Beyond Andromeda

through the portal

"~Keith!~" Shiro's voice was drowned out by the thundering explosion raging in a vicious attack upon the Red Lion and its Paladin. The robotic lion got flung through the air like a rag doll, the force of Haggar's attack overwhelming the young pilot and his ship's systems.

The force of the explosion had made his ears ring with the volume of a thousand drums pounding on his ear drums. It threw him back into his seat, keeping him hostage as they flipped in the air, spinning out of control.

He didn't even realize he was screaming, yelling in pure agony until he couldn't make noise any longer. He panted for air, tears pouring down his face like salty rivers as he came back into reality.

Keith's throat cried for water, something to soothe the burning sensation. A guttural made its way into the air as he tried to answer his comms, but to no avail.

"'Ello?" The dark-haired boy's voice was even more gruff than usual, having an unusual huskiness to it. He attempted to clear it, only to set off a series of deep coughs.

His eyesight began to clear up, the blur slowly fading away. "What the quiznak..." Looking out the dashboard window, he recognized nothing. Around him was nothing but empty space.

Far away stars glittered away in the dark sky, almost winking at him. It was quiet. Too quiet. Where was the planet of the people they had been defending? Where was the battle in the skies, the lasers from ships volting back and forth. Where... was he?

None of his teammates were in sight. Neither was the fleet of Galra ships that had been attacking moments prior, or the Castle of Lions. Even after studying thousands of constellations in his free time, he couldn't recognize any in his surroundings. It was as if he had been blasted millions of lightyears away from his friends... his family.

Keith was lost in space.

~~~ beyond andromeda ~~~

"General Kenobi! General Skywalker! We're picking up a distress signal on our course! It's as though the object just appeared there!" One of the shinies addressed the two Jedi on the bridge, the pair expressing confusion. "We have to pull out of hyperspeed or we'll crash right through it."

Obi-Wan nodded, a cautious expression on his face. "Master..." Obi-Wan turned to his old Padawan, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Do you believe this has anything to do with what was felt in the Force? That surge of power?"

Obi-Wan didn't say anything, giving Anakin the only answer he needed as the elder turned back towards the large window, watching as the technicians carefully pulled out of hyperspeed.

An oddly shaped ship was floating aimlessly through zero gravity. "Open up a hailing signal."

Anakin stepped up to the comm station, placing both hands on the console and leaning forward. "This is Republic General Anakin Skywalker of The Resolute. We picked up your distress signal. To whom am I speaking to?"

It was silent for a moment, and suspense was thick in the air, but a crackling voice was faintly picked up. "~You're... not Galra?~"

"What's... a Galra?" Anakin furrows his eyebrows, typing the word into the console search engine, biting his lip when no results appear.

"~Who... who are you?~" The voice was hoarse, and it sounded as though the troubled pilot was having trouble breathing.

"My name is General Skywalker. I serve the Galactic Republic." Anakin had a frown on his face, turning towards his mentor, who looked almost just as confused as he did.

"~What the fuck... is the Republic?~"

~~~ beyond andromeda ~~~

Using a tractor beam, the Resolute pulled the unknown ship aboard their own. It was pulled into the hangar where both General Kenobi and General Skywalker were waiting. A battalion stood behind them, standing at attention, but ready for a situation should it arise.