Chapter 45

A/N: hey guys I'm back again! Now, for those who are curious, since the Guardians hve their own ships it doesn't quite take them two years to get through the abyss, more like a few weeks. But trust me, Keith still got his awesome growth spirt because how could I leave that out?

Remember, I just own this story and my OCs in it.

/comms/

"Bold it intercom/video chat"

Telepathy/flashbacks/dreams

"I think we made it," Krolia said and all five Guardians and their ghosts scrambled forwards and surrounded her.

"Wow."

"Finally," one of them muttered.

Krolia rolled her eyes as their sounds of relief, Guardians seriously had no patience. She recalled many moments where she'd have to hold Allen back because his patience had finally run out; and the sad thing was that he was one of the most patient members on his fireteam.

"Focus guys," Keith growled, taking command as they began going through the light portal before them.

"And at last I see the light!" Wren sang as they entered.

They came through the portal and after letting Silyna smack her boyfriend, they looked out the cockpit window to see a red planet.

"It's a planet," Kol said.

"Really? I had no idea I thought it was a bouncy ball!" Sky grumbled sarcastically.

"There's readings coming from it," Yorak said. "They match the quintessence Ranveig found."

"Match the signals we've gotten too," Skylar's blue ghost agreed.

"Let's check it out," Keith said. "Everyone, suit up."

-.-

"Am I the only one confused about the dome in the desert?" Wren asked.

"This must be the source of the readings," Krolia said.

"How do we get in, front door?" Silyna asked looking through the scope of her sniper rifle Kosmo barked in reply. "Is that a yes?"

"It's Galra, we can use the vents," Keith said running towards the dome. Getting close he jumped and activated his jetpack, landing on the top. Kol picked up their wolf and flew up as everyone else followed Keith's example, joining the Warlock, wolf, and Titan just as Keith kicked the vent in and jumped inside.

The wolf teleported after, appearing next to Keith as one-by-one Krolia motioned the others inside as she watched for possible guards on the roof. Seeing no alarms had been tripped, she jumped in landing next to her son and her horde of adopted Guardian children.

Keith looked at the scans Yorak was giving him, looking to his team, he got nods, their ghosts were giving them the same data. Darting through the halls, the came to a door and opened it finding it lead to a…field.

"Juniberries?" Keith murmured, recognizing the pink flower from his time with Voltron, that was the same flower Coran used to snap Allura out of whatever trance the corrupted AI had her in.

"What in the light?" Kol murmured as they entered, looking up to see birds flying overhead. "Where are we?"

"Don't know, could be a trap," Sky hissed.

Keith dropped his helmet and looked around. So far there was no signs of intelligent life, but perhaps if they looked in the forest, they could get some answers. "C'mon, the forest may have a village, we can ask questions when we find it, someone had to build this place," he said.

"If we die, I'm going to kill you," Wren said.

"Wren!" Krolia scolded.

"Sorry Mama Kogane," the Altean boy winced.

"It's beautiful," Sil admired.

"Yea, though it's weird not seeing any big animals," Kol murmured getting a couple grunts of agreement.

Keith held up his fist and crouched. "Wait…hear that?" he whispered and they all nodded, reaching for their weapons. "Fan out."

They spread out approaching the sound from different directions. Keith darted forwards, crouching behind a tree as he could see a river, and a woman with long golden hair. "Stand down, it's a civilian," he called.

/Rodger that/

/Draaf, I was hoping for some action/

Keith slowly started coming out from behind the tree, and her long ear twitched before she turned around, revealing a pretty face with violet eyes, and teal marks. "An Altean."

"What—who are you?!" she stuttered taking on a weak fighting stance as she glared at them.

"I'm Keith, this is my mother Krolia," he said motioning to the woman standing just behind him, before petting his wolf's head, "this is Kosmo."

"I'm Wren, pleased to meet you," the Altean Hunter smiled dropping his invisibility and getting a broken nose as the woman screamed and punched him.

"Get away from me!" she hissed.

"Easy, we don't want to pick a fight," Keith said raising his hands.

"Then why are you here?" she demanded.

"We're looking for a source of strange energy or quintessence, this is where we tracked it to," Sky said pulling Wren to his feet.

Her eyes widened for a second, and for a moment, Keith thought he saw a glimmer of excited hope in her violet eyes. "You are?" she went quiet for a moment before looking at all of them. "Are you working with Lotor?"

"Huh?"

"Who?"

"Did she say Lotion?"

"Who hated their child so much they named them Low Turd?"

"No," Keith said crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. Just what did she know about the Galra Emperor? He still didn't fully trust him, but if he was going to find a reason, looked like he'd just found the place to do it. "Why? Do you know what we're looking for?"

The young woman's shoulders slumped. "Thank the Ancients," she breathed, "as for your question, I believe I do. Please sit," reaching into her satchel she pulled out some of the food she'd brought with her, "would you like some?"

"Thanks," Keith said taking a roll and a piece of meat, giving the latter to Miiraak as the others grabbed a small portion themselves.

