Good evening all. I hope you enjoy this latest installment. For those K/A fanatics. The fun begins now! I have to catch up reading your stuff as well. Enjoy!
My husband was listening to Pandora really high, so I hope this last review caught all or most of my mistakes…
Carly Chameleon: I'm glad you liked this brotherly twist. There are more, I hope you like them as well. One thing that I wanted in this fic is that I didn't want to have Lotor be the typical stereotypical bumbling fool. He's going to give them a run for their money…oh clichés… Anyways, I'm trying to create multi-dimensional characters. Well, that's the idea. I hope I can pull it off.
CubbiesFan1: Here's the next chapter! If it makes you feel any better, there are no cliff hangers in this chapter…or is there?
Mertz: Seriously? Oh, you are bad my friend. And I only say this because I've known you for so long! LOL! Thanks for the support.
Playlist
Infinity: The xx
Eyes on Fire: Blue Fountain
Lounge Act: Nirvana
Chapter 5
Cossack retrieved a small data pad from the side pocket of his jacket. Turning to face his commanding officer, the second in command wanted to see Lotor's reaction as he met the Voltron Force.
"This is Lance Mathew McClain, forty–five. Born in Austin, Texas, United States, Earth. Parents, Marie and Richard McClain. Mother, a retired teacher. Father, a physician. McClain grew up in a middle class household and enlisted in the military as soon as he graduated. McClain's father died three years ago, his mother still resides in Texas. He ranks as Lieutenant Captain for the Garrison and is pilot of the red lion for the Arusian Corps."
Cossack tapped on his data pad to put Lance's picture up on the screen. With dark blonde hair, almost light brown, green eyes and a cocky smile, Lance McClain exuded a confidence that irritated the prince almost immediately.
The smirk that appeared on Cossack's face as he watched the Prince's features tightened almost made him say something, but he resisted and continued, "McClain resides on Arus, but works as an operative for both the Garrison and the Arusian Corps. His expertise includes covert operations, underground weaponry, assault operations and Explosive Tactics."
"Is he the one?" Lotor asked with interest looking at the man on the screen.
"No," Cossack replied briefly looking up before his gaze fell back to the tablet on his hand. "Let me show you the next one."
The vidscreen then flipped to a second picture. The man had thick black hair, light brown eyes and a strong jaw line. Lotor could tell this man had a strong build. Cossack wasted no time in introducing him, "This is William Garrett, forty-six. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, Earth. Mother was a nurse, died when he was five, father, was a mechanical engineer, passed away just last year. Garrett enlisted in the Garrison at eighteen and currently serves as Lieutenant, second class for the Garrison and pilots the Yellow lion for the Arusian Corps. He moved to Earth after the first battle with his wife, Lucy Hastings, an interior decorator…whatever that is. Expertise includes mechanical engineering and tactical arms development, technical intelligence, and tactics, techniques and procedures in electronic attacks."
Lotor looked at the man as Cossack spoke. Shaking his head, he gestured to Cossack to continue. The man with the dark hair and brown eyes looked noble, friendly. Lotor immediately knew that hadn't been the man he searched for.
"This next one is Darrell Aaron Stoker, thirty-nine. Born in San Francisco, California, United States, Earth. Mother is the director for the Center for Disease Control and father is a vice-president for NASA, the oldest space and Aeronautic entity on Earth. Stoker is the youngest in the group, second lieutenant for the Garrison and pilot of the Green lion, for the Arusian Corp. This kid is a prodigy…we should watch out for him."
"Why?" Lotor looked at his officer curiously before turning his attention on the man in the screen with chestnut hair and dark olive green eyes.
"He's the youngest officer in the Garrison to pass all aptitude tests during the first two years of service. He was fourteen at the time. Currently, he heads of the bio- technology department for Galaxy Garrison. Expertise includes electronic surveillance, detection, scrambling, tactics, techniques and procedures in electronic attacks and signal intelligence."
"Well, we are just going to have to take care of him first, won't we?" Lotor looked coldly at the picture of the young man, "Who's next?"
