A/N: Not sure if this will be my last post for this week, as I am homeschooling due to COVID and trying to work on the one day I hope to publish WIP. Cilla, for you! Enjoy! (Things will start happening faster, I think in the next few chapters).

12

"Romelle?" I mutter truly stunned. I hear Lance's sharp intake of breath behind me.

"We've gotten in a bit of trouble, Allura."

She sounds like Romelle. But she doesn't look like her. "I noticed," I reply quietly. "I'm sorry about Bandor. He did not deserve what befell him." I see her fight back tears, turning her face away. Is she truly Romelle? 'I believe we have Romelle, Keith. One of the two survivors. I know nothing of the other survivor yet.'

'Keep me posted. A lot of chaos and death here. Talk later.'

"Why were you in a Drule ship?" Lance asks. He is suspicious and is right. I should not let my guard down.

"We - Sven and I with a few rebels had hidden it for an emergency. We got it during the war and were using it to improve our tech."

"Why did you not tell us?"

"Because we were still afraid we'd need an escape and didn't want you to take it."

Her tone is weaker, but her one eye shows defiance, strength.

"We should let you rest. Have them send for me if you need me," I say as I turn to Lance and we go out. I need space. I need to see the other survivor. I want answers, but she's in no condition to give them right now.

The nurse is waiting when we step outside the curtain. "Would you like to look in on the other survivor, Majesty?"

I look at Lance and he shrugs. "Is he awake? Or has he been awake?" I ask.

"Not to my knowledge. I have been going between the two patients. There is a chance he woke briefly while I was not there."

I debate briefly before going to the curtain where the man is. I hear Coran approach just as I touch the curtain to pull it back, so I turn and greet him instead. "Good morning, Coran."

"Good Morning, Majesty," he replies with a small bow before giving Lance a nod. "You're up and about earlier than I expected."

"I couldn't sleep. So I showered and changed then Lance and I came here."

"I see. Have you spoken with either patient?"

"Aye. The female is Romelle."

"You don't know that for sure. We need to run fingerprints and DNA samples. Just as we should for the male."

I want to argue with him, but I know he's right. This woman could just sound like her. I mentally berate myself for dropping my guard so easily. I know better. I've learned the hard way too many times. "You're right, of course. We were about to look in on the male patient. Do you wish to join us?"

"Let me look in on him. The two of you should go and eat. We'll be having a meeting to see how the supplies lists are coming and get updates on the field hospital in an hour."

"He's right, Al- Your Majesty, we should eat and prepare for the meeting."

"Very well. See you in the chambers in a bit, Coran," I say as he and the nurse give a small bow. Lance and I walk wordlessly through the corridors. No one speaks and all seem to be on a mission of importance. So much so that we're barely noticed. I'm grateful, as we'd take forever if I had to stop and greet or be greeted by everyone. "I'm sorry you're stuck babysitting me, Lance," I say lightly as we turn down the hall to the kitchen.

"I'm not babysitting you, Majesty. I am-"

"Allura, please. At least when it's just us."

"I'm not babysitting you, Allura. I'm simply making sure my best friend is safe so my other best friend doesn't kill me for neglecting my duty."

I laugh at his wording. Though I know he means every syllable. We enter the kitchen and find Sera and Meagan chatting. Both give formal bows before rising and clearing off a place for us at the counter, placing our plates where their plates had just been. "Stay, please. We don't mind."

"I'd like to know what you've seen and heard about how things are going," Lance says as he takes the offered plate of food. "Specifically the supply lines."

Meagan looks at me and I nod as I take a bite of the omelet. "Well, we've managed to get everything cataloged and packed into wagons to take to the field hospital. The vessels leave today, now that power has been established. I believe the first of the wounded arrive tomorrow from Pollux."

"Is there anything needed that we don't have?" I ask before taking a sip of juice.

Meagan pulls out a tablet from a bag on the counter behind her and scrolls through several screens.

I notice Lance watching her rather closely and he pointedly looks away when he sees me watching him. She seems oblivious. Interesting. I will have to keep a note of this for prying later.

"Not at this point, Majesty. We have a list of volunteers. Medics, carpenters, doctors, nurses, intelligence, all of whom are ready to step up and help. Sera and I were discussing what to do about children who come. We thought about a foster program. For those who can be cared for with a family rather than in a stale medical ward. We tossed the idea around and had some interest. Pidge has some interest on Pollux as well, but there are not many places that are currently liveable."

I can't help but be impressed. These women have thought of things I had not. It fills me with pride. Pride for them and their eagerness to help. I know that we will thrive as a people if many are like these women. "A wonderful idea. Please, if you don't mind, get the program going. You can assign people to tasks, just get their names to the Prime Minister for vetting."

"Of course, Majesty. We shall begin this morning, once we clear it with the Prime Minister."

"Very good," I reply as I finish the last of my food.

The young women take my plate and Lance's and wash them along with their own.

"I suppose we should head to our meeting, Majesty," Lance says quietly.

I turn his direction and nod. "Yes, thank you, Lance. I bid you a good day, ladies," I say as I stand and push my chair in. I realize Lance was about to do it for me and smile.

We start down the corridors going past the hallway to the Medical ward further towards the council chamber, turning just before it to the formal dining room. It is hard to believe three entire days have passed. Things are so different.

'I'm heading back your way, Allura. I should be there in two hours. Pidge is on point on Pollux. Tell you more when I arrive.'

'See you soon. Be safe.'

The link is gone and I blink finding that I had stopped and Lance had been speaking to me.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"Yes. Keith is on his way back."

"What about Pidge?" he asks as we turn to enter the dining room.

"Keith said he was staying. Said he'd say more when he gets here."

We go through the doors to find several people in Garrison uniforms standing round the long table. I stop abruptly, not expecting Garrison for several more days.

Coran comes from a side door and upon seeing my expression gives me an apologetic glance. "Forgive me, Majesty," he says with a formal bow, which the Garrison people follow suit. "They arrived just after we parted ways. The Garrison too has had a run in with whomever this new threat is and they want to help. Please, come and let us share with you and your Lieutenant what we have learned this last hour.

Lance and I go to the table. I to the head, Lance and Coran to either side. "Please, Prime Minister, proceed with your debriefing," I say as we all take our seats.