Hi all! Thank you for your patience. Hope you like this chapter. I am happy to report that I am finished with this story. Last chapter is under editing and as soon as I have it back, I will post it. Forty chapters in total! Yay! I'm done.
A thank you to Mertz who usually goes crazy editing my grammar. I keep telling her that my love is the story itself. This is why I would never be an editor. LOL. Thanks Mertz!
Anyways. I'm hopeful that the last chapter is up before the year's end. Thank you for reading!
Guest: Yes! But not for long! LOL.
Feli3: Your comments always brighten my day. You have no idea. I've always wanted to write and since I can dedicate the time (at the moment) that I want to as a professional writer, this fills my cup. Maybe in a few years…early retirement? Maybe. Thank you.
FroobyB: I couldn't let Sam die. Some people wanted him to, but I really liked him. You know Keith. The man is selfless. Probably why I'm in love with him. Ha ha. You know, I work at a hospital on average 10-to-12-hour days. I'm not a nurse, but a hospital administrator working tirelessly to keep our heroes safe and happy. The world of healthcare is crazy right now and my role is to make sure they get the personal development they need, keep them engaged and motivated and hopefully make their lives easier. This year a program I led took second place nationally in an engagement competition. Honestly, when I heard our nurses and doctors were happy that was amazing. The award was an extra, but the comments that they felt valued was amazing. I'm talking to much aren't I?
Autumnsea9: So glad you liked it. Yeah. Sam is my sweetheart. A man in love does desperate things at times, but how great is it when you see them mature…Hope you enjoy this latest installment.
SnyperLady: Hopefully you'll like this battle coming up ;)
LibAkilah: Oh. I have always liked cliffhangers…I'm really glad you're enjoying this fic. Like I told you in my messages, I'm trying to choose my next one. Any picks?
Qiavance: Aww! So sweet! Thank you!
GoPinkLion: Ahhh! I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you, thank you! In answer to your questions. Yes!
Playlist
Audiomahine: I Will Find You
Audiomachine: Reparation
Fringe Element: Fractured Alliance
Chapter 39
As Allura stared at the screen, she couldn't believe who she saw. It was Sam. And he was…alive. Her heart pounded. Even though she tried to calm it, she couldn't stop herself from feeling all the tumultuous emotions wreaking havoc within her. Keith felt every one of them. He understood. She had a relationship with this man for a decade. How could she not feel? Yet, within the connection they shared, he also felt the love she had for both of them. She loved Sam, but she was in love with him. Keith couldn't deny that he felt her love for him.
"Keith," she whispered.
"So, what's it going to be, Kogane?" Lotor asked, his hatred and anger unmistakable in his venomous tone.
"Let him go," Keith responded with a firm resolve. "Let him walk out unharmed and I'll surrender. We'll meet at the front steps of your castle."
"Keith!" Lance snapped.
Lotor's sardonic smile did not go unnoticed, "Are you willing to trade your life for the life of this man? If I'm correct, Allura's lover?"
"Why do you care, Lotor?" Keith countered. "You don't need Gellar and you've clearly stated you want a trade. I'm not sure why you are asking questions. I'm accepting the trade. However, I'm not going back there to be tortured. I seem to remember you wanting a rematch. Let's end this."
"Don't do it, Kogane!" Sam suddenly yelled before he was hit in the back of the head by a Drule soldier. Allura cringed but held her tongue. Keith was planning something, she had to trust him.
"Offer still stands," the captain ignored the request of the general. "You have five minutes to decide," he finished before he cut off communications with the prince.
"You can't seriously be considering this," Lance replied with anger and concern laced in his tone.
"Keith, this isn't a good idea," Hunk added, voicing the same concerns as Lance. "If he wants a trade, you know there's more to-"
"I know, Hunk," the captain replied with a calming tone. "But this needs to be done. I know what I have to do. Listen, we don't have much time. Lotor will agree to the trade and we have to be ready."
"How do you know he will agree?"
"Gellar was only bait. If he had no use for him, he would have killed him upon capture," Keith reasoned. "He'll make the trade and I'll take his place. Let's get going."
