All I say is, I'm sorry the suspense has lasted this long. At least, I still hope there's interest in the story! Forgive a distracted author.

Apothica wiped her eyes and trotted toward Honerva's chambers. Keith had wounded her by his confession, but he had to believe any consequences would happen after Sendak had been dealt with. Keith picked up his own pace and pulsed his energy to summon the druids.

The walls began to vibrate from the fast descent of the cruiser, Ignatious. Keith furrowed his brow. What could Sendak's reason be for such a fast approach? He pushed his questions from mind as three figures appeared before him. He slid to a stop on the slick floor. "Mellana, Dricks, Kinsey, head to the landing pad and escort Sendak's party to the west wing lounge."

They vanished to complete his task. Keith smoothed his clothes and composed himself before instructing as another woman appeared, "Find Frenik and his assistants, Morwen. Take them to the hangar and await instruction." He continued walking at a dignified pace and turned the corner to see the final man. "Jerasho, find Prince Lotor and my brother and bring them to my mother's bedchambers. Apothica is already with her. Protect each other."

Jerasho didn't show any signs of unease as he matched pace, but asked, "Milord, what's happening?"

Keith leveled his gaze on the altean man and admitted, "I don't know, but something isn't right. As soon as I've dealt with Sendak, we're leaving. Spread the word, but be discreet. I don't want to alarm my mother."

Jerasho nodded in agreement and turned the corner. Pausing, he asked, "What of the Retribution?"

Keith bit his lip and exhaled through his nose. "They missed their window this morning. We'll make contact once we reach a secure location."

Jerasho walked on, vanishing after five feet. Keith started running again. If Sendak wasn't following protocols about how fast to approach, he needed every second to reach and hold the west wing lounge. The room was fairly small in comparison to most of the manor's accomodations. More akin to a dayroom, the furniture was simple and sparse. A single door made for focused entry. Defendable should the need arise.

He scanned the room for any possible variables when a feline 'brrrooowww?' came from beneath the desk. Kova emerged with a large yawn and full bodied stretch. It sat in the middle of the floor with its tail wrapped around its feet and stared at him. Keith sighed and muttered, "Now isn't exactly the best time, kitty cat."

Kova closed his eyes and started purring. Keith raised an eyebrow. What was that about? Curious, he crouched and reached out a hand. Kova's whiskers twitched and he stretched his head to rub into Keith's palm. Keith gasped, not because the cat that hated him finally gave him any positive attention, but because of the way the animal's quintessence aligned to his. The cat had somehow reduced the toxic energy flowing through its body without anyone noticing.

Footsteps in the hall behind him made Keith reach out and scoop the cat into his arms. He quickly stood and shoved the anomoly of the cat to the bottom of his priorities. Kova purred louder and pressed his whole weight against Keith's chest. Keith obliged by gently stroking the cat's head. Keep calm. No weakness.

Heavy boots approached rapidly and Keith didn't blink as Sendak stepped into the room. He wore full armor for a change. Not a good sign. He also came unaccompanied by his duidian escort. Keith planted his feet while still trying to maintain a nonthreatening stance. Sendak eyed the room and smiled.

Keith asked monotonously, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sendak kept looking anywhere but Keith and said, "There's news from the frontlines. Intel to help us win the war. I'd hoped to share it with the witch. You understand, right?"

Keith kept slowly stroking the cat and answered, "My mother is currently unavailable. However, I will gladly tell her myself when she's feeling more herself."

Sendak tipped his head as though confused, but that smirk never left. "Now, prince, I told you before, that woman is not the one you serve. After all, you are the spitting image of the blood empress."

Keith tensed up. "Relay your intel or leave. I will not indulge your insults today."

Sendak smiled at the ground, truly happy with himself, and reached to his belt. "See, I was hoping you'd be willing to confirm something yourself. After all, it came straight from the rebel leader's mouth." Keith felt confusion and anger and then Sendak hit play on a recording device.

"Pidge, it's Matt. I'm at the hub and Krolia found out! She knows we've been in contact with Keith, but she doesn't have all the details. I'm being hunted as a traitor. If I don't message you again, it's because I've been caught. Katie, you have to help him. It's now or never. I love-"

Keith clenched his hand at his side, silent. Sendak paced sideways behind the couch, circling the room. Keith watched without moving. Sendak shook his head, that same satisfied grin never leaving his face. "You almost had me convinced, your majesty. Always bending to that witch's every whim. Acting so devout to your colonies. I should have known, once an assassin, always an assassin."

