After the chaos on Solara Minor, the pace didn't slow, it escalated.
Back at the STF HQ, Ian didn't give Caden time to settle in. He led him through the upper levels of the building, past quiet halls and secured doors, until they reached a sealed meeting room.
Caden glanced around as they stepped inside. "So… what exactly are you showing me?"
Ian didn't answer right away. He just walked to the center of the room and tapped his comm. "Wait here."
A few seconds passed.
Then the doors opened.
One by one, they walked in.
First was Voltron, his massive frame ducking slightly under the doorway, mechanical limbs humming with every step. Then Ice King, calm as ever, frost practically lingering in the air around him. Deadshot Valor followed, composed and precise, eyes already sizing Caden up.
And then more.
Soldiers. Veterans. Fighters.
Not normal ones, these were the ones you heard about in stories. The kind of people entire missions were built around.
Among them… the Greats.
Caden didn't realize he had stopped breathing until Ian spoke again.
"Take a seat."
Caden slowly sat down, eyes still scanning the room as the last of them filed in and took their places.
Ian stepped forward.
"Everyone, this is Caden."
A few nods. A few quiet murmurs.
"He's going to be the newest addition to something we don't officially label… but everyone here understands."
Ian turned slightly toward Caden.
"This is the Vanguard."
The room felt heavier just hearing it.
"It's not a division," Ian continued. "Not a unit you sign up for. It's a title." His voice was steady. "Every Great holds it. Some others do too, those who've reached a level where they can operate like an army on their own."
Caden swallowed slightly.
Ian kept going.
"These are the ones who take missions no one else can. Solo. Duo. Doesn't matter. Situations that would normally require entire fleets…" he gestured around the room, "…they handle it."
A pause.
"And if the worst ever happens, if the Greats fall, this is the next line of command."
That landed.
Hard.
Caden shifted in his seat, the weight of it starting to sink in.
Ian looked directly at him now. "You're not there yet. And we know that."
A few faint smirks from around the room.
"But," Ian added, "you've got something we need. And the best time to build you up… is now."
He stepped back slightly.
"For now, your role is simple. You observe. You learn. You don't try to be them—you understand how they operate."
Ian clapped his hands once.
"Meeting dismissed."
The room broke into motion. Conversations sparked instantly as people stood and began filing out. Some glanced at Caden with curiosity, others with quiet approval, or skepticism.
He barely had time to process it before a shadow fell over him.
Voltron.
The massive cyborg looked down at him, voice low and mechanical.
"You're observing me first."
Caden blinked. "…Yes, sir."
"We have a mission in ten minutes," Voltron continued. "Be in the hangar."
He turned to leave, then paused just slightly.
"Don't be late."
Caden straightened instinctively. "I won't."
Voltron walked off, heavy footsteps echoing.
Caden sat there for half a second longer… then stood up quickly, adrenaline kicking back in.
Ten minutes.
No warm-up.
No easing into it.
He let out a quiet breath.
"…Guess this is really happening."