Amalgamus, in his fussy way, wheeled himself around Zarkon's new office that
was situated outside his own.
"Well, Zarkon. I hope you like your new surroundings. It certainly wouldn't
have been convenient for me to have you as my aide where you were and Creator
knows if Marshall Graham shall ever step back in."
Zarkon looked about his new spacious office. His floor to ceiling windows
offered a view of blue sky and boxy Garrison buildings, but it was perfect
for it was at Garrison Central and it was of course in the nerve center of
the Alliance.
For while Arus had been the heart of the Alliance, Garrison Central had been
the brain, and he would inflict some damage to it before he was through. At this thought, Zarkon fought the urge to snicker, and suceeded.
"Yes. It is quite palatial indeed, Amalgamus."
If you consider a shoebox with a view palatial. My closet in Doom Castle was bigger than this! he supressed a smirk.
"I am glad you find it appealing, Zarkon. There is so much work to do and I
will need your help. The elections are coming up for leadership on the
Alliance council. 900 planets are all calling for guidance, and I feel that
something must be done about that."
"Oh of course, Amalgamus." Zarkon turned to face the sentient robot.
Zarkon looked fit in his new Garrison issue armor. The flexible material did take some getting used to of course. He was used to wearing looser and finer
material. The armor though, did trim him up a bit which he liked. Just before
Doom's fall he had been running to a paunch and he was out of shape, but now
he was taking care to remake himself completely. After all, he was not young
anymore - hadn't been for a long time - and with Hagar off in oblivion
somewhere, he had to make sure he was strong both physically and mentally. He
was actually feeling good these days, even so far as noticing women once
again. Of course he would not indulge in that pasttime - not unless he could
get away with it - which he knew he wouldn't. That could come later - for now
he had attend to the business of getting back what was his.
"It is a shame that Marshall Graham had to step down due to his health. I
understand it was a ailment of his heart that could not be repaired?" Zarkon
said almost sadly.
Amalgamus rolled towards a Dryllien hopeflower tree that had been placed in
the office for decor and reached out with one of his extensions and made a
gesture as if to sniff at it. Of course he could not - it was a human like
gesture that had been programed into him.
Angina Bellandus to be precise. it is believed that he was a victim of a a Supremacy toxin attack when Explorer liberated one of the occupied planets of
General Kheezor. He had been there shortly afterwards despite warnings. "
Ah Kheezor..just his style.. Zarkon suppressed a smirk. He had been trying
to plan a little scandal for Graham, but the actual health ailment came as if
an evil godsend. It was his heart attack at the ceremony of the Heroes of Balto
that prompted the whole affair.
Of course there would be pity for Graham, but Zarkon knew that that
particular disease of the heart could not be treated by heart surgery or
replacement. That was the beauty of it - the whole circulatory system was
affected. Graham would not die but he could not involve himself in high
stress situations such as guiding 900 planets. There were a few pitiful
contenders, but Amalgamus would take the lead. Zarkon would make sure of that.
"I must admit, Amalgamus, that even though I have changed my ways, it still
pains me that the effects of what I have done - what my fellow Drules have
done will still affect other's lives so adversely. I pray for guidance and
ask forgiveness every day for it and for my poor son."
"An admirable trait Zarkon, but you cannot help the actions of others."
"I know Amalgamus.." Zarkon sighed, pacing a little, his booted feet sinking
into the soft carpet. "I am, I'm afraid, beset by emotions."
"Do not trouble yourself Zarkon." Amalgamus said. "It is a flaw with sentient
beings - not including myself. Even I am beset by them at times. Hm..now what was it I wanted to discuss with you?"
Zarkon supressed a smile. Amalgamus could calculate faster than the fastest
nano-chip. He held all the knowledge of civilized space, and yet he could
only do what Zarkon 'helpfully' programed into him.
"I believe it was the Princess of Arus and my son?" Zarkon raised a brow.
Amalgamus reached out with an extension and with a very human gesture,
touched himself on his 'forehead'.
"Yes! That's right! Zarkon, you will need to see that my weekly diagnostics
are timely! I cannot have lapses in judgement!"
"Of course, Amalgamus." Zarkon bowed his head slightly.
"At any rate, I have made inquiries of the Princess to speak directly to her,
but her PM is constantly giving excuses. I believe she has left Arus with
your son, endangering his life. I should send out a detachment to bring them
back. After all, your son, regretfully IS an Alliance criminal and the
princess is violating Section B, subsection 243.2 - a, subchapter !0a,
paragraph 2, sentence 316 of the Alliance/Garrison pact of 2498."
Zarkon was not about to ASK what THAT was. He had an idea. Abetting and
aiding a wanted criminal.
"Amalgamus, I do not think it wise. After all, the general populace has no
idea that Lotor is missing from the facility. Damage control has been done."
"Then what course of action do you propose? We cannot let him escape from
justice!"
"He won't I am sure of it. The princess had a hatred of my son, I regret to
say. I don't believe she will harm him but I know she wishes justice to be
done. The problem is that we are very close to elections. The princess is a
valuable and well-loved member of the Alliance. It was she, during the war
that rallied the Alliance against my then-superior forces. She is the heart of
the Alliance, if you publicly capture her, you will turn everyone against
you." Zarkon looked at him sternly.
"So you are proposing..?" Amalgamus asked.
"Simply that we wait. The Princess will bring him back once she is tired of
playing nurse."
"Perhaps you are right. I would not want a scandal over this. I am sure the
princess will see the error she has made and return Lotor to where he can be
treated."
"I am sure she will." Zarkon smiled slightly.
Of course he was going to send someone after them - it was only a matter of
time before he found out where she took him to. He had no problem with
another doctor treating his son, he just wanted to make sure that his plans
would not go awry. He needed his son alive if only to stir up his rage at the
Alliance. He wanted Lotor to hate the Alliance and Voltron. He had before and
he would again if that damned princess didn't kill him first. She could ruin
everything.
She could ruin everything because she was the only thing that Lotor loved and
he knew it.
There were still mercenaries about. Just because Doom fell didn't mean there
still weren't Doom soldiers and officers loyal to the cause - loyal to him.
Zarkon had planned for every emergency, even his possible fall. After the
election, if she did not return his son, then he would set them upon her...or perhaps he would do the job himself..
Blind Faith - Chapter Ten
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