The buzz at the door indicating that someone was waiting outside pulled Keith's attention away from the screen in front of him. "Come in." He leaned back in his desk chair as the door slid open, and Lance entered walking gingerly and trying unsuccessfully to mask the stiff pain as he moved. He set an file tablet on the desk before sinking gratefully into the chair across from Keith.

"P.T.'s not agreeing with you, I see." Keith observed.

Lance shook his head. "Even my hair hurts," he whined. "Why are they doing this to me?"

"You failed your physical, Lance. They won't let you back into the field until you pass." Keith smirked as he reached for the tablet. "You got too lazy on Arus, my friend. I kept telling you to keep up your training."

Lance decided not to engage in a losing battle, so he changed the subject. "It's done."

"Good," Keith said, glancing over the e-files. "It only took you a week longer than it should have."

"Gimme a break," Lance begged, "not all of us can be the perfect soldier like you." He watched Keith as he scanned the e-files. "You know, it's been three months since we've been back, and I still can't get used to the new do."

"Yes, I know," Keith said, not looking up. "You say that every time I see you."

Lance leaned over to get a look at himself in the glass on the desk, then looked at Keith's matching hair cut. "Yeah, well, at least you look good with a military cut. I look like a total douche." He frowned and ran his hands through his new shorter locks and muttered something about crappy Garrison protocol.

Keith ignored him. "These are the guys you picked?"

"What's wrong with them?"

"They just seem kind of green for this assignment. They're barely out of the Academy."

Lance shrugged. "Yeah, well, a brilliant man once said, 'If you're afraid of getting a rotten apple, don't go to the barrel, get it straight from the tree.' These guys haven't had a chance to be tainted by Garrison politics yet."

"They've both been accepted into the Special Ops training program. So someone must think they have some talent. But this one," Keith pointed to the tablet, "seems like kind of a screw up. Several demerits on his record."

"Aw, he's just a little rough around the edges. He's got great pilot scores – a real scrapper, that one."

Keith narrowed his eyes. "He reminds you of you, doesn't he?"

Lance grinned. "Maybe a little."

"There is no end to your vanity, is there?"

"Nope."

Keith turned back to the file. "This one looks competent enough. Good with computer analysis. His combat training scores could be better."

"Just a little wet behind the ears," Lance argued. "Nothing a couple of real life battle situations can't cure. He's good with machinery too. So we've got a Hunk and a Pidge all rolled into one."

Keith didn't look convinced.

"Look, Keith," Lance began, "you are the one who saddled me with putting together your team. If you don't like how I do things..."

"Quit whining, you big baby." Keith said. "I trust your judgement, Lance. If you think they're up to it, we'll give em a shot."

That settled Lance. "Good. I know that you want to keep the team small, but do you really think two will do it? Don't you think a five man team would be better?"

Keith shook his head. "If it were up to me, it would be just me and you. But we'll need extra boots with us. Four will be just fine."

"Your the boss. So, do you want to meet these guys? They're outside."

"They've been waiting out there all this time? What if I had vetoed them?"

Lanced grinned. "I knew you wouldn't." He grimaced as he stood up and then muttered more profanities directed at Galaxy Garrison on his way to the door. "Come on in, guys."

The two young soldiers entered. One could barely contain his excitement and carried himself with a certain arrogance that Keith immediately recognized while the other looked as though he would vomit at any moment. They approached the desk and stood at attention as Keith rose from his chair.

"At ease, men," Keith said. They relaxed a little, but still maintained their Garrison trained composure.

Lance snickered behind them. "Admiral Kogane, this is Ensign Daniel Harris, and Ensign Vince Larkin."

Keith looked them over for a moment before telling them to sit. They both took a chair in front of the desk. Lance stood between them.

Keith also sat and folded his hands in front of him.

"With respect, Sir," Ensign Harris said suddenly, blatantly ignoring protocol when addressing a ranking officer "are we in some sort of trouble? Because if this is about the grafitti on General Hawkins' ship, I was no where near that hangar Saturday night. I have witnesses."

Keith glanced up at Lance who only smirked and gave him a small wink. "And you, Ensign Larkin? What do you have to say?"

Vince was watching Daniel wide-eyed clearly a little more than irritated with his comrade. He jerked his attention back to Keith. "I barely know this guy, Sir. We had a couple of classes together at the Academy, but other than that..."

"Geez, way to throw me under the bus, Vince," Daniel said, glaring at him.

Vince shook his head. "Nope, you are not going to get me into trouble AGAIN!" he said with conviction.

"Oh, come on, it was only that one time," Daniel said, "and really, if you think about it, it wasn't totally my fault..."

"Are you serious? It was completely your fault,"

Keith looked at Lance again who could only shrug. He cleared his throat loudly to remind the men that he was still in the room. They caught it quickly and both shut up. "I'm sure that you have heard the rumors that Garrison is putting together a task force to weed out some potential moles."