XXXXXXXXXXX
"What are you doing, Lotor?" Haggar asked as she approached the console Lotor stood.
"We've been defeated, Haggar," he answered calmly as he glanced at Sam, who was unconscious on the floor. "I know it's not the end. We can do this again." He turned around to face her, gently caressing her cheek, "But, I will make sure that the next time it will be without him. They may have won today's battle, but I'll be damned if he leaves my planet alive."
"You can't beat him," she moved closer to him. "He's stronger than you think. And-"
"And what?" his tone harsher this time as he lowered his hand and took a step back.
"There is power in him," she answered firmly. "I don't know. I can't understand it myself, but he's powerful. More powerful than the others."
Lotor let out a sardonic chuckle before raising his voice, "Of course, Haggar. The Soul of the Lions, right? I think I can handle that. He may have power, but he's still a mortal. Just like me, he bleeds. I've seen it."
"It's more than that, Lotor," she shook her head as she tried to take his hand. "He's more than that. Don't do this. You're not ready."
"I won't cower to him!" he yelled as she jerked away from her. "Don't you get it? He killed my brother, my father. I won't let him walk away from here victorious. I won't do that, Haggar!"
The sounds of voices stirred him awake, but Sam dared not move. He opened his eyes enough to squint, noticing the feet of someone, probably a soldier, close to him. He closed his eyes once more and pretended to be out but listened closely to the voices in the room.
Losing her patience, Haggar grabbed her son's shoulders shaking him hard, hoping to reason with him, "Listen to me, child! I have no doubt in my mind that you will one day beat him, but today is not the day. Not. Today. He is wiser and stronger in ways we do not know yet. Lotor, he will not hesitate to kill you."
Sam felt the man standing next to him move, then he heard the voice, "Perhaps Haggar is right, Brother. Live to fight another day."
"Enough," Lotor snapped, "I will not be a coward. Either he dies or I will. But I will not cower. My father didn't. My brother didn't. I will not disappoint them."
"Fine!" Haggar shouted. "If you want to do this. It is completely against my wishes, but I will help you. Come with me, Lotor. I have something that may help."
XXXXXXXXXX
The five lions landed by the entrance of the Drule castle and the pilots disembarked without hesitation.
Once on the ground, Allura approached Keith. With fear in her eyes, she took his hand and squeezed it hard, "You have to come back. I won't lose you again. I won't, Keith. You better come back because you damn well know I'll go in th-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence as he took her into his arms and silenced her with a kiss filled with tenderness that left her groaning. He hesitantly released her, "I won't leave you, Allura. Not again. Not ever."
Altair nodded, "You damn well better keep that promise."
Conversation ceased when they heard the castle gate open. The team watched Lotor lead out the small group, with Sam wedged between two Drule soldiers.
"Are you sure about this?" Lance asked. "Because I'm not. I really don't like this, Keith."
"It will be fine, Lance," Kogane answered.
"You plan on killing him?"
"I plan on ending what we started twenty years ago," he looked at his friend with a stoic gaze, "Do you have a problem with that?"
Lance slowly shook his head, "Nope. But remember this, Brother, you need to come back. For Allura, for us. Don't make this a suicide mission. We need you back."
"Noted," Keith sighed.
The Drules stopped at distance far enough from the group, but close enough to hear each other despite the explosions heard from afar. Lotor stared at the five. His gaze lingering a little longer on Allura, but he didn't say anything. There would be time for that soon enough. "We're ready for you, Captain Kogane," the prince said his gaze and tone mocking. "I believe General Gellar is also ready to leave."
"I'm ready," Keith said raising his hands up in surrender.
As he walked toward them, one of the guards shoved Sam forward and ordered him to join the rest of the force. When they met in the middle, Gellar stopped. With a tone that held no anger, but rather concern, he gasped out, "Don't do this! I didn't need to be saved, Kogane."
"Move it!" Lotor yelled from his place on the other side.
