Arus, Love, and Peace Revised Edition
Prologue: Flashes of the Past
Disclaimer: Voltron, Defender of The Universe isn't mine…it belongs to World Event Production and whoever they feel licensing Voltron to. The original characters like Lawrence and Diana are all mine though. Enjoy!
The Main Conference Room inside the Galaxy Alliance's headquarters in Florida was missing its normal calm atmosphere. In its place was an aura of apprehension that usually surrounded "Garrison Island" home of the Alliance's military branch. Within the last 45 minutes, the room was filled with members of the intergalactic press waiting for a piece of expectedly promising news about Planet Arus and its future recovery. The majority of the room was filled with seats in the middle. On the far right wall from the main entry door was a table filled with water and other essential drinks—available to all in the room. In front of the large group of seats was a raised platform. The platform included a speaker's podium in the middle with a couple of long tables with chairs. On the far left wall was a long table with some of the Alliance's communication staff, providing guidance and confirming all media members in attendance.
Standing at the near-hidden door on the left, Diana Smythe-Williams observed the room while taking a few deep breaths. Today she was dressed in a conservative black double-breasted suit with a white camisole underneath—a more formal outfit choice than her normal blouse and slacks or dress for work. Diana knew the reason for the upcoming press conference but was still a little anxious about the reaction to the soon-to-be-revealed career update. Sighing, Diana thought back to the conversation she had with her only maternal relative still alive last week.
The conversation was one in a recent string of lengthy and candid conversations Diana had with her Uncle Coran in Arus. Until the re-established Voltron Force was able to prevail against Doom, Diana could only receive an annual message from her relative stating that he was still alive and was waiting for the time Arus could rise again. Once the force was victorious enough, Coran and Diana were able to send messages and have the occasional voice call. With the certain death of Zarkon and the alleged deaths of Lotor and Haggar—Arus was free and was able to finally update their communication systems to sustain longer conversations. Not only that, but Diana was also able to contact her childhood friend, Allura, regularly when Voltron returned.
After their initial greetings and small talk, Diana and Coran were able to fall into their easy conversation and share the major updates of their lives. Diana shared with Coran about the completion of the major project—an overhaul of the public health system in one of Earth's remaining remote areas. Coran shared how difficult it was getting some of his projects starting in the remote areas of Arus. Diana provided a few suggestions before confirming that the upcoming press conference was to announce major news about their commitment to Arus' recovery. Diana sighed before sharing that she hoped she would be chosen to oversee the public health projects in Arus since the last few projects she undertook focused on recovering public health systems. She also pointed out that her supervisor was supposed to announce later in the week who was going to Arus. Coran shared that he hoped she would be chosen but would look forward to the day she arrived on Arus—no matter her capacity. Diana smiled and said hopefully it won't be too much longer. Coran and Diana hung up contented and promised to follow up after the press conference.
While Diana was collecting her thoughts offstage, at the Castle of Lions, Coran was sitting at the main console at Castle Control. The Voltron Force stood behind Coran wearing their signature street outfits: Keith in his jumpsuit; Lance in his leather jacket, short-sleeve sweater, and flared slacks; Pidge in his western-inspired jumpsuit; and finally Hunk in his vest, shirt, and pants outfit. Allura was wearing her princess gown instead of her jumpsuit.
"So…why are we here in Control about to watch this stuffy conference, again?" Lance asked.
"Because this stuffy conference is about to announce important news about Arus' recovery. The Alliance is going to share how they're going to help and probably get rid of the travel ban," Keith answered Lance.
"It's the least they can do," Lance replied. "But based on previous behaviors, I don't have high hopes, though."
"We're still waiting to receive more help. At this point, I gave up hope that they'll send us another pilot or two," Hunk answered.
"Do we really need back-up?" Pidge asked. "We can always call Sven in Pollux in a pinch."
"I hear y'all. It's been the six of us piloting Voltron and I understand the idea we don't need more pilots—but just the six of us is not enough. Among other things we really could use here in Arus," Keith answered. "The conference's starting." Everyone's eyes went back to the screen in front of Coran as the conference started. After a few moments, the communication director announced that Arus was officially declared free from Doom—thanks to the Voltron Force. The director then announced that the Alliance will help Arus gain full recovery, starting with Public Health and Infrastructure—two major concerns.
