Light of the Stars Chapter Four
Allura and the paladins, catching their breath after a rescue mission in the V'akar quadrant, sat in the common room. Hunk had gone to get them all something to drink.
"Pidge, that was awesome the way you just nailed that fighter," Lance said, sounded every bit like a teenage boy. Pidge smirked.
"Thanks! It just kinda came to me," she said, nonchalantly. Lance was still high on adrenaline from their fight, and he sat on the edge of his seat, his arms gesticulating wildly.
"And Shiro! When you grabbed that guy and-" He was cut off, then, by the sound of Allura's communicator ringing. Everyone turned to look at her, fearful that it was Kolivan or one of the rebel groups in need of assistance. They had just returned from a fight, and to go on another right away would have been exhausting.
Allura answered, putting the phone to her ear.
"This is Princess Allura," she answered, hoping that it wasn't more disaster. She could hear Lotor chuckle lightly through the phone.
"Hello Princess," he said, teasing her formality again, "This is Emperor Lotor of the Galra empire." Allura blushed slightly and laughed at the mock formal tone he was using. Lance scowled at her expression.
"I didn't know it was you."
"My name didn't show up on the comm?" He asked, somewhat disbelievingly.
"No, no, this is my portable comm on my suit so it doesn't show anything. We just got back from our mission in the V'akar quadrant," she explained.
"Ah," Lotor sighed, "I understand." He started to say something else but she cut him off,
"Just a moment." Then, she looked up to the paladins and Coran.
"It's Lotor. I have to take this." Most of their expressions were calm, but Lance's nose was scrunched up in disapproval.
"Of course," Shiro replied, "Go ahead." Allura gave a gentle smile then and put the comm back up to her ear.
"Sorry about that, Lotor."
"It's alright. Would you mind if we switch to webcam, Allura? I would prefer to do this face to face," He asked. Allura entered her bedroom and switched the transmission to the computer monitor on her desk. Instantly, Lotor's handsome face appeared before her, life size and in his own room, she imagined.
"Thank you," he said. Allura didn't know why but she would have almost preferred to continue without the webcam. Sometimes it gave her butterflies to see him. She tried not to think much about that. He was so powerful - it was probably just nerves. He was so intimidating, and, well, attractive. Allura really didn't like to think about that. She shouldn't be thinking about that in the first place.
"Why are you calling?" She asked, her voice pleasant. Lotor leaned forward a bit in his desk chair.
"I'm calling to ask if you would be willing to attend a… meeting, of sorts, with my heads of state." Allura blinked widely, a bit shocked.
"Oh. Why?"
"Allura, I'm going to be candid with you, and I hope you don't take any of this as insult, because I do not intend it that way," he explained, sincerely. Allura didn't know what to think of that.
"Okay."
"I think we need a complete restructuring of communication and command. It's honestly very confusing the way things are currently set up. I believe that there could be a much better way of organizing things between the coalition, the empire, and the blade of Marmora."
"That's not insulting, Lotor. I agree. There needs to be some… restructuring now that everything is different."
"Precisely," Lotor said, "Although, admittedly, much of this will have to change after the quintessence project is completed."
"Yes," she mumbled. Lotor looked down at his desk.
"I need you here, Allura. It's been weeks since we've made any progress, and my generals grow impatient. They are doubting your dedication to the project."
"Are you?" She asked, concerned. Lotor looked up. He was silent for a moment.
"No. I do not doubt you… But I do wish you would be available more often. I can't do the work without you, and everything hinges on this project. Everything."
Allura sat back, thinking. He was right. She was being selfish in not helping him but staying as a part of team Voltron just so she could feel important.
"You're right. I'm sorry, Lotor, I've – I've stretched myself far too thin. I need to help you with the project." Lotor looked at her.
"You do not need to apologize, Allura, you were simply trying to do the right thing. I understand. We simply need to focus on solving things."
"I'm afraid there's not going to be anything simple about it," Allura explained. Lotor sighed.
"Yes, of course. We have much ahead of us," Lotor responded.
"Indeed," Allura said.
"If you wish, I could inform Keith of your decision," Lotor offered.
"No, I can do it myself." Lotor smiled slightly.
