"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Pidge are you recording this?"

There was a slapping sound and the camera jolted down for half a second before refocusing on two figures. "Of course I am, Matt! Get off! They're going to start!"

Shiro covered his mouth feeling sick to his stomach. He watched Keith walk from where the musicians played to where 'he' stood. That wasn't him, though. Shiro had no memory of this. He moaned queasily, unable to look away as Keith started dancing with his doppelganger.

Pidge squealed and the camera panned sideways, shaking as she couldn't stop laughing. "Look at Lotor! Look at him!"

Shiro covered his face and sighed. "Please... I don't want to watch any more."

Frenik tapped the screen and sat beside him. "I know you're upset."

"That doesn't even begin to describe it," Shiro muttered. "I feel so violated. She used me to hurt them. How... I..."

Frenik rested a hand on his shoulder. "This is not your fault, Shiro... and I know she had done nothing but cause you suffering, and it may not have been her intent, but that shade of yourself did a lot of good for many people in your name. It had your sense of honor, your duty. It loved your friends and even the black lion accepted it in your stead."

Shiro shuddered. "Thank you for what you've shown me, Frenik, but I need time to process everything."

"Of course. The hour has grown late and you should try to rest. Shall I set up a room within the infirmary?"

Shiro stood. "Actually, I think I should see Keith. He seemed upset when we spoke before."

Frenik nodded. "Very well. I shall escort you to his suite."

Shiro rubbed his forehead and followed him. The windows were still dark, despite what had to have been hours he spent with the doctor learning about what happened while he'd been captive. The hallways passed in a blur. For once, he was too distracted to memorize his environment in case of emergency.

When they stopped at a door, Frenik said, "This is where I leave you."

Shiro heard the doctor's footsteps retreat, but took a few more moments to gather his thoughts. He rubbed his temples and reached out to touch the door pad. Motion inside the room became muttered cursing.

"Eager, love?"

"Don't play coy, my heart," Lotor teased. "You tempted me on purpose when you played that song." The sound of kissing and playful laughter moved around the room. "Should I grab another bottle of vino?"

"I think we've both had enough," Keith murmured, eliciting a short moan from Lotor.

Shiro's eyebrows lifted. Fuck. His little brother had game. He moved his hand from the door pad to the door and knocked. "Keith? It's Shiro."

"Oh fuck!"

There was a mad scramble in the room and Shiro bit back a laugh. When the door opened, Keith was a bit breathless, a hickey forming on his bare collarbone. Shiro struggled not to grin with a glance from the bruise to Keith's face. "Am I interrupting?"

Keith blushed, but leaned cockily into the frame. "You think?" He smiled and backed up for Shiro to enter saying, "Come on in."

Shiro walked in and looked around the room. A small entryway opened into a large living space with a small kitchen and dining area. A couch lined one wall. Four doors led off and Shiro could see beds in three of them. Toys were scattered about. Shiro bent to pick up a doll. "Your's?"

Keith rolled his eyes and took the doll. He started cleaning up the other toys and said, "Sorry for the mess. I haven't been here in a few days." He went into a side room and came back running a hand through his hair. "Um... I don't know how to tell you... Shit, Shiro, where do I even start?"

"Frenik already did." Shiro folded his arms and sat on the arm of the couch. "Frankly, I'm a little overwhelmed as it is. Maybe... in the morning you could explain why you..." He glanced toward the kitchen where Lotor stood with his back to them leaning into the counter. His muscles twisted and he exhaled as he stretched his neck. Shiro looked back as Keith followed his gaze and whispered, "I mean, he is your type."

Lotor made an annoyed sound and paced toward a bedroom. Keith rolled his eyes with a pointed look at Shiro and followed him. Guilt sat heavy in Shiro's gut for a moment. Maybe that hadn't been the best way to start again with the imperial prince.

"... of course I'm upset! He hates me for what I've done to you."

"Lotor, love, give him time. He's still adjusting..." Keith lowered his voice. Shiro frowned and went to listen at the wall. "He's my brother, dearest. Remember the gala? Kolivan, Talias, even my mother couldn't convince him to stand down. Just... just let me talk to him. Please, love." Lotor didn't say anything. "Lotor, talk to me... You know I wouldn't change anything that's happened."

Shiro bit his knuckle, the guilt in his stomach becoming worse. Pushing off the wall, he walked to the end table. A picture frame was face down. Tipping it up, Shiro grabbed it and sat on the couch. In the picture, Keith had his arms around a galra child and placed a kiss on the temple of a smiling alien woman. The bedroom door opened and Shiro held up the photo. "Who's this?"

