Preparations
After dinner, everyone assembled in the Control Room. Someone had had the foresight to have a large table with chairs placed in the room, Allura noted. This was going to be an extensive meeting, she realized.
Scattered across the table were three sets of copies of charts, graphs, and other valuable information on the mission. Allura walked to the nearest pile of copies, studying the chart of the system. Even with the finer instruments, the phenomenon was still a mysterious smudge on the chart.
"It would be better if we work in pairs at the moment and share any promising ideas in the morning. Any objections?" No one answered Keith's question and everyone began to pair off.
Keith joined Allura at the end of the table nearest the doors. This evening was a continuation of the strategy lessons Keith was giving her. She was proud that she had continue to impress the captain. While he hadn't said it, his face would sometimes betrayed the truth.
At the far end of the table, Pidge paired with Hunk, already discussing the scientific/engineering aspects of the situation. Allura shook her head in amusement as she watched the two for a moment. Pidge was adamantly pointing at one chart, while Hunk gestured toward another piece of paper.
Returning her attention back to her end of the table, Allura was not surprised to see that Lance was happily partnered with the pretty sergeant. She could tell that he was oozing charm already. To her credit, Sergeant Hamilton remained cold, directing Lance's attention to the pile of papers.
"Allura, we need to get started," Keith said, keeping his voice low.
Nodding, she placed the system chart in front of him. "I was thinking. What if we did this..."
Lance watched Sergeant Hamilton out of the corner of his eye as she industriously studied the papers spread out before her. Her chestnut hair had auburn streaks, causing him to wonder if the streaks were natural or chemical. An upright, military girl would go for natural, he decided.
She absently pushed her glasses further up her nose. The specs probably helped explained why she was not a pilot, he thought. Her yellow-green eyes reminded him of a cat, as did her movements.
"I think I have an idea," she said, pulling a large chart toward him.
"What did you find, Cat?" he asked without thinking.
"Cat is it, Lance?" she asked coolly, looking him steadily in the eye.
"Your name is Catherine, right?"
"Yes, let's keep it that way," she said, her voice dropping in annoyance. "This cat has claws, fly boy."
"I always did enjoy a good scratch, Sarge," Lance replied, applying the charm.
"Lance, cut it out," Keith called, glaring from his end of the table. "Remember the purpose of this meeting."
"Aye, Captain." Turning his back toward Keith, Lance grinned at his partner. "Where were we?"
"I think I was about to clip your wings," she answered, "and throw a little light on our mysterious phenomenon at the end of the system."
"Several of the readings indicate a large amounts of hydrogen and helium, possibly indicating a nebula," Catherine announced the next morning, pulling information from various charts. "Our mysterious phenomenon is the remains of a dead star."
"That's the problem," Pidge said. "The amount of hydrogen and helium that we are talking about would result from the death of a fairly large star or several smaller ones. There are no such stars in that sector of the system to produce such an effect."
"I see," Catherine murmured, contemplating other possible solutions. "That puts us in a predicament indeed."
"Any one else have an idea to try?" Keith asked, glancing at everyone in the room.
"I don't, Captain," Catherine replied, when his gaze returned to her. "My only other suggestion is to try to explore the phenomenon from a closer perspective."
"I agree," Pidge seconded. "Most of our data gives contradictory information. Such as the nebula with no origin. It just doesn't add up."
"Since the information seems odd, I think that the possibility of Doom activity is now greater," Allura said. "After all, Lotor's forces control the planets in that sector. This may be a new ploy."
"Right, we can not rule out that possibility," Keith said. "We will need to take special precautions as we prepare."
"So, we're going?" Lance asked.
"Yes. We need to know what that thing is. We will need to draw up mission plans and run them by Coran."
"Why?" Catherine asked. "I thought that this was a Galaxy Garrison operation."
"Our main assignment is the defense of planet Arus," Keith explained. "By using the lions in the investigation, we are compromising some of Arus' defenses."
"But we are not leaving Arus completely unguarded," Keith continued, cutting off a protest from Allura. "The castle defenses could hold out against an attack. Now, I suggest we take a few hours as a break and meet here after lunch to discuss mission plans."
"Roger that," Hunk answered, agreeing to wait after any meal.
"Okay, team dismissed."
"Keith, I am not sure about taking all the lions," Allura as they strolled through the gardens. "The castle defenses could only last so long against a robeast."
"I know. That's why I have asked for some back-up from Galaxy Garrison. There will be ships just beyond the moon's orbit, ready to assist if there is any need."
"Then why are you giving the impression that we are leaving Arus at the mercy of the castle defenses?"
"Because if the phenomenon is from Doom, Lotor would take advantage of the situation and attack Arus."
"Coran knows already, doesn't he?" she demanded. "Why couldn't you tell me, Keith?"
"I was going to tell you after the meeting, so we all could continue to act like there will be no other defenses besides the castle."
"So you don't trust Sergeant Hamilton yet," Allura said.
"It's not that I don't trust her. It's just..."
"That you don't trust her." Keith frowned at Allura in annoyance. "I don't trust her either, Keith. I have a feeling that she is holding something important from us."
"You're not trying to turn into Lance, are you, Allura?"
"Someone mention me?" Lance joined the two.
"We were just discussing Sergeant Hamilton," Allura explained.
"Oh, really," Lance replied, a thoughtful look overtaking his usual smug expression. "I'm sure she has some excellent credentials, Captain, but she's not telling us everything."
"I told you," Allura said to Keith.
"That's why every precaution is being taken," Keith said. "Come on, we are about to be late for lunch. And we don't want to raise suspicions of our new friend."