Yes I know this chapter is short I almost added it to chapter 15 but I didn't want the last chapter to be excessively long. This chapter does tie everything in a bow. Leaves a few things hanging which you know I will pick up in the sequel called Corruption. I'll let that simmer a bit. I didn't abandon the stuff I had planned in recoveries but I couldn't get the words out or the ideas to mesh so it will be revamped for later. To my KA shippers corruption will work in Alluras recovery but will be focusing on Keith adjusting to a royal roll. And how they work as a unit. You will see how my KA dynamics work. Enjoy! When I get up the first chapter

VF Chapter 16 Consequences

Keith gestured for Barron to be taken away. Lance, Hunk, Daigo, Vince, Daniel, and Larmina were happy to oblige. Chip mumbled something about checking a patient in medical. Ginger happily followed him. Pidge waited until the room cleared before he began to speak. He gave Tandy maybe five more minutes before she was back in here and it was critical that the King and Queen here this unpleasant development from him. He cleared his throat.

Allura soothed. "Don't be embarrassed about anything. We are always friends first."

Pidge couldn't help but smile. She had read that he was troubled but had misinterpreted. It was understandable given what had just happened in the presence of the royal couple. I mean…the tabloids would have had a field day. But he just grinned. "I'm not embarrassed your majesty. You've probably known our feelings for each other for a while now. I'm typically more discrete but Tandy's the wild card and always has been. Actually there is something more troubling that I need to discuss with you both. It is regarding several things on Balto."

Allura frowned. Her posture showing her stress and fatigue. Keith stood up and came down from the throne. He gestured to a door to the right which Pidge knew would take them to the royal offices. Pidge followed them and they settled down. He smiled as the Queen sat next to her husband. He in turn put a protective arm around her shoulders. Allura's body immediately relaxed. It was a simple gesture but it spoke volumes to Pidge. You could see the love come out of the couple from every cell straight from their cores. Pidge hoped he and Tandy could in time achieve the same level of love and compassion in their relationship. But he didn't have time to dwell on it. He told them everything Chip found out. Regarding the new Daimyo, the polarization of opinions on Balto causing tension, and lastly the part that he and Chip were expected to apply for Emancipation since they were no longer serving in the military.

Keith narrowed his eyes. "How can they do this now? It has been traditional for your people to Emancipate young boys and girls if they fought for the GA."

"I don't know…my parents and kid sister were killed when Chip and I were 10. I enrolled in the GA academy right away. Chip went to med school then joined at 15. I thought we had both been given the emancipation at that point. I'm going to take my documents to Lord Jennings to see if he can look them over but…he said that I had a two month grace period to return to Balto and the hearing could take up to a year to get."

The door slammed open. Pidge turned and he was surprised that it wasn't Tandy but Maggie. He raised an eyebrow. "Hey."

"I may have found a loop hole. A teeny tiny one! But it is there. If they don't find it and close it my dad can file the papers. You and Chip both signed a t460 which is the Oath of Duty and Protection to the Galaxy. According to Balton code 5570."

Pidge raised a hand. "Simplify it."

"You and Chip swore an oath of protection and fulfilled your duties honorably. According to Balton law since you fulfilled your duties with honor you can be emancipated if your commanding officer sponsors' you."

"Chip's commanding officer is dead." Pidge said.

Maggie held up a form. "But before the explosion and before he came home for that conference my dad had told me to get General Hawkins to write a Declaration of Sponsorship for Chip. Keith you could write one as Pidge's former commanding officer. I took the liberty of completing it for you all you have to do is sign it. I can take them to my dad and he can file. We don't have a lot of time and if they close the loop hole you'll have to wait for a hearing.

The door banged open and Tandy came in. "I can take her in red lion."

Keith held out his hand. "I'll sign the form. Do you need a copy of my Letter of Commission to prove that I was Pidge's commanding officer? Lance also has a copy of Hawkin's letter."

Maggie smiled. "I got both from him already. He has access to that data base and printed me two official copies."

Pidge said. "I can go with you."

Maggie shook her head. "No because if this fails. You would be forced to stay. You still have your grace period."

Pidge nodded. "Tandy there is a lot of turmoil their right now. Are you sure you want to go?"

"I'm not afraid of a little heat Pidge."

Allura stood up. "Maggie how about this. I send Coran, Lance, and Hunk to Balto on my transport. I want Coran to meet with the Daimyo anyway. I want him to know that Keith and I are not pleased with some of his decisions and that Arus and the Alliance need Pidge for ongoing support for the Votron Force. Dr. Gorma is about to retire and Chip is going to be taking his place. They are both needed here. If Lance takes the forms to your dad with your instructions will he know what to do? Given tomorrow I don't think you should leave right now."

Maggie's eyes widened. How could she forget! She was relieved of the Queen's memory and thoughtfulness. "He will. He practically taught me everything I know."

Pidge put one arm around each of their shoulders. "What about we go make root beer floats, and watch arena ball?"

Maggie grinned. "The Tornados are going to cream the Volcanos!"

Tandy lifted her lip in mock disgust. "Oh no! Definitely the Volcanos!"

Pidge steered the girls out of the office and they went to find his brother.

Allura smiled as they left. "It's nice to see Pidge open up a little. He used to be so serious I think Tandy has been very good for him."

Keith chuckled. "I think so to. It's too bad that Maggie's law degree isn't going to help her much on Arus."

Allura frowned. "I wouldn't say that. She could work as a negotiator or diplomat. She has many talents she is fluent in 7 humanoid languages, Balton, Arielon, Arusian, English, Lyrian, Ebbian, and Polloxian. She can also interpret 14 alien languages. I could hire her as a royal linguist. That is what she was with the GA."

Keith looked thoughtful. "You always try to help people."

"If I have a weakness it's that I help too much."

Keith kissed her cheek. "No that makes who you are."

Allura's eyes filled and she couldn't stop her tears from falling. "Arus suffered greatly today Keith. How can we pick up the pieces?"

Keith put both arms around her and held her tight. His answering her spoken question and an unspoken one. "One piece at a time."

"I can't do this again Keith. The drules destroyed almost everything."

"They won't this time." Keith said firmly unnerved by what she said. "Arus lost Voltron for a time. We won't lose him again. We have more allies now than ever and with a united front we will triumph."

"Lotor and Merla together. It is going to be challenging to stop them. Every time I think Lotor is gone forever he comes back even stronger."

"Not stronger…more evil maybe. But you know what happens to evil my love?"

Allura looked into her husband's eyes and she knew. "It gets lost in the dark. Voltron is our beacon of light."

Keith kissed her tenderly. "And the pilots that fly her?"

Allura sucked in her breath. She realized that he wanted her to finish her thoughts. "Fight with light in their hearts and compassion in their blood. Only then can they discover true courage and destiny."

Keith continued to hold her and thought. 'I will help you pick up the pieces of your shattered world. Because he knew better than anyone if she suffered so did Arus. His fury simmered just below the surface deep in his blood. Lotor would suffer the Consequences.'