Family Reuinon

Chapter I: The Ties That Bind

by Lady Khayman

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Romelle sighed. Lance entered the Lion's palace with both arms slung around Hunk and Keith's necks limping.
"I can't believe this! I saw that attack from a kilometer away! Why couldn't I maneuver the lion fast enough?!" He grunted and collapsed into a chair. Nanny raced in from the kitchen with an ice pack in hand and ready to scream another tirade.
"Look," Keith huffed, "it's not your fault! Anybody could've made that mistake. The point is you're alive!"
"You have a severe knee injury," Pidge said matter-of-factly running a portable scanner over the Red Lion pilot's knee. "According to the readings this is going to require some surgery. I'll get Coran and we'll prep the infirmary." The fourteen-year-old youth sprinted for the security tower where he knew Coran would be in the late afternoon.
"14 and ready to take the Hypocritic Oath." Lance sighed.
"That's Hyppocratic Lance," Allura said softly. The slightest hint of a smile on her face. His smile matched hers and they locked eyes, but in the corner of Lance's brown eye he saw his captain glaring at him. 'Geez man! If you want her for God's sake, say it! I'm no competition!' Coran was as usual keeping his post by the controls as he scanned for any Doom presence over the countryside in the huge viewing screen. A beeping noise filled the room and Coran looked over to his left to see something being printed up on the computer screen.
"Ah, another message." Coran wheeled himself over with the swivel chair and read the screen.
'FR: ATLANTIS MILITARY ACADEMY, EARTH
TO: CASTLE OF LIONS, ARUS

LT. TRINA KOGANE ARRIVAL DATE ALTERED. CURRENTLY IS ON TRANSPORT TO ARUS, WILL BE ARRIVING TOMORROW.' Coran sighed somewhat relaxed. "At least Keith's sister wasn't here to see the chaos today." An out of breath Pidge flounced into the security tower's control room.
"Coran! Coran! Lance is injured and he needs immediate surgery."
"No suprise with Commander Masterson." Coran glanced at the screen once more before deleting the message and shutting down the computer. "Let's hurry to the infirmary Ensign." As the raced down the corridors of the palace Coran was left wondering why Keith hardly mentioned Trina.

