Voltron et al belong to WEP, the others belong to me.
Hope you like it so far!
Lance aimed Red's guns at Haltor's base. He fired his lasers and smiled thinly at the direct hit. The base started firing back, and he zipped in and out of the enemy fire. "Dorma! Stay back! Jeff, where in hell are you?" He called out, irritated.
"Keep your shirt on Lion-Boy, I'm right behind you." One of the Vehicle Voltron ships appeared in Lance's viewscreen. "I just passed Allura, she should be landing on Arus any minute now."
"Good. Then let's take this place out." Lance swooped in close and fired his Lion Torches, setting the far end of the base on fire. "Dorma, stay back. I don't want you in the middle of this."
"Too late." Dorma flew past Lance, ducking Blue underneath Red, and firing at the base. For a moment nothing happened, then a huge explosion ripped through the base. "I suppose that was a good shot…for a girl that is." She smiled down at her husband's surprised expression.
"Love ya Babe." Lance grinned back.
"Enough! God, you're making me sick Harrison." Jeff laughed.
"You're just jealous Dunbar." Lance shot back.
"Let us get this done so we can go home." Dorma interrupted. She closed the channel and sentBlue Lion into a steep dive towards the base.
Jeff smiled down at Lance. "That's one hell of a girl you got there Harrison. Why she's with you, I have no idea."
Lance laughed. "My friend, I ask myself the same thing everyday. Let's go kick this bastard off our turf."
Haltor faced Haggar, his features a mask of fury. "You lied to me witch." He growled at her. "You lied to me."
Haggar backed away, seemingly frightened. "I was always thinking of your best interests Haltor! I did it for your own good!"
"You did nothing for me." He snarled. "You wanted control of Arus and you used me to try and get it." He advanced towards her.
"Don't let them fill your head with these lies Haltor. They killed your father!"
"And no one deserved to die more! He never wanted me, for all I know, he never even knew I existed."
"Your father had the chance to rule the universe! And he threw it away for a pretty face!" Haggar snarled at him. "And now, you do the same."
Whatever Haltor was about to say was interrupted by a thunderous explosion. The floor and walls shook. Haltor whirled angrily on Haggar. "Why are they attacking us, witch?"
She laughed evilly. "My fighters will take care of them, while I deal with you!" She fired her staff, hitting the young man in the chest. Haltor staggered back, but managed to stay on his feet.
"You put protections on me as a child, remember Haggar?" He sneered at her.
Haggar looked stunned for a moment, then turned and fled the room. "You won't be rid of me that easily witch!" He followed her out the door.
Allura watched the monitor as fighters launched from the landing bay. Deciding to avoid the air traffic, she circled around the Castle and landed Black on the grass in front of the main doors. She eased the giant Lion into a reclining position, and turned to her husband. "Keith? We're home."
He looked up at her, his face haggard and pale. "H—Home?"
She knelt down next to him. "Yes, home. Come on, let's get you inside." She helped him to his feet, and they climbed down to the ground.
A flurry of activity was going on around them. Fighters were launching in the distance, and soldiers in full battle gear rushed in and out of the Castle. Allura looked vainly around for a medical team. Finally, she started towards the doors, supporting Keith as best as she could. They went seemingly unnoticed throughout the yard. Until Keith collapsed that is.
Instantly, a soldier was at their side. "Majesties!"
"I ordered a medical team to meet us! Where are they?" Allura demanded.
"They're waiting out back Ma'am. We didn't expect you to land here." He responded.
"There was too much going on with all the fighters launching. I figured it would be easier this way." Before she could continue, enemy blasts scored the ground around them. "Help me get him inside!" Allura told him. The soldier nodded and pulled Keith to his feet, draping Keith's arms over his shoulders. They started forward, the man stumbling a little under Keith's weight.
They made it to just inside the Castle doors when Keith again fell to his knees, moaning, one arm wrapped around his midsection.
"Keith?" Allura knelt next to him.
Keith looked up at her, agony clearly written in his eyes. "Allura…"
Her blue eyes filled with tears. "Oh Keith…" She pulled him close as he began to shake uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Hunk appeared in front of them. "I'll take him." The soldier nodded and rushed back to his duties. "Hang on Skipper, I've got you." Hunk carefully picked up his friend and heaved him over his shoulder. "After you Allura." Together they made their way inside.
"Hunk, get him to sick bay, I have to find Hazar." Allura told him.
Hunk nodded. "Last I knew, he was in the Control Room with the Admiral."
Allura pushed a button on her com-band. "Commander Hazar?"
"Yes Highness?"
Allura bit back a smile. Hazar still acted formal, after all these years. "We're on our way to sick-bay. Dorma told me that—"
"I will meet you there. I have what he needs."
Allura breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank-you Hazar."
Keith shifted in Hunk's arms. "Hunk…put me…down…" Hunk paused. "Just for…a minute."
Hunk eased Keith to the floor and peered closely at him. "You alright Skipper?"