"And, we're also pleased to announce that the Galaxy Alliance will lift the Arusian travel ban effective next month." Castle Control and the Conference Room on Earth erupted in cheers. "Military travel should start within the next 3 months with a select group of Garrison personnel. Commercial and personal travel will start a few months after that—allowing time for us to build basic flight infrastructure in the more dense areas of Arus." The director paused to take a sip of water. "The Alliance hopes that our assistance will encourage and strengthen Arus' position as a valued ally and prayerfully a full, active member in the Alliance."
"Again, I'll believe it when I see it," Lance commented as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The Alliance is good at making promises. Even more as a show with all those bigwigs…" Lance continued as Diana made her appearance on the stage. "By the way, who's that chick amongst them?"
"That chick," Coran said in a disapproving voice towards Lance. "Is my niece, Diana Smythe-Williams. She's a public health advisor and an air reserve pilot. Try to show some kind of class, Lance."
Keith elbowed Lance before whispering in his ear. "Just try to behave through this press conference. If you're good, I'll see if Nanny will leave some snacks out for you."
"I'm going to need more than th—" Lance hissed as Keith elbowed him again. "Fine, I'll behave. Some kind of kitchen access would be better than snacks."
Keith rolled his eyes at Lance as the conference continued. "I'll take the time now to announce some of the key personnel who'll assist Arus in their restoration process. To rebuild the public health infrastructure, I'm proud to introduce a woman who represents the best of the Alliance and Arus. Diana Smythe-Williams is the surviving daughter of our own Colonel Alexander Williams and Arus' most renowned botanist Dr. Hyacinth Smythe-Williams. Ms. Smythe-Williams has continually served the Galaxy as a Senior Public Health Advisor at the Alliance and as a Lieutenant in the Garrison Air Reserve. Would you like to say a few words?"
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's an honor to serve the Alliance in Arus and help fulfill my parents' last wishes for Arus. I look forward to building up Arus' public health systems and making everyone involved proud." Diana answered before taking her seat at the table to the left as flashes overtook the room. As the rest of the personnel assigned to Arus Recovery Taskforce was being announced and introduced, Coran's mind strayed to the past when his sister, Hyacinth was preparing to go to Earth as the Voltron Force spoke among themselves behind him. A few moments later Allura asked Coran a question, pulling him temporarily back to the present.
"Coran, do you remember when I first met Diana? I believe we were babies?" Allura asked Coran as she took a seat next to him.
"Yes, you two were just babies—but famously got along," Coran answered smiling at the memory. "You two had your parents and Nanny around your little fingers." In the background, Keith and the rest of the Voltron Force shared their thoughts on the personnel being introduced. Coran briefly closed his eyes and returned to the second day of Diana's first visit to Arus.
21 years ago…
"Alli! Alli!" Diana cooed as she crawled from her playpen towards the little princess on the other side of the nursery. "Like Alli!" Diana repeated as she crawled a few more feet. Diana's bronzed baby skin and soft dark brown curls were a contrast to Allura's fair skin and blonde curls.
"Like Dee! Like Dee!" Allura responded as she slowly walked towards Diana. Both babies were weeks away from being 1 year old. Yesterday the babies met for the first time and immediately liked each other. While their parents were getting reacquainted over the last day, the babies enjoyed their immediate bond in the safety of the nursery. From his corner, Garrett turned to watch his cousin and playmate meet up. The parents of all the children in Nanny's care stood in the doorway amazed at the seemingly rapid development the two girls had overnight. Allura said her first words yesterday and Diana was practicing even more to take her first solo steps.
Diana and Allura turned their heads to see their parents waiting for them at the door. Garrett rushed to Coran's arms.
"Way Gar. Way!" Diana cooed with a pout on her face. With Allura's help, Diana stood up and took a step. Allura held Diana's hand and tried to guide her steps to the door. After being held in Coran's arms for a few moments, Garrett turned around to watch his cousin attempt walking before running to her side. If Allura fell, Garrett took Diana's other hand and helped guide her. For the next three minutes, Allura and Garrett took alternative turns helping Diana reach her parents. Finally, there was a moment when neither Allura nor Garrett could help Diana. That's when Diana finally took her first solo steps.