"May I ask, who are you working for?" the Altean asked hesitantly.

"We're Guardians, sent out here to investigate sources of mysterious energy that might signify the possible experimentation with powers beyond the control of someone like Lotor," Skylar informed curtly. "The Captain of our Fireteam and his mother are also associated with a Galran Rebel force known as the Blade of Marmora and Voltron."

The woman's eyes widened in shock. "You're all really Guardians?"

"All except me," Krolia stated.

"You know of us?" Keith asked and she nodded.

"Yes sir," she nodded, "you see, this colony is run by Lotor, he told us stories of your power many times. Tell me do you truly fight for what is just in this universe?!"

Kol nodded in confirmation. "We protect life, light, and justice," Kol recited the somewhat cliché phrase the Speaker had told them as kids. "Why?"

She looked around the forest and made a motion. "Follow me," she said. Leading them through the forest, they found themselves at the edge of a town, where they could see Alteans wondering around, working, and trading below. The blonde Altean quickly jogged to a small home that resembled all the others and opened the door. "Come in! Quickly!"

"So what's with all the secrecy?" Silyna asked as they snuck inside and let her close the door.

"I apologize, but the people here would no doubt inform the guards of your arrival, and you would not be able to learn of what I've discovered," she spoke quietly. "Please, you're more than welcome to sit anywhere you like."

"Maybe you need a seat for what you're about to tell us Miss…" Keith offered pulling out a chair.

"Romelle, Romelle Whywl," she introduced herself taking the offered seat with a dip of her head. "You see, every Altean here knows the story of how Lotor saved us from the Galra. He found those of our people who had gone into hiding, having been off-world at the time of Altea's destruction. He established this colony in order to preserve our people, but some deca-pheobs ago Lotor announced he was establishing a second colony to increase our odds of survival, and every deca-pheob since, every Altean in the colony has undergone a series of tests to determine if they were fit for the journey. Being chosen was considered the highest honor, many of my friends and even my parents had been selected before. However, I realized something was wrong when my younger brother Bandor became of age to go through the tests."

Romelle reached beside her, grabbing the picture of a young aburn-haired Altean boy with wide, bright blue eyes and blue marks off the table beside her, looking at it fondly.

"He was always faithful to Lotor and was so excited when he passed the tests to get to travel to the new colony. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen, however, he did give me this," she held up a small device that reminded Keith of what once had been known as a computer mouse, "to communicate secretly with me."

"Why secretly?" Skylar questioned narrowing her eyes.

"Communication between the two colonies is forbidden," Romelle stated looking down. "When he left, I was completely alone and his communicator never sent a signal to me or worked when I tried to call him. Until a couple pheobs ago it went off in the middle of the night; Bandor called me, saying he was in the forest just outside of town where I had met all of you. I raced through the dark to find a crashed ship, Bandor was lying in the cockpit, his skin was drawn and pale—he looked like a corpse. It was there Bandor told me what I had feared for so long, the other colony, it's a lie. Lotor is doing something to the colonists there, something that I believe is killing them all! My brother, parents, and countless others!"

"Why haven't you gone to the authorities?" Wren asked.

"Hey geinus, from the sounds of it the Alteans here worship the very ground Low Turd walks upon," Kol scolded.

"Oh…that's why."

"Given your brother's weakened state he couldn't have piloted his ship for very long," Keith said crossing his arms, "the other colony has to be nearby."

"Close enough for Lotor to visit easily, but far enough so any Alteans who decide to explore the planet don't find it by accident," Kol stated.

"There is a moon orbiting this planet that could house a colony," Krolia added.

"Which one, there are several," Wren said having Gaff pull up a holo-map.

"This one most likely," Krolia said pointing at the largest. "It has a breathable atmosphere and basing it on the number of Alteans taken, it would have to be a large facility, none of the other moons hold the capacity to support that many people."

"If they're still alive," Sil added. "We don't know how soon this 'killing' process starts."

"Well, let's assume that they get the clothing and food there before whatever is going down happens, then what do you think?" Skylar remarked. "We don't even know what they're doing with the bodies."

"If they're burying them it would have to be the large moon," Kol shrugged.

"I got the shipments," Wren said looking over a screen. "It does look like they get shipments of clothes, food, and other supplies, meaning this facility needs to house the living at some point."

"It's our only lead," Keith frowned. "Romelle do you know when the next selection takes place?"

"Why, what's your plan Captain?" Silyna questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"If it takes place soon, Wren and Skylar could enter and pretend to be colonists, figure out exactly what's going on, assuming our mission connects with Romelle's theory," he stated. "Meanwhile we'd follow behind and bust them out if they send a distress signal."

"The next one doesn't take place for another few pheobs," Romelle replied solemnly.

"We don't have time for that," Kol reminded. "We could take our ship, check it out now."

Keith nodded. "That would be best, if it was a few days away I would be willing to wait, but considering we don't know what Lotor's motives are as of now, we need to move as quickly as possible."

