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Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
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Chapter 4
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-----Planet Arus -----
Katherine let out a sigh as she looked over the file she was reading. Her exasperation caught the attention of her teammate, Neive, who was also working on some files of his own.
"Now, now, Kit," he said as he looked up to her and smiled, his green eyes sparkled as he watched his flustered commander.
"Why must we do all of these?" she asked as she threw her arms on the table before her and rested her head on them.
Neive smiled to himself as he stood and walked over to her.
"Well, we have a whole bunch more to go through," he stated as he seated himself in a chair next to her. "You know it's not all flying, fighting and practicing."
She looked to him. "I know," she said. "I just hate doing this paperwork."
"Well, after tomorrow, we won't have half this amount of paperwork to do," he said. "We'll be full fledged Lion Knights."
"You know that this is the one odd thing about this kingdom."
"That is?"
"How many Lion Knights are there exactly?'
Neive's smile disappeared. "Kit, you should know that."
She stared at him. "I mean, besides the original Voltron Force, aren't there any others?"
"Most of them have died," Neive stated as he collected the papers together. "Long time ago."
Katherine looked at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it was."
"No, no," he stated. "You just didn't know."
"How many Lion Knights did exist at the pinnacle of this kingdom?"
"About 4000 at one time," he stated. "Now, there are 5."
"Did you know anyone who was a Lion Knight?" she asked.
Neive slowly nodded. "My father," he said. "He served under King Alfor doing what he loved."
"And then Zarkon?"
"Yeah," he said. He then turned to her. "I'm just hoping that he is proud that I'm following in his footsteps."
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"He was the only one who was against my assignment to serve as a part of the Voltron Force," he said. "It was the hardest thing I had to do, but I knew that I had to do this for Arus."
"He probably just was concerned that you were heading into something he thought you wouldn't be able to handle."
"He probably was," he said.
"Actually, there were, 4,355 Lion Knights at the height of King Alfor's reign on Arus."
The two of them then looked up was caught by surprise to see the young captain of the main Voltron Force standing before them. Neive gasped as he quickly stood from his chair.
"Captain Hayashi," he said with a salute.
Katherine smiled to herself, not bothering to even stand to greet the captain. Neive turned to her with a look of questioning.
"At ease," Keith said as he walked over to where they were. "You're off duty, remember?"
"Yes, sir," Neive stated.
Katherine smiled seeing her teammate make a complete ass of himself in front of the captain.
"You must be Neive?" Keith asked.
"Yes, sir," Neive answered. "Actually, Nay-vah."
"Ah yes, I always forget that," Keith stated as his gaze then turned to the young woman.
"And you are?"
Katherine smiled as she stood and walked around the large table to where he stood.
"And if I don't tell you, what would happen?"
"That would be considered insubordination," he stated. "Even if you're off duty."
"Kit, stop playing games," Neive stated.
"Insubordination?" Katherine asked. "But, I don't give my name to just anyone."
"KIT!"
"And what if I told Uncle Jack, just exactly the kind of attitude you have?"
Katherine smiled. "Hey, no fair!" she nearly yelled. "You know how much father adores you."
"Your father?" Neive asked. "Kat, what is going on?"
Katherine then smiled as he turned to Neive. "Neive, I want you to meet my cousin, Captain Keith Hayashi."
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"Cousin?"
"Why is that such a shocker to everyone?" Katherine asked as she took a seat on the long couch in the Rec Room. "He's not a direct cousin. He was adopted by my great uncle."
"But still!" Lianne exclaimed. "The members of the Voltron Force are like celebrities."
"You wouldn't think so highly of the captain, if you knew half the stunts he used to pull as a kid," Katherine stated.
Lianne smiled. "So, is he as cute as they say he is?"
"Lianne, your mind is always in the gutter," Shane stated.
"Eewww," Kit stated as she hugged a couch pillow to herself. "That's like gross, Lianne."
"Remember, Kit, Lianne would jump anything that had two legs and wore tight leather pants," Neive stated. "And you can't ask Kit that kind of question, Lianne. She'd be the last person to ask an opinion for."
"So, what?" Lianne asked. "She's still a woman. She can still judge."
