Lance listened as Koran gave him the coordinates of Keith's homing device.  It had remained in the same spot for ten minutes.  The team was about ten minutes away from Livior and preparing to land.

            "Thank you, Koran, we will be severing our connection with you momentarily.  We'll still have our communicators turned on if you need to contact any of us."  Lance said.

            "Understood, Lieutenant.  Good luck, men."

            "Thank you.  Any word from the transport ship?"

            "They're landing now," Koran told him.  "Everyone seems fine."

            "Alright, thank you Koran.  We'll be in touch."  Lance flipped the switch that closed the connection to Castle Control and looked at the images of the four other Lion pilots.  "You guys ready for this?"

            "Aye, Lance."  Hunk responded.

            "Let's go get Keith!"  Pidge declared.

            "Kick some Doom ass!"  Dante announced.

            "Bring it on!"  Caleb added.

            Lance smiled, "Alright, let's get this done.  I have a fiancée to get home to."

            "You just love saying that, don't you?"  Hunk asked.

            Lance's smile grew a bit wider, "Yeah I do."
            "I found a place to land, Lance," Pidge said.  "It's a clearing near where Keith's transmitting."

            "Can we be sure Keith still has the transmitter on him?"  Caleb asked.

            "It's all we have to go on," Lance told him.

***************************

            It was very late when the transport ship touched down on Arus.  Everyone's internal clock was turned upside down, they didn't know if they were tired or not.  Even Cady and Erik seemed to be undecided on how they were feeling. 

            Allura was the first one off the ship.  She cradled Cady to her shoulder and hurried down the gangplank, with Darcy at her heels. 

            "Any word?"  Allura asked as she entered Castle Control.

            "We just closed the connection.  They should be landing on Livior as we speak."  Koran explained.

            She crossed over to stand beside him, "Where is he transmitting from?"

            Koran pointed to the small, blinking white dot, "He's been in the same spot for about fifteen minutes now."

            She watched as five dots, one gray, one red, one blue, one yellow, and one green, approached, slowed, and stopped, not far from where Keith was.  "They've landed."

            "They're less than a mile from Keith."  Darcy stood at her elbow, with Sven and Romelle behind them. 

            "Vhat is Livior like?"  Sven asked.  "Is it densely populated?"

            Koran shook his head, "No, it is the smallest planet on the Daleria Galaxy and was populated mostly by retired Doom soldiers."

            "Are you serious?"  Darcy asked.

            He sighed, "Unfortunately, yes.  But there aren't many people still living there.  Livior was once thought to be uninhabitable, over the years, many of the people moved on to other planets."

            "How dangerous is this?"  Allura asked.

            "I honestly don't know, your highness."

            "What if we were to…" Darcy began.

            "I was given specific instructions to duct tape you to a chair if you tried to follow them," Koran interrupted.  "Both of you."

            Sven snorted.

            "So we wait?"  Allura muttered.

            "I'm afraid so.  Lt. Collier asked that we don't contact them unless it's an emergency.  He doesn't want them to intercept any communications."

            Allura nodded.

            "Ach!  My poor dears!"  Nanny rushed into Castle Control.  "Your highness, how are you?"

            Allura sighed, "I'm fine, Nanny."

            "Let me take the Princess, I'll wash her up and get clean clothes on her."  Nanny held her hands out for Cady.

            Looking down at her daughter, Allura was hesitant to hand her over just yet.  Cady's head rested on Allura's shoulder as she sucked on her tiny fist.

            "She'll be fine."  Darcy whispered.

            "I'd like to go as well," Romelle spoke up.  "Erik could use a quick bath."

            Allura gnawed on her bottom lip and turned to a young guard standing by the console.  "Come here, please."

            He stepped forward and bowed.

            "Would you please escort Nanny and Romelle to the nursery.  Stay with them."

            "Yes, your highness."

            Allura kissed Cady's forehead and handed her to Nanny.  She gave a little cry of resistance before settling against Nanny's bosom.

            "I would like Dr. Gorma to check her out.  She's seems okay, but I want to make sure."
            "He went to Hillor on the med ship, but Nurse Helene will be able to check on her."  Nanny assured her.

            "I know," Allura said, watching them leave the room.  "I'm overreacting."

            "It's not overreacting if it makes you feel better."  Sven said.

            Allura smiled at him, "Thank you, Sven."

            "Why don't you have a seat, your highness," Koran suggested.  "I'll have one of the maids bring in some coffee."

******************************

            Keith lay on the floor and listened.  Although, the blood had stopped flowing from his nose, he tasted dry blood as he breathed through his mouth.  His entire body was sore and each breath he took caused shooting pains through his chest.

