Betrothed

Chapter Fifteen

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Lotor wasn't sure why Allura thought talking to him about his emotions and self-esteem was a failsafe way to gain his trust. Flattery never swayed him, even if he hadn't gotten much of it growing up. He had eventually learned that flattery didn't really matter. His actions proved his worth. Not people's opinions. And even if Allura was being sincere, that didn't change anything. Why should he care what she thought of him? What was someone's 'worth' anyway? It was a very lucid concept. All he knew was he had a mission, and if talking about his personal life would help soften Allura's resentments and make her more cooperative, then so be it. However…

It was the next morning after Allura and had invited him to dine with her, and yet Lotor was still reflecting over their discussion. He stood in his refresher room, leaning over his sink and shaving his cheeks.

She's playing with me. She has to be.

And yet there was the smallest flicker of hope that refused to fizz out. What if she was being genuine? What would that mean? He wasn't sure how to even react in that scenario. He was used to females fawning over him. He was a prince, for goodness sake. And yet, in this scenario, Lotor actually wanted Allura to like him, and it hadn't even occurred to him what his next step with the princess would be after this was accomplished.

Of course her fondness of him was bound to make her more cooperative. He couldn't afford to have her always so defiant. But if she was warming to him, how did he keep her interested and not accidentally ruin his progress?

This is ridiculous, he mused, I can keep a girl interested. Can't I? What have I to worry about? He shot a smile at himself in the mirror.

Nope. It's hopeless. I'm not egotistical enough for this. The smile dropped off his face.

Perhaps he wasn't in the mood for wooing.

Only problem was, he had a time crunch. His ship was nearing the secret base he'd kept virtually unknown from the rest of the world. And somehow, he had to break the news of his most hidden project to Allura before their arrival… The trick would be how to make sure she would not completely overreact. Once she knew the truth about his plans, it would change everything.

It would help if she was head over heels in love with me. She would be more likely to trust my good intentions. Otherwise, she will begin to doubt. I have to turn the charm on even higher…

Lotor sighed, staring into the haunting yellow eyes within the mirror. Sometimes he forgot those were his eyes. Lotor blinked at the sound of his gauntlet alert ring.

"Lotor," he answered.

"My Lord, our scanners are detecting mass amounts of movement 400 clicks ahead. We'll be able to ID soon. Best be prepared," Acxa stated.

"I'm on my way to the bridge," Lotor replied, turning off his communication device. He straightened his jacket and glanced towards the door of the bathroom that Allura shared. It was locked, of course. And yet something in him wished to know just what she was doing behind there. Sleeping in?

What if I knocked? Lotor smiled wickedly.

He lifted a fist, reconsidered, then lowered it again. No point in riling her up. What was he even doing? He had a bridge to man. Lotor shook his head and exited the bathroom into his bedroom. He grabbed his personal blaster and holstered it then left his room and made his way for the command center.

When he arrived, all four of his generals were waiting for him. Narti was first to acknowledge his entrance with a silent nod. He nodded back and took his control chair.

"We've identified the disturbance. It's the Galra fleet," Acxa reported seriously, coming to stand by his side.

"I had my suspicions. This must be the fleet that sent out the pair of attack fighters from a few days ago,"Lotor assured. "Activate the cloaking shield."

"You know they are looking for you. Why not confront them and win? Why not assume your role as leader to our nation?" Acxa questioned.

"Because I have no interest in ruling Galra," Lotor replied coolly. "Furthermore, I don't intend to let that Hagar witch discover my plans. If she finds us, she will find me out."

"Very well," Acxa sighed. Lotor knew she wasn't in agreement with his decision to forgo becoming Lord over the Galra. But he had much bigger concerns. Reviving the Altean race being the main one. Zethrid stood by the ship's system controls and personally oversaw the activation of the cloaking shield. Lotor leaned forward in his chair, bracing his elbows on his knees and propping his chin on his clasped hands. It appeared, from the placement of the ships, that it was Commander Sendak he was dealing with.

"Navigate beneath them," he ordered. Flying below the fleet would give them a better chance at passing completely unnoticed, since the ship's radar system wasn't built to examine too far downward. Even the cloaking shield failed at times to mask the ship's presence on occasion. Lotor didn't feel like risking it.

Definitely don't want to engage Sendak.

Sendak was a pain for two reasons. One, he had an ego the size of a battle cruiser. And two, his extensive experience in battle was large enough to fill said battle cruiser. Lotor didn't have the time, or the patience to deal with him.

I could, of course.

Lotor was not being haughty when he thought he could obliterate Sendak if the desire took him. But he was on a mission, and couldn't afford the distraction, or the attention it would bring to his location. Sendak would certainly send word out immediately to Hagar of Lotor's position if he showed himself. No, they would sail happily on by…

"My Prince, there are four more readings, coming from behind us," General Ezor commented. Lotor glanced her way, frowning.

"More Galra returning to the fleet?"

"No… It's… It's the lions," Ezor replied, pulling up the video feed from their aft camera and zooming in. Lotor stood to his feet. Surely enough, the black, red, yellow and green lions were zooming through the stars, fast gaining.

"Are they going to attack the fleet?" Ezor gawked. The lions advanced quickly, their eyes glowing and jaws poised to fire.

Lotor tilted his head. "Foolish."

The paladin's open fired upon the fleet and Galra fighters swarmed to protect the main flag ship.

"Navigate out of the path of fire, but don't leave just yet," Lotor commanded sharply, fully aware that should a stray laser stream and hit them, the impact would blow their cover. Zethrid maneuvered the ship even further from the fleet zone and then left the ship idling. Lotor, and his four generals all stared out the window to observe as the paladins of voltron systematically picked off Galra fighters, one by one.

What a pity for Commander Sendak...

"Do you think the paladins have come for the princess?" General Acxa asked.

"If so, this worked out wonderfully well for us," Lotor grinned.

Should I let the princess watch? He considered. No, better not. I don't need her getting all riled up.

Even if it would be amusing…

Just then their entire ship rocked. That hadn't been a laser blast.

"What was that?" Lotor snapped. The four generals looked around at each other, and then to the supporting officers. None had an immediate answer.

And then they all heard it. The roar of a lion.

The ship rocked again.

A/N: I apologize for the late update folks! This week was pretty busy, as usual. I seem to not estimate my timing well with when I will be done with these chapters, so I will work on getting better about that! Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter anyway! Things are about to heat up. hehe