Keith bit his lip and walked to a closet. "That's Acxa and our daughter, Rhea. We took that a couple months after we adopted her. You'll, uh, be staying in her room tonight." He pulled out fresh linens and asked, "Help me change the bedding?"

Shiro followed him into the bedroom to the right of the one Lotor occupied. An open chest held all the toys Keith had cleaned up. Children's drawings adorned the walls. Someone had painted outlandish animals wherever there was space. Keith started stripping down the bed and Shiro went to a shelf. He picked up a small oddly shaped object and opened it. Music began to play. Shiro half smiled. "Did you make this?"

"Nah," Keith answered without looking up from what he was doing. "It belonged to Lotor when he was a baby. His uncle and Honerva were close friends and she loved that lullaby. When she was pregnant, he walked in on her in the laboratory. She was singing that song to her unborn son. Later, she played it every night to help him fall asleep." Keith paused and closed his eyes. "He presented the music box as a christening gift for Lotor to Honerva and Zarkon."

"Alphonse, right? Your dad? You used to sing that song too, Keith." Shiro tried to be coaxing, but Keith's eyes opened and there was fear inside. Shiro closed the music box and put it back on the shelf. "Did you know he was altean?"

Keith tossed the dirty sheets into a hamper and shook his head. Sitting on the bare mattress, he looked at the floor. "Takashi..."

"Hey," Shiro said gently and sat beside him. He took Keith's right hand and squeezed. "Keith, calm down. Deep breaths. Focus." Keith fell sideways into him and put his head on his shoulder. Shiro tipped his head onto Keith's. "I'm proud of you, you know. I heard all about how you took my place piloting the black lion. How you pulled the team together." Keith spontaneously turned and hugged him. Shiro's breath caught and he returned the embrace. "You've been through so much. I'm sorry you had to do it alone."

"I missed you, Shiro. I missed you so god damned much." Keith sniffled and repeated into his chest, "I missed you and your dumb pep talks."

Shiro chuckled and squeezed Keith tighter. "I know, kiddo. Now, let's finish making the bed and you can tell me about Lotor and that woman in the photo."

Keith sighed and said, "Yeah. You'll love them. They'll be home tomorrow and I'll introduce you to them and the crew of the Retribution. It'll be great, I promise."

"Arbiter, we have a situation."

Gnov turned away from the screens as one of her officers appeared on deck. The 'situation' was a galra boy. He tried to yank his arm free where he was being held by the bicep. Haerth swatted the back of his head with his other hand. "Stand still, kit."

"Get off!"

"Lit," Gnov snapped. The boy flinched and looked at the floor. Gnov marched up to him and folded her arms with a cocked hip. "What are you doing here?" Lit winced, but said nothing. Gnov asked the officer, "Where did you find him?"

"He was skulking around the hangar. There was evidence of at least one other person, but he refuses to confess who."

Gnov narrowed her gaze. "Lit. Lit, look at me." The boy's shoulders lifted toward his ears and he unwillingly met her eyes. She inhaled slowly and said, "I'm only going to ask you once, kit. Where is Anjac?"

Lit made a small noise in his throat. His lower lip started quivering and he shook his head. "We were only trying to help, Gnov. We saw what you found and-"

"What!" Gnov felt her stomach twist. "Lit, where is your sister?"

Lit tilted his head in shame. "She's on the ship. We wanted to help."

Gnov cursed and ran to the com. "All hands report to your stations. We are preparing to board the Retribution in ten dobosches."

"Shh, shh, shh. Don't make a sound."

A strange shuffling and an unfamiliar voice disturbed Acxa from her slumber. Rhea's warmth was no longer beside her. In less than a heartbeat, she was fully awake as she pieced together what the odd sounds meant. She opened her eyes to see three strange figures in the living space. One had her arms around Rhea's chest, pinning her arms to her sides. Another knelt before her, covering her mouth while holding a finger to her own lips. The third was above Acxa, a syringe and needle poised to stab into Acxa's arm.

As the needle broke skin, Acxa shoved off the couch. The galra closest depressed the plunger even as Acxa reached for the syringe and yanked it out. A spray of whatever it contained hit the ceiling before Acxa punched. The woman blocked and Acxa kicked, sending the woman into a wall.

Acxa turned toward the other two as one picked up Rhea even while she kicked. Her scream was stifled as a different hand covered her mouth. Acxa grabbed a picture frame from the table and threw it. The galra holding Rhea dodged. The hand slipped and Rhea's shrill scream echoed throughout the ship.

