Lotor awoke without her beside him. Memories of yesterday's nightmares were blissfully distant. The grogginess that had plagued his mind was gone and the pain in his leg was decreased dramatically. The room was empty. Good, it gave him time to think.

His thoughts drifted to all of the current events that had happened in the past few days. It was far easier now, when he was not wrestling with his own mind. He carefully sat up, meaning to get up but delaying his effort when a wave of dizziness washed over him.

He should have been thinking about their next move, but Allura kept showing up in his thoughts. How could she not? You had your tongue down her throat last night. It was amazing how deadpan his internal voice could be. A scowl stretched across his face and he ran his long, slender fingers through his white mane. His frown deepened. A bath was certainly in order.

There was no denying it anymore. Lotor was… attracted to Allura at the very least. Well, don't be modest. Sell her your soul too. Lotor sighed. "Fine," he mumbled to himself. He knew saying the words aloud would them so much more real. But realism would keep him grounded, focused. Indeed, there was no denying that Allura held a key to his peace. He was unsure how she held such an advantage over him, but it was addictive and intoxicating in an irresistible way. She was delicious. He licked his lips as the taste her came back to him.

He shook his head, astounded with himself. He could not recall the last time he had allowed someone into his life; one who could sway his meaning. Now, Allura was teetering precariously close to that line. His instincts told him knowing her would be a grave threat to his integrity and his end game…. Still, he could not describe the feeling that welled in his heart when she was in his presence. It was calm, serene. The novel feeling was so foreign to him. It was new and intriguing, a feeling that made him complete. He wanted to experience it for all it had.

And you can, but never forget your purpose.

The statement halted his musing like cold water. It was right. His truest purpose as the son of Zarkon, a leader of the Galran Empire, was to strengthen the galaxy under him. It would be his Empire one day and he would need a queen, though…

Maybe he was planning too far ahead. He chastised himself and swung the sheets off his body. The present was imperative. Lotor would focus on the present till he was sure the next move could be plotted. Right now, this solar system was important. Allura was important as well… Somehow…. As stress relief.

A pang of guilt stirred in him, but he nudged the sensation away. Gingerly, he pushed his legs off the edge of the bed, and he sat like that, half naked with his legs dangling for a long time before the slight vertigo disappeared. His gold eyes scanned the room. Now, he only had to find his clothes and hopefully a shower.

XxX

Allura offered a small smile when Lotor swept into the room. He was looking much better, not the slightest limp marred his confident stride as he came to her side. "Lotor," she greeted.

The prince gave her a smile of his own. "Princess." His eyes flicked to take in Shiro, who was standing on Allura's right. He offered the man a trifling nod.

The creases that showed up at the corners of the man's eyes were almost imperceptible. Lotor fought the urge to smirk. He turned his attention back to Allura, who was explaining the view on the monitor swaying in front of the trio. She said, "This is actually where the terraforming plant is located." Her slender finger indicated a green spot on the holographic planet. "It is certainly a prototype. It doesn't resemble the one we found on Naxzela." She glanced back at Coran, who was sitting at a console, watching the conversation and manning the computer. "Please bring back that image you created. The one you showed me."

A subtle worried expression crossed the veteran's face but the Altean complied. A sea green, topographic image of the planet replaced the previous scene. Large bodies of water and many little rivers smothered what dry land could be discerned. It was obviously an ocean world.

"This is the original world," Allura said indicating the hovering 2D image.

Lotor's eyebrow quirked. Few planets had such a climate. It was a universal rarity for a world to be entirely covered with water. He could count on his fingers how many he knew. Immediately, his mind began to run scenarios to explain why the Alteans would actually, willingly, change the world to something as common as mountainous terrain. He glanced at Shiro once again. A recollection of the Paladin's first reaction upon seeing the planet came to him. This was a copy of their home planet…

The half-Galra was unable to continue down his tangent when Shiro spoke up, "There is evidence suggesting this was an experiment. On further examination, we can see that each planet is slightly 'improved'." He closed his mouth, taciturn again.

Allura nodded and met Lotor's eyes. There was the slightest hint of doubt in her smooth voice. "We have not found any record of Alteans colonising or even experimenting on the other planets." She swallowed. "However, we have found some small, buried settlements with remnants of Galran technology."

Lotor's mind snapped closed, suddenly on the defensive. However, his face remained impassive. "I have no knowledge of Galran activities in this area." His voice was curt.

Allura swallowed and continued. "We believe the operation was a secret. It seems they were attempting to cultivate the mineral that streaked the mountains. It is highly resistant to energy weapons and even reflects most power projected upon it."

Lotor listened with razor sharp ears, refiling through every nuance of her voice. It left a distasteful feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he was running on protective instincts. He was unsure whether it was paranoia, but when she said the word 'they' it sounded like she was saying 'you'.

"Perhaps, the Galra found the planets after the Alteans left," he said. His frustration grew as the conversation continued.

"Actually, Lotor. The Galra held my people captive. We found remnants of slave camps," she stated flatly.

There was no more beating around the bush. She was fuming on the inside and Lotor could now see the flames hidden deeply behind her irises. He cursed himself for not looking past her layers. You are weakening. A flame of panic lit in the back of his mind, but he violently pushed it away before forging his face into a stoic expression. "That is conceivable," he sidled. "I wonder why the operation was halted."

Allura shook her head. "I have no idea," she sighed. She didn't know why she had hoped for some inkling of compassion from him. It was too soon to expect that from him.

"Do you have a plan for our next move?" Lotor's mind whirred. "Is there any way to get the mining facilities running?" he quickly amended. "The coalition could be greatly rewarded with access to such an ore."

The princess fought the wave of nausea that mounted at the thought of using the abominations her people had unwillingly suffered on. She reminded herself of her duty to the present. "We could… attempt it."

Lotor opened his mouth to suggest an idea when he was cut off by a bleeping followed by Coran's voice. "Princess, we are receiving a communication!" Stark confusion highlighted his next words. "It is coming from inside the castle?!"