All Nayni could do was watch Coran sleep in their bed. The sound of his ceaseless snoring filled their quarters. She could barely make out the shape of his face in the din. Now and then one of his ears would twitch. Coran seemed to have descended into a deep slumber. She hoped he wasn't being plagued by nightmares. She hoped his dreams were peaceful and full of contentment. Nayni was having no such luck.
She'd lay her head down but she just ended up staring at the ceiling. Their encounter on the beach was still too fresh in her mind. She could still feel a few loose grains of sand clinging to her skin. She could still feel that faint electric tingle in her gut. There had been a monumental shift between the two of them now. And amidst all of this death and destruction, it had shaken her. Nayni felt this unrelenting compulsion to protect him. She felt such a deeply ingrained instinct to take any action she could to try and remedy the dire situation they found themselves in.
He must be experiencing it too. Coran was just so much more exhausted than she was. She'd been tossed into a healing pod halfway through her battle. He'd gone through a physical and emotional gauntlet. And instead of resting upon his return, he'd just hovered around her healing pod waiting for her to emerge. Nayni was grateful that he wasn't suffering from the same insomnia that she was. The plans that were running through her head were not something he'd let her pursue if he knew what they were.
She ran her stubby fingers through her wild, mass of brown hair. She'd been sitting in bed, grappling with this idea for over a varga. She kept trying to convince herself that it was stupid but that wasn't enough. She knew very well how foolish this idea was but the raging desire to take action was too strong to resist. Nayni planted a kiss on his cheek and crept out of bed.
She took great care to be as quiet as possible as she got dressed. Nayni's eyes kept flickering over to the bed. She'd watch his chest rise and fall as he slept. This might be the last time she sees him. If she wasn't careful enough about this, she wouldn't be coming back. The idea of inflicting that pain on him made her ill but she could not let things go on as they had been. He was suffering. They had all been suffering.
She snuck out of their quarters. Nayni knew it was the rush of hormones and his quintessence coursing through her that had pushed her to this. She'd never been this reckless. Not in years. She felt guilt and fear growing within her. It was making her chest tighten as she made her way down the dimly lit hallway of the Castle. She couldn't see a way around this. She'd tried but she'd never had the mindset for great scheming. This was the only plan that had been suggested that made sense to her now.
Nayni rounded a corner and her heart sank. It appeared she was not the only one sneaking about the Castle tonight. Lance was making his way down the hall too. He was fully clad in his Paladin armor with his helmet clutched in his hand. The Blue Paladin appeared to be just as alarmed as Nayni was by the unexpected encounter. He was up to something. He should be in bed, snug and warm, like the other Paladins. Even if his sleep was restless, he wouldn't be walking around in his armor like this.
They stared at each other for a moment before Lance seemed to realize that she was up to something too. His nervous expression became more suspicious. He narrowed his eyes.
"What're you doing up, Nanny?" Lance asked.
She didn't want to disclose anything to him. She knew he had established a close relationship with Coran. She worried he'd try to put a stop to this.
"What are you doing, Mister McClain?" Nayni said. "Just taking a midnight stroll in your armor?"
She was pulling out an old tactic from her days as a Guardsmen. People had a tendency to be rather suspicious of others when they were up to their own suspicious things. She knew probing him about it would be more effective than trying to lie to him. Lance shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He seemed rather annoyed. He knew he was had, she could see it in his eyes.
"Look, I'm just tired of sitting around okay?" Lance confessed. "I've gotta do something. After seeing all that shit-after seeing what it did to Allura—-I have to do something."
It seemed he had the same motives that she did. She toyed with the idea of telling him but she still didn't feel right about it.
"And what is it exactly you're intending to do?" Nayni pried.
She was grilling him like a mother who'd caught her child stealing sweets.
"I don't know," Lance sighed. "I was gonna take Red out and try and blow up some crap. Now that I'm talking about it out loud, it sounds really stupid."
Nayni was up to something stupid too. She'd like to think that she had more sense in her head than this boy but that really wasn't the case. Her hesitation to respond gave Lance the chance to jump on her. She saw that look of suspicion return to his face. Lance crept closer to her. Even though she was his senior, he was still quite a bit taller than her. She didn't like how it felt to have him looking down at her.
"But you never told me what you were doing, Nanny," Lance pressed.
Nayni scowled. He did seem rather passionate and determined to take some action. Maybe that drive would outweigh everything else to him. It would be dangerous to tell him but she was already taking an incredibly idiotic risk.
"I'm going to speak with Lotor," Nayni said.
Lance's eyes widened. Maybe she'd said enough already.
