Chapter Four

"Sire, we have gotten reports of an impending Arusian attack on Pollux."

Zarkon looked down from his throne at the robot soldier. His yellow cat-like eyes narrowed. He tapped his scepter on the floor and the sound echoed in the cavernous chamber. Around him, the rabble quieted down, taking their seats about the banquet tables.

The King looked at the soldier. They had learned, almost precisely when it happened, that Bandor had decided to join forces with the Arusians. Zarkon had known that Prince was not as trustworthy or controllable as his father and brother, but he had shown such promise. Now he was sorry he had allowed his judgment to be clouded because it cost him a small, but loyal servant. He knew that the Polluxians had used all they had to attack Arus and now that those ships were in the Arusians's possession, they had no chance at battle.

And with the Arusians on Pollux, those left at home had no chance either.

"When is this attack going to occur?" Zarkon asked.

"In two days," the soldier replied. "What would you have done?"

"We will attack. Get Niloc in here. We have much to discuss." He smiled. "This was the opening he was waiting for."

Keith finished his briefing and looked out into his audience, the AF officers. Most were twitching in their seats, excited at the upcoming battle, while the others looked solemnly at Keith, patiently awaiting their assignments. Gwen took control then, flanked by Lance and three helpers, and began to hand out assignments. It had taken almost all night to get the officers spread out properly, but she had done it.

Allura, Coran, and Sven were at Castle Control putting the finishing touches on their plan. Bandor had told them that those on Pollux would put up a weak fight, but what they had to worry about was Doom intervention. If Zarkon decided Pollux was worth saving, they would be in for it. They had three phases of the plan. Simply the first phase was the air attack to clear the way. Second, when it was clear, they would drop the ground forces. Third, a smaller team will infiltrate the castle. It sounded easy, but they had planned for as many drawbacks as they could come up with. Keith doubted any of them had gotten much sleep in the past two days. And today, the day before the battle, was crunch time.

He went towards the map table. As commander of the Arusian Fleet, he was kept fully informed of the plans and wasn't adverse to adding a few suggestions of his own. Coran and Sven greeted him as he neared, but Allura kept her eyes on the projection. They hadn't spoken since their argument the day before and for once, Keith didn't feel the need to make peace. He didn't have the energy to get emotional with Allura, but he promised to mend fences when he returned.

"The forces have been briefed," he told them. "Lance and Hunk are going to take them to the docking bay to show them their new toys."

"Goot," Sven said. "Keit, I haf to say dat I am not happy with you leading the infiltration team. Ve need you in de air. You are de commander. Your life should not be reesked in dis vay."

Allura turned her eyes to Sven. "But he's the only one with the qualifications to lead the team."

"Lance iz perfectly capable auf doing eet."

"He's not as well-trained as I am in covert operations," Keith said. "He's had more experience leading fighters. We'll have a better chance if he is up there with the fleet while I lead the infiltration team."

"We do not have a lot of options," Coran said. "Who else would you suggest?"

"Bandor."

The three stared at him.

"He knows the palace. He knows where everything is," Keith said. "I'll keep him on a leash if it would make you happy."

Allura flinched but didn't say anything.

"Dis idea has merit," Sven said. "Vat do you tink, Princess?"

"Take him," she said. "But have collateral."

"A blaster on his head would work," Keith said.

A muscle jumped on her jaw, but still she said nothing. Instead, she turned back to the projection. With seemingly careful analyzation, she studied the dots and lines that indicated who went where. Coran and Sven exchanged a look.

"He'll be unarmed," Coran said. "But you will protect him in case of a firefight."

"Sounds good," Keith said.

"Bandor," Allura said, opening a channel. "Come to Castle Control please."

"More surprises for me, Cousin?" Bandor said with malice.

"Yes, actually. You can thank Commander Porterfield for having the utmost faith in you," she said, capturing Keith's eye.

"I will come," Bandor said.

He was there in minutes and joined them at the map table.

"I want you to come with me to capture the castle," Keith said.

