Sending out a couple quick chapters to see how this story is received. There will be parts from the POV of the other paladins as well, Lance will be the main focus at the start but you will get to catch up with everyone else. This is… kind of a fix fic? But mainly a continuation. I'm hoping everyone gets the ending they deserve though.

Chapter 2

A week later, Lance was ready to enter the Turan-175 Tartarus, the flagship of Martin Turan's private fleet that had been built specifically for this expedition. Turan had reacted well to Lance's decision to join the voyage, though he hadn't exactly seemed surprised. Lance's family had been mixed on the issue, though his mother encouraged him in private. It was Coran who had supported him the most. Coran wanted a full map of the Altean signatures in the unmapped areas, and Lance had promised to keep in steady communication with him. Before he left, Lance personally called all of his former teammates to inform them.

"Martin Turan?" Keith asked curiously "I've met the guy. Worked with the Blades in the development of Daibazaal after it returned. A bit weird, but he seems well-intentioned." Lance nodded. "So, you think I should go with him?" Keith paused.

"Lance," he opined slowly "I don't know what you'd be getting yourself into. On one hand, id be careful, but maybe that's just me. On the other hand… you could use something like that. Besides," he chuckled "If he really thinks that you're the best paladin for the job, he deserves whatever screwups happen."

"Awwww" Lance cooed jokingly. "Love you too, Keith."

"Honestly? It sounds like a lot of fun. I would've picked me! In fact, why didn't he pick me?" Pidge pouted sarcastically. "But that sounds like a great opportunity, Lance. That group he runs has utilized a lot of the latest technological innovations we've created by combining technologies across all worlds to be on the forefront of the rebuild! He still should've picked me though."

"Guess you'll need to get yourself some Altean markings first." Lance quipped back with his trademark smirk.

"Uh, I'm not sure what to make of that, Lance. I mean, your family's farm produces some of my best ingredients. Guess we'll see how much of that was really you…" Hunk began to grin at the end.

"Oh, its all me, buddy. Wonder what they'll ever do without me." Lance rolled his eyes as Hunk chuckled. "Haha, but seriously man, I will miss you. When you get back I'll be sure to cook you something better than whatever sludge they have on there. It's been way too long, Lance.

"You're right, Hunk. Love ya, buddy. You've always been here for me, all the way back to the Garrison days."

"Are you sure about this, Lance?" Shiro questioned worriedly. "You really have no idea what this guy's real motivations are. He could want to exploit all of these planet's resources or something."

"Relax, Shiro. Everyone says he's a great guy, and I do want to get more involved in the rebuild in some way. I… can I be honest with you?"

"Of course, Lance. Always."

"I think it'll give me a purpose. I need to do it, Shiro."

A silence fell between their communication screens. "I get it, Lance. You don't feel whole. You need to do something to fill your void, and farming just isn't cutting it."

"Yes." The former Red Paladin responded weakly.

"I'm here for you, Lance. I always am. And if you think you need to do this, I'm not going to try and stop you. But please, keep in touch. I care about you a lot. Me and Curtis are always here."

"Ah, Shiro, settled in to the married life now. How sweet!" Lance went into his routine of playful ribbing.

"Don't change the subject!" Shiro protested.

As he entered the ship, Lance's family gathered to wave him goodbye. They knew that, hopefully, the expedition would not take long at all due the technology involved making for a quick and convenient voyage – but after the war, they always prepared for the worst. Families were like that, he mused. He was grateful for it, however. His family had been there for him the whole time and had helped him when he was at his worst. As the ship began to leave Altea, his mind did linger on the possibility that there would be disaster. After all he had been through, the irony of a simple planetary expedition killing him…

Martin Turan came to greet Lance personally as soon as the Tartarus took off. "Lance, I cannot express how grateful I am hat you are here. The crew has been instructed to treat you as if you were captain."

"That's really not necessary, Martin. I'm sure that I can manage."

"Nonsense! They all already know who you are anyways!" the young magnate said with a hearty chuckle. "Let me show you to your quarters!"

As he walked Lance to his room, Turan explained their course of action. "I was able to get an Altean alchemist on the crew, made sure she was well compensated of course. She'll be able to wormhole us fairly close, but not into uncharted territory. We'll reach the first uncharted planet out of an estimated five in about two days, and send some expeditionary teams down there. If you desire to be on any you can, if you want to stay on the ship you can as well. Entirely up to you. And here's your quarters! Feel free to come to the bridge at any time, Lance. But I do hope you get yourself acquainted with the ship first."

A bit overbearing, but its kinda endearing Lance thought to himself in regard to Turan. He certainly seemed eager to involve Lance in any project he could. He wondered if Turan was just some super-rich Voltron fanboy. As he set all of his supplies and luggage in the room, his communicator began to beep. Incoming Transmission; Takashi Shirogane. Ah, Shiro. Always the worrier about his younger Paladins. Though Lance had to admit, he really did appreciate everything Shiro did for him.

"Everything alright, Lance? You get on the ship okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Shiro. Thanks. Just getting settled in. What're you doing on this fine day?"

"Me and Curtis just got back from dinner. Speaking of which, Hunk mentioned that he's going to visit you once you get back. Its been a couple months since we were all together – me and Curtis' wedding, in fact. We really should all be there."

"Aha, yeah, your wedding." Lance replied awkwardly.

"Yeah, what about it. Wait, did something happen there?

"Just a lot of alcohol. I can't remember some parts." Lance chuckled. That much was true. It wasn't the whole truth though.

"Well, yes. I saw all of you guys. You probably could've used a bit more supervision. Wait what's that?" A sound rang out from out of the screen. "Sorry, Lance, Curtis needs me real quick. I'll be sure to check up later though,"

"Bye Shiro. Love ya, buddy." Lance said, in what had become another trademark expression. He sighed and laid back on his bed as he though back to Shiro's wedding night. He had talked to all of his teammates in depth since then, but none of them had addressed what had been discussed that night. He wasn't sure if anyone even remembered except him. In fact he didn't remember it all. But what he did remember… well, it wasn't all pretty.

I've basically got the next chapter ready, and its going to be a flashback to Shiro's wedding night, with a bit of present day events. We'll also learn more about Martin Turan and his motivations soon.