"She did it! She took her first steps!" Hyacinth and Alex both ran to catch Diana and hugged her gently. Coran smiled as he grabbed a camera to record the precious memory as King Alfor happily congratulated Diana on her first steps and praised Allura and Garrett for helping Diana take her steps.
Back to the present, Diana was expertly answering questions from the press regarding Arus and her background. "I spent several summers in Arus until Zarkon's initial attacks," Diana responded. "And until recently, I had only got the occasional message from my uncle who still lives on Arus. My story is the same for several Arusian transplants throughout the Galaxy. I'm eager to return to Arus—and even more so to serve in an official capacity. Planning and evaluating health programs is my particular specialty."
"As well as sociology and psychology," A reporter added. "Among other things."
"Exactly," Diana replied with a smile. The crowd broke out in laughter at Diana's response. As another reporter asked a question about a different Arus taskforce member, Diana thought about her last trip to Arus and her parents' deaths after that.
During the last trip to Arus, Diana, and Allura felt that this particular trip was going to be the last one in a long time. They heard several rumors from every corner of the Castle of Lions that they were going to war with Doom with or without the Lions. Things were so dire that even Alexander—Diana's Dad was pulled into meetings with King Alfor and Coran. Diana knew that things were heating up because she could hear her father beg and plead with the Alliance to aid Arus and their defense against Zarkon—only to be rebuffed and denied. As security around the castle strengthened and King Alfor was making more war preparations, Alexander was called back to Earth immediately. Allura and Diana promised to keep in touch no matter what happens to Arus.
Once the family left Arus, Zarkon started the first waves of his invasion of Arus. Her family felt helpless as they watched Arus struggle to defend itself from Zarkon's immense Drule defenses. The next few months went in a continuous cycle: Request to help Arus defend itself from Doom; followed by rejection and another wave of attacks; followed by Alexander's threat to leave the Alliance through retirement and help Arus. After the last cycle, Diana's family took a timely break in Hawaii. After arriving in Hawaii, the Williamses were returning from a grocery store trip when a speeding driver crashed into their car and forced them off the road and into the deep, green canyon below. Diana woke up in a hospital room days later to learn that she was an orphan. Fortunately, her paternal grandmother took over custody of Diana and moved to Florida so Diana could finish up her childhood in Florida.
"I noticed that you mentioned that a small group of Garrison troops will be stationed in Arus to provide support for the Voltron Force. Do you know which group?" The question brought Diana back to the present.
"We're in the final phases of choosing which group will be sent to Arus," Director Woods answered. "Once every detail is worked out, we'll give the public an update. I'm sorry everyone, but our time is up. I know that this taskforce is up for the task in front of them and will successfully achieve their goals. Have a great day." Diana stood up and followed everyone leaving the stage.
Meanwhile, in Arus, the Voltron Force left Castle Control, hopeful that the Alliance would fulfill their promise to help this time. When Coran's shift was over at Castle Control, he reached out to Diana as promised. After their small talk, the call focused on Diana hosting Coran, Keith, and Allura on Earth and how Diana will be housed on Arus. Before they disconnected, Diana and Coran were able to nail down lodging details on Earth and on Arus.
And in the Captain's Quarters of a Garrison ship heading towards Earth, a young military officer was sitting at his desk with a picture of him and Diana. It was a long six months since Captain Lawrence Wiley last saw Diana. One moment he was dancing with Diana to their unofficial song, "L-O-V-E" and was about to place a kiss on her lips. The next moment, he was rushed off to Garrison Headquarters to undertake a mission to find and escort a group of rogue Drules back to Earth. By the time Lawrence was briefed on the mission and advised his team to prepare for deployment, the ball was over and Diana was already home sleeping. He tried leaving a voicemail for Diana, but her inbox was full. Sighing, Lawrence left a note for Diana on her doorstep before speeding off to headquarters to start his new mission. The mission was only supposed to take about a month at the most—but unfortunately, the group of Drules he was looking for had to change meeting places several times. And then, there were a couple of times he had to rescue them from a larger Drule detachment. When Lawrence wasn't focused on the mission, he focused on how he was going to have Diana in his arms again.
