Good evening all! Thank you for your continuous support. It means a lot to me. Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
Guest: So happy you are enjoying the fic! I didn't think the Black Lion scene was going to be that special, so thank you! There's always a reason as to why things happen. I hope to stay with the fic long enough to find out. Thank you for reading.
CubbiesFan1: Black is very territorial. LOL! Again, there's a reason. You'll find out soon enough…just like I'll find out what happens to…oh….Jonny! There are many secrets in this fic. I hope I even keep them all in order. LOL!
SnyperLady: Thanks so much! As Black is our favorite lion. How could I now write something epic! Hope you like this next chapter!
Sunshineleo: So yes, HEA always. K/A Always, but before the HEA there has to be come conflict. That's what makes great storytelling. Having K/A together ALWAYS…well, where's the fun in that? LOL!
Playlist:
Where is Mr. Spock—Lemongrass
Sun in Your Eyes—Above and Beyond
Endeavors- Mitis
Chapter 10
The stroking of his tongue, the mastery of his lips, his hands softly caressing her perfect curves. He pushed her toward him. His kiss, explosive, consuming, never ending. God, how she missed his lips! His tongue, his hands rediscovering every inch of her body. She felt hot, sweaty, alive!
He explored her body until he reached her breasts and took them in his hands. She whimpered with pleasure at the light tugging of his fingertips against her nipples. Kissing his neck, she savored his skin and worked her way up to his lips again taking them in with reckless hunger.
Laying her down, he placed himself on top of her. Moving between her thighs, he stretched out above her and without reservations thrust himself into her, claiming her entirely. Her eyes rolled back as she heard him moan in pure ecstasy.
Allura loved Keith's weight on her. She loved the heat of his skin against her, the pressure he applied as he went in and out of her. The pleasure intensified, it was immense, almost unbearable. Their eyes locked, they were in sync, as if they had never been apart.
"Allura…" he breathed her name.
She wrapped her arms around him and clutched his back. Sliding her hands down his buttocks and drew him even deeper into her. He groaned, but kept his eyes locked on hers. He rocked his body against hers, faster, deeper. Her orgasm burst at the same time as his.
They were one.
Xxxxxxx
"Allura…Allura!" Sam's voice startled her into wakefulness. Altair abruptly sat up and looked around the bedroom wildly, as if surprised by her surroundings. It was dark, but the light from the moon allowed her to see Sam next to her. She remembered. She was spending the night at his apartment. "Are you alright?"
She nodded unsure, "Yeah….I'm sorry I woke you." She tapped his chest gesturing to lay back down. "Let's go back to sleep."
His voice seemed concerned, "Do you want me to get you something? Water? Anything to calm you down?"
"No," she shook her head as she lay down and sighed hard, "I was dreaming."
"That must have been some dream," he whispered.
Allura took a deep breath, "Yeah."
"You were moaning and thrashing…speaking incoherently," Sam continued telling her. "What did you dream about?"
"I…I really don't remember," she lied. "Must have been today's events." She had no idea if he believed her, but Allura hoped he did. She could never tell Sam just who she had dreamed of. Looking at the clock on the nightstand, she noticed the time. Only one o'clock in the morning. There was still a couple of hours before she'd have to report to base. She wondered if the dream would return. Part of her hoped it would.
"Let's get some sleep love," Sam whispered as he pulled her closer to him. "We have a lot to do tomorrow."
She nodded against his chest. "I know Sam. I'm sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep."
Sam kissed the top of her head. "You too love."
Minutes later, Altair felt Sam's breathing even out. He had fallen asleep. She wished it would have been easy for her to fall asleep as well. Part of her wanted to so much, to be able to return to him. To feel him so close again. The other part of her was afraid, so very, very afraid.
VVVVVVVVVV
Keith lay awake in the darkness of his room. Breathing heavily, he tried to understand what had occurred. He had been with Allura, yet he hadn't. "But it felt so real," he whispered to himself. Slowly sitting up, he tried to control his heartbeat and analyze what he had just gone through.
They had separated, broken up, years ago, yet their souls continued bound to each other. Truly he had never gotten over her. He loved her with the same intensity, the same depth that he felt in that dream. Could she feel the same? Keith didn't think so. At least, he couldn't allow himself to think so. That would mean there would be hope and he couldn't allow hope to enter his life. It would destroy everything he had done thus far. He might as well hadn't killed Sven.
