AN: Thank you for the feedback and patience!

Part Four of the Refugee Rescue Mission

SH

SH

SH

The Garrison control room was slowly coming back to order.

The static was clearing up screen by screen. Commander Holt kept his eyes on the top right where the rooftop camera feed was. Don't be there...The feed came on, revealing no one. He let out a quiet sigh of relief. He should have figured. Veronica knew better than to stay around after launching his prototype. His eyes moved over to the particle barrier feeds. He frowned when he saw an issue.

"The outside perimeter feeds for the west side are still down." He turned to one of the desk people. "Try running a scan for any outside interference."

The tech quickly typed. "I'm unable to run it."

"What?"

He walked over. The tech retyped only to get the error message.

"Strange. Let me see if I can override it."

The message appeared again. Sam frowned deeply. While the tech might not have clearance he should be able to have access to the program as a commander.

He looked at Admiral Sanda's profile.

He knew she was going to strip Iverson and himself of their ranks once the Galra were taken care of. But she had been fine letting them go about their duties as normal, clearances included. Clearly something changed.

Why would she decide to lock me out now, of all times?

He looked back at the blank screens then looked back where Iverson was. The man's face was solemn. It did nothing to clear the pit in Sam's stomach. He turned to walk off the bridge.

"Commander Holt," came Admiral Sanda's voice, "I didn't give you leave."

"I just need to check in with my wife."

"Didn't you send Officer McClain to do that?"

...He needed to be careful. The admiral was watching him closer than he thought. He rubbed the back of his neck in a sheepish manner.

"I'm a bit of the overprotective sort. It gets on Colleen's nerves."

"...Be quick about it." The admiral kept her gaze on the screens. "Take two guards with you."

"I don't need them."

Admiral Sanda gave him a glance before looking forward again.

"That wasn't a suggestion."


Lance was by the rebels now.

He stood stock still as the laser's orange Garrison glow hit Pidge. His mind retreated to that particular night in the castle when they were playing video games from the Area 51 store. Pidge was beating him with that impish grin and laugh. Lance could feel himself pouting as he furiously pressed buttons.

"I win!" Pidge cackled. "You lose!"

"Quiznak!"

"Oo, you cussed in front of the young one. I'll tell Uncle Coran."

"Please," Lance scoffed, "We're both the youngest in our families." He laid down on the floor of his room. "He'd probably congratulate me for using the word correctly."

"He'd throw you a Quiznak party."

"...You are so much worse than me."

Pidge's smile curved. "Not that anyone will believe you."

Lance shook his head. The lil Pidgeon was right. Space Dad would just cross his arms and ask if he'd gotten into the Nunvill again. He dramatically sighed and then stared up at the ceiling. When he stayed quiet Pidge shifted to lay down next to him.

"Oh come on. I didn't beat you that badly."

"I'm not thinking about the game. You ever wonder -"

"What?"

"...We left Earth so suddenly." He turned his head to look at her. "What do you think the Garrison told our folks when we went missing?"

"..."

"Never mind. Just thinking stupid things."

"You're not," Pidge quietly murmured. "...I've thought about it too, especially with Dad and Matt missing." Pause. "I left my mom all alone."

Lance's eyes closed for a long moment before he pulled her in for a side hug. Usually she fought it. Tonight she didn't even pretend not to need one.

"We'll explain once we get home."

"...It could be years."

"Better than never," he opened his eyes. "We should see if there's any new games at the mall."

Pidge half rolled her eyes as she pulled out of the hug.

"Everything's old in that store."

"You know what I mean!"

She dodged his pillow with a grin.

"You're on a losing streak..."

"Pidge come in," Lance rasped out into his comm.

There was nothing on the line. Not even static.

"Shiro? Hunk? Allura?" He felt his eyes water with the continued silence. "...Keith?"

He let out a shuddering breath and then breathed in deeply. Whatever flashed in the air must have messed with the comms. Odds are the sentries' signals were down too so they still had some time. But without a timer they were really pushing it here. The whole point of flying to Earth without the Lions was to keep the element of surprise.

He lifted his rifle. He looked over at Allura and Pidge some distance away. He could just make out Shiro's black and white armor moving towards them. Keith was fighting the robeast sentry but he could tell it was wearing him out. Hunk was still by the hole.

He turned to look at the group of refugees.

The rebels were tense. The people they snuck out looked tired and scared and just overall drained. A kid looked at him while holding his mother's pant leg. Quiznak. He was about his nephew's age. He gripped his sniper rifle and then walked to the front.

"Let's head out to the hole."

The rebel leader frowned. "I thought your friend said it wasn't safe."