Sighing again, Lawrence thought back to the day they first met about a year ago. Lawrence was dressed in his standard uniform—grey pants, a grey long-sleeved shirt featuring his rank, ribbons, team insignia, and a pair of polished black boots. He just completed a grueling meeting with his superiors over his last mission and was looking forward to a well-deserved leave. Lawrence was distracted with several ideas of spending his leave—including the thing he valued most, sleep—when he inadvertently bumped into a woman. Instinctively, Lawrence grabbed the woman to keep her from falling and noticed that her uniform confirmed that she was part of the Air Reserve. "You may be part-time, but you should be aware of your surroundings full-time," Lawrence admonished as he made sure the woman wasn't hurt. Relieved that the reserve member wasn't physically hurt, Lawrence swept his eyes up to the reserve member's face and was shocked to see a very beautifully bronzed face with dark brown eyes and a soft mouth.
"It would help, Sir," Diana started her retort as she glanced at the officer in front of her. "If you do the same." The retort rolled out of Diana's mouth easily as a way to cover how the handsome officer's looks affected her. Lawrence's lightly tanned skin, amber eyes, squared jaw, and short, wavy hair stood out to her in the hallway as two members of the headquarters staff walked around them. Diana and Lawrence apologized for being in their way before standing against the closest wall to allow the headquarters staff easier access to the hallway.
"Duly noted, Lieutenant Smythe-Williams," Lawrence responded as he admired Diana's perfect bun and wondered how Diana's hair would look if it was unbound. "Any other officer would—"
"No disrespect, Captain Wiley, but I have a debriefing to attend," Diana interrupted as she took a couple of steps in the direction she was going.
"I didn't dismiss you yet, Lieutenant" Lawrence called as he reached out to grab Diana's arm. Diana moved stealthily out of his reach.
"I didn't ask."
"Don't be so—"
"Lieutenant Smythe-Williams! I was just about to look for you! Your flying skills are impeccable—it's almost as if your father was flying in the skies again." Colonel Edward Lume interrupted Lawrence as he walked up to the pair. "And I see that you bumped into another Garrison rising star! Captain Lawrence Wiley meet Lt. Diana Smythe-Williams. She's the daughter of the late Colonel Alexander Williams."
"Thank you, sir, for the compliment," Diana said as she and Lawrence saluted the colonel. Colonel Lume returned their salutes before allowing them to return to their previous stance against the wall.
"Captain, would you like to join us for Lt. Smythe-Williams' debriefing? It's always a treat to see her work." Colonel Lume suggested to Lawrence.
The offer was tempting but at the same time, Lawrence was ready to go home, off-base to the south. If it wasn't for that grueling meeting he had earlier, Lawrence would have jumped at the opportunity to see a junior officer's work. Lawrence took another glance at Diana and it took all his willpower to decline the invitation. "Another time, sir. I just returned from my last mission and didn't mean to bump into the Lieutenant here."
"Congratulations on a job well done, Captain. It's a shame that you'll miss the debriefing but I hope that you'll join her next one." Lume replied taking a couple of steps before turning to Diana. "Diana, let's wrap things up."
"Yes sir," Diana responded as she started to follow her superior officer. "Captain Wiley, it was nice to meet you. I hope that our paths will cross again." Diana saluted Lawrence before catching up with the colonel.
"I'm sure our paths will, Lieutenant, I'm sure they will," Lawrence said to himself before continuing down the hallway. "Looks like I'll have something interesting to plot during my leave."
A knock on the door brought Lawrence back to the present. Sighing again, Lawrence slid his picture of Diana back to its place in the top desk drawer. "Enter." Lawrence's lieutenants walked in with a couple of folders.
"We have an update on the crew, Captain," The first lieutenant started.
"And we also have news from HQ," The second lieutenant added. "There's a chance that we'll be deployed on a permanent base in the Far Universe."
"Both sound pretty interesting," Lawrence responded, sitting taller in his chair. "Both of you have a seat and let's go over all the details."
"Sir," They both responded before sitting down in the chairs in front of Lawrence's makeshift desk.