Hello,

All relative disclaimers apply.  Thank you all for your kind reviews, they are both appreciated and helpful.  I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

So without further ado…

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            It was a short, simple ceremony held in the small chapel on castle grounds.  Romelle stood with Paget and Rainger stood with Rankin.  The rest of the Force, along with Allura and Sven, who cradled his young son in his arms, took up the first pew.  Nanny, Koran, and a handful of their closest friends from the freed slaves took up a couple of other rows.  In all, the ceremony lasted just twenty minutes.  The picnic was set to begin at noon, giving them just over an hour to get to the meadow behind the castle.

            Keith and Allura arrived at the picnic first so that Allura could introduce Rankin and Paget to the crowd.  Nanny had out done herself with an elaborate meal of chicken and steak, various trimmings, and a huge, ornate cake with five tiers.  A string quartet played for over an hour by a section of land set aside as a dance floor.  They were then replaced by a DJ who played music from all over the galaxy.

            Keith returned to Castle Control half a dozen times to check on the guards.  There had been nothing to report.  Everything was clear.

            Romelle, Sven, Keith, Allura, Lance, and Darcy found themselves sitting under a tree and watching the party around them.  Paget and Rankin made their way around, greeting and talking to the guests.  Romelle watched as her old friend smiled and laughed with a young woman.  She was glowing, absolutely glowing.

            "Vhat are you tinking?"  Sven whispered to her.

            She turned and smiled.  He was sitting cross legged, with his back against a tree, holding their son in his arms.  "I was just thinking about how happy Paget looks."

            "It was a lovely ceremony."  Allura said, leaning against Keith.

            Lance stood, "Anyone want a drink?"

            "Yeah, please."  Darcy said.

            "No alcohol."  Keith added.

            "C'mon, Cap, it's a party."

            "You're on duty, Lieutenant."

            Lance walked toward the refreshments, muttering under his breath.

            "I tought he said dis morning dat he vas never going to drink again."  Sven said.

            Keith snorted.

            Darcy looked at them, "What happened last night?"
            "What makes you think anything happened?"  Keith asked, innocently.

            "Well, the first hint came when he stumbled into my room this morning, painfully hungover."
            Keith laughed, "He was looking for sympathy, wasn't he?"
            "I'm surprised he could even valk dis morning."  Sven added.

            "What happened?"  Allura asked.

            Keith and Sven exchanged looks.

            "Well, it's like this," Keith began.  "Rankin's race has very high tolerance for alcohol.  Essentially, he could drink five kegs and not feel a thing."

            "Lance didn't know dat, so vhen Rankin said he could drink him under de table, Lance took de challenge."

            "Lance has developed a rather high tolerance for alcohol over the years and has been able to drink many an opponent under the table."

            "But Paget said Rankin doesn't drink."  Romelle interrupted.

            "No, he doesn't.  He said he doesn't really like the taste and since it has no effect on him, he just doesn't bother with it."  Keith explained.

            "Have you told Lance yet?"  Darcy asked.

            Sven shook his head, "No.  Ve tought it vould be more fun dis vay."

            "We didn't get a chance to," Keith added.  "He passed out on the floor of the rec room."

            "Are you talking about last night?"  Lance asked as he handed Darcy a soda.

            "Yeah, we're getting the dirt on your behavior."  Darcy told him as he sat back down beside her.

            "My behavior?  Did Keith tell you about waking me up this morning by kicking me?" 

            Keith shrugged, "It wasn't a kick, it was a love tap."

            "A love tap?"  Lance raised his eyebrows.  "A love tap doesn't leave a bruise in the shape of a size eleven boot."

            "I wear twelves."  Keith held his foot out.

            "I vear elevens."  Sven said.

            "You both kicked me?"

            "What did you girls do last night?"  Keith asked.

            Allura brought a finger to her lips, as though she was thinking.  "Let's see.  We talked about married life, gave Paget a present, and learned that Darcy has a very low tolerance for alcohol."

            Lance grinned at her, "Is that so?"

            "What can I say?"  Darcy asked him. "I'm not the lush you are."

            "We'll build up your tolerance."

            "Watch it," Allura warned.  "She has a tendency to walk into doorways when she's been drinking."

            "Is that all?"  Romelle asked.  "Paget fell twice on her way to her room."

            "How come you weren't hungover this morning?"  Lance inquired.

            "I only had two and a half glasses of wine.  I wasn't really drunk, just tipsy."

            Allura stood and arched her back, working out the kinks from sitting so long.  She held her hand out to Keith, "I want to dance."

            "That sounds like a good idea," Lance stood and hauled Darcy to her feet.

            Darcy brushed off her skirt, "I have to warn you.  I can't really dance."
            "No better time to learn."  He took her hand and swept her out with the others.

            She was amazed at his gracefulness.  "Where did you learn to dance?"

