6: Unlocked

                                    

                                          
"And I think that's the last of it." Luis smiled as the fitted the last bolt. 
Lance patted the metal. "Looks good to me."
"It should allow you to form a shield strong enough to barricade any Galran attacks." Hunk explained tapping his gauntlet. "All run by Balmeran crystals."
"Which are incredible." Luis mused crossing his arms. "So Earth is finally free."
"Feels good doesn't it?" Coran said appearing with their small group.
"I'll say, you have no idea what it was like." Luis sighed. "We were just so desperate to get them away and... I think we needed that extra push."
Luis patted Hunk on the back and Lance smiled to himself. He was glad to see his family and the paladins getting along.
It settled something in the back of his mind, something that he had been subconsciously worrying about.
"Thank you paladins, all of you."
"Coran? Coran come in please."
"I'm right here Allura." Coran confirmed. "What's the matter?"
"Pidge has been trying to contact us, can you please go and talk to her, we're still here with Sendak."
Lance frowned. Of course Shiro and Allura had gone straight back to questioning Sendak. Shiro really needed to give himself a break.
Although he was glad Allura had gone with him.
"Of course." Coran nodded. "Lance, Hunk would you like to accompany me?"
"I'm gonna stay here and finish off." Hunk explained. "I want to make sure everything runs smoothly."
"I'll help you out." Luis offered. "Come on."
Lance offered Hunk a warm smile and watched the two leave before turning to Coran. "Let's go talk to Pidge."
Pidge didn't look overly excited when she appeared on the castles screen.
"I can reach Keith." She explained with a frown. "Or Krolia for that matter."
"When did you lose contact?" 
"A few Vargas ago, I- I know it isn't long but I don't like it."
"I can't imagine that Krolia would go radio silent." Lance chipped in. "Do you want back up?"
Pidge glanced at her gear for a moment. "Probably. I don't want to walk in there on my own without someone knowing where we are."
"I'll get suited up then." Lance saluted before heading towards the doors. When he returned to the control room Coran was observing a screen which showed Shiro and Allura.
"Anything?" Lance asked crossing his arms.
Coran shook his head. "He's persistently holding his tongue."
Lance frowned glancing toward the screen again to see Sendak restrained and in place but still refusing to say anything more.
Their ruse had worked, they had saved the planet with Veronica's quick thinking.
A fake bionic eye.
They were all amazed at how it worked, and now they had Sendak right where they wanted him.
With no bionic eye, no metal arm and no way to escape. He was at their mercy but he was still holding his tongue.
"Haggar really picks them huh." Lance sighed shaking his head. "Speaking of, do we have any idea where Haggar's gone?"
"Possibly back to Dibazal, but I am not certain." Coran shrugged. "Sendak knows where she is but he is not sharing that information."
"I'm sure something will slip eventually." Lance smiled. "And when it does we'll be ready to deal with it all."
"We will indeed." Coran agreed.
"I'm heading off to Pidge's location." Lance explained softly. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"If you require any assistance just call." Coran reminded. "We will be right there with you." 
"I know." Lance patted Coran's shoulder. "And I trust you guys to have my back, I'll do what I can."
"I know you will my boy." Coran smiled. "Be careful out there."
"I will." 
Lance ran toward his lion. She purred fondly in his mind and Lance loved the feeling.
"Lance?" 
Lance skidded to a stop and glanced back. "Huh?"
It was his father. He was walking towards him with a tense look, his shoulders were raised. "Are you off?" 
"Yeah, I got called out." Lance nodded. "I shouldn't be gone long."
His father frowned. He placed his hand on Lance's back and carefully rubbed across his back. "Just be careful." 
Lance smiled. "I'll be right back. I promise." 
There was a look in his father's eyes, one that Lance didn't recognise it but it hit deep within him.
There was a fear in his father's expression and Lance wanted to take it away.
"I promise dad." Lance whispered placing his hand on his arm. "I'm never leaving you guys again, I already made that promise to Veronica and I intend to keep it."
His father smiled lifting his other hand to cup Lance's cheek. "I know you will. But be careful, please."
"I will." Lance smiled, he closed his eyes and leant his head into his father's touch. "And I'll be back before you know it." 
"You'd better be." 
Lance offered a quick salute and then ran to Red, she lent down and Lance jumped onto the ramp and into the pilots seat.
"Let's go save Keith's butt." Lance chuckled and Red roared.
Then they were launching.