Good evening! Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Cubbiesfan1: You know, I feel bad for Sam too. But, I'm glad you do because that is what I wanted to convey. I want to build characters that have many dimensions, characters that are not a "Gary Stu". I want readers to sympathize with him. Romelle and Keith….hee hee hee!

Sunshineleo: Hi! So Romelle and Keith…hee hee hee! I know, I'm mean… Regarding Sam and Allura. Well, we have to remember that Allura is really in her 40's and she just wouldn't fall for just anyone, especially if she's trying to get over Keith. Sam was her pillar, so I would assume she would stay with him.

Mertz: Yep. I'm a big tease. LOL!

Carly Chameleon: I'm so happy you are enjoying this fic. I am really humbled by your opinions and thoughts. Thank you! I'm glad you see the difference between Romelle and Allura. I really wanted to highlight two passionate women with very different personalities. And yes, I really liked the comparison between Alexander and Lotor. I wanted Romelle to play a large role in this fic. Too many times she's just there for fill in and I wanted her to stand out just like the rest of the force. The hard part about this fic is sustaining all the characters and making them all important. Everyone plays a role in this fic. I hope you continue to read to see this. Again, thank you.

Kitten4979: Hee Hee Hee….I don't know what to tell you. It's a good plot, isn't it?

SnyperLady: OMG! Thank you! I really appreciate you reading. I hope you enjoy it Hugs!

Playlist:

Breathe Me-Sia

Hysteria-Muse

Inertia Creeps-Massive Attack

Chapter 9

The auditorium roared with questions as Coran stepped on stage. It took him a full two minutes to try to calm the audience down enough so that his voice was heard. The press wasted no time sniffing information, "When did you find out the Drules had taken over Korrinth?"

"Intelligence found this out about two weeks ago. We've been keeping tabs since," Coran answered firmly.

"Who is leading them?" Another reporter asked.

Sighing, the advisor answered, "A Drule that goes by the name Lotor…son of Zarkon." At the mention of Zarkon, the crowd roared wildly with shock and anger.

From the side of the stage, Kirian watched intently, paying attention to the commotion happening beyond the stage, "He doesn't look like he's doing well," she whispered.

"I'm sure he expected it," Lance answered, standing behind the ensign. However, his gaze went directly to where Romelle sat. She took her place in the fourth row of the auditorium, close to one of the exit doors.

"Are you alright?" Allura suddenly broke his concentration.

Kirian looked his way briefly before turning her attention back to the stage. Lance, on the other hand, turned to Allura, "I'm fine. Just concentrating on what's going on outside."

Looking back at her uncle, Altair watched Coran smoothly tell reporters that he was about to start his statement, "Guys, listen. He's starting,"

"Fellow Arusians," he began but was cut short when a couple of delegates began barking out questions. Again, he gestured for them to calm down so as to let him speak.

"Fellow Arusians, for years we've enjoyed a planet without war, a time filled with peace, growth and promising opportunities. We envisioned an eternal peace lasting through generations. But today, we were robbed of that eternal peace. We were robbed of opportunity. We were stripped of our way of life. The offspring of an old enemy from the past has risen and declared war against us." He paused for a moment, knowing what emotions stirred among the audience, "The Drules have returned. They are the ones that attacked Lenna."

The crowd went crazy at the mention of the Drules once again. Delegates and officers rose from their seats, others turned to the person next to them in shock. Yet, some looked straight at Coran as if asking how long he knew about the Drules.

The Cabinet of Generals knew of the news as soon as the attack began. Coran had filled them in on the specifics there after. The fifteen generals sat in the front, cool and calm despite the chaos around them. Sam, one of them, looked at Coran with hidden sympathy. No one could have prevented the attack. He knew that. Those in the audience knew that as well, but placing blame had always been a natural behavior Arusians possessed.

"Please, let me finish!" Coran calmed them. "We are fighting a war, but not all is lost," Looking over at Lance and Allura, Coran motioned them to come to the stage. "Seeing that we are again at war, I've made the decision to reactivate the Voltron Force."

The room fell silent as the two walked out on stage. Coran gestured Lance and Allura to take the podium. "Which one of you will speak?" he whispered to them.