"Allura Altair, Forty-two, Born on Arus…." Cossack replied as he pushed a button for the next slide. Upon seeing her, Lotor's eyes brightened.
"Who…is...that?" he immediately asked sitting up on his chair.
Cossack almost shook his head as he held the smirk that threatened to appear on his lips. He noticed that his friend had a preference for human females more often than not, "As, I was saying, Lieutenant Altair is a second class officer for the Arusian Corps. Altair's expertise includes covert operations and sniper combat, cavalry operations and field training."
"She's beautiful," Lotor smiled as he saw Allura's porcelain looking white skin, deep dark blue eyes, bright golden blonde hair, and ruby red thick lips. "She's absolutely the most beautiful human woman I've ever seen."
"I guess royalty has a way of recognizing each other," Cossack teased.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lotor asked curiously.
"Her father was Alfor III. She is of royal line," Cossack smirked.
Lotor laughed. "Now that I wasn't expecting. So, what brought a beauty like that to the Arusian Corps? Don't tell me…she's following the footsteps of her uncle."
"That and the fact that she holds blue lion's soul," Cossack smiled with satisfaction when he looked at Lotor's questionable gaze.
Confused, the prince asked, "I thought the five Earthlings had that duty?"
"Her circumstances for attaining Blue Lion's soul are rather interesting," the Drule started. "From what Haggar found, Blue Lion's soul belonged once to Lieutenant Captain Sven Holgersson, the second in command to the Voltron Force at the time. During one of your father's attacks against Arus, Holgersson was seriously injured by Haggar. I'm pretty sure, she held that part from us until now."
"No kidding," Lotor answered with a sigh. He wondered what else Haggar hid and why she took this long to tell them.
Without noticing Lotor's sudden short distraction, Cossack continued, "Something must have happened during his healing, because once healed, the soul expelled himself from him and placed itself with Allura Altair. Since then, she's been its guardian."
Bringing his attention back to the present, Lotor kept looking at Allura's picture. The more he saw her, the more he liked her. The more he saw her, the more he convinced himself that he had to have her. He had to know more about this woman that bewitched him.
"Do not get your hopes up my Prince," Cossack told him as if reading his thoughts. "She's taken."
"By whom?" Lotor raised his brow.
Looking down at that datapad, Cossack answered, "A General Samuel Gellar of the Arusian Corps. They have been together for quite a while, ten years."
"Well, that will soon end," Lotor chuckled with sarcasm. Dismissing the inconveniency, Lotor waved his hand. "We are still missing one. Who's next?"
Cossack blanked the screen for a second before the image of Lotor's villain popped in, "This is Keith Kogane, forty-four. Born in New York City, United States Earth. Parents both deceased. Joined the Garrison by legacy at the age of fifteen. Parents were Garrison high ranking Captains. Both passed on separate missions, two years apart. He currently serves as guardian for Black lion's soul."
"What? Doesn't he work for the Garrison?" Lotor asked surprised with Kogane having no ranking.
"Once upon a time," Cossack replied. "Seems like Kogane was Garrison's star officer. Until he made them look pretty bad. The man got careless and killed one of Garrison's lead intelligence officers…you're going to like this…Sven Holgersson, his second in command and the previous guardian to Blue Lion's soul."
"Really?" Lotor seemed more curious than before. "How did this happen?"
Sighing, as he looked through his notes, Cossack began, "Something between the two happened while on their final mission to Korrinth. It was there that Kogane stabbed Holgersson and threw him down the Pit of Skulls."
"Pit of Skulls?" the Prince raised his brow.
"I didn't know what that was either, but your new friend Yurak told me that's it's the room with a ground incinerator. Your father used it to kill slaves that weren't of any use to him and Haggar also used it as a lab for some of her creations"
"Are you a little jealous of Yurak, Cossack?" Lotor teased.
Rolling his eyes, Cossack answered, "Oh, yeah. Sure. You can be very annoying at times, Sire."
Lotor laughed.
"Anyways, Kogane served time for the crime on both Arus and Earth."
"Why Arus?" the Prince asked curiously.