"The plan he's had is still stupid," Nayni admitted. "But it's significantly less stupid than yours."
Lance seemed a tad offended but she didn't care. Nayni let out a sigh.
"I can't sit idle anymore either," Nayni said. "There's too much at stake, and we've already lost so much."
Nayni's gaze flickered to the ground. She stared at the scuffed tips of Lance's boots. In the past, it had been duty that had motivated her. It was the obligation she had to serve the Altean Crown that had pushed her to do everything. Her desire to help others and protect the innocent had kept her going. What was propelling her forward tonight was something so much more selfish.
"I can't stand to see Coran like this," Nayni said. "Even if it gets me killed, I have to protect him."
Lance took a step back. He looked like he wasn't sure what to say. But he nodded slowly. He scratched the back of his head. He was mulling it over. He seemed rather torn. She was too. She was just trying to smother that conflict within her. Lance let out a slow, exasperated groan.
"Let's go talk to him," Lance said.
So she had an accomplice now. She knew Allura was a prime motivation for him. But she didn't think this was some stupid stunt he was pulling to try and impress the Princess. Nayni would've believed he was dumb enough to do that when they first met but not anymore. He was definitely a confused and conflicted young man but he was smart. He was dedicated and caring. Nayni knew in her gut that those traits would grow stronger the more he matured.
She followed the tall, lanky Paladin down the hallway. Lotor wasn't being kept in the brig anymore though Hunk and Lance didn't seem very comfortable with that fact. The quarters they'd provided for him were always locked down though and required a clearance code to open. It might as well have been a cell. When they came upon the door to Lotor's quarters the pair hesitated.
She knew Lance still had trust issues. She knew this was going to be quite the struggle for him but he seemed so determined to make a difference that he was willing to conspire with a man that was once his enemy. Lance just gave Nayni a rather dejected nod as a confirmation. She typed her security code into the control panel. The doors slid open. Lotor's room was lit up. The Galra Prince hadn't seized the moment to rest.
Lotor was lounging rather casually on the bed. He didn't seem surprised to see Nayni and Lance in the doorway. His golden eyes flickered over to them and that slimy grin spread across his face. It was as if he already knew why they were here.
"Well well well," Lotor said. "I'm not used to receiving callers at such a late hour."
Nayni didn't like the way he teased them. The only person that was allowed to sass her like this was Allura. Nayni and Lance exchanged a look. This was the only option that seemed plausible to her. As much as she disliked the Galra Prince, she saw the value in his plan now. Lance seemed too stubborn to make the first move. It would be up to her.
"We're here to talk about that plan of yours," Nayni sighed. "Feel free to congratulate yourself."
Lotor sat up in bed. His smile only grew wider. He brushed a strand of silver hair away from his slender lavender face.
"It's so nice to see some of you have finally come to your senses," Lotor said.
Of course, he wasn't going to mention the loss of an entire alien world. He hadn't cared about that in the start, so why would he now? Lotor tapped his fingertips together in anticipation. He looked as if he was awaiting the arrival of an exotic dancer.
"Forcing my father to face off with the Queen was always the best course of action," Lotor said. "It's unfortunate you didn't see this earlier."
Nayni wrinkled her nose. She knew he was going to rub this in her face but she still didn't enjoy having to sit through it.
"But, since it's just the two of you-" Lotor said. "I'm assuming you're the only ones on board with this plan."
The Galra Prince was just as good at reading people as Nayni was. That was the main reason she disliked him. Because he was so gifted at that, he was also rather talented at hiding his own motivations. She never seemed to know what was going on in his head. It was maddening. Nayni just gritted her teeth.
"That is the case," Nayni said. "But here I am. You have your bait to do with as you please now."
Lotor nodded but he didn't seem impressed at all.
"I don't know if you're enough of a lure for the Queen at this point," Lotor sighed.
He flicked his cascading silver hair over his shoulder.
"Though, a Lion of Voltron-now that would be quite the prize for Zarkon and the Queen," Lotor said.
Lance's brow furrowed. Nayni couldn't deny the truth though. The Red Lion might be enough on its own to bait both of their enemies together. Lotor didn't seem finished with his sales pitch yet. His eyes widened and his grin became more sinister.
"But if we want some extra insurance," Lotor said. "Tomyko and I both have rather high bounties on our heads. Father would love to get his hands on me and the Queen would do anything to get ahold of her escaped prisoner."
The idea of having to be with Tomyko in a confined space again wasn't appealing but Nayni knew it would be a good idea to bring her along. Lotor seemed to have quite a bit of sway with her even if she wasn't exactly pleased with everything he'd done. The connection she had to the Lotor from her reality still seemed to have a great deal of influence with Tomyko. Lotor looked at Nayni. His grin was wicked and hungry.