Two of Sendak's other officers entered. Large hulking galra soldiers. Keith glared at them each in turn before staring hard at Sendak. Questions burned in his mind about how Matt had been compromised. He feared for the safety of his friends, his people.

Though Sendak wasn't a fool. He knew what this meant and he'd use every advantage he had. Which meant he also knew that Keith was a threat. Good thing Keith knew that too.

Keith asked, dangerous and low, "Where are the others?"

Sendak paused. "Your druid friends? Don't worry, they're unharmed... for now."

Keith flexed his hand, feeling his power course up through his body. Kova growled and hissed at Sendak. Finally, they agreed on something. He let the cat drop to the ground and prepared to fight. "You called me an assassin. That may be true, but I'm so much more. Honerva made sure of that."

"That witch," Sendak said with a deep chuckle, "will never see daylight again."

Keith phased at the same time Kova darted for Sendak's officer. The man flinched and the cat was gone, but Keith drew his knife and swiped at Sendak. He dodged, back stepped, then his sword held Keith's knife at bay. They were locked in a battle of strength. A blow from the side hit his ribs. He gasped in pain and rolled with the blow, Sendak's sword slicing into the end table. Sendak and another crept closer while the other waited for their chance. Crouching, eyes assessing his enemies, Keith knew he was outmanned here. He shifted to phase from the room.

A blast struck between his shoulder blades. Cold. Numbing. Sapping his strength. Keith fell to his knees gasping for breath. His dagger slipped from his shaking hand. What was that? A boot kicked away the druid weapon as Keith collapsed and one of Sendak's men picked it up.

Sendak crouched beside Keith and grabbed his jaw to turn his head. Wearing that same smirk, he gloated, "When you've lived among the druids as long as I have, you learn a few tricks." He shoved Keith into the floor, eliciting a pained scream, and looked at his men. "You also forgot, Prince Keitaran of the House of Lethua, I know all your dirty secrets. Bag him and put him with the others. We should be nearing the rest of them soon."

Keith focused on breathing, his entire body betraying him from whatever Sendak had done. They dragged him from the room and flipped him onto his stomach. He blinked slowly, barely conscious anymore. A dark cat peered at him around the corner. Their eyes met. Go. Warn them. He silently begged the cat to reach the others first. The cat stared for another second, then vanished and Keith blacked out.

Lotor reached for a book, eyes never leaving the page he currently studied. A small tower teetered and began to topple. He cursed under his breath and reached out with both hands to steady them. All but one remained on the table. The last one bounced on its spine, tipped off the top of the chair, and landed on the floor with a dull thud. Lotor raised one disapproving eyebrow at the tome and reached to retrieve it.

The building shook from the ceiling to the floor. He jolted upright and wrapped up his precious stack of books as more fell off the table. Dust shook loose from the high chandeliers and he muttered, "Of all the things I have to put up with." He straightened his research notes and righted a tipped vial. Axca didn't have to be so reckless with his beloved's ship.

The black paladin emerged from between the bookshelves and gripped onto one. "What the hell was that?"

Lotor rolled his eyes and gestured vaguely. "The Retribution, I imagine. Soon you'll meet my sister and your adopted niece in person. Did you find the notes I asked for?"

Shiro straightened up and waved a book. "Half of them. You didn't tell me the author had multiple memoirs."

Lotor chuckled. "My apologies. I was unaware of that setback."

"Back in a jiffy."

Lotor chewed on his cheek and tapped his fingernails on the table debating what a 'jiffy' meant. Almost a quarter varga passed and then the laboratory door opened. Lotor hunched his shoulders and asked, "Is it time for dinner already?"

Heavy boots marched in and Lotor straightened. No soft footed druids, but soldiers. Standing tall, he asked, "What's the meaning of this? I have not completed Honerva's research." Six of them started packing away everything on the table. Lotor reached for one and demanded, "Leave it be! You're messing it all- Ah!"

A soldier backhanded him across the face. Lotor fell against the back of a chair. Before he could recover, strong hands grabbed his arms and pinned him chest down on the table. "I'd stay still if I were you, your majesty."

Lotor grit his teeth, struggling to push back as all of his precious notes were haphazardly shoved into bags. Vials shattered on the floor and books ripped. "Be careful with those! They're priceless."

Cruel laughter circled the room. Without warning, Lotor was yanked upright and turned toward the door. The guard at his shoulder instructed, "Walk. Commander Sendak has no patience for traitors."