A blow landed on Acxa's side and she fell into the sofa. Hands grabbed her arms and tried to yank them behind her. She slammed her head back into their nose. One set of hands was thrown off with a pained grunt. Acxa whipped around with a wild elbow strike. It went wide and she lost her balance. Acxa latched onto the back of a chair to stay upright. Her vision swam and the blood spurting from the nose of one attacker made her nauseous. They circled her like predators.

Acxa blinked and snarled, lunging for the throat of the one closest. Something in her snapped. It was hard to focus. Her vision tunneled and blackened at the edges. She clenched her teeth, hands locked around the throat of the person beneath her. The door was thrown against the wall and she didn't care. Perov and Nent and several others burst into the room. Nent grabbed Acxa's shoulder and insisted, "It's all over! Acxa, let go!"

The anger finally released her and she let go. The galra below her gasped and started coughing. There were tears on her cheeks and she started sobbing. Acxa climbed off of her. "You're just a child." She looked at the other two invaders who were quickly detained by the other crew. A hand flew to her mouth in horror. "Holy flame, you're all kits."

Wild cries filled the room. Rhea was delirious with fear and Perov cradled her where she wailed into her chest. Acxa felt lightheaded and caught her balance on Nent. After a moment, she crossed the room with wavering steps and knelt beside Perov. "Rhea, sweetheart, are you hurt?"

"Mama!"

Acxa caught Rhea against her and hugged her tight. She kissed her hair over and over and hot tears fell from her eyes. She rocked Rhea and whispered, "You're safe. I'm here. Mama's here, little one." She wasn't sure which of them she was trying to console.

"You're blades?"

Acxa followed the voice to one of her attackers and cursed aloud, earning a look from Nent across the room. The luxite was a dead giveaway. Now they couldn't send the kits somewhere without risking everyone's safety. She stood, furrowing her brow at another burst of pain, and was about to speak when Perov said in alarm, "Milady, you're bleeding!"

"What? I..." Acxa felt something warm running down her thigh and looked at her pants. They were soaked with blood and something else. She stumbled backward and two others caught her and helped her sit. Panic made her touch her stomach. There were bruises where she'd been hit. "Oh god, I- I can't feel the baby!"

The air was sucked out of the room and she couldn't breathe. She started shaking, eyes wide. Then there was motion and someone knelt beside her. "Acxa, you need to calm down." Nent held her hands in his before hesitantly reaching out to gently touched her stomach. The room was dead silent. After searching for ten seconds, he sighed in relief. "Your water broke and you're in shock, milady. You've gone into labor, but the baby is fine for now. Here. I can feel him moving. Deep breaths, Acxa."

His words didn't help. Even after she felt the baby shift, she couldn't stop hyperventilating. "It's too soon! The baby can't come yet! My baby isn't safe!" Each word was a struggle.

"You're pregnant?"

They all looked at the kits who were handcuffed and sitting cross legged on the floor. The girl who had spoken wore a horrified expression and the girl beside her gasped. The last girl burst into tears and sobbed, "Oh no, oh no."

Acxa covered her arm. "What were you trying to inject?"

Perov's eagle eyes sought out the syringe. Glaring at the kits, she demanded, "What is in this?"

The kits leaned away from her, and one admitted, "It's giltry venom! It was only supposed to make her sleep!"

Nent gasped and clarified, "Giltry venom?" There was something hard and fearful that hadn't been in his voice a second before when he commanded, "Change of plans. We have to get you to Frenik. Perov, take command of the bridge. Someone place these three in the brig. Acxa, we're going to take you to the bedroom now."

Acxa felt her panic begin to rise again. "Nent, the venom? Is that why this happened?"

"It's a slight complication, that's all. Up we go." He gestured with a jerk of his head toward another and they each lifted under her arms. "Trickzy, Jorto, take Rhea to the infirmary. Calm her down. We're going to need supplies. Bring warm water, pain killers, anything you can think of."

They weren't even across the room when the alarms began to sound. A second later, something hit the ship. They were thrown sideways, Nent braced to hold Acxa upright with all his strength. Perov drew her blade and charged from the chamber. Acxa reached out a hand and called, "Rhea, come to me!"

Rhea stumbled to Acxa and clung to the hem of her shirt. Whoever was attacking the ship didn't matter. She had a more important task, the first contractions reminding her of it. She squeezed Nent's hand and screamed. "Sacred flame, this fucking hurts."

Nent gave a breathy chuckle before cutting it off at her sharp look. "Milady, I know of no one who would dare disagree with your statement."

Alphonse pulled up the charts of Bordrellis Manor that Keith had smuggled to them. Schematics and detailed outlays of the rooms in their current uses filled the overhead screens. He located the north wing and glared. Even after Katie had explained their theory about how Haggar had hidden Takashi, he couldn't believe they'd failed to rescue him sooner. What kind of paladin was he if he couldn't protect the ones closest to them?