He hadn't realized how much he missed Allura until tonight. He could still feel her, smell her, taste her. Keith sighed in frustration. He had to be strong. He had to let her go.
VVVVVVVVVV
Hunk checked his voicemail messages and found two from Lucy. Sighing in frustration for not calling his wife sooner, he sat in front of his vidscreen and immediately called her. After the third beep, he saw Lucy's face appear on screen. She looked happy. Hunk noticed that she had curled her red hair and she had put on a bit of make up to cover her pale cheeks. He wondered if she was alright.
"Hello, my Love!" she smiled cheerily, "Nice to know that you remembered your wife!"
"I'm sorry, honey," he began, "It's been so crazy here. The first attack already started—"
"Yes," she nodded as her curls bounced a bit. "I saw the reports on television this afternoon. I also got to see what happened with Black Lion. Pretty scary, I didn't think that the lions attacked people."
Hunk sighed, "Lucy, I'm not sure that Black was going to attack anyone. I think he was just scaring the reporters away."
"Maybe, he was protecting Keith," she answered cautiously.
Hunk looked at her seriously, "Let's not talk about Keith or Black. I meant to call you and see how you were doing. You still look pale."
"I'm feeling fine," she said with a smile. "Went to see the doctor today and he said I am perfectly fine."
"Really?" he replied with disbelief in his tone, "You did your hair and put on make up to make me believe you are better. You can't fool me Lucille."
"I hate when you call me that," she huffed. "Nothing gets by you Will!"
"Exactly! So what's going on?"
She shrugged, "It's just some sort of flu that's going around. He gave me some meds and I'll be fine in a couple of days."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," she smiled at him again, "Don't worry. Doctor told me, I'll feel better soon."
"Alright," he didn't sound too convinced, "Just call me if you are not feeling well. I want to know how you are doing."
"I will, baby," she answered, "Now, get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow. Okay?"
"Okay, Lu," Hunk told her. "I love you."
"I adore you! Sweet dreams my Love."
VVVVVVVVVV
Darrell laid in bed listening to a song from the past. It was a melancholy tune, but for some reason both he and Hope loved listening to it. He remembered one occasion when they had even danced to it on an evening they had gone out to dinner to celebrate her Twenty first birthday. It was their song and it always popped on the radio whenever his mind played mental images of her. He remembered her smile, her thick long black mane that reached her lower back. Those big blue eyes that always showed him just how much she loved him.
From the moment Hope was born, she took an immediate liking to him. When she was a baby, he was the only one that could make her stop crying. When the team had dinner at Romelle and Sven's house, it was Hope that wanted to play with him, the joke was that she was in love with him as a baby. Darrell would laugh at the joke himself, until something happened when Hope turned sixteen.
Ryan and Romelle threw Hope a huge gala and everyone was invited. He had even decided to throw the gala at the highest skyscraper in the city. Hope had wanted an outside evening event and Ryan always catered to his daughter's wishes. The entire team had gone with the exception of Keith for obvious reasons and Lance, who had told them that he was on assignment for Galaxy Garrison. Darrell remembered that day very vividly. He was dating Courtney Banks, during that time. Courtney, a prosecuting attorney for the California Court State of Appeals Division, had gone as his date. The two had been growing closer and Darrell thought she was the one. He had even proposed to her.
Hope had made her presence, escorted by Ryan on one side and her mother on the other as everyone stood up and clapped for her. Darrell thought at that moment that he was looking at the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Older that she appeared, Hope looked breathtaking in long burgundy strapless ball gown. Her black hair was pushed back in a low bun with flowers decorating it. He remembered Courtney telling him what a beautiful young girl she was.
But, it wasn't that moment that defined the evening. The big moment in Darrell's memory was when Hope blew out her candles after everyone sang for her. She looked straight at him, gave him a smile, closed her eyes and blew the candles. While everyone clapped, Hope looked at him again. He swore her eyes told him something, Wait for me. That moment played in slow motion for Darrell. For in that moment, he felt a chill around him and he felt her happiness and love radiating from her to him. It was the first time, he felt her.
Darrell thought that he was crazy. She was sixteen! He over a decade her senior and the daughter of his best friend. Impossible!
