Chapter 5

Confirmation

Space. It could easily be considered a place of brilliance that had the most overwhelming aura of mystery. It held hidden civilizations, languages, and thousands of people living their own lives. Every planet shined brightly and every star equaled that brilliance. But there was always one thing that bothered Shiro about space. In the endless void, it was easy to lose sense of time making it difficult to keep track of months, days, and even the hours. As much as he tired to keep track of it in his own way he found it difficult to keep a correct estimate. Either because of a forgotten day or battles. While Coran did have a calendar it didn't quite follow earth time the same way. Not to mention he still didn't understand what the Altean was saying half the time.

Standing alone on the bridge, Shiro stared out the large viewing bay lost in thought. He couldn't quite figure out how long Keith had been missing. He supposed it was close to a week now or a bit more. Though he had hoped for less. It was frustrating. Not knowing for certain made him fearful. What if they arrived too late? What if they moved him before they could get close enough to get a proper reading? How would they even reach him? There was a thousand things that could go wrong and very little that would go correctly. In truth, he wished his friend was merely lost among the stars waiting for them to pick him up and not stranded on Zarakon's homebase with God knows what happening to him or around him.

It took every ounce of his entire being not to focus on what might be going on. He had been in Zarakon's hands for a year himself and knew exactly what went on there. He just hoped that Keith could avoid the Arena. It didn't matter how strong his old friend was he knew he would eventually fall due to his reckless behavior. It didn't help either that the young man wasn't quite right. Shiro was no fool and knew something wasn't settling well inside the man but he couldn't put his finger on it. Getting Keith to talk about it was like pulling out his own fingernails. Eventually, he had let it go in hopes that the former red would come to him about whatever had been bothering him for so long.

It didn't happen.

Turning away from his current view, he paced the floor for a brief moment. Coming to a rest in front of the screen that held Keith's tiny bleep. He would study the numbers flashing by. Pidge, Hunk, Coran, and Matt were working together in finalizing their scans to see how far Lotor's ship was from Central as well as boosting the signal so they could pinpoint Keith with full accuracy. It wouldn't be long now. That alone kept him going. As long as they knew he was alive and well then he had full hopes of getting him back in one piece.

With a small flick of his index finger over Keith's tiny bleeping dot it would expand into a large monitor. Here, he was able to view the former paladin's life signs. His early readings had been off the chart but now they were perfectly stable without an abnormalities. Perhaps, he was sleeping peacefully right now. "Hold on, Buddy. We're coming." Shiro spoke to the dot with hopes that Keith would be able to hear his words of encouragement.

"How are you holding up?" The new voice shattered Shiro out of his mental torment and turn to see who had entered the bridge. His tense body relaxed once he registered the messy brown hair and the scar. Shiro would offer Matt a very small smile and cross his arms protectively.

"If I said I was all right would you believe me?" He offered.

Matt tilted his head with a scuffed. Closing the distance between them to stand next to him. "Please, I know you too well. You're worried sick about Keith." A quick gesture towards the opened screen to further his point. "It's cool man. Who wouldn't be?" Matt frowned.

Shiro stood there silently for a long moment as he watched Matt scan through the screen and pop open a side monitor and typed away on it. "Yeah. I'll be better once we get him home." Shiro spoke softly. With Matt here next to him he suddenly felt exposed. He shifted uncomfortably.

If Matt had noticed this reaction or not he made no hint of acknowledgment. He merely went through the screen to work his magic. Checking his update status, if the boost was working and other electrical work. "You're afraid he will be sent to the Arena, aren't you." Matt asked softly unknowingly driving a nail through his friends heart.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"No, not really. It's just that I understand your concerns. I can only imagine what might be floating around in that head of yours." Matt's fingers stroked the keys and paused with a small sad smile. "He's strong, you know? He's a survivor like us. Not to mention he's pretty quick on his feet."

"But reckless." Shiro added quickly. "He doesn't think things through. He merely acts on instinct and impulse. That can get him killed. No one will be there to cover his back." His anxiety suddenly shot up like a rocket the more he thought about this now. Keith could say the wrong thing. Gain the wrong kind of attention. What if Haggar took a liking to him? That thought alone caused his stomach to flip in the worst possible way. His body tensed and his cybernetic arm ached.

A gentle hand came to rest on his shoulder and he turned his gaze to meet a pair of soft brown orbs. "It's okay, Shiro. Just breathe." Matt spoke softly while he kept his eyes fully on his long time friend who looked like he was about to have a panic attack. "Try not to think the worst. Look, we have his vitals here. We can see he is fine. He isn't under any stress. He isn't hurt. Okay?"

The black paladin pulled away from the contact to run both hands through his cropped hair. Nodding softly he decided to change the subject. "Any luck on pinpointing him?"

