"Sky!"
"Don't even think about it," Erik grumbled.
"Schuyler!"
"It could be important," Sky replied.
"I don't care," he lifted his head to look down at her. "This is our time alone and we don't get a lot of it."
"Schuyer Grace Collier! I know you're in there! I need to talk to you, it's important!" Cady called as she knocked on the door to Sky's room.
"She's using my full name, it must be important," she sighed.
Erik growled lowly and rolled off her. It was the first time in a couple of days that they were able to find time together. Sky had grabbed him and dragged him to her room, not that he had put up much of a fight and, up until a moment ago, he had been pinning her to the bed beneath him as he assaulted her mouth with his own. Now he was lying on his back and staring at the ceiling, silently cursing his cousin.
Planning to tell Cady off, Sky punched in the code to unlock the door, "What is it?"
If she saw Sky's swollen mouth, flushed face, mussed hair, or wrinkled clothes, Cady made no mention of it. She was twisting her hands together as she pushed past her friend into the room, "I need to talk to you."
"Can it wait?" Erik asked, not too kindly.
"Shut up, Erik, this doesn't concern you."
"It does when you interrupt us."
"Go take a cold shower," Cady snapped at him.
Sky sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, "What do you need, Cady?"
"To talk to you. Alone."
Sky turned to her incredibly attractive, very appealing boyfriend who was sprawled out across her bed, "Erik."
"I was here first," he whined.
She kissed his cheek and whispered, "I'll come find you when we're done."
Moving slowly, Erik rose and walked around the side of the bed. He took Sky by the hands and pulled her to her feet. Cady crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes as her cousin made a show of orally molesting her best friend.
Sky pulled back and smiled at him, "Go."
He grumbled under his breath and stomped from the room, behaving like a child who had just been sent to bed early.
"Okay, what's so important?" Sky asked, closing the door behind him.
"I," Cady announced dramatically, "am in love."
Sky blinked.
"He is amazing," the princess went on. "He is so handsome and smart and sweet and I know he is the one for me."
"OOkkkaaay," Sky drawled. "And who is he this time?"
Cady put her hands on her hips and glared at her friend, "I'm serious."
"I know."
"It's for real this time."
"I know."
"He is the one."
"Who is he?"
Cady clasped her hands together and held them to her chest, sighing, "Lieutenant Tristan Alexander."
Sky raised her eyebrows in surprise, "You just met him. You've said all of three words to him."
"But he's perfect."
"You don't know him."
"You know, Schuyler, we don't all end up with our childhood sweethearts. Some of us meet the man of our dreams when we least expect it."
"Okay, Cady, he is a good looking guy and he seems nice, but you don't know him. There is no way you could be in love with him."
"I am. I knew it as soon as I saw him."
Sky chewed on her lower lip. Cady was her best friend and the sister she never had, but she was a hopeless romantic with her head in the clouds and the ability to get her heart broken at the drop of a hat. "Maybe you should get to know him better, talk to him."
"That's the problem," she whined, sitting on the bed. "I don't know what to say to him. Every time I see him, I get tongue tied and I can't think of a single thing to say other than commenting on the weather. He must think I'm a total blubbering idiot."
"I'm sure he doesn't."
"You've spent more time working with him than I have, does he ever mention me?"
Sky shook her head, "He doesn't say much at all."
"The strong silent type," Cady sighed.
"More like his Captain doesn't give him the chance to say much."
"Overbearing bitch."
"Cady!"
"Do you think, maybe, that you could feel him out a bit for me? Mention me to him, see if he says anything or if his body language hints at anything."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Sky rolled her eyes, "No."
"Please."
"Cady, you are smart, beautiful woman. Just talk to him."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"What if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm an idiot? What if…"
"What if he likes men?"
"Sky!"
"Come on, Cady, talk to him. This not knowing one way or the other is going to drive you crazy."
"Sky, please," Cady pleaded.
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll see if I can find anything out for you."
A huge grin spread across the young Princess' face, "Thank you, Sky, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She jumped to her feet. "I knew I could count on you!"
"I'm not promising anything, Cady."
"I know you'll be able to help me out," she replied, opening the door.
Erik, Gideon, and Declan were all standing in the hall, talking and laughing. Declan was leaning against the doorframe to his room, the ring finger on his left hand still in a splint and elastic bandages wrapped around his left wrist and right ankle. He was still sore and took some pain medication, but he was too stubborn to stay in bed.