"I'm coming with you!" Romelle said shooting to her feet.

"I don't know…this could be dangerous and you're ju—" Wren began before the Altean woman grabbed him by the hood of his cloak.

"I am coming with," she growled, "I refuse to sit by idly!"

They all looked at Keith whom just shrugged. "We should get to the ship."

They waited till dark came to go back to the ship since it was less likely for them to have any followers notice them at that time. Romelle led the way to which they arrived, the Guardians' ghosts quickly opening the doors so they could leave without tripping any alarms. Keith gave their newest member one of his old spare helmets before the door to the desert outside opened.

Summoning their sparrows, Keith got on his, Krolia hopping on just behind him as Romelle sat with Skylar. Activating their engines, they shot forwards, making Keith smirk as he heard Romelle give a startled cry and Skylar grunt as the Altean squeezed her.

Pulling up to the ship they ran inside, Krolia taking the helm. "Everyone make sure your ammo is stocked and that you're all wearing the proper armor. We don't know what exactly is going on here but we need to be prepared. Skylar, Silyna, check between the two of you and see what spares you have that will fit Romelle. Better have our enemies think they're dealing with a whole Guardian group before realizing there might be a noncombatant with them."

"Should we arm her?"

"How good's your aim?" Keith asked.

"Um…fair, my parents let me hunt with them a couple times before they went to the colony," she said.

Keith nodded, scrolling through his inventory. "Ghost what do you think?"

"How about the Sondok-C? It doesn't have much of an impact, but it's stable and has a range large enough to keep her out of any Galra's path."

"Works for me," Keith said and the gun materialized in his hand. "You'll be using this. It's got a good range, so you don't have to get close if we encounter anybody. And the kick ain't as bad as some of my other weapons. The scope is right here, here's the trigger, and when we get in you'll want to turn off the safety here. You're going to want to hold this with both hands, otherwise it won't be stable enough to shoot."

"Thank you," Romelle smiled nervously taking the weapon and setting it down next to her as she looked through the spare armors the two female Guardians had with them.

"We're getting close to the moon," Krolia warned, and everyone began doing a final gear check.

"Scans are picking up something down there," Sil's ghost called.

"Atmosphere's breathable," Wren's ghost added.

"Everyone be ready to move as soon as this bird touches the ground, we move swift and fast, remember this is a stealth mission, do not engage unless absolutely necessary," Keith ordered putting on his helmet.

Krolia landed the ship, and they all got off hopping on sparrows and driving over to the nearest ridge. Pulling to a stop, Keith pulled his sniper rifle off his back and looked through his scope. "No guards…this place seems almost deserted."

"Closest door is on the east side," Silyna said. "No guards or cameras."

"Seems Lotor didn't think this place would be found," Krolia commented.

"Appears so," Keith said slinging his rifle over his shoulder. Starting his sparrow again, he led the way to the door, he and his mother hopping off, Miiraak appearing next to him as they snuck in through the vents and dropping into a deserted hall.

Pulling out his knife, Keith looked for any guards they failed to notice in their initial scope, seeing the coast was clear, he darted up, shoving his blade through the doors, forcing them apart before he and Sky stuck their hands in, using their strength to force it open. Keith fell back as the other Titan peered through with her gun before giving the all clear signal.

Slipping inside the locked room, they stared as it was lined with stasis pods…or, at least they looked like stasis pods.

"What is this place?" Kol hissed.

"Anyone else feel that?" Sil growled, her wings flaring out from under her cloak.

"Yea…darkness," Wren said curling his lip as he adjusted the grip on his rifle.

Romelle went up to one of the pods, wiping away the layer of fog that had formed over the glass before she reeled back, her hands over her mouth in horror. "No! Petrulius! What's happening to them?! These people were supposed to be headed towards the colony!"

Keith felt his stomach drop as all the dots began to connect. "Lotor's harvesting their quintessence."

"By God," Sky whispered. "Kol, any idea how to stop this?"

The Warlock ran over and summoned his ghost. "Gaaf, analyze these," he ordered as he began hacking into the system.

"Anything?"

"Not yet," he growled. "They're still alive, Lotor has the harvesting process designed at a rate so the host isn't completely drained, allowing them to produce more."

"Any clues as to what he's using the quintessence for?" Krolia asked.

"Nothing as of yet…draaf! It's getting to an encryption level I can't break, we'll need to get this to a Cryptarch!"

"How soon will you be able to transmit?"

"I'll need to be out of the quantum abyss," Kol said gritting his teeth as he kept trying to get past the firewall.

"We'll need to warn Voltron too," Keith said. "Romelle, you're coming with, Allura and the Paladins need to hear what you told us, and we can protect you from Lotor should he discover our break in."

"But we can't just leave them here!"

Keith put a hand on her shoulder to calm the Altean woman down. "And we won't, but we need to figure out a way to extract them without any risk, if we removed them now, they would suffer the same fate as Bandor."

"We should get moving, no time to waste," Krolia ordered.