"I give up," Neive stated as he seated himself on a couch across from Lianne.
"In a gross kinda way, I guess some people would think he's cute." Katherine stated and then, after a moment, she shook her head. "No, that just doesn't work for me."
"Kit, you're impossible." Lianne stated.
"Don't you know, Lianne?" Shane said as he walked over to where they were now gathering. "Kit's idea of the perfect man would be someone who would bow to every one of her whims."
"No," Katherine stated, and then smiled. "He'd have to defeat me in a hand-to-hand combat."
"And this coming from the girl who whooped everyone's butts back at the academy?" Shane asked. "Is there anyone who has beaten you?"
"Just one," she said. "And he doesn't count."
"Figures." Shane stated.
"And Lianne, you'd best look elsewhere anyway," Neive added. "Rumor has it, he's already spoken for."
"Spoken for?" Katherine asked. "Oh, do tell."
Neive smiled. "Well, its more speculation..really, I shouldn't."
"Hey, I told you he was my cousin." Katherine stated. "I need more ammo if I need to blackmail him in the future."
"Well, the rumors are that he and the princess have something going for each other."
"The princess?" Lianne asked. "You mean, our princess? The princess Allura?"
"No, the princess of Doom," Neive stated.
"So why is it only a rumor?" Lianne asked.
"Cause, no one has ever seen them..you know.."
"Intimate?"
"Well, yeah, that," he said. "But you know, they never, like shown any type of affection toward each other."
"Then if no one has seen it, how did the rumor start?'
"Don't know," Neive stated. "But in my home town, it was all the buzz for a while."
"A princess and her knight," Lianne stated. "Wouldn't that be against tradition?"
"Well, we didn't care," Neive stated. "I don't think anyone on Arus cares either..only Coran and Nanny."
Katherine smiled "Yes, I would assume they would have their objections."
Neive then looked at her. "So, no more discussing this, okay?"
"Our lips are sealed."
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"No headaches?"
Keith nodded as he stared at the monitor before him.
"None," he said as he seated himself in front of the communications console in his room. "Keryn still has no idea why I passed out?"
"None," Anala answered. "But, he did say that you should take it easy, and to report back in a week."
"I will," he said.
"And how is to be back home?"
"I missed it," he said with a smile. "Allura gave me a nice birthday present."
"Oh?" she asked.
"When you visit, I'll show it to you."
"And how is she doing?"
"Busy now that we have the backup team," he said. "Nanny and Coran thought it would be nice to give her more duties concerning Arus. There are several trade and land disputes she had been neglecting to look over."
Anala nodded. "And the team?"
"Doing well as it seems," Keith stated. "Lance is thoroughly enjoying the chance to boss people around."
"I'm sure he is," Anala said with a smile. Her expression then turned to one of seriousness. "And how are you doing?'
"Fine," he said.
"Keith, I know when you're lying," she said. "My senses may not be as sharp as yours, but I can tell when you're hiding something."
"I'm just exhausted, that's all," he said.
"If it's about Allura.."
"Anala, please, its not what you think."
"When are you going to stop thinking that you're not on equal ground as her?" she asked. "You are a pri--."
"And I wasn't one a year ago," he said.
"And do you honestly think she really cares otherwise?'
"Anala, I did not call to talk about this."
"And when do you want to talk about it?"
"Anala."
"She loves you."
The statement caught him off guard as he stared back at her, speechless.
"She always had, and every time she wants to get close to you, you retreat away as if showing your feelings is a sign of weakness."
"Anala, you shouldn't."
"And you shouldn't think that you are weak because of what you feel."
He remained silent for a moment. "I'm not worth of her love, Anala," he stated. "Especially when there are men better than me."
"Why don't you let her make that decision?"
"I am not going to argue with you on this.."
"Do you love her?" was her final question.
"Goodbye, Anala."
"Do you?"
Before he answered, he pressed a button on the console as the screen went black. He let out a sigh as he walked over to his bed and laid down on it.
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Allura leaned heavily against the wall just outside of Keith's bedroom. She was just about to deliver some papers to him from Galaxy Garrison and saw that his door was open. Just before she was about to knock, she had her name. And without any intent, she found herself listening in on the conversation.
