Things were happening too fast. Ships were swarming all around him, driving the sensors crazy. Laser fire was everywhere. CRASH! Direct hit! The alarms rang through the air-Keith woke with a start. The alarms weren't in his dreams.
"Not again!" a voice groaned from across the room.
"Let's go Lance, looks like they're back at it." Keith grabbed his shirt off the chair where he had dropped it only a couple of hours ago. Lance rolled off the couch, and the two Voltron Force members rushed down the hall to the Control Room. On the way, they met up with two other members of the team, Hunk and Pidge. The four entered the Command room at a dead run, almost running into Princess Allura.
"What's going on Coran?" asked Keith.
"It appears to be ships of the same caliber that we have been up against the past few days. I'm still not sure where they came from, or even who they are!" Coran said.
Keith looked at his team. They were all exhausted from being up for the past three days. His concern turned to rage when he saw the bruises on Princess Allura's face. "All right, that's it. Let's go team. We're finishing this. NOW." They ran towards the tunnels leading them to their lions.
"Let's go, Voltron Force!" They yelled in unison. The five Lions burst into the air at top speed. The battle was on…..
Some time later, the ships returned to their alcoves, and the Team met up in the Ready Room. All were battered and bruised. Pidge was limping, Lance sported a split lip, and Hunk, Keith and Allura had all added to their bruises.
"I could sleep for a week." grumbled Hunk.
"Me too." added Pidge with a yawn.
"Who were those guys?" asked Lance.
Keith shook his head. "I'm not sure. This was too easy."
Allura nodded. "They were all robots. There wasn't a Robeast in sight. No Mother ship either. Strange."
"I have the damndest feeling about all this. I think we are in real trouble this time." Lance said. His troubled look had Keith looking at him closely. Lance's feelings were not often to be ignored. Keith's head began to ache.
"Well, we'll figure it out in the morning. All of you, bed, and that's an order." Keith looked Lance directly in the eyes.
Coran interrupted. "First, you and the Princess have to debrief in front of the Council. I'm sorry Your Highness, Captain. Just a bit longer, I promise."
Keith sighed. "All right team, you heard me. Off, now. C'mon Princess. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get you into bed." The whole room froze at Keith's words. He didn't notice, until he'd realized what he had said. Keith turned to face his friends. Allura's blue eyes were open wide. Pidge, Hunk, and Coran looked on in shock. Only Lance had a smirk on his face as he watched Keith turn as red as the uniform he wore. "Princess….I…Ah….I mean…"
Allura was the first to get her voice back. "Good thing Nanny wasn't here to hear that. See you in the Council." She and Coran turned to leave the room. Before she went out the door, she paused and gave Keith a sidelong look. And sent him a sweet smile that went straight to his heart.
Hunk and Pidge headed to their rooms. "Night Skipper. Sleep well!" Hunk chuckled. He and Pidge giggled all the way down the hall. Only Lance was left in the room with his Captain.
"Freudian slip Captain?" he grinned, and watched Keith's face get all red again.
Keith elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up Lance. Get to bed." Keith was not amused.
Lance laughed. "See that you get there as well Cap. Sooner more than later."
Lance's expression booked no argument. He could see the fatigue written all over Keith's body. "I'm serious Keith. You look like hell."
Keith sighed. "No argument there my friend. See you in the morning." With that, he left the room and made his way to the council chamber. Lance watched him go, then sighed himself and set off to his room.
The noise in the Council chamber assaulted Keith's already aching head. He glanced towards the Princess. She gave him a look of sympathy as he sat down, wincing over his sore muscles. As soon as he was seated, she beckoned for silence, and nodded to Coran. He stood, addressing the Council. "My Lords and Ladies, we are here to discuss further protection for our planet. The Voltron Force has managed to save us once again, but it is clear they need assistance. I recommend we ask Galaxy Garrison for a Space Force to be sent here at once." He sat down as the mayhem erupted. Councilors were all vying to be heard.
"We don't need help from off-worlders!"
"What about Voltron?"
"The Voltron Force never needed help before!"
"We can take care of ourselves!"
Keith's head was spinning. I can't take this anymore. Suddenly he stood up. "QUIET!" he bellowed. The room sank into shocked silence. Keith didn't often speak at these meetings, let alone take charge. He paused and looked around at the councilors. He met Allura's eyes. They were full of concern for him. Concern, and something else Keith couldn't read. The room started spinning again. He took a deep breath and looked away. "I agree with Coran. We obviously are up against some kind of new technology. The Team and I have been fighting for days. We need help. We cannot do this alone. Even the Voltron Force can admit when they need assistance. Right now we couldn't take on Nanny, let alone Zarkon and his cronies. Listen to us people. Call Galaxy Garrison. Get a Space Force here. Now. Before it's too late." Keith's legs began to wobble under him. He sat down quickly, hoping no one noticed.
The Princess stood. Her heart clenched as she saw Keith's hands shaking, and the pallor of his skin. He's exhausted. I don't think he's slept in days. I'm ending this now. "This is not a choice my Councilors. I am sending notice to Earth. I hope to have a permanent force here within days. If there is more you need to discuss, you will have to do it without us. The Captain and I haven't been able to rest since this began. Any questions can be put to us tomorrow. Good Night." She turned and left the room, motioning for Keith to follow her.
They walked down the hallway in silence. Both were too tired to speak. Keith paused in front of the Princess's door. "Princess…."
Allura put a finger to Keith's lips. "Shhhh! Go get some rest. We will talk in the morning." She smiled at him, another of those achingly sweet smiles, and slipped into her room.
Keith shook his head wearily. I can't deal with this right now. And I'm never going to get to sleep. He started down the hallway, but instead of going to his room, he made his way to the Control room. Sitting in the chair, he punched in the codes to planet Pollux. Momentarily, Sven's face appeared on the screen. "Keith! Vhat is going on down dere?"
"I'm not sure Sven. Is it possible for you to join us? I think we could use your help." Keith replied wearily. He ran his hand through his hair. "I know I could."
Sven looked closely at Keith. "What happened to you? You look vorse den normal."
Keith smiled, his first one in days. "Thanks alot my friend. Don't worry. Nothing that a few days of rest can't cure. When can we expect you?"
Sven paused. "About a veek I tink. Maybe sooner. Go to bed. Oleson out." The screen went dark.
Keith next punched in the codes for Galaxy Garrison headquarters. After a moment, Lance's father appeared. "Keith, we heard the news. What's going on? Is everything all right up there?"
"Not really sir. We were attacked, nothing new there, but no sign of Zarkon or Lotor. Just a bunch of robot fighters. A lot more than we've been used to, but we managed to handle it. We're beat though. If they come back…" Keith paused to rub his aching head. "Lance has a bad feeling, and we all know what that means."
Admiral Alexander Harrison looked thoughtful. "Yes, we do. We are sending you a squadron of space fighters. They are under your command. They have been permanently assigned to Arus." He looked at his godson's exhausted features. "Keith, I wish I could do more."
"You've done enough Uncle. Thanks." Keith replied wearily.
"Enough for now. As your Commanding Officer, I order you to bed." Admiral Harrison's tone softened. "There is nothing more to do tonight. I will be in touch soon." Keith nodded. The Admiral continued. "I meant what I said. Bed, now. Harrison out." The channel closed. Keith sighed. I wish every one would stop telling me that. He stretched his aching muscles and headed, finally to his bed.