Hope you're still enjoying it! Let me know what you think. Again, still don't own 'em, just the ones I made up.
They gathered, a few hours later, in the Control room of the Castle. Cliff was there along with Crick and the Vehicle Voltron Force. Keith faced them all. "I have it on good authority that Haltor plans to attack at dawn. And we were right, Haggar is alive and behind this."
Everyone started to talk at once. "What 'authority' told you this Keith?" Lance asked sarcastically. Dorma elbowed him in the ribs.
"One I trust." Keith said with a look in Allura's direction. He glanced up at the Crest of Arus hanging above the doorway, then back to her eyes. She looked puzzled a moment, then stiffened with surprise and nodded. Keith turned back to the others. "We have to mount an attack first. Catching him off guard is the only way we can hope to have even a chance of winning this." He faced Cliff and took a deep breath. "This isn't your fight. If you chose to not get involved, I understand."
Cliff's blue eyes glinted with anger. "That bastard attacked my ship, and killed my people. You don't get much more involved than that. We're with you." The rest of his Teammates nodded in agreement.
"Then here's the plan. I suggest we launch half our fighter force. Leave the rest in reserve. Our first priority is the Command ship. We need to kill that communications blanket. With any luck, GG already has help on the way since they haven't been able to contact us." Keith said thoughtfully.
"Jeff is most likely freaking out, not having talked to Dreana since we found her." Cliff added.
Lance nodded. "And knowing Sven, he's probably half way here by now."
"That's why we need to take out Haltor's Command ship first. We need to get communications back up." Keith said.
Edward nodded. "Leave that to your mother and I."
"Just be careful. We've seen his fire power, and we're severely outnumbered." Keith told them.
Pidge gazed down at the Vid-table. "I may have a way to even the odds. If I can get close enough to that ship, I might be able to scramble their signal."
"What do you mean?" Keith asked.
Pidge looked around at everyone. "If I can get close to their communications array, I can set up a net of my own. It should take down their whole system. I just have to get close enough to tap into them."
Keith knew better than to ask Pidge how he did it. "We'll get you right onto that ship if that's what it takes Pidge, the rest is up to you."
He shrugged, his face pink. "I also set up our communications on a different link. Haltor won't be able to listen in on us."
"Sounds like a good plan. Where will the rest of you be?" The Admiral asked.
Keith paused before answering. "Cliff, how did the kids do on the simulator?" He asked.
Cliff nodded. "Not bad at all. They've been trained well, and watching Dreana…" He shrugged. "Well let's just say there's no doubt who her parents are."
Crick nodded in agreement. "They're with Cinda getting suited up now. They'll be fine General."
Keith scowled at Crick. "Good. And the third pilot?"
"I'm flying." Cliff stated simply.
Lance looked up, startled. "What?" He looked over at his sister.
Kim's hazel eyes were wide and her face pale, but she smiled and took Cliff's hand. "Don't worry, I'll be up there to keep an eye on him."
Lance shook off a feeling of dread. "Just…be careful all right?" He insisted.
"No worries there old chap." Cliff responded firmly.
"I want you to stay hidden as long as possible. Knowing Haggar, she has a Robeast or two to throw at us. Since we're short a pilot, we can't form Voltron and we're going to need you to cover our backs." Keith avoided looking at Allura.
Allura stiffened at his remarks, but said nothing.
"Cover our ass you mean." Lance drawled, trying to ease the tension in the room. There was stifled laughter.
Keith stepped forward again. "So that's the plan. Any questions?"
"Where will Her Highness be during all this? If she is not flying the Blue Lion, she needs to be kept somewhere safe." Coran stated.
"I will be here in the Control Room Coran. Safe and sound." Allura told him, eyeing Keith coldly.
Keith scowled, but before he could say anything, Hazar interrupted him. "I will be here as well. This way we will be able to oversee what is happening, and send assistance if needed. Also, anyone trying to get in here will have to go through me first."
"I too will be here. That way, I will be close enough to sick-bay if Iam needed." Dorma said.
"I'll head back with Cliff and his Team. I can stand by on the 'Explorer' until Cliff gets back." Harrison told them.
"Cass and I already agreed to lead the fighters, unless you've changed your mind about me flying Blue?" Edward asked.