"Do you love her?"
She had held her breath at that moment, almost afraid to hear the answer.
But it never came.
She breathed in deeply. And as quietly as she could she backtracked the way she came, which she only ended up walking right into Lance.
"Princess?"
"Lance," Allura stated. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
"Well, its kinda hard seeing if I was here, since you were walking backwards," he said. "What are you doing sneaking around in our area?"
"I wasn't sneaking.."
"Okay, snooping."
"I was about to deliver these papers to Keith," she said as she waved the bundle in her hands.
"Walking backwards?"
Allura let out a grunt and then handed him the papers. "Could you get these to him," she said. "Graham wants them returned later today."
"Why don't you just."
"Lance, please?" she asked.
Lance looked at her and then past her to where Keith's room was. He kinda thought that something got her agitated enough that she wouldn't do this on her own.
"Alright," he said. "But you owe me for this."
"Thanks Lance," she said. "Remember later today."
"I'll let him know," Lance said.
"Thanks!"
He then watched as she walked pass him.
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"Heya buddy,"
Keith sat up on his bed, noticing Lance standing in the frame of his doorway.
"Heya," he said. "I thought I heard voices in the hallway."
"Yeah, I just bumped into Coran on the way, and he told me to give you these papers from Graham."
"Oh?"
"And Kit and I will be going down to Tratim to collect some supplies for Nanny," he said. "Just so you know where we are."
Keith nodded as he stood and took the papers from him.
"Remember, Lance, no messing around kay?"
"Me, I'd never," Lance stated.
Keith smiled. "Be sure to get back in time for dinner," he said.
"We will," he said. "Catch you later."
Keith nodded as Lance left his room and he looked over the papers. He waved his hand over the door panel and it slid close behind him. He looked over the papers gain, before sitting down before his communication panel.
"Coran, can you contact Graham for me?"
"Yes Keith, will it be private?"
"Yes."
"I should have him on in a few."
Keith nodded as he looked one last time over the papers.
REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF COMMISSION STATUS.
And in red, HONORABLE DISCHARGE had been checked.
Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
########################################################################
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Chapter 4
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-----Planet Arus -----
Katherine let out a sigh as she looked over the file she was reading. Her exasperation caught the attention of her teammate, Neive, who was also working on some files of his own.
"Now, now, Kit," he said as he looked up to her and smiled, his green eyes sparkled as he watched his flustered commander.
"Why must we do all of these?" she asked as she threw her arms on the table before her and rested her head on them.
Neive smiled to himself as he stood and walked over to her.
"Well, we have a whole bunch more to go through," he stated as he seated himself in a chair next to her. "You know it's not all flying, fighting and practicing."
She looked to him. "I know," she said. "I just hate doing this paperwork."
"Well, after tomorrow, we won't have half this amount of paperwork to do," he said. "We'll be full fledged Lion Knights."
"You know that this is the one odd thing about this kingdom."
"That is?"
"How many Lion Knights are there exactly?'
Neive's smile disappeared. "Kit, you should know that."
She stared at him. "I mean, besides the original Voltron Force, aren't there any others?"
"Most of them have died," Neive stated as he collected the papers together. "Long time ago."
Katherine looked at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it was."
"No, no," he stated. "You just didn't know."
"How many Lion Knights did exist at the pinnacle of this kingdom?"
"About 4000 at one time," he stated. "Now, there are 5."
"Did you know anyone who was a Lion Knight?" she asked.
Neive slowly nodded. "My father," he said. "He served under King Alfor doing what he loved."
"And then Zarkon?"
"Yeah," he said. He then turned to her. "I'm just hoping that he is proud that I'm following in his footsteps."
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"He was the only one who was against my assignment to serve as a part of the Voltron Force," he said. "It was the hardest thing I had to do, but I knew that I had to do this for Arus."
"He probably just was concerned that you were heading into something he thought you wouldn't be able to handle."
"He probably was," he said.
"Actually, there were, 4,355 Lion Knights at the height of King Alfor's reign on Arus."
The two of them then looked up was caught by surprise to see the young captain of the main Voltron Force standing before them. Neive gasped as he quickly stood from his chair.