The two looked at each other. Lance whispered to Allura, "Technically, you're their princess, you should."

"I haven't been a princess in ages," she whispered back. "We threw royalty titles out the window years ago. And you outrank me, remember?"

"But, they are your people," Lance argued. "I think the message should come from you," he gestured her to walk up the podium.

Realizing that he was partly right, Allura nodded and did as bidden. From the podium she looked at Sam who sat at the front and he gave her an encouraging smile. Facing the audience, she began, "Delegates, Officers, city representatives, and members of the press. Twenty years ago, we fought to save Arus from the destruction of Zarkon. We fought with passion, bravery, and heart. Today, we promise you that none of these feelings have changed. Despite the years, the love we have for Arus and its people has not diminished. But just like you need us, we need you to stay calm, work together and face the upcoming challenges with strength, courage, and upmost bravery with each other. Together, we can beat the Drules once again. We will face them bravely, we will fight with our strength, and we will win!"

The room roared with revived motivation. Their faces brimmed with determination and hope as they knew what challenges lay ahead. Coran knew bringing in the members of the Force would help. Allura looked at her uncle with satisfaction written on her face. He in turn nodded, equally satisfied. Soon questions from reporters began, but Coran put a stop to them. Thanking them for coming and promising more information soon, the three exited the stage. Lance's gaze fell on the audience again, watching as Romelle stood up and began walking toward the exit. She seemed to be on the phone.

Once back, he watched Allura pick up her phone and read the message. Casually, he walked toward her and overheard her speaking out loud, "Coran, Romelle texted me. She asked that you'd have dinner at her home before you go back to the base."

"I really should stay here."

"Coran," Allura emphasized, "She needs you. Even if it's for a short time. An hour can't hurt. Keith and the others are on site. Lance and I will go out on patrol and Sam and the other generals can hold it together until you are back. Besides, he's not going to come back tonight."

He wasn't too convinced, but Coran understood Allura's reasoning and nodded, "Okay. Let me finish a few things here."

Once all settled, Lance took his opportunity. Walking past Allura, he made his way to the exit doors. Feeling him pass her, Allura yelled, "Hey, where are you going?"

"Be right back," he yelled without looking back. Running toward the parking lot of the base, Lance hoped he'd be able to catch her in time. He sighed in relief when he found Romelle walking toward her cruiser. "Hey, Elle, wait up!"

Turning around, Romelle looked surprised, "Lance? What are you doing here?"

God she looks beautiful, Lance thought when he saw her. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a neat low bun. The sides of her head were braided and blended with the bun. She wore a strapless white tank that showed off her small waist with a pair of white tight pants. A black cardigan and black flats made her look just so elegant to Lance, he was left breathless, "I…I was wondering if we could talk."

"Talk?" Romelle responded, "Lance, we have nothing to talk about."

"I think we do," he nodded. "We have a lot to talk about."

Walking over to her car, Romelle reached for the door handle. Lance wasted no time refraining her from opening it, "Please Elle. Let me explain…"

"There's nothing to explain!" she told him as her green eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "Lance, what's done cannot be undone. Please, just let it go."

"There's a reason…"

"It doesn't matter what that reason is. You made a choice," she continued. "I've gone on with my life. You should to." She told him as she turned around and forced him to let go of the handle. "I have to go home. My father won't be long." Getting into her car, Lance stepped back and allowed her to drive off into the darkness.

XXXXXXXXXX

It looked like the city of Lenna had been clawed by a vicious monster that trampled its way through. Large buildings obliterated to rubble and ashes catered the streets. Black smoked lingered above the dark sky despite droplets of rain beginning to fall through. Fire spewed over broken down buildings while others became nothing more than mountains of debris, probably containing the remains of the civilians.

The lions carefully began digging through some of the rubble, scanning in for life forms before digging in. The relief efforts began about an hour after the attack ended. Keith knew what would come next. A Union Address. Coran would speak to all leaders of the planet and the Garrison. He wanted no part of it. Rather, he preferred to be at the site, for this was where he would be most needed.

Hours after the attack, the lions still worked. Five hundred people were found so far. A third, deceased. By nightfall, rescue attempts halted as darkness emerged and the rain increased, hindering the progress.