"It'll be clear it by the time we get there." He felt his brows lower in determination. "Everyone will get through safely."

He wasn't sure if the rebel leader actually believed him or he just wanted to be anywhere else but out here in the open.

"I'll get some people to cover the back."

Lance nodded before taking the lead.


Kinkade lowered the shotgun once he got the last guard.

But with Griffin's yell, he felt like he missed anyways. He closed his eyes for a second and then quickly switched the shotgun for the sniper rifle. In seconds he had the scope back on and was looking through it.

"Ryan," James hoarsely voiced out, "who -"

"The Green Paladin was hit," Kinkade evenly murmured.

Rizavi and Leifsdottir had their guns still out and were monitoring the unconscious guards. They had moved them off to the side so they wouldn't be blocking the entrance. But upon hearing Kinkade's report Rizavi whipped her head to the hole.

"Commander Holt's daughter," she breathed out on the MFE comms.

Griffin felt his chest tighten. The scientist loved her dearly, judging by how often he'd talk about her even when they weren't discussing the Paladins. He used to talk about Matt too but when his eldest went into hiding he stopped bringing him up. To finally have one of his kids back only for this to happen...and by a member of the Garrison no less.

"Is she ok?"

Kinkade lowered the rifle to look at Griffin. "She's not moving."

James turned his head for a moment. Kinkade could see his hands fisted tightly.

"Grif, it's not -"

"Rizavi, Leifsdottir. Guard the hole." Griffin had his head turned forward now. "Kinkade, with me. We're getting those refugees in."

"Roger, Griffin."

"10-4."

"...Copy that."


As soon as Commander Holt left, Admiral Sanda unlocked the west side cameras.

Iverson stood by as they watched the MFEs move the knocked out Garrison guards off to the side. She turned to glare at him. He pointedly kept his gaze forward and his hands behind his back.

"I'm court marshalling you, Holt, and your MFEs."

"They're following my orders," he grunted out. "Can't blame a soldier for doing what he's trained to do."

She narrowed her eyes before looking forward again.

"What's the status of the patch?"

"We're only at 80%."

"Turn it on as soon as it's ready."

Iverson looked at her back.

"You can't patch the hole without -"

"A soldier fights for his country," Admiral Sanda lowly intoned, "Sacrifice is part of the job."

Iverson fisted his hands but said nothing else.

Hurry up MFEs, Paladins.


Shiro was running over to Pidge and Allura.

Hunk felt his heart thud harder the longer he watched. His legs were lead. Why didn't he move faster? He blocked one shot but he could have done more. There must have been something he could have -

Some crunch of dirt caught his attention. Suddenly his legs broke free from the spell to pivot around. Immediately his energy cannon manifested as he faced his foe.

"We're friendly!"

The cannon's hum didn't power down but merely stayed collected in the barrel. Griffin let go of his rifle, letting it fall back behind him as the strap shifted with the weight. His hands raised up in a gesture of peace.

The Yellow Paladin did not lower his weapon. Next to Griffin Kinkade was starting to raise his rifle. The MFE leader gave him a quick glance. He lowered the rifle but kept his hands on it just in case.

"We're not going to shoot you."

"Your friend wants to."

"Well, you are pointing a weapon on me." Pause. "We all want the same thing."

Something fierce entered Hunk's eyes.

"Tell that to Pidge and Allura."

"I'm sorry about your friend. We were trying to prevent it but -" Griffin sighed as he caught the timer on the right side of his inner visor. "Look Hunk, I just want to get these people inside. Commander Holt's scrambler prototype will only last for another eight minutes. Can we do the hot potato blame afterwards?"

The Yellow Paladin kept his cannon up. Kinkade was getting antsy next to Grif - not that Hunk could tell. James only knew because of the way the teen was lightly tapping his finger along the rifle. Keep it cool Kinkade. The last thing they needed was another fight. He soon felt his shoulders relax a little when the cannon finally powered down.

"You remember me?"

James lightly grinned. "Hard to forget the repeated puker."

"I guess so." Hunk cracked a very small smile at the joke. "Especially the smell."

Griffin made a face. "Thanks for the reminder."

"I'll hang back. Lan - ah the Red Paladin should be with the group."

"I remember Lance," Griffin amusedly murmured. "But I thought he was the Blue Paladin."

"Allura's Blue. Lance is Red." Hunk's smile widened at the confused expression. "I can explain it later."

Griffin eyed the timer. "I'll hold you to that."

Kinkade kept his rifle up as they moved further out into the desert.


Some ways behind, Allura could hear Keith fighting the robeast sentry.

For a couple of ticks she could only stare at the young teen half on her lap.

