Good evening! Here's chapter 6. Hope it is to your liking…I hope…
I hope the grammar is okay…It's 11:40pm here...Yikes!
Carly Chameleon: I'm so glad that you are liking the fic. This one has been very challenging for me. Character development is very hard to do. You want the characters to mature and take on different aspects of growth and development, but you don't want them to completely disappear from who they originally are…know what I mean? So, I'm hopeful that you'll like what I did with the plot to this fic. Your questions will be answered. LOL! And Allura…yeah, she's no damsel in distress in this one. I've also tried to write her with different aspects as well. Hope you like her.
RossoDiSera: Thank you. Coran…well, not in this one. But you will be very surprised….
Guest: This is a K/A fic. I'm a K/A fan at heart. So feel comfortable that whatever happens, they will end up together. I just hope you love the journey they go through to get there.
Mertz: Happy? Well, here you go! LOL!
CubbiesFan1: There are a lot of surprises in this one. I just hope that I can keep up too! Yes! Darrell is Pidge. Pidge is just a nickname he was called when he was young (since he was the youngest and shortest of the group) his real name (as per the comic) is Darrell. I just thought that a man in his mid-thirties would not be called Pidge. So no long hair…well…can't promise much. But, I'll see what I can do ;)
Sunshineleo: Well…my dear friend, I not like most who write the romance from beginning to end. I try to write a lot of suspense and action and fill the romance in between. If you know me, you'll know that I don't even like chick flicks LOL! I like story telling. I like the journey, the heartache one needs to go through to have "true love" so I hope I can do that with this fic. But yeah, you'll see K/A have very heated moments in this fic.
Playlist:
Another Day on the Terrace: SunLounger
Boy of the Stars: Glint
Elastic Heart: Sia
Chapter 6
After the meeting, when everyone had dispersed to their assignments, Coran went back to his office and began working with fevered pace finalizing the paperwork that once again united Galaxy Garrison and the Arusian Corps as allies against Korrinth. Both entities worked in the past for the same cause, but uniting in war again hadn't been done in over twenty years. The advisor sighed. Never did he ever think he'd repeat history. Zarkon died ages ago, but his spirit of malice and destruction lived through a son no one knew existed. The smart bastard played them for fools!
The advisor put the data pad down as he relived in his mind the past and the many things he went through. It still amazed him that he had been able to create and maintain the Arusian Corps and that his creation grew to the military monster it had now become.
Turning around he scanned the pictures on the shelf behind his desk and, for a brief moment, Coran found himself smiling. They all signified a part of the history and legacy both him and his brother created. We did good brother, he thought. For a moment, he was reminded of the sadness, regret and loneliness of the past. So many feelings engulfed him during times of war. He thought of Alfor and how he had played a large role in strengthening the Arusian Corps, "I wish you were here."
Then, his eyes fell on a picture of his wife. Tasia was a wonderful woman. When Coran met her she had just turned twenty years old. They married within a year and had two beautiful children. With blonde hair and eyes as green clovers, Tasia was the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on. She was brave too. She gave up her life to save her child. As Coran looked at the picture of his beloved, he whispered, "I wish you were all here."
Placing the datapad down on his desk, he picked up a photo of Alfor and him sitting on one of the paws of Black Lion. It had been taken a few months before his brother's demise, "We're once again at war Alfor. I'm trusting that you'll guide me in the right path as we face this second battle for our freedom. I've sacrificed and lost so much already. Don't let me loose anymore."
Alfor smiled back at him, somehow Coran felt reassured.
Suddenly, the doors to his office opened and in entered a very angry Altair, "When the hell did you plan on informing me about this? After our first combat fight or maybe after we captured this Lotor?"
"Thank you for announcing yourself," He replied sarcastically as he stood up and put back the picture on the shelf. Briefly, he looked again at the picture of his brother smiling, Alfor, sometimes I think you plan your daughter's tantrums just to spite me.
"Calm down Allura," Coran sighed as he turned around to look at his niece. He took a deep breath as if to prepare for battle. Sometimes the advisor forgot that Alfor was still with him in the form of Allura's character. Maybe what he felt before was not reassurance, but Alfor laughing at what now occurred. Allura inherited the same fire and wrath Alfor had when anger entered him, "You know the rules better than anyone at the Corps. Senior officers are informed first and by ranking Keith and Lance had to know first."