Hunk and Darrell took their breaks at one of the command tents. There were various tents throughout the city where computer equipment, first aid kits, bottle waters and other relief supplies were housed for those participating in the efforts. The duo stood by the end of the tent where three huge coolers containing bottled water and ice stood. They both gulp their first bottle in one helping. By the time they began picking up a second bottle, they noticed Keith walking in.

The commander made eye contact and began walking toward them. Darrell kept his facial expression neutral while speaking to Hunk who stood next to him, "I'm too tired to put up with any crap he's going to give us now."

"Darrell, don't start," the bigger man replied. "Let's not make any trouble. We're on duty and I doubt that Keith is in any moods to make trouble."

The younger pilot snorted as his commander approached him. Keith noticed the conversation between the two. Even though he didn't know what they actually spoke of, he had an idea that the topic of conversation included him, "How far along are you on the west side of town?" he asked neutrally ignoring whatever the two spoke of. His dark eyes gave them nothing to go on in regards to his feelings. Keith had always been good to hide what he felt.

"We made some progress and found a group of sixteen caved in under a building. Luckily, the area had some air pockets that allowed them to get enough air until we were able to get to them," Hunk briefed him. "All alive, thankfully."

Keith nodded satisfied with what they had said, "Good. You're dismissed for the night. Take the lions back to base. At this point, we won't be able to do much. It's too dark and there's too much smog in the air to accurately work."

"Will others work throughout the night?" Darrell asked noticing how it still looked like chaos around him.

"Yes," Keith replied. "Ground crews are coming in to relieve us. We'll all come back tomorrow. Hopefully with Red and Blue we'll get more work done." The three remained in prolonged silence, unable to maintain the conversation. Taking the hint that no other input from him would be needed, Keith picked up a bottle of water from the cooler and walked away.

"That was awkward," Hunk sighed.

"Hunk, for the past few days, everything has been awkward," Darrell responded with a heavy sigh.

VVVVVVVVV

It felt like a hostile takeover in a couple of seconds. Reporters tackled them before they were able to get away. Hunk and Darrell looked around trying to understand the chaos around them. "How does it feel to be officially reinstated?" one reporter asked as Hunk stepped back, surprised by the amount of reporters close to him.

Another reporter asked, "Is Keith Kogane leading the group once again?"

"Ah...yes?" Darrell responded and almost immediately all cameras and microphones went to him.

"How does it feel to be led by Kogane once more?"

"Do you trust him?"

The questions continued without stopping. Hunk and Darrell tried to walk away from the press only to be stopped by them. "No more questions!" Hunk was losing his patience as he broke away from them. Darrell followed. The reporters would not stop. This was the biggest news on Arus in over twenty years. They would not give up easy.

As the two left the tent, Darrell noticed Keith walking to his lion. One of the reporters must have noticed the same thing because he dashed off leaving the others behind to catch up to the commander. "Captain Kogane!"

Keith turned around and sighed heavily, "I'm not answering any questions." About to turn around, he noticed the other reporters running behind the one that called him. "Damn," he whispered.

"Commander Kogane, how do you feel about being reactivated into the Force?"

Ignoring the question, he kept walking toward his lion. However, the reporter would not quit and apparently his fellow peers didn't either as soon as they caught up to him.

"Will you be attacking Korrinth soon?"

"How does your team feel about you commanding them?"

Needing to get away from them, he began to shove himself between them to get away, "I said no comment." More questions were thrown at him, yet he evaded them as best he could, until the one question he dreaded came.

"Captain Kogane, do you feel any regret about killing Sven Holgersson?"

The commander stopped walking. Tempted to turn around, he controlled himself and proceeded to continue walking to his lion without speaking a word to any reporter. As the press continued hounding him Hunk and Darrell watched from afar.

"So you deny that you feel any remorse from killing Commander Holgersson?" the reporter asked again with a bit of acid in his tone.

This time Kogane turned around and faced the wretched man. Looking at him with stone cold black eyes made the reporter take a step back, but intimidation didn't deter him, "Would you care to comment Captain?"

He didn't have to answer. Someone or rather something did that for him.