"Well," Matt started as he gaze Shiro one last look before returning to the monitor. "It's about 98% finished. Thanks to my brilliant little sister and the others, we should be able to grab his location and track him. It's gonna be a bit tad unstable because of the distance but we can confirm where he is as long as he has his suit on. Without it, well, let's just say it would have been more convenient if he had his paladin gear." The rebel paused for a moment to realize what he had said wrong. Turning to Shiro he saw the deep worry and quickly failed about to distract the other. "Ah, what I mean to say is, um, we can, ah. Well, keep an eye on him with what he has on and-"

Shiro cut him off with a mutter, "As long as he has his suit on." That was concerning. If he didn't have his blade suit then they would lose all hints of his whereabouts and his life signs. So, if he was to be moved to a new location they wouldn't be able to find him.

A small and awkward noise went off that quickly disrupted their conversation. Both men raised a brow at the small, bouncing, neon green, face of Pidge making a strange laugh. "Does she use that for everything?" Matt asked.

"Seems that way." Shiro stared blankly as the tiny face disappeared. The screen suddenly shifted. Vital signs shrunk and moved into the left corner of the screen. Expanding in the center, a map of the galaxy. It moved, rotated, and zoomed in on its own accord and eventually stopped moving with a slow and steady dot, signifying their comrade's location. Another bleep showed up on the screen in the same location.

Matt brightened and pointed at the screen. "Hey! We got it! He is in…"

"The Galra Empire." Shiro finished for the other with an even voice. "And so is Lotor's ship." A silent curse came from the Black Paladin as he turned away from the screen with a heavy heart.

"Quiznak…." Was the only thing Matt could say as he gazed from the screen and then to Shiro with deep concern. It seemed they really had to make a strong and secure plan if they were going to go rescue Keith.

In another part of the castle, Lance sat alone in the kitchen. His rump fit perfectly on the counter top with his legs crossed at the ankles. In his hands was the shattered blade mask that belong to his rival of all things, Keith. Idly, he rotated the hunk of metal around and around as if it might give away some kind of secret. Of course, it was nothing more than a useless hunk of cold metal. It wasn't going to tell him a damn thing no matter how hard he stared at it. It was just solid proof that his friend was gone.

But like the others, he fully believed they could find him. They could bring him home but they just had to confirm his location. Busting into a Galra base should be no problem at all! But, he if he was in the Empire then it would be a completely different story. They were far away from there. Who knew how long it would take to reach him regardless of a wormhole.

Lance sighed softly, "Dude, why do you always have to do stupid shit?" He asked the mask evenly with a harsh glare that softened a moment later. He was angry that Keith was captured. He wanted to blame the hot head for getting himself into this mess. He couldn't though. It wasn't Keith's fault. It had just been a trap that the idiot walked into unknowingly and that could happen to any of them. It was just he expected more from the idiot. Like, you know, escaping the damn event without a scrap. Being able to take down everything and get back to them like it was no big deal. Then Lance could of properly teased him over something that went wrong on the mission or on something the former paladin had done.

"Lance, what are you doing sitting on the counter? I don't think Hunk will appreciate that."

Lance huffed with a small chuckle. "Well, wouldn't be the first time I would be told to get off the counter." He offered as he lifted his head to greet Allura with a micro smile. She stood at the doorway in her robe. The concerned expression on her face made his heart flutter but only for a moment as he took note of her eyes resting on the mask in his hands.

"I found his mask. I thought, well, maybe he might want it back?" He paused. "Or it could make a perfect frisbee to throw a this head. You know, whichever comes first?" He chuckled. He thought Allura would frown and shake a finger at his poor joke but instead she merely smiled lightly. "Yes, I expected as much." She entered the kitchen.

An awkward silence entered between them. The two always had awkward interactions it seemed and even now with a serious subject at hand the air wasn't quite breathable. Lance flipped the mask and Allura watched. "Lance, try not to worry. I am sure Keith is - " Her sentence was left unfinished as Shiro's voice sounded over the intercom system.

"I need everyone to the bridge. We have confirmation on Keith's location."

The two kitchen buddies looked at one another, "He does not seem to happy." Allura said softly. Lance looked down at the mask with a heavy frown. He had this horrible feeling in the bottom of his gut that grew steadily. Swelling him with anxiety and fear.

"Come on, let's go."

There was a few things Keith had learned about the med techs very quickly. The first being that they did believe in first aid. The second, they didn't believe in anesthesia or healing pods for that matter. The third, being strapped down to cold metal table was not ideal in the slightest. He wanted to move but every fiber of his being felt as if was on fire. They stripped him of his breastplate, his braces, and sliced open the top of his suit down the seams like it as nothing. He couldn't see his arm but he knew it was probably the most discolored and swollen like a marshmallow in a microwave. Heck, it probably looked as purple as the light within the room.