"Holgersson was married to an Arusian," the Drule answered as he tapped on the tablet once again. "By law, he had to serve time for killing the spouse of an Arusian citizen."
"Ah," Lotor smiled maliciously. He had a feeling he found the person he sought. "What else?"
"This human is a dangerous one. Kogane's expertise includes covert operations, tactical weapons, explosives, sniper, reconnaissance missions, underwater demolition, counter guerilla operations, air assault operations…the list goes on. The man is literally a killing machine. He resides on Arus since Garrison seems to have disowned him. Arus took him in for his years of service and the fact that Black Lion's soul is still within him still keeps him bonded to the planet."
Sighing in thought after a pause, Lotor kept looking at the man on the screen. Rich dark black hair, eyes so dark and vacant, it would be hard to tell what Kogane kept inside his head. Lotor knew this man would not cower, would not fear anything. He would be a challenge. The man was dangerous and a worthy opponent. He couldn't wait to meet him, "Interesting human, isn't he Cossack? What is he hiding?"
"Would you like to know?" Cossack replied as he walked closer to the Prince. "You will find it very interesting."
"Why do you say that?" Lotor asked curiously as he watched Cossack's lips curve into a smile that brought an eerie feeling to him. "Speak. Although, I think I know what your next words will be."
"This is the man you have been waiting for, your Highness," Cossack answered as Lotor's gaze fell back on the screen. "Kogane's the one who killed both your father and brother."
Lotor looked at the dark haired young man. His stoic round eyes showed no feelings; his secrets well hidden behind the emotionless gaze at the camera that took the picture. Suddenly Lotor's eyes narrowed, his anger ignited, and a deep hatred filled his heart, "What more do you have on him?"
Vvvvvvvvv
Allura did not deign a reply. She couldn't force herself to answer him, so, she didn't. The previous night felt surreal, but seeing him physically brought on feelings of nostalgia, happiness and fear. No one in her life made her feel the way Keith did. It took all her strength not to stand up and kiss him madly. Yet, it also took all her strength not to stand up and slap him.
Keith looked different from the man she remembered so many years before. He let his hair grow well past his shoulders. His broad shoulders seemed larger, despite the black leather jacket that covered his upper body. His blue jeans shaped his thighs and legs so perfectly that Allura couldn't stop herself from staring. She saw his entire body immaculately lean and muscular. God, help me, she thought. He looked better than she remembered him. And his face, his beautiful face, had not changed one bit.
Clearing his throat when the rest of the room maintained their silence, Coran gestured those standing to take a seat "Thank you all for coming."
Keith did not bother to look at anyone as he took his seat.
"It's not like we had a choice in the matter Coran," Lance answered with a huff as he looked at Kogane with disgust. "Now, let's not waste time. The faster we get things done, the faster this ends and we can ALL go back to our lives." He continued staring back at his captain with disdain. Although Keith stared back, he didn't answer or show any emotion to the comment. This infuriated Lance inwardly. He hated Keith's ability to hide emotions.
"It's not as easy as you think, Lance," Coran answered. "Lotor is a different adversary. He's…far more cunning, smarter, and ruthless. Just the fact that he hid all these years until the time came to come out shows a far more intellectual level. His emotional intelligence is far greater than his father's or brothers."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hunk then asked.
"It means that we will need more than brawns to defeat him," Keith finally spoke looking at Hunk with a cold stare. "He's not impulsive. He thinks, studies. He's methodical, which means he's not going to be easy to defeat."
"He speaks! I was beginning to wonder," Lance snorted.
"Lance!" Allura snapped at him firmly. "Can it."
The lieutenant looked at Allura with annoyance before turning his gaze back to Keith, "So what's your plan Einstein? Maybe it is hard. After all, it would be fighting another…you."
Ignoring the comment, Keith leaned closer to the table and addressed his group, "First, tap in to the computer systems at Korrinth. Find out what Lotor already has control of and what he might be hiding. Darrell can you…"
"Hack into his system?" The man smiled sarcastically, "Why do you even ask? I'm on it."