"I'll be fine, General," Kogane replied. "You need to go. Please don't try anything. I know what I'm doing." He continued walking toward Lotor and his guards. Once he arrived, Keith noticed the prince looking at him with raw hatred. Keith smiled, "Your brother gave me that same look whenever we fought and I won. Guess some things don't change."
Lotor's reptilian eyes widened with shock and anger. He withdrew his sword and was about to strike his opponent when he stopped himself. He also noticed that Keith didn't even flinch at his rash movement. The captain was studying him. Taking a deep breath, Lotor gestured to one of his guards, who walked up to Keith and punched him hard in the stomach. The impact so hard that it forced Keith to drop with one leg to the ground. Lotor grabbed the captain's hair and jagged his head backward, "Don't gloat just yet, Kogane. You'll soon know that I'm not my brother." Releasing him, Lotor instructed his guards to take Keith in.
He looked at the rest of the Voltron team, "Don't wait for him."
With a victorious smile, he turned and followed the men back into the castle.
XXXXXXXXXX
When Sam reached her, Allura didn't hesitate to hug him. He hugged her back, his arms tightening around her. It felt good holding her. Even though she gave her heart to Keith, she still loved him. Sam felt it and it felt good.
Releasing him, Allura turned to watch the events from afar. She bit her lip to keep from crying out when Keith fell to the ground after being hit. It took more energy that she would ever care to admit. Wiping any emotion from her face, Altair forced herself to stay still as Drules took Keith into the castle. She kept her cool composure as the Drule prince gloated in perceived victory before turning to leave them.
Her attention returned to Sam when he stated, "We need to get him out of there, now."
"Why?" Darrell asked before Allura could. "What do you know?"
"I overheard Lotor and Haggar talking when I came to," Sam began. His gaze flitted to Allura then away as he added, "Haggar said she'd do something to Lotor to help him fight Keith."
"If she put some kind of spell on him," Lance said, "then, there's no telling how powerful he will be."
"And if Keith doesn't know," Hunk exclaimed. "We have to warn him."
Lance turned to Allura with a knowing expression in his eyes, "We need to get into that castle."
"Damn right we do," she agreed.
XXXXXXXXXX
As they entered the castle, Keith noticed that he was being led to another part of the castle he hadn't been to before. If he remembered correctly from the specs Darrell has shared with him, these were the areas where Zarkon kept his collections. Rooms that were filled with treasures stolen from other worlds.
Lotor walked in front of them as Keith and the two soldiers walking beside him followed. The long walk down the corridor was quiet. No one said a word. Keith, however, paid close attention to his surroundings. Each room they passed had two Drule soldiers guarding the entrance. He wondered what they were guarding.
"Don't you want to know where we are going, Captain?" Lotor calmly asked as he continued walking.
"I'm patient," Keith replied. "I'm sure I'll find out soon enough."
A humorless laugh escaped Lotor, but he didn't speak. They continued down the hallways until they arrived at the second to last room along the corridor. The prince stopped and was greeted by the two soldiers guarding the entrance. They bowed to show their respect to their leader before opening the door to the room.
Upon entering, the lights of the room dimmed. Keith's gaze moved about the room; it was filled with weaponry. Every type of weapon imaginable from different worlds and galaxies.
"One of my favorite rooms," Lotor said as he turned to Keith. His attention moved to the guards and he ordered, "Leave us."
The Drules saluted before turning and leaving, the doors closing behind them.
The prince studied Keith, "It's not all mine. Some belonged to my family. From what Yurak told me, my father used this room to keep his own collection. Some of the pieces are whatever was left after Garrison ransacked my home.
Keith walked around the room. He paused to study a glass case full of revolvers and shotguns, "Some of these are from Earth. Eighteenth, maybe nineteenth century?"
"You have a good eye," Lotor nodded, admiring the captain's ease as he walked about the room. "Those were my fathers. They were found in a storage room in the lower levels of the castle. There's still more down there. Yurak will get to them soon enough."
Turning to the prince, Keith said, "As much as I know we could spend hours discussing this, I doubt you brought me here to admire your museum of artillery."