            It had been a while since he had seen Renata and no one else had been in to speak to him.  He had no idea where he was or what time it was.  Fighting the sleep that threatened to take him over, he tried to imagine what it was Lotor had planned.   Landor had said Lotor had something exciting planned.  That could only mean more pain for him.

            The sharp click of heels on the floor told Keith that Landor was coming.  He closed his eyes and concentrated on Allura and Cady.  Gathering strength from their smiling visages as he conjured them, he told himself he was ready for anything.

            The door swung open.  Shifting his gaze, Keith saw Lotor standing in the doorway.

            The Prince of Doom stood in the doorway flanked by two guards, and looked down on his prisoner.  Shaking his head, he spoke, "Tsk, I told Landor to be gentle for now.  I don't know how we're going to go through with our plans if you aren't even able to stand on your own.  It'll be too easy."

            "Care to clue me in on the plan?"  Keith muttered.

            Lotor kneeled beside him, "I haven't forgotten all you've done to me, Captain.  Mainly, stealing the woman I love from me.   I spent the last year recuperating from the injuries I sustained from Lt. Collier.  As I laid in bed, healing, realizing I would never see well again and I would look like a freak, I did a lot of thinking.  And I planned.  We have some exciting things planned for you.  I thought I would let Landor try it out on you before I tried it on Lt. Collier."

            "You're such a good big brother."  Keith said, sarcastically.

            "I thought so too, but I wanted you to be in good shape.  I wanted to see how much you could handle.  You're weak now.  Oh well, we'll have to do the best we can with what we have."  Lotor stood.  "Get some rest, Captain, you're going to need it."

*********************************

            The five Lions landed in a clearing roughly 800 yards away from where Keith's homing device was transmitting. 

            "Keep your eyes peeled, men," Lance spoke in a low voice. "We don't know how many men he has with him or even if they know we're here."

            All four of them unholstered their blasters and crept behind Lance.  They stayed close, ears tuned to the noises around them.  A breeze ruffled the trees, unusual bird cries surrounded them, and every so often there was a rustle in the bushes.

            Pidge walked beside Lance, carrying a small device he had rigged up to follow Keith's transmission.  They walked deeper into the woods.

            "This place is weird," Hunk muttered as a small, furry orange creature streaked ahead of them.

            Lance pulled a large knife from his belt and began slashing at vines that hung from the trees, blocking their progress.  "Yeah, well hopefully we'll be out of here soon."

            "So, you gonna have a bachelor party?"  Hunk asked in hushed tones.

            "That's up to you guys."  Lance told him.

            "Do they have exotic dancers on Arus?"  Dante asked.

            "That's one industry Allura wasn't too keen on starting up.  Maybe we can have some come in from another planet."  Pidge whispered.

            "How much would that cost?"  Caleb wondered.

            "Yeah, but would Darcy approve?"  Hunk pointed out.

            Dante shrugged, "She won't be invited."
            "Would you rather have a blonde or brunette, Lance?"

            "Maybe a redhead?"

            "How about one of each?"
            "He's already got a brunette, maybe we should just spring for a blonde and a redhead."

            "Yeah, but the fact that he has a brunette shows that he likes brunettes."

            Lance stopped and turned to the men following him, "Do you think we could discuss this after we get Keith back?"

            "Yeah," Pidge added.  "Keith'll be pretty pissed if we plan this without him."

            "Shhh."  Lance stopped fast.

            "What?"  Hunk whispered, running into Dante when he stopped short in front of him.

            "I think we found them."  Lance pointed to the large, black ship.  It was sitting in a huge clearing on the edge of a small village.

            "That's where the transmission is coming from," Pidge whispered.

            Lance pulled the binoculars from his belt and scanned the area.  There were four guards.  Two placed at the closed hatch and two more walking around the perimeter.  He couldn't see any signs of life in the village.  The homes were no more than small huts with thatched roofs.  A few of the roofs were caved in and the small gardens overgrown with weeds.  In a quiet whisper, Lance told the others what he saw.

            "Four of them and five of us," Hunk whispered.

            "I was thinking four of them and two of us."

            "What?"

            "Pidge, Dante, do you think you could handle the guards so the three of us can get in?"

            "Hold on a sec," Dante raised his weapon, fitted with a silencer, and aimed it at the one guard making rounds.   When the guard came closer, he fired and killed him with almost no sound.  "Okay, now it's two to three."
            "Well, now we have to move quicker.  They'll notice him gone.  Go, see what you guys can do.  We'll be right behind."