* * * *

"Are you sure you want to go to the Castle of Lions?" The driver of the ground transport asked.
"I'm sure." Said the raven-haired young woman.
"Okay. But her royal highness' servants are stingy about visitors. Always askin' if they got appointments."
"Don't worry about me, If I can handle sparring with a Tiderian ogre I can handle some hoity-toity princess." The transport pulled out from the curb and sped off from the spaceport. Trina brushed her endless black ponytail with her fingers and admired the beauty of Arus' countryside when they were well beyond the city limits. 'This is cute, but seeing it through the eyes of the Black Lion must be better.' She leaned against the worn leather seat and dozed off.
"C'MON ALLURA! KICK HIGHER!" Sven barked as the fighters along with Princess Romelle had judo practice in the fields that were overlooked by the palace.
"I'M TRYING SVEN!" Allura panted. She took off the jacket of her pink jumpsuit to reveal a pink highcollared, sleeveless blouse. Tossing the damp garment aside she kicked Sven narrowly missing his jaw with the tip of her white boot. Romelle, Pidge, and Hunk went through Tai Chi Chuan excersises, Keith practiced with a bo, and Lance vigouously punched and kicked a punching bag.
"How's the knee good buddy?" Keith asked Lance who was still beating the bag. Several jabs and high kicks later Lance stopped to wipe the sweat off his upper lip and spat on the pristine green grass.
"Never better." Lance took a swig from the water bottle Keith handed him.
"Take five, man." Lance nodded and stripped off his black tank top, leaving him clad only in a pair of jeans and sat on the ground. He looked up at the twin sunset and wondered what Lotor was doing at that moment, but it just made him seethe. The ground transport halted in front of the towering gates that preceeded the palace by three to five miles. Trina inhaled deeply and emerged from the vehicle.
"You want me to stay, kid?"
"Sure." Trina knew that would cost extra on the meter. She walked to the shiny silver pillar and spotted an intercom, Trina pressed the button and spoke into the speaker. "I would like to speak to Coran, please."
"Identify yourself," an impatient female voice repiled.
"Coran will verify my identification as he is expecting me."
"See here young lady, all visitors to the Royal Arusian Palace identify their person at the gates. We live in a dangerous time you know!"
"Madame I assure you, I mean no harm. Now will you kindly let me speak to Coran." Trina's voice sharpened with frustration.
"Don't take that tone with me Missy! If I had my way at this moment I'd toss you into the-"
"Nanny," a man's voice interrupted. "It's all right. I can handle this. I'm sorry for ANY inconvenience Miss. I am Coran and I would advise you to step back as I am opening the gates."
"Many thanks Sir." Trina beamed and ran back to her transport. She paid the driver in full with the waiting bonus and took her white duffelbag from the backseat. The gates opened up and Trina ran onto the grounds. She met Coran half way.
"I trust you had a safe journey Trina."
"I did Sir." Trina said snapping to attention.
"No need for formalities, call me Coran."
"Is my brother expecting me?"
"I have followed your instructions and haven't told him."
"Good! I like suprising him, and I can't wait to meet the team. Is it possible for me to see him now?" Coran glanced at his watch.
"They should be though with their excersises now. You'll find them near the gardens." Trina grinned at him and ran off. Coran studied her racing figure and comapred this woman to the little raven-haired schoolgirl in picture that Keith once showed him. 'All girls blossom into womanhood.' Coran mused. 'She's no exception but one can only wonder how her older brother will take it.' With the exception of Lance, the Voltron fighters ceased their combative actions and sat down on the grass.
"Today was good," Sven announced. "But God only knows what Zarcon and his bastard are planning so we can only strive to be better."
"Onii-chan!" Trina's shout was faint, and Keith turned in the direction her shout was coming from but looked back to Sven unsure of himself.
"I've been conferring with Coran and Pidge over the last few weeks about modifying the lions with twin ion lazer cannons. It'll pack a hell of a lot more punch but you have to learn how to manipulate those things to blow the target away and not blow yourself up."
"And if anyone cares to know," Lance piped up before attacking the bag again, "Sven was referring to me." All but Keith ignored the cocky Red Lion pilot.
"AKIRA-NIICHAN!!!" Trina's cry was distant but loud enough to be heard by all.
"'Akira'?" Pidge said looking to the team leader who stood up.
"Ryooko? Imouto?!" Keith began to walk east, where the feminine yells were coming from. Running now he saw the sillouette-shrouded figure of a young woman stop dead in her tracks. Violet eyes dancing, ponytail blowing in the breeze it was her. "TRINA!" Keith shouted joyously and ran to his sister.
"KEITH!" The surviving members of the Kogane family collided into one another in a warm embrace. Muffled sobs filled the air and the team came running to the couple. Coran walked down from the terrace wearing a gentle smile, it warmed his heart to see Keith smiling for the first time in weeks.
"What is all the ruckus?" Nanny barked, she picked up her light grey petticoats and scampered beside Coran. "Is that the young lady who-"
"It's okay Nanny," Keith said disengaging his arms from the shorter woman. "You probably seen the picture I keep of my sister on my mantle, but this is her in person."
"Lieutenant first-class Trina Ryooko Kogane of the Atlantis Academy." She stood at attention and saluted.
Sven looked at the goddess standing before him. "This is Trina?" He looked her up and down. "Are you sure Keith?" His photographic memory recalled the portrait. Large glasses balanced on her nose, the girl was several inches shorter with her black hair cut to the shoulders and in a blue skirt jumper of a private school uniform. The woman before them dressed in knee-high white boots, white leather jacket, a wide silver belt complete with a blaster tucked in the holster in a tight purple jumpsuit. He found himself gawking at her. Romelle wasn't thrilled and turned away from her reluctant suitor.