Lotor chuckled, "You are right about that." He led the way to the end of the large room, where a number of swords hung along the wall. "I truly admire your demeanor, Captain. I'm sure you know why I brought you here, and yet, you are so calm and collected. Others would show fear."
"I'm not afraid of you," Keith responded as he appeared to admire the various swords, "I plan to walk out of this room once I'm done with you."
Lotor laughed before removing two alike swords from the wall. "I'm sure you can tell me what type of swords these are." Approaching the captain, he offered one to him.
Taking it, Keith replied, "Uchigatana,"
Lotor raised an eyebrow, "I wasn't aware of that name."
"Most people call them Katana swords. Officially in Japan, they are known as Uchigatana," he replied as he admired the curved, slender sword with the single-edged blade. It had a decorative squared guard to accommodate both hands of the swordsman.
"You learn something every day," Lotor answered in a carefree tone.
Lowering the sword, Keith asked, "Is this the weapon you choose to die with?"
"No," he shook his head, "This is the weapon I've chosen to end your life with. These are not the ones we practiced with the first time around. These will slice you in half. Shall we begin?"
XXXXXXXXXX
"I'm glad you both agree that you need to get in there," Darrell said sarcastically, "But newsflash, Einsteins, I'm sure they are expecting us to try that and they'll be ready. And if you go in using the front door, we also run the risk of getting Keith killed."
Lance gave Darrell a look that could kill, "Its times like these when everyone can tell you're the youngest in the group."
"He's right, Lance," Hunk chimed in. "It's going to be hard to get in there without a good plan and time is not on our side."
As the others argued, Sam whispered to Allura, "I can get you in. I know a way."
"What?" Allura turned to him, "How?"
"First, we need to get out of here," he responded. "I am not about to talk in case they are listening."
Without asking for more information, Allura turned to Lance and interrupted the argument, "Let's go."
"What?"
She grabbed his arm and squeezed, "We need to go. Leave Blue and Red with Black. They won't leave until they know that Keith is safe. We'll take Yellow and Green."
"Where?" Darrell asked.
"I'll let you know soon enough."
XXXXXXXXXX
Taking both green and yellow lions, Darrell flew with Sam and Allura and Lance flew with Hunk. Leading, Green flew over the Drule mountains and found a squad of Drule fighters stationed. It didn't take long for the lions to destroy their enemy.
As they landed on a secluded cliff of the mountain, Sam began explaining, "Neither Garrison or the Corps know about this and I hope you will keep the secret amongst us."
"What do you mean?" Allura asked, her gaze confused.
"General Stoller built a secret station within the mountains that connect to the castle."
Darrell turned around stunned, "How did he manage to do that without the knowledge of Garrison or Corps?"
"I'm not sure of the specifics," Sam answered. "But, Stoller never believed the war was over and he prepared for…I guess what is happening now. As soon as he was stationed in Korrinth, he began working on this base and stationed a few detachments of soldiers who wouldn't be missed."
"You mean soldiers presumed dead or MIA," Allura answered, her eyes narrowing on Sam.
"Yes," he nodded. "These men and women would not be missed by either of the military agencies. He found them. I don't know how, but he found them and brought them in to serve as spies."
From their connection inside yellow lion, Lance chimed in, "So this area of the mountain is a secret station?"
"Yes," Sam replied, "When he brought me in, I swore that I would never let anyone know about the base. However, given the circumstances, I don't see any other way to save the captain." His gaze settled on Allura, who stared back in silence. Knowing she wouldn't speak, he continued, "During the initial attack, our communication station was destroyed. At that point, Stoller wanted to contact the Corps but it was impossible. They had to get parts from the black market, and that took months. The only way to communicate was through ancient means like Morse code through light. The Drules thought the lights were coming from other Drules living in the mountains."
"Those lights are the ones I saw yesterday while running surveillance," Darrell said. "That was the base?"
"Most likely," Sam replied.
"How do we get into the castle?" Hunk asked from the vidscreen.
"There's a teleportation device at the base that teleports to the Pit of Skulls. Stoller built it in there because no one ever used the room. It paid off. Since Haggar's return, she's stationed herself in a much newer and technologically advanced lab. She rarely goes in there and we hope it stays that way."
