Chapter 31: Moving Forward(Marinette's POV)

Marinette sits in her captain's chair on the Bridge. All the others have gathered, including Lotor, since he is no longer considered a prisoner after what he did to Zarkon. She still can't believe he's gone after returning from a serious injury. She half expects Zarkon's face to show up on the screen swearing vengeance.

But that isn't what happens, even after it's been two days.

She sighs, if only there was a clear way to move forward. She doesn't want to interrupt Commander Holt's time with his children, especially Pidge, but staying stagnant isn't a good idea. Especially since with Lotor considered a traitor the Galra Empire might be fractured and greedy Generals might want the Empire for itself.

"Ah-hem," Lotor says, while clearing his throat.

"I know it is late to bring up, but in a couple of days the Galra Empire will be throwing a Kral Zera."

"And what is this Kral Zera?" Marinette asks intrigued. Maybe it might be the way to go forward.

"It is a ceremony, one we haven't held in a very long time where if an Emperor or Empress and his line dies, which only includes him and her and his and her children, mind you, a battle royal is held. In this battle royal a torch is in the middle of the field and whoever makes it up the stairs and lights a big basin filled with flammable material called the Kral Zera he or she is the new Emperor or Empress."

"So this is only called if the Emperor or Empress and their heirs die out without leaving another in their stead?"

"Yes, Marinette. But it can also be called, if an heir is banished and the Emperor or Empress dies before having another heir to call the throne. And if the Kral Zera is heard the banished heir can participate."

Marinette nods. Seems like a good strategy. It makes sure only the strong and the determined have a chance.

"Then we should do it!" shouts Shiro suddenly.

"Why?" asks Lance.

"Because imagine having Lotor on the war would practically be over in an instance. Planets would be freed simultaneously instead of just a few at a time because we have to plan and think out our attacks ..."

"I agree, but it isn't a huge risk. We don't really have time to prepare for a mission like that…."

"I disagree. A couple of days is plenty. Lotor just needs to train and we just need to give him good equipment."

"But surely Lotor can't do it alone, the Blades need to help and coordinating our attacks with them takes time and resources since they are spread…."

"I'm sure they can manage to scrounge up a few field soldiers,"

"But…"

"Lance be quiet!" Shiro snaps, "This isn't your decision to make it Marinette's so butt out and leave the details to her!"

Marinette gasps as Lance walks out, all upset from Shiro's tone. She turns on him, anger taking the place of shock, "How dare you speak that way to Lance?! He was only raising valuable concerns and questions into the mix."

"But my idea is a good one. A couple of days to plan and get everything ready isn't that big of a deal."

"Oh really? A good design must be thought out and then to make it suitable for wearing it needs to be sewn together. But it can't be done in a few days because then the clothes will tear apart and break because it will be sewn haphazardly to make it be done in a few days. A good war plan is also like that…."

Lance's POV

Lance pulls away from the metal door, happy that Marinette is sticking up for him and glad that these metal doors aren't so see through. He remembers hearing Keith ask about Blue, now that was a completely different time.

Still, should he really be bringing up these concerns he has. Marinette is the leader and he wouldn't want to intrude, but then again she just said that it is okay to bring up concerns and questions.

But he can't bring himself to face Shiro, so he walks away from the door and heads back to his room. There's not much in it, really. Considering they had Earth in a hurry. But it does have Marinette's handmade clothes on a rack and the Blue Lion plush Marinette made on his bed. So it does have a touch of personality, though not much.

Though he does admit, sleeping with the plush is kinda nice, and it does help keep some of his worst fears at bay(since sometimes they turn into nightmares but not often for it to infer with his sleep. He won't let them(even if they happen rarely) get to him since he is Lance, a strong boy who pilots the Red Lion!)

Oh and there is the gaming system in one of the corners he and Pidge built to play the game they acquired from the Space Mall.

He just goes to his bed. Sitting on it, he grabs the Blue Lion Plush. Its fabric feels very soft and delicate in his hands. He wonders if the conversation in the Bridge changed or if Shiro is still going on about his 'perfect idea'."

Shiro's Clone POV

How dare Marinette and Lance not notice the great opportunity in front of us? Having the Empire as an ally will limit just how much more time they can spend in space and be able to go back home.

Wistfully, Shiro thinks of seeing Adam and Keith again. He knows he and Adam had left on bad terms, Adam being afraid of losing him to Space, since accidents have happened even with great pilots like him behind the wheels. Still, he can't help but miss Adam dearly.

And not just because they were boyfriends(he assumes because they never patched up their little argument about Shiro's safety and how much Adam worries about him), but they were also each other's best friends who stood up for each other. Would Adam stand up for his idea now? Considering the salty terms they had left on at the Garrison, probably not.

"Then it's decided," Marinette says.

If his idea has been rejected by the others or not and the next words confirm it, "Shiro you are outvoted on this plan of yours. And I don't want to hear about it again. Now Commander Holt, are you planning on staying with us?"

He hopes the Commander does, it would give Shiro more time to spend with him since he hasn't wanted to interrupt his time with his children.

"Yes, but only for a few more days. Then I plan on travelling back to Earth to warn them and help them prepare for this potential Gala threat or any other alien species who might wish us harm."

"Then you could get in contact with Keith!" Marinette exclaims.

"Keith?" Commander Holt asks, visibly confused.

"Keith Kogane, Commander. He was with us, until he somehow got replaced by Marinette with an akuma's powers back to Earth in the city of Paris, France." Shiro responds.

"I see."

"But dad, do you have to go so soon?" Pidge whines.

"Sorry my little pigeon. But Earth must be warned, and the sooner the better. I will also try to contact Keith, in fact, I could contact any of your loved ones while I'm at it."

"That's a great idea!" Hunk exclaims, "Could we send videos?"

"Sure if Altean tech has that sort of thing."

"Yes we do. We have a station where an Altean records a mission log. They just look into a camera, push a button and it records them talking."

"Excellent! Then my family can know I'm doing okay. I've been wondering how they've been handling my disappearance from Earth."

Marinette walks to Hunk and puts her hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure all of ours are."

"So then, you'll just be preparing to send messages to your families in these next few days?" asks Lotor.

"Sorry, but yes. Your plan could work, we just needed to know it ahead of time before you suddenly sprang it on us. The Blades are kinda hard to reach which is why we try to plan our attack in advance or when they can attend Voltron Coalition meetings." Marinette responds matter of factly.

Lotor shrugs, "Okay."

Shiro thought he would be more upset, but then considering the contempt Zarkon had held for Lotor it wouldn't be surprising if many of his ideas were turned down. Still, there's this urge to do what Lotor wants more than anything for some reason. To bring him to the Kral Zera and crown him as Emperor.