Lance and Allura ran onto the bridge. Alphonse saw Lance jump over the back of the black lion's chair and type in their coordinates. Allura stood at the pedestals and opened a teleduv. Alphonse took his seat and mentally braced in anticipation of the coming battles. If only it was the physical that frightened him.

"We're go for transport," Hunk announced.

As they entered the teleduv, Alphonse asked, "Did your brother ever respond, Katie?"

Pidge had a headset on even now, but she shook her head. "We'll check in after we have the others. I- Hold up, I'm getting a mayday." She flicked it to the main screen.

"This is Perov of the Retribution! We are under attack! If anyone hears this, please respond!"

"Pidge, where are they broadcasting from?"

"I'm tracking it now!"

Lance jumped from his chair. "Alphonse, with me. Allura, open a backdoor and drop us off. We'll meet you at the manor once the crew of the Retribution is safe."

"Affirmative! Stay safe!"

"Will do, babe!"

Alphonse dropped down the chute to where his lion waited. Azurine rose to meet him in the hangar and he jumped when she turned her jaws to him. He landed inside her mouth and made his way to the cockpit even as she flew from the hangar. Once in the pilot's seat, he grabbed the throttles and followed Lance's lead to an opening in the teleduv tunnel. They made their exit and emerged into a firefight.

Alphonse and Lance split up. Azurine put herself between the Retribution and the other ship and roared. In shock or disbelief, the ion fire came to a halt. Lance asked, "That ship, isn't that an imperial insignia?"

Alphonse grit his teeth. "Yes. How did it get here?"

"Let's find out," Lance said. He broadcasted over the short range coms, "This is the Black Paladin of Voltron responding to a distress signal. I'm addressing the captains of both ships in an attempt at a ceasefire."

All was quiet. No one responded. Then there was an explosion. The imperial ship began to list as the entire right wing blew off. Alphonse shouted, "Shit!" and pushed Azurine to it. He left the pilot's seat and ran as fast as he could to jump from her mouth to the burning ship. "Azurine, scan for life signs!"

Alphonse fought against the vacuum caused from the tear in the ship's hull. When he reached the bulkhead, he slammed it shut. His gauntlet lit up with a full map of the ship in its current state. A vessel this size needed a crew of twenty at most, but he only picked up five. Alphonse sprinted toward where they were trapped.

The ship rocked from another explosion before coming to a sudden stop. Azurine growled, warning him to hurry up. Alphonse kicked off the wall and dropped down a hole to the level below. Firelight splashed along the walls and smoke billowed toward him. He heard screaming from further down the hall beyond a debris blockage.

Alphonse called, "Stand back!" and drew his bayard. Activating his broadsword, he sliced through the wall and kicked. He jumped through the opening he'd made and sought out the missing crew. They huddled in a group away from the door that had fire licking through a gap. Three imperial officers, a handcuffed prisoner, and a half grown kit. They looked at him, pained expressions lighting with hope.

Alphonse ran to them and asked, "Can you all move? Run?"

The galra with his arm around the kit motioned toward another. "Ovrek got hit by shrapnel. She can't walk."

Alphonse took stock and went to the prisoner first. Cutting through the cuffs, he half expected the officers to protest, but it seemed self preservation took precedent. He then went to the woman and said, "I'm going to carry you." She nodded through a sheen of sweat and took his hand.

Azurine roared a more insistent warning and Lance called over the com, "Alphonse, where are you?"

Alphonse replied as he lifted the officer over his shoulders, "I'm evacuating survivors now. Ninety ticks to our exit. How's it look out there?"

"Like you don't have ninety ticks!"

"Fuck," Alphonse muttered under his breath. "Officer, where's the closest exit."

The man pulled the kit toward the hole in the wall. "Port side. Follow me."

Alphonse motioned the prisoner to go ahead of him and then they were running for their lives. He worried about the others. His helmet filtered out the smoke, but they had no protection. He wasn't sure they had ninety ticks either.

They reached the airlock and the officer tried to open it. The console refused to light up. The kit fell to his knees coughing and the others were close to collapse. Snarling, the officer drew the sword on his belt and slashed. Then he kicked the center of the X he'd made. Once. Twice.

On the third kick, it gave and Alphonse braced to they wouldn't get sucked out. The officer dropped his sword and cradled the kit in his arms. Alphonse followed them and called, "Where are you, Lance?"

"I'm giving you those ninety ticks! Hurry!"

