Sendak wasn't afraid of Zarkon.

He'd been trained by him, taken meals with him, and fought battles with him. He was closer to him than most of the rest of the court. Not including Lotor and the late Empress of course.

In fact, if he were to be honest, the Emperor felt almost like a second father to Sendak. He'd taken him under wing and had trust in his abilities like no one else ever had. As such, any fear that may have existed towards Zarkon had metamorphosed into a deep abiding respect. That was why the idea of presenting himself to the Emperor did not have the same intimidating effect as it would have had with someone else.

That wasn't to say that Sendak didn't feel nervous as he made arrangements for his return to Daibazaal. After all, he wasn't returning for a mere casual visit, but a serious and very private discussion. Courtship may not have been binding, but courting a prince was a far from insignificant thing.

It did not help that, despite how well he knew Zarkon and how highly the Emperor thought of him, there was no telling how he'd react to Sendak asking to court his only son. Especially when he learned that he'd bypassed all proper formalities to ask Lotor first.

Zarkon had always been particular about that sort of thing.

However, Sendak comforted himself with the knowledge that, knowing his Emperors temperament, the absolute WORST that could happen was that Zarkon would give a stern and final 'no' and be done with it

There would be no question of courting Lotor behind his father's back. It would get them both into a lot of trouble. Besides, it went against everything Sendak knew to be just and right in a proper Galra relationship. He'd already straddled that line when he'd spoken to Lotor first and he didn't intend to cross it further.

"Are the preparations finished?" Sendak asked as he went over the final few reports he needed to review before he was clear to depart.

"They have just been completed." Haxus replied dutifully. "However, I am afraid that the first ship leaving for Daibazaal is a mere transport vessel. A more suitable ship for one of your position can be arranged-"

"No, it will do."

Sendak wanted to get all of this wrapped up as soon as possible. He'd have ridden in the back of a civilian pod if he thought it would get him home faster.

Unfortunately this willingness only made Haxus suspicious.

"You are certainly departing in a hurry." He paused before lowering his voice and carefully asking, "has the Emperor summoned you?"

Sendak sighed. Somebody had been bound to start asking questions regarding his departure sooner or later. He just hadn't thought it'd be Haxus of all people.

"No. This is merely a pleasure visit. I am feeling worn down and wish to see what I may have missed on Daibazaal." The words were a bit too rehearsed and Sendak could see that Haxus was unconvinced.

He had decided right away that sharing the true reason for his departure was out of the question. The last thing he and Lotor needed was for the ranks to add their respective love lives to the courts rumor mill. Besides if nothing came from this little meeting, Sendak didn't want to suffer the humiliation of being a rejected royal suitor. Zarkon and Lotor were both discreet enough, but he couldn't be so sure about anyone else, even Haxus.

Haxus was a loyal and dutiful soldier and friend. However, he also wasn't Lotor's biggest fan. If Sendak told him about the courtship and it all went south, he couldn't be entirely certain he wouldn't hold the whole thing against the prince.

Which reminded him to tell his Lieutenant something he wouldn't like.

"Until I return Prince Lotor will, of course, be in command of my forces."

Haxus made a look, but loyally said nothing.

However, Sendak still went on, "You will respect his command Haxus. Swear this to me."

Haxus's eyes widened at the order but after a moment he gave a signed sigh, formed a salute, and said, "As you order Commander. I will inform the men."

This put Sendak's mind at east. Haxus was a honorable man in these matters. He could trust him to keep his word.

With that matter settled Sendak's mind was free to focus on how exactly he was going to breach this subject with to the emperor.

"How exactly," Alfor spoke with a sharp edge uncharacteristic of him, "do you accidentally start a succession crisis?"

Zarkon didn't meet his eyes. Alfor almost never lost his temper with him, but when he did he could be fierce. Especially when it involved Lotor in any way.

Alfor was Lotor's godfather, and had personally seen to his sons education. He'd been there for them after Honerva had passed and ensured that Lotor knew as much about his mother's people as possible. This made him as invested in Lotor's growth as much as the boys own father.

Zarkon shifted under his gaze unsure of how to answer.