"Captain Hayashi," he said with a salute.
Katherine smiled to herself, not bothering to even stand to greet the captain. Neive turned to her with a look of questioning.
"At ease," Keith said as he walked over to where they were. "You're off duty, remember?"
"Yes, sir," Neive stated.
Katherine smiled seeing her teammate make a complete ass of himself in front of the captain.
"You must be Neive?" Keith asked.
"Yes, sir," Neive answered. "Actually, Nay-vah."
"Ah yes, I always forget that," Keith stated as his gaze then turned to the young woman.
"And you are?"
Katherine smiled as she stood and walked around the large table to where he stood.
"And if I don't tell you, what would happen?"
"That would be considered insubordination," he stated. "Even if you're off duty."
"Kit, stop playing games," Neive stated.
"Insubordination?" Katherine asked. "But, I don't give my name to just anyone."
"KIT!"
"And what if I told Uncle Jack, just exactly the kind of attitude you have?"
Katherine smiled. "Hey, no fair!" she nearly yelled. "You know how much father adores you."
"Your father?" Neive asked. "Kat, what is going on?"
Katherine then smiled as he turned to Neive. "Neive, I want you to meet my cousin, Captain Keith Hayashi."
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"Cousin?"
"Why is that such a shocker to everyone?" Katherine asked as she took a seat on the long couch in the Rec Room. "He's not a direct cousin. He was adopted by my great uncle."
"But still!" Lianne exclaimed. "The members of the Voltron Force are like celebrities."
"You wouldn't think so highly of the captain, if you knew half the stunts he used to pull as a kid," Katherine stated.
Lianne smiled. "So, is he as cute as they say he is?"
"Lianne, your mind is always in the gutter," Shane stated.
"Eewww," Kit stated as she hugged a couch pillow to herself. "That's like gross, Lianne."
"Remember, Kit, Lianne would jump anything that had two legs and wore tight leather pants," Neive stated. "And you can't ask Kit that kind of question, Lianne. She'd be the last person to ask an opinion for."
"So, what?" Lianne asked. "She's still a woman. She can still judge."
"I give up," Neive stated as he seated himself on a couch across from Lianne.
"In a gross kinda way, I guess some people would think he's cute." Katherine stated and then, after a moment, she shook her head. "No, that just doesn't work for me."
"Kit, you're impossible." Lianne stated.
"Don't you know, Lianne?" Shane said as he walked over to where they were now gathering. "Kit's idea of the perfect man would be someone who would bow to every one of her whims."
"No," Katherine stated, and then smiled. "He'd have to defeat me in a hand-to-hand combat."
"And this coming from the girl who whooped everyone's butts back at the academy?" Shane asked. "Is there anyone who has beaten you?"
"Just one," she said. "And he doesn't count."
"Figures." Shane stated.
"And Lianne, you'd best look elsewhere anyway," Neive added. "Rumor has it, he's already spoken for."
"Spoken for?" Katherine asked. "Oh, do tell."
Neive smiled. "Well, its more speculation..really, I shouldn't."
"Hey, I told you he was my cousin." Katherine stated. "I need more ammo if I need to blackmail him in the future."
"Well, the rumors are that he and the princess have something going for each other."
"The princess?" Lianne asked. "You mean, our princess? The princess Allura?"
"No, the princess of Doom," Neive stated.
"So why is it only a rumor?" Lianne asked.
"Cause, no one has ever seen them..you know.."
"Intimate?"
"Well, yeah, that," he said. "But you know, they never, like shown any type of affection toward each other."
"Then if no one has seen it, how did the rumor start?'
"Don't know," Neive stated. "But in my home town, it was all the buzz for a while."
"A princess and her knight," Lianne stated. "Wouldn't that be against tradition?"
"Well, we didn't care," Neive stated. "I don't think anyone on Arus cares either..only Coran and Nanny."
Katherine smiled "Yes, I would assume they would have their objections."
Neive then looked at her. "So, no more discussing this, okay?"
"Our lips are sealed."
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"No headaches?"
Keith nodded as he stared at the monitor before him.
"None," he said as he seated himself in front of the communications console in his room. "Keryn still has no idea why I passed out?"