Lotor's blood ran cold and he braced, his feet sliding on the slick floor. "Release me! I don't know what insanity has befallen your leader, but my mother will not suffer this!"

"Soldiers, how may I be of service?" A silvered voice spoke from the side entrance. Lotor flashed the druid a desperate look as the soldier forcing him to walk hesitated. Jerasho tilted his head and held a hand out. "My mistress is... detained momentarily. Perhaps I may provide distraction until my lord, Prince Keitaran is finished with your commander?"

The soldiers looked at one another before the one with the most decorated armor stepped forward with drawn sword. "Step aside, druid. Our orders do not involve you."

"Oh. Oh dear," Jerasho simpered. His arm extended to one side and he tipped his head toward the same shoulder, whole body bent in a distorted fashion. He started forward and said, "You see, I have very important instructions and... well, I simply cannot allow you to take my liege."

His words ended in tangible threat. The soldier nodded toward their subordinate and they rushed the druid. Jerasho chuckled and vanished in dark smoke. He said from between planes, "That... was very rude. I offered distraction. Now, I'm afraid you'll learn what it means," he reappeared behind the soldier and thrust his slim dagger through their back, "to deny such a generous offer."

Jerasho withdrew his dagger and the soldier collapsed with a terrible burbling sound as blood filled their lungs. He wiped his dagger along his forearm and stained his robes in blood. "Lotor, I will not allow them to take you."

Lotor closed his mouth, eyes wide. Holy shit! Then a shout came from the side as Shiro ran from cover, mechanical arm glowing. His powered fist slammed into the first soldier and sent them into and over the table. He grabbed the back of a chair and whipped around to hurl it at the soldier holding Lotor. It collided and Lotor yanked free. Jerasho appeared between them, forcing the soldier to defend. Lotor ducked another sword and grabbed for a satchel. The strap went taut and the soldier holding it glared at him.

"Lotor!" Shiro shouted, and tossed a sword at him.

Lotor caught it and spun free, slashing the strap. The soldier startled backwards and Lotor slashed again, aiming high then low. The soldier reached for their throat, blood seeping between their fingers, and fell forward dead. He whirled to look for his next opponent, but the rest were dead.

Shiro's hand still glowed, anger in his eyes. "Lotor, you alright?"

Lotor nodded and went to Jerasho. "What's going on? Why have they attacked us?"

Jerasho looked around the laboratory, glaring disdainfully at the dead, and said, "My lord asked me to escort you and the black paladin to-"

"Quickly, Jerasho."

Jerasho simplified, "We're leaving. Come with me. Now. Keitaran will meet us."

Shiro reached for a rifle and went to the door. "Then let's go. Stay close and watch for more of Sendak's men."

Lotor looked once more around his laboratory. So much potential. Jerasho insisted, "We haven't much time, prince."

"I understand. To my mother?"

"Yes. Follow me."

Apothica paced in Honerva's chambers. Something had gone wrong. The others were taking too long and Keitaran... The door creaked. She flinched, but only Kova entered. His sides heaved with his panting, mouth slightly parted. She paused as he jumped on the armrest of the couch and pressed against Honerva's arm.

Honverva seemed not to notice. Apothica went to him, intent to move him away. When her hand landed on his head, he hissed and swiped at her with his claws. Apothica startled backwards into the bedside table, knocking over the vase of flowers.

"Hmm? What are you- Kova? What's wrong?" Honerva reached toward the cat with both hands to lift and place him in her lap. As soon as he sat, he stared into her eyes and she froze, breathless.

Apothica watched, stunned and afraid, while Honerva and Kova held unwavering eye contact. Honerva's hands began to shake and she clutched fistfuls of the cat's fur. Kova emitted a low growl, but didn't move. Then Honerva released Kova with a gasp. "Keitaran! Kei-" Honerva lurched to her feet and staggered toward the door. "Apothica, we have to find them! Sendak has done something unforgivable."

Apothica rushed to follow Honerva, moving with a desperate purpose. The cat ran beside them as the manor began to tremble again. Honerva stumbled and Apothica steadied her. "Come, mistress. We must hurry. Keith went to the west lounge."

They were halfway there when footsteps marched toward them. Honerva pulled her to a stop and they waited as Sendak's soldiers passed. The cat growled and Apothica gathered him into her arms. Hush. She practically smothered the small beast in her own desperation.

A noise down the hall made her look up. Jerasho, Lotor, and the black paladin hid across the way. Jerasho motioned toward the hangar, then put a finger to his lips. Apothica nodded and pressed back into the wall. Please let them go by. Please don't notice...