"Yes, sir," Daniel answered, "but that's supposed to be top secret, right?"

Lance snorted. "Yeah, so top secret that all of the first year cadets know about it."

"Is that why we're here, Sir?" Daniel asked. "Because with respect, I'm supposed to be reporting for training in the Special Ops program in two weeks."

Vince looked at him, surprised. "Me too. Sir."

"I am well aware of your status right now, Ensigns." Keith said.

"Trust me, boys," Lance said, "this mission is going to be the only Special Ops training you're going to need." Both Ensigns glanced at him, then each other, and then back at Keith for clarification.

Kieth nodded. "The task force is really just a smoke screen for our real mission."

Now, Daniel sat forward in his chair, listening intently.

Keith continued. "First of all, I want to make it absolutely clear that what you are about to hear is for your ears only. If anything I am about to tell you is leaked to anyone, you will be thrown in the brig for the better part of your lives. Do you understand?"

The Ensigns nodded gravely.

"Three months ago, the Drules hold on the Danubian Galaxy in the Far Universe began to crumble."

"That's were planet Arus is, isn't it, Sir?" Vince asked.

"That is correct." Keith answered, clearly impressed with Vince's knowledge of Arus.

Daniel sneered at him. "Suck up," he whispered under his breath.

"Garrison has received intel that there are still splinter cells in the area. Groups that are still loyal to Planet Doom."

"And King Zarkon and Prince Lotor." Daniel piped up.

Keith let out a breath. "Yes."

Daniel grinned at Vince.

Now Lance spoke. "Garrison is afraid that these cells will band together to retaliate against Arus. We are being sent to make sure that didn't happen."

"But, Sir, why not just take Voltron?" Vince asked. "Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Keith and Lance glanced at each other. They had both been wondering how much the Ensigns had known about Voltron. The Arus assignment – and by default, Voltron – was supposed to be top secret, need to know information. Apparently, word had gotten around.

Keith cleared his throat. "Voltron is for defense only. Waiting around for Arus to be attacked is not an option. Our mission is to root out and eliminate any remaining threat to that part of the galaxy." There was a moment of silence as the Ensigns digested the information. There was no denying what exactly Keith meant when he said 'eliminate' the threat.

"This is a Black Ops mission, guys," Lance said. "We are going to be off Garrison's grid with no back up. We'll pretty much be on our own."

Keith nodded. "We won't be sending you to the wolves completely unprepared. There will be two weeks of special training before we go. What I need to know, right now, that the two of you will be able to handle this assignment."

There was no hesitation from Daniel as he jumped up and stood at attention. He was struggling to contain his excitement. "You can definitely count on me, Sir!"

Keith had to mentally stop himself from smiling. He could definitely see the resemblance between the Ensign and his own right hand. Daniel carried the same self assured attitude as Lance, and Keith knew from first hand experience how invaluable that could be. As long as he could keep the kid reigned in. He would leave that responsibility to Lance. It would serve him right. Vince, on the other hand, look less sure of himself. "Ensign Larkin?"

"Um," Vince stood up awkwardly but seemed to be struggling to find the words. "Well, I guess..."

Daniel stepped in for his comrade. "I think that what Vince is trying to say is that he would be honored to serve under you, Sir." He stared at Vince, trying to get him to say something.

"Uh, yes, Sir," the words finally came, "honored to serve. Yes, Sir."

Keith stood. "Good. Tomorrow we'll begin your training for the mission. It will be the most intense two weeks of your life, so make sure you're ready for it. You're dismissed."

Both men nodded and allowed Lance to escort them to the door. When they were gone, Lance went back to the desk. Keith was already looking at some different files on his computer. "You're sure about this, Keith? I mean, couldn't we at least tell Coran what we're going to be doing? Or at the very Hunk and Pidge? We're going to be out there without any backup..."

"We've already had this discussion, Lance, and I see no reason to do so again. I've got work to do before tomorrow, so if you don't mind."

The dismissal was unmistakable. Lance let out a defeated breath, turned on his heel, and retreated for the door.

Left alone in his office, Keith sat back in his chair. They had indeed discussed letting Arus know about the potential threat. More than once. Keith had decided that telling anyone on the planet would only complicate the mission. Lance had strongly disagreed, arguing that there was another, more obvious reason for the radio silence. Keith had immediately quashed the line of thought, and they had not spoken of it again. His mind was set. The Drules were not going to get another foothold in the Danubian Galaxy. Not only would it put all of the progress towards defeating them at risk, but all of the lives lost during the war would have been in vain. Moreover, Arus was finally able to settle down and enjoy the tranquility that the fall of Doom had brought to them, and Keith was determined to make sure that it stayed that way.