Keith shook his head. "Thanks anyway Dad, but there's just not enough time to train you, and believe me, it's no picnic flying one of the Lions without it." The others nodded in agreement. Keith took a deep breath, and looked around at his friends and family. "This is it Team. We've never faced such uneven odds. But what a creep like Haltor doesn't understand is how strong we are. Together, we can beat him."
The room erupted in cheers. Everyone broke up into small groups. Cliff stood giving last minute instructions to his Team. Kim and Lance stood together with their parents. Hunk held Sereti and Gil close against him. Pidge hugged both Allura and Coran. Dorma and Hazar talked quietly to themselves.
"Keith?" Keith looked up from the table.
"Mom, Dad." He straightened up. "I wish you weren't part of this. I wish you were back on Earth, were you'd be safe."
Cassandra placed her hand on her sons arm. "Keith, baby, we're glad we're here."
"We'd much rather be here helping you, then back home wondering what was going on." Edward told him.
Keith sighed. "Just be careful. I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you." He said hoarsely as he pulled his mother close.
Cass held her son tightly, fighting back tears. "That goes both ways baby."
Edward stepped forward and took them both in his arms. After a moment, he pulled back. "All right. Let's get going. We're not doing much just standing around here crying." He winked at Keith.
Keith smiled wearily. "Thanks Dad."
"Now go find your wife." Cassandra ordered, squeezing his hand. Keith started to shake his head. "That's not a request Keith." Her tone softened. "Just talk to her baby."
Keith sighed. "I guess you're right."
Cass smiled. "I'm your mother, I'm always right."
Keith laughed and headed over to where he had last seen Allura. She wasn't there. Pausing he looked around.
"She left." Keith turned to find Pidge at his side. "She said she was heading for the Control Room."
"Thanks Pidge." Keith stormed out of the room.
Lance watched Keith leave and sighed. "You cannot help them Svavaliadeelin." Lance looked down at his wife. She smiled, her violet eyes filled with concern. "They must work it out for themselves."
"I know." He pulled her close. "Dorma, I love you. Please be safe." His voice was rough with emotion.
"I will be. It is you I am concerned about." She looked up at him, running her hand along his cheek. "Do not do anything foolish. I need you to come back to me."
Lance pulled her close again. "Nothing to worry about there Babe."
"Stop calling me 'Babe'." He pulled her close again and she could feel him trembling. "What is it Lance?"
He stepped back, his green eyes scanning the room. "I don't know….Just a feeling."
"What kind of feeling?" She asked.
Lance looked around at his friends and family, gathered in small groups. "After Keith's speech…I don't think we're all coming back this time." He said soberly.
Dorma's heart clenched in fear and she pulled him to her, kissing him ardently. "Do not say that Lance. You will all be back by tonight, laughing and joking over Nanny's cheesecake." She said smiling up into his eyes.
Lance smiled as he kissed her again. Please God, let her be right.
Keith marched down the hallway, towards his and Allura's quarters. The Castle servants backed away at the stony expression on his face. At the door, he paused, hesitant to enter. What are you afraid of Montgomery, it's your home too. Scowling, he opened the door and went inside.
The rooms were empty. Keith paused a moment, looking around. He walked over and picked up a picture. It showed him and his friends, after the purple hair incident. He smiled and picked up another, this one of Sven, Romelle, and their family. Next he held one of him and Allura during happier times. Keith clenched his eyes shut, took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom. Keith pressed a hidden switch on the wall, and a cabinet opened up. Quickly he selected two large blasters and put them in the holster around his waist. He then fastened some explosives to his belt. He was slipping a knife into his boot when he heard the door open. He turned to face Allura.
They stood staring at each other for a few moments. Allura spoke first.
"Are you ready?" She asked, taking in his weaponry.
"As ready as I can be." Keith closed the cabinet. "Where's Aria?"
"Sereti has her, Gil, Zarana, and some of the other children down deep in the old tunnels. They'll be safe there. They're under heavy guard." She told him.
Keith nodded in approval. "Good. I'd have liked to say good-bye to her, but she's better off where she is." He walked past Allura into the living room. Picking up his Key off the desk, he started towards the door. He stopped before the motion sensor and turned towards Allura. "I'm sorry Allura, for alot of things." He took a deep breath. "No matter what you believe, I still love you." He told her, his voice tight with emotion. She didn't answer, but wrapped her arms around herself and walked over to stand staring out the window, her back to him. Keith swallowed the lump in his throat. "Be careful. Be safe." He moved forward and the door opened.