"Commander, the lions have arrived!"

A deep growl was followed by Sendak saying, "Then we go to the ship. The others should have returned already."

"But the witch."

"Bury her in space dust. We found what we came for."

Apothica risked a glance to see Sendak walk by. Across the hall, the black paladin glared ferociously and his arm glowed faintly. Lotor noticed and wrapped an arm around his chest. They whispered until Apothica couldn't hear Sendak any longer. Holding Honerva's arm to her chest, she darted toward Jerasho and whispered, "Have you seen the others?"

Jerasho shook his head. "Not since we separated." Turning toward Keitaran's brother, he asked, "What are the lions doing here?"

Apothica glared suspiciously at the black paladin, but he answered, "I'm not sure. Keith wasn't planning on contacting them until later today."

Lotor stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Honerva. "Mother, we're seeking asylum from the Blood Empress. Sendak has betrayed us and will do everything he can against us. Do you understand?"

Honerva yanked free of him and lunged forward toward where Sendak had gone. "Your whore of an aunt can't help-"

"Mother!"

"Mistress!" Apothica reached out to steady Honerva at the same time Lotor caught her beneath the arms.

Then Jerasho moved in front of her and reached out. As his fingers brushed Honerva's temple, he whispered, "Forgive me, Mistress. Sleep." Apothica covered her mouth in horror as Jerasho used alchemy to subdue Honerva. Lotor caught her weight and lifted her in his arms. Before anyone could ask, Jerasho explained, "The prince gave us our orders. Now quickly, we must reach the hangar. Sister, we are running out of time."

Apothica shook her head and flinched when a hand touched her arm. The black paladin quickly withdrew, holding his hands out to show he meant no threat. She shuddered and stood straighter. "Agreed." Turning east, she started running. "This way, before Sendak's soldiers destroy the manor."

Shiro sprinted alongside the druids. Despite their insistence on speed, they paused at every intersection and scanned for enemies. Shiro rounded the next corner, rifle braced against his shoulder, and called, "Clear!"

Lotor ran to the woman and they kept going to the next checkpoint, Shiro and the man bringing up the rear. Shiro had a thousand questions he wanted to ask. Not that there was a chance to do so now. At least Frenik had been right. Keith was the one calling the shots now, not the witch. And if the lions were here-

The ground began to rumble and Shiro slid to a stop. "What's that?"

"Sendak must have reached his ship," the man answered. "Sister, the others."

"I'm trying! Something's blocking me!"

Shiro looked from the woman to Lotor and then glared at the wall. "Fuck, just give me a second." Closing his eyes, he tried to calm his adrenaline fueled nerves and said, "I'll see if I can feel Keith or the paladins."

He blocked out the druids muttering and Lotor's whispered rebuke. The walls shook again. A picture fell from its hook. He groaned and grit his teeth. Come on, Keith. Where are you? A low growl surrounded him.

"Look out!"

Shiro grunted as the man shoved him against the wall in time to dodge a chunk of ceiling. "Thanks."

The man glared up then started down the hall. "We do not have time for the paladins to meddle."

"Their 'meddling' may be the only way we escape this accursed manor," Lotor shot back.

"Guys, focus," Shiro said. "How much further to the hangar?"

"Just another dobosche," the woman answered. She slid to a stop at the corner. Her fingers splayed with violet energy sparking in her palm.

Shiro passed her, rifle up, and they both looked down the empty hall. He turned on his heel to check their flank and said, "All clear. Move up, Lot-"

Shots flew past his shoulder and he ducked instinctively, back stepping into cover even as the woman grabbed his arm. Heavy marching approached from behind. Shiro cursed under his breath. "Sentries. Sendak really doesn't want us to escape."

The woman grunted in agreement and looked across to where Lotor and the man were crouched. Their eyes met and the man nodded, all emotions hidden behind his mask. Without looking at Shiro, the woman said, "Take the prince and our mistress and go ahead. Paladin, we will buy time."

"Wait," Shiro hissed, reaching out for her. His hand closed on smoke. When he looked across the hall, the man had vanished as well. At the same time, he heard the druids engage the sentries. Cursing again, Shiro jumped out of cover and commanded, "Stay down, Lotor!"

The sentries were facing the other end of the hallway back the way they'd come. Both druids had appeared in smoke to hurl their magics at the sentries. Shiro took it in before he had time to breathe, and opened fire. His rifle took out two, but then the sentries became aware of his presence. He ducked and scrambled toward the wall as druid-fire streaked past him.

