The Net Tightens
Planet Tarsus: Planet Tarsus, Dr. David Hawkin's Underground Medicial Complex: "Well?" Lance asked. "What do you think, o'fearless leader?"
"You're asking me what I think?" Keith said.
"Hey, there's always a first time." Lance joked.
"Well at least we found out where she went to." Keith frowned."Pidge, what is the Green Lion reading enviromental wise?"
"Aside from normal readings, Keith, it's picking up lazon particles. Something definitely happened here."
"Nothin' but ruins topside, Cap." Hunk said in his off-handed way. "Tho' there's a faint energy reading down below them ruins."
"Okay." Keith said. "I think we need to find out just what went on here and then perhaps we can get a clue as to where the Princess went to."
"Personally, I think she could of warped out through a wormhole." Lance said. "You know it could have happened."
"Only if you know the right coordinates." Keith said. "And it's doubtful Lotor could have sent them through one. After all he wasn't in much shape to do anything."
"Maybe he was." Lance gritted his teeth. "Maybe somehow the princess brought him here, got him fixed up, and he turned into his usually slimy self and kidnapped her."
"Still, we're going to check things out here and get some answers." Keith said.
Lance sighed. He was all for that but it certainly wasn't going to help them find Allura and he had this feeling that their resignation from Garrison wasn't going to go unoticed.
"Let's go down, team."Keith said.
"They WHAT?" If Amalgamus could have sizzled out a chip, he would have.
"Yes." Zarkon said smoothly. "We've received the resignations of Captain Akira and his noble crew. Such a pity to lose such fine officers of the Fleet."
"It is not logical!" Amalgamus 'paced' back and forth. "They were career men - well I don't know about that Lance fellow, bit of a maverick - but the others!"
"It's their princess, sir." Zarkon put his hands behind his back and shook his head sadly. "After all those years on Arus, they're quite loyal to her. Even though she IS a traitor to the Alliance, their loyalty still remains with her."
"Bah." Amalgamus stopped his pacing. "It's still not logical, I tell you. Well we shall have to get replacement pilots for Voltron."
"Ah, but Voltron does not BELONG to the Garrison proper." Zarkon said. "But of course you know that I'm sure."
"Of COURSE I know that!" Amalgamus started to pace again. "But seeing as the Princess Allura is a traitor to the Alliance by aiding a war criminal, we can place restrictions upon Arus."
"Yes we could, couldn't we?" Zarkon smiled slightly. "I wonder would martial law be an option?"
"No, no, Zarkon. I know that you are trying to help, but you are most zealous."
"I only wish for peace, Amalgamus." Zarkon bowed his head.
"Of course. We all do." Amalgamus shook his upper body in the approximation of a nod. "But I think we shall just put limited sanctions upon Arus and of course impound Voltron, as he is property of the Crown."
Zarkon's eyes widened. "Why what an excellent idea!"
"Of course it is." Amalgamus said. "Quite a logical step. The Alliance needn't lose it's most powerful defender because of the illogical actions of a idealistic princess."
"I pray that both she and my son - whatever shape he is in - will come to their senses and surrender."
"I'm sure that they will, Zarkon. Now if you will assist me, we shall draft the order and send it to Arus."
"As you will, Amalgamus, as you will." Zarkon hid his victorious smile. With Voltron in their hands, he would be quite easily destroyed. And with Voltron destroyed, the fleet that he had been building for Lotor's use would come into play. Never mind that the plans had changed somewhat, he would still gain what he had lost.
But before THAT happened, he would find the princess and his son and they would receive his revenge.
Ah, the Revenge..that WOULD be quite a good name for his lead flagship..
"Sven, I realize this is short notice, but Keith and the others have taken the other lions. They want you to rendevous at these coordinates with the Blue Lion."
Coran was facing Sven,who had just arrived from Pollux - in a hurry.
"That is no problem, Coran. I came as soon as I received the message. Princess Romelle bid me to come as well. She has feared for Princess Allura ever since she heard the news."
Coran nodded gravely. "You must hurry, Sven. The others have taken the lions - but only because we suspect that the Alliance will try to take them by force. They belong to the Crown, but that won't stop Amalgamus - not when the princess is branded a traitor."
"I know." Sven's face darkened. "And with Zarkon close to Amalgamus, I suspect the worst."
"As do I." Coran said. "Now you must hurry!"
"But what about Arus! It's unprotected!" Sven asked.
"They won't dare attack a defenseless planet. No, they'll try diplomatic means first and then sanctions."
"And then?"
Coran sighed. "Then we may have to take defensive measures. But you mustn't worry. You and the other men must find Allura and protect her. As long as she and Voltron are free, then we have hope."
Sven nodded and ran towards Castle Control with Coran following at a quick pace. Within minutes he was in the air and Blue Lion was en route.
"The lions are gone, Zarkon." Coran said evenly. "They ARE the property of Arus. As I recall, they are not under the Alliance's jurisdiction."
"But the pilots have resigned from the Garrison! They're flying those lions outside of the law!"Zarkon sputtered.
The law, bah.. Coran thought as he looked at Zarkon's face. YOU never HAD any regard for the law.
"Not outside of Arun law, Zarkon. Arun law superceeds that of the Alliance by centuries AND we chose our pilots under different criteria."
"Why am I not suprised, Coran?" Zarkon said quite calmly. "I should have known that they would follow in the footsteps of your rebellious princess."
"I am not aware of that, Zarkon. And if I did, I would not hand out that information." Coran tensed. He had a feeling of what was coming.
"Oh, really?" Zarkon's eyes glittered. "Well, I have TRIED to convince Amalgamus to be lenient with Arus' plight, but I may not be able to sway him. If the lions are not returned to Arus within 48 solar hours then Arus shall be under martial law."
Coran tried to hide his alarm. If Arus was occupied, then Allura could not come back at all! All the better that the lions stayed out of Amalgamus - no, ZARKON'S hands!
"Do what you will, Zarkon." Coran said. "I know that you are behind it all."
"Oh I shall be, Prime Minister." He said mysteriously. "I SHALL be."
The transmission cut off abruptly and Coran went to work. He had to inform Keith and the others.
Blind Faith - Chapter Twenty One
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