Nodding, Keith answered, "Get started." Turning to the bigger man sitting next to Darrell, he said, "Hunk, study the attack at the Garrison base, see if you find any weaponry out of the ordinary that Lotor used. If so, find a way to neutralize them. It may not be easy going on simple observation, but I'm sure you can use your imagination."
Without looking at him, Hunk just nodded at his commanding officer, "That's not going to be easy."
"I know, but that's all we got for right now," Keith replied flatly.
Turning to his second in command, Kogane continued, "Lance, look over the layout of the castle and the restructured areas of its surrounding bases. Coran has the latest aerial pictures. The bases need to be wiped out, but I'm sure he's protected them thoroughly. I'll need you to develop specific types of explosives based on what you find."
"How specific?"
"Pulverize them," Keith replied with no emotion. "They no longer belong to the Garrison. We need to minimize his assets. The earlier we halt his operation the easier it will be for us to regain the lead." He finished firmly. He then turned to the only woman in the room, "Altair, work with Coran. I need both of you to begin training your recruits so that they are ready when Arus is attacked."
"When?" Allura emphasized.
"He will attack. We need to be prepared," Keith replied. "And chances are it will be soon. Get them ready, Altair."
Allura nodded without saying a word.
Turning to the advisor, Keith said, "Coran, you need to let your top officers know as well. Everyone needs to stay on alert."
"I had already thought of that and I'm holding meetings starting this afternoon," Coran nodded in understanding.
Staring at Keith closely, Allura found worry in his features. No one could read Keith like she could, no one saw what she saw. Keith's worry troubled her, "You don't believe this will be a one shot attack, do you?"
Shaking his head, Keith continued, "He annihilated a Garrison base in hours, took over control of an entire planet, and single handedly turned a Drulian culture to follow him without question or concern. Tell me, how many people do you know who can do this in a couple of weeks?"
No one answered.
"I have a theory," Keith continued without particularly looking at anyone. At this, everyone looked up and became even more attentive, "From what Coran told me, he killed every Garrison officer stationed at the base. Why not capture them? Why not use them as slaves? I'm assuming he would need the labor to rebuild his empire, but he didn't. I'm guessing he kept a few to gather enough information before he'll killed them, or he soon will."
"What are you thinking?" Lance asked seriously as a chill ran down his spine.
"He's out for blood," Keith answered firmly as he looked up at Lance. "He's out for revenge. Killing those on the base was his message to us. He cruelly went for them. He's after the Garrison, Arus and ultimately…us."
The room became heavier. Coran's thoughts travelled deeper as he reasoned with Keith's hypothesis.
"What now?" Darrell asked.
"We can't attack unless we know what we're against," Keith answered as he leaned back on his chair. "For now, we train, practice, and strategize. We secure Arus first before attacking him."
No one said anything. They processed their commander's words.
"We'll begin lion practice as soon as Coran takes care of a couple of things. For now, we meet tomorrow to study Lotor's base more closely. We have to know every part of that place by memory."
Coran stood up and addressed the group. Looking solemn, the old advisor met each participant's eyes with gratitude, but also with determination, "I know this must be hard on all of you. To revisit an event that you thought of as a closed book…I thank you for helping Arus, for helping the people of Arus as well as those of Earth once again."
"How can we not?" Hunk answered, "God knows who else he plans on destroying."
"This is what we signed up for," Darrell nodded. "This is the oath we took. No way would we turn our backs on it."
Nodding in agreement, Coran smiled, "Welcome back, Voltron Force."
At that moment, Coran's com. unit sounded. "Altair, here."
"It's started again," a woman's voice was heard in the room.
The advisor smiled, "We'll be right in." Looking at the group as he put his comm. unit in his pocket, Coran said, "Seems like there are some old friends that would like to welcome you too."
VVVVVVVVVV
The team heard the soft growls of the lions as they entered the Lions' Lair, a place that had once been nothing but silent. Coran still wondered how in just a few seconds upon the team entering the base, the lions had come back to life, growling and murmuring.
Calling for them.
The motion lights in the room turned on as the group entered. They immediately watched their majestic lions enclosed in large cylinder tanks growl as their yellow eyes glowed.