"Funny that Hunk and Darrell knew before me. If I'm correct, they knew all the details as well. Aren't they below me?" Allura fumed, responding sarcastically.
Coran sat back in his chair and looked sternly at the woman in front of him, "I had to inform them first since they were stationed on Earth and it would take a couple of days for them to reach Arus. You, if I remember, had been at survival training up to a day ago with your cadets. And as you continuously request through every report that has ended up on my desk, we should not contact you during survival training with your cadets."
Allura's blue eyes widened even more with anger, "I stated that you should not contact me unless it was an emergency. What do you think this is Coran? A damn reunion you see on television!"
Gathering his feelings, Coran took a deep breath to stop himself from aggravating the situation, "I apologize Allura for not telling you, but I had to work fast to gather the team."
The woman paced around the room furiously, probably trying to choose her words carefully, "How can you let him in here? Do you even realize what you have done?"
Raising his voice, Coran answered her firmly with a tone of authority, "He is, whether you like it or not, the leader of this team."
"He's a murderer!" She shouted back unfazed by his tone.
Sighing, Coran leaned forward on his desk, "We need to start accepting the past for what it was, the past. Keith has paid for his crime and we must–"
"Are you kidding me?" Allura blasted.
"He holds the soul of Black Lion!" Coran finally shouted. "Accept it Allura. The lion's soul accepts him as someone worthy of carrying its strength, valor and power. We can't argue with that. We ALL need to accept and forgive."
Allura shook her head in frustration as her anger increased, "He killed your son in law! Have you forgotten that? You have the audacity to tell me that you have forgiven him for what he did to Romelle…your own daughter?"
Sighing, Coran recognized how hard it had been to keep his own anger in check, but he remembered the promise he had made to his daughter. Walking back to his chair, he asked, "Romelle has assured me that she's forgiven him. If she's done that, then, how could I not?"
At this, Allura laughed sarcastically, "This….this is ridiculous. My uncle and my cousin have freaking lost their damn minds!"
"You need to learn to work with him again," the advisor reminded her cautiously.
"This is bull–"
"You're out of line, Allura! He is your commanding officer. You will listen to him and you will learn to respect your leader!" Coran knew Allura always had a problem with authority she considered below her wits. In this case, however, Coran knew more was at stake than Allura led on.
"I will not listen to that bastard!" Allura yelled. "You can't make me do this!" She continued as she came closer to the advisor, "I won't do this!"
He empathized, but Altair had to understand that orders, regardless of feelings, had to be followed.
Coran could not and would not hold his tongue any longer, "Stand down Altair!" He roared. The advisor rose from his chair. As he shouted at Allura, the woman took a few steps back finally realizing that she had overstepped her boundaries.
"Sit your damn ass down!" Coran ordered. She took a deep sigh and slowly walked to the chair in front of the advisor's desk.
"Let me remind you that outside these walls, I am your uncle and you may speak to me however you choose. But in here," he slammed his fist against the table, "You have no choice. I am your superior and I demand respect. I will not hold back just because we are family. With the way you've spoken to me, I should hold you in contempt and put you in solitary confinement for a week as punishment for insubordination. You've taken too many liberties today with me Lieutenant Altair."
She said nothing. Allura didn't even meet her uncle's eyes.
"Now, I regret to inform you that you will work with Captain Kogane. You will do as he orders and you will follow his instructions. Your personal feelings toward him play no part with this war. Do I make myself clear Lieutenant?"
"Yes…sir," she gritted between her teeth.
"Lastly, if I see this type of behavior toward your superior officer, I will have no choice but to demote you to sergeant and will keep demoting you until you change. I swear Allura, this behavior will surely destroy this team and I can't have this happen, not when the lives of every Arusian and Terran citizen are at stake! Do not be the reason this team fails!"
Sighing and understanding, she nodded.
Sitting back down, Coran sighed heavily, "You are dismissed."
Without a word, Allura stood up and saluted her uncle before walking out the door.
VVVVVVVVVV
Soon after the history lesson with Cossack, Lotor walked out of control and had one of his guards drive him to compound thirty eight. About five miles north of the castle, the area held a very special object for Lotor. The guard that drove him had been an officer in his native planet, but two years ago Lotor had taken over the planet and completely wiped it away of any resources available. Its military ceased to exist. To the guard the message was clear, join him or perish like the others. He decided to join. He was impressed by Lotor's strategy, the choice to him was obvious. Besides, he held no allegiance to his former king. He never liked him.