"And we all know what the Advisor wants," Lotor said.
So he wanted the four of them to cram themselves into the Red Lion and try and bring together two massive armies. And somehow, they were supposed to escape before anything nefarious might take place. It was stupid, incredibly risky and would most definitely lead to some horrible and painful death.
"I can convince Tomyko to come along," Lotor said. "I know just what buttons to push with that one."
He probably knew how to manipulate every single one of them. Nayni looked up at Lance. He was her one true ally in this endeavor. He had been an unexpected addition to her plan but now that he was here she felt more at ease. She could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't completely sold on the idea. Lance gazed down at his helmet. He rubbed his thumb across the curve of his visor and let out a sigh.
"Red's quick," Lance said. "I can get us in and out. Nice and easy. No problem."
Lance was very confident about that. His chest seemed to have puffed out a little when he said that. Nayni had seen him in action. She believed in his abilities. Lotor seemed pleased enough by their reactions. He tucked his hands behind his back and his pointed ears perked up.
"Then let's retrieve Tomyko and be on our way," Lotor said. "We'll have to be quick about this, we don't want our friends chasing after us."
Word had just been sent to Coran that the Ark was finished. The morbid project that he and Alfor had engineered had come together. All that was missing was the occupants. Coran knew that's what this meeting was about. He and the King had only discussed this briefly. When the idea for the Ark had first come up, Coran had hoped that they'd never actually get to this point. He'd hoped that the war with the Galra would be resolved before the construction of the massive vessel had even finished. Things had unfolded in a completely different way though.
The fact that Alfor had even called for this meeting made Coran feel uneasy. Things had not been going well. The Altean colony worlds were being enslaved and destroyed. Millions of Altean refugees were rushing to get back to their homeworld. The remaining Paladins of Voltron were struggling to protect their allied systems as well. It was awful and hard to admit but it was necessary. They were going to plan for the potential buildings blocks that the Alteans might need to rise from the ashes. There was still a chance though. Coran felt it in his very bones. There was always hope.
Alfor had requested for this meeting to be private as well. They were meeting in his Alchemy laboratory. No one else on the Castle ever came to this deck. Alfor had the freedom to close it off as he pleased. Coran didn't like the idea that this conversation was only going to happen between the two of them. He'd expected maybe some of their military advisors to be invited at the very least. It wasn't a good sign.
Alfor only ever spoke with Coran in private when they were going to discuss personal matters. They had a very close relationship. Coran had been there during the death of his wife. They'd discussed every conceivable topic in the universe. Lately, their private chats had revolved around some rather grim topics. But even at his most vulnerable, the King still remained so stoic. He still was a pillar of strength that made Coran feel optimistic.
When Coran arrived at the lab, he found Alfor hovering over his desk in the middle of the circular chamber. He was surrounded by shelves crammed full of plant specimens. Normally, the King would be examining some of them or running some kind of experiment but he was just sitting behind his desk with a strange look in his eye. The war had aged him so quickly. He was still a handsome man but he perpetually looked exhausted. The gleam of his silver hair had dulled and the worry lines on his forehead and at the edges of his mouth were deeply set.
He greeted Coran with a weak smile and a nod. That was yet another indication that this meeting was going to be unpleasant. Coran took his seat opposite of Alfor. The Royal Advisor kept his posture rigid. He knew it was difficult to hide his feelings from the King but he still wanted to attempt to put on a facade of strength. Coran was bracing himself for this awkward endeavor. Alfor seemed even less enthusiastic about it. The King seemed to be feeling guilty about it. No leader wanted to debate the value of his people. Especially Alfor.
"I think the lottery system for selecting which civilians will go to the Ark is the best way to go about it," Alfor began. "I don't want to separate families. Whoever gets selected has the right to bring their loved ones with them."
He was getting right to the point. Coran nodded. They'd discussed this briefly already. But confirming the plan and setting it in stone felt so strange. Coran hadn't expected this moment to come. He had never imagined that they'd actually seriously be considering this option. They'd already poured so many resources into this project and for good reason. Alfor was hesitating to continue. He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. Alfor slid his white datapad across the sleek surface of his desk.
Coran stared at the device. His heart started to beat a bit faster. He didn't like the way Alfor was presenting this to him. He knew what was coming next. He knew it was going to be rather difficult.
"I've also picked out some potential candidates from the government and my inner circle," Alfor said.