She had plenty of nightmares of her father dead in her arms. Sometimes it was Coran. Other times the whole team. On really bad nights there were dead Alteans lying at her feet with her hand extended out as she sucked the life out of them while Lotor watched in approval. Her guilt over the missing Altean colony made for colorful nightmares.

Kosmo whimpered, bringing her out of her shock.

"Pidge?"

There was no response. The Green Paladin had taken the shot in the back, judging by the dark scorch mark of the laser's shot. She used her good hand to remove Pidge's helmet. She used her teeth to tear off her glove. She could see the slightest tremble in her hand as she checked for a pulse.

"Allura!" Shiro called out as neared them. "Is Pidge -"

"She's alive," she called back just as he skid down on the ground next to them. "Gods," she put her arm around Pidge's head, her fingers getting partly in her hair. "Don't ever do that again."

Pidge let out a groan but stayed unconscious.

"You might be smothering her too hard."

Allura loosened her hold. Shiro put his hand on Pidge's head in a comforting gesture then looked down at the scorched area of her armor.

"The shot cracked the armor but I don't think it went through," he murmured.

"She still requires medical attention."

"That she does." He shifted so Allura could help put the young teen along his left shoulder. "Come on. We'll see the medic."

She frowned when he stood by, waiting for her.

"I do not need medical attention."

He eyed her heavily cracked helmet in the dirt then the slowly bleeding wound along her temple. It was already staining red the lock of hair that curled along her cheek. He narrowed his eyes to her left arm hanging by her side. She didn't miss his assessing gaze.

"It's not as bad as it seems."

"Your arm's either broken and/or dislocated," he raised a brow, "and you most likely have a concussion."

"Alteans are sturdier than earthlings."

"Not by that much," he thinly replied in Altean.

She paused in her rebuttal. His switch in language was not on accident but as a reminder to her that he did, in fact, know what he was talking about.

"...I need to do this."

He looked at the almost desperate resolve on her face. He sighed quietly. Just as she had seen his heart, he knew the overwhelming guilt that weighed in hers. Now was not the time to try to clear it though. His talks didn't seem to be working anyways judging by her expression right now.

"Don't use that arm if you can help it." He looked at the wolf. Kosmo walked to his side. "I'll return shortly."

It was her turn to frown. "Keith and I can handle it."

His eyes lightly flickered. 'I need this too.'

He didn't speak it but she could practically read the words. For the majority of their journey Shiro was unable to participate in the fighting. She had felt the frustration in his energy when it was her turn for a visit. He had helped mentor them as a team time and again. He more than did his part but the man was too stubborn to see that he wasn't useless. She picked up her bayard and then stood in front of him.

"I'll need a shield arm."

A small grin appeared on his face. "What luck." His eyes glimmered with humor despite the situation. "That's the arm I still have."

Kosmo transported them before Allura could respond. She started to shake her head but then halted. That was not a good idea. She breathed in and then turned back to the robeast sentry.

I'm coming Keith.


Once people started filtering in the two MFEs went back inside to give Rizavi and Leifsdottir support. The paladins covered the rear with their blaster and cannon in case the sentry got too close. By the glowing blue whip the paladins knew Allura was back in the fight.

"Not to be that person," Rizavi lowly murmured in the MFE comms so only her team could hear, "but where are we putting these people? The Garrison's full."

"They'll be in the Paladin's room," James replied as he directed the small group with his hands, "Hunk already offered."

Leifsdottir and Rizavi shared a look.

"But then where will they stay?"

"He said they'd figure it out." Griffin sighed. "Right now I just want to get these people inside the building. Rizavi, lead them to the cafeteria. I doubt they've been eating enough while in the camp."

"Copy that Grif."

Kinkade caught motion. Griffin saw his rifle move towards the hole.

"Someone's approaching." Shortly after, the rifle lowered. "The Yellow Paladin has Commander Holt's daughter."

"What? But he was stationed outside the hole. How the heck did he -"

Sure enough, Hunk came closer with Katie along his shoulder. James nearly winced when he saw the blackness marring her white and green armor.

"Hey, I need someone to take my spot," Hunk called out.

"Is she -" alive. Griffin choked on the last word. Thankfully Hunk seemed to understand.

"She's breathing."

James had never felt so happy to know that.

"I'll cover," Kinkade stepped up.

"Let us know if anything changes," Griffin ordered.

"Understood."

"Thanks!"

Hunk quickly walked off towards the building. The wolf followed him along without pause. He kept his snot along Pidge's hand as if to reassure himself of her condition by scent.

"Ah wait how did you get her -" James sighed. "Never mind. I'll ask later."

