Keith reread the page of his book for the third time. He sighed and slammed it shut. I can't stay in here doing nothing! He walked over and peeked in through the door to his and Allura's bedroom. His wife was sound asleep, one hand resting under her cheek. Keith noticed she was still pale, and there were faint circles under her eyes. He quietly backed away, closing the door softly. He sighed again and paced the room. That's it. I'll go nuts if I stay in here much longer. Keith gathered up some papers from his desk and headed out the door towards his office.

He stopped by the kitchen and got himself a cup of coffee, then settled himself behind his desk. He pulled out the Druhle trade treaty and began to read. He had been reading and making notes for about an hour when his communicator beeped.

"Montgomery."

"Keith?" Pidge's voice sounded anxious. ""You'd better get down here."

Keith went instantly on the alert. "What's wrong?"

"Just hurry."

Keith got to his feet and bolted out the door. He hit the Control Room at a run. Inside, Lance was yelling angrily at a figure on the Com-screen.

"Don't give me that, you sorry excuse for a human being! I want answers!" Lance hollered.

"I'm sorry Sir, that is all the information I have at this time." The young man answered.

"What is going on in here?" Keith demanded.

Lance whirled around. "This…idiot just called to inform me that my son is missing from the Academy! If I want any more information I need to get in touch with Academy Security. This is just a courtesy call." Lance's green eyes flashed fire.

"Troi's missing?" Keith asked.

"Along with Hans and Dreana Dunbar." Lance said heatedly.

Keith turned to the officer on the Com-screen. "When did this happen?"

The young man shook his head. "I'm afraid I have no more information for you Sir. Please contact the Academy directly."

"Yeah, whatever. Thanks." Keith cut the connection and turned to Lance.

His friend was pale with fear and anger. "Dammit Keith, first the Lions and now this! What is going on?"

"I don't know Lance, but I'm going to find out."

"I tried to contact Marshall Graham, but his office said he was in a meeting." Pidge spoke up.

"I'll handle Graham. We need to secure the area." Keith said.

"I already doubled security around the Castle, Skipper. Nothing is getting in here without us knowing it." Hunk told them.

"Good thinking." Keith turned to Lance. "Does Dorma know?"

Lance was staring off into space, but broke his thoughts away at Keith's question. "What? No. Christ, how am I supposed to tell her our son's been kidnapped?"

"We don't know that he's been kidnapped Lance." Keith told him firmly. "Go talk to her. I'll get in touch with Headquarters and get some answers."

"You'll call me when you hear something?" Lance asked anxiously.

"You know I will. Go, find your wife." Keith said.

Lance hesitated a moment longer, then turned and marched out the door. Keith turned back to the computer. "Pidge, get me Galaxy Garrison. Tell them I want to talk to Marshall Graham. If they know what's good for them, they'll put me through."

Lance paused at the door to his family's quarters. He took a steadying breath, opened the door and stepped inside.

Dorma was sitting at her desk, papers scattered everywhere. She didn't look up at he walked in. She and Keith are so alike. It's kinda scary actually. "Dorma."

"Lance, I am busy." She glanced up at him. Something in his face made her pause and grow cold all over. "What is it?"

He walked over and knelt down next to her. "Dorma, Troi is missing from the Academy."

"What do you mean he is missing?" She asked, fear making her tremble.

Lance shook his head. "That's all they told me. Troi, Hans Oleson, and Dreana Dunbar have all disappeared."

Dorma got to her feet and paced the room. "No, this is not true! He must be in the library or out with his friends!"

Lance grabbed her by the shoulders. "Easy Babe." He pulled her close and could feel her quivering with panic. "Keith is calling Headquarters now. He'll let us know as soon as he hears something."

Dorma broke away. "Troi is not hurt, this I know."

Lance nodded. "I get the same feeling."

Dorma looked up at her husband. "Lance! Concentrate on those feelings! Find our son!"

Lance shook his head. "You know it doesn't work that way Dorma."

"Then make it work! Lance, you can do this! Focus on our son, let me help you." She placed her hands on his temples and pushed her thoughts into his.

Lance stood rock still, his mind reeling with emotions. An eternity passed. Finally Dorma broke free. She took a halting step backwards, and weakly sat on the couch.

Lance, paler than death, fell to his hands and knees on the floor. He lay there, breathing heavily for a moment, then looked up at her. "He's on a ship. He's not hurt or being held against his will. The others are with him." His head began to pound. "That's all I know…"

"I feel it too. Svavaliadeelin, I am sorry." Her violet eyes filled with tears.

