AN: Part Two of "Collection and Extraction."
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While Coran entered in the data for the universal space hub, Allura approached Pidge.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired." The younger girl gave Allura a small smile. "But I got more sleep than other nights."
"I am glad." She lowered her voice a little. "If the nightmares happen again -"
"You're an option," Pidge finished with no sass.
Coran called Allura over. She gave Pidge's shoulder a squeeze before walking back to the bridge. She noticed Shiro's stare but did not make eye contact with him. The fact that he was looking at her was already shooting little thrills up her arms.
"There's nothing there," she frowned.
"Maybe Sendak's memories are incomplete?" Hunk questioned.
"Possibly."
Shiro narrowed his eyes as he focused on the large holo-screen.
"There must be something here."
"A well kept secret," Pidge added.
Allura tapped her finger along the back of her other hand before straightening her spine.
"Coran, take us there but keep your distance."
They could only stare at the hidden transportation hub on the screen.
"There's so many ships," Pidge murmured.
"This is it," Shiro breathed. "A small target we can hit. They must handle various supplies from all over the galaxy."
"I get keeping it hidden," Hunk scratched his head in thought, "but why have such an elaborate cloaking for just a space warehouse?"
"Maybe there's more to it," Lance chimed in.
"This requires a closer look." Allura highlighted a top tower of the main base. "This is where we'll need to infiltrate and gather intel."
"Uh," Keith slowly turned his head towards her. "We?"
There was a short, collective pause as they realized what was said.
"I will join you this time. Before the war I had been on Galra ships and transportation stations with my father." Allura pulled up her smaller holo-screens to look at something. "Based on scans it appears that the station is fundamentally the same as it was ten thousand deca-phoebs ago."
"Mm yes." Coran rubbed his moustache. "The Galra are funny that way." With a more serious expression he addressed Allura directly. "But I do not think you should go, Princess."
Her brows furrowed in slight hurt. If she thought anyone would object Coran had been at the bottom of her list. She was quick to smooth her expression, feeling her nerves steel in determination.
"I am a part of the fight against Zarkon." She didn't see it but her eyes narrowed into a fierce expression. "I am going."
The younger paladins looked at Coran.
Then they shifted their gazes as Shiro stood up from the Black Paladin's chair near the front of the bridge area. Even Coran was looking to the Head of Voltron for the final decision. Allura did not miss the shift. She calmly folded her hands together before tilting her chin up in challenge.
"Suit up Princess."
The tense lines in her body relaxed. Coran was frowning at him but he paid it no mind. This was the first time Allura had expressed interest in joining an infiltration mission. She wasn't the sort to decide such things on a whim. It was no secret that she had a grudge against Zarkon but he hadn't seen it overpower her logical side.
Besides. He slightly grinned to himself. I have the feeling she's more capable than she's letting on.
"Psst. Hey."
The guard in the tower looked around only to meet Shiro's glowing fist. Lance and Hunk flanked their leader to take shots at the two sentries remaining. Shiro tossed a sentry aside while Keith and Lance dragged the knocked out guard out of their way. Pidge quickly darted forward to hook her laptop with the Galra computer. Allura calmly walked up to Shiro's side.
"Was that truly necessary?"
He looked at her. "It's easier to knock out someone from the front."
"I suppose. Or," she tilted her hip a little, "someone's showing off."
"On a mission?" he softly tsked. "That would be highly unprofessional."
She hummed to that, then stepped into his space so only he could hear.
"You'll have to do better than that."
He cocked a brow when he spotted her bottom lip slightly caught under her teeth.
"I'd say I'm starting off just fine."
She let out a neutral sound as she turned away from him. But he distinctly did not hear her disagree with his assessment. The corner of his mouth tilted upwards before going downwards.
"Shiro -" Keith started.
"Everyone get down," Shiro hissed as he spotted the hub's screens turning on.
Allura stared at the ship currently docked.
"That is not a typical cargo ship." She straightened up from crouching down. "If there's any important information it'll be on that ship."
Shiro nodded at that.
"Allura's right. We'll need to split up and -"
"Too risky," she cut in. "I'll go alone."
The team looked at Allura dumbfounded. It was one thing to have her join this mission and another to send her out on her own. Shiro was starting to wonder if he had miscalculated her eagerness to participate first hand.
"Allura -"
She frowned, immediately recognizing his tone. "You thought I asked to come as a spectator?"
"Of course not," he sighed. "But Princess -"
"You're green," Keith half sputtered out in disbelief.
"I'm not." Allura frowned. "...Pidge is the Green Paladin."
"That's not - How do you plan to sneak on board?"
Allura took off her helmet with a secretive smile.
"I won't have to sneak on."
Her eyes closed as she focused. Already she could hear their exclamations. She stood above them at least two heads taller. Overall they were shocked. She couldn't help but noticed the slight red along Shiro's scar. She quirked a brow at him, making him shake his head.
