Hello,
I do not own Voltron, I'm just having a little fun at their expense.
RedLion, you are once again proving to be a helpful and thoughtful reviewer. Thank you.
I really do appreciate all the reviews.
Enjoy!
Failte
***********************************
Darcy waited until the Lions were in the air before giving the pilots the command to take off. They were still just under eight hours away from Arus. When they were safely in flight, Allura and Romelle tucked Cady and Erik into bed one more time. It had been a long night for the two little ones. They were both tired and cranky. If all went well they would be able to stay in bed for at least a couple of hours of undisturbed sleep.
Darcy pulled out her communicator and contacted Castle Control.
"How are things looking, Koran?" She asked.
"We still have a strong signal coming from Keith. The Lions are closing in quickly."
"Any idea where they're headed yet?"
"It appears they are headed in the direction of the Darleria Galaxy. Doom used to have a strong following there, but most of the planets have become independent with governments and monarchs of their own. We figure there are two possible planets that they might go to," Koran consulted the papers in his hands. "Either Livior or Kulien."
Darcy thought for a moment, absorbing everything he just told her. "Didn't Allura agree to an alliance with a few planets out there?"
"Yes, about two years ago."
"Would they be able to help?"
"None of the planets out there have strong militaries, but they could offer our men a place to stay if necessary."
Darcy nodded, "Thank you, Koran, please let me know if you hear anything else."
"I will, Sergeant. How're Allura and Cady?"
"They're alright. Allura just went to tuck Cady into bed, we've had to get Erik and Cady up a couple of times to strap them in for landing and takeoff. I'm hoping everyone can get a couple of hours of sleep now." Darcy told him.
"Sounds good, Sergeant. We'll see you in a few hours."
Darcy snapped the communicator shut. Sven was sitting on the other side of the cabin, watching her.
"Ve still have a vays to go, vhy don't you get some rest." He suggested.
"I'm fine, Sven, really. I'm more restless than tired right now."
He nodded, "I understand. It'll be a little easier vhen ve get to Castle Control and you can actually see vhat is going on in de fight."
Darcy nodded, "I just hate sitting here, twiddling my thumbs when I want to be out there, helping to get Keith back."
Sven gave her a humorless smile, "I know exactly how you feel."
*************************
Keith lay motionless on the hard floor, trying to stay awake and take evaluation of his injuries. He knew he had at least two broken ribs, maybe one more. It was a good possibility that he had a concussion and he wasn't totally sure if he had just twisted his right ankle or if it was sprained.
Slowly pushing himself up, he rested his back against the wall. He sat still for a moment as the intense pain filled his chest and he found it difficult to breathe. Wrapping his left arm across his torso, he sat up.
The two guards had carried him into this small room when Landor tired of him. The walls and floor were a hard concrete. The only light came through the small window in the door. There was no furniture, it was like being in a seven foot by seven foot concrete box.
A shadow fell over the floor. Keith looked up and saw the silhouette of a person looking through the small window. He put his head down, hoping to fool them into thinking he was sleeping.
The door opened. A wide swath of light cut into the room. Keith heard a gruff voice, "Get in there and do what Landor told you to do and then get out. Don't go wastin' no time."
Someone shuffled in and the door slammed shut. Looking through half closed eyes, Keith saw a small person walk slowly into the room, a torch in one hand and a tray in the other. Setting the torch in a bracket on the wall, this person approached Keith and kneeled beside him. Keith grabbed the person's wrist as they tried to touch him.
She gasped.
He looked up and saw a young, beautiful girl watching him with huge, terrified eyes. She was painfully thin, with pale green skin, large black eyes, and long, thick black hair.
"Who are you?" He whispered.
"I-I'm to tend your wounds. His Eminence wants you in good shape." Her voice was low and shook slightly.
"You're a slave," Keith whispered, more to himself than to her.
She set the tray on the floor and uncovered it, revealing bandages and antiseptic wipes.
"What's your name?" He asked.
Ignoring his question, she took out a wipe and began to clean the cut on his cheek.
"You don't have to fear me, I can help you." Keith kept his voice low.
Continuing to ignore him, she began undoing his shirt. Keith winced as she exposed his bruised and battered chest.
"You had best lie down," she told him. "It'll be easier."
Sliding to the floor, Keith watched as she gently cleaned his cuts and did the best she could to help him. There was something about her. He couldn't shake the familiarity he felt looking at her.
When she finished cleaning his wounds, she stood and crossed the floor. The guard opened the door when she knocked and she bent to pick up another tray. The guard shut the door behind her. Walking to him, she set the tray beside Keith. It held a plate with what looked like a sandwich of some kind and a glass of water. Two small white pills lay beside the plate.
"They're pain pills," she whispered. "And the food is not drugged. Lotor said he wants you healthy, so it's safe." She gathered up the bandages and her supplies and piled them back on the tray.
