Shiro's steady attention doesn't waver, pricked ears focused intently on Keith. Sacrifice the Castle? How...? Nope, putting that on hold. It at least explains why he woke up in a pod in a lion. He doesn't remember anything past that point.

The idea of a time slip makes sense, but he doesn't like it. He inhales sharply. "Three years?" He sits back a little, raking his fingers through his hair. "The Empire without a leader. Must've shattered all over again. The planets in rebellion...! Did the rebels hold the coalition together? Were they able to defend themselves?"

The logistical impact of Voltron vanishing for three years is immense; the options are endless as the stars. "Without the Castle, there is no engine to create wormholes. The lions don't have that kind of power stored up anymore. The Blue Lion's was a one-time thing."