"None," Anala answered. "But, he did say that you should take it easy, and to report back in a week."
"I will," he said.
"And how is to be back home?"
"I missed it," he said with a smile. "Allura gave me a nice birthday present."
"Oh?" she asked.
"When you visit, I'll show it to you."
"And how is she doing?"
"Busy now that we have the backup team," he said. "Nanny and Coran thought it would be nice to give her more duties concerning Arus. There are several trade and land disputes she had been neglecting to look over."
Anala nodded. "And the team?"
"Doing well as it seems," Keith stated. "Lance is thoroughly enjoying the chance to boss people around."
"I'm sure he is," Anala said with a smile. Her expression then turned to one of seriousness. "And how are you doing?'
"Fine," he said.
"Keith, I know when you're lying," she said. "My senses may not be as sharp as yours, but I can tell when you're hiding something."
"I'm just exhausted, that's all," he said.
"If it's about Allura.."
"Anala, please, its not what you think."
"When are you going to stop thinking that you're not on equal ground as her?" she asked. "You are a pri--."
"And I wasn't one a year ago," he said.
"And do you honestly think she really cares otherwise?'
"Anala, I did not call to talk about this."
"And when do you want to talk about it?"
"Anala."
"She loves you."
The statement caught him off guard as he stared back at her, speechless.
"She always had, and every time she wants to get close to you, you retreat away as if showing your feelings is a sign of weakness."
"Anala, you shouldn't."
"And you shouldn't think that you are weak because of what you feel."
He remained silent for a moment. "I'm not worth of her love, Anala," he stated. "Especially when there are men better than me."
"Why don't you let her make that decision?"
"I am not going to argue with you on this.."
"Do you love her?" was her final question.
"Goodbye, Anala."
"Do you?"
Before he answered, he pressed a button on the console as the screen went black. He let out a sigh as he walked over to his bed and laid down on it.
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Allura leaned heavily against the wall just outside of Keith's bedroom. She was just about to deliver some papers to him from Galaxy Garrison and saw that his door was open. Just before she was about to knock, she had her name. And without any intent, she found herself listening in on the conversation.
"Do you love her?"
She had held her breath at that moment, almost afraid to hear the answer.
But it never came.
She breathed in deeply. And as quietly as she could she backtracked the way she came, which she only ended up walking right into Lance.
"Princess?"
"Lance," Allura stated. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
"Well, its kinda hard seeing if I was here, since you were walking backwards," he said. "What are you doing sneaking around in our area?"
"I wasn't sneaking.."
"Okay, snooping."
"I was about to deliver these papers to Keith," she said as she waved the bundle in her hands.
"Walking backwards?"
Allura let out a grunt and then handed him the papers. "Could you get these to him," she said. "Graham wants them returned later today."
"Why don't you just."
"Lance, please?" she asked.
Lance looked at her and then past her to where Keith's room was. He kinda thought that something got her agitated enough that she wouldn't do this on her own.
"Alright," he said. "But you owe me for this."
"Thanks Lance," she said. "Remember later today."
"I'll let him know," Lance said.
"Thanks!"
He then watched as she walked pass him.
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"Heya buddy,"
Keith sat up on his bed, noticing Lance standing in the frame of his doorway.
"Heya," he said. "I thought I heard voices in the hallway."
"Yeah, I just bumped into Coran on the way, and he told me to give you these papers from Graham."
"Oh?"
"And Kit and I will be going down to Tratim to collect some supplies for Nanny," he said. "Just so you know where we are."
Keith nodded as he stood and took the papers from him.
"Remember, Lance, no messing around kay?"
"Me, I'd never," Lance stated.
Keith smiled. "Be sure to get back in time for dinner," he said.
"We will," he said. "Catch you later."
Keith nodded as Lance left his room and he looked over the papers. He waved his hand over the door panel and it slid close behind him. He looked over the papers gain, before sitting down before his communication panel.
"Coran, can you contact Graham for me?"
"Yes Keith, will it be private?"
"Yes."
"I should have him on in a few."
Keith nodded as he looked one last time over the papers.
REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF COMMISSION STATUS.
And in red, HONORABLE DISCHARGE had been checked.