Before he could open his mouth to speak his mind they had moved his broken limb. The moment they even twisted it single direction the former paladin lost it completely. What happened next he couldn't remember even as he sat in his cell nursing his arm, trying to recall the event. His suit was partly ripped down the front and his arm was sealed in a strange hexagon patterned cast from around his thumb down to the right above the elbow. He supposed he might of passed out from the pain. But at least now that he could see his arm it didn't look so bad as it had felt. The swelling was down but the discoloration was still there.

His leg seemed better even though he didn't try to put weight on it just yet. Sighing, Keith leaned his head back against the wall. His eyes closed slowly. He was exhausted beyond belief. Had even even slept since the mission?

"Geez, how am I going to get out of this one?" He asked aloud to himself. His body felt hot. Not to mention it felt as heavy as cement. The only thing his body demanded of him was to sleep but his mind refused to grant him that luxury. It was far too busy thinking of ways to escape, missing his teammates and wondering where they might be right now. He had to remind himself that Voltron was not going to come here. It would be too dangerous. One man was not worth the entire galaxy.

His body slumped in the corner with his eyes growing heavy. His eyes closed but for how long was uncertain because a ray of light suddenly flooded the room. Groaning, he forced his eyes open to be meet with soldier. He was bulky thing with a mix of purple and black fur sticking out from under his helm. Waltzing into the room like he owned the place without even bothering to shut the door. He must of not been too worried about Keith trying to escape.

Quickly, he sat up and shot a deadly glare at the alien. Nothing was exchanged for a long moment before finally the alien threw a lump of garments at him. "Change." It was the only order spoken. Somehow, he managed to catch his supposed new wardrobe. He took one look at the black and purple clothing before throwing it right back at his capture.

"Shove off!"

The galra slapped the clothing out of the air with a growl. "You'll change or else!"

"Or else what? Beat me up? Sorry to say but a ceiling beat you to that all ready." Keith spat. Repositioning himself away from the corner he stood with the help of the wall behind him. Surprisingly, he discovered his leg supported him pretty well now. "Bring it Fuzzy-Wuzzy." Keith was in no shape to fight but he sure as hell wasn't going to back down nor was he going to be wearing the same clothing he found Shiro in originally.

Fuzzy-Wuzzy growled with a display of fangs. Taking three steps forward it wasn't hard to take hold of the all ready banged up and exhausted prisoner by the neck. But what was most surprising is that how fast that banged up prisoner could react by slamming his cast into that well protected skull. Fuzzy-Wuzzy shook his head with shock. It only seemed to enrage Fuzzy-Wuzzy and Keith then realized he most definitely screwed up.

Keith's arm burned in extreme pain from swinging it around like a club and Fuzzy-Wuzzy wasted no time and taking him by the hair, jerking him around and throwing him to the clothing on the floor. "Change." He demanded once again.

Keith pushed himself into a sitting position and smirked. "How about, go fuck yourself?" Fuzzy-Wuzzy's leg flung out towards his unprotected skull. Keith braced for the impact that never came. It soon occurred to him that Lotor must really have a thing for legs. Because the prince was standing next to him with a firm hold of Fuzzy-Wuzzy's leg and not looking at all pleased.

"I don't recall you having permission to injury our guest. I would highly reconsider your actions unless you wish to become the Witch's next robeast." With that said the prince dropped the solider's leg. Fuzzy-Wuzzy looked down at Keith, to Lotor and back to Keith. Making a quick I'm-watching-you-sign he left the room.

Keith wasn't sure if he should thank the guy or punch him in the dick. He was at the right level and it could lead to a very satisfying moment. Painful. But satisfying. Lotor turned to regard him with a careful eye. "I assume you don't care for your new clothes. Well, it is either that or going naked. I don't mind either option personally."

Somehow, Keith missed the sword that Lotor bore, unsheathed. But now that it was pointed at him. Holding still he merely stared up at the prince. "Never knew the Princess was a pervert."

"Never knew a former paladin was an exhibitionist." A slice was made in the already ruined suit that dragged from its current rip below the shoulder now down to his waist. A single thin trail of blood seeped from the paper thin cut. Maybe he should stop calling him a Princess.

"I thought hurting me was against orders and what are you even doing here?" Keith remarked with as much sass as he could.

"I like to bend the rules and go for long walks on the beach." Lotor remarked with a small shrug and brought the point of his blade down his captives chest until it stopped at the waist, making another thin cut in the suit. "Now, will you change or do I have to further offer my assistance in the matter?"

Hey everyone!

Sorry it took a bit to get this chapter up. I unfortunately lost my outline and had to go from memory _ for this chapter.

I hope it flowed well! Thank you all for your awesome reviews and patience! But soon, you might want to invest in some chocolate, its gonna get rough from here on out .