"So that's the way we go in," Hunk acknowledged.
Sam agreed, "That will be the way. Once inside, we have untraceable video feeds all around the castle. The Drules found the decoys and those are the ones they took down. We have eyes and ears all around the inside, except for the outside bases where we are blind. Stoller and I have devised ways to go in, but that will come with time."
"This is impressive," Darrell raised his brows, amazed by what he heard. "Stoller thought of everything."
"Pretty much," Sam answered. "He's a smart man. I've learned a lot from him since my arrival. We just have to convince Stoller that we won't mess up everything that he's built."
XXXXXXXXXX
Keith and Lotor faced each other. The room was wide enough for them to fight in but the lighting was dimmed. Visibility will be a challenge, Keith thought to himself.
They raised their swords and moved into fight positions, their gaze holding, waiting to see who would strike first.
Lotor rolled his shoulders to loosen them and slid one foot behind his back. Keith continued to wait. He wanted the prince to strike first and at that moment, he knew he wouldn't be disappointed.
The prince put his weight on his back foot before snarling, "Die!" He rushed at Keith with ferocious speed, but Keith, with equal speed, dipped and weaved to his left to avoid the incoming swipe of the sword.
XXXXXXXXXX
The lions landed and hid within a large and deep crevice within the mountain. Sam guided them to a hidden cave entrance. As they moved, they found that most of the structure was man made. It appeared perfect, even in the dim light.
"It's rather hard to find this place," Sam said out loud. "There are detectors throughout the caverns. If there are any unauthorized visitors, they would be shot on sight."
"Are you sure?" Lance replied, his body stiffening as he searched for threats.
"I'm sure," Sam nodded. "We would be dead already. There's no way we could have gotten this far in."
Rounding a curve, they were welcomed by five-armed Garrison soldiers. One of them approached and saluted Sam, "General, we're glad you made it."
"Thanks to Kogane," he replied.
"General Stoller is waiting for all of you," the man said then addressed the rest of the Force, "Please, follow us."
XXXXXXXXXX
The clanging of the swords and the murmur of their voices echoed around the room. Neither backed down and every blow was dealt with full force. Death was the outcome each wanted for the other.
Lotor advanced and swung his sword, aiming for Keith's torso But, the captain was fast and he jumped back and out of the way creating enough space so the tip of the sword barely touched his body. Barely.
Neither said a word, both concentrated on their prey. Retreating to reorient, they would step back at times, calculating each other's next move. Lotor was about to attack when Keith vaulted forward with such speed that he surprised Lotor. Keith swung fast and struck Lotor on his shoulder.
The prince screamed in pain, but soon that pain turned to laughter and Keith was shocked as he watched the wound on the prince's shoulder seal within seconds, right before his eyes.
With angry eyes, Lotor smiled, "You're going to have to do better than that, Captain!"
XXXXXXXXXX
The station was larger than they thought. It contained two floors. The first floor was shaped in a semi-circle, with hallways that held other rooms and areas. The second had computerized workstations where forty to fifty soldiers worked as they watched the gigantic vid-screen that had several screens. Each screen surveyed areas of the castle, the cities, the mountains…Stoller had eyes everywhere. Needless to say, the group was impressed. They left the room and the soldier led them up a series of stairs to the second floor.
"Voltron Force," General Stoller saluted as the group as they entered the main hallway. They attempted to salute him in return, but the general was done with the military etiquette, "I'm sure, General Geller has shared the nature of this base and how sensitive it is that this information is not shared with Garrison. I've always had my suspicions that we've have leaks and double agents for lack of a better word. This station has to stay secret for as long as this war continues. My men and women have given up their lives to serve here. If they die, it would all be in vain."
"You have our word that we will not share any of this with anyone either at Garrison or the Corps, General," Lance replied. "You will be our informants and we will be yours. I'm sure that Darrell can create a secure line of communication between your base and the lions. It will be the only way we can keep the others at arm's length."
Darrell gave a short nod, "I can get started on that right away."
