her back on Arus.

She returned his smile and offered in a strained voice, "How may we be of service?"

Keith opened his eyes fully awake. The sun was low on the horizon, casting an orange glow into the room near the ceiling. Despite falling asleep before him, Allura was nowhere in sight. Kinkaid and Veronica sat at a children's table speaking in hushed tones. Keith ignored them and quickly changed from his pedestrian clothes into his marmoran armor.

His kitten spun circles around his ankles, rubbing and purring the whole time. Lifting his hood, he crouched and picked her up. The purr increased as Keith scratched behind her ears before pulling out a small quadrupedal outfit from his belt pouch. The kitten let out an excited mmrrrpp and Keith settled down cross-legged with a chuckle.

With practiced ease, the little beast slipped into her adapted marmoran armor. There was no hood, but the head piece allowed the kittens ears to move naturally within their protection. Keith rubbed above her nose between her eyes one last time before activating the mask. She hopped out of his lap and sat at his heel when he stood. She remained as excited and curious as always, but he'd managed to begin training her. When he left the music room, the kitten trotted right alongside him, both silent.

The two of them made their way through the school trying to find Allura or any of the other paladins. Their mission start time grew closer and closer, but they were nowhere to be found. Thoroughly frustrated, he jumped through the elevator doors as they closed. Once in the bunker, he walked straight to the admiral's office.

"Officer Kogane, sir." He gave a firm salute as he entered and took note of Nadia giving some kind of report. Keith waited at attention near the wall patiently waiting for his turn to speak."Coran gave us a tentative schedule of future shipments. We'll have to increase our supply runs to the castle."

Sanda grimaced at the paperwork and muttered, "Very well. Hopefully we'll have men to spare." She then turned her eye to Keith and asked, "What can I do for you, Officer?"

Keith stepped forward and said, "I can't find my team for tonight's mission."

Sanda glanced at Nadia and said, "You're dismissed." Nadia shot Keith a wide-eyed look and blew out her cheeks in solidarity before exiting the office. Sanda stood and came around the side of the desk. "I sent them out. They're with James and a group of seniors raiding a nearby galran facility."

It took all of his self control not to start a shouting match. Clenching his fist in his other hand behind his back, he straightened to his full height and was glad his face remained hidden in shadow. "Ma'am, you know how important tonight is. Why the hell did you send my team without consulting me first?"

She raised a disapproving eyebrow at his tone and pursed her lips. "This is my base, officer. Your position here is at my discretion. If situations change, I get the final say. Am I clear?"

Keith worked his jaw trying to bite back his indignation. In the end, he said, "Fine. But I will not delay my mission until my team returns. I will choose replacement members and leave within the var- hour." With that, he clicked his heels and strode from the room, his kitten keeping pace beside him.

"So, you need replacements?"

Keith paused and allowed himself to smile at Nadia. "I need at least three."

Nadia unfolded her arms and twirled a finger in the air while walking away. "Follow me." Keith bent to scoop up his cat and slipped once again into the elevator. Holding the cat to his chest, he missed Nadia the first time she asked, "Are you really taking the cat?"

Keith kissed the top of the kitten's head and said, "Cretin needs the practice. It's the best way to hone her skills."

Nadia rolled her eyes and snorted, "Whatever you say. I just can't believe she lets you dress her up like that."

Keith followed Nadia toward the staircase. "She's been trained since I first found her. The worst is the static when I take it off. She looks like she licked an outlet."

Nadia laughed and pushed open the door to the third floor music room. "Well, here we are. Fresh recruits." Kincaid and Veronica looked up and Keith nearly walked back out. Maybe it would be better to do the mission solo.

Before he could move, Veronica asked, "What's going on?"

Keith opened his mouth to speak, but Nadia answered first, "Sanda sent Allura and the paladins with James. We're filling in for them now."

Kincaid stood and cocked a hip. "This your rescue op?"

Keith exhaled slowly. "Yes. There's a mining operation within an hour by way of Red. I can explain mission objectives and schematics along the way... if you still want to come."