"They know we are here," Allura smiled. Tears formed in her eyes, as she marveled at the sight in front of her.
"Coran," Hunk turned to the advisor, "Raise the cylinders." Walking to his lion, Hunk watched as Yellow's eyes glowed even brighter as he came closer.
The advisor walked to the console located on the side of the room and keyed in a code that moments later raised the cylinder encasings. The lions, now free, took a few steps toward their guardians. They lowered their heads as they came closer to their links. Lance was the first to place his hands on the giant cat's jaw. "It's nice to see you girl," Lance smiled. "I've missed you."
Following suit, Darrell did the same with Green lion, "It's been so long…so long."
Allura placed her forehead on Blue's nose, speaking to her softly, "Welcome back love."
From a small observation room located by the entrance of the grand chamber that housed the lions, a young woman watched the display in front of her with keen interest and detail. Wanting to see more, she walked out of the room and headed toward the advisor.
Coran watched as the team bonded with their lions in sheer awe. He didn't realize when the young woman stood next to him, "Is that how they…work together?"
He turned and saw the young woman who he had asked earlier to escort both Garrett and Stoker to base. Coran nodded, "Yes, this is called the bonding stage."
The young woman continued to look at the Voltron Force's bonding with their lions. Her eyes, however, wandered toward the Black Lion and the man who stood in front of it, just staring into the mechanical beasts yellow eyes.
"What's he doing?" she whispered to Coran.
Coran's gaze fell on Keith and Black. He had never seen that type of bonding. He studied the display.
Keith stared into the yellow eyes of his lion as it growled softly. The growls slowly grew louder as Keith closed his eyes and Black let out a forceful growl that made the rest of those present almost jump.
The captain had no reaction to the sudden roar. He slowly opened his eyes and a faint, almost invisible smile formed on his lips. Black turned and walk back to its lair as the other four followed suit.
"What the hell!" Darrell turned. As he looked at Keith's direction, Black's eyes dimmed and the growls shrank back to their original sounds.
Turning around, the captain began to walk out of the room but stopped in front of Coran and the young girl standing beside him, "I have to work on a few things before we meet tomorrow," he told him coldly.
"What just happened?" Coran asked perplexed by the display he watched.
The others, who had walked toward him, waited for an answer.
"I bonded," he replied with simplicity.
"That was more than bonding Keith," Hunk snorted.
The captain ignored the sudden remark and stared at the advisor with the same emotionless eyes Coran had witnessed at the pub days earlier.
"Care to explain your type of bonding?" Coran asked.
"No."
Allura looked at his backside with disdain, but with also regret and a longing that hadn't subsided since he entered the room earlier that morning, "I've never seen a boding quite like yours," she stated flatly.
"Black and I have our own way of…communicating." Keith replied with equal coldness as he glance at her to reply before looking back at Coran. "Now if you excuse me, I have some work to do before resuming my impeding duties."
"Those started today, per your orders," Lance sarcastically offered. "While we all work, what are you planning on doing?"
Turning around to face his former friend, Keith answered with certainty, "I need to find out more about this Lotor."
"How are you going to do that?" Lance countered, eyes raised with a mocking stare. "I'm pretty sure everything you'll find, you can find it here on base."
Ignoring his taunting, the captain simply sighed and answered, "Coran, I'll be back with more information in a couple of hours," Keith concluded as he began walking out.
"Before you go Kogane, I'd like you all to meet someone," Coran stepped in front of the captain preventing him access to the door. Signaling to the young blond woman to step forward, she smiled at the group. "This is Ensign Kirian Mosley. She came to us as a cadet from Galaxy Garrison. Ensign Mosley is part of a program both the Corps and the Garrison are planning on undergoing."
This news tweaked the interest of the youngest member of the force, "What program?"
"We are embarking on a partnership between both military forces. Ensign Mosley is among the first recruits who will train not only with the Garrison, but with the Corps as well."
"It's really an honor to meet you all," she smiled with excitement. "I've heard so much about you and I can't wait to work and help in any way that I can." Her green eyes travelled to the all the team members, but her gaze landed on the captain's dark ones. "I'm here to serve."