Relieved, Stoller replied, "Thank you. In all honesty, you're the only people I trust. Now, how may we help you?"
"Lance and I need access to the castle," Allura jumped into the conversation.
"General, both Lieutenant McClain and Lieutenant Altaire need to get in," Sam backed Allura. "Captain Kogane gave up his life to save mine, we must help him."
Stoller shook his head, "Haggar was just there some time ago. If she goes back…we run the risk of them finding the device, and potentially us."
"She shouldn't be a problem," Allura replied. "Right now, her attention is on Keith and Lotor. If I'm correct, I'm sure they are fighting each other."
"How can you be so sure?" Hunk asked.
"Because that's what he's always wanted," she answered, "A death match. He wants to kill Keith the same way Keith killed his brother and Zarkon. It's a death match and her attention is on Lotor. She won't be in the lab."
Stoller took time to consider then nodded, "Ok, I'm willing to take the risk, but you'll have to find a way to get out of the castle on your own. We can't risk you coming back the same way."
"Agreed," Lance said. "We'll find another way out."
Nodding in agreement, Allura said, "Let's go. We don't have much time."
XXXXXXXXXX
A humorless laugh escaped Keith, "I knew you didn't have it in you to fight fair."
"Wasn't my idea," Lotor shrugged. "My mother has been a bit protective of me since you killed her first son and her husband. She doesn't want me to suffer the same fate."
The statement surprised Keith momentarily. Her son, her husband…Zarkon was her husband? He really had some thinking to do, but it wasn't the time. He needed get this done. One way or another, he had to get rid of Lotor. Tightening his grip on his sword, he approached the prince, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint her."
As he finished, Lotor fell into his stance, sword ready in front of him. He adjusted his step just as Keith began to swing.
XXXXXXXXXX
The group entered a room that held a circular platform. A small group of men and women worked controls as Stoller and Lance explained the plan. Lance ordered Darrell and Hunk to work with Private James Ortiz to create the communication link between the base and the lions. That would take some time and it could be done while he and Allura were getting Keith back.
From the entrance Allura and Sam stood and watched those at work. They were quiet until Allura spoke out, "I'm glad you're alive."
Sam laughed, "Me too."
Looking at him, Allura didn't know what else to say. So much had happened. She had much to tell him, but at the moment, it didn't seem proper to address.
"Allura," he sighed. "I need you to know that it's alright if you and Kogane…"
"Sam," She shook her head in regret.
But the general stopped her from saying anything else, "When we went to rescue you. I saw a man that was going crazy trying to find you. He, of course, tried to hide it, but we could all see it. Allura, he never stopped loving you and…you never stopped loving him. You told me the night we went to his house and I saw it again when you were forced to leave him at the base. For the life of me, I don't know if I would ever get the same reaction from you."
"That's not true, I…"
"No," he stopped her again. "It's alright. I'm okay with that. The time I've spent on this base has opened my eyes to many things. I think…or rather I hope, that I'm finally able to understand what you two went through to have the love that you have today. What I'm trying to say is that, I'm okay, Allura. I need to let you go. I'm okay with that."
She didn't know what to say or feel, "I never meant to hurt you. I never ever wanted you to feel that I didn't love you because it is not true. I will always love you, Sam. You gave me peace when I needed it."
"And you gave me a chance to know what true love is, Allura. For that, I will always be grateful," he took her hand and gently squeezed it. "But I need you to be happy and your happiness is with him."
"This is not the time to talk about this," she shook her head. "When we get back to Arus- "
"Allura, I'm not going back," he stated.
The statement shocked her, "What? What are you talking about?"
He sighed deeply, "To Garrison and the Corps…I'm dead and I prefer it that way. Besides, I have a chance to do what I wanted and discussed. I wanted this assignment on Korrinth, and now I have it. I don't want to give it up. And if I go back, I will have to answer questions about my time here. I need to keep this base safe and away from prying eyes. Stoller recruited me and I accepted. I want to stay here."
"I…I don't know what to say."
"Say that you'll keep my secret."
"Of course," she nodded.
"I love you, Allura. I always will. Be happy."
