Voltron belongs to WEP. Not me.
The Council convened early the next morning. Aside from Keith, Allura, Pidge, Coran and the rest of Arus's councilors, Lance and Dorma, Hunk, Admiral Harrison, Cliff and his staff, and Commander Hazar were also present.
Allura rapped on the table. "Let this meeting begin."
"Majesty, what is the meaning of this conference?" One of the councilors asked.
Another member eyed Cliff and Harrison suspiciously. "And why are warships once again docked on our planet?"
"Does this have something to do with Her Majesty's accident with the Blue Lion?" Another asked.
Allura turned and nodded to Coran. The elderly advisor cleared his throat. "There was no accident. The crash was a deliberate attempt on the Queen's life." There was a collective gasp around the table. Coran continued. "Another such attempt was made on Commander Montgomery, but he and his Team were able to prevent it from happening." He filled in the Council on the events of the past week, culminating with the attack on Pidge and Keith down in the tunnels.
"But who would do such a thing?" Some one asked.
Pidge shook his head. "We're not sure yet. We have some one on the security tapes, but the image is too distorted to make out clearly." He glanced at Keith, who narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.
"You have no idea who is behind this?"
"We have suspicions, but no proof as of yet." Pidge told him.
"We think it's Lotor." Keith told them.
The room erupted in confusion, with everyone vying to be heard.
Keith stood. "QUIET!" The room silenced instantly. He turned to Cliff. "Commander Sheffield, did you have something to say?"
Cliff nodded. "It's my opinion that until we catch whoever is doing this, that as a precaution, the members of this council be placed in a more secure location."
Keith nodded. "I agree. Loto—whoever this is has managed to sabotage two Lions. Getting in here should be child's play."
"If the Castle isn't safe, where could we possibly go?" A councilman asked.
Cliff nodded at Keith and Allura. "The 'Explorer' is at your disposal. This guy may be able to get into the Castle, but he'll have alot of trouble getting aboard my ship."
Most of the councilors nodded in agreement. "But what about Her Majesty? And the Princess?" One of them asked.
"They should be moved as well." Another added.
"They will be. I'll see to it that Allura and Aria will be taken into safe custody, and placed under heavy guard." Keith said firmly.
Allura glared at her husband. "Excuse me?" Her voice dripped ice.
Keith faced her. "You and Aria will be taken somewhere secure." His tone booked no argument.
Allura's face flushed with anger. "I will do no such thing. How will it seem to my people if I go into hiding, leaving them to face this enemy?" She shook here head. "I am staying here, where I belong."
"No, you're not." Keith told her.
"Yes, I am." She shot back.
Conversation in the room came to a halt, and everyone stared at Keith and Allura. They seemed not to notice.
Keith took a deep breath. "Allura, you and Aria are not safe here. This manic got right in the Castle! The Team and I will take care of this, then you can come home."
Allura shook her head. "I'm part of this Team too. I'm staying here."
"It's too dangerous Allura."
"I am not leaving! You can put extra guards on me but I am staying here. I will not be forced out of my own home."
Keith shook his head. "I insist, not only as your husband, but as head of Royal Security. You assigned me to this position. I am only doing my job. You are going. You have no say in the matter this time." He said unyieldingly.
Allura got to here feet. "I must remind you, Commander, that as ruler of this planet, I decide who is in charge of what. If you wish to continue being head of Security, I suggest you remember that." She said coldly.
Keith narrowed his eyes at her. "Just what are you saying, Your Highness?"
Lance gulped at Keith's tone. Uh-oh, this can't be good.
"I think it is perfectly clear what I am saying, Commander." Allura's blue eyes flashed fire.
The room grew deadly still. They stood glaring at each other, then Keith stood, his face pale with anger. "Then I'll save you the trouble Majesty. I resign." He pulled something out of his pocket and flung it across the table.
Allura caught it before it fell to the floor. It was his Key to Black Lion. She looked up at him in surprise. "You can't be serious."
"I'm deadly serious. You want to put your life in danger, go ahead. Leave me out of it." He replied coldly.
She looked up at him. Keith met her gaze unflinchingly and she squared her shoulders. "Resignation accepted. Captain Harrison!" She snapped.
Lance started. "Yes Allu—Your Majesty?"
Without taking her eyes off Keith, she held out the Key to Lance. "I now appoint you Captain of the Voltron Force."
Lance looked from Keith to Allura. "Hey, let's just wait a minute here."
Allura turned to Lance, her face an unreadable mask. "Do you accept? Or shall I find someone else?" She asked coldly.
"Allura, come on."
"Do you accept?"
Lance looked at his Commander and best friend. "Keith?"
Keith scowled at him. He turned on his heel and marched out of the room without a backward glance.
"Captain, I am waiting for your answer." Allura didn't watch her husband as he left the room.
Lance glanced around the room. Everyone watched him in silence. He turned back to Allura. She stood rigidly, her face pale. Lance bowed. "I would be honored to accept. Thank-you Your Majesty." He took the Key from her hand.
Allura nodded and turned back to the Council. "This meeting is adjourned." She stood until everyone, except Lance, had left. "I want a full briefing on your Security measures as soon as possible Captain."
Lance nodded. "Yes Your Highness."
Without another word, Allura strode from the room. Lance looked down at the Key in his hand and shook his head. Nope, this is not good.
Keith had never been so angry in his life. He tore open the drawers in his desk, and hastily crammed his papers and files into his briefcase. The door chime buzzed. He ignored it.
It buzzed again.
He ignored it again.