Kincaid straightened up and reached for his combat gear. "Of course V and I are in."

"Alright. Let's go save some miners!"

Allura crept along what were supposed to be deserted halls wary of discovery. Despite Sanda's information about this hospital being stocked for future use, they were too late. Sentries stalked the building. So far there were no officers. So far.

James paused beside her and asked, "Where are we going?"

Allura watched the others move ahead and whispered, "We need to know why this base was made operational ahead of schedule. Something isn't right here."

"Alright, but I still want to check the pharmacy."

Biting her lip, Allura agreed, "Let's be fast."

Together, they split off from the group, Allura informing her team through the coms. Going through offices and half constructed exam rooms, they darted toward the basement pharmacy. A chest high barrier with broken glass was easily hurdled and they ducked waiting for another sentry patrol to pass.

Allura opened her rucksack and asked, "What are we looking for?"

James copied her and started shoving everything he could reach inside. "Antibiotics. Steroids. I don't know where everything is separated, so just take as much as we can."

When he padded his bag to deafen the clattering of pill bottles ten minutes later, Allura whispered, "Should we check another dispensary?" Whatever he said in reply went unheard as an unnerving energy current sent chills up her spine, heart rate immediately increased. She unclenched her teeth to hiss, "Something's wrong."

In one motion, she shouldered her pack and sprinted to vault the consultation desk. She turned down the hall, sliding and nearly losing her footing. Then a hand caught her arm and her whole body yanked back before James pulled her into a darkened room. Guiding her out of view, he armed his rifle and waited.

Allura covered her mouth to stifle her breathing as a patrol passed. How reckless of her. And yet, her heart would not be stilled. When she dared, she whispered, "We are in great danger here. We must find the others and leave this place."

James glanced at her, uneasiness in his eyes. Then he stood and started down the hall. "Alright. Stay on my six." He tapped his coms and conveyed, "Scout leader to baby bear, meet at emergency rendezvous asap. We are leaving as soon as you arrive."

"Confirmed, scout leader. Red tail out."

James glanced back at that, but said nothing about Lance being the one to reply. It only heightened Allura's senses, reinforcing that something was indeed becoming more dangerous with every passing second. Faster than she thought possible, they had reached their exit. Before James had finished prepping their transport pod for flight, Lance led his half of the team on board.

Allura watched Katie pass her, anger and disgust clear in her expression. Hunk quickly went to her, pale and shaking. Allura met Matt's eyes, fear and worry matched in his gaze. He shook his head, hushing anything she might have asked, and went to his sister.

Lance hadn't moved from where he stood beside the closed hatch when the pod lifted. He clenched a fist, jaw clenched and muscles strained along his neck. Allura approached and put a hand on his arm. "It is terrible, yes?"

He finally looked at her, tears threatening, and pulled her against him in a crushing embrace. Hot tears landed on her neck and he whispered against her hair, "We can't delay, Allura. We never should have come here."

Keith was halfway through planting false data when his com went off. Lance's voice, strained with emotion, said in his ear, "Do not take survivors to the school. Meet us at the castle. There's been a development."

Instead of replying, Keith double tapped the side of his wrist with two fingers, relaying to Lance that his message was received even if they couldn't discuss it now. There was no way of knowing what had happened from so little information, but it couldn't be about an imminent attack or Lance would have been more rushed and angered. He still seemed angry though... and hurt.

He didn't allow himself to dwell any longer on the topic though, already considering alternatives to the initial plan. Keith finished his task and moved on to the next. They had less than an hour to evacuate the site before another ship landed to take it's cargo shipment to space.

Keith darted in and out of dark shafts. The sentries loomed, cold and inactive thanks to Pidge's coding. Cretin clung to his shoulder, head peeking over for anything Keith might miss. This was her first active mission and a chance for Keith to see if she lived up to his training. If she could prove as useful as he suspected. All had gone according to plan.