He tried to wipe that memory from his mind, but he couldn't. Hope had send him a message and he couldn't ignore it.
Thinking hard about that night, Darrell sighed heavily. What happened after had to have been a mistake from his part. He shouldn't have waited for her. He shouldn't have made her suffer like how she was suffering now.
Frustrated, he rose from bed and headed to his computer, where he began working on the assignment Keith had given him the day before Lenna was attacked. He thought that by working himself to oblivion for the night he could forget the one woman his mind would not.
He loved Hope with all his heart. That's why he had to let her go.
VVVVVVVV
Lance looked up at his cathedral ceiling from his bed. With eyes wide opened, it felt harder to find sleep. Too many damn things had occurred in one day since the events that happened twenty years back. Too many people from his past had paid a visit to him. It felt good, maddening, and terrifying.
Memories of the past flooded back in his mind. Memories he desperately tried to forget. Now with a Drule war once again in the horizon, he would have to face many demons and there was one in particular that he hadn't wanted to face, because he knew it would end the life he had made for himself.
He looked at his clock; Time to get up. Dawn broke through the sky and so was this life he had made for himself. He debated whether he wanted to keep it.
VVVVVVVV
Rescue efforts at Lenna took a toll on the team emotionally. They had forgotten what devastation, hurt and pain looked like when it came to the people of Arus. They worked all morning and through lunch. During that time they had only found eleven survivors buried in the mounds of debris and destroyed buildings around them. Every other body found was just that, a body. Soulless.
Keith headed the efforts of the time. Twice he asked if they wanted a break. No one wanted one. At about a quarter past two, he ordered them to stop and eat. He thought that they needed not only the physical rest, but also the emotional one.
The tents set up for rescue volunteers were empty by the time the five entered. Box lunches were set up by a long rectangular table. No one felt the urge to eat, but they all knew had to if they planned on working through the afternoon and evening.
Darrell and Hunk picked up their lunch and immediately said they were heading to another tent to meet other volunteers. Lance never said anything. He picked up his lunch and walked right out. The only ones left were Keith and Allura.
Keith, never saying anything, just picked up a box and headed to a table. Allura's first instinct was to do exactly what Lance had done, but she couldn't. Part of her didn't want to leave him. Taking a deep breath, she turned and headed his way, after she picked up her food, "Mind if I join you?"
Keith looked at her dubiously, but didn't say anything. Instead, he nodded and gestured her to take a seat across from him.
She opened up her meal and took a bite. After, she began speaking, "Do you think we will be needed tomorrow?"
He shook his head, "I doubt it. With all five lions present, most of the heavy stuff is getting done today. By tomorrow, ground crews will be able to continue on without us."
Altair nodded, but didn't know what else to say. The two fell silent again. She sighed inwardly. When did speaking to Keith become so hard? Allura remembered days long ago when neither could stop talking to each other. They spent hours talking about anything. Now, she had to practically get a headache to think of something to say to him. Then, a thought entered her mind. The dream.
She thought about asking him if he experienced the same thing she did the night before, but immediately stopped herself. What are you thinking? You idiot! She said to herself. How would I even begin? What do I possibly say? Could it have been a dream in which I was the only participant?
Immediately, Altair stopped herself from asking that question. Then, another popped out, "I need to ask you something?"
He looked at her and nodded guardedly.
"How did you manage to get Black to do that trick for you last night?"
"What trick?"
"You know very well what I speak of Keith," She answered regally. "How did you get Black to scare the reporters away?"
He looked at her with unreadable eyes, "I didn't get Black to do anything. You know that we don't have the power to do something of that sort."
Allura looked right back to him, a sarcastic smile emerging from her lips, "You're so full of it. Since you've reconnected with the Black lion, the strangest things have happened. He's been behaving completely out of character. Your bonding with him, yesterday's display with the reporters…what's going on?"
He sighed a bit, as if he were shrugging the question away, "Altair, nothing is going on. We've all bonded with the lions and yesterday's display was nothing more than Black's instinct to protect."
"Protect whom? You?" Her tone sounded sarcastic.
Keith studied her for a moment and smiled, "Them." It sounded like a joke, but there was no humor in his tone.