"It… is not my doing." He defended feebly. "I have not even considered the subject. You can not blame me for the whispered rumors of others."

"I can and I am!" Alfor snapped. "I had assumed you had dealt with this in your own time! How could you possibly fail to set the record straight regarding a successor?"

"I am hardly of bad health Alfor," Zarkon retorted irritably, "nor am I of a particularly advanced age. Why bring misfortune upon myself with such talk?"

"Because, when you don't you end up in the exact same situation we're in now! With at least half your court thinking you are passing over your only son in favor of this… this…" Alfor paused then asked, "what was his name?"

Zarkon frowned, "Sendak. He is one of my most loyal and trusted Commander's so I would greatly appreciate it if you adjusted your tone, King Alfor."

It had come as something of a shock to learn that a decent portion of his court was under the impression that Sendak was his unannounced heir to be. Zarkon couldn't recall giving any indication of such a thing, even incidentally. So he really couldn't see how such a conclusion had been reached and said as much to Alfor.

"Are you certain?" Alfor asked, reeling himself in a little. "This idea could not have bore itself from nothing. Think my friend. Is there anyway you interact with this Commander that might denote personal favor? Or perhaps a conversation with Lotor that taken a certain way, may give that impression? Anything that when taken out of context, might give this impression?"

Zarkon opened his mouth to immediately deny that any such thing was the case. However as the question sunk into his brak he closed it again and started to really thing. Was there any such instance?

There may have been. After all Lotor and he did sometimes… disagree. They would disagree quite loudly.

Lotor was an intelligent and prideful boy, but he tended to have some reckless ideas that Zarkon had to temper down before his son did something he'd regret. It really didn't help that he tended to be rather arrogant and believed he knew best about nearly everything. (Zarkon had no idea who he got THAT from).

He knew it was all likely just a phase he was going through, but Zarkon still found himself losing patience with his son. Then they would argue- er, disagree, and they'd both have to go cool their heads.

If some invasive, disrespectful, little insect had happened to eavesdrop on a few of their more volatile disagreements, Zarkon could see how it may be twisted to the view that he no longer favored his son.

But that didn't explain why people would assume he would look to Sendak as his next choice. There were many many more senior high ranking Generals and Commanders he could choose from. Zarkon didn't trust any of them nearly as much, but still.

Then again…

Well, he HAD trained Sendak. That would certainly denote some level of favor. Especially since he hadn't trained anyone else before. Not even his own son-

Oh.

Oh, yes. That would do it wouldn't it?

But the only reason he hadn't trained Lotor was because Zarkon knew he would never be able to do it properly. He had just known that he would go far too easy on his son. Lotor had always just been so small compared to the other galra children his age, and his father couldn't help but fear he might hurt him if he pushed too hard.

Besides, Lotor was just so much like his mother. Every time Zarkon looked at him he couldn't help but reminded of Honerva and he had never raised a hand to Honerva, not even to train. So he had given it up and left his sons training in the hands of others knowing that regardless of where he went in life he would need to know how to defend himself if not others.

Zarkon realized now that others might not see it quite in that light. Especially with him having taken Sendak under his tutelage as he had. But he'd only done THAT because Sendak showed so much potential, and with both of his parents long dead there was a chance that potential could go unfulfilled with no one competent to guide him.

Of course, that WAS something one did with a potential heir, wasn't it?

"There may have been one or two," Zarkon said carefully avoiding Alfor's eye.

The matter of his heir had never bothered him before. At least not since before meeting Honerva when many of his older advisers would drop hints in regards to the matter.

Galra didn't believe in inherited leadership. It tended to breed slackness and complacency. However they DID believe in things being as orderly as possible, which was why heirs were vitally important. They didn't have to be related to an individual by blood, though children would frequently be chosen, and when the individual in question died their heir would inherent whatever private property, influence, and forces said individual had at their command.

For Emperors, having an heir wasn't strictly necessary but still important. It gave the impression of a long era of prosperity and stability. As well as creating a convenient starting point when it came to organizing a Kral Zera. Everyone would either rally around or against the heir, giving them an opportunity to prove themselves both as a leader and a great warrior.