Fifty feet beyond the ship wall, the Retribution leveled out and opened its hangar door. Alphonse shouted, "Everyone get ready to jump!"

As his foot left the floor, Alphonse knew it was too far. The others couldn't last the duration of their impromptu space walk with the limited atmosphere leaking from the wrecked vessel. Letting go of the woman with one hand, he willed his bayard to extend and wrap around them all like a lifeline and maxed the output on his jet pack. It was enough! The six of them fell and slid a short distance before Alphonse heard the hangar bay shut followed by a distant explosion.

"Alphonse! Alphonse, goddamn it, answer me!"

Alphonse tapped his gauntlet and replied, "We made it. I'm inside the Retribution. There are injured." Even as he looked around, he saw the crew of the ship running toward them. He stood and lowered his visor. "Who's in command?"

A galra answered while helping lift Ovrek onto a stretcher, "Perov has the bridge."

"Acxa? Keith?" Alphonse saw both the prisoner and the officer holding the unconscious kit glare at him.

"Captain's quarters. She needs you, milord."

Without another word, he ran from the hangar. When he passed the infirmary, a voice he didn't expect called, "Paladin, what is the meaning of this?"

Alphonse didn't slow. "I don't have time to explain now, Gnov!"

He heard hre following him, but there was no time to argue either. When he entered the captain's quarters, three galra girls close in age to the boy from the other ship sat huddled on the couch. Their cuffed hands were in their laps. Before he could process that, Acxa screamed in the main bedroom.

He drew his bayard and charged through the door, unprepared for what awaited him. Acxa had been propped half sitting in bed. Her legs were spread where Nent peeked beneath the blanket. Trickzy wiped the sweat off Acxa's brow and supported her shoulders.

"I feel another one- Ahh!"

Alphonse lowered his sword and went to Acxa's side. "My dear, your timing is impeccable."

"Milord, perhaps now is not the time to test the princess's patience," Nent recommended.

There was a startled noise in the door and Gnov cursed, "By the sacred flame."

Alphonse glared at the arbiter where she stood and Acxa screamed again. He took her hand and she squeezed until the contraction passed. Then he growled, "For goodness sake, Gnov, get in here and help!"

That startled her into motion and Trickzy moved so she could take her place. She grabbed the warm water and passed it to Nent. Gnov asked, "How far apart are the contractions?"

"Anywhere from one twenty to one sixty ticks," Nent answered. "Her water broke when the ones in the other room poisoned her. Milord, she needs Frenik, for her and the babies."

"Babies?" Alphonse paled. "You never said anything about twins."

"We didn't know until the scan a few dobosches ago either. It's why we thought the due date was closer."

Alphonse felt his adrenaline kick into overdrive. Twins and they were premature. He kissed Acxa's hair and said, "This delivery won't wait for him. We need to return to the central hub. Do you understand, sweetheart?" She nodded and he left the bedroom.

"Alphonse." Gnov followed him and stopped him with a hand on his arm. "They'll shoot this ship out of the sky on sight."

Alphonse grinned in challenge. "They can try. Help her, Gnov. She is strong, but this will test even her."

There were so many questions behind her eyes, but Gnov nodded. "You owe me one quiznacking good explanation for this."

Alphonse nodded and sprinted toward the bridge. "Lance you have to take Azurine and go to the manor without me."

"What!"

"This is a light attack vessel, Lance. There's too many wounded on board to be treated here. I can use the teleduv the druids installed to get them to safety. And another thing. Acxa's gone into labor."

"Shit," Lance said. He made a few noises in self debate and finally said, "Alright, but be careful. If anything happens to her or Rhea, Keith will go ballistic."

"Agreed. Go to the others. There's two paladins waiting for you."

"Roger, pops."

Alphonse rolled his eyes and stepped onto the bridge to see the black lion take Azurine by the scruff and teleport away. The officers on the bridge didn't notice him, but a young girl did. Her tear stained face broke into a grin and she stumbled to him shouting, "Grampa!"

Perov startled and turned to him with a sloppy salute. "Prince Alphonse on deck!"

The other crew members followed suit as Alphonse picked up Rhea. "I just came from the captain's quarters. There's been a change of plan. I'm taking control of the ship."

"Sir."

He carried Rhea to the captain's seat and buckled her in as the crew went to their posts. "Hold on now tight, child." He stood at the pedestals and rested his palms on them. Closing his eyes, he envisioned where he wanted to go and called upon his innate quintessence.

"Coordinates locked. Whenever you're ready."

Alphonse opened his eyes, the bridge shimmering from his power. Then the ship responded to his control and they entered the wormhole.