Allura didn't answer, just stared at him in disbelief. Days after the trial, there was not one moment when she and the rest of the team weren't bombarded by a reporter wanting to know their thoughts of Keith's sentencing or trial. She had also seen how the same reporters that had make Keith a hero, also made him look like a complete criminal and sociopath. Whatever the trial didn't destroy in regards to his reputation, the reporters finished away. She couldn't blame Black from stopping Keith from going after them.
He continued eating in silence, without offering Allura any more information or push about the subject.
After a prolonged silence, Allura sighed heavily, "How could you do this?"
"Do what?"
She looked at him, partly with shock and anger, "This!" she exclaimed putting her hands up. "Keith, I am trying to be polite and I'm trying to be courteous, but you haven't said a word to me or anyone of us for that matter! What is wrong with you?"
Keith looked at her with trying to keep his emotions in check, trying to answer with same neutral and guarded tone that he had perfected through years of being on his own, "I am here because Coran called me in for duty, not renew friendships or past romances. I don't have anything to say to you or any one person on this team unless it deals with the mission. I don't see anyone else have a problem with this, why do you Altair?"
This time Allura didn't hide the hurt and shock in her eyes, "You callous bastard! You still don't feel anything for what you did to us. You're a snake, Kogane." Standing up, she threw the rest of her lunch in the garbage and headed out the door, but not before she turned around, "You're right, don't say anything to us. Don't even breathe near us unless necessary. And, don't you ever go into my dreams again!"
"What?" Keith finally sounded emotionally disturbed and shaken by her last statement.
Allura took in his features and realized that he was surprised by what she said, "You didn't do it on purpose?"
He shook his head, "No. I would have never done that to you."
She felt partly hurt and disappointed, "Then, how?"
"I don't know," Keith answered. "Allura, I—"
"Listen to me, Keith," she interrupted him, "This can't happen again. Do you understand? We can't let it happen again."
He didn't say anything, but nodded.
Turning around, Allura left the tent as fast as she could get away.
XXXXXXXXXX
Yurak kept his sights on the computer screen in front of him. It had been hours since Lotor assigned him his latest project. The old Drule had to admit the assignment was nothing as exciting as his previous one, but as his leader told him, it was even more important.
The computer ran code after code down the computer screen. To the naked eye, they looked like a jumbled mess of nothing, but somewhere within those codes, there were messages. Messages that Lotor needed to execute his plans. The prince had told him that he had to find messages that were encrypted and as soon as he found them, to report to him.
So far it had been hours, yet he had found nothing.
Yurak was curious to know who was sending them these messages. With a smile, Lotor had answered that he had friends in very high places. Something about the prince's smile told Yurak not to ask any more questions. Instead, he went to the room and began looking for codes. So far nothing. He sighed. He'd much rather have commanded a fleet or trained the new recruits, but Lotor had told him this was much more important.
"Yurak, my army is currently eighty percent non-Drule. Much of our race is either too old to fight or much too young to help at the capacity I currently need. There are also very few I can trust. You are one of these few. That's why I need you to do this project for me. I know it's not glorious and it doesn't seem important at first glance, but it is the key to our success. You are going to play a huge role in the Drule rebirth once we get rid of Voltron and its pilots."
As the old Drule remembered his conversation with the Prince, he sighed in satisfaction. No job was too big or small as long as it secured the raising the Empire, that was all that mattered.
He continued looking at the screen in contented calm.
VVVVVVVVVVV
Efforts at Lenna began dwindling down by late afternoon. Having the five lions actively engage in rescue and recovery efforts made the work progress a lot faster. By dusk, Keith ordered the team back to base so that he could hold a short debrief meeting and update them on new procedures.
They had all stored the lions in their lairs before congregating in the conference room. He could tell they were tired and emotionally spent. It had been years since they had seen so much suffering and pain from those they were trying to protect. Seeing that they needed a break, Keith decided not to spent too long holding the debrief session. He himself was not only emotionally drained, but incredibly tired and was sure he'd be fighting a migraine headache later on that night.
"I won't keep you long," he began as the group looked at him with tired, yet frustrating eyes. "I just wanted to tell you that you did a good job today. I know it was hard, to say the least."
Hunk nodded, without looking at anyone in particular. Lance wasn't looking at his commanding officer. Rather, he was looking blankly at the wall, most likely tuning out anything he deemed unimportant coming from Keith. Darrell seemed not only tired, but anxious to bolt once he heard the word 'dismissed'. Only Allura looked at him with a concerned look, laced with anger.