With that, Allura hugged Sam and he did the same, "I love you too," she whispered in his ear. "Don't let me find out something happened to you. I will never forgive you."
"I've been doing well, so far…" he smiled. "Well, except for today. But otherwise, I've held up pretty well on my own."
"Sam?"
Another voice interrupted their conversation. Letting go of each other, they watched a woman approached them. She was a few inches shorter than Allura, with dirty blonde hair and hazel-green eyes.
"Ginny," Sam smiled. "Told you I'd be back."
She went straight to hug him, "I was so worried. Don't pull that stunt on me again. I couldn't bear to lose you. Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again!"
"Didn't know you cared so much."
Letting him go, she shrugged and said uneasily, "Who else can assist me on these science projects? Anyways, I'm glad you're okay."
Turning to Allura, Sam introduced Ginny, "Allura, this is Lieutenant Genevieve Palmer, chief scientist and the person who helped you destroy Haggar's creation."
Impressed, Allura extended her hand, "It's good to meet you, Lieutenant Palmer. Thank you so much for your help."
"Pleasure is mine," the woman answered, "I really couldn't have done it without Sam's help. He assisted me every step of the way." She turned and looked at the other men getting the transporter ready, "Oh God, Stoller is telling my staff what to do. Hell, that man is going to kill my baby. I have to stop him. Excuse me, Lieutenant." She walked away, leaving Sam and Allura alone again.
"She's interesting."
He shrugged, "She's a smart woman. A little overprotective of me at times, but she means well."
Allura smiled. Sam didn't get it, but she hoped that in time he would. She also wanted him to be happy.
XXXXXXXXXX
"We're ready," Ginny told them as she prepped the transporter. "Remember that we can only get you in, you'll have to find a way out on your own. We can only turn on the castle cameras in one area at a time. Turning all of them on at the same time increases energy and it might send energy waves to their own security systems, so we'll guide you as much as we can while avoiding detection ourselves. Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Lance replied. "Let's get on with this."
As Lance and Allura approached the platform, Sam stopped Allura, "Be careful."
She nodded, "I will. Thanks for helping us navigate inside the castle."
"Just be careful," he restated in a gruff tone. "I'll be communicating with both of you through these ear pieces designed to avoid detection." He handed two circular buds to Allura. "Once for each of you."
"Thank you. I'll be careful, Sam," she smiled to reassure him. "I promise. I'll be fine."
Ginny watched their interaction for a moment before she looked back at the controls of the transporter.
Walking over to meet Lance on the platform, Allura said to him, "We can't fail, Lance. I want Keith back. I'm not leaving without him."
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder, "You won't, Allura."
XXXXXXXXXX
He would kill this man. Lotor knew there would be no other outcome but to kill this human, unworthy of living. But for the life of him, the man wasn't going down easily. Keith, on the other hand, felt the beads of sweat running down his face and neck. His uniform, as well as Lotor's, were ripped from the attempted mortal hits of the sword's blade. Keith's uniform, however, had blood streaks from Lotor's unsympathetic hits.
The men circled each other as they determined who would attack first. The fight was far from over, but each knew patience ran thin and what was coming would be coming hard and fast.
"You're getting tired, Captain," Lotor gloated. "Maybe you should just accept your fate."
"Maybe you shouldn't let your mommy do the fighting for you," Keith snapped back.
The prince laughed, "Come now, did you really think Haggar would make it that easy for you?"
"All this time, you spoke about honor for your family…should have expected you would be as conniving as they were."
Lotor struck fast. He leapt forward, his sword lashing out at Keith's neck. With equal quickness, Keith hurled to the side to avoid what would have been a marvelous blow that would have decapitated him.
But Lotor was not done. Knowing he missed, he quickly turned and swung again. This time, Keith blocked the strike with his own sword. He rotated his sword and managed to strip Lotor of his own weapon. Unfortunately, he lost his grip on his at the same time. They listened to the sounds of the swords fall to the other side of the room.