Areth found the prince not only intelligent, but cunning and smooth. He never belittled those who worked for him, rather he treated them with the utmost respect. The tactic proved immensely valuable for Lotor had gained a massive following just by the way he treated his people.
"Sire, we should arrive in about three minutes," he informed his prince as they passed through the entrance gates of the compound.
"Thank you Areth," the prince nodded. The two were quiet for a moment before Lotor asked, "Would you please follow me inside?"
Surprised, the guard immediately nodded, "Of course, Sire. Do you need me to do anything while you hold your meeting?"
"I'd like you to join me in my meeting," the prince smiled.
"I beg your pardon?" The man's eyes widened.
"Areth, I do not believe in hiding things from my people. I think you can benefit from this meeting and I'd like you to join me."
Smiling proudly, the guard answered with excitement, "It would be an honor your Highness."
As they reached the entrance of the compound, Areth got off of the transport and briskly walked over to open the door for Lotor. Once the prince exited the transport, he gestured to the guard to follow him.
Areth couldn't believe the honor bestowed upon him. He knew he had made the right choice. Following Lotor had been the best decision he could have ever made. He was truly his king and his reason for existence.
VVVVVVVVVV
Keith parked his bike inside the garage of what looked like a New York style brownstone about three floors in height. Made mostly out of stone, brick masonry and timber; the brownish-red sandstone building had special sentimental value to the captain. Before he even knew the planet called Arus, Keith lived in a brownstone kind of like the one he had pulled into. He had fond memories of New York. Sometimes, he missed it.
After his release from the Arusian penitentiary, he accidentally found the abandoned building on a day that he had decided to walk the streets of Arus to see what new things emerged while he sat in a jail cell. Unfortunately, the concept of a brownstone had not taken off on Arus. Citizens didn't take much liking to them and preferred the idea of tall skyscrapers over living a few hundred feet above ground. Because of this, many brownstones were torn down, Keith had found one where construction had stopped midpoint.
He fell in love with the building almost immediately. Even though, it would probably cost him his life savings to complete it, he had to have it. He never regretted his decision to buy it. This place, his haven, his safe house, was the only place where he felt…something.
He made the first floor into a large garage where he kept the bike, but also all types of weaponry used on missions he was hired to do. The second floor was his command center. All state of the art computer and communication equipment was housed on that floor. The third was his actual place that looked like a loft. An open spaced area with a living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, small laundry area and balcony. A stairwell led him to his bedroom and bathroom.
Once completed, and almost penniless, he found that in order to keep his technologically savvy home, he'd have to make some money to maintain it. Luckily, Keith found that when certain politicians or the immensely rich needed "special" services that could not involve the formal military or law enforcement, they would pay him more than he could ever imagine. It amazed him that after people had found out of his release from prison, they'd contact him desperately for assignments of the upmost discretion. More surprising to him was that they paid extremely well. The one rule Keith had was that he'd never do anything that would compromise either the Garrison or the Corps. He had another rule and he always kept it, never assassinate anyone.
The front door to his brownstone also served as an elevator that would take visitors to the third floor upon his approval, not that many came. Another elevator, inside the garage, led to the second and third floors, that one was solely operated by him through cornea inspection. It was this elevator that he used to go up to his second floor command center. He needed to contact someone.
Walking toward his elevator after parking his bike in the vehicle area, Keith stood by the identification screen, "Agatha, analyze."
Within seconds, his eyes were scanned.
A woman's voice filled the air, "Welcome Mr. Kogane. What floor would you like to visit?"
"Second floor, Agatha," Keith answered his main computer system, AGATHA. He programmed her after one of his favorite writers, Agatha Christie.
Once the command center door opened, Keith walked to the large vidscreen that took most of the wall in front of him. "Agatha, contact Hazar."
"Contacting Drule Captain Hazar," she stated and the screen turned on.
A few moments later, the picture of the Drule man popped in the vidscreen. "Well…Kogane…I haven't heard from you in six months. What do I owe this surprise to?"