"Keith?" He turned. Allura's face was pale, and her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Y-You be careful too."
Instead of answering her, Keith marched towards her and took her in his arms, crushing her to him. "I'm not letting you go without a fight Allura. When this is over, we'll figure this out. I promise." He kissed her hard on the lips and looked down into her blue eyes. A stray tear trickled down her cheek. "I love you." He told her again, then turned and marched out the door.
Keith entered the Ready Room to find the rest of the Team gathered, waiting for his orders. Keith glanced around. Pidge stood talking to Annie at the edge of the room, but both walked over when they spotted him. Hunk stood, arms folded across his chest and nodded in acknowledgement. Lance and Dorma were holding hands and both looked up at Keith. "All right Team, this is it."
"Ready when you are Skipper." Hunk told him.
Pidge gave Annie's hand one last squeeze. "Right behind you Keith."
"Let's go kick some ass Cap." Lance flashed a cocky grin.
Keith couldn't help himself and smiled back. This is where I belong. My Team, my friends, my family. "All right then, let's fly."
They ran towards their alcoves, and within moments, Red, Yellow, Green and Black Lions were in the air. "Allura, get the fighters launched. I want them swarming around Haltor's ships causing a diversion for us to get in there." Keith ordered.
"I'm on it." She replied. "Fighters launched."
"Good. Cliff?"
"Right here General." Cliff answered.
"Get your Team ready and provide us with some back up. We're going straight for his command ship." Keith paused a moment. "And don't call me General."
Muffled laughter echoed across the speakers. "How about, 'Once more unto the breach,' oh Fearless Leader!" Cliff quipped.
More laughter, this time not so muffled. Keith scowled. "You people suck."
"But you love us anyway." Lance told him.
"Yeah, so much that when this is over, you're all giving me fifty laps in the gym. And I do mean ALL of you." Keith retorted.
"Hey! That's not fair!" Lance protested.
"You can't do that to us mate!" Cliff agreed.
"Yes I can. As you all keep reminding me, I'm the General." Keith shot back.
Everyone burst out laughing again.
On the bridge of the 'Explorer', Admiral Harrison listened to the byplay with a smile. Glad to see things are back to normal…More or less. He thought to himself. "All right children, let's settle down. The sooner you take care of business, the sooner we can start the party."
"Yes Sir, Dad Sir!" Lance responded.
"Party? I didn't hear about any party." Keith questioned.
"That's because stick in the mud General's aren't invited!" Lance laughed.
Keith scowled at Lance's image on his view screen. "Harrison, one hundred laps." He grinned wolfishly.
"Hey Montgomery, kiss my a—"
"Skipper, fighters coming in above us!" Hunk interrupted.
Keith's tone instantly turned serious. "Evasive maneuvers! Take them down!" He ordered as he sent Black into a steep dive. He easily eluded the robot fighters, and fired his missiles, knocking three of them from the sky.
"Nice shootin' Tex." Lance drawled.
Keith ignored him. "Dad, have your squadron mount a point attack. Scatter Haltor's forces and cause as much havoc as you can."
"I'm on it Keith." Edward told him. He led his flight squadron straight into the enemy fighters.
"Mom, keep your group around the Castle. We'll try and keep them up here, but I want you back there covering, just in case." Keith told her.
"Yes Keith." Cass responded.
"Cliff! Keep you Team hidden for now. I don't want Haltor knowing just how strong we are. Let's try and keep him in the dark as long as we can."
"Righto chum. You heard him Team, hold fast." Cliff told his Team.
"Lance, you Hunk and Pidge, let's get in there and take down that Command ship. We'll clear a path, Pidge get in there and do your stuff." Keith ordered.
"No problem Keith." Pidge replied.
"We're on it Skipper." Hunk replied.
"Hey Keith?" Lance's voice came across the speaker.
"What?" Keith snapped.
"Breathe."
Keith scowled down at Lance's face, who winked and broke off contact. Keith sent Black into a sharp turn, heading towards Haltor's command ship. The other Lions followed close on his heels.