The door opened and Allura strode in. "Why didn't you answer the door?" She demanded.
Keith glared at her. "I'm sorry Your Majesty. I didn't realize you had commanded me to open it." He turned back to his desk.
"Don't take that tone with me." Allura told him.
Keith didn't look up. "Whatever you say, Your Highness."
"Don't you think we need to discuss what just happened?" Allura persisted.
"I don't have anything more to say. I think I made myself perfectly clear. I'm done." Keith slammed the last drawer shut.
The silence went on for a few minutes before Allura spoke up. "I refuse to let fear rule my life Keith. Why is that so hard for you to understand?"
"There's a big difference between courage and stupidity."
"So now I'm stupid?" Allura said furiously.
"You said it, not me." Keith turned to face her. "I don't know why you even gave me the position, since you don't follow orders anyway. You, Lance, Hazar, you all think this is some big game. Well, thankfully I don't have to play anymore."
"Oh, so now it's our fault because we're not jumping at your every command. Well let me tell you something Keith Montgomery, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." She retorted.
"Sure you can. You've done a great job so far." Keith added sarcastically. "Let's see, if we don't count how many times you were captured by Lotor or his cronies, or the times you've been shot down or crashed during battles or training runs, the number assassination attempts you've been through, oh, and let's not forget this latest incident. Yeah, I'd say you do a super job taking care of yourself." Keith snarled.
Allura went pink with anger. "You're one to talk, always rushing in trying to be the big hero. How many times have I had to sit by your side, waiting to see if you would live or die?"
Keith turned away. "That's different."
"How so! Keith, I only want to do what's best for my planet and my people! You of all people should understand that!" She said exasperated.
Keith faced her again. "I do understand that Allura, the only difference is I'm not the ruler of the planet! Whether you like it or not, you have a duty to your people. To stay alive and rule them! My job is to make sure you're around to do that and if it involves putting my life on the line, then so be it."
"You could be a ruler if you chose."
Keith shook his head. "No, I've told you that before."
"Afraid of the responsibility Keith?" Allura sneered.
"I've never shirked my responsibilities and you know it."
"No, but you sure as hell like lording it over us."
Keith glared at her. "Now I see what this is. Once again the spoiled little Princess is throwing a tantrum because she's not getting her way."
Allura snorted. "Me!" She said incredulously. "I'm not the one who stormed out of the council meeting."
"Like you gave me any choice." Keith snarled. "Well, now you can have what you always wanted and put Lance in charge of your life."
"At least he's part of my life!" Allura's eyes flashed blue lightning. "You're always too busy attending meetings on Earth, negotiating some trade agreement with another planet, making nice with the Druhles. Face it Keith, you're not happy unless you're off saving the universe!"
Keith went red, then white, with anger. "Allura…"
She pushed by him, pacing the length of the room. "Lance does more duties of the Royal Consort than you do! He attends the council meetings, the social functions, oversees the day to day running of the Castle. Keith, I awoke in the hospital to find him by my side instead of you! Even when you came back, Lance was there while you were off looking for some one to blame." She turned to face him again. "I needed you Keith. I needed you and you weren't there."
"I was there. You were too wrapped up in him to notice." Keith said in a quiet, deadly voice.
Allura frowned in confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You two are always together. You'd rather go to him, than talk to me. It's pretty obvious how you feel about each other."
Allura laughed sarcastically. "How we feel about each other! My God Keith, are you listening to yourself? You're acting like a jealous schoolboy."
"Maybe I'm just seeing clearly for the first time." He said coldly.
"Don't be an ass Keith. I love you. We have a family together." She told him, shaking her head.
Keith refused to back down. "Yes, a family that should have included a son. But why should that bother me? For all I know, he wasn't even mine." He regretted it as soon as the words came out of his mouth, but there was no taking them back now.
Allura went pale and her eyes went bright with unshed tears. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face, then turned and fled the room.
Keith stood rock still, watching after her. He turned and grabbed the first thing that came to hand and hurled it against the wall. The heavy crystal vase shattered into a million pieces, narrowly missing Lance as he walked in through the door.
"Easy there buddy, you almost got me that time." Lance quipped.
Keith whirled on him. "YOU!" He advanced on Lance, who backed up until he was standing with his back up against the wall. "Stay away from me, stay away from her. In fact, stay away from my whole damn family!" He pushed past Lance, grabbing his jacket, and marched out of the room.
Lance looked around the disheveled office in stunned silence. "I wish the hell some one would explain to me what's going on." He paused a moment more, then left, closing the door behind him.
Keith stormed into the stable, his expression deadly. The three cadets looked up in surprise.
"Vahloo—Commander Montgomery?" Troi asked hesitantly.
Keith took a steadying breath. "You three are excused."
Troi nodded, his green eyes wide. "Yes Sir." He elbowed the others and together, they hurried outside.
Keith grabbed a bridle off the wall and marched out into the paddock. He whistled and his horse came pounding up to him. His white stallion, Gaerwn, had grown too old to carry him, and now Keith rode a powerful animal he called Balthazar. The horse was deep grey in color, with a black mane and tail. He whinnied as he galloped up to Keith.
Moments later, Keith had the horse bridled and he swung up onto his back without bothering with a saddle. Nudging the animal with his heels, Balthazar reared up and burst into a run. The horse gathered himself and soared over the paddock fence, and took off across the meadow. Soon, they were out of sight.
Troi, Hans, and Dreana looked at each other in confusion. "I think we had better find my father and see what's going on." Troi said.
Hans nodded. "Ja cousin, I think you are right."