"I need you to find someone for me," he replied withholding the greeting. Hazar had been extremely useful to him with some of his private missions.
"And who would this someone be?" Asked the white haired Drule.
"Haggar," he answered simply.
The Drule man smiled, "So, I guess you found out about what happened on Korrinth. Tell me, something Captain, what would make you think I would side with you? After all, seems like my people are gaining power by the day."
This time the captain smiled faintly, "You expect me to believe you'd go back to the people who basically turned you away. Hazar, even I know you only care about you."
"Just like you, Captain."
Keith said nothing. "Can you help me?"
"What's it worth?"
Kogane's frustration rose, "How much do you want Hazar?"
Pausing thoughtfully for a while, the Drule then answered, "Two hundred pounds of gold should do."
Keith's face showed no shock, no expression of surprise nor annoyance at the Drule who clearly milked the situation. However, his thoughts differed. Over two million dollars! Who does he think I am? The damn Federal Reserve?
"Consider it done. Start your search," the captain ordered and nodded at the fiend before he cut communication with the Drule.
Sighing heavily, Keith sank back in his chair. The price was pretty steep for him. Hazar was his best informant, always accurate and precise. Keith knew he wouldn't fail. Two and a half million dollars, to be exact. Where would he come up with that kind of money? In the past, he relied on his clients to provide the funds Hazar wanted to start his so called research. But he was the client this time and he doubted the Arusian Corps would pay someone like a former warlord for information.
Even though he had told the others he wanted to find information on Lotor, Keith knew he needed to find more information on Haggar; the key to the entire mess had to be her. On his ride home, he thought of the one figure from the past that no one spoke of. Haggar had kept a low profile over the years; Keith hadn't been able to find her himself, his last time had been six months ago with another dealer. The search proved unsuccessful.
Before, Keith searched for her out of pure interest. Now, it was a necessity. And for Hazar, the economics proved to be profitable. Whatever Lotor planned, Keith knew Haggar had some type of involvement in it. Finding out what the witch was up to would give him an advantage over Zarkon's son.
Capturing Haggar in the past took more than a miracle, but technology now had solved the problem and the Corps had created the perfect device that would entrap her. No, catching her would not be the problem, but finding out where she hid…only Hazar could provide that and the price was extremely costly.
Keith took a deep breath as he took a long look at the room around him. The house was paid off and all his possessions belonged to him, not a bank's or a creditor's. He was comfortable, but not rich and he certainly didn't have two million in the bank.
As his mind wondered, a name continuously appeared in his mind. Keith tried to erase it, dismiss it, but he knew better. Only one person had the resources to pay off Hazar and get the information he needed. The more he thought about him the more it made sense and Keith couldn't deny it any longer. Only one person could help him and that person hated him with everything he had. He would need Lance McClain's help. The only problem was, he didn't know if he'd receive it.
VVVVVVVVVV
Looking at the layout of Zarkon's castle, Lance's attention focused on every part of the structure. The main compound was barricaded with bases surrounding each corner. Those bases were surrounded by even larger ones. Lance sighed, "Getting in is going to be hell."
As he studied the base deeper, he noticed something that made his eyes cringe as he drew closer to the screen.
"Hey," Darrell's voice startled him enough to make him jump up slightly. Chuckling, seeing his friend's action, Darrell sarcastically asked, "Bit out of practice, are you?"
Turning to face him, Lance snorted, "I knew you were there."
"Right. You finished checking out the bases?"
"Kind of," Lance answered as he turned off the vidscreen. There was something in that blue print, he just couldn't figure out. And Darrell's interruption killed his concentration.
"You've been studying the layout for almost four hours," the Green Lion pilot reminded him. "By the way, Coran told me to tell you that you're welcome to stay on base."
Shaking his head, Lance answered, "No way! I like my place and he's not getting me into anyone of those bunkers unless I have to. Besides, I should be going, I have plans tonight."
At the mention of Lance's plans, Darrell automatically knew what the Red Lion pilot meant, "Who's the girl?"
Smiling, Lance answered, "No one you could ever get," he finished with a laugh.
"Well, what would it take for me to meet one of these ladies you so happen to know?"
Lance looked at Darrell curiously, "You better watch out Darrell. If Hope hears you speaking like that, she's bound to knock that grin off your face."
The younger pilot shrugged, "I doubt it. We broke up."
