Orange (VLD Fanfic) [Dropped]

/ 04 \

"Alright, here's our plan of attack..." Shiro announces, and we gather around to listen.

*Fifteen Minutes Later*

Following Shiro's orders, Keith had joined me in the Orange Lion before we left the castle. Pidge and I were staying close as we snuck up to the Galra ship from below. We land on the bottom of the ship carefully, leaving our lions there while Pidge cut a hole through the ship to allow us entrance. Shiro heads in first, followed by Pidge and Keith. I trail behind, watching for any soldiers.

"Pidge, what's your ETA?" Lance says through the comms.

"We're in," she answers. We head down a hallway, rounding a corner. Pidge crouches down to remain hidden, and I give her a nod as I walk by to follow the boys a bit further. Shiro suddenly freezes, staring down the hallway.

"I... I've been here before," he says suddenly. Pidge stands quickly, walking toward us. "After I was taken by the Galra cruiser off Kerberos, they brought us here."

"So, that means your other crewmembers, they might be held captive here," Pidge offers hopefully. "We - We've gotta rescue them!"

"Pidge, we don't have time. We have to get the Red Lion and get back to Arus."

"But we can't just leave prisoners here!" she exclaims.

"Pidge..." I say sadly.

"Look, no one understands that more than me," Shiro tells her, trying to calm her down, "but in war, we have to make hard choices. Now let's get moving." He starts to walk to where Keith stood, but I paused a moment and watched Pidge.

"No!" she yells, and I jump from the abrupt change. "Commander Holt is my father. He and my brother were the ones on the Kerberos Mission with you."

"Commander Holt is your father?" Shiro asks, confused.

"Yes," Pidge answers. "I've been searching everywhere for him and my brother and I'm not going to give up looking when I'm this close. I won't!" She turns around to leave.

Shiro looks at me, and I stare back at him, unfazed. I see the realization flash through his eyes and I nod softly when he gives me a questioning look.

"I'm coming with you," he says quickly.

"What?" Keith asks.

"I remember where the prisoners are held," Shiro explains. "Minor change of plans. Keith, take Jaelyn and go find the Red Lion. Remember, patience yields focus. So -"

Shiro is cut off by a door opening in the hallway behind us. We share looks before running off in opposite directions. Keith and I soon reach a dead end.

"Great," he mutters. "Now, which way?"

"Which way feels right?" I ask. He glances up at the symbol on the wall and his face hardens. I pick up footsteps from the hallway on the left.

"How about right?" Keith asks, having heard the footsteps as well.

"I like that idea." We run off that way. Keith continues to lead us through the unfamiliar hallways until we end up back at the same split we were at earlier. He groans frustratedly.

"You've gotta be kidding me," he mumbles, slouched over and breathing heavily from running.

"Just pause for a minute, Keith," I tell him calmly. "No one is chasing us and we're not in imminent danger. Pause and focus."

"Patience yields focus," he whispers. A smirk appears on his face a moment later, and he turns around. "Got him! Come on!" I smile, running after him.