The Purple Paladin

Chapter Twelve : Allura's Captured

We manage to get inside undetected and knock out the guards. I stood guard with Keith while the others helped Pidge hack the computers.

I watch Shiro use his robotic arm to help Pidge gain access to the enemy system. "Keith, V, how's it looking?" Shiro asks.

"All clear for now," I reply quietly.

"This shouldn't take too long," Hunk says as he finishes plugging stuff in.

"We'll have all the information we need in a few minutes. Hunk and I have made some improvements since the last time I tried to download Galra info, with Alec's help and knowledge of them of course," Pidge says and I smile at my best friend who grins as he helps Pidge.

"Hunk actually had a great idea that should get a clear translation immediately," Alec adds.

"And what's that?" Lance asks.

"You guys remember when we studied algorithms at the Garrison and Mr. York told us the joke about ghosts learning symbolic logic and innumerably infinite sets?" Hunk asks.

Keith nods and Lance groans, "Boring!"

Hunk nods, "Right, yeah it was totally boring. Anyway, the joke goes—"

Keith cuts him off, "Sorry to interrupt but I think we got company."

We all crouch down to avoid being seen by the ship that was flying in. "Should we get out of here?" I ask as I ready my bow.

"We just need a few more seconds," Pidge hisses in reply.

"Stay low, we need that intel," Shiro orders. Suddenly the computer next to me beeps and a Galra soldier appears on the screen. I duck down and roll behind some boxes as the rest of the team also moves out of the view of the screen.

"He's still looking. I think he's waiting for a signal or something," Lance says as his hiding place has a clear view of the screen.

"I got it," Hunk says as he pulls one of the knocked out soldiers and lifted it up to the screen. He maneuvered its hand to give a thumbs up. The soldier on the screen disappeared.

"Nice job Hunk," Lance says as we all emerge from our hiding places.

"Thanks," the yellow paladin replies, holding up the Galra's arm so that Lance could give it a high five.

"Okay, download complete," Pidge says, looking up.

"What's it say?" Shiro asks.

Pidge's eyes scan the data on her screen and she frowns, "Nothing. This place doesn't have any useful information. Just a schedule of the ships coming in and out."

"Well I guess this mission was a bust," Lance complains.

Shiro nods with a sigh, "Let's head back to the castle."

"Hold on. Pidge do you know where that ship is heading?" Allura asks, pointing to the ship that had just come in.

Pidge checks the data, "It's scheduled to be here for about half an hour, then head off to central command."

"That's where they have the information we need, and I'm going to sneak aboard and get it for us," Allura says.

"What? No way!" I hiss.

"How would you even get in?" Alec says.

Allura takes off her helmet, "I'm going to walk right through the front," she says, then her skin starts to turn purple and she grows taller. We all gasp as she now stands before us as a Galra.

"What the heck?!" I whisper yell.

"How the heck did you do that?" Hunk asks.

"The Alteans are chameleon-like people who can blend in with the local population. It's the ability that's made us great explorers and diplomats throughout our history," Allura explains.