"Hunk…what the hell?" Darrell suddenly raised his voice. Hunk looked up in awe as he watched Black Lion's eyes turn a shade of dark yellow. An angry roar filled the area as the lion stood in an attack position. The reporters all took a step back, afraid of the roar and the defying stance. Keith didn't move; he didn't even flinch as the lion moved. Black lion then took a couple of steps forward toward Keith before it sat again in resting position. Everyone around the area fell silent, except for the camera crews recording the event. The lion continued growling deeply, as if warning against any more questions. Keith walked to his lion without a word to anyone as Black opened its mouth to allow him. He entered the lion and within a minute or two, the lion flew up and away from Lenna.

"Ok…what the hell was that?" Hunk asked in disbelief as he watched the lion take off and the reporters begin speaking in respective cameras. "I've…."

"I've never seen any of the lions react that way," Darrell stated.

"It's as if the lion was protecting him," the bigger man reasoned. "Why would he protect Keith from reporters?"

"I'm not sure," Darrell shook his head, "Maybe it's worth asking him."

Looking at the empty sky, Hunk replied, "Maybe."

VVVVVVVVVV

Walking in to control, Yurak found himself feeling victorious. He hadn't done much, he knew that, but the content expression on Lotor's face when he greeted him, made Yurak feel prouder than he had in years. He felt like he deserved being part of his race again.

"Amazing job my friend," Lotor told him in a dignified cool tone. "How did it feel to face your enemy?"

"I felt alive again," he nodded. "Thank you Sire."

"No need," The prince replied as he gently tapped the older drule's shoulder. "I'm glad I helped you retaliate. Who better than you to initiate the rebirth of our empire?"

Lotor gestured the older Drule to follow him out of Control. "Yurak, I hope you know that there will be other opportunities to attack Arus and the Voltron Force."

"Of course, Your Highness," he answered with a nod. "I hope that you give me the opportunity to participate in some of them."

"Indeed." Lotor confirmed as they continued walking the opaque hallways of the castle. "That is just what I wanted to ask you Yurak. There will be various opportunities to lead attacks, but I am going to need you to help me on another…project."

Interested, Yurak turned to face the prince, "I would do anything to help you."

"Good," Lotor replied, "I need you to become a messenger."

"A messenger?"

"Yes. I need you to help me get messages to Haggar."

VVVVVVVVVV

"Dinner was wonderful my dear," Coran commented to his daughter as they walked toward the living area after dinner.

"Thank you father," Romelle smiled. "Daphne keeps outdoing herself every time she knows you're coming."

Daphne, Romelle's maid, came in every morning by nine and left by six. She cleaned the apartment, cooked, and organized Romelle's affairs. Daphne was in her late forties and Romelle had a feeling that she had something for her father, although the woman would never admit to it. She would, however, ask for him whenever she had the chance.

Romelle all but giggled when that happened. She loved the twinkle Daphne got whenever she spoke of her father. It was a shame Coran only lived for the Corps and nothing else since her mother's passing.

Sitting down in the living room, Coran sighed as the tension on his face seemed to wind down. Looking at his daughter, he said, "It's been a long day."

"I can imagine," Romelle answered softly.

"I should be back at base overseeing the efforts at Lenna," he told her in a tired tone.

"Dad, just relax for a while," she answered him as she stood up and walked over to him, "I don't doubt you'll go back to base after you leave here, so why don't you just rest here for a little bit. If you want you can use the guest room."

Coran shook his head, "No, I'm just a bit tired, not sleepy. Let's just talk for a bit. It's been a while since we last sat down and had a good conversation."

At this Romelle smiled, "I know."

"How are you? After Ryan…I mean," he asked carefully.

"I'm…good Dad," she answered him. "Ryan's happy. Hope is happy. That's the important thing."

"How about you Romelle?"

"I told you," she replied again in a guarded voice. He looked at her with a questionable gaze, "Alright! If it makes you any better, I'm content. I'm finally at a place where I feel content with my life. Why are we talking about this?"

"Because you worry me," Coran replied. "I know that losing Sven…I saw your pain." Romelle was notorious for her beauty, but nothing made her more beautiful than her smile. She had a smile that just shined. Coran hadn't seen that smile in years. "Now, with everything happening….Drules back…Keith back, I just wanted to know how you were doing."