An alarm on his visor went off. He stared at the timer's red numbers.

One minute left.

Good timing. They just needed the rest of the Paladins to come back. He stepped forward towards the hole but something made him pause. Kinkade saw it too for he didn't step through just yet. The Red Paladin was the closest to the hole. James watched as he looked upwards to the particle barrier. It was shimmering with energy.

"Leifsdottir, what's happening?"

She looked away from the refugees to where James was looking. She tapped her visor so she could see better.

"The Paladins are fighting a Level Five Threat hand to hand. Ill advised. Most Galra tactics are for long range battle due to the high risk of serious -"

"The barrier Leifs."

She fixed her visor's zoom.

"Extra energy is rippling from the generators." Her eyes followed the motion. "It is being focused on the hole. Most likely the Garrison is trying to seal it."

"That's what I thought." James ran over as he talked. "Kinkade, inform Lance."


Keith breathed hard as he dodged the arms.

They moved independently from each other which was not how he thought it would be. He could understand how Allura had been blindsided. He was just grateful for his Blade training and his own flexibility. He spotted Shiro's shield blocking a hit with his left arm. Next to him Allura threw out her right hand for the whip. The blue cord cut through the arm.

Wires immediately reconnected it. Keith bit out a curse.

"We're not going to be able to defeat it," he yelled out.

"We don't need to," Allura yelled back.

"We just need to distract it!"

"Shiro..." Keith's eyes widened. "It's faint, but I heard you in the comms."

All eyes looked up at the sentry. Its eyes were starting to flicker with a brighter purple light.

"Disband!" Keith hissed.

Allura quickly struck its eyes repeatedly. "Get to the hole!"


Lance felt his lungs tighten and then fury animated him.

"Those quiznaking Garrison tools!"

Kinkade frowned as Lance went outside of the hole. "You need to be inside."

"Not without my team."

Lance spotted Keith running with his sword. Shiro still had his shield up while Allura continued to strike as they ran. But her whip could only reach so far. The robeast sentry was stubbornly pursuing them despite its limited sight. His sniper rifle's shots were slower than the blaster but he needed the accuracy.

Kinkade lifted his sniper rifle next to him.

"I got the right head."

"Left," Kinkade murmured.

Blue and light orange lasers fired.


The three remaining Paladins were booking it now that they had cover.

"Come on," James murmured.

"Griffin," Leifs voiced out. "It has begun to seal."

Sure enough, the orange energy was expanding.

"How much time do they have?"

"At this rate, twenty -"

The generators hummed louder. The ripples increased.

"Ten seconds."


"Kinkade, get back in here!"

Lance and Kinkade had already started walking backwards to the hole as the others got closer. But the alarm in his leader's voice had him marginally concerned. He risked a glance back. The hole was shrinking rapidly.

"We need to go."

Lance kept shooting. "They're almost here."

But not close enough. Kinkade grabbed Lance by the back of his collar. The paladin yelped as he stumbled backwards involuntarily.

He landed hard on the dirt.


Allura quickly went back to whipping the heads.

We're not going to make it.

Keith turned around to see where they were. Allura looked over at Shiro. Shiro felt his blood chill as he recognized that look in her eyes. She made to grab his collar. He quickly ducked out of her reach.

"Don't," he sharply bit out.

She didn't try again.


Keith felt something building up inside.

Lance was yelling his name. He could see that the barrier was going to close. The robeast's eyes were getting brighter by the second and soon, their cover will be blown. Not even Allura's whip will be able to keep it from seeing them.

That's not going to happen.

They'd come too far, sacrificed so much. His bayard shook in his hand. His black sword shuddered and shifted form. 'You fight like a Galra soldier,' Zarkon's voice rumbled in his head. I am Galra. Not like Zarkon. But Galra just the same.

And Galra hated to lose.


James felt his eyes widen as Keith's sword shifted into a large arm cannon.

"Move!" came Keith's hoarse yell.

Allura and Shiro backed away. The cannon immediately shot out a blaring beam of blinding energy. James blinked away the spots. The Frankenstein sentry's upper body was completely melted. He looked back at Keith in disbelief. He felt his jaw drop. His eyes are glowing yellow. But it wasn't the irises - not that that made it more normal. The barrier sealed all the way, preventing him to take a good second look.

'Don't let anything alien come back in.'

...Was the princess the only alien Admiral Sanda was worried about?

SH

SH

SH

AN: Whoo! This is the longest chapter yet.

So many points of views to keep track of. XD This went through several rounds of editing and adjusting but I just couldn't find a good spot to cut off without ruining the flow. Lucky you. ;)