"Everything all right, Cady?" Gideon asked.
"Everything is wonderful, dear brother," she said breathily.
The boys all glanced at each other.
"Care to elaborate?" Erik asked.
She scowled at him, "After the way you treated me? No."
"What did you do to her?" Declan asked.
Erik shrugged, "I didn't do anything. I just wasn't too happy when she interrupted Sky and me." He looked at Sky who was standing in her doorway. "Was it worth the interruption?"
She smiled sweetly, "I can't tell you, it was girl talk."
"Well, team," he crossed to Sky's door and placed his hands on her waist. "I think we're done here." With that, he shoved her into her room and slid the door shut behind them.
"So, Aunt Becca thinks I might be able to get back in Blue tomorrow," Declan said.
"It'll be nice to have you back, but I have to say that it has been fun with Mom in the Lion during training," Gideon admitted."Have you, uh, have you met Lt. Alexander?" Cady asked, hoping to appear nonchalant, before quickly adding. "And, uh, and Captain Klari."
Declan smirked, "Yeah, I've met them both. Captain Klari is a beast."
Gideon snorted, "I swear she had Uncle Lance cowering today. It amazes me how Dad doesn't even bat an eye at her."
"He has had many years of practice with Nanny," Cady added.
"Well, if this isn't a good looking group," Keith commented, meandering down the hall, his hands in his pockets.
"Hey, Dad, what's up?" Declan asked.
"I was just on my way to check on you. Your mother is worried about you starting back too soon."
Gideon grinned, "Or is she just not ready to give up flying Blue yet?"
Keith chuckled, "That might be part of it. Where's Erik and Sky?"
Declan rolled his eyes while Gideon nodded toward Sky's closed door.
"Guess," Cady said, pointing to the door.
Their father raised his eyebrows and chewed on the inside of his cheek, "Oh really? Do you think they're playing Monopoly?"
"Not likely," Gideon muttered.
Keith winked at his offspring and knocked sharply on Sky's door.
Erik and Sky hadn't yet made it to the bed again. They were just inside the door as he framed her face with his hands and was gently driving her mad with tender kisses. Sky had slipped her hands under his shirt and was stroking his bare back, trying to pull him closer.
At the knock, Erik lifted his head and glared at the door. As Sky brushed her lips down his throat, he growled, "I swear I am going to kill you Cady!"
With a smile, Keith responded in his sternest Commander tone, "You're going to do what to my daughter, Johansson?"
Erik tensed. He released Sky and ran his hands over his hair to smooth it down while grumbling, "Fifteen minutes. All I ask for is fifteen minutes alone. Why the hell can't we have fifteen minutes?"
Sky chuckled and laid a reassuring hand on his back, "It's all right, Erik."
The door slid open and Keith grinned at the two lovebirds, "How's it going, guys?"
"What's up, sir?" Erik asked, trying to be casual.
"I was just checking on my team. So, how's it going?"
"Uncle Keith," Sky sighed. "You're just messing with us, aren't you?"
"Never."
Erik sighed and rested his forehead against the cool doorframe, "We're trying to take your advice."
"I'm just looking out for Lance's daughter."
"That's okay, Uncle Keith, I can take care of myself," she assured him.
"Well, then I'm looking out for Sven's son."
Erik scowled at his commander, mumbling a few choice Norwegian curses he had picked up from his father, and reached over to the keypad beside the door. Before Keith could say another word, the door slid shut in his face and there was a tell-tale beep of the locks being set.
Gideon doubled over with laughter as Declan leaned against the wall for support.
"That wasn't very nice, Dad," Cady told him."Never said I was, Cady Bear," he turned to his children.
"Dad, don't call me that," she replied haughtily.
"Sorry, sweetie," Keith looked around the hall. "Where's Brina?"
"She's taking a nap before dinner," Declan said.
"All right, Captain Klari," Keith couldn't help but curl his lip at the mention of her name. "And Lt. Alexander will be joining us. They want to go over some Intel and tactics with us."
Cady's head whipped up at the sound of Tristan's name, "I, uh, I guess I should go dress for dinner then. Excuse me."
The three men watched her hurry down the hall.
"Since when does she dress for dinner?" Declan asked.Gideon rolled her eyes, "Who knows. She never was a normal girl."