No one wanted to be in that conference room. Neither did Keith for that matter, but he had to tell them of his expectations and new priorities now that Lotor had made sure his presence was known, "I think that the last thing anyone expected was to have an attack so early in the game. Because of this, we need to increase security in the planet. I'd like to begin implementing patrolling assignments starting tomorrow night. I'll take the first shift, Lance, you'll take second, followed by Altair, Hunk, and Darrell. Are there any questions about this?"
When he saw that no one answered, Keith continued, ignoring the attitude in front of him, "Tomorrow we'll begin Lion practice at 0600 hours. For now, you're all dismissed, except for Darrell. I need to speak to you."
Immediately, they all stood up not saying one word as they walked out with the exception of the youngest of the group who stayed behind, "What's going on?" Darrell asked.
"The information that you sent me early this morning," Keith began, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure Keith," he answered firmly looking at his commander's eyes. Keith still noted the anger in them.
"Alright, I'll send it to Coran for review," the commander answered. "Thank you."
Nodding, but without a word, Darrell turned around and left the room.
Alone in the room, Keith sighed, "Great."
A minute or two later, he walked out the door. He had to get some rest before going to patrol later that evening.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"Hey beautiful!"
Allura heard Sam's voice from behind her as she walked out of the main doors. She turned around and gave him the best smile, she could conjure at the moment, "Hey, Sam."
"Oh," the general shook his head, as soon as he saw her, "You not looking too good Allura."
"I'm just tired," she sighed, "It was a long day. So much destruction…This Lotor is going to pay for what he did!"
Seeing his girlfriend's frustration, Sam pulled her close and enveloped her in his arms, "I'm sorry, Allura. I can't imagine seeing everything you saw today. I'm in here strategizing plans with the Garrison, but you…you see everything first hand."
"It was horrible, Sam," she answered as she felt his strong arms wrap around her, "So many people left just…destroyed in more ways than just physically. How can they ever feel safe again?"
"They will," he gently replied, "Because you're there to protect them."
She pulled away from him and asked, "Do you think I can? Do you think we can?"
"I can only speak for you Allura," Sam answered firmly, "But, you all succeeded last time, it can be done again."
"We were a team last time," Allura replied, mostly to herself.
Sam didn't reply to her, but allowed her the short pause to gather her thoughts. After a moment, he suggested, "Hey, I was going to tell you that Bridges and Connors invited us to drinks at the Skelter. But, why don't I call them and cancel. Spend the night at my place. I'll cook and we can just have a relaxing evening."
"I would appreciate that," she nodded. "Besides, I have to be up early for Lion practice."
Smiling, Sam answered, "Then, it's settled. Let me go tell the guys we're canceling."
"Okay," Allura answered. "I'll meet you at your place?"
"Give me a few minutes and I'll follow you," he answered before giving her a quick kiss and turning around. "I'll be out in five."
XXXXXXXXXX
As Allura walked out to the parking lot, she watched as Keith picked up his helmet stored in his bike. Walking up to him, she called out, "Keith!"
Turning around and seeing her walking up to him, he answered, "What is it, Altair?"
"I think you should tell Coran to have the fighters run surveillance." He was about to protest when she immediately said, "Just for tonight."
"And why is that?" he looked at her coldly.
"You can't fool me Kogane," she replied with a firm tone. "I can tell you're fighting exhaustion, just like us. And, you also have a headache. Your eyes have never lie when it comes to your headaches."
He smiled sarcastically, "I didn't know you had that power."
"Cut the bull Keith," she answered. "We're all tired and exhausted. You are not the exception. And after what you saw today, I can't imagine you're okay. Just take tonight off. Rest. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us."
"Why is it that you care, Altair?" he suddenly asked as he stepped closer to her.
She looked at him, her eyes angry, "I don't care about you, Kogane. I care about making sure Arus is safe. We all need to be healthy and well to perform well."
"You could have fooled me," Keith answered, taking an extra step forward. "You could have just told Coran to order me to stay."
"You're my commanding officer," Allura answered, her voice weakening as he stepped closer, "It's the right thing to do."
"Is it?" he whispered to her. "Tell, me Altair, what else is the right thing to do?"
"Stay the hell away from her!" they both suddenly heard Sam's voice yell out.
