Chapter five
"After that, I imagine, was when Zarkon destroyed Altea." Coran finished his tale as thoughtful as the Paladins looked.
"Wait, you didn't see it yourself?" Pidge asked in surprise.
"No." Coran returned. "Once I launched the castle, I was sent in to cryogenic sleep with Allura. Alfor must have set the course to Arus before he left to confront Zarkon."
"So... that's how you ended up on Arus." Keith breathed thoughtfully, his fingers shaping this for Shiro to read.
"Yes." Coran's face showed his despair of the painful memories. "It is."
"Sooo...Hunk." Keith turned his attention to the Yellow Paladin. "What's your story?" Hunk thought for a moment...
"Alright students eyes up here." The teacher called from her desk. The distinct chatter of the children obediently died down. "Over the last few weeks we've been talking about space, and all that it entails. But today... I've brought with me, someone who has been in space many times. Some of you may know who I'm talking about, but for those of you who don't." The teacher glanced at the open door and flexed her pointer finger beckoning someone to come in. And a tall, black-haired man in a fancy grey uniform entered. He wore a warm smile on his face and his black forelock couldn't mask his gentle grey eyes. As soon as he entered though, the chattering amongst the students returned. The atmosphere was full of excitement, and Shiro could feel it.
"Class," the teacher said. "This is Garrison Lieutenant Takashi Shirogane." A round of applause immediately erupted from the excited children.
"Thank you." Shiro's grin widened. "I've been sent by the Garrison to schools in the area to search for the next generation of space travelers." He began, the children tentatively holding on to his every word. "I've been to many schools already, but I think some of you might have what it takes. So who's ready to find out?" Hands and 'oh!'s answered him immediately. "Alright then," Shiro nodded, "then let's go outside, I've got something to show you." Hunk's were fixed on the newcomer, anticipation had sparked in him as soon as he had walked in the door...
...'Level complete!' Flashed across the screen. Shiro peered around at them from the pilot seat. The students eyes wide with wonder.
"Neat huh?" Shiro smirked at their reactions. They all nodded together their astonishment not melting away. "Then who's ready to give it a try?" All hands were thrust into the air. As each of the children took a turn, Shiro stood back to observe. He watched each one carefully, seeing how well each handled themselves in the simulator.
"Here is the list you require." The teacher told him, handing him a tablet. "These are the highest ranking students that your simulator had noticed."
"Great!" Shiro kept his calm, cool, and collect demeanor. "I'll show these to my superiors and be in touch with you soon. I think are quite a few promising students here."
After packing up the simulator or the return back to the Garrison, Shiro and the teacher gathered together all the students outside to school.
"Before I go," Shiro was saying. "Does anyone know what the Garrison is all about?" A boy with light brown hair and freckles raised his hand. And when he was called on he gave a quiet answer.
"It trains more people to be space explorers?" He wasn't sure he was right in saying this.
"That's right." Shiro confirmed. "The Garrison is designed to train the next generation of space explorers and prides itself on truth, honor, and teamwork. And some of you might be just what we need. I'm going back to the Garrison to inform them of what I saw today. And those who have the most potential will be asked to come and train with us. And when the time comes, we will be in touch with you soon." And as Shiro climbed into his car, the children cheered and waved goodbye to him, as he waved back then drove away. And a dark-skinned, wide-eyed boy stared in awe after him...
..."Hey Hunk, how cool was that simulator thing!" Lance raved as the two boys strode down the hallway after school that day.
"I don't know, pretty cool I guess." The boy couldn't stop thinking about Lieutenant Shirogane and what he had told them. He felt a stirring of excitement just in thinking about it.
"You ok buddy?" Lance asked, seeing how distracted he was.
"Huh? Oh yeah!" Hunk responded, shaking himself out of the memory. "I just can't believe all that has happened today."
"Yeah. I mean I've always wanted to go to the Garrison. My sister goes there. Ever since then I've really wanted to join her."
"I know." Hunk shot him a teasing glare. "You've told me about that like, a million and a half times."
"Yeah, Yeah, whatever." Lance said, brushing off his friends look, nudging him playfully. "But don't you want to too? I mean, I've told you about the Garrison before, but after what you saw today don't you want to be apart of that too?"
"Ehh maybe." Hunk shrugged one shoulder casually. "But I don't know how good a pilot I'd be."
"You don't have to be a pilot." Lance braced an arm over Hunk's shoulder, as they stepped outside into the fresh fall air. Then he looked up in thought. "You could be an engineer."
"What's that?" Hunk gazed at him quizzically.
"You know." Lance shrugged. "Fixing and buildings things like you do with your dad sometimes, only for planes and all that junk."
"It's not junk!" Hunk raised an eyebrow, despite his smile still remaining.
"You know what I meant!" Lance gave a playful punch to his friend's arm and the two shared a short chuckle.
The next day during recess, the teacher called aside a few of her students individually. Hunk looked around for Lance when his name was called.
"Hunk, may I speak to you please?" His teacher asked, gesturing for him to come inside.
When he came out again Lance was standing there waiting for him.
"Hunk guess what!!" He asked excitedly, hardly able to contain his excitement.