No heir meant the whole thing would be a free for all. Such things had happened in the past but tended to lead to… undesirable results. If the individual who proved victorious didn't have, at least, the majorities support then the Empire could expect a lot of stability in its future. Maybe even total collapse.

Zarkon didn't want to be the Emperor who ended his mighty rule with an empire destroying succession crisis.

"What about Lotor?" Alfor asked.

Zarkon came out of his thoughts, "What… What about Lotor?"

"You say you didn't realize your court had made these conclusions, but what about your son? Does he know?"

"Of course n-" Zarkon stopped, hesitated, but went on with much less confidence, "of course not. Why should he?"

"He would be more sensitive to it. It does directly concern him, after all."

This conversation was making Zarkon uncomfortable.

It was true that ever since he came of age and joined the fleet Lotor had been… competitive. Especially towards Sendak. In fact, now that he thought of it, this whole mess was likely why the two couldn't seem to get along. He'd even sent the two off to that remote station in the hopes they'd start-

Oh gods.

If Lotor was aware of all this, was Sendak? Worse who did he think he favored?

Sendak was everything a Galra soldier should be. Loyal, disciplined, but able to take charge when the situation called for it. He excelled in combat and military strategy, by passing many of his more experienced peers in the process.

He also admired his emperor greatly, something Zarkon was ashamed to admit had ingratiated Sendak to him almost immediately. Lotor used to openly admire his father in much the same way until… until Honerva had died.

Zarkon ignored the twinge in his chest and tried to refocus on the problems at hand.

Although an excellent soldier and Commander, Sendak lacked a certain diplomatic finesse. He conducted himself well, but he tended to react without thinking. An excellent trait on the battlefield, and a disastrous one when dealing with delicate intergalactic matters.

Lotor had just the opposite problem Diplomatic and social interactions were child's play to him. He could have excellent emotional and mental control in the face of some very impolite dignitaries.

On the battlefield (not that Lotor would ever be on a battlefield if he could help it) he was cold and calculating and excellent at laying traps. However he tended to get snappy when things started to go wrong, and he'd more than once lost his temper with his betters.

Neither of them were quite ready to be considered a true heir.

Surely, surely, they wouldn't… hurt each other? Not over this. But they were both so stubborn, so ambitious, and, perhaps, so very sure that they were owed something the other was trying to steal. It was a nightmarish scenario.

His thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and a soldier hurrying inside and throwing a salute.

"I gave orders that we were not to be disturbed." Zarkon said severely, not at all in the mood to tolerate disobedience of any kind.

The soldier (who'd likely drawn the short straw) clearly understood this as he stuttered a reply, "Y-yes sire. However I have to inform you that Commander Sendak has sent a message announcing his return to Daibazaal."

Alfor's eyebrows raised in interest, for this was quite the coincidence, "For what purpose?"

"He did not say. However, he has requested an audience with you, sire."

Zarkon narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Somehow, what with everything he'd heard that day, this didn't feel like a coincidence.

"How long until he arrives?"

"A few vargas. Three, at the most."

"Very well. Send him to me immediately after he disembarks."

"Yes, sire." The soldier threw another salute and gratefully hurried away.

Once they were alone, Alfor glanced back at Zarkon, a look of concern in his eyes.

"Do you want me to leave?"

Zarkon stood in a thoughtful silence as Alfor waited patiently for his reply.

"No." He finally sighed. "Remain, I may need your advice if this meeting is… relevant."

"Do you at least wish to make it a private audience? He may be more likely to speak freely without my presence."

"No. He will see us together. It will be telling how he reacts to having an unexpected audience."

Alfor nodded understandingly.

He had never met this Sendak, but the fact that Zarkon seemed to have had a great deal of confidence in the man said a lot about his character.

Alfor sighed, "Zarkon, if this does turn out to be about your successor then… If you sincerely believe this man would make a good heir then I'm sure Lotor would-"

He left the sentence unfinished as he watched Zarkon's shoulders stiffen.

"I… I don't know Alfor. I sincerely do not know."