"Do you know Rankin?" Keith asked in a low whisper.
Her head whipped up and she stared at him with shock.
"You're his sister, aren't you?"
She continued to stare at him.
"You can tell me, I'm friends with Rankin and Paget." He assured her.
"He's alive?" She whispered.
Keith nodded, "He's alive and well. He and Paget are married and living on Pollux."
Tears filled the girl's eyes. Looking away, she quickly finished gathering her things.
"I can help you. What's your name?"
Before she could answer, the guard pounded on the door. "Come on! Get movin'!"
She looked over her shoulder and then back to Keith. In a rushed whisper she told him, "I don't think he knows I'm alive. My name is Renata."
"I will help you, Renata, I promise."
She gave him a weak smile, "Rankin always said 'Don't make promises you can't keep.'" With that she turned and left, taking the torch with her.
*************************
"Koran," Lance was flying Black, following the coordinates Koran was sending them. "It looks like they are continuing to the Darleria Galaxy. I want you to send a med ship, as soon as we find where they are landing with Keith, I want the med ship sent to the closest friendly planet, just in case."
Koran nodded, "Yes, Lieutenant. I will send them out right away."
"Have you heard from Darcy or Allura?"
"Sergeant Barlow has been calling in regularly. They're about four hours out. So far all is going well with them."
"Koran, will you do me a favor?" Lance asked.
"Of course."
"If Darcy tries to get into a ship and follow us, duct tape her to a chair."
Hunk snorted. Pidge laughed. Koran smiled.
"I'll do what I can, Lieutenant, but I am getting on in years and she is in better shape than me."
"How's Allura doing?" Hunk asked.
"Sergeant Barlow said she's resting. I'm sure she'll be here pacing Castle Control soon and I may have to duct tape her to a chair as well." Koran responded.
"Are they still moving, Koran?" Pidge asked.
The older
man studied the screen that showed the progress of Keith's homing device. "They appear to have slowed down, but they're
still in transit. They have entered the Daleria Galaxy, but they have yet to stop."
**********************************
Darcy laid in her bed on the ship. She had given up on sleep a while ago, she just didn't know what else to do with herself. Sven and Romelle had retired to their room and Allura was locked in her room with Cady.
Rolling onto her side, Darcy held up her left hand and studied the ring on her third finger. She fought the urge to call Lance on his communicator. You have to stop this, she told herself. You knew when you got involved with him that he's a soldier and you knew when you accepted his proposal. You know what's in him that makes him want to fight, it's in you as well.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Quickly crossing to the door, she found Allura and Cady on the other side.
"Allura? Is everything alright?"
The young queen smiled weakly, her eyes were red. "Yeah, we were just feeling edgy. I was hoping you could use a little company."
"Actually, I could." Darcy stepped back and allowed them in.
Allura sat on the bed and set Cady beside her. The little girl chewed on the ear of the teddy bear Allura had brought with her.
Darcy sat on the bed across from Allura and folded her legs under her. "How're you holding up?"
"I'm okay. To be honest, I'm terrified and nervous, but if anyone can get Keith out its Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Dante, and Caleb."
"He's a strong man, he'll be fine."
Allura stroked Cady's hair, "I know, but if one more person says that to me, I'm going to scream."
"Landor is young and foolish, that will be his downfall."
"I hope you're right," Allura sighed. "So, are you guys getting married on Arus?"
Darcy smiled, "Subtle segue. Yeah, we both consider it home now. It's where we met and with helping to rebuild, it's like we have a more personal stake in Arus."
Allura smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. We'll fly in both families and friends for
you."
"That's very generous of you,
thank you."
"We're more than happy to help out. If you guys wanted to get married on Terra we would fly the entire gang there. Anyone willing to marry Lance should have the wedding of her dreams." Allura teased.
"We were thinking of an outdoor wedding, maybe the meadow behind the castle?"
"That would be lovely. We could do lanterns along the tree line. Do you want live music or a DJ?"
Darcy laughed, "You've put more thought into this than I have."
"I've needed something else to think about or else I'd lose my mind with worry."
"Allura, would you be my Matron of Honor?"
Allura looked at her shocked, "Are you sure you don't want Becca to be your Maid of Honor?"
"Well, I've given it a lot of thought and I figured it would be easier to have you help me with my wedding and stand with me as my Matron of Honor. There is so much time and distance between Becca and I, it would get too complicated. I'm going to ask her to be a bridesmaid, though."
Allura took Darcy's hand and squeezed it, "I would be honored to, Darcy. Thank you."
"Good, then we can get down to some serious wedding planning," Darcy said.
********************************
"They appear to have landed on Livior," Koran told Lance. "The med ship will land on Hillor, it's roughly 950 miles due east of Livior. They have a small military and have proven to be a loyal friend."
Lance
nodded, "Sounds good, Koran, thank you. ETA, Pidge."