Lance cautiously got to his feet and sat down next to her, taking her in his arms. "We'll find him Babe. We'll find him."

Keith stared at the blank computer screen in disgust. "Well, Graham's office was no help."

"Did you really expect any?" Pidge asked sarcastically.

Keith sighed. "We might as well try Academy Security."

The console began to beep. Pidge jumped on it. "Communication coming in. It's Jeff."

Jeff's image appeared on the screen. He was pale, and his hazel eyes glittered angrily. "Keith, I take it you've heard."

Keith nodded. "What happened?"

"They were all accounted for at lights out last night. None of them reported for roll call this morning. At first we didn't suspect anything, kids will be kids. After an hour or so, they did a room search which turned up empty."

"Is anyone else missing?" Keith asked.

Jeff shook his head. "No. Keith, I heard about the sabotage. This can't be a coincidence."

"I agree." Keith paused thoughtfully for a moment. "Jeff, when you searched their rooms, was there anything else missing?"

"Not that I noticed, but then again, I wasn't really looking for anything. Why?"

"Don't you think it's strange that if they have been kidnapped, we haven't heard from the kidnappers? I mean, you've got the kids who are potentially next in line to the leaders of both the Druhle Empire and planet Pollux, plus one high ranking Galaxy Alliance official. There's something not right here." Keith mused.

"Damn, you're right. We would have heard something." He was quiet a moment. "Then where do you think they are?" Jeff asked.

Keith shook his head. "I don't know, this is only a hunch."

"Well, your hunches usually pan out."

Keith sighed. "Jeff, I wish there was more I could do. Cliff and the 'Explorer' should be here sometime today. I'll get him on it and send him to you if I have to."

"Thanks Keith. I'll be in touch. Dunbar out." Jeff signed off.

Keith turned to Hunk and Pidge. "Any ideas?"

Hunk shook his head. "I was going to start reviewing the security tapes when this news came in. I'll get back to it, maybe we'll see something." He hurried out of the room.

"I'll go give him a hand. Where are you going to be?" Pidge asked.

"I don't know…I guess I should go tell Allura. And Sven will be calling I'm sure anyway. So much for my day off."

Pidge grinned. "Try to sound a little more disappointed Keith. You're not fooling anyone."

They both laughed and Pidge followed Hunk out the door. Keith turned back to the computer, his brow furrowed in thought. Something's not right here…If I could just figure out what it is.

The 'Explorer' landed in the lake a few hours later. The Team assembled and watched as the giant ship settled in the water. Shortly, a launch appeared and made its way across the lake to dock. Keith waved as Cliff came into view. The ship docked, and Keith held out a hand to help Cliff out of the skiff.

Commander Cliff Sheffield walked with a cane and a pronounced limp, courtesy of a battle with a group of rouge Druhle soldiers a few years ago. Commander Richard Hawkins was killed in the same battle, and Cliff was given command of the 'Explorer'. Cliff had been taken off active flying status due to his injury, and Crick Atlantraeta was now Captain of the Vehicle Force. Cliff's wife, Kimberly Harrison-Sheffield, was head of the Land Team. Most of the original Team members had moved on, but a few of them were still serving together.

"Good to see you Keith." Cliff hugged Keith tightly, then turned to Allura. "Your Majesty."

"Please Cliff, I do have a name!" Allura said, exasperated.

He laughed. "Of course you do. Give us a kiss Allura!" His grin was infectious, and laughing, Allura kissed him on the cheek.

Kim stepped off the boat and hugged first her brother Lance, then turned to Keith. "It's good to see you both. How are you feeling?" She asked Allura.

"Better, I'm glad you're here." The two women held each other tightly. They had grown close over the years, more like sisters than friends.

"Where's Dorma?" Kim asked, looking around.

"She's up at the Castle talking to Hazar. He's on his way too." Lance lit up one of his cigars.

"Maybe we should have a party." Cliff grinned. Lance shrugged and didn't reply. Cliff's grin faded. "What's wrong?"

Keith quickly filled them in on what had happened. Cliff frowned. "They're all missing? And you've received no ransom request?" He shook his head. "Something just doesn't add up."

"That's my thought too." Keith told him.

"They're OK, I just know it." Lance stubbornly. Cliff looked skeptical. "Trust me." Lance said firmly.

Cliff shrugged. "If you say so mate." He turned back to Keith. "So what's this about sabotage?"