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Since Keith deemed this meal a working affair, the younger Whitaker children ate dinner in the kitchen with Nanny, Becca, Luke, and Tori. It wasn't necessary for Cady to join them as well, but she had fed her father some line about the importance of her knowing what was going on since she was the next in line for the throne. He rolled his eyes and agreed, knowing that she had no interest whatsoever in their military discussions, but he figured it would be best to know what she was up to.
The table was crowded with Allura at one end and Keith at the other. In between sat Lance, Sky, Hunk, Pidge, Declan, Gideon, Erik, Brina, Captain Klari, Lt. Alexander, and Cady.
"Your team is very impressive," Captain Klari was saying. "But I can't help but wonder if you really think Voltron can destroy Vinn's ship."
"I would think, Captain, that you would be aware of the power of Voltron," Allura replied. "Now that we know what we're up against, I believe we should have no problem defending Arus and defeating Vinn."
"Yes, but Vinn has an extensive fleet. The next time he comes, he might have a different ship, different backup. He is unpredictable."
"We're ready for him," Keith said.
Klari glanced at, "We can't fall into a false sense of security."
"With all due respect, Captain, we defeated Doom, we'll defeat Vinn. We know what we're getting into." Keith's voice was strained as he spoke.
The two leaders stared at each other, both waiting for the other to speak next.
Allura cleared her throat, "Vinn's ship is impenetrable to our lasers. Voltron is our only hope and the hope of every other planet that has been threatened by Vinn. We'll defeat this threat as we have in the past and we will do it with teamwork and practice. We are very happy with the progress our new team has made in such a short amount of time."
"Could you please pass me the butter," Cady asked Tristan in a quiet, rushed, embarrassed whisper.
Wordlessly, he handed her the cut glass butter dish.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
Cady was giving herself a headache trying to watch him out of the corner of her eyes. She had read his file, having found it lying on her father's desk, not that she was snooping or anything. Tristan Alexander was twenty three years old, a phenom in the Terran military, moving up to the rank of Lieutenant as fast as her father had. He had a list of recommendations and accolades longer than her arm.
Born in Boston to a very well-to-do family, Tristan was the first to go into the military in several generations. His father was a lawyer and his mother a society wife. He was an only child but was a part of a close knit extended family that included cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. That was all she could find about his personal life, Cady knew nothing about his interests or thoughts. He kept to himself, speaking little but allowing his actions to speak for him.
Cady couldn't put her finger on just what it was that attracted her to him. He had the kindest eyes she had ever seen, a lovely grey framed by a long fringe of black lashes. On the rare occasion when she saw him smile, he flashed a row of white teeth and a deep dimple appeared in his right cheek. She found herself watching him and noticing the ways he interacted with the guys, completely at ease. He always stood when a lady entered the room, offered his seat to anyone who was standing, and attacked his job with intense concentration. She didn't know if it was the mystery of him or what she knew about him that she found so attractive, but Cady did know that she wanted to get to know him better and that just being near him caused her heart to race.
Tristan Samuel Vincent Alexander VI was not a stupid man. Nor was he blind, deaf, or lacking in any other sense. He was acutely aware of the beautiful young woman sitting next to him. Her long blonde hair was held back on the sides with small jeweled combs and cascaded down her back in thick golden curls. Her dress was a deep rose color and the full skirt brushed against the pant leg of his uniform whenever she moved. The bodice was tight and accentuated every curve as a subtle floral scent wafted around her and made his palms sweat.
But the fact was that he and Captain Klari were only on Arus to help with the Vinn threat. Tristan assured himself he was capable of doing his job and following orders without being distracted by the beautiful princess. But it seemed that almost every time he turned around she was there. To take his mind off her closeness, he looked around the table.
The Voltron Force amazed Tristan. The original Force, led by Commander Keith Whitaker, was legendary. They had been a ragtag group of Garrison nobodies sent on a potentially suicidal mission who went on to become the best of the best. The best pilots, the best soldiers, the best team. Even years later, after the defeat of Doom, all five of them were settled, on Arus and Pollux, with families of their own and were still as close as brothers.