Standing up, Lance grew serious, "What did you do now?"
Stepping back to avoid Lance, Darrell grew nervous, "Nothing! Damn it, Lance! What's with the attitude?"
Looking at the younger man with anger, Lance continued stepping forward, "No attitude you little prick. I was just wondering, what goes on in that small pea size brain of yours? Hope is a wonderful girl and she loves you move than her own life. Why would you do that to her?"
Darrell looked at his friend incredulously, "Lance, she's a kid! She doesn't know what she wants. I'm giving her the space she needs to–"
Walking past Darrell, Lance murmured, "She's a child….look who is talking."
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
Turning around to face him Lance blasted, "Young? That's your damn excuse? Darrell, age means nothing to us. What counts is if we find someone who loves us unconditionally, someone who is able to give up themselves, their spiritual lives for us. Hope would do that for you without a thought. She loves you…and you threw her away! Do you even know what you have done?"
Equally burning with anger, Darrell fired back, "You should talk! You don't give any woman the chance to get to know you. Lance, don't lecture me. What can you tell me when you screw them and leave the next day?"
Unable to answer the younger man, Lance slammed his hand on the button that opened the door to the room and walked out without giving Darrell so much as a glance. Bumping into Hunk on the way, the bigger man startled, "Lance, what's wrong?" Lance didn't answer and kept walking. Seeing Darrell walk out of the room, he asked, "What's with him?"
Shaking his head in disbelief with what had occurred, Darrell answered, "Beats the hell out of me." It suddenly occurred to him that the breakup affected more people other than he thought.
VVVVVVVVVV
Compound thirty-eight had a door at the end of one lonely hallway. Lotor, walking with Areth close behind him, reached the door in a light but brisk pace before keying a code on the wall pad next to the door. Gaining access, the men entered. Areth opened his mouth upon seeing what the room had inside.
"This is compound thirty eight?" he asked in surprise. The guard had never seen anything like what his eyes saw now. The room held the strangest equipment Areth had ever seen. Filled with large engravers, laser mills and drilling systems, the lab had machinery specially designed for what the guard thought was something very specific, "Your Highness, what is all this?"
"Our future Areth," Lotor answered with pride. "What you see here is the key to our future, the rise of Korrinth and our entire galaxy."
As they walked further in, the prince began explaining, "For years, I've conquered distant planets trying to bring back an empire lost by an evil force that goes by the name of Galaxy Garrison. That disgusting entity destroyed my planet just as it would have done yours…in time. I conquered not for my own purpose, but to help other planets that will soon face annihilation by them."
"So you conquered our planets…to save us?" The guard questioned.
"Precisely," Lotor answered with a nod. "I took what needed to be taken and left you enough to rebuild. Nothing more. The Garrison would have left your planets exactly as how they left mine. I, my dear friend Areth, saved all of you and you are not only going to repay me, but help save the galaxy."
Shaking his head, trying to understand, Areth looked at the prince with keen curiosity, "How?"
Smiling as they walked in further, Lotor told him, "Allow me to show you."
VVVVVVVVVV
Later that night, Allura took the elevators to her cousin's apartment building. Romelle D'Orr lived in a high rise similar to Allura's across her street. The day's events had been truly interesting, bittersweet, mixed with content and resentment. Altair couldn't fathom her feelings, too many in one mix.
As she walked closer to her cousin's door, Allura wondered how she would break the news to her. Romelle had not had it easy in the last twenty years. After Sven's death, she had remarried one of Arus' most distinguished architects, Ryan D'Orr. A native of Arus, he decided to leave his home and study on Earth. It was Ryan who brought back much of the architecture and style that was now Arus. Tall high rises, contemporary and modern buildings that marveled the eyes of every Arusian class. It was Ryan who first began designing buildings and structures that reached over a thousand feet above the ground. It was also Ryan who brought the concepts of apartments as opposed to homes to Arus. Many loved the concept of living hundreds of feet above the ground. The idea spread so fast that almost sixty percent of the planet's inhabitants lived in apartment buildings.
There were still rural areas in the planet, but those were slowly growing out of existence. In another ten years or so, Arus would become a complete metropolis.