            Dante and Pidge crept from their hiding space.  Another silenced shot was heard.  Giving them two minutes, Lance inclined his head to the others and made his way toward the ship.  Hunk and Caleb followed, scanning the area around them.  The two guards were standing by the now open entrance.

            "Get back," Lance hissed when he spotted them.

            "Oy there!  What do you think you're doing?"  One of the guards called out.

            "Damn!" Lance cursed under his breath and then grinned when he took a longer look at the two men.  One of the guards was quite a bit shorter than the other.

            "You guys are awesome," Lance said as they walked up.

            "Thought this might make things a little easier," Pidge told him.  "And this guard had the code to open the door."

            "Alright guys, let's go get our commander." 

********************************

            The door opened and Keith blinked in the harsh light.  He had fallen into a light doze and was startled when the guards entered his cell.

            "Rise and shine, Captain!"  Landor greeted him.  "It's time to get moving.  We have a lot of work ahead of us."

            Keith pushed himself up with his left arm, his right arm wrapped across his middle.  Impatiently, the guards seized him under his arms and hauled him to his feet. 

            Landor grinned when he heard Keith suck in a sharp breath.  "Not feeling to well, Captain?"

            "I'm feeling great," Keith said through clenched teeth.

            "Good, good, Lotor will be happy to hear that."

            The guards followed Landor, half carrying, half dragging Keith down the hall.  Landor had a definite spring in his step.  Foreboding filled Keith.  He knew now that his ankle was sprained and it was swollen to twice its size.  With a concussion and a couple of broken ribs, he couldn't figure out how he was going to get out of this.

            "Nervous, Captain?"  Landor called over his shoulder.

            Keith didn't respond.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Renata standing to the side.  Her head bowed.

            As he passed, Landor reached out and stroked her cheek.  She shuddered.

            Stopping in front of a solid, black door, Landor knocked cheerfully.  The door opened and Lotor stepped aside to allow them in.

            The room was brightly lit and only slightly larger than the room Keith had been in.  There was a narrow 'T' shaped table with straps.  The guards effortlessly lifted Keith onto the table.  He flinched as they pulled his arms out and strapped them to the cross of the 'T'.  Another strap was fastened across his stomach and still another across his legs. 

            Lotor paced beside the table, "Comfy, Captain?"

            Keith remained silent, following his tormentor with his eyes.

            "Well, since you aren't in the mood to talk, I guess we should get started.  Landor, we need a sample of his blood."  Lotor crossed the room, his back to Keith.

            "What for?"  Keith asked.

            "Don't worry," Landor leaned over him.

            A guard came to stand at the head of the table.  He placed a hand on either side of Keith's head, forcing him to stare straight up at the ceiling.

            He felt a prick as Landor stabbed something into the inside of his elbow.  Keith couldn't stop the loud gasp that escaped his lips when he felt the inside of his arm cut from his elbow to his wrist.

            "Oops, sorry, I slipped."  Landor grinned.

            "Klutz," Lotor chided.

            The guard released Keith's head as another guard approached with a belt in his hand.  Together, they secured his head so he couldn't move it.

            Keith pushed aside nausea as he felt the warm, thick blood flow from his arm and it throbbed painfully.  With his head strapped to the table, he couldn't see what they were doing, but he heard them walking around and speaking quietly.

            Lotor's disfigured face appeared in his line of vision, "You and Allura have a beautiful little girl."

            Keith stared back at him, fighting the urge to strain against his restraints.  He knew Lotor wanted him angry.

            "I don't know where Landor got his misplaced sense of honor," Lotor continued.  "I told him to not give Cady back.  We could've raised her ourselves.  She could have been the next ruler of Doom."

            "There is no Doom."  Keith muttered.

            "As long as I have breath in my body, there is a Doom Empire."

            "I told you," Landor spoke up.  "Once we dispose of the Captain and Lt. Collier, we'll go get the little brat.  I have a plan."
            Lotor snorted, "You have a plan."

            "Yes," Landor's voice rose a little.  "I have a plan.  If you would just trust me…"

            Lotor dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "Just do what you're told and when you've proven yourself, we'll discuss your plan."

            "Who was the one who came up with the idea to take the baby?"

            "I did, Landor."

            "No! I did.  You wanted to try and get Collier's woman…"

            "Don't argue with me Landor," Lotor's voice rose with anger.

            During this little show of sibling rivalry, Keith remained quiet.  He was beginning to feel lightheaded from the loss of blood.

            The door opened and Haggar glided in.  Both men fell silent as she made her way over. 

            "If you continue to bicker like children, it will be your downfall," she warned.

            "I'm trying to teach my dear little brother how to deal with our enemies."  Lotor said.

