ch 2

"Any sign of her on your end Pidge?" asked Keith. Black Lion's sensors told him there was nothing out there but rocks but Green Lion's were a bit more sensitive.

"No Commander. The Lions aren't picking up anything different from what we got on the castle's long range scanners."

"We'll keep looking. We'll get out a fine tooth comb if we have to."

"Right." Pidge wished he shared Keith's confidence.

"Maybe you should let the rest of us in on why we're back at the scene of the crime instead of knocking on Zarkon's door," chimed Hunk. He had regained consiousnes about the time the force made it back to Arus to find yet another robeast waiting for them. Even injured he had still insisted on being part of the mission.

"Yeah Keith, this whole thing stinks like one of Lotor's crazy kidnapping plots. The princess must be on her way to Doom by now," said Lance. If she's not there already, he silently added. After they had defeated a particularly clumsy robeast the team, even a beat up Hunk, had gathered in castle control. Lance had assumed they would patch up the Lions and head for Doom, but Keith had other ideas. Even Coran had eventually given in to Keith's certainty. So here they were. He smirked. At least they had been able to leave Nanny behind. Once she had finished wailing they'd had to restrain her from climbing into Black Lion. Hunk had picked her up and tossed her in the moat. Lance and Pidge shared some brief laughter but Keith had barely spared the scene a glance, muttering, "To your Lions."

"If Lotor had her he would have called to gloat. Arus would be over run with Doom forces by now. It makes sense to look for clues here." But that's not why I'm so sure. She was calling to me. I could hear it down to my bones. Ordinarily he wouldn't tolerate so much dissension in the ranks but he could understand their misgivings. "Keep alert team. Princess Allura is out there and she needs us." If anyone's listening, just let her be alright, let me find her.

Drip, drip, drip. Allura opened her eye's with a gasp. Had she slept? Drip. Drip. Oh no. I must be leaking coolant. Or something. She would be the first to admit the technical aspects of the Lions had not come easily to her. As leader of Arus her faith in Voltron and the cause filled some gaps when it came to flying and fighting. And with help, she was learning.

She checked her scanners. Lotor's ship was close. Don't even breath hard, she told herself. Wait what's that? It looked like Yellow Lion's signature had appeared on the screen. It faded like a ghost. Am I seeing things? she thought desperately. No, there it was again. Whatever rock these asteroids were made of was good at concealing ships. She stared intently at Blue Lion's monitors and for moments at a time could make out all four of the other Lions. They were on the far side of the asteroid belt. If she showed herself now Lotor would surely get to her first.

Drip. Ugh. Best to review the status of all her systems again before making a decision. Power reserves hadn't dropped as much as she would have thought. In fact they were holding steady. Drip. And none of the fluid levels appeared to have changed drastically. There was no apparent explanation for the mystery noise. Unless it was coming from outside. Asteroids were made of rocks and ice. Maybe it was the heat from the engines melting the ice. My hiding place may be melting. And Lotor is closing in. She fought her rising panic. It was time to act. Like Lance says, now or never. It was usually now. With any luck the rest of the team would come running.

"Sire, the Blue Lion!" It had appeared out of no where and was fleeing from Prince Lotor's ship. But not fast enough. Lotor grinned. "Our game is at an end Allura. I am the victor, and you the spoils."

"My Prince, the rest of the Lions are nearing our position."

"If they had spotted us they would have engaged us by now. Pursue the Blue Lion. We'll be away before those fools notice us."

Keith, thought Allura. Here I come. She gave the engines everything she had, even as Lotor closed in behind her.

Pidge looked at his scanner, not believing his eyes. How had he missed this? "Commander, there's a Doom ship out there! A big one!"

"Roger, Pidge. Let's go Voltron Force!" Black Lion sailed through the asteroids at lightning speed.

"He sure seems to know where he's going," remarked Hunk.

"Here's the coordinates if anyone's interested," said Pidge.

"I'm just going to follow our fearless leader," said Lance. "Save some for the rest of us Keith!"

Allura felt Blue Lion start to slow down. Come on. But it was no use. Lotor had been gaining one her from the start and the com was fried. She was being overtaken. I hope the guys noticed me. Lotors ship loomed over blue Lion. Allura gripped her blaster. When they boarded she planned to take as many out as she could. And there was no way she'd allow herself to be taken to Doom, not alive anyway...

"The princess is yours, Prince Lotor," said Haggar. "Now let us make haste-" Suddenly Black Lion leaped into view and tore into the ship with a vengeance.

"Fire on that Lion, I will not be denied!" screamed Lotor, but it was too late.

"My lord we must retreat, the other Lions are headed this way!" shouted a soldier. "Can't you do anything, you old hag?" asked Lotor, enraged.

"Best to retreat, my Prince and formulate a new plan."

Relief flooded through Allura. Something between a sob and a laugh escaped her as Keith attacked Lotor's ship. A minute later Red, Yellow and Green Lion appeared. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

A brief fire fight ensued. The Lions drove Lotor's ship away easily. It seemed like it could be a chance to finish off the evil prince for good. But, presumably with some help from Haggar, the Doom ship slipped away. Blue Lion needed help anyway. She was badly damaged.

"Let's get Blue Lion back to Arus," said Keith. "Princess, are you all right in there?"

Allura's eye's widened in surprise. The at this close range the com was apparently working. "I'm low on power, I'll need some help getting home. I'm sure glad to see you guys. I don't think I would have made it to your position." She paused, "But you found me."

"Come find me," Keith thought. He'd heard her voice clear as a bell, and he knew where she'd be. "Anytime, Princess," he hesitated, "Every time."

In side Blue Lion, Allura smiled.

"Let's get back home," said Lance. "I'm sure Nanny's sick with worry."

"Yeah," said Pidge, "or she's sick from being all wet!"

They laughed. "She needed to cool off," said Hunk. Allura frowned, puzzled. She'd have to ask about that one later.

Allura dozed as the Lions flew home. It was good to be found.