"I think you've done enough here!" The voice echoed throughout the room.

The Olkari called Jackson roared towards the Paladins. He gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white. He glared at the Paladins with a hatred so pure that it set all of them on edge.

"There has been more bloodshed on just this planet then in the entire universe!" he pulled back from the edge of table only to collapse back in his chair, "Half of the coalition was destroyed in the massacre, an orphanage was demolished, and riots have broken out in the streets!" he sighed running a hand over his face, "Yet you are no where closer to finding a solution to stop it all! Isn't that your job!"

"Jackson if you would just let us explain we could work together to come to a solution!" Pidge finally spoke up having found a spot to cut in.

"No I don't want to hear anything from any of you!" Jackson screamed, "You're explanation will consist of you blaming one of my people for the damage and lives lost! It's happened on other planets and that's what's going to happen here! My people are innocent!"

"But-"

"Am I wrong?!" He spoke directly to Pidge. He rose from the chair leaning over the table once again to look at the green Paladin. He rose a hand cutting off the paladin from speaking, "Am. I. Wrong?"

Pidge glared at him,"Yes. Yes, you are!" she replied.

"Get out of my sight! Get out all of you before I have you escorted out!" he screamed.

The paladins left without further argument. They had tried to find support in the capital, but clearly they were going to have to find it somewhere else.

"I want you off my planet in two days!" Jackson screamed as the doors slammed shut at their heels.

"Well wasn't he pleasant to talk to!" Lance chirped glancing back at the door with an annoyed look.

"He wasn't to keen on the possibility of his people working with the Galra. Clearly he isn't in with his people as he likes to think." Shiro spoke up, "And now we have two days before he kicks us off the planet."

"I can't believe that Ryner left this guy in charge," Hunk said as they began to walk back towards the Castle of Lions.

"Well unless Ryner returns early from helping gather more members of the Coalition then we have no choice," Pidge said.

She wasn't really focused on what had just happened in the room. She was focused on the Castle in front of them, mainly on two occupants inside who were clueless to news that was still fresh on everyone's mind.


Pidge found Clover in the lounge sitting on the couch with a book in hand. She glanced up for a moment upon hearing the doors open.

"Well hello Pidge." Clover spoke closing the book and setting it beside her.

"Hi Clover, Do you have a moment?" Pidge asked, "There's something that I need to tell you."

"Sure! Anything you need Pidge!"

"It's about your Daughter Oskana." Pidge continued setting herself on the couch next to Clover. Clover looked at her as if she was encouraging her to continue.

For the next five minutes Pidge proceeded to explain how she came to know Oskana and how she had died stalling for Pidge so she could rescue the other Paladins from a angry mob.

"She should've known better." Clover said after Pidge finished. She settled back into the couch, reopening her book.

"I'm sorry?" Pidge asked raising an eyebrow. She would've expected more of a reaction from a mother finding out their daughter was murdered.

"She had the chance to fight for her survival and instead she decided to be stupid and get herself killed."

"She sacrificed her life helping us!"

"She would've lived a long and happy life had she just handed you over to the Galra. Instead, she decided to listen to how you could relate." Clover closed the book again draping her arm across her lap leaning forward slightly. "She should've gagged you that way she would still be alive and you...well you would've been somewhat alive."

Pidge left the room not quite sure what to think of Clover. She had completely surprised Pidge in her response. Pidge hardly noticed that someone had approached her until they cleared their throat.

"Shiro, I think something is up with Clover."

"How so?"

"She reacted as if she didn't care and she blamed us for her death." Pidge stopped turning to face him, "It just dosen't settle right with me."

"Well everyone grieves in their own way. I mean you broke into Iverson's office when you heard the Kerberos mission failed."

"That was different. I knew they were still alive." Pidge replied glaring as she crossed her arms.

"But if you didn't. Would you have still broken into Iverson's office?"

"Yes?" Pidge sighed, "I don't know. Maybe?" She drug her hands over her face and underneath her glasses rubbing her eyes. "Maybe you're right." she removed her hands from her face

"You've had a long day today. Why don't you go get some rest?"

"Ha fat chance. I'm going to the kitchen." Pidge replied walking off a smirk on her face.

She didn't get very far before Shiro came up behind her and grabbed her waist, flipping her over onto her stomach on his shoulder.

"Hey! Let me go!" She called out giggling as she wriggled in his grip.

"Hold...Hold Still!" Shiro replied chuckling. He carefully set her down in front of him. Before he had a chance to straighten back up Pidge grabbed his shirt pulling him back towards her. She pecked his lips smirking as she let go of his shirt.

"Catch me if you can." she said before taking off down towards the kitchen.

Shiro paused for a moment shaking his head as he gave her a head start. He smiled, it was moments like these that he lived for.