"Um," the young man
punched a few numbers into his console.
"Fifteen minutes, give or take five."
"Have you heard from the others, Koran?"
"They will be landing shortly. They entered Arusian airspace five minutes ago."
"When we get ten minutes from Livior, we will be closing our connection with you. We will contact you when we leave or in case of emergency, we don't want to chance them intercepting any communications."
Koran nodded, "Understood, Lieutenant."
*********************************
Keith was lying on the floor, vaguely aware that they were no longer moving. He had found that if he lay perfectly still and controlled his breathing, he could bear the pain. He listened intently, waiting for any clue as to what was in store for him while he allowed his mind to wander. If he did have a concussion, he needed to stay awake, so he allowed himself to think of Allura and Cady. Were they home yet? In the darkness of the small room, he had lost all track of time. He would have to find out from Renata where he could find her so when the others arrived they could help her escape.
The small transmitter was tucked inside his boot. Keith knew they were following him, hopefully to Doom. With no windows, he couldn't tell where they were headed, although he did remember the ship turning due west.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door flew open. Landor stood in the doorway. He had removed his cape and stood with his legs apart and his hands on his hips.
"How're you feeling, Captain?" Landor asked.
"Just fine," Keith muttered.
"Well, then, on your feet." Landor stepped into the room, flanked by to guards.
Keith stayed where he was, watching the brash young man.
Not one to be ignored, Landor kicked Keith as hard as he could in the knee. Keith flinched feeling the pain radiate through his leg.
"On your feet!" Landor repeated, louder this time.
Taking their cue, the two guards leaned down and hauled him to his feet. Keith sucked in a breath as the pain shot through his chest. He could put no weight on his right leg.
"Aw, poor little Captain, are you in pain?" Landor asked with a laugh.
"No." Keith responded through gritted teeth.
"Look at you, trying to put up a brave front."
"You're a coward Landor. Why don't you release these goons and take me on man to man?" Keith challenged.
"Because," Landor said. "I have nothing to prove to you." With that, he brought his fist up and shattered Keith nose.
Stars danced before his eyes and Keith felt the thick, warm blood run down over his lips, down his chin, and drip to the floor. He sank heavily into the grip of the two guards.
Landor clapped his hands like a child, "Oh, this is fun!"
Sucking in air between his teeth, Keith lifted his head and watched as Landor wiped at the blood that had splattered on his sleeve.
"Get some rest," Landor told him with a smile. "Lotor has something exciting planned."
The guards slid their hands from under his arms and he fell, hard, onto the floor.
"When you finish here," he heard Landor saying. "Come to my quarters, it looks like my clothes will need to be cleaned."
There was the flickering of the torch, the light footfalls. Without lifting his head, Keith knew Renata entered the room.
She lowered herself to the floor beside him. As gently as she could, Renata placed her hands on his shoulder and arm and rolled him onto his back. He gasped with pain as she gasped with horror.
Using a damp cloth, she began to wash the blood from his face. Keith flinched when she came in contact with his nose.
"I'm sorry, they didn't…they didn't give me anything to set your nose," she whispered, her voice shaking.
He didn't answer, his eyes closed. The pain was everywhere, his chest, his knee, his head, his ankle, and now his nose. He knew she was trying to be gentle, but anywhere she touched burned with pain.
"I snuck extra pain pills out for you, please take them, they might help." When he didn't answer, she lowered her ear to his chest. "Please don't be dead." She whispered.
"I'm not dead," Keith muttered through partially opened lips.
Renata gently brushed the hair back from his face, "I didn't know who you were. Rankin talked of Voltron. I-I thought it was just fairytales."
"It's real." Keith slowly opened his eyes and looked up at her wide, tear-filled eyes.
"You really know Rankin?" She asked.
"Yes."
"He is well?"
"Yes."
She closed her eyes and said a quiet prayer of thanks. "I didn't know. Lotor said he had killed Rankin and I know he killed Risin."
"Do you know where we are?" Keith asked.
"No. I know it's not Doom, but I don't know where."
"Listen to me, Renata, my men are coming. Don't ask me how, just believe me. They are going to try and get me out of here, I want to take you with us. Where can we find you?"
"I'll find you," she told him.
"But…"
"Shh, stop talking." With quick hands, she put small pieces of gauze in his nose. Lifting his head slightly, she brought water to his mouth. "Will you take the pain pills?"
"I need my mind to be sharp."
"How can it be sharp when you are in so much pain?"
Keith thought a moment, knowing she was right. He could think of nothing at the moment but the pain.
Renata brought the pills and water to his mouth.
"I don't know how much they will help. I will leave a few more for you if you need them."
The door flew open.
"That's enough," the guard declared. "Landor wants you in his room. Now!"
She gently laid Keith's head on the floor and placed two pills in his hand, closing his fingers around them. Without saying a word, she gathered up her supplies and left, her head down.