"Trina," Keith finally broke the silence, "I thought you'd be on Uncle Royden's farm marking your territory by now."
"That is so like you Big Brother. Always shipping me away like some first-class packaging!"
"Well I wouln't say first-class...." Trina's jaw dropped in horror.
"Keith!" Allura said trying to supress a giggle.
"Okay, okay. I was only kidding about that. But I am being rude. Trina this is-"
"Wait! I love guessing games Big Brother." She walked over to Coran and Nanny. "I want to thank Coran for helping me arrange my suprise visit first and foremost."
"You knew about this?" Keith asked not a bit suprised.
"I was the first one she contacted. You know what my attitudes about family are, Captain."
"And I've met Nanny a few minutes ago..."
"Hmph!" The middle-aged housekeeper grunted. "Do they teach young ladies any manners at that academy of yours?"
"She's everything you said she is Akira-niichan." Trina turned to Sven and Romelle's direction. "You are Princess Romelle of Pollux, powerful ally and friend to the Arusian kingdom."
"That's right." Romelle said stunned. A light blush formed over her cheeks as she held out her hand to shake Trina's.
"Ambassador Sven Van Detten, former Blue Lion pilot and second in command."
"Very good." Trina grinned and turned to the rotund lieutenant dressed in sweat-stained white tank top and tan jogging pants.
"You are Lieutanant Henry Fuller, nick-named 'Hunk'. Favourite food is Nanny's steak and kidney pie, would wrestle a man for the last pork chop."
"Damn right girl!" He guffawed. "Matter of fact, I'm starvin' now HAHAHA!" Hunk looked at everyone and blushed. "'Scuse me." Trina tried her best to stifle a chuckle and looked down at Pidge who's green eyes were shining, cheeks and heart aflame. From the moment the plucky Ensign saw Trina, he wanted nothing but for lighning to strike twice. Pidge fell head over heels in his first crush. Romelle and Allura knew this instinctly and smiled brightly.
"Now you," Trina said playfully wagging a finger, "you are the young man my brother calls 'The leader or the next generation of Voltron fighters. Graduated from the Galactic Alliance Academy at the age of 10, I.Q. 238- the handsome young Ensign Peter 'Pidge' Daniels."
"H-hello m-miss!" Pidge squeaked, voice cracking. The crowd burst out laughing. Trina laughed too and knew that his heart was filling up fast. Trina took a deep breath and knew shad had to face her sometime.
"Your majesty, I know you only from my brother's letters. He speaks highly and much of you." Keith went to interrupt, but his stubborn younger sister raised a hand to silence him. Someone had to say it to Allura. "I can only say this Princess Allura, trust my brother's heart." A heady silence hovered over them. Allura's eyes misted and she blushed deeply.
"T-thank you. Please, you must be tired and hungry. Come inside." Allura said and motioned to the group to get inside. Keith shook his head at Trina but she just grinned wickedly. As they walked around the loggia and into Castle Control Trina couldn't help but feel a void in this family of sorts. Someone was missing.... but who? Shrugging it off Trina followed the excited group, she'd find out later on. As they settled into the front parlour now freshened up and enjoying tea and pastries after supper they talked about what the Atlantis academy's programs were and if the rivalry still lived on between them and the Galactic Academy.
"I'll say this, the reason why I chose to attend Atlantis was to break the Kurogane tradition of immedately attending GA."
"Trina if anything is hard-headed." Keith commented. "Been that way since she was still playing dress-up."
"Oh be quiet Onii-chan! Don't you have any updating on the main computer to do?"
"So what's your major Ryooko?" Pidge asked. "You don't mind if I call you Ryooko?"
"No, Pidge." She smiled softly. The Green Lion's pilot felt his lower appendages turn to liquid.
"I pretty much major in all fields. Engineering, combat, triage, and all of the usual boring classes."
"So you're interested in a career in the military?" Romelle asked over her tea cup.
"Yes. In fact that's why I came. I don't wish to sound forward Princess-"
"You can call me Allura."
"Allura. I want to be trained in piloting one of the lions." Keith's face drained of all colour and the fighters exchanged worried looks.
"Ryooko," Keith began, "if you hadn't heard we're in one of the worst confrontations with the Drules."
"I know Akira-niichan. That's why I think I'd be a good alternate pilot for the Black Lion. Look I know all the specs and ramifications of the machines. I'm a damn good pilot in the crafts back on Earth, you know that! I'm just as fast as you are and I have the Kurogane drive, you've got to train me." Trina was bold, Keith would give her that.
"Trina," he began firmly, "you have to consider the dangers. We risk our asses every time Lotor or Haggard try and pull a stunt on this world, and the battles are getting uglier and uglier."
"Listen Keith, you can't be my big brother forever. If anything were to happen to you, who would fly the Black Lion? I think of our family's name and honour more than you would like to think." Trina got up and returned the antique China cup to the tea tray. "At least think about training me. You know once I start something-"
"-You'll finish it." Keith finished his sister's sentence.
"I think it's a good idea if Miss Kogane were to retire to her chambers now." Nanny said.
"Um... yeah sure. 'Night all."
"Good night Imouto," Keith said planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Good night Trina." Allura shook her hand. Pidge just blushed and waved to the older girl and Hunk pulled him into his thick arms for a few noogies. Sven bowed to her and let his gaze linger before he saw Romelle glowering at him.
"This way Miss," Nanny commanded. Trina followed silently and they disappeared down a hallway. Keith took his sister's seat beside Coran and lolled his head back on the leather sofa.
"What do you think I should do?" Keith asked with genuine concern in his onyx stare.
"Whatever your heart tells you." Allura said.
"That's what I'm afraid of."