Keith planted his last device and said over coms, "Bombs are set. ETA five minutes. How's evac?"

Vanessa responded, "We're taking the last cell block out now. We'll be ready for you."

"Affirmative. Relay to Coran and confirm redirected flight path. Destination is now the castle. Red leader out."

He hoped Vanessa would comply without issue. If she had any doubts, she didn't voice them and it seemed like they'd be able to make their exit clean. Then Cretin dug in her claws and alerted with a small feline chirp from her perch.

Keith quickly found cover and ducked down, letting his suit's active camouflage hide his presence. Cretin dropped to the ground beside him, her stomach touching the ground as she focused on something she could hear down the path. Keith slowly exhaled and closed his eyes, focusing on the cat's pulse until they were in sync. Then he gave the release command and she darted down the hall.

Keith had lost sight of her, but he'd trained for this. Antok had shown that like a witch's familiar, animals that formed a strong bond with someone sensitive to quintessence could practically share senses. Which is why he wasn't surprised when he heard a voice from further down the tunnel system. He jerked back to himself and quickly followed Cretin's footsteps until he saw her perched high on a ledge, eyes focused only on her prey below. Keith followed her gaze and felt his blood run cold.

A chill ran down Lotor's spine. Despite having found absolutely no one in what should have been an active mine, he couldn't fight the feeling that he was being watched. Yet again, he glanced over his shoulder to no avail. Doing his best to shrug off his concerns, he pulled up the hologram map his scanner had made.

"Now where is everyone hiding?"

His footsteps echoed oddly down the stone corridors. Maybe it was due to being planet side for so long after spending deca pheobs in space. Was that echo natural? He looked back yet again. It had to be his imagination.

"Alright, your highness. Don't get spooked at the first little things."

If he were honest, he spoke to himself to try to fill the void. Instead, all his muttering did was increase his anxiety. He turned to leave, resolving to investigate this particular situation's curiosities a different time, when a strange blinking light caught his attention.

"What are you-"

A hard blow from behind knocked him forward into the wall. Surprise and sudden pain sparking across his face allowed for a follow-up attack before Lotor managed to turn and block a third kick. He faced his attacker, blinking back tears from the first attack's results.

His attacker wore armor like the one who had attacked his facility, though their physiology was slightly different. That was the only thing Lotor could see before he had to resume dodging attacks while trying to get a solid blow in of his own. Then a ferocious screech came from above and something landed on his face. Sharp protrusions dug into his neck and shoulder.

Before he could throw off his small assailant, the first attacker palmed a small handheld device. A cloud of gas quickly filled the space around them and Lotor felt himself slowing down. His vision blurred and his attackers closed in on him, grappling his body as he fell, consciousness quickly leaving. Then all faded to black.

A low pulsing energy emanated out of the darkness. Red. The color red surrounded him. Not bloody or disturbing. In fact, he had never felt more safe and secure in his entire life. Something pressed toward him in this void. He couldn't see it, only feel it. Warm. It touched him with such warmth. Then, as quickly as it came, everything receded.

The first thing he noticed as he came to was a rumble, felt more than heard. It originated from a small form that gave off heat in his lap. He blinked awake and looked down to see the source, a creature that also pressed its paws into his leg repeatedly one after the other. Glancing around the dim area, Lotor immediately noticed his arms were restrained leaving him immobilized where he sat against the wall. Low light was emitted past a seated figure a short distance away.

Mechanical rumbles joined the organic rhythm of the creature in his lap and the person in the pilot's seat said, "Don't worry about Cretin. She's very intuitive and sensed your uneasiness while you were out."

Lotor noticed small squares of some kind of absorbent material on the side of his neck and asked, "So what now? You tended my injuries, yet you could have left me where we met. Is this some kind of political gamble?"

The man at the controls glanced over his shoulder at Lotor, face hidden behind his mask, and answered, "You weren't the target. If I had left you there, it would only cast your father's suspicions on this colony."