Now the new team was flying and defending Arus. Tristan had watched them during practice, in meetings and during down time. Over the past couple of days, he quickly noticed their closeness. It did seem to him that there was some underlying awkwardness, Brina seemed almost like a bit of an outsider, which was understandable since the four others had grown up together. The casualness of the team also intrigued Tristan. While Erik was named Commander and Sky was his second, there were no real ranks among them. Erik and Brina each had a year of military training under their belts, but the other three hadn't even started. The Queen believed that the Voltron Lions called to their pilots and she blindly allowed that to happen. Captain Klari didn't agree with that and she wasn't about to allow a team of untrained, unprepared children, as she called them, to be in charge of disposing of the biggest threat to innocent civilians since Lotor.
Taking a sip of water, Tristan let his gaze wander over to Sky. She sat between her father and Hunk, but her eyes kept shifting to the opposite side of the table, two seats down. Nothing had been said, but he knew something was going on between her and Erik. He knew as soon as they had been introduced. Sky had flashed him a warm smile that lit up her sweetly pretty face while Erik stood beside her, possessively, his arms crossed over his chest. There was a comfortableness between them that came from somewhere deeper than friendship. There also appeared to be something between the one twin, Declan, and the other female pilot, Brina, but it didn't quite seem the same. None of that would sit well with Captain Klari.
Tristan suddenly realized Princess Cady was speaking to him. With heat rising to his face, he turned to her, "I'm sorry, your highness, what did you say?"
Cady felt her heart sink. He wasn't even paying attention to her. "I, uh, I was just wondering how you were finding Arus."
"It's a beautiful planet, what I've seen of it. I would enjoy coming back after this threat has passed to see more."
His voice was low and quite, sending pinpricks of excitement through her. "Maybe, before you leave, you could find time for a tour."
He smiled softly, a shadow of his dimple appearing, "That would be nice."
Cady decided then and there that she was going to make it her duty to bring that dimple out in its entirety. She wanted to see it and know she caused it. "So, um, Lieutenant, have you had a chance to go up in one of the Lions?"
He instantly lit up, "No, not yet, but I hope to. Have you flown in them?"
"Of course. I've ridden in Black several times with my father and in Blue a few times with my mother. They are amazing machines. There is no way Vinn can defeat us when we have the Lions and Voltron."
Tristan lowered his voice, "Is it true, what they say, about the Lions having minds of their own?"
"Well, it's more complicated than that," Cady was thrilled with having his full attention turned on her. She laid her hand on his arm as she explained, "The Lions are not just machines. Only when the right pilot is chosen, and only the Lion can choose the pilot who is right for her. When they are together, it is almost as though they share the same thoughts. But there has been the rare occasion when they acted on their own, only to come to the aid of their pilot. That happened once, years ago. My father, Uncle Lance, Uncle Hunk, and Uncle Pidge had all gone to planet Doom to rescue my mother and Uncle Sven. Well, the Force had been captured, but Uncle Sven and Aunt Romelle were still free. Black knew my father was in trouble and he allowed Uncle Sven to fly him and rescue the others."
"That is amazing," he whispered reverently.
Cady squeezed his arm gently, feeling the tight coil of muscles under the sleeve of his jacket, "I'll make sure you get a ride soon."
"Thank you."
Sky looked up and saw Cady and Tristan with their heads close together, talking quietly. She smiled, maybe there really was something between Cady and the Lieutenant, they certainly looked good together.
"Didn't you have any interest in flying?" Tristan asked the Princess. He felt his heart race at her nearness, her scent invading his nose and made him lightheaded.
She shrugged, "Not really. I enjoy going for rides in the Lions and the other ships in the Air Brigade, but I have always been more interested in diplomacy. Mother said it's because I spent so much time with Koran growing up."
"Koran?"
"He was my mother's advisor. He passed away a couple of years ago."
"I'm sorry."
Cady smiled softly, removing her hand from his arm to lift the napkin from her lap, folding it and setting it beside her plate. "Koran was like a grandfather to us all. He passed quietly in his sleep."
"That's a comfort," Tristan said quietly.
"Yes it was."
An awkward silence settled between them. Cady turned back to her plate, disappointed in the lull in their conversation, not knowing that he was feeling the same.
Keith grinded his teeth, biting back the comments he wanted to make. For some reason, Captain Klari thought she had the right to burst onto the scene and take over his military. The fact that she had the gall to suggest to him that he hand over the control of the Voltron Force and the Air Brigade to her since she had been following Vinn for over a year and she knew his m.o. drove him mad.
