Five Trazes

Beta Traz

Beta Traz

Lance was a very social person, and generally nice in nature. He simply adored being around others, and he cursed himself for being so nice with his guard, who quickly discovered his habits and reported to his commanding officer. That's how he ended up in Beta Traz.

Now, one might expect him to remember his way around the place, to remember how to get out of this situation.

If someone did expect him to get out of this himself, they were idiots.

Lance had the memory of a goldfish.

The warden, as could be expected, remembered Lance's skinny face, and he had a welcome committee for him; a big, fat cell devoid of living personal.

Not even a Yupper to sooth his anxiety. Oh, yeah, they also broke his right arm. His dominant arm. His shooting arm.

No big deal.

It was the loneliness that got to him.

After about a week of having no company except for the sentries cloaked in silence, Lance was about ready to climb up a wall.

The only thing that was keeping him sane was imagining when he next saw Keith. He would kick him in the shins and say "Quiznak you." He would also tease Pidge for not seeing the trap coming, and he would bless Hunk for his careful nature, and he'd finally see...

Allura. Even her name filled him with love.

Allura.

Allura.

Allura.

Everyday the sentries knocked him unconscious because he put up a fight. A concussion was starting to form, he was certain. Everyday the memory of his companions grew fuzzy.

But he remembered Allura.

He scratched her name into the floor with his metal spoon, a heart around it. He whispered her name like a prayer and he cried it at nights in his sleep. He wouldn't forget her. No matter what.

---

"What-?! That's so unfair!" Veronica yelled. "This is my brother we're talking about! I should be aloud to-"

"Veronica, you're not coming." Shiro whirled around, stopping the woman in her tracks.

Veronica closed her mouth from another protest, hurt flashing across her features.

Shiro's brow softened as he looked at her, smiling slightly. "This isn't punishment, Veronica. I know my way around Beta Traz because I've went there before. But I can't just leave the Atlas here unprotected. I need someone I can trust to guard it for me. Your brother is my teammate, and he trusts you, so I trust you. Can I trust you to look after the Atlas in the name of Lance?"

"I-" Veronica hesitated, before clasping his extended arm in her's. "I will. In the name of Lance, I solemnly promise to take care of the Atlas."

"Thank you." Shiro smiled, beginning to turn away. He realized with a start that his arm remained in Veronica's grasp, and he glanced back at her.

Her pleading eyes bored into his, looking sorrowful. "Bring my baby brother home safe, okay?"

Shiro nodded curtly, feeling a fuzzy warmth spread in his chest. "Of course, Veronica. Paladins's honor."

Only then did she release his arm, reproachfully watching them leave.

A hand on her shoulder greeted her, and she found herself gazing into Krolia's motherly eyes.