            "I suggest you speed up your lessons, sire.  There has been a breech of security.  I believe the Captain's men have found us."
            "Already?  But how?"

            "There are men on this ship who are not Drule.  Men who wish to do you harm."  Haggar said, cryptically.

            Keith felt his heart race.  His men were here.  They didn't know Lotor was alive and they didn't know he was out to get Lance.

            Lotor looked down at Keith before crossing to the door. "Come along, Landor."

            "What?  No.  You said I could…"

            "Now Landor!  Don't argue with me.  You have so much to learn.  You will get to take care of the Captain, but first, he is our bait."

*******************************

            The Doom ship was immense.  As they crept aboard, Lance debated whether or not they should split up.  A voice in the back of his head told him they needed to stay together.

            "Pidge," he whispered.  "Walk in front of us.  Dante, behind us.  If anyone sees us, you've captured us.  Hunk, Caleb, keep your heads down, hopefully no one will recognize us."

            As discreetly as possible, Pidge consulted the receiver.  "This way.  Keith is still transmitting."

            They followed him down the empty corridor.  They stopped at a slightly ajar door.  It was a dark, windowless room.

            "What is it?"  Hunk whispered.

            "I don't know, but I think this room has something to do with Keith."  Lance walked in and saw the dark splotches on the floor.  He knelt and squinted in the low light.  "Blood."
            Pidge felt someone pushing him from behind.  He turned and grabbed the arms of a young, beautiful girl.

            "Are you Voltron?"  She whispered.

            Lance crossed to her, "Who are you?"

            She looked over her shoulder and walked into the room, gesturing for them to follow her.  Keeping her voice low, she spoke to them.

            "My name is Renata, sister of Rankin.  They have your Captain, he is hurt, bad.  I know where he is, but they are using him as bait.  Is one of you named Collier?"

            "Yeah, that's me." Lance told her.

            "His Eminence wants you.  He blames you."

            "Landor?"

            "Lotor."

            The men looked at each other.

            "He's alive?"  Lance asked.

            "Yes," Renata answered.  "He is very badly scarred and he said it is your fault.  The Captain said you would be coming for him.  You have to get him out, but they know you are here and they are waiting for you."

            Lance looked at the girl.  There was no denying that she was related to Rankin, but could they trust her?  Was this part of the trap?

            "How do you know all this?"  He asked.

            Renata blushed, "Landor likes to brag."

            "Do you know where they have him?"  Lance asked, covering the awkward silence.

            "Yes, but please, he wants you, sir."

            "I can handle myself."

            "Will you…will you take me with you?"  Renata asked quietly.

            Lance looked at her and then at Hunk, who shrugged.

            "Rankin doesn't know I'm alive.  We lost contact a long time ago.  I think he thought Lotor had killed me."

            Lance nodded.  "Can you show us where he is?"

            "Yes, but they're waiting for you."

            "And we're ready."  He assured her.

            Renata nodded, "Follow me.  Keep quiet."

            Knowing it was useless to pretend anymore, Pidge and Dante removed their helmets and clutched their weapons.  Lance strode confidently behind Renata, weapon at the ready.

            "I have a bad feeling about this, Lance."  Hunk whispered out of the side of his mouth.

            "He knows we're here, what's the point in sneaking around.  I will not cower before Lotor.  We know what we're walking into."

            "No, Lance, we don't."

            "We've defeated him before, we'll do it again."

            "I see you're as confident and foolhardy as ever."

            Lance and Hunk looked up to see Lotor standing beside an open door.

            He heard Pidge gasp at the sight of the once handsome Prince of Doom.

            "Not pretty, is it?"  Lotor snarled.

            Lance leveled his gun at Lotor, "This time, you will die."

            "Only if you want your Captain's death on your hands."

            "You're bluffing."

            "Am I?"  Lotor gestured to the open door.

            Hunk and Dante kept their weapons aimed at Lotor as Lance, Pidge, and Caleb entered the room.  Keith was still strapped to the table, a frighteningly large puddle of blood had collected on the floor under his outstretched arm.   He was very pale and the cut on his arm was starting to clot.  Small cuts and bruises cover his face and his flightsuit was torn and stained.

            For a brief moment, Lance thought they were too late.  With his heart in his throat, he stepped forward and was able to make out Keith's shallow breathing.  Two guards stood beside the table, one had his blaster trained on Keith's head.

            "If you shoot me, he will shoot your Captain."

            "What did you do to him?"  Lance asked, through clenched teeth.

            "Oh, we were just getting started when you decided to show up."