"I appreciate your…suggestion," he said stiffly. "But I will continue to lead the Arusian military. We recognize the value of the Garrison's cooperation and we will work with you but not for you."
"I understand your reluctance, Commander Whitaker, but in this instance I am more qualified to lead."
A heavy silence filled the dining room thick with tension. Lance let out a low whistle as Gideon's eyes widened and Allura tensed in preparation for her husband's response.
Keith cleared his throat and paused a moment to gather his thoughts, and reign in his temper, before responding, "Captain Klari, you have been serving with the Garrison for twelve years. I have been on Arus for over twenty five years, helping to build up the military, start the Air Brigade, and leading the Voltron Force. I can guarantee that you are not more qualified to lead in any way."
Color flooded Klari's cheeks as she threw her napkin down on the table. "I have more knowledge of Vinn and the Bittor Coalition."
"And we would like to work with you and put that knowledge to use for the good of Arus, its people, and all the other innocents at risk."
Klari glared at Keith, but he stood his ground, meeting her gaze and daring her to challenge him again.
The silence was broken by the creaking of Declan's chair as he shifted uncomfortably. It was still difficult for him to sit upright for long periods of time.
Allura smiled kindly at him, "Why don't you go lie down, sweetie, you need to take it easy. Gideon, help your brother to his room. Erik, I believe you're on duty in about fifteen minutes."
Taking the hint, chairs were pushed back and chatter once again flooded the room as everyone rose and went about their business. Gideon and Brina walked Declan back to his room, Keith dismissed Lance, Hunk, and Pidge for the night before heading to his office. With a sigh, Allura followed her husband in hopes of soothing his temper. Klari and Alexander left to send their daily report to Garrison headquarter, Sky walked her father to the door as Erik went to Castle Control and Cady retired to her room.
"Listen to me, Shorty," Lance threw his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "No matter what happens, you are working under Keith. Follow his lead and you, and Arus, will be fine."
"I know, Dad."
He shook his head in disbelief, "That woman is asking for trouble. Keith is the best there is and the sooner she realizes that, the better everything will be. The Garrison realizes how good he is and they regret ever losing him."
"But he won't go back, will he?"
"No. They even offered to have him permanently assigned here, but his loyalties lay completely with Arus."
"So do mine."
"The Garrison would never agree to the way things are run here, as Klari is pointing out. They would send in new pilots and if the Lions didn't accept them, we would be screwed."
"But Aunt Allura ultimately decides who flies the Lions, once the Lions have chosen their pilots she clears them. It's so much easier without the bureaucratic nonsense."
Lance squeezed her shoulders and kissed her temple, "You're doing a great job, Sky."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Go get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Dad."
"'Night, kiddo."
"Tell Mom I said good night."
"Will do," Lance saluted her and jogged out the door.
Sky checked her watch. It was still early and Erik would be on duty for four hours. Maybe she would go see Cady, find out what happened between her and Tristan, they had appeared cozy during dinner.
"I was wondering when you would get here," Cady sighed when Sky knocked on her door.
"Well?""Well what?"
Sky walked into the room and fell back into one of the plush chairs by the window, "You and Tristan seemed rather talkative at dinner."
Cady pulled the combs from her hair and started to brush it out. "I don't think he likes me. I mean, he is consumed with flying and I have no interest in it. He is dedicated to the Garrison and had really no interest in Arus other than his current assignment."
"Cady…"
"And he has the most beautiful eyes and the cutest dimple."
"Cady…"
"And when I touched his arm, it's like fire shot through my hand and straight to my stomach."
"Oh for Pete's sake," Sky rolled her eyes. "You sound like a really bad romance novel."
"Oh like you don't feel that way about Erik."
"I would never put my feelings into such cheesy terms."
………………………………………………………………….
After two hours of chatting and Sky reassuring Cady that it was too early for her to possibly know what Tristan thought of her, Sky decided it was time to head off to bed. Of course, that would require a detour to wish Erik a good night.
All was quiet in Castle Control. Erik was alone, sitting in front of the main console, scanning the monitors, the log sitting on his knees. When the door slid open, he looked over his shoulder and smiled.
"Hey there, Sunny, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a place like this?" He teased, rising to greet her.
"Oh, I was hoping to see this cute guy who had been hanging around," she replied.