            "We all had to take lessons for Keith and Allura's wedding.  Nanny didn't want us out on the dance floor 'lurching around like Neanderthals', as she put it."

            "I should look into lessons."  Darcy said.

            "You're as light as a feather and as graceful as a bull."  Lance teased.

            Darcy stomped on his foot, "Keep it up, Collier."

            The music changed to a slow number.  Lance slid his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him.  She laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and allowed him to lead.

            Halfway through the song, Darcy felt him stiffen beneath her.  She raised her head and looked at him.  His gaze scanned the area around them.

            "What is it?"  She asked.

            "I thought I saw something."

            "What?"
            "I don't know, a flash of something."

            Keith and Allura appeared beside them, dancing.

            "Lance," Keith kept his voice low. 

            "Yeah, I saw it Captain."

            "Could you tell what it was?"
            Lance shook his head.

            Out of the corner of her eye, Darcy saw a flash, like someone running quickly along the wooded perimeter of the meadow.  She whipped her head in the direction.

            "I saw it too," Keith said.  "Keep quiet, there are a lot of people here we don't want to start a panic.  It could be one of the guests."

            The song ended and the four of them made their way to the table where Pidge, Caleb, and Dante were seated.

            "Where's Hunk?"  Keith asked.

            "He and Paton are dancing."  Pidge nodded in the direction of the dance floor.

            Keith turned and caught Hunk's eye, waving him over.

            "What is it, Captain?"  Hunk asked.

            "Let's keep this quiet, but we noticed some unusual movement along the tree line.  As inconspicuously as possible, I want to perform a quick scan of the perimeter.  Break up, if you see anything suspicious page everyone on your communicator.  Meet back at this table in ten minutes."

            "Yes sir."  The team replied in unison.

            Ten minutes later they all returned to the table with nothing to report.

            "Well," Keith ran his hand through his hair.  "I guess it was just a guest.  But it's better to be safe than sorry.  Keep your eyes open."

            "I don't know," Lance said.  "I have a feeling something is up."

            "The guards in Castle Control have had nothing to report.  No one has come even close to Arusian airspace.  We're just being jumpy."  Keith replied.

            "Cautious."  Allura corrected.

            "Maybe we should…"  Lance was interrupted when a scream pierced the air.

             Keith and Lance took off toward the scream, followed closely by the others.

            A crowd had gathered around Paget and Rankin.  A guard lay still on the ground, blood pooling under his head.  He was dead.  Lotor stood behind Paget, clutching her against him.  He held her by the chin, forcing her head back and pressing a gun into her cheek.  Rankin stood before them, his hands raised.

            "Lotor!"  Keith pushed through the crowd.

            Lotor sneered at him, "Captain, how nice of you to join us."

            "What do you want?"  Allura asked.

            The freed slaves were cowering before their former master.  The area around them was growing as they moved back.  Keith and the rest of the Force stepped closer.

            "Look at him," Lance whispered to Keith.  "He's totally insane."
            Lotor's eyes were wide and darting around.  His mouth twitched and his hand shook.  Sweat pored down his forehead as he tried to blink it out of his eyes.

            "I have come back to collect my slaves."  Lotor smirked.

            Somewhere a woman screamed and sobs could be heard throughout the crowd.

            "We are no longer slaves."  Rankin said through clenched teeth.

            "Oh, but you are."  Lotor pushed the gun into Paget's cheek, painfully.

            Erik, sensing the tension, began to wail.  Lotor whirled around, still holding Paget.  "Shut that baby up!"

            Sven put himself between his family and the blaster.

            "Oh, it's you."  Lotor's lip curled up, raising his gun toward them.  "My former whore and her worthless husband.  You have a baby?  Do you know who the father is?"

            "Lotor, let her go and put your gun down."  Keith stepped forward.

            "No more games, Captain."  Lotor said, pulling the trigger.  Sven fell to his knees as the laser penetrated his arm.

            Romelle screamed and fell beside him, clutching Erik to her chest.

            "Lotor!"  Keith yelled, pulling his weapon.  With Paget as his shield, there was no clear shot.

            Lotor whirled back around, putting the gun to Paget's head again.

            With his attention diverted, Darcy slowly made her way over to Sven and Romelle.  She knelt beside him.  The laser went clear through, missing the bone.  It wasn't as bad as it had first looked.  Darcy reached over and ripped a piece of material off Romelle's skirt.

            "Listen to me, Romelle," Darcy said under her breath as she tended to Sven's wound.  "Very slowly, while Lotor is distracted, stand up and make your way through the crowd to the castle.  Get Erik inside, where it's safe."

            Romelle shook her head, tears running down her face.

            "Go," Sven said.  "I vill be fine, it is just a flesh vound.  I vant you to take Erik inside."

            "But…"  Romelle began to protest when Sven gripped her hand.

            "Please, go.  Don't make me vorry.  Do it for Erik."