"That should be the least of your worries." she tried to dismiss his concern but she knew she wasn't convincing him.

"You are my biggest worry. You and Allura and I know Keith's reappearance has not been easy on either one of you."

She grew serious at the mention of Keith's name, "Dad, I'm fine. I'm serious. Sven died so long ago and I've come to terms with that. And Keith…I hold no resentment toward him."

The words surprised Coran, but he refrained from asking too much. Instead, he looked at her curiously, "You feel nothing for the man who killed your husband?" It wasn't a question, but rather a statement.

"Keith paid his dues to both Earth and Arus. And as you said yourself, he still holds Black Lion's soul. There is something to be said about that."

"That has always troubled me," Coran sighed. "He killed a fellow member of the Force and best friend. He admitted it not only to us, but to two courts of law. He's been living all these years doing god knows what, yet the soul of Black lion won't leave him."

"Maybe there's a reason for it," Romelle stated carefully.

"I'll be honest Romelle, it's the only thing that keeps me from not breaking his neck," Coran answered frustrated.

"Maybe he's not as bad as we think," she responded carefully. "Maybe we're wrong about him."

"I doubt it," Coran immediately responded. "He's different. Cold, distant. Black Lion is still with him for one reason and one reason only. Once that purpose is fulfilled, it will detach himself from Kogane and hopefully, we'll rest a bit easier."

Romelle did not respond. She remained quiet.

VVVVVVVVVV

The ceiling opened allowing Black lion to land safely inside the base. Keith got out of Black minutes later and found himself alone in the room as the ceiling once again closed. Red and Blue were still not in. Lance and Allura wouldn't be back for another hour or so from patrolling. Taking a look at Black, Keith noticed as the lion sat in its resting position. Silent pride emanated from it, but he could have sworn the lion looked back at him with respect and warmth. Walking toward the leg of his lion, Keith leaned to him and whispered, "Thank you."

Suddenly, he heard a noise coming from the area of the control room. Keith quickly turned around to find Kirian Mosley walking up to him, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Walking away from Black, Keith replied, "Kind of late to be in here Mosley."

"I was so busy preparing Advisor Coran's agenda for tomorrow and making sure everything you all needed for tomorrow's mission at Lenna…well, I must have lost track of time," she answered feeling herself babbling. He, on the other hand, just stared at her coldly.

"You should go home," he simply answered her as he walked past her to the exit doors.

"Wait!" she stopped him. Keith turned around. He looked frustrated, tired, but his look of intimidation didn't deter her, "I have a question."

"What?"

"How…how did you get Black Lion to do what it did?" she asked a bit timidly at first.

Keith shrugged, "I didn't do anything."

"Bull Kogane!" she responded with a bit more spunk in her tone. "I watched the newsfeed. None of the lions have ever displayed any aggressive type of behavior. Black Lion looked like it was about to devour those reporters."

A glimmer of a smile appeared on Keith's lips. "Devour them? No," he shook his head. "He was simply protecting me."

"Protecting you?" Kirian shot him a disbelieving look. "From what?"

"Harm," he vaguely replied.

She knew she wouldn't get more out of him, no matter how hard she tried. Instead, she asked, "Do they always protect you in such fashion?"

"Only when they feel the need to."

Keith answered everything, yet nothing. Kirian was as confused as ever. "I'm sorry if I ask too many questions," she began as she walked a bit closer to him, "I just want to know you all a little better to be able to help you." She then extended her hand toward him, "Please Captain. I mean no harm. If I ask it's because I want find the best way to help you. I want you to consider me part of your team."

Keith didn't know what to make out of what the girl told him. But, either way, he reached out to her and shook her hand firmly, "Sometimes it's best not to overanalyze things. But, if it's any consolation, if Coran chose you for this post, it means he trusts you."

She smiled at him, "Thank you. It does mean a lot to me."

He nodded a bit guardedly. Then he tried to retract his hand and found that Kirian held on to it a little longer than normal. The girl couldn't take her gaze away from his. Noticing her more, Keith found her quite more attention worthy than he originally thought. She had an usual shade of green eyes and her pixie short blond do gave her more sex appeal than the cute girl from next door look. She stepped closer to him, squeezed his hand a little. She had plump rosie red lips. Keith didn't understand why he suddenly felt….the ceiling once again opened. Both of them looked up to find both Yellow and Green entering the landing bay.