Unfazed by her smile, Keith nodded, "I'll see you in a couple of hours Coran," he answered before walking out of the room without looking back.
"Is he always like that?" she asked Coran once he left. She eyes still lingered at the door.
"I'm afraid so Ensign Mosley," Coran replied.
About to say something else, Lance cut him off. "Just don't screw up kid. You just saw him on a good day."
Kirian smiled as her gaze continued lingering on the door that Keith had just walked out of, "Oh, I don't plan to. Like I said, I'm here to serve as best I can."
From afar, Allura studied her.
VVVVVVVVVV
As Keith walked out of the base toward his motorcycle, he felt a pair of eyes on him. He continued walking toward his black Ninja 2HR, wanting to leave the base as soon as possible. The base was foreign to him, he couldn't concentrate.
The idea that he would have to report to the Corps daily had him at a loss of comfort. Having made his own rules for so long, the fact that he now had to follow rules, from the very agency that turned him away, felt overwhelming.
On top of that, he had command of four people who he hadn't related to in more than a decade. They despised him. He had to leave, think. Not only did he have to deal with reconnecting with former friends, if that would be even possible, but he had to deal with working with Altair again. Keith never ran from a challenge, but today he had no other choice. If it hadn't been for Black…
As he zipped up his leather jacket, he found who the pair of eyes belonged to. He watched a man stepped out of a car. Knowing what would come next, Keith, nevertheless, continued heading to his bike hearing the sound of steps coming from behind him. Before mounting, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
It officially began.
He cringed inwardly.
The battle for superiority.
For Keith, the alpha status felt ridiculous. He had lost his mate long ago. The captain turned around to see a tall blonde haired man. About Keith's age, the man stood the same in height and build. However, the crow's feet around the eyes and the light wrinkles around the mouth and forehead indicated his actual age.
"Captain Kogane," he extended his hand, "I'm General Samuel Gellar. I'm in charge of the infantry unit for the Corps."
Hesitant at first, Keith gave in and took his hand, "What can I help you with General?"
"There's a rumor that you and the rest of the Voltron Force have been reinstated to active duty," Sam began as he stared into the dark brown eyes of the man across from him. "I gather than you being here makes those rumors true."
Word travelled fast. A cliché, but apparently extremely true, "Not a rumor. You were informed correctly," Keith nodded. A bit frustrated already, the captain asked, "What would you like to discuss with me General?"
"It's very simple Captain, I need you to know about my relationship with Lieutenant Altair," Keith glared at Gellar without giving away the anger he felt inside. "Allura and I have been together for quite a long time and I want to make sure you know damn well that I plan on protecting her in any way possible." Despite the harsh words, Sam's voice was smooth and polished.
With his typical emotionless gaze, Keith simply shrugged, "Altair is a fine pilot and combat fighter. We've done this before and she's quite capable of taking care of herself."
"I don't mean protection from her that way Kogane! You know exactly what I mean," Sam spat out with a frigid smile. "You had your chance and you screwed it up. Do not make me put you in your place. Stay away from Allura."
Mounting on his sports bike, Keith turned on the ignition. The motorcycle roared with a threatening disposition, "I'm sure Allura wouldn't be too happy knowing that you have such little confidence in her, General. Your point has been heard."
Keith casually put on his helmet before placing his hands on the swing arms, "This mission is very important to me and I need this team mentally and emotionally prepared for any challenge that comes our way."
He pressed the petal with his foot and the motorcycled roared with even more power, "You can protect Allura all you want General, but stay out of my way." With that, Keith took off without so much as looking at the man who stopped him.
Sam saw him ride off the premises. He felt like the bully on the playground. Not his style. This behavior, so unnatural to him. His love for Allura made him do the most ridiculous things. But then again, it was his love for Allura that he would fight to keep. No matter what type of person he'd become.
Sam Gellar would give up anything in the world, his career, his possessions, his ranking. But the one thing he could not, would not part with, was Allura. He couldn't give up the one thing that made him want to live.