"Alright then. About you," he began, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"What about me?" She asked. Lotor smirked but quickly returned to passivity.
"Now that you will no longer be apart of team Voltron your time can be much better split between the coalition and the project," he ventured. Allura straightened.
"Oh, yes. Of course," she said, smiling gracefully. Lotor couldn't take his eyes off her when she got bashful like that. He liked the way her little teal marks contrasted with her blush. She was so beautiful.
"When is the soonest you can come to see me?" Lotor asked, and Allura pursed her lips.
"Well, first I'll have to make sure that all the paladins can change into their original lions alright. If the lions aren't on board, then we'll have a problem," she explained. Lotor thought the lion's artificial intelligence was entirely fascinating. He made a mental note to ask her about them later.
"Do you think that will be a problem?" Lotor asked.
"No, I hope not. The red lion can be very temperamental, but Keith has already formed a bond with it in the past, so I doubt it will reject him now. I do worry a bit about the blue lion, however. It rejected Lance in the past. I hope it will accept him now."
"Please keep me updated with your progress." Allura locked eyes with him.
"Of course. Hopefully Keith can return by tomorrow and we can get everything sorted out. I'll call you tomorrow night to let you know how everything goes."
"Wonderful," Lotor replied, his silky voice smoothing over the word, "I look forward to it."
"Goodnight." The princess said, smiling.
"Goodnight, Allura."
"What did Lotor want?" Lance asked, his voice a bit sour.
"Well, we've been talking for a while about Keith returning to team Voltron. Keith suggested it, and I think it's a good idea. Lotor needs me to help him with the quintessence project and it's simply too difficult to split my time between the two." Lance sat forward in his chair.
"So he's making you abandon us so you can go do his dirty work?" Lance asked angrily. Allura scowled and turned to him.
"No," she rebutted, "Keith suggested it and told him about it, and Lotor asked me if I wanted to consider it. I said I needed time to think about it and he said I could take all the time I want. I've decided now and I do think it's a good idea. There's no one else to help Lotor with his project and I would be happy to assist him bring peace." Lance huffed.
"How can you be sure the red lion will accept Keith?" Shiro asked.
"Keith is coming tomorrow. We can see if it will accept him then," Allura explained.
"Why didn't you ask us first, Allura?" Pidge asked, a slight strain to her voice.
"I'm sorry. I was thinking about it on my own for a while and time simply got away from me. It needs to be done."
"How long do you think Lotor's project will take?" Hunk asked. Allura sat down on the couch.
"I'm not entirely sure. It's very complicated," she explained. Coran asked,
"What will you do when the project is completed?" Allura thought for a moment.
"I don't need to return to Voltron, you all did a great job before without me."
"But you've progressed so much, Allura! You're amazing. You shouldn't have to leave the team forever," Lance said exuberantly. Allura smiled at the compliment.
"Thank you, Lance. But I'm not leaving forever – just for now. I might return at some point. We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Lance said, thinking.
"Won't the Blade of Marmora miss Keith? I thought you said before that he was integral to their team," Lance asked.
"He is, but this project is more important," Allura muttered.
"I think it will be great having Keith back!" Hunk exclaimed.
"I was just getting used to red, though…" Lance mumbled, looking down at the floor, "But you're right – it will be good to have Keith back."
"We'll finally be getting the family back together! It'll be like old times," Pidge added, smiling. Lance rolled his eyes.
"Except now Allura's best friends with Lo-turd," he grumbled. Allura scowled her eyes at him.
"Don't call him that," she said defensively.
"Why? I don't trust him, Allura." The princess huffed.
"You're acting like a child. He's our ally, Lance."
"Whatever," he grumbled again. A brief moment passed and Hunk chimed in,
"You're just jealous of his beautiful hair, Lance." Hunk nudged Lance and he made a noncommittal noise. Allura and Pidge laughed.
"He does have beautiful hair," Allura muttered quietly. Lance looked up at that, raising an eyebrow. The conversation flowed on but Lance couldn't stop thinking about Allura's face when Lotor had called her and the way she talked about him when he was out of the room. He had never seen her act that way before.
A/N: I hope you liked it! Please review!