"What?" Hunk asked, seeing his friends bottled up enthusiasm about to pop.
"I got a note saying that the Garrison wanted to ME to go study with them!!" Lance howled excitedly, thrusting his elbow down and his fist up.
"Hm, funny." Hunk said, calmly smiling. "Me too."
"You did?! Really?! Sweet!!" He high-fived Hunk, and they stuffed the notes into their pockets for safe keeping, until they could put them into their backpacks later...
"After that, the two of us were headed to the Garrison." Hunk finished shooting a glanced at the Blue Paladin, who returned his signature grin. His pearly whites catching a seemingly none-existent light.
"I can remember when Shiro came to my school too." Keith remarked. A smile hinting upon his face, recalling the memory. "I was staring out the window most the time... Didn't..even want to focus or make eye contact." He looked down and away, embarrassment flashed across his Facebook the form of a slight blush. Shiro poked him on the shoulder.
"I remember that day." He signed, an amused smile on his face. "Both if them." Keith's lips curled up a little more.
"Of course you do." He said simply. Shiro gestured with a wave of a hand. "My turn. Oookaaaay." Keith squirmed awkwardly, trying to think of what to say. Shiro placed a hand on his shoulder and Keith met his gaze.
"Relax." The Black Paladin told him. "You can do this. Remember, patient.. yields.. focus." Keith drew in a deep breath. And suddenly a story popped into his mind...
...A Lieutenant and cadet strode down the halls of the Garrison. Neither of them spoke, neither of them made eye contact. Training had just finished for the day, and the cadets and their teachers were aloud a free-for-all time to hang out with each other. This didn't happen often, because of the tight military atmosphere that the Garrison kept within their ranks.
"Remember to act natural." Shiro whispered to Keith. His stiffness showing his insecurity.
"You need to too." Keith smirked loosely. "You're terrible at keep up appearances."
"Uh, wha- what?! No I'm not!!" Shiro stuttered, playfully nudging the boy. Keith keeping his mischievous smirk about his face. Shiro pushed past Keith and blindly walked out around the corner, but was interrupted by a fleshy wall.
"Shiro?" The young lieutenant froze immediately pure surprise light up his face. Sam Holt's eyebrows furrowing in a quizzical stare.
"Uh- Sam!" Shiro managed to say. He straightened up with arms folded tensely behind his back and his shoulders back,... and kind of up. His eyes darted to Keith and back to Sam.
"Are you alright?" Sam's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the younger man. Keith stared blankly between the two of them, expressing a calm innocent look.
"Um, yes I'm fine- I..I..I mean we're fine. The uh... the two of us...together." Shiro stammered. Keith could hardly contain a smile. Matt peeked out from around his father. "We uh.. were just gonna go spend some quality.. alone time- together." Shiro pulled Keith close by the shoulders.
"Alright. Well have you two." Sam gave in, walking away slowly. Shiro dropped his shoulders and exhaled quietly, then ushered Keith on down the hall.
"Hey where you guys going?!" Matt called after them, falling in step with them. "Can I come?"
"Only if you can keep a secret." Shiro returned, peeking down at him.
He quickly opened a door and shoved the two boys through it. Shutting the door, he flipped on the lights... to the simulator room.
"What- are we-.. doing here?" Matt asked in confusion, cocking his head.
"Training." Keith said as Shiro hopped into one of the simulators. "You coming?"
"Ha, heck yeah!!" Matt rushed to nearest one and hopped into it. Keith, Shiro, and Matt activated their simulators and were soon immersed in a space mission scenario. They were enjoying themselves, but Shiro still felt this nagging feeling that he continued to try to put to rest. But it still persisted.
"Guys," He spoke up finally. "It's getting late, I think we should get out of here before we get caught." A groan rumbled through the com system.
"Aw, come on Shiro," Matt complained. "Just a little longer. Besides what the Garrison doesn't know..."
"Won't hurt em. I know." Shiro finished for him. "You always say that. But it's time, we've been playing for awhile. And it's almost time for lights out." Keith hesitated.
"Come on Shiro," he coaxed. "Just five more minutes, please." Shiro thought for a moment.
"Fine." He sighed, finally gave in. "But no longer."
"Yes!" The two boys cheered. So the game continued...
"We never did get caught." Keith smiled at the memories. "Even though Shiro always worried we would."
"What?!" Hunk was in disbelief.
"You guys did that?!" Pidge half screamed. Shiro nodded, nearly blushing.
"That was one of those days when we just wanted to cut loose and be people. The Garrison has always had a tight disciplinary behavior they expected from their students... and staff." Keith recalled, glancing around at the other Paladins.
"I can't believe it... you: Shiro; legendary pilot and role model to all cadets, breaking Garrison protocol." Lance thought aloud.
"Yeah. I almost don't believe it." Pudge agreed. Shiro smiled and Keith held in a chuckle.
Hey guys how's it hangin'! Hope you're still enjoying this story. So as you can tell I'm trying to make up some good fun stories for each other the Paladins. And, I admit, Hunk's was not very good. But I hope you still liked it. Anyway more chapters will be on the way. Idk how many but hopefully there will be many more to come! Thx!