It had been many years since Z'aale Zarkon Lessat walked upon the grounds of his dead wife's estate. He thought that it hadn't changed a bit. It was still beautiful and serene.
.my son is sentimental,like his mother.he thought.
He could have came here when he demanded his daughter, Zimereon, but instead he had sent an envoy to demand her from that insipid nursemaid of hers. Z'aale never had an inclination to visit here - until now.It was so easy to gain access to Aden. When he had left after his wife's death, he was too busy with conquering other worlds to bother with this small planet-besides it would have gone to Lotor when he was of age.
Lotor had lied to him about the state of affairs here. He had said that he had the government abolished and the citizens made into slaves after he had recieved the planet legally at age eighteen. (Zimereon was not of legal age at that time)Since Lotor produced the proof of income revenues from Aden, Z'aale did not question his son's running of Aden. Besides, Aden was so far from Doom, and defeating Voltron took up all his time, so it really wasn't a concern of his - until Lotor took his bride here.
The fools at the capital welcomed him with open arms, for they feared him-and with good reason. Z'aale had sent a battle fleet ahead of his cruiser to open the way for him to come here. His son did not know of this because they were threatened with planetwide annihilation if any word went out of his arrival. Z'aale thought perhaps after he left with Allura, he would order it done anyway-just to set an example for all his other holdings. Or, maybe not, he was a practical man, after all-the revenues from here were excellent. He would make up his mind when the time came.
The servants - ah, so loyal to his son -- well, except for the one who placed the sleeping disc in Allura's suite of rooms. Of course, he had just recieved his reward..a blaster shot in the head..after all. Z'aale had always believed once a traitor, always a traitor. Still, he had served his purpose.As for the rest of them, Z'aale was suprised that they were still around. Half of them were old - useless.
Z'aale dispatched them out of this life quickly, if not painlessly. His guards made short work of them, using their blasters. Z'aale preferred to use his ancient sword - it made more of an impression on his victims before they died.
He approached the palace courtyard. ....ah, the lights are on.....Z'aale thought he heard music playing and wondered what his son was up to with his wife.
If Lotor had Allura, he would geld him on the spot and sell him as a eunuch - if he lived, that is.
Hhmm, Z'aale thought,...I need to bring him out here...wait, there's a servant....it looks like old Q'ualle- that's his name.....the butler....he will do.
Z'aale walked slowly towards the old Drule servant. Q'ualle couldn't really see who it was too well, for it was dark. He thought that it was Lotor.
Q'ualle smiled and said, "Prince Lotor, is there anything you require this evening?"
Z'aale smiled grimly and said, "Yes, Q'ualle, there is....."
Z'aale quickly grabbed the old man by the collar which made Q'ualle scream in fright. Z'aale promptly slit his throat, cutting the unfortunate servant off in mid-scream.
Z'aale let the servant drop to the ground lifelessly and said, "Your death will be fine, Q'ualle.Thank you."
Z'aale motioned to his personal guards that were hidden near the doors that opened into the courtyard to ready their weapons as he stepped into the shadows. Z'aale heard the sound of footsteps hurrying towards the doors. The door swung open quickly, and there was his son Lotor brandishing his lasersword. Lotor saw Q'ualle sprawled on the ground dead and looked around for the intruder that dared to kill his servant.
Lotor yelled, "Come out! You dare to kill one of my servants? Come out and I will kill you!"
At that point, Z'aale stepped out and said, " I don't think that will be necessary, my thieving son!" Lotor looked stunned for a moment, but recovered quickly.
"You! Prepare to die, father! " and starting running towards his father, intent upon killing him with his sword.
Z'aale stood his ground. He quickly nodded, and before Lotor could strike, a blast of laser fire behind him hit him squarely in the back and instantly paralyzed him. He dropped his lasersword and fell to the ground, conscious, but unable to move.
Z'aale stepped over to where Lotor was at and savagely gripped him by the hair and jerked him up to face him.
Z'aale said quietly,"So, you had the gall to steal my wife away from me. Did you think you could hide away from me forever,fool! Well, I am here now, my stupid son, and now I will take what is mine, there inside."
He noticed Lotor trying to speak and said, "Are you trying to warn her, boy?" he smiled. "I'm afraid my wife will be asleep for awhile - thanks to the sleep disc one of your faithful servants put in her room. However, I will wake her up quite nicely - I'm sure you know just how." Z'aalr Zarkon laughed.
Z'aale let go of Lotor's hair and let him fall to the ground. Lotor laid on his back, his eyes flashing hatred at his father, but otherwise, he could not move.
Z'aale smiled again. "Ah, I know you hate me, you always have, haven't you? Always trying to take what is mine.Well, this time, you lose, Lotor! Do you know what will happen to you next,Lotor?" Z'aale looked down on him with scorn.
"You think I'm going to kill you, but I'm not.Killing is too good for you. In fact, you don't deserve to be a prince! So....you are going to be a slave, Lotor!" He saw surprise in his son's eyes.
"Yes, but not just any slave! Why,this is just perfect for someone like you! You, my son, are going to be a pleasure-slave on D'antayan!"
Lotor thought, ....D'antayan! The planet of witches!
Z'aale's eyes danced with mirth. "You will be sold on the auction block..I'm told there are plenty of old hags needing a young bedslave!!"
"I hope you can last there, Lotor! They say the Old Ones are hard on their bedslaves! Last maybe a year or two and then Zap!!"
Lotor wished he could rise up and kill Zarkon, but he couldn't move! Once again, as he was when he was ten years old, he was helpless. It infuriated him and frustrated him. He had to save Allura!
To taunt him more, Z'aale said, "Remember when the medbot places the slavemark on your arm and you scream with the pain of it, remember at the same time, I will be making love to Allura, and she will scream in pleasure while you scream in pain. Think of those lovely lips calling my name instead of yours, and think of who possesses her. Of course, once you get to D'antayan, you won't have time to think or sleep!! I heard the Sisters do share their bed slaves!" Z'aale laughed with glee, triumph in his voice.
"The guards will take you away now to start your new life....oh, and don't worry about an heir to my throne! Allura will give all the heirs I desire! Now, if you will excuse me, I want to be alone with my wife!"
Z'aale waved the guards forward and they dragged Lotor away. Lotor was still paralyzed, but he could still think and his thoughts were of utter despair....Allura.....Allura, I couldn't protect you, I tried! Just like the dream, just like the dream...oh Being,if you just spare Allura, I would gladly be a slave....if only she could be free of him........ah...Allura!!!....
The hulking guards dragged him away to his fate. Z'aale dismissed his other guards from the palace, for he wanted complete privacy with Allura. He smiled with anticipation. This would be his hour. This would be their time. Very soon, she would be his.