Keith didn't allow time for the momentarily distraction. He launched forward and tackled the prince onto the ground. Moving fast, he slammed his fist into Lotor's face over and over again. He couldn't make him bleed, but he was sure as hell going to knock him out.
XXXXXXXXXX
It didn't take long for Lance and Allura to make it out of the pit. Both were cautious and quiet as they made their way up and didn't say a word for fear of someone above hearing them.
From their communication devices, they heard, Sam's voice, "Cameras are not picking up anyone in the vicinity. You are safe to proceed."
Quickly making their way up, Lance went first before helping Allura, "Where to now?"
"Out and take a right," Sam told them from his end, "You'll find a hallway. Go all the way down and then take another right."
Directing Lance with a wave of her hand, Allura said, "Let's go."
XXXXXXXXXX
As they moved down the hallway, they followed Sam's instructions and found a T-shaped hallway. When they reached the end, they would again turn right. "Stop!" they heard Sam cry out, "Drule soldiers approaching. Stay put until they cross the other end.
Hiding behind the columns that decorated the castle, Lance and Allura held their breaths as they listened to a group of soldiers cross the hallway. They listened to their commander bark out orders, "I want every entrance locked and guarded. The prince wants to make sure no one enters the castle. Every available soldier should report to the entrances of the castle."
Another soldier replied, "Commander Cossack, there are still some soldiers in the collection lobby has soldiers at the entrances of each of the rooms. Should I also tell them to leave their posts."
"Yes, sergeant," Cossack replied. "Everyone except those guarding the weapon's chamber. I want to make sure the prince has back up just in case he needs it."
"Nodded, Commander," the Drule replied. "I'll have our men ready at your command."
"It's going to be harder to get out of here than we thought," Lance whispered as the men continued to walk down the lobby.
"We'll deal with that when we have to," Allura answered, "Right now, we need to get to Keith."
"All clear," Sam said, "Go!"
XXXXXXXXXX
The sword fight turned into a street fight. It began with Keith almost pulverizing Lotor's face, but that didn't last long. Lotor managed to flip Keith, punching him once in the face, splitting his lip open. Blood oozed from his lower lip.
Keith managed to free himself from Lotor's grip and rose.
"Why won't you die already?" Lotor's patience was now growing very thin. He wasn't displaying the usual control. The prince was downright angry. His anger grew to the point that his eyes widened and shined with wildness. He raised his fist and charged.
As he drew near, Keith stepped back, balancing his weight on one foot and threw his fist out, attempting to slam into Lotor's temple, but the action took a turn when he watched Lotor's reptilian eyes turn a shade of deep purple. His entire body began to glow the same shade.
Lotor brought up his forearm and countered Keith's punch. Drawing back his other arm, he fisted his hand and slammed it into Keith's jaw.
The mere action brought Keith to the floor once again.
"This is over now!" Lotor yelled as he lifted his foot and kicked Keith in the abdomen.
XXXXXXXXXX
"The room where Keith is should be all the way down this corridor," Sam said as he continued guiding Lance and Allura inside the castle. There are two Drule soldiers guarding the doors. You'll need to take them out before they call for reinforcements."
"Will do," Lance whispered to Sam. Signaling Allura, he ordered, "You take the left, I've got the right."
"Got it."
Without hesitation, they drew their weapons. They rushed the soldiers who were shocked to see two humans come at them.
"Hello boys," Allura called out as she raised her weapon.
Before they could draw their own guns, Lance and Allura aimed, and shot them in a synchronized act. It was flawless.
They stepped over the soldiers' dead bodies. Lance opened the doors and paused in shocked. Lotor was literally glowing in a purple aura.
"The witch's power," Allura whispered to herself.
Lotor kicked Keith so hard that his body had actually lifted up before it hit the floor. They heard a hard groan coming from their captain.
The prince failed to notice the Lance and Allura at the entrance.
"You pathetic excuse for a living being," Lotor walked over to Keith, who was trying to get up. "You're done destroying my world." He kicked him again, "My family!" Another kick, "My life!" The third kick was so powerful that it sent Keith flying to the other side of the room.
"I want you dead and I'm not waiting any longer for my wish!"