Published September 2, 2018
Takes place between Seasons 2 and 3
"The Summons"
The notification on the screen made Acxa blink in surprise and frown in concern. However, she assumed a neutral tone as she reported it to Lotor. "Sir, we're receiving a transmission from Galra High Command."
Lotor raised one white eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?"
"Are we in trouble?" Ezor asked, tilting her head to look at him.
"Let's not get excited," Lotor said evenly. "Open the communication line, Acxa."
"Yes, sir."
A Galra officer's face appeared on the screen. "Prince Lotor. High Priestess Haggar requires your presence at Galra High Command immediately."
"Am I to understand by this that my banishment is over?"
There was a very brief pause before the officer answered. "It would seem so, Your Highness."
"And what does my father have to say about this?"
A longer pause, a few ticks, preceded the response. "I have no more information."
Zethrid and Ezor exchanged looks of bemusement. Acxa glanced at Lotor, and Narti turned her ear to him while Kova studied him intently. His eyes were narrowed now; he appeared cautious, considering potential losses, calculating potential gains.
After a moment he relaxed his face and posture, nodding his head. "Very well. You may inform Haggar that we are setting our course for Galra High Command."
The officer saluted. "Vrepit sa." With that, the screen disappeared.
Lotor stood, clasping his hands behind his back.
"So … are we setting course for Galra High Command?" Zethrid asked.
"Yes," Lotor answered, to his generals' slight surprise.
"But Haggar doesn't have any power over you," Ezor said. "You've said so yourself." Whenever Haggar came up in conversation or reports, Lotor expressed only scorn, contempt, and resentment for her. The generals knew this to be the kind of attitude many Galra officers had toward the witch, who, rumor had it, was not even Galra, and had an inexplicably powerful influence on Zarkon's plans.
"There's a reason the summons came from her and not my father," Lotor said. "Something must have happened to him that the messenger either did not know or was not authorized to reveal."
"You think he's finally dead?" Zethrid blurted out. Narti whipped her tail behind her back to hit Zethrid's shoulder in admonishment. "Ow!"
"Dead, or incapacitated," Lotor said. "He would not have permitted her to summon me if he were aware of it. Either she is operating behind his back, or she is acting in his name. Whatever the case, we need more information." He looked past his generals to the windows and the view of space and stars. "If she means to use me as a figurehead, it may prove an advantageous opportunity for us."
The generals exchanged glances once more, their confusion and unease slowly giving way to something like hope. Having access to the Galra Empire's intelligence and resources would advance Lotor's plans more quickly and make their missions much easier and more successful.
It had been a long time since they interacted with Galra society, and as hybrids they had never really been integrated with it. If Lotor had an official position ruling the Galra, he and his generals would no longer be derided and shunned. They would be respected for their power and status. The more they thought about it, the more they wanted that for themselves.
Lotor was still looking beyond them. When he spoke, his tone was warm with anticipation. "This could be the beginning of a great change in the universe."