I don't own Voltron or its characters, just everybody else!

Keith bit the inside of his cheek, trying to stay awake. God I hate meetings. He tried to look like he was paying attention to the speaker, but the man had been droning on for twenty minutes now. I don't even know what he's complaining about. Something about border treaties I think.

"Commander Montgomery?"

Keith started and looked up. Marshall Graham was addressing him. "Would you please give us an update on planet Arus?"

Keith nodded. "Yes Sir." He pulled a sheaf of papers out of his briefcase, and passed them around the table. "Commander Hazar has been supplying many of our exploratory vessels with Trasanian ore. By our, I mean Arusian ships. The ore is highly valuable for fuel. It burns cleaner with fewer emissions, and goes farther than our traditional fuels. The Commander would like to negotiate terms to import the ore here on Earth. He has asked me to discuss the matter with you."

The men and women gathered around the table began to browse through the handouts, occasionally asking Keith questions. Finally after nearly two hours, the matter was voted on and passed, and the meeting was called to a close.

Marshall Graham came over to Keith as the others left the room. "Keith, it's good to see you."

"Same here Marshall." Keith smiled. Since the 'Lotor incident' some fifteen years ago, Marshall Graham had remained true to his word, never again deceiving Keith or Allura.

"How long will you be staying?" Graham asked.

"For another three weeks or so. I'm teaching a few classes at the Academy, and spending some time with my parents. I brought my daughter and Lance Harrison's daughter with me."

Graham laughed.

"Two little girls? By yourself? It's a good thing you've got all that combat experience behind you."

Keith grinned. "I won't disagree there Sir."

Graham laughed again, then he turned serious. "There is something I'd like to talk to you about Commander."

Keith looked up at him. "Yes Sir?"

"You've done amazing work there on Arus. Who would have thought we would ever be having trade talks let alone peace negotiations with the Druhle Empire."

"Sir, it wasn't just me. My Team had a lot to do with that." Keith told him.

"You are far too modest Keith. Nevertheless, it is my honor to present you with these." Graham held out a small box. Keith opened it and went pale. "Congratulations General Montgomery."

"But-but Sir? I—" Keith stammered, looking at the gold General's Stars.

Graham held up his hand. "Don't you dare tell me you don't deserve it. It's been too long in coming if you ask me. And before you ask, Hunk Packard and Pidge Yvontil have been promoted as well."

Keith seemed to snap out of his reverie. "On behalf of myself and my Team, thank-you Sir."

"You're very welcome General."

Keith smiled. "General, that'll take some getting used to."

"There is more." Graham paced the length of the room, then turned to face him. "Keith, I'll speak frankly. We need you. Galaxy Garrison could use a man of your caliber. Some one who isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in, some one who won't succumb to the petty comings and doings of whoever is paying him the most." Graham paused a moment. "Almost single-handedly, you've managed to get two mortal enemies not only talking to each other, but negotiating trade agreements. You've taken on the responsibility of two cultures, two planets, Earth and Arus, all the while somehow managing to stay true to both. Keith, Earth's Council is practically crying out for some one like you."

Keith paced the room. "Sir, I can't. I live on Arus now."

"But Earth will always be your home." He held up his hand before Keith could protest. "Don't give me an answer now. Think about it, that's all I ask."

"Thank-you Sir. I'll do that." Keith replied.

"Well then, I'd best let you get on with your day. I'll talk to you soon General." Graham shook Keith's hand and left the room.

Keith watched him leave, then glanced down at his chronometer. "Damn! I'm late!" Quickly gathering his things, he hurried out the door.

"I've done a full sweep of the perimeter Lance. Everything looks clear." Allura swung her Blue Lion in an easy arc around the Castle.

"Confirmed. Let's head in." Lance flew his Red Lion towards its volcano home.

"Oh Lance, do we have to? It's a beautiful day!" Allura pleaded.

"Allura, you know Keith'll have my head if he finds out you've been joyriding."

"So don't tell him."

Lance groaned. "Like he won't figure it out. I swear there isn't anything the man doesn't know!"

"Aww, are you afraid of him Lance?" Allura teased.

"Yes."

Allura laughed, and after a moment, Lance joined in. "All right Allura, a quick race, then back to the Castle."

"Eat my dust Harrison!" Allura punched her Lion into overdrive and took off in front of Lance.

"Hey! No fair!" Lance scurried to catch up with her.

Allura laughed and banked her Lion into a steep dive towards the canyon. Lance sped after her, but couldn't quite catch up. "Ha! I won!" She yelled.

"Two out of three!" Lance shot in front of her.

Back at the Castle, Hunk shook his head at Pidge. "Keith is going to kill the two of you." He said to Lance and Allura.

"He'll have to catch us first!" Allura called back laughing.

Dorma entered the room and walked over to Pidge and Hunk. "What is going on?" She asked.

"Lance and Allura are racing in their Lions." Pidge told her.

Dorma narrowed her eyes and pushed the intercom button. "Lance Harrison."

"Hiya Babe." Lance answered.

"Do not 'Babe' me. What do you think you are doing?" Dorma demanded.

"Just taking a quick re-con of the area….Babe." Lance grinned down into the viewscreen.

"You are incorrigible."

"That's why you love me!"

Dorma smiled despite herself. "Yes, I suppose it is."

Lance winked at her, and turned his attention back to flying. "All right Allura, once more through the canyon and then back home." Allura didn't answer. "Allura?"

"Lance, there's something wrong." Allura sounded nervous.

Lance quickly went on the alert. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure. My controls are acting sluggish. I'm having trouble controlling her." Allura tried to keep the panic out of her voice.

"Pidge!"

Pidge's fingers flew across the control panel. "Already on it Lance." He frowned at the computer readout. "I have green across the board. Whatever it is, it's not computer related."

"Allura, circle back to the Castle." Lance told her.

"I'll try." Allura pulled on the controls. "Lance, the controls aren't responding." She looked up. The cliff face seemed very close. "Lance…"

"Easy Allura. Hit your manual override." Lance flew in as close as he dared.

"Nothing! It's not working!"

Hunk and Pidge looked at each other, and then ran towards their alcoves. Within moments, they were taking off in their Lions.

"Allura, as soon as we get closer, pull out your Key. Blue should shut down, and we'll guide you in." Hunk told her.

Allura nodded, her face white with fear. She pulled out her Key. Blue gave a shudder, but didn't slow down. "Hunk, nothing happened!" She pulled with all her might on the controls. "I can't stop!"

"Hunk, Pidge, get in there! Try and sandwich her!" Lance ordered.

Yellow and Green Lions raced to Allura's side. "The canyon walls are too narrow Lance, we can't fit! There's not enough room!" Pidge hollered back.

"Damn!" Lance looked up. Blue was racing out of control. "Allura, brace yourself, I'm going to try and get under you and pull you down in a controlled crash." Sweat poured down Lance's face as he tried to maneuver his Lion into position.

"Lance! Everything just went dead! I have no power!" Allura cried out.

Blue began to falter. "Hang on Allura!" Lance slammed Red into her, trying to break her fall. But Blue was traveling too fast. The impact knocked both Lions out of control and smashed them into the side of the canyon wall. Allura's scream was the last thing Lance heard before he blacked out. Red and Blue Lions plummeted to the ground and lay still.