Keith shook his head. "Not here." He said glancing around. "C'mon, this way." He led his friends into his and Allura's quarters in the Castle. Once they were all settled, Keith told them of Allura's crash and finding the bomb on Black Lion, then finishing with the kids disappearance. "It's just…weird." Keith said.

Cliff nodded. "And no one's heard anything?"

Lance shook his head. "Nothing." He looked up as Dorma entered the room. "Babe?"

She frowned at him. "Hazar is on his way. There has been nothing in the Druhle intelligence nets about the sabotage or the kidnapping." She sat down next to Lance, and he took her hand in his.

Allura looked thoughtful. "I don't understand? If the children have been kidnapped, why them? Obviously, Keith and I were the targets, why take those children? Why not Aria?"

"That's a good question Allura." Kim said. "If they could get to the Lions, and snatch three kids from the Academy, getting a nine year old girl out from her grandparents house should be a piece of cake."

Cliff nodded. "I agree."

Lance got to his feet and paced the room. "This is nuts! I can't just sit here! We have to do something!"

"Easy Lance, there's nothing we can do at this point." Keith told him gently.

"You'd move heaven and hell if it were your child!" Lance hollered angrily.

"Lance—" Dorma started.

Lance whirled to face her. "Don't start on me Dorma! My son is missing! I want him found!"

Allura got up and put her hand on Lance's arm. "Lance, we will find him. We'll find all of them. I promise."

Lance looked down at her. Allura's blue eyes were still filled with grief for her own loss. And now she's taken on mine as well. He sighed and took her in his arms.

Watching from across the room, Keith stiffened involuntarily. Dorma caught his look and shook her head. Keith took a steadying breath. "About the sabotage part of the program, Pidge and Hunk have been reviewing the security tapes. With any luck, they'll have something for us by later today."

"Well then, I suppose we should get back to the ship. I'll start an investigation into the bomb parts. The lab should be able to tell us where they originated from." Cliff got awkwardly to his feet. Kim placed a steadying hand on his arm.

Kim gave Allura one last hug. "We'll see you soon." She squeezed Lance's arm, and together, she and Cliff went out the door.

Lance paced the room again. "Lance, Svavaliadeelin, you must relax." Dorma got up and took his hand. "We will find them."

Lance closed his eyes and pressed his forehead down to hers. "I hope to God you're right Dorma." He said softly.

Keith looked over at his wife. Allura's watched Lance, her eyes filled with tears. Keith felt a touch of resentment course through him. He shook off the feeling, sighed and turned back to Lance. "Look, go get some rest both of you. The parents should all be landing later tomorrow or the day after. Go grab what peace and quiet you can get before the Terrible-Twosome get here." He said lightly.

Lance shrugged. "I guess you're right."

Keith placed his hand on Lance's shoulder. "You should know by now, I'm always right." He grinned at Lance who, after a moment, grinned back. "Go. I'll let you know when they get here." Together, Lance and Dorma left the room. Keith turned to Allura. "You get some sleep as well."

"Only if you join me." Allura teased.

Keith shook his head. "Believe me, I'd love to." He sighed. "I should go down and give Pidge and Hunk a hand."

Allura's eyes were downcast. "All right. But don't be too long. This will be our last bit of peace and quiet for a while too." She gave him a soft kiss and went into their bedroom.

Keith waited a few minutes, his thoughts in turmoil, then headed to the Control Room.

Pidge was staring at the computer screen in front of him. He turned when he heard the door open. "Keith, I was just going to call you."

Keith sat down next to him. "Why? What did you find?"

"I'm not sure. Take a look at this." Pidge punched a few buttons and an image appeared on the screen. They watched it for a minute, then the image blurred and cleared.

"What was that?" Keith asked.

Pidge shook his head. "I'm not sure, but it goes in sequence, watch."

He resumed the taped and they watched as each camera image hazed over for a second or two then continued. "Where is this?" Keith asked.

"The old caverns leading to Blue Lion. They aren't in use anymore since the people stopped living underground fifteen years ago." Pidge told him. "The same interference is in the tunnels leading to Black. The other tunnels came up clean."

Keith narrowed his eyes. "So whoever is doing this, is after Allura and I."

"It sure looks that way."

Keith muttered something unintelligible under his breath, then turned to Pidge. "I want extra security posted around the Castle, especially leading to the tunnels."

"Already on it Keith." Pidge quickly pressed some buttons on the computer panel.

Keith got to his feet. "I'm going to go take a quick look for myself. Take care of things up here."

"No problem Keith." Pidge turned to watch as Keith started towards the door. "Keith?" Keith turned. "Be careful." Keith nodded and walked out the door.