"And why would my 'father' ever care about what happened to me," Lotor shot back bitterly. "Kidnapping me will do nothing for you."

"This isn't a kidnapping." The man shrugged. "Your involvement is the last thing I want right now."

A startled noise escaped Lotor and he scoffed, "You are an assassin. How could you not want me dead?"

"You do not know anything about me, your majesty. If I wanted you dead, I'd have left you in that mine."

"What does that mean?" Lotor sneered.

The assassin only responded, "You'll find out soon enough. I'm taking you to a neutral zone outside of galran activity where you can contact your ship for pickup."

Lotor mused such cryptic words. The creature in his lap continued its ministrations. A short time passed before he asked, "What are your intentions here?"

"Hmm?"

"It's just, I don't see what an assassin could gain from infiltrating that location." Lotor shifted as much as he could to face the pilot, startling the animal in his lap. It gave a short noise of disgruntlement and hopped out of his lap to pace to the pilot. He watched in curiosity as the creature reached up with one paw and batted at the pilot with a plaintive mew.

Without hesitation, the pilot turned and reached down to pick up the creature. Before it had settled itself, that same vibration started up again. So that was a happy sound? As much as it resembled Kova, his cat had never made such noises.

"What do you hope to gain by asking me such questions?"

That caught Lotor off guard. He didn't think he was that transparent. He started again, "That site had no intel about-"

"So you think I was there because I could use it's information to attack the empire?"

"What's with all the questions as answers to questions?" Lotor shot back.

There was a smile in the pilot's voice when he said, "This isn't an interrogation, your majesty. If you really need to ask such things, then you are no closer to the truth than when you first arrived on this planet."

"And here I thought we were friends," Lotor quipped, gently alluding to his cuffed wrists by shaking his hands.

The pilot did give a short laugh then before coughing and returning to look at his control panel. "You are a scientist, curious to a fault. I shouldn't have expected small talk for this journey."

Despite their situation, Lotor had to fight himself not to relax. He found himself a prisoner however short this assassin claimed it to be. Still, the pilot had brought it up and now he felt compelled to ask, "Who taught you how to bypass the security system at my facility? I've never seen such fast work. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed."

"Buttering me up now?" Before Lotor could point out that was another question, he went on, "I had no part in attacking your base, though my daiyak taught me such things. I have many to thank for my skills. After all, the tribe isn't bound by blood alone."

The ship's momentum slowed to a standstill and Lotor raised an eyebrow. What kind of vessel could perform such maneuvers? The pilot stood and helped his animal find its perch on his shoulder before facing Lotor. "Don't make this difficult. I don't want to have to gas you again."

"Please, by all means," Lotor replied with his most charming smile. As tempting as starting another fight sounded, his curiosity kept getting the better of him. How had this stranger gotten such a strong impression of his nature? And why answer his questions at all? Everything about this person only made Lotor want to search for every answer.

So he complied with the pilot while he uncuffed Lotor's hands and took hold of his arm to help him stand. Such a small kindness seemed out of place and Lotor had to catch himself before asking another question. The pilot then guided him down a ramp and toward a slowly widening exterior hatch.

Lotor blinked at the brightness of the stars. The atmosphere was so clear here. A full moon shone down upon the dusty plateau. In fact, apart from the distant mountains, the only defining feature were the stars.

"And, pardon another question, how am I supposed to contact my ship from here?"

The pilot released his hold and crossed his arms with a scoff and what sounded like an eyeroll. "There's a transponder in your pocket. Though, before I go, I have to give you a warning. It goes against your nature, but don't keep digging into our affairs. The best thing you can do for yourself is leave this planet and forget we ever met."

"Ah, and I was just starting to enjoy your company."

"At least we had that. This is goodbye, Lotor. I don't want to have to do this again." With that, he turned and hopped back into his ship.

Lotor felt his jaw drop when he finally looked up. "Holy-" He covered his mouth, unable to say more as the red lion of Voltron slowly stood to her full height, golden eyes piercing his entire being, and loped off back into the desert.