            She nodded and slowly got to her feet.  Lotor was facing Keith and Rankin who stood before him.  Romelle carefully made her way into the crowd and disappeared.

            "Tank you."  Sven whispered to Darcy.

            "Let her go."  Keith said, his blaster aimed at Lotor.

            "No, you won't shoot as long as I have this slave in front of me.  You're too honorable."  Lotor mocked.

            "Let her go," Rankin pleaded.

            "You want her?"  Lotor asked, grinning evilly.  "Beg."

            "Please, Lotor, don't hurt her.  Take me instead.  Please."

            Lotor pressed the gun harder into her cheek, "On your knees."

            Gritting his teeth, Rankin fell to his knees, "Please, let her go."

            Tears ran down Paget's face. "No, Rankin.  Don't give into him.  My life is nothing compared to the freedom of all these people.  Shoot him, Keith, please, shoot him."

            Lotor squeezed her chin tighter and she flinched in pain, "Shut up, whore."

            Rankin's cheek twitched as he clenched his teeth. 

            "You have no way out, Lotor.  Drop your gun and let her go."  Keith said.

            "You won't shoot as long as I have her."

            "You harm her in any way and we will kill you."  Keith warned.

            "You think I'm here alone, Captain?  If any harm is done to me, your wife and the bastard growing inside her will die."

            "This castle is completely surrounded, Lotor, our army will defeat you.  You have no way out."

            "But Captain," Lotor's eyes gleamed with dark humor.  "It is just us, I don't see your army, there is no Voltron.  This is a whole new battleground and I will win."  He pointed his gun at Keith and fired, hitting Keith's hand.

            Keith's weapon fell as he grabbed his hand.  Allura ran to him.  Ripping a piece off her skirt, she quickly wrapped his hand.

            "Get out of here," Keith whispered through gritted teeth.  "Get inside the castle."

            "I'm not leaving, don't argue with me, this is not the time or place." Allura whispered back.

            Hunk and Dante flocked Keith and Allura guarding them from any other danger.

            "Lotor," Lance stepped forward, weapon raised.  "This ends now.  You can either drop your weapon and let her go or you can die."

            Lotor turned his attention to Lance, "Lieutenant.  How nice to see you.  You know, my father taught me a few important things in his time.  The best lesson he ever taught me was that when you want to defeat your enemies, you go after their loved ones.  Notice how the big, strong Rankin cowers before me now as I hold a gun to his beloved's head."

            Lance stood poised, his feet spread and his weapon held in both hands, pointed straight at Lotor.  "That's real deep, Lotor."

            "Notice how your Captain protects Allura so carefully, because her death would be more painful than his own."

            "What's your point?"  Lance asked.

            "Love weakens people.  I know your weakness.  Landor!"

            Lance watched as the boy from the grainy photograph stepped out of the woods near Darcy and Sven.

            Darcy stiffened when she felt the cold, hard metal of a gun press against the back of her head. 

            "See now, Lieutenant, if you try to shoot me, Landor will shoot your girlfriend."  Lotor smiled.

            Without moving her head, Darcy looked up and locked her gaze with Lance's.  I trust you, she mouthed to him.  He gave her a barely perceptible nod.

            As difficult as it was for him to take his eyes off her, Lance returned his gaze to Lotor's.  "No matter who you shoot or threaten, you will die, Lotor.  There is no way you can win."

            "You're willing to put her life on the line, Lieutenant?"

            "You're a coward," Lance spat at him.

            "Excuse me?"  Lotor raised an eyebrow.

            "Only a coward would hide behind two, unarmed women.  Why don't you let them go and we end this, man to man."

            "I am not a coward, I just know how to get what I want.  I hold all the cards in this game."  Lotor sneered and aimed his gun at Lance.

            As they spoke, Pidge had made his way, undetected, around Lotor. Keith caught his eye, very slowly Pidge nodded.  Keith turned his eyes to Sven.  His former second-in-command met his gaze and raised his eyebrows in response.

            Keith cleared his throat loudly.

            Lotor turned his attention to Keith, "You have something to say, Captain?"

            Keith shook his head, "Not really."
            It was all the distraction needed.  Before Darcy knew what was happening, Sven shoved her aside and was on his feet, fighting for the blaster in Landor's hand.  Pidge ran forward, grabbed Lotor's arm, aiming the gun up in the air and tackled him the ground.  Paget fell beneath Lotor, his blaster falling from his hand and landing two feet away. 

            Sven kneed Landor in the groin and pulled the weapon from his hand, turning it on the boy who cowered before him.  Lance ran forward and tried to reach Lotor's gun before he did.  He was too late, Lotor crawled forward and grabbed his blaster. 

            It had all happened in a matter of seconds.

            Two guns fired.  Someone screamed.  Rankin roared with rage and lunged forward.  And then…silence.