Walking up to them, Allura could tell that Sam was beyond angry. His eyes lashed fire at Keith and his face contoured into what she could only describe as ranging hate, "I told you Kogane to stay away from her! Who the hell do you think you are?"
Stepping back very calmly, Keith's replied to the angry man in an unemotional tone, "General, Lieutenant Altair and I were just talking."
"Cut the crap!" Sam replied stepping in front of Allura, "I told you to stay away, that I didn't want you to lay a finger on her. You're defying me Kogane. Don't think I'm intimidated by you like the rest of this base. I will bring you down if I have to."
"And I told you that Altair and I were just talking. Besides, Altair can take her of herself. Can't you?" Both men turned to watch Altair, who looked both embarrassed and angry herself.
"I can," she replied curtly.
At this Keith smiled mockingly, "Now General, if you believe that Allura cannot take care of herself and you are bothered when she speaks her superior officer, maybe the three of us can speak to Coran and he can have you present every time, I need to speak to her. The last thing I want to do is to cause any problems in your relationship—"
"Sam, we should go," Allura interrupted Keith with a scathing tone.
Knowing that his impulsive act had embarrassed his girlfriend, Sam said "Allura, this was not—"
"Don't! Let's go!" Turning around, Altair walked away without looking back.
XXXXXXXXXX
The Next Morning….
Hunk and Darrell had stayed at the base until they'd find suitable abodes within the city. The one good thing about being part of the Arusian Corps was that they didn't have to stay at the base until it was truly needed. The only requirements the Corps had was that wherever they'd chose to live, it would have to be within the city's limit. For the most part, neither men were in a hurry. Lucy had a major project she was finishing up on Earth and wouldn't move to Arus for another three months or until completion. Hunk wasn't too happy about the decision. she had told him that the project was delayed by two months. She had no choice but to stay. He couldn't help when he'd be called on duty. But he also couldn't allow her to stop her career on account of him.
Darrell seemed to be less in a hurry. Since he broke up with Hope, part of him felt lonely, although he wouldn't admit it to anyone. He knew there was more to the breakup than he let on, but the best thing was to let Hope go. For her sake, rather than his.
He had told Hunk that he'd meet him in the dining hall at 0600 before practice, but once arriving at the dining hall, Darrell found himself alone as other officers began to enter. Sighing, he went to the food stations, prepared himself a plate and sat down on an empty table to await his friend.
As he began eating, Darrell was suddenly startled by a female voice. "Good morning Sir. Is it alright if I have breakfast with you?"
He turned to find Kirian smiling at him. "Unless you want to have breakfast on your own." Kirian finished as she held her tray in front of her.
Darrell shook his head, "No, of course not. Please join us. Hunk should be coming in soon." He answered as she sat down.
"Good morning Lieutenant Stoker."
"I thought we were past the titles. Call me Darrell and good morning Kirian."
"Yes, I'm sorry. It's just that, I don't think it's appropriate. Lieutenant Garrett doesn't seem to like it."
"Let me worry about him, alright?" he told her firmly.
Kirian smiled and nodded a little uneasily, "Okay." Changing the subject, she continued, "How are you enjoying your stay at the base?" She began as she toyed with the food on her plate with her fork. "It must feel…interesting to be back in a place you haven't visited in years."
The lieutenant shrugged. "Believe it or not, it hasn't changed much. Food still as I remembered it," he told her as he made a face at his plate.
She laughed. "That bad? I guess I'm used to it," she took a bite.
"You must be because the food here leaves something to be desired," Darrell answered. "So," he continued, as he began to eat, "How long have you been on the base?"
"Not too long. I was really lucky. My assignment on Arus was something I've wanted for years."
"Really?"
She nodded, "Of course! Working with Advisor Coran has been rewarding. I've learned so much and now with you all here…" she sighed excitedly.
Darrell smiled. Her green eyes sparkled with excitement and her smile was exhilarating. He remembered feeling the same when he first landed on Arus and began his training; learning so much with Coran was exciting and rewarding. He sighed, happy with those memories of the past.
"Are you ok, Darrell?" Kirian cut off his mental trip to the past.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just remembering…stuff from the past," he answered her happily.
"Well, you must tell me about yourself one of these days. I've always wanted to know more about how Voltron came about. To have been there since the beginning of it all. Wow!"
