After Season 7

Ina Leifsdottir

Ina Leifsdottir looked down the long Galaxy Garrison hallway. She usually took her time walking this one. It was the only tiled hallway in the Garrison, and she didn't step on cracks. Ever. Today was special. She had a one on one meeting with Captain Shirogane. She thought it was peculiar that no one mentioned that shiro means "white" and that's what color his hair is now. As she ran down the corridor hopping skipping flipping and leaping over every crack, she recited Pi as far as she could go. *it's 3/14 after all, she thought. Pi day. * "2 0 1 9 8 9!" she stopped at exactly 1000 spaces. As she reached up to the electronic door knocker she suddenly felt a twinge, wondering why she'd been summoned for a one on one. After a brief pause for her smart watch to tick over to 13:45 she pressed the knob. "Fifteen minutes early is on time, on time is late and..." the door slid open and the young pilot went silent.

Shiro sat his new desk at the Galaxy Garrison. It was a large half circle. Scratch that. It was more like half a doughnut. It had an internet access port but mostly had model ships and pictures of loved ones on it. He was holding the photo of him and the paladins which was taken about a month before Acxa had taken Keith away with her to claim his rightful place at the head of what was left of the Galra empire. *emperor* he thought. "Just. Amaz..." the door Buzzed, Shiro grimaced. He hated this kind of job. Admin work was definitely harder for him than going one on one with Galran generals. He stood up and walked to the door. There was a button on his desk for it, but he felt officers should be greeted at the door. He pressed the button and reveled Ryan Kinkade, standing at rigid tension with a salute. "At ease, Lieutenant."

Nadia Rizavi stood in the massive Altas Hanger. She looked up at the Robotic Lions that towered over her. She'd not yet been this close to them. Close enough to touch. She reached out toward the black lion's paw, as she did a noise startled her causing her to jump. It was only the door. James Griffin laughed heartily at her as he entered the room.

"Why so jumpy L-T?" He asked her, as she hastily turned to salute.

"I. I. " she stammered for a second.

"At ease." He said, lightening the mood. "In fact don't salute unless people are looking. We're a team that I just happen to be in charge of. " Nadia smiled and relaxed.

"You too, huh?" She asked, clearly excited by what was happening and still kind of shocked by it all. "I really can't believe we are about to train in these." As she spoke the door slid open again revealing Captain Shirogane, the Paladins, Hunk, Pidge, and Lance, along with their team mates Leifsdottir, and Kinkade. Everyone saluted everyone.

"I told you all the first part of the story in our private meetings." Shiro looked at each of his newly minted lieutenants as he spoke. "I wanted to make sure everyone that walked into this room today was committed to training as backup Paladins. I wasn't disappointed, I knew I wouldn't be. The whole story is that you have been selected to pick up the mantles from the Paladins that proceeded you. Pidge is needed in research and development. Hunk is repairing city superstructure across earth."

"And I miss my family too much to be in space all the time." Hunk added solemnly.

Shiro nodded in approval while wishing he had family to miss. "Keith is hopefully reuniting the Galra forces for them to join the coalition, that Allura is very busy creating an election system for counselors and representatives for. I am the only one at this point who can transform Atlas. So my priorities are set." That leaves you four lieutenants and Lance. Voltron has to remain active at all costs."

"Plus," Pidge added, "I wasn't even training to BE a pilot." I was always slightly under the curve. Green lion was a good fit and I've learned enough to take you all out in a dogfight. But you have more raw potential and will out fly me one day. And honestly that day will come quickly."

Rizavi, naturally, was the first to say what they were all thinking. She raised her hand. Which Lance acknowledged. "We are assuming of course the lions will even accept us." She smirked, "obviously I'm up for the challenge but felt that needed saying up front."

"I'm operating on the assumption that Black Lion will accept me." Lance replied. "Any of us could be," he paused. Mulling over the correct phrasing before continuing, "any of us could be the wrong person for the job, luckily I'm pretty safe here since I can already fly two of 'em." He grinned. His teeth sparkled. Griffin rolled his eyes.

"So if you can't handle the Black one I get a shot, right?" Griffin spoke out of turn. Lance grimaced slightly. But it was Shiro who answered him.

"Yes, obviously we need all the Lions. Being the black Paladin doesn't make you the leader automatically. lance is my first choice for Black Paladin, and my only choice for leader."