            Landor walked into the room, followed by Hunk, Dante, Renata, and two guards.  "Yes, you interrupted my fun, but that's alright, now Lotor can have you."
            The two guards with Landor had taken Hunk and Dante's weapons and were holding their own guns to their backs.  The two guards who had been in the room with Keith relieved Pidge and Caleb of their weapons.  They then turned to Lance and wrenched the blaster from his hand.

            Lotor crossed until he was standing less then a foot from Lance.  "Look at me, Lieutenant."

            Lance looked him in the eye, trying to ignore the revulsion he felt at the sight of the scarred man.

            "Look at me," Lotor repeated.  "This is because of you.  I am ruined."

            "You have no one to blame but yourself."  Lance responded.

            Lotor struck out and slapped Lance across the face.

            Wiping the bit of blood that oozed from the corner of his mouth, Lance raised an angry gaze to Lotor.  "Don't ever touch me again."

            "I heard you're getting married."  Lotor paced in front of him.

            Lance didn't respond.  He was thinking of Keith.  He needed medical help immediately and the more time they wasted the worse he got.

            "Once I finish with you, maybe I'll get your fiancée for my harem."
            Lance snorted, "I'm not worried about Darcy.  She would kick your ass if you tried to touch her."
            Lotor studied him, that was not the reaction he had expected.  "Yes, well, once we have Allura and Darcy, we'll take the little Princess and raise her to rule Doom."

            "Yeah, I don't see that happening."

            "No, you won't.  You'll be dead by then."

            Lance laughed bitterly, "You don't get it, do you Lotor? Allura and Darcy are not the weak women you think they are.  You might kill Keith and me, but if you think for one second that Allura or Darcy would let you any where near them or Cady or Arus, you have another thing coming."
            Lotor scowled.  "Enough of this.  Lock them up."

            Lance felt the first licks of panic.  They were unarmed, outnumbered, and Keith was dying.  They could not leave him. 

            Everyone jumped at the sound of Landor screaming.

            Renata had pulled out a small knife and had slashed the young man's face.  He clutched his cheek as blood spurted from between his fingers.

            "You little bitch!"  He cried as he backhanded her.

            It was the needed distraction.

            Lance reached down and pulled out the smaller blaster he had hidden in his boot.  He cleanly shot the two guards who had Pidge and Caleb's weapons.  Lotor whirled around and saw Pidge and Caleb retrieving their blasters.  Pidge tossed Lance his weapon.  Hunk spun around and grabbed the wrist of the guard with the gun at his back, forcing his arm straight up.  With his other hand, he pulled back and struck the guard in the face. Dante dived for the ground and kicked the legs of the guard behind him out from under him.

            Within a matter of seconds the five members of the Voltron Force were once again in control, weapons at the ready.

            Renata cowered on the floor.  Landor stood over her, pummeling her.

            Pidge let off a shot, grazing Landor's shoulder.  "Touch her again and the next shot will be between your eyes."

            Lotor took in the scene before him.  He knew he was out numbered.

            "Hunk," Lance said.  "Get Keith."

            While they covered him, Hunk undid the straps restraining Keith and pulled him off the table.  Keith moaned, but was too weak to speak.

            "Hunk, you and Caleb take Keith.  We're going to stay here and contact the Garrison to pick up these two."  Lance instructed.  "Pidge, Dante, use the straps on the table to tie their hands."
            Pidge approached Landor, holding the strap.  "Put out your hands."

            Landor raised his hands out in front of him.   As Pidge reached out to wrap the strap around his wrists, Landor twisted his hand around, brandishing Renata's knife.  He slashed Pidge's right hand.

            Pidge grabbed his hand and howled.  Landor struck out again and stabbed him in the arm.

            Lance fired and shot Landor in the leg.  He fell heavily beside Renata.  Gathering her nerve, Renata grabbed the strap Pidge had dropped and quickly secured Landor's hands.

            A coldness filled the room.

            Haggar appeared in the corner.

            Renata gasped and backed toward the door.

            With the wave of her hand, Haggar removed the straps from Lotor and Landor.

            "Let's get out of here," Pidge whispered to Lance, still holding his hand.

            "I'm with you.  Go.  Take Renata with you."  Lance said in a low voice as he backed toward the door.

            Lotor stepped toward Lance, "This isn't over, Lieutenant."

            "No, it's far from over."  Lance assured him.

            Hunk and Caleb were at the end of the hall.  Having to carry Keith was slowing them down greatly.

            Pidge grabbed Renata's arm and they hurried down the hall with Dante covering them.  Lance backed out into the hallway and turned to follow them.

            There was a bright flash.  Haggar's cackling laugh.  Lance had the breath knocked out of him and intense pain shot through his back. 

            Everything went black.