Chapter Eight- Another Plan Laid

Keith, despite being hungry, marched into the dining room and simply stood in the doorway. He had thought on the way to the castle that he was not going to shy away from the questions. He was the leader for crying out loud. His presence attracted everyone's attention and once everyone looked at him, he said, "I'll be waiting in the lounge when you're ready." He turned and left to retire to the lounge.

He sat and waited a little over thirty minutes before he smelled them coming. He stood and folded his arms as they entered and he fixed them with a stern look as they sat. "I will talk and you'll listen, all right? A week ago, I was on duty and my thoughts had dwelled on Lotor and I found I was attracted to him and wanted to tell him. I, however, thought he would reject it and that prompted a whine.

"I realized that the sounds and urges I was experiencing had been getting more frequent and were indicators that my wolf side had to come out. As I said, this is a genetic thing, a family heritage. Only the full moon is when I'm controlled by wolf thought and I can stay away during those nights. So, I took the formula the next night.

"Three days ago, I was heading home when I smelled the scent of a ship. I followed it and found it was Lotor's ship. We talked and admitted to loving each other. I know it sounds crazy and weird but it's true and real. He revealed a plan that he's abandoned and that he'd rather support Arus and freedom. I'm aware that you won't accept his word, but hopefully his actions will convince you." He drew himself up straighter. "I will not tolerate any hate or fear aimed at me or Lotor. I am a werewolf who's only a real wolf three nights a month and Lotor loves me and is willing to spy on Zarkon. Now, I'm going to bed so I can be awake for tonight." He turned and left the room before anyone could say anything.

There was silence in the lounge before Lance said, "Well that was a different Keith from last night."

"He clearly thought about the encounter on the way home," Allura said. "But really, he can't blame us for our reaction."

""Clearly he does," Hunk said. "And I can kind of see his view. He may look like an animal but he doesn't act like one and all we saw was a danger to us."

"What about Lotor?" Pidge asked. "Can we trust him?"

"Keith does, but that isn't enough to get us to trust him, not after everything's he's done," Allura said. "Until Lotor's really proven he's changed, I don't trust him." The other three nodded in agreement.

"Nothing to report?" Zarkon repeated angrily.

Lotor was in a kneeling position, head bowed. "I failed you, Father. The castle is impregnable and there are guards around the perimeter."

"You didn't fail. You provided information about the guards. They can be dealt with as you are a capable warrior, one of the best. While you were gathering info, Hagger and I were making another plan. You will have Hagger in your ship as you launch an air attack on Arus. The timing is perfect as they can't possibly be ready for an attack. You will set out in two days with a fleet of ships."

"Yes, Father," he said, his mind racing. He could easily sabotage the ships with no one being the wiser. I will need to contact Keith about this. When Zarkon dismissed him, he immediately went to the bay where the ships were parked and began to sabotage them to fail and explode not long after launching. He set up dozens of them in this manner before getting some rest. He would wreck some more before calling Keith.

Keith munched on some fruit and drank some water in the kitchen which was empty. He had woken up, feeling very hungry and had come to the kitchen to eat before taking night watch. He planned to take over early so he could set up the frequency chip he had gotten from Lotor. He finished off the food and drink and packed some meat and water for later on after dark. He left the kitchen and headed for the Control Room.

Coran was there and he turned in his seat upon hearing Keith's footsteps. His gaze was level and neutral as was his voice when he said, "So, you're a werewolf now and have a relationship with Lotor."

"Yes to both. I have a private communication channel from him and he has one from me. We can contact one another with no fear of being overheard."

"I see. Keith, I am not judging. Allura told me what you said and I understand why you did not tell us what you did as well as falling for Lotor. Though, I find it hard to believe that Lotor would aid us, I will trust his word."

"Thanks, Coran. I appreciate that." The advisor left and Keith set up his food and drink before sitting down and removing the chip. He began to set up the channel.

Lotor sat in his personal communications room, inserting the chip into his control board and setting up the channel before activating it. A steady red light lit up, indicating that it was sending out its pulse. The light then flashed, indicating a response. He answered it and a black wolf appeared on his screen. He smiled. "I said I would call."

"I knew you would. So, anything to report or is this a social call?"

"Both, actually. I enjoy talking with you and seeing you. I gave little information to Father as I said. He and Hagger formed a plan while I was gone. In two days, an attack fleet will be launched with my ship leading it and Hagger with me. I have already carefully sabotaged the fighter ships to fail and explode after launching. If you and your team could be outside when the fleet arrives, the exploding ships should prove my loyalty to you and Arus."

"I'll tell the other so we'll be outside. Any idea why Hagger will be with you?"

Lotor shook his head. "None. I wish I did then I'd tell you."

"It's okay. You've already told us about the fleet. We can all talk after the attack. This is sure to convince them."

Keith and Lotor continued to talk, the former keeping an eye on the sensors the entire time. At first the conversation topics were about their respective pasts, but the Lotor said, "How did the grilling go this morning?"

"It didn't happen."

"It didn't? Why? Were they avoiding you?"

"They weren't. I didn't give them an opportunity to talk. I talked about my wolf side, taking the formula, my love for you, your decision to be a spy, and that you had a plan you had abandoned. I also made it clear that I will not tolerate any hate or fear directed at either of us. After that, I went to get some sleep to prepare for tonight."

"I was hoping you would stand up and defend yourself. You're a leader and leaders should be decisive and firm people. Wolves are also decisive animals. I think your two halves made sure you took control of the situation."

"I guess so, but I was also tired of the looks in their eyes. The fear and accusation. I did fail to point out that I had good reasons to not tell them about being a werewolf or that we were in love."

"If you feel you should tell them then I suggest you do so when telling them about the attack."

"Yeah. I could do that."

Lotor then covered a yawn and Keith chuckled. "Get some sleep. I have to stay up all night, you don't."

"Point taken. Good night, Keith. I love you."

"I love you too," Keith said as both ended the transmission.