Suddenly, his interest peaked; a date with Kirian…now that would be interesting. About to ask her, he didn't realize when Hunk had come in.
"Morning all." He sat down next to Kirian. "Nice to see you again Mosley."
"Hello, Lieutenant Garrett," Mosley answered with a smile. "Darrell and I were just talking about the past and how I would love to learn more about your experiences during the first war."
"Really?" Hunk looked at Darrell who smiled back. He knew exactly what his friend thought at that moment. "Well, they're not as exciting as Darrell would probably portray them to be."
Darrell gave him a look; Hunk didn't stand down. Kirian looked at both of them for a moment unsure of the communication going on. But she took note that all of a sudden, the atmosphere became awkward. "Well," she said, "I better get going; I have a meeting with Advisor Coran prior to practice. I'll see you both later." She smiled as she picked up her tray and walked away.
Turning after she left, Darrell looked at Hunk, "What the hell was that all about?"
"What? I didn't say a thing," Hunk told him as he began eating.
"Hunk, I already told you, stay out of my personal life." Darrell responded as he stood up and walked away.
After the younger man left, Hunk sighed. "Idiot, can't realize what he lost," he told himself as he began eating his omelet.
VVVVVVV
As she took the elevators toward the lower levels of the base, Ensign Kirian Mosley laughed a bit at the flirtatious game Lieutenant Stoker played with her earlier on in the morning. She had to admit that the man seemed pretty charming. With the boyish good looks, chocolate brown hair and light hazel eyes, he personified a charisma seldom seen in many of the Arusian and Earthling men she had encountered.
The man was definitely, handsome, and pretty much smitten with her. Mosley could tell. However, there was another man her interests lied on. Although, she wasn't sure she'd win him over like Stoker. There was sadness in this man that overwhelmed her and since she met him, her brain hadn't stopped thinking of him.
When the elevator doors opened, she walked out and headed toward the Lion's Den. Advisor Coran had invited her to observe practice this morning. Mosley hoped that he would eventually turn over command of Control one day, but she knew it would take a long time before he would decide to do so. She also knew she had a lot to learn from the lions, the pilots, and the souls. The young woman would travel a long path before knowing all the secrets of Voltron, but she was happy that she'd been able to reach this point.
She arrived at the Lion's Den moments later and opened the doors. It was there where she found the one she had been thinking about just seconds earlier. He was sitting at control overlooking the practice simulations the team would undergo later in the morning.
"Captain Kogane," she smiled. "I didn't expect to find you here. Practice doesn't begin for another hour or so."
"I am aware of that ensign," Keith responded without looking up, "Just wanted to check on the itinerary for today's practice session."
"By the way, good morning." Mosley told him as she walked closer to him.
Keith looked up, his frozen eyes staring back at her solemnly, "Good morning Mosley."
"Are the simulations up to your standards?" She asked as she stood next to him.
"They are fine," he sighed as he answered stiffly. "Is there anything you need to complete in here Mosley, I don't want to detain you."
"If I am annoying you, you should say so," Mosley smiled. "And for your information, I am waiting for the Advisor to come in. I am, after all, here to assist all of you."
Sighing again, Keith answered, "My apologies Mosley. I…I guess…it's been a while since I've had an assistant, per say."
"That's alright. It's been a while since I've had a captain, per say," she laughed. "But, I'm here if you need me." Turning around, she heard the doors open and Coran enter. "Good morning Advisor."
He turned to his young apprentice, "Ensign Mosley," he nodded. "I didn't expect you to be here so early, Keith."
"Just wanted to get a head start," he answered as he stood up. "I know you have business to attend to."
"Why don't you grab some breakfast before we begin, there's still some time," Coran suggested.
"If you don't mind," Keith shook his head, "I'd rather get some air time. I'm taking Black out."
Xxxxxxxxx
Allura and Sam pulled up to the base together just as Lance had closed the door to his car. "Looks like someone beat us to it." Sam smiled at her. "Must be exciting, the first day back."
"I'm sure," Allura answered as she got out of the car.
As she walked out and walked toward the entrances of the base, Sam quickly followed from behind, "Allura."
"I don't want your apology Sam," she immediately told him. After their confrontation with Keith, it took short of a miracle to convince Allura to spend the night at Sam's place. And even then, she hadn't done as much as bid him goodnight when she finally went to bed. The General knew not to push it and decided to wait and talk when she finally calmed down.
