Us Again (Jaith)

Chapter One: Home Again

"it's been two years since i've seen your face" 

(Louis Tomlinson, Too Young)

Keith had thought a lot about his return back to Earth during his time off world. Though part of him always ached about it, he found some relief in the fact that no one was waiting up for him, no one was worried about him. He chose instead to think about what was waiting for him rather than who. He imagined the sky, the clouds, the air, breathing in deeper than he had in ages. He imagined taking his speeder out zooming through the empty desert as fast as he could go, feeling the warm breeze blowing through his hair and against his skin. He imagined rest, being able to be still, calm, not fighting some battle for the first time in years.

He had imagined loads of things. Keith, however, definitely had not imagined his return to Earth to go like this. He and the team were currently crammed into a galran escape pod, hurdling into Earth's upper atmosphere. The front of the pod burning up hotter and hotter and they flew faster and faster.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!", Keith pulled up hard on the steering, trying to maintain some control over the ship but it was no use.

They were going to crash.

"Brace for impact!" Keith yelled, giving the joysticks one more hopeful tug as he tensed his body and shut his eyes.

A chorus of screams erupt as they go smashing to the ground. The bottom of the craft dragging and ripping through the Earth as they slid. Eventually their momentum was halted by a large rock formation and they came to a thudding stop.

"Is everyone alright?", Shiro asked with a grunt. There was a series of uncomfortable "yes's" from the team. They all carefully exited the pod and began to collect themselves.

"You know, for some child pilot prodigy, you sure do crash a lot, Keith", Lance said, still dramatically dusting himself off. Keith only gave him a look of annoyance and rolled his eyes.

"Based on the coordinates my dad sent us, the garrison should be a couple milesss- that-a-way", Pidge piped up, pointing towards a narrow valley formed by rocky cliffs.

"Oh, wonderful! We couldn't take the path through the open desert? We have to go the scary, dangerous-looking way?!" Hunk exclaimed.

"If you want to make it to the garrison before nightfall, then yes, yes we do" Pidge responded matter-of-factly.

They gathered the rest of their things and began their trek through the valley. Keith and Shiro head the pack, followed by Allura and Coran, holding up the rear were Hunk, Lance, and Pidge. Things were going well until about halfway through the valley when Keith heard shifting in the rocks. He stopped. The group in the back was too busy bickering to notice anything.

"Guys, be quiet," Keith said as he scanned the area. They still paid no attention. "Guys, shut up! . . . Did you hear that?" Keith shouted, his eyes still darting from place to place and his grip tightening on his bayard. It was like he summoned it. They all stood, forming a tight circle, each drawing their weapons as they were surrounded by rustling bushes and rocks. Their circle was forced to disperse as heavy gunfire was shot from several different directions. Galran soldiers came out from behind rocks and shrubs, ready to attack.

"Galran soldiers!?! Here?!?" Hunk shouted, still crouched behind a large rock.

"When Dr. Holt said they had made it here, I didn't want to believe him," Shiro replied, as he wrestled a blaster away from one of the soldiers. Lance was perched behind a rock, firing at the hidden gunmen stationed on the ridge of the valley. Keith however preferred a more direct approach. Or in other words, swords. Keith preferred swords. Keith flew through the soldiers on the ground. He swung with precision, grace almost, cutting across the soldiers with ease. That was until he found himself cornered.