He turned his head away from the lavender lightning and closed his eyes. When he looked back, the remaining sentries fell in smoking husks. Shiro shouldered the rifle and breathlessly said, "Come on! The hangar is just ahead."

To his horror the druids didn't move. Lotor emerged from cover and said flatly, "They've chosen a coward's death."

Shiro whipped back to glare at the prince, but the woman scornfully refuted, "Our death is so that our mistress and Prince Keitaran may live. In all your research, you fail to see the honor of our coven, Blood Heir."

Shiro all but growled out, "We don't have time for this. Move, soldier!" Lotor flinched and took a step back, all anger toward the druids gone in a moment as Shiro's command forced his reaction. Shiro faced the druids and snarled through his teeth, "This place is coming down. Nothing will stop that. But I know for a fact that my brother will never forgive you if you don't get on that god damn ship and save yourself. Am I understood?"

The woman, like Lotor, flinched away, hands rising to her chest as they had when he'd first emerged from the cryo-chamber. The man simply answered, "There is no future where you lead, Paladin. To seek refuge from the empire would sign our death warrants. Please, take our mistress and go."

As quickly as his rage rose, it abandoned him. Of course. They were fugitives of the empire. He was asking them to trust him, when he didn't even know if he understood the current state of galran politics.

"Shiro, we need to-"

Lotor's quiet plea ended as the manor began to rumble. The druids grabbed onto one another and Shiro stepped back to catch his balance. "Sendak's ship is leaving the manor's atmosphere. We're out of time!"

The distant whine of a cruiser's canons didn't provide enough warning before the other end of the hall exploded. Shiro instantly grabbed the woman and pulled her toward him as a second blast threw the two of them against the wall. They fell in a heap. The woman screamed and covered her face.

Shiro bitterly hissed, "Still want to die?", but there was no reply because blast after blast slammed into the manor, each closer than the last.

He tried to stay oriented, tried to hold onto the druid, the walls, anything. Then he realized why he couldn't as a vacuum started dragging him down the hall. The biodome had breached. They were going to get sucked out into space if the lack of breathable air didn't kill them first!

"Takashi!"

Shiro felt a large hand circle his forearm, then a strong arm wrapped around his back. His freefall ended before he felt his entire body jerk with the familiar blast of a jetpack. When they stopped, his rescuer had pinned him to the wall with their body. Someone else boosted over and affixed an oxygen mask to his face. Shiro looked around, searching for the others. The druid woman bled from a head wound between two Blades.

An assassin loomed over Lotor, who bent sheepishly over the witch. They fastened a mask for Lotor, then the witch, and said, "Take them to the ship. I'll find Keith and meet you there."

"He's already there," the male druid volunteered hesitantly.

Shiro flinched as the manor exploded somewhere too close for comfort. The assassins shared a silent look. The woman holding Shiro fastened a tether between them and said, "We trust the abettor, leader. We must go."

Without another word, she pulled Shiro tight to her side and launched off of the wall. They passed through the remains of the manor as explosions continued to happen far too close for comfort. Then the hangar opened before them. A small vessel by galran standards waited with engines running.

"Shiro, can you pilot?"

The question caught him off guard, but he answered, "Yeah, it's altean, right?"

He received no response as he sprinted up the loading ramp, past the startled passengers, straight to the pilot's seat. His years in the cockpit rushed back in a burst of adrenaline. A quick scan proved useless while his fingers automatically moved and the ship responded.

He muttered under his breath, "Hold steady, girl. Not sure what we're flying into." The ship lurched willingly forward and he guided her toward the exit praying this wasn't just a leisure vessel. Pulling a pair of promising toggles, the ship rewarded him by blasting the hangar doors open. As the vacuum took hold, he called to his passengers, "Hold on!" and gunned the engines out into space.

Surprised shouts and a couple screams couldn't distract from the mayhem beyond. Immediate evasive maneuvers elicited a few more startled cries and Shiro reassured, "I've got full control, but this will be rough!"

Debris was the least of his problems while fighter ships buzzed past and around the largest galran cruiser he'd ever seen. Flashes of bright color and metal flew in pursuit. A small grin made Shiro grit his teeth and say over coms, "This is White Lion Bravo for friendly contact, I have passengers and limited defensive measures. Support would be greatly appreciated, paladins."

"About time you showed up! Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you?"

Shiro barked a short relieved laugh and his voice cracked to match Lance's. "I know, kid. Let's go home."