The redness was gone. She half missed it.
Several questions were thrown her way. She answered them calmly. Shiro frowned as he looked at her. She was certainly capable of more than he had thought. However...
"I'm coming with you."
She looked at him coolly. "I do not require protection."
"I didn't say you did."
Pidge stood up from her laptop. "Allura, you're going to need Shiro's hand." She lifted it up. "It's the only thing that can bypass the Galra's bio locks."
"...Fine."
"We'll need to find something to hide Shiro in," Lance murmured.
They scattered to look around. Pidge stepped up to Allura. The Princess moved to a less crowded space. The Green Paladin looked so much smaller as Allura stood in front of her. Pidge was the smartest one on their team but sometimes she forgot how young the girl was.
"Shiro protects those close to him," Pidge murmured with a serious expression. "It's what he does." She lightly frowned up at Galra Allura. "Don't push the gesture aside."
Allura took a long breath in.
"You are right. I was not thinking."
"Space Dad mode comes out a lot. It's actually nice once you get used to it." Pidge smiled. "But I guess I should say Space Boyfriend for you."
"What is a boyfri-"
"We found a box!" Lance cheered.
Pidged walked away with a grin.
"I owe you an apology."
Shiro paused in taking her hand before stepping out of the box. It was still a little strange seeing her as a Galra and in uniform no less but with her voice coming out from the disguise.
"For what?"
"I misunderstood your reason for wanting to join me."
He shrugged it off. "That doesn't require an apology."
Due to her Galra helmet he could only see her mouth.
"You were simply expressing concern for my wellbeing." Her lips downturned cutely. "I took it to mean your lack of faith in my abilities. For that reason I am sorry."
He gave her hand a squeeze and then let go.
"Still don't need to apologize."
She told him the basic layout of most Galra ships.
"Go left."
He crouched down behind a wall as he followed her instruction. He held up a hand to halt her, having heard some footsteps. Then the sounds echoed before sharpening acutely. He let out a quiet breath as a memory pierced his mind...
"Shiro?"
He closed his eyes. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him get lost in a memory but it was the first time while he was wake. It somehow made him feel exposed. He opened his eyes, pushing the feeling aside.
"I remembered a part of my escape." He leaned in more to whisper. "The ships are guarded by sentries with recognizable patterns."
"Do you recall it?"
He gave her a half smile. "Let's find out."
He took her hand and led her through the maze. She watched in amazement as he calmly focused on the footsteps and then pulled them out into the hallway, always missing the next guard. This was someone of confidence and natural leadership.
She would follow him anywhere.
"There," she pointed over his shoulder. "That should be the main information room."
He let go of her hand to scan his hand on the lock. Then immediately he darted forward, smoothly ducking one sentry's hand as he sliced upwards and then rotated around to impale the other. Both were down in a matter of ticks. He tossed them aside as she walked to him.
"With the sentries out of the way we should have some time befor -"
His words cut off as her mouth covered his. He stared at her intensely as she kissed him hard and fast. He didn't even try to fight it. He was only fighting his impulse to respond back in equal measure. Now was not the time to respond - not if they wanted to get off this Galra ship in a timely manner.
She released him. "Sorry."
"No you're not."
She gave him a fanged grin. "For the short duration."
He turned back to the control panel. "I don't forgive it."
"A pity. I had future plans but if you are upset..."
He slowly turned to her, only seeing the languid smile on her face.
"I forgive you." He gave her a lidded expression before putting his hand on the panel. "Now go guard the doorway."
"Well, since you asked so politely..."
Their flirting died down.
"Stay where you are," the guard weakly ordered.
Allura quickly closed the sliding door. Shiro sighed as he weighed their options.
"Ok, we'll have to see about sneaking out through the air ducts."
"My armor is far too large for that."
He looked around. "Then maybe -"
Allura dashed. He felt his jaw drop as she rammed the door off its hinges. Quickly he ran over to see what happened. The guard was completely imbedded in the metal wall. She yanked the laser gun from his hand, not caring that the guard was now sliding down to the floor.
"What's the matter?"
He slowly blinked as he looked from the guard then her. Dear lord. Why was this turning him on more than it probably should? And on a mission no less. But the part of him that should have been chiding himself was strangely quiet.
"...Tonight, Allura."
She felt her throat dry up. His tone and eyes...Quiznak. She couldn't even find it in herself to be angry of the fact that he hadn't posed it as a question. Not that she wanted this to be up for debate.
"Then let's not dawdle," she smoothly replied.
He took the lead.
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AN: Was it just me or was Shiro being very playful by calling out to the guard before taking him out in this episode? XD Oh Space Dad.
I had a hard time cutting pieces out. Sorry if it seems very choppy but I just wanted to hit certain scenes. Due to that I felt it prudent to break this into two chapters so it's not extremely choppy. XD