Keith's breathing was ragged. "Have to…catch my breath." He looked around, trying to figure out where they were. But his vision kept fading in and out, and all Keith could see were vague shadows. "Where…am I?"
"You're in the Castle Keith. We're taking you to sick-bay." Allura told him.
"I don't need…any dammed…sick-bay…" Keith tried to smile but a spasm ripped through him, and he clenched his teeth against the pain.
"Sure you don't. Let's go." Hunk helped Keith to his feet, and they continued down the hallway. A few minutes later, they arrived at sick-bay.
Dr. Gorma looked up as they entered the room. "Allura, what's wrong?" He shifted his gaze to the figure in Hunk's arms. "By the Lions! Keith!" Heads snapped up all over the room. Gorma quickly got over his surprise. "Put him down here." He ordered, pulling up a gurney.
Hunk carefully laid Keith down and Gorma gave him a quick once over. He looked up at Allura, his eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment.
Allura met his questioning glance. "Robeast poison Doctor. Commander Hazar will be here shortly with the antidote."
Just then, Brenda Harrison burst into the room. "My God! It's true, you're alive!" She wrapped her arms around Keith, and held him tight a moment, before pulling back and looking closely at him. "What happened?" She demanded.
Allura started to answer when the Castle walls shook. At the same time her com-band went off. "Allura! Where the hell are you?" Lance sounded aggravated.
"Here Lance. What's going on?"
"Your buddy Haltor decided to attack the planet. We could really use you up here right about now." An explosion was heard in the background. "Where's Keith?"
"He's here with me in sick-bay." Allura replied watching as Dr. Gorma and Brenda were tending to Keith.
"Then get your ass up here! Hunk too! Harrison out."
Brenda frowned at Allura. "Remind me to slap him when he lands." Allura smiled.
Keith struggled to sit up. "I have to…get up there."
"Oh no you don't General. You lay back down. We just got you back, we're not losing you again." Gorma pushed Keith back down on the bed.
Keith pushed the doctor's hands away, and somehow managed to get to his feet. He shook his head to clear it. "I'll be fine." He took a few faltering steps forward, then stumbled.
Hunk caught him before he could fall. "Sure you will. Back to bed Skipper, let us handle this one."
Keith shook his head. "No, Voltron…we need Voltron…" He protested. He struggled to his feet again. "Hunk, we need you…and Pidge…the Lions…Voltron…"
Hunk looked up startled. Allura shook her head. "Keith, we've got it under control. Lay down." She ordered him.
Before Keith could reply, Gorma stuck a needle into his arm. Keith's vision began to dim, and he could feel himself starting to float away. "You fight dirty…Doc…" He slumped back, unconscious, on the bed.
Brenda looked up sharply at Allura and Hunk as the walls shook again. "We'll take care of him. Go take care of us!" She turned back to Keith.
Hunk led Allura out into the hallway. "He doesn't know?" He asked soberly.
Allura shook his head. "You saw him Hunk. Do you really think he can handle that kind of news right now?"
Hunk shook his head wearily. "No, you're right. Come on!" He took her hand and they raced down the hall towards the Control Room.
Admiral Harrison looked up as they stepped inside. "Where is he?" He demanded without preamble.
"Sick-bay. And drugged to the teeth so he won't try anything stupid. I won't lose him again." Allura responded in the same tone.
Harrison hid a smile and turned back to the view-screen. "We're under attack. Dorma and Lance, along with the remaining members of the Vehicle Voltron seem to be holding them off, but the stalemate won't last. We've already had a few of Haltor's fighters break through the lines."
"Yeah, we noticed." Hunk said sarcastically. He gazed up at the screen. "We need Voltron. Green is fixed but…" His voice trailed off.
"Damn. We need another pilot." Allura bit her lower lip in worry.
"Vahlaa?" Allura turned. Troi stood next to her. "I can fly her."
Harrison shook his head. "No. You shouldn't even be out of bed Troi."
Allura ignored the Admiral and faced her 'nephew'. "Troi, this isn't a game. People have died."
The boy nodded. "I know that Vahlaa. I can fly Green. You know I can."
Allura gazed at him a moment. Troi was pale, but there was a familiar look of determination in his emerald eyes. She sighed and nodded. "All right Troi. But you have to obey orders. No heroics. Is that understood?"
"Sa—yes Commander."
Hunk took Green's Key out of his pocket. He held it tightly in his fist for a moment, then handed it to Troi. "Here, take care of her." He said gruffly, then without another word, raced towards his chute and descended into Yellow Lion.
The Admiral shook his head. "Be careful Troi."
"I will Taakpalda. Thank-you Vahlaa Allura." Troi snapped off a quick salute, then followed Hunk down the chute.
Harrison turned to Allura. "You'd better get going. Be careful. All of you."
She smiled, and for the first time in days, it was genuine. "Don't worry. I'll bring them all home in one piece."
Harrison smiled in spite of himself. "I know you will." He said softly. He watched her hurry out the door, then turned back to the screen, a feral grin on his face. "Haltor, you're in for it now."