"I know that," he said as he turned her around. "Please. Just listen. I acknowledge that I had no right to act like a schoolhouse bully yesterday. He is your commanding officer and I had no right to interfere."
"You embarrassed me," she told him. "I already have a hard time taking orders from him, I don't need you to make this worse by having him believe you are some controlling boyfriend that doesn't allow me to speak to the opposite sex. I'm not some teenager, Sam! I don't need this from you."
"I know," he whispered as he nodded.
"I don't have time to talk about this, now," Allura suddenly said as she watched Lance pull up on his convertible. As he got out of the car, she told Sam, "Well, talk about this tonight."
Soon after, Allura watched as Lance walked right up to them.
"Good morning Altair," Lance gestured to the general who in turn, nodded his greeting, "Ready to get your butt kicked on combat drills today?" He asked with a smirk.
"Poor delusional Lance," she replied with an identical smirk, suddenly forgetting the frustration she felt inside, "Put your money where your mouth is. Fifty Arusian Liras. I haven't gone shopping in a while, should be a good treat for me."
"You're on Altair."
Sam watched the exchanged in surprise. Within seconds he saw a sight of Allura he hadn't seen before. She looked more alive and her face shined with happiness. She was cocky, yet assertive, despite the anger that she had shown him seconds before. Never had she shown this side with him. He didn't like it.
"I'm going to wipe the floor with you today," Lance continued. "Neither one of us is have gotten on those lions in a long while. Let's see just how well you—"
He hadn't finished his statement when he heard an extremely loud, but familiar sound come from the sky. All of them, along with the officers that walked about the base looked up to see Black Lion take on the sky in a perfect take off.
The officers around them looked up in awe, most had never even seen the lions live, other than in pictures and file footage in-house videos.
"Looks like you both have competition," Sam replied with a tone of awe himself as he continued looking up following the lion.
Both Lance and Allura looked at each other. A sly smile entered her, "Seems like someone beat us to practice this morning."
"Damn bastard," Lance shook his head. "And so it begins."
VVVVVVVVV
Lotor entered his base hoping that his scientist would have better news for him. The plan could not be delayed. Immediately after taking over Korrinth, he had contacted scientists from the different planets he had allied himself with and brought them over to his home planet to begin preparations for Garrison's demise.
His scientists had shown up within days after the attacks and began to work immediately on his request. Their planets would also benefit from the destruction of Earth and Arus. As he walked in he saw his new allies busy at work.
The area, a huge laboratory with many machines, computers and actuators suitable for a variety of different testing procedures, had very cold temperatures that would chill an average human. To Drules however, it made no difference.
The prince walked toward one of his chief scientists wanting to find if they had advanced in their project. "Tell me Eklestak, how far are we?"
The man who turned around and faced the prince was just as tall, but a bit slimmer and not as muscular, despite the heated suit he wore. The skin on his face was almost yellow in hue, his eyes had a light lavender glow in them. "We have made significant developments, your Highness. Small samples of the cultures have been put on the infrared radiator."
"And?"
"See for yourself," the alien like man answered with a smile.
Lotor walked to a large observation window toward the back of the laboratory. He saw the things flying about randomly without organization whatsoever. The Prince smiled, "This is the first of the cultures?"
Walking behind the Prince, the alien man replied, "Yes. From there we'll cross them to multiply as we develop new samples to put in."
"They are very disorganized."
"We haven't started inputting any AI knowledge, but we have another sample of cultures that we'll keep in a fermentation device. If the first trials go well, we won't hesitate to inject the cultures created in the observation chamber."
"How long will this take?" Lotor asked calmly as he continued watching the cultures flying around the chamber.
"At least three months." Eklestak answered a bit uneasily. "I'm sorry Lotor. If you want it done right, you're going to have to be a bit patient."
Nodding calmly the prince answered, "Three months. That's fine, I've waited a lifetime. I can wait a little longer. Besides, Haggar has to complete her part of the mission as well for our plan to work."
"Good," the scientist felt pleased with the decision.
At this the prince turned around, "I'll wait your three months, Eklestak." He walked past the alien man without looking back. "But make sure this is successful. Because if it isn't, I won't hesitate to send you back to your planet…in numerous amount of pieces."