* * * *

Two A.M. Trina had to see it up close. Wearing nothing but a purple knee length T-shirt she wore to bed and slippers she ventured out onto the castle grounds and ran about the darkness until she stopped in a pool of silver light. Tears stung her violet eyes, and Trina felt goosebumps crawl up the back of her neck. God it was majestic! The Black Lion sat upon its pillar standing prouudly standing watch just outside the moat of the Castle of Lions. She placed a shivering hand on the silver steel pillar and rest her cheek on it. "Soon my love... my one true love. But until then, take care of my brother. Place your will upon his heart as you do mine." Reaching beneath the rounded cotton collar of her shirt, she pulled out a necklace. On a lengthy thread of gold hung a onyx-coloured crystal pendant that was the insignia of Voltron, matching the one on the lion's breast. Trina ceremoniously kissed it before letting it drop between her breasts once again. Stealing out of the lion's presence like a common thief she ran back to the palace gardens and sat on the terrace. Resting her head against a marble baulstrade she watched the silver moon float across the stars, then decided she should return to bed. The terrace was dimly lit by the flooding moonlight and it was difficult to see in front of her. Trina felt something brush up against the toe of her slipper- it felt like material. Squinting she picked up the small mass of cloth and held it up.
A rank odour emanated from it, the Trina held it at an exaggerated distance from her. "I know this isn't Keith's. He's not this sloppy!" She said aloud, almost sure no one heard her. Almost. Trina felt a pair of accusing eyes on her slender back, and she suddenly felt naked. The watcher was now the watched. She saw only his silouette, the full moon framed his lean, muscular form resting against the column. Arms folded over the chest. He wore nothing but a pair of jeans and his untamed dark brown hair rustled in the warm breeze. Trina stood facing him holding the tank top. Shivering, Trina decided to play truth or dare and walked up to him. Games? Let's play, he thought and made his way over to her. They met half way in the moonlight, and Trina choked. Could she trust herself? Of course she could! Who was this guy anyway? Putting up a front, Trina glared at him. He saw right through her. Easy prey.
"It's not-" Trina began and was cut off when he grabbed her slim shoulders. Pressing forward, she felt his hot breath on her face and neck.
"You have something that belongs to me," he said huskily and ripped the shirt from her hands. Then walked away. A look of stone etched on his face. Trina's heart was up to her throat and she felt the blood pounding in her ears. Her face had coloured darkly and she knew it wasn't completely out of anger. She balled her fists and held them at her sides as he was drinking in his last look of her, before making his way back to his bedchamber.
'Nice. Long hair, blazing eyes, good breasts- not quite perky, but not TOO big. Very nice.' He smiled chauvanistically and sauntered off.
"So we finally meet Commander Masterson." Trina said behind clenched teeth.


FIN