Ryan lost his first wife and three year old daughter, almost twenty years before when they took a shuttle to visit him on Earth. The shuttle crash landed and those aboard perished. A couple of years after his family's death, he met Romelle at one of the openings of his latest building. Seeing the young beauty with her six year old daughter brought Ryan back to life. He never separated himself from her. He raised Romelle's daughter as his own and placed Romelle within the highest circles of society.
Now, years later, his stepdaughter followed his footsteps and Romelle had the peace of mind in knowing her daughter had a father figure once again. She had found a semblance of peace despite the darkness she lived.
Allura found it hard to see Romelle at times. In what seemed to be the perfect life, Romelle's sadness surfaced all around her. Altair always saw an unhappy woman before her. When she asked her why she felt that way, Romelle dismissed her questions. She just didn't understand her cousin's overwhelming sadness.
A few months prior to the attacks on Korrinth, Romelle confided in Allura that Ryan had asked for a divorce. Shocked, Altair asked Ryan's reasons for wanting something so abrupt. Romelle told her. Ryan had fallen in love with another woman. She had asked her cousin how she felt about Ryan's revelation, but Allura seemed more shocked by Romelle's answer. Romelle told her she was happy for him. At that point, Allura concluded that her cousin had never gotten over her first husband's death. Sven was her soul mate. She wouldn't live happily again and didn't want Ryan to live the same way.
Altair rang the doorbell and Romelle opened the door moments later. Surprise showed in her features. She didn't look her forty one years of age. Thin just like Allura, Romelle kept herself in shape. Her face had at most fine lines and her eyes showed a wisdom that captured the attention of many. Allura always found it humorous that Her cousin turned heads of young men half her age. She was an extremely classy woman.
"Allura! What are you doing here? I thought you and Sam were going to pick me up in an hour?" Romelle asked as her cousin walked in.
"We need to talk," Allura began as she walked right passed her. "Do you mind if I borrow something from you for tonight? I won't have time to get ready if I go home."
"Of course not," Romelle shook her head as she followed her cousin. "Come on. We can talk while–"
"I've been called on active duty again," Allura interjected as she turned around to look at her cousin.
With eyes widening in shock, Romelle replied, "What? What are you talking about?"
With a serious tone, she answered, "Coran, brought back the entire Voltron Force."
The older woman grew silent for a long moment before she sighed.
"You don't seem surprised. I thought you'd jump like I did?" Allura responded with a tone of question.
"No…no, of course I'm surprised," Romelle shook her head. "Shocked is more like it!" The woman passed her cousin and gestured to follow her to the living room, "Come, sit down and start from the beginning."
Allura relayed to her cousin everything that transpired in the day as they sat in the living room. Romelle listened. Never one to speak over others, she didn't interrupt her cousin who seemed more and more excited as she told her about the events of the day. After Altair finished, she suddenly realized that Romelle not only had not stated one word, but she didn't seem as anxious as she thought she would.
"I'm surprised that you haven't even mentioned one thing to me," Allura sighed in frustration.
"I'm still processing everything you've told me Allura," Romelle replied calmly.
"Don't screw around with me Romelle!"
Allura stood as her nerves escalated to far worse levels, "What is wrong with you? I just told you that Zarkon has a son and he's apparently worse than his demented father. We're all back on active duty, Arus may now again be at war, and your husband's killer has command over all of us!"
"Ex-husband," she quickly reminded her. "And there's nothing wrong with me Allura. It's just that…Sven's death happened so many years ago and I've learned not to have his death govern my life."
"And what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," Romelle shook her head. "All I mean is that you have more important things to think about than events that happened twenty years ago."
"How can you just let it go?" Altair turned around looking at her cousin in question. "What hurts more than anything is that we lost him Romelle…we lost him," she shook her head in regret. "And with Keith back, it's like all of us are reliving that entire time again."
"Are you sure you know of what you're speaking about?"
"What do you mean?" Allura's tone darkened as if warning her cousin against speaking too freely.
"Are you using Sven as your excuse for not wanting to confront your feelings toward Keith?" Romelle asked cautiously.
Eyes widening in surprise, but also ready for confrontation, Allura found herself at a loss of words, "You're so full of it! Why can't you just accept that my relationship with that man is over?" Turning around, she headed to Romelle's room, "I need to get ready. Sam will meet us here soon." Abruptly, Allura left the room, leaving Romelle closing her eyes in regret.