Survival of the Innocent (A Voltron fanfic) (Book 1 of Fates Entwined)

Entertaining Entrancement Part 2

The Castle of Lions lands on the moon where two aliens are waiting.

Allura speaks over the intercom, "Attention, damaged craft, this is Princess Allura. We are coming to assist you."

Rolo is impressed by the sight, "Whoa. Nice ship."

In the Castleship Bridge, Allura prepares to exit with the Paladins and tells Coran to, "Stay aboard and try to get as many of our systems clear of that Galra crystal energy as you can. We'll see who hailed us."

"Yes, Princess."

Allura and the Paladins descend to greet the stranded crew on the moon's surface.

"You don't know how glad we are to see some friendly faces. Most folks don't want to get tangled up with anyone who's on the run from the Galra."

"So, you guys are fighting the Galra?" Keith questions.

"Well, I don't think Zarkon is exactly quaking in his boots at the three of us, but we do what we can. I'm Rolo. This is Nyma, and our cyber-unit, Beezer."

"Hi," Nyma says and Lance is struck by Nyma's beauty.

Pidge is amazed by Beezer, "Cool robot!"

Lance takes Nyma's hand, "Hi! Name's Lance."

"Was your ship damaged in a fight?" Shiro asks.

"Yeah, we've really been through it with the Galra. Parts are hard to come by. Luckily, we were able to limp to this moon about a week ago. If you didn't pick up our distress signal, I didn—" Rolo starts.

"We're happy to help. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and from now on, you won't be alone fighting the Galra. You'll have the Paladins of Voltron by your side."

Rolo compares the serious Shiro, Keith and Hunk with Lance and Pidge, who are goofing off with Nyma and Beezer. He is not impressed, "... Okay."

"I don't think they've heard of us," Shiro says aloud.

"It has been ten thousand years," Keith replies, remembering how everyone would disagree over the stories of Voltron being real or just myths.

"Voltron? Five robot Lions that combine into this big robot... guy?" Lance tries.

"Sounds impressive. I'd love to see it. Or—Or him. Them," Rolo answers.

"Why don't we just get to work on your ship? I'm sure we all have places to be," Hunk replies seriously.

"Sure," Rolo opens his spacecraft, "Pretty much our whole flaxum assembly is shot. I don't know what kind of extra parts you carry in this rig of yours. I've never seen anything quite like it."

In the background, Lance flirts with Nyma. Shiro smacks him.

"I'm sure we can get you back up and running. Give Hunk a list of what you need. Coran can show you where to find it," Allura offers.

"Okay," Hunk obeys.

"We'll go with you. Don't want you to have to carry all that yourself. Come on, guys," Rolo tries walking towards the Castle of Lions.

Hunk stops him, "Uh, I don't think so. You can just wait out here."

"Hunk, don't be rude," Allura chastises.

"Yeah, mind your manners. There are ladies present," Lance winks at Nyma, "Hey."

Shiro sighs.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, but does anyone remember the last time we let our defenses down? Someone kind of set off a bomb. Remember, Keith? You were almost killed," Hunk rants, almost growling.

"Oh, yeah..." Keith whimpers.

"Hunk's right. Sorry, but we have to be cautious," Shiro agrees, gaze hardening involuntarily, hand squeezing Keith's shoulder in reassurance.

"Hey, I don't take it personal. That's how it is out here. You've got to look out for your own. You're doing a good job, big man," Rolo says and hands Hunk a list of parts from Beezer.

"Yeah. Thanks," Hunk replies, taking it.

Rolo sits with Allura, Shiro and Keith. Pidge is distracted by Beezer. Lance is with Nyma.

"My planet was destroyed by the Galra and I was taken captive. I managed to escape, but not before I lost something," Rolo displays his prosthetic left leg.

"I know exactly how that feels," Shiro sympathises, glancing at his metal arm.

Keith squeezes Shiro's non-prosthetic in comfort, hair covering his eyes.

Hunk drags a hovercart full of parts over, "Well, I hope there are some parts in here that'll fit."

Rolo does not respond.

"... You know, to get your ship moving?"

"Great! Thanks."

"So, what can you tell us about Zarkon's forces? Where are they concentrated?" Allura asks.

"Well, his Command Ship sits right in the center of the Empire. He mostly calls the shots from there and has his minions do the work, depending on who's closest. This is the territory of a real nasty bugger named Sendak," Rolo growls.

"Oh, we've met," Keith winces.

"How far are we from the center?" Shiro questions, squeezing Keith's hand.

"We're way out on the fringes."

Hunk walks over, "Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I think you guys are kind of keeping Rolo from working. It's just that we're in a hurry. A hero named Shay saved my life, and I swore I would return to do the same for her and her people. You understand."

"Sure. Sorry," Rolo places a hand on Hunk's shoulder and then walks over to the hovercart to inspect the parts.

Shiro approaches Hunk to whisper quietly, "Hunk, we're going to get going soon, but I think Rolo might have some information that could be helpful to us."

"Not for nothin' but I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. I think we ought to leave him with the box parts and just say, 'Adiós, amigo—'" Hunk replies.

"Hey, bud! Sorry, but do you think you could hunt down a length of thermal pipe about yay long?" Rolo gestures the length.

"On the way," Hunk groans and leaves.

Shiro, Keith and Allura approach Rolo.

"So, are there more freedom fighters? Any kind of organized resistance to the Galra?" Shiro questions.

"Only folks who haven't been colonized yet, or the lucky few, like us, who managed to escape somehow," Rolo sighs.

"Well, we're going to change all that. So no one suffers like us again," Keith decides.

"That's good to hear, but I've got to warn you, it's pretty bad out there. You don't know what you're up against," Rolo informs them.