Keith retracted his hand immediately, "I'll see you in the morning Mosley," he told her as he walked out and left.

Moments later, Yellow and Green landed safely and Kirian waited for the pilots to come down from their ships. "Darrell!" she smiled warmly. Looking at Hunk, she nodded her greeting. She knew the yellow lion pilot had not given her any indication that she could be on first name basis with him.

"Hello Mosley," Hunk replied with a tired smile.

"Lieutenant Garrett. You look beat," she told him.

"Very."

Looking back at Darrell, she then replied, "You don't look any better."

"It was a long day," he replied. "Are you ok?"

She tilted her head a bit in question, "Why shouldn't I be?"

The green lion pilot shrugged, "Nothing, it's just that you were just with Keith and he's not the friendliest person to be around."

"Oh!" she laughed a bit, "Captain Kogane isn't as bad as people think he is. Truly, he's been nothing but cordial."

There was a twinkle in her voice that annoyed Darrell. He knew where this was going. "Well, just be careful. Cordial isn't in Keith's vocabulary."

She smiled at his warning, and nodded nervously, "I better be going. We're back here in a couple of hours anyway. Might as well get some rest."

"That I agree with," Hunk immediately responded stretched and yawned. "Have a good night Mosley."

"Same to you, Sir," Kirian replied. "Same to you Darrell. Good night gentlemen." She said before finally walking out.

After the young lady left, Hunk all but broke out in laughter, "Guess you've been replaced without even being casted."

"Shut up," Darrell snorted as they began to walk out. He didn't respond anything after that. Walking to their rooms on the base, Darrell continued listening to Hunk talk about how Lenna and everything that needed to be done for the next day. His mind however, continued to drift to Kirian and if there was anything going on between her and Keith.

VVVVVVVVVV

Allura spent the night at Sam's apartment after deciding that going over to Romelle's at such a late hour would impose on her cousin. After landing on the base, she texted her cousin telling her not to worry. She'd be going home with Sam since his apartment was closer to the base. She'd have to be up by six o'clock the next morning and report to help in the rescue efforts at Lenna.

Altair sat up in bed watching the late night news hoping to catch reports of the status of Lenna while Sam showered. He had stayed on the base late as well handling meeting and finalizing action plans.

Surfing channels, she basically watched Coran on television addressing the planet while she and Lance stood beside him. On occasions she watched herself and sighed. "I hate looking at myself on television."

"What?" Sam called out from the shower.

"Nothing," she yelled back.

"Coran did well today." Sam continued almost shouting. "This was the first State Address in years. Well, of this kind anyway."

Allura continued surfing the channels until she watched something different. A reporter speaking about the attack of Lenna and the rescue efforts. She raised the volume and listened….

…efforts to find survivors of today's attack at Lenna ended after sundown and the increasing amount of rain that prevented the continuation of efforts. Robot Lions were at the scene helping with excavating and moving heavy debris. But the most interesting event of the evening was this reporter's encounter with the notorious Keith Kogane and his Black Lion.

Allura sat up as Sam walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist. "What's going–"

"Shh! Let me listen," Allura ordered.

Earlier this evening I tried to speak to the new reinstated Captain of the Voltron Force and what I received was an interesting encounter…

Altair watched as Keith ignored the questions thrown at him until that one question hit him, 'Commander Kogane, do you feel any regret about killing Sven Holgersson?' She watched as Keith turned around, anger resonating from his eyes. The reporter then asked another question and at that moment Black Lion rose and roared with enough presence to make all reporters around take a couple of steps back.

"What the hell?" Sam's eyes widened in surprise as he continued viewing the vidscreen, "Allura..."

She shook her head in shock, "I…."

"Have any of the lions ever done something like that?"

Altair shook her head. Never had Black or any of the other lions acted in such a fashion. None of the lions had ever looked like it would attack a human. She knew Black wouldn't attack. She was sure of that. But, why would it look like it would? "No," she answered, "I've never seen them do this."

"Then….what's going on?"

"I have no idea Sam," she looked at him. "I can't explain it."