A/N: This chapter and the next are dedicated to my biggest fan, Cilla! I got some motivation to write again because of you. Thank you, sweet friend!

10

'Why must it be you?'

'Because I want to see the damage first-hand so I know better how we can help. Lance will be here. As will Hunk. I know you'll be safe. Pidge will help me.'

I don't like it, but I nod, giving in for the good of the people.

"When we return, we both can get some much-needed rest."

"I look forward to it, Husband," I reply with a smile. Hunk and Lance barely hold in their laughs and Pidge leaves the room. He kisses me, then follows Pidge. It felt so natural, the affection. I thought it would bother me more, but it doesn't. I turn to Hunk and Lance and they both snap to attention, doing their best to be serious, which nearly makes me laugh. Let's head to the council chambers so we can set our plans in motion, shall we?

"Yes, Majesty," they reply with awkward bows.

I lead them through the corridors, Lance rushing to keep his pace slightly ahead of me. Keith must have said something to him. We enter the chamber to see just those remaining here. The glint of metal streaking through the window as the ships begin to take off, Black lion and Keith leading the fleet. 'Be safe.' I allow through the bond as I turn my attention back to the people before me. "I would like those with the skills to go with Hunk and Yellow lion to the site chosen for the field hospital to begin it's construction. Those who are to be medics and assistants, please remain here to start sorting and checking supplies. I'd like it all entered into a database, so that we know when we're low on anything so we can stay ahead of the needs when possible. Those with data skills, come with me. I will get you set up with the proper credentials. Prime Minister Riable is working on it now. You will be given tablets to input items on. They will merge together, so we'll have you doing by type of item, so as not to accidentally duplicate. Now that everyone has their assigned tasks, let's get going!" I say hoping that I sound confident as I turn away from where Hunk is leading those going with him and Lance walks alongside me to the dining hall, now serving as Coran's temporary office as he sets up the tablets. The twenty-five who stayed form a line along the wall to await instruction.

Coran looks up when we enter as the line forms. Muttering to himself as he counts out tablets, making three stacks. I want to ask him if he needs assistance, but I know the look on his face and I know not to interject, so we wait until he acknowledges our presence.

He grabs the first stack of tablets and walks round the far side of the table to the first young woman waiting for orders. She stiffens to attention and I nearly laugh at the site. He looks serious and she looks frightened, but he stops himself before barking orders, taking a calming breath before turning slightly so he faces the direction of the line. Handing the first tablets out, he keeps the last one and takes a step back. "Once activated, these tablets are assigned to you and only you. You must allow it to scan your face and fingerprint. You will need both to unlock the device." He turns to Lance, "Please assist me in passing out the remaining tablets."

Without a word, Lance grabs a stack that Coran doesn't and soon everyone has their own tablet and Lance returns to my side. I feel the tension coming from him and I know he has several questions that he wants answered. Thankfully, he has learned some tact while here, so he won't voice them in present company.

"Now, Everyone needs to activate your tablet. They are in set-up mode to sync up for your predetermined assignments." The recruits do as he has shown them, getting their face scan and fingerprint established. Most get it first try and soon all are scrolling through and awaiting further instructions. "I've had the ballroom in the southwestern wing at ground level be the receiving area where supplies to be recorded and dispersed. If your tablet is green, you are receiving. You catalog all the items as they come in and assign them to where they're needed. Red tablets, you are responsible for disbursement. You assign priority and send items where they are needed. Blue, you are couriers or shipping. You check items out and assign to a unit when appropriated. Once initial inventory is done, your databases should update as you go. For the moment, I will oversee all of you sorting and scanning in items as they are assigned a tag. Construction will take a few days, but we need to be ready for an influx immediately following. You, Ms. Farrin," Coran says to the young woman at the front of the line, "Will be second shift lead for inventory. I will pass the tablet to you at the end of my shift."

"Yes, Prime Minister," she replies.

Coran nods satisfied with her reply. "I am going to scan you in, so that you have access to the inventory databases. You will log in and out at beginning and end of your shift. You may choose your five team members for your shift."

She picks her five and they head off to the kitchen for a bite and to have a meeting to make their plans. Coran then looks to the remaining recruits and picks a tall lanky male in the middle. The young man is obviously nervous, as he keeps shifting his weight one foot to the other.

"Mr. Dorne, I want you to lead the third shift. Can I count on you to do so?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Do I need to repeat the directions I gave to Ms. Farin?"

"No, Sir."

"Very well. I suggest you pick your crew and go get some food and rest up while you can."

"Yes, Sir," he replies. He chooses his crew after some back and forth with the remaining people before they make decisions and head off.

Coran takes the remaining crew and they head for the ballroom. I start after them, but decide partway to alter my route and head for the control room.

"So this isn't a joke is it?" he asks as we walk down bustling corridors.

"What isn't?"

"You...Keith...marriage."

I stop and he stops, looking at me expectantly. "Yes. We are truly married, Lance. It wasn't how I wanted it to happen, but I don't regret it."

He looks like he wants to ask more, but stops and nods. "Good." He starts forward again and I start walking as well after a short silence. An alarm sounds and we both break into a run for the control room. We arrive to see Coran hitting buttons on the console and several smaller screens on the one large one.

"What are you looking for, Coran?" I ask as I reach the command center and the chair he is sitting in.

"Something set off the alarm. It may be nothing, but I thought I saw a ship or part of one. I suppose it could have just been debris as well." He scrolls through a few more screens before we see a large crater and flame. "It's in the forest of Green's den."

"I'll go see what's there," Lance says from behind me.

Coran nods. "Take your lion. Report back as soon as you know something," he says as he raises the dais so Lance can take the tunnel to his lion. I hold tightly to the chair, so I don't fall. I've learned that lesson the hard way.

"Got it," Lance replies as he makes the leap underneath to the tunnel.

Coran continues his scans and nearby the crater we can see smaller pieces of smoldering chunks of something. "I want to know why we had no idea something so large was nearby until it came crashing into the planet."

"Hey Coran, you're not gonna believe what I'm looking at," Lance says over the com.