Silence in Space: (Keith x Reader) A Voltron Fanfiction

Chapter 21: A Father's Farewell

You stood quietly behind Shiro as he explained the plan. "All right, guys, listen up. I'll use the Black Lion to lure Zarkon's fleet to our current location and make sure he's within the teludav's area of effect. Keeping the teludav hidden behind the space-fold until the last possible second is essential. We can count on you, right, Slav?"

"Absolutely," the caterpillar-shaped scientist waved him off. "I'll be fine. I'm not sure about the gravity generator, though."

"What? Wh-What was that last thing?" Hunk gulped.

"Hiding a ship is one thing, but I've never had to build a gravity generator for something this large before. I know it'll work, but I'm not really sure for how long,"

Shiro figured it couldn't be helped. "Well, that's a risk we'll have to take. Once Zarkon's ship is in position, Kolivan and Antok will coordinate with Thace. Together, they'll take down Zarkon's security system and upload the virus."

"And then, he'll be a sitting du-flax," Pidge declared proudly as she tweaked her glasses, glancing around as everyone gave her funny looks. "What? A du-flax is an Altean creature with a beak and webbed feet."

Coran concluded the plan with movements of gusto. "We'll wormhole Zarkon 500 million light years away, and he'll be in the Yggiz Galaxy before he knows what's hit him!"

It all seemed well laid-out, but something felt amiss as Shiro double-checked on one more end of the plan. "What about Thace?"

"He should be getting into position now," Kolivan assured him. "We received his last communication three quintants ago. We should hear from him soon."

"Good. Let's do it."

As everyone dispersed and got into position, you went right up to Shiro, eagerly asking what you could do to help. He put his hand on your shoulder, rubbing it encouragingly. 

"Just stay here and stay focused," he said. "Once we've warped Zarkon and his battleship, our victory is all down to you.

You shuddered with uncertainty, the pressure getting to you. Of course, you'd try your hardest, but after Haggar had sensed you out, you'd been on edge. Sensing your insecurity, Shiro took on a serious tone. "...Sorin. Listen to me very carefully."

You faced him as he took both your shoulders and kneeled down. "Being a leader is knowing where you're needed the most. And for all of you, right now...that's here, protecting the team while I'm gone. Right now, you are going to act as the beacon in the storm to come. Your light will be seen by the cities and the planets of this universe, where every place else is dark. You know I need to do something about that coming darkness...so I'm going to leave you here in charge. You'll do the right thing, I know it."

He pressed his forehead to yours as you shut your eyes to control your welling tears. You didn't know why, but it felt like he was talking like he was leaving you, and you weren't ready for that, not when you had just gotten him back. Even so, you tried to keep your ears open to his words of wisdom. "Right now, I need you to keep our hope alive in my absence. Stay in the castle, keep your head in the astral plane...and wait for me."

Shiro finally backed up, using his thumb to wipe your cheek. "You're young, but you're VERY smart. Sometimes, we have to take a leap. Just be brave...you can do it. And I'll be back before you know it."

Your lip quivering, but your confidence restored, you nodded firmly to show you'd do your best. Soon, the Black Lion flew out, and after a few moments, you heard your father figure's voice on the communication link. "Zarkon took the bait. He's got my location. Is everybody in position?"

"We've not yet heard from Thace," Kolivan warned. "He was supposed to contact us two vargas ago."

"He could've been captured," Antok said.