"Yeah?" He wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Yeah. Have you seen him?"
"Smartass," Erik kissed her gently.
She wound her arms around his neck, "I just came by to say good night. I don't want to distract you."
"You're always distracting me."
"Where's the other guard on duty?"
He tucked the hair behind her ear and studied her face, "Bathroom break. You have impeccable timing."
"I try my best," she pressed lips to his.
Erik wove his fingers into hair, gently massaging her scalp as he deepened the kiss. Sky moaned against his mouth as the fingers of his other hand gently tickled the small of her back.
"Good night, babe," she whispered, breaking the kiss.
He locked his gaze with hers, "You are so beautiful."
"Stop it," she blushed under his scrutiny."You are," he kissed her forehead. "And you'll have to get used to hearing me say that."
The door slid open and Erik looked up, expecting to see the other guard on duty, Private Graham, but instead saw Captain Klari. Her face turned a brilliant shade of red when she saw the two of them locked in an intimate embrace. Erik reluctantly released Sky and stood at attention, facing the Captain. Her face flushed with embarrassment, Sky stood beside him.
"This is totally unacceptable," Captain Klari spat. "Romantic relationships between teammates is wrong."
"No it isn't," Erik said quietly.
Lieutenant Alexander and Private Graham entered the still open door. They both stopped sensing the impending danger in the scene before them.
"Don't speak to me in that insolent tone, boy," Klari snarled. "If you were under my command you would be court-martialed so fast your head would spin."
"Then I guess it's a good thing we're not under your command," he replied.
"Erik," Sky hissed out of the corner of her mouth.
"This will all go in my report to the Garrison."
"We have nothing to hide."Klari was visibly shaking with rage. First her encounter with Keith at dinner and now this. She had never seen such disregard for rules and regulation. There was no way this immature crew could possibly defeat Vinn. "You are nothing more than an ill-prepared group of children," she said quietly. "You have no idea what's at stake."
"We are fully aware of what is at stake," Sky spoke up. "This is our home."
"I have been tracking Vinn for years and I have not come this close only to fail because the Garrison thinks it should be up to a group of hormone-crazed teenagers who are more concerned with getting laid than fighting."
"You are way out of line," Erik warned.
"Just because your Uncle Keith made you commander doesn't mean you know what you're doing."
Erik pulled himself up to his full height and glared at Captain Klari. "Keith did not make me commander, Black chose me."
"They are machines, fancy planes. They do not think for themselves."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
Klari raised her hand and for a moment looked as though she was going to strike him. Erik didn't even flinch as Lt. Alexander rushed forward to stop Klari, but she slowly lowered her arm and hissed, "You will not speak to me in that way. I know more than you think I do. Apparently, I am the only one here who cares what happens. You grew up listening to your parents' stories and now that you've become young adults you think you can play dress up and fool around with any girl within a five mile radius willing to lift her skirt for a man with wings."
Sky gasped and grabbed Erik's arm as he stepped forward.
"Listen here, Captain Klari," he said in a low, strained tone. "You have no idea what you're talking about. The whole reason I am here is because of Sky, because of our future. Someday we're going to have a family of our own and whether we are settled here or on Pollux, I want to guarantee that my family can live in a world free from fear. We will defeat Vinn because it is the right thing to do and we will do it as a team. I don't care how long you have followed Vinn, but this fight is ours now. And I swear on all that you hold holy that if you ever, ever, speak that way about Sky again, woman or not, I will take you out back and see how tough you really are."
Klari's head had turned so crimson, it looked as though it was about to explode.
"Captain?" Lt. Alexander stood at her elbow.She ignored him, "I will not be spoken to in that way."
"You don't have a choice," Erik growled.
She opened her mouth to speak again when a beeping sounded from the main console. Private Graham and Erik turned to the monitors.
"Unidentified ships," Graham said.
Erik flipped a switch and spoke into the microphone beside the monitors, "You have entered Arusian airspace, state your name and business."No response.
"Repeating. You have entered Arusian airspace, state your name and business or we will be forced to attack."
Again, no response.
Erik nodded to Graham. The Private pushed the red button that sounded the Castle alarms. Moments later the turrent guns were manned and Castle Control was a flurry of activity. Keith barked out orders as the five teammates raced to their Lions, Declan moving a little slowly, but determinedly. It was time to prove Captain Klari wrong.