Birthright: Chapter 1 Planet Arus       The sun was high, casting its warm rays upon the green carpeted land. Children were laughing as they rolled down a small hill, racing to the bottom, only to trek back up to star their race again. It couldn't have been a more perfect day for the Voltron Force members as they spent their free time with the children of Aeryn, home to one of Arus' many orphanages.       Allura smiled as she stood to the side as she watched her teammates play their little games with the children.       "It was very nice of you to have your friends come out to see the children."       Allura turned as Dora joined her. She was the nurse mother of the local orphanage.       "I think they are enjoying it as well, Dora," she said with a smile.       Dora nodded. "It seems that your captain has a sudden following." Allura turned to see Keith sitting under a tree with several children sitting in front of him as he read from a book that he held in his hands.       "Its rare that they get to have stories read to them," Dora explained. "Its sad to say that illiteracy runs high for the orphans. Its times like these that I know these children have a chance."       "I think I'll arrange it so they come to visit more often, Dora," Allura said. "The effect on them alone seems to be a positive influence on the children."       Allura's communicator then chimed causing her to pardon the interruption.       *Allura here.*       *Princess, I have an encoded message coming in from Galaxy Garrison.* Coran's voice came over.       *Oh?*       *Its addressed for Captain Hayashi.*       Allura looked up as the children surrounding Keith started to cheer and laugh.       *I'll have him report back to the castle.*       *Please do.*       Ah, the captain's job is never done," Dora remarked. Allura slowly nodded.       Dora turned to the young man as he started to play with the young children. "He associates well with them," she stated. "But lost souls do that."       "Lost souls?"       Dora smiled as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your captain was an orphan himself, at one time, princess."       "Orphan?"       Dora nodded as she slowly left. Allura breathed in deeply as she made her way to the tree. She smiled as several of the children were climbing over him, as he fell to the ground.       "Now, if Lotor ever found out that it only takes a couple of children to subdue you, captain, we would have been defeated long ago."       Keith looked up as Allura came to stand above him. He let out a laugh as he extricated himself from their hold on him. "It'll take more than that," he said.       Allura nodded. "Coran is receiving a message from Galaxy Garrison," she said. "He says it's addressed to you."       "Oh?" he asked as he got to his feet.       "I'll notify Lance that we will be heading back," she said. "That they are not obligated to return with us at this time."       "You don't have to leave, Allura," he said. "I can make it back all by myself. I'm a big boy now."       Allura's expression soured as she lightly punched his arm. "Well, don't make mommy take that privilege away from you," she played along.       He smiled. "Well, we better get going."       Allura and Keith slowly entered the Control room, seeing that Coran had already received the message from Galaxy Garrison. Admiral Benson was engaged in small talk with the court advisor as they waited for the Captain's arrival.       Coran stood as Keith approached, and by his expression, Keith could not help but feel that this transmission was not made as a social call. The court advisor was quick to intercept Allura and convince her to turn and leave.       "What's going on Admiral?" Keith asked.       "I wish that I could have called on more happier terms, Keith, but I've been given this chance to really some bad news."       "What is it?"       "Keith your father, passed away earlier this morning," he stated. "It seems that he went peacefully in his sleep."       Keith fell back into the seat that was earlier occupied by Coran. "Was he ill?"       "No, no," Benson said. "Keith.....he -- he was an old man. Nature decided that he had spent enough time already."       Keith slowly nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I can't believe he is gone..."       "Derek was a good man, and one of my trusted friends," Benson stated. "Know that he did right by taking you under his care. Everyone told him he was crazy to foster a child at his age. But he did right."       "What of..."       "I've already assigned a personal attendant to oversee his legal affairs here on Earth," he said. Though there was something urgent he left behind for you."       "Oh?"       "A package. I immediately dispatched a ship to have it delivered to you. It should arrive in a day's time. It was his last request he made of me before he died, that you get it."       "I understand," he said. "Thank you, Admiral."       "Keith, I offer you my condolences," Benson added. "I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. Someone that you love."       "He was everything to me, Admiral," he said. "Again, I thank you."       "Please keep in touch," he said. "If there is anything that I can do for you, please don't hesitate to call."       "I will." Planet Vallis       "My lady?"       Alysson looked up as her personal servant entered her room. She handed Alysson a small letter.       "I just received it from Kender," she added.       Alysson read over the letter, her expression turning to one of concern as she stood.       "Is it as we feared?"       "Admiral Hayashi has passed away." Alysson stated. "Does anyone else know of this?"       "No my lady," she stated. "Kender himself encode it twice."       "Where is Anala?"       "I believe she is with Nera, in the garden."       "Have her brought to me, immediately."       er servant nodded. "My lady, Kelar will suspect....."       Kelar doesn't even know," she said. "Quickly, before we run out of time."