Chapter Text
Keith was staring down at his lap trying to progress what Shiro had just told him. The three of them sitting in one of the Garrison’s common rooms. Shiro had asked Keith to come once the classes for the day were over, and now here he was trying to make sense of what was happening.
“I don’t understand, I thought you were supposed to go out on the Kerberos mission, and now you’re saying that I’ve been recommended in your place?” Keith asked confused.
“I get that this is a lot to take in, but my condition has been getting worse so…” “So the Garrison decided to take Shiro of the Kerberos mission.” Adam finished placing a hand onto Shiro’s shoulder as the other man sighed in defeat.
“It got worse.. but I thought that the medicines were helping?” Keith asked worried as he looked up at the couple. “They are in a way.” Shiro said a hand going out of habit towards the medical bracelet around his right wrist.
“But the Garrison decided that Shiro’s condition is too unpredictable to send him out on a faraway mission like Kerberos, and I have to agree with that.” Adam said.
“I don’t like having to step down from the mission but I think it’s for the best. The Garrison has a point.” Shiro said getting up from his seat.
“But why recommend me for the mission, there are older more experienced pilots out there I’m still a cadet why recommend me.” Keith said as Shiro put a hand on his shoulder. “Because I know what you’re capable off. Yes you’ve had disciplinary issues in the past. But you’re one of the best pilots in the program. You already beat several of my records and I think you have what it takes to go out on the Kerberos mission.” Shiro said as Keith stared down at his hands that now laid folded in his lap.
“Just take some time to think it all over but remember that this could be an opportunity of a lifetime.” Shiro said.
-
Lance was sitting on his bed his back against the wall pushing his glasses further up his nose as they reflected the light of his laptops screen as he continued his online game, when Hunk suddenly rushed back into their dorm room, pushing the laptops screen down before tugging Lance’s headphones off. “Hunk what the hell, I was..” “I know I know but Lance you have to see this.” Hunk said hurried as he grabbed the remote to turn the TV on.
“I’m sure it could have waited till I…” Lance said his words dying down as he looked shocked at the screen.
“The Galaxy Garrison mission to the distant moon of Kerberos is missing and all of its crew members are believed to be dead. The Galaxy Garrison has said that the crash was presumably caused by pilot error. It’s indeed a sad day for all of humanity.”
“noo… no no no, this can’t be right.” Lance said as he got up from the bed. “I’m sorry Lance, I..” Hunk stuttered as he placed a hand on his friends shoulder. “Veronica.. she’s… no she can’t be gone.” Lance choked on his words letting himself slide to the ground arms wrapped around his knees tears streaming down his face.
“Veronica.. she..” “I’m so sorry.” Hunk said wrapping a pair of strong arms around his friend. The two of them staying on the ground in an awkward hug for a while before Lance looked back up, swiping some of his tears away from his eyes before getting up on his feet. “Does… does Allura already know..her dad” “I think she does, most of the Garrison ..I… I’m so sorry Lance, I know your sister was also on that flight … and god this is all just so messed up.” Hunk said pulling a hand through his bangs. “It is… I’m going to get to the bottom off this.” Lance said clenching his fist. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying that this can’t be right, there’s no way Keith would’ve made a mistake like that. I mean sure he’s a lone wolf and he can be a showoff sometimes.. but something doesn’t feel right, I just.. have this feeling the Garrison’s hiding something from us. I mean telling us that this was all just a pilot error, I feel like their trying to take the easy way out.” Lance said. “I don’t know Lance, do you really think that’s such a good idea?” Hunk asked worried. “Don’t know don’t care.” Lance said before looking at the phone on his desk as it started going off, his mother’s caller ID appearing on the screen. “I guess my parents already saw the news... I..” Lance choked on his words as Hunk placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be outside if you need me alright.” Hunk said giving him a reassuring smile. “J..jeah…” “Take care alright.” Hunk said leaving the room before Lance picked up his phone. “Hi mom.. I … jeah I just heard.” Lance said another choked sob escaping as he tried not to cry a second time.
-
He was so tired, the call with his parents had gone on for what felt like hours. He just wanted to leave today behind and go to bed but he knew he still needed to check up on Allura. “It’s not like I will be able to go to sleep now anyway.” Lance said as he got up to check up on Allura.
“I assume you heard about what happened.” Allura said looking up at Lance walking into the girls dorm room later that night. “Jeah, I did I just came off the phone with my parents.. I’m sorry about what happened to your father.” Lance said. “Thank you Lance, I’m sorry as well I know your sister was on the crew as well and, I’m sorry Lance it’s just. This all seems so unreal. I cannot believe it, or do not want to believe it.” Allura mumbled as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Father, Keith, Veronica I believe there were no better people to send out on the Kerberos mission. I just cannot believe a simple accident is what…” “I get it, what you’re trying to say I mean.” Lance said. “You do not believe it was a pilot error do you.” Allura asked looking up at Lance before laying her head against his shoulder, Lance placing a hand on top of his girlfriend’s head.
“I don’t, I mean jeah accidents do happen but… I don’t know I just feel like there’s something the Garrison isn’t telling us.” Lance said as Allura looked up at him. “You’re planning something.” Allura said. “Jeah, I want to get a look into all of this to see for myself. Veronica told me about everything before she went out on the Kerberos mission, and I think the Garrison must at least have some clue as to what happened, some logs or video feeds something from before the crew went missing.” Lance said. “I’ll help, If there is a way they’re still out there than I want to know.” Allura said determined before Lance wrapped her in another hug.
-
Keith was laying on the ground of his cell, forced into prisoner rags after they had been captured. He still tried to recall the events, one moment they were on the moon of Kerberos taking ice samples as Veronica and Alfor were talking about the clues the samples could hold about the universe and perhaps the alien life out there.
When the battle ship appeared, and they were taken off the moon of Kerberos. Keith remembered voices surrounding him, opening his eyes he looked up through the bangs that fell in front of his eyes.
“Emperor Zarkon, we were scouting the system as ordered when we found these primitive scientists, I don’t think they know anything useful.” The one with their back turned towards them spoke to the monitor in front of him. “Take them back to the main fleet for interrogation. The druids will find out what they know.” “Please, we come from a peaceful planet, we mean you no harm.” Veronica said as Keith’s head shot towards the girl kneeled down beside him right before one of the guards slammed the back of their gun against her head as she fell down against the floor. Keith shot up to his feet before slamming the guard against the ground that had attacked her with a shout. Keith was forced down after receiving a hit against his head, the guards slammed him down against the ground. keeping him pinned down. Keith growled in protest but his head was throbbing in pain, he cast his eyes towards Veronica who laid out cold besides him and then everything faded away.
“What do you think is going to happen to us?” Veronica asked as Keith snapped his head up from his thoughts, looking up at them. The three of them were being held in one holding cell together, on their way to what they called the main fleet. Keith didn’t like the sound of that in the least. “I don’t know but it can’t be anything good.” Keith said as Veronica stared at him. “We have to stay positive perhaps they will let us go once they find out that were speaking the truth.” Alfor said.
“I don’t think that’s how this is going to work. I hate to say it but I don’t think they’re just going to let us go after all of this.” Keith said before looking up at the others.