"What will you use to prevent me from turning you in to my father?" Bandor asked, his mouth twisting.

"Your life," Keith replied. "You lead us down the wrong corridor and you won't live to see another day."

Bandor nodded. "I will do it. But I do this for my people. Not for you."

"We're not doing it for us either, Bandor," Allura said. "We're doing it for them, too."

He looked at her. "I know. I just hope they don't see the side of you that I've seen, Allura."

"Me, too," she said hoarsely. She cleared her throat and looked to Keith. "Brief Bandor. We will be prepping for launch in an hour."

"Yes, Princess," Keith said with a bow.

Keith led Bandor to the conference room. Sven glanced at the Princess.

"Don't ask," she said. "Something is eating at him and he's decided to take it out on me."

"You must care a lot for heem to not say anyting back ven he talks like dat to you," Sven said.

"I owe him a lot," she said. "That's all there is to it. Let's get back to work here. I don't like what this sim is doing."

Pidge wrinkled his nose as the program he had just installed fizzled and died. He was working on strengthening the shield and had been while the others were working on the Polluxian attack. Keith had been afraid of Doom trying to come after them while most of the soldiers were away and he didn't want the shield to die as quickly as it did during the last battle.

The youngest member of the Voltron Force was gifted with a sharp mind, but after hours of staring at the computer screen, even he was beginning to slip. The container of Rosenal he had brought down with him was empty and he had forgotten to ask for another. His fingers were beginning to cramp badly and when he clenched his fists, his knuckles cracked.

"Get some rest, Kid," Lance said, coming into his workspace. "You'll be flying in about six hours' time."

"What about prepping the Lion?" Pidge asked.

"Don't worry about it. You need to get some rest. I think you're getting cross-eyed."

"Keith told me to power the shield up. I'm almost done..."

"You've been almost done three hours ago. You've been working at it for long enough. If you can't get it up to his specs, just let it be for now. The castle won't be unguarded while we're gone. We're leaving enough men behind."

"I'm only halfway to the power Keith wanted."

Lance frowned. "And what would that be?"

"A hundred percent..."

"One hundred percent above our maximum!" Lance cried. He rolled his eyes. "He must be nuts if he thought you could get that done AND fly the next day. What are you up to?"

"Fifty percent above normal strength."

Lance took out his communicator and opened a link to Castle Control. "Coran, does fifty percent above normal shield strength sound good to you?"

"Fifty percent! I didn't even think we could get it up to twenty."

"Just thank our resident genius," Lance said, clapping Pidge on the shoulder.

"Great job, Pidge."

"Thanks, Coran."

Lance closed the link and grinned. "Did you hear that? I think you can stop now."

Pidge nodded and went to the cot he kept in one corner of the room. He was asleep before Lance left the room.

"Keith," Lance said, into his communicator, his strides quick. "What the hell were you thinking telling Pidge to get the shield up to a hundred percent over normal? The kid was about to keel over when I found him."

"Did he get it up?"

"NO! He's not a miracle worker He got it up to fifty above normal."

"Excellent."

"Don't give me that crap! What is the matter with you?"

"I just wanted him to push his limits, Lance," Keith replied, starting to sound annoyed. "I guess I just forgot to tell him to quit."

"Forgot...forgot..." Lance laughed without humor. "You're losing it."

"Give me a break."

"Give us all a break."

"In case you didn't notice, we're a little busy right now. Excuse me for slipping just a little, I haven't slept in two days."

"I've seen you in worse shape, but with better judgment that this. If you don't tell me what's wrong, I'm going to have you relieved of duty. You can't lead us like this. And don't give me any more bull about you being tired. That doesn't cut it."

There was a pause and then Lance heard him sigh. Keith's secret was eating him from the inside out and it was destroying the man he had worked so hard to be. He had to tell someone. Allow someone else to carry the burden with him. Keith had lectured Allura many times about having too much on her plate, and now it was time to listen to his own words.

"Go to my quarters in an hour," he said resolutely.

"I'll be there."