Coran picked up the datapad. He glanced over the names. He recognized all of them. It had been his job to recognize those names. He'd spent his whole life learning who these people were and their skill sets. He stroked his orange mustache as he looked it over. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Nayni's name. Coran glanced up at Alfor. The King was having a harder time with this than Coran was.
"I tried to pick people that would be able to lead-" Alfor began. "-in my absence."
Coran didn't like this sort of talk. He didn't like thinking about that possibility at all. But he recognized the importance of a contingency plan.
"Obviously, we still need to have some people at our disposal with-strategic value," Alfor said.
The King seemed to struggle immensely getting that statement out. He always viewed everyone equally. He saw the best traits in every person. It didn't matter if they were a diplomat, a soldier or a shoemaker. He valued every life. So to examine people by any other measure must've been incredibly difficult for him. Alfor stroked his silver goatee and stared off into space.
"You can take your time but, I'd like you to look that over and give me any suggestions," Alfor said.
Coran nodded weakly. The only name he seemed to be able to stare at was Nayni's. It was practically jumping off of the screen. Coran was so fixated on that cluster of letters. He felt so conflicted. If they sent her away, she'd be safer. He didn't know how much safer but it'd be better than running around like she had been. Allura would be devastated. Coran would be too. Alfor clenched his jaw and rapped his fingers on the top of the desk.
"There's a few of those though that I won't budge on," Alfor said.
The King hesitated. When he looked at Coran, the Royal Advisor felt as if the King was peering into his very soul.
"Captain Nordontu is one of them," Alfor said.
Coran's heart sank. He took a deep breath to collect himself.
"Why?" Coran asked.
He had no issue questioning the King. That was part of his job but this time his query was for personal reasons. He felt guilty for it but he needed to know.
"I want Allura back by my side. I want to teach her some things—just in case," Alfor said. "However, that really isn't where the issue arises."
It was an uncomfortable question. Coran was struggling to put his personal feelings aside and examine the situation on a more professional level. Alfor was hesitating. He must've spent vargas thinking of how to address this. Maybe he knew how Coran felt about the Guard Captain, maybe he didn't. Regardless, Nayni was like family to both of them. It was a tender subject no matter what.
"She's valuable," Alfor said. "But for right now, your presence for Allura and I is more-"
The King didn't want to finish his sentence. He didn't have to. Coran had an archive's worth of knowledge in his head. He was one of the only other Alteans that had intimate knowledge about Alfor's plans for the war. He would be able to provide information and advice that Nayni couldn't. Nayni was smart, she was strong and loyal but her specialties wouldn't be of much help on the Castle. She was a respected figure of the Royal Court but she wouldn't be able to help out with tactics or difficult diplomatic decisions. And Allura wouldn't need a body guard on the Castle. Coran nodded but Alfor didn't seem satisfied with his forced response.
"That woman might as well be a blood relative," Alfor said. "This wasn't an easy decision but it's vital she goes. She's got some strong leadership qualities and she's dedicated. I know she'd take no issue following General Fragnar if-things don't go well. The survivors on the Ark will need her."
Alfor had been thinking that far ahead for some time but Coran didn't like facing it now. The most important part of this plan involved the hibernation chambers on the Castle. Coran knew who they were reserved for. He was going to be here. He had to be here for Allura and Alfor. No matter what happened, he had to be by their side until the very end. He didn't want it to come to that. No matter how bad things seemed to be, he wasn't willing to accept that as a possible outcome.
"Coran," Alfor said.
The red-head looked up from the datapad. He must've looked like a sad little whelpling who'd just soiled the carpet.
"I know this will be hard but, keep this just between us," Alfor said.
He understood why. Some Alteans knew about the Ark. They knew what its purpose was but as soon as the potential names got out, there might be bickering. Not everyone was as levelheaded and blindly dedicated as Coran was. But keeping this from Nayni felt wrong. He had to though. She'd protest it. She'd fight against this so adamantly. She wouldn't want anything to tear her away from Allura. He knew that would be the heart of it. Nayni wouldn't take it as an insult. She'd be able to grasp why Coran was needed, why it was vital for him to be by Allura and Alfor's side. She'd accept why she had to be the one to go. It would break her heart to part with Allura though.
How was he supposed to even talk to her now? Every letter he wrote, every bit of news he shared with her would be tainted with this knowledge that he'd be holding back from her. Their friendship had been built on honesty, openness and a mutual dedication to the Crown. That relationship had only gotten more muddled and intimate over the course of the war. Coran had kept matters of the Court from Nayni in the past but those all seemed so trivial. They were nothing compared to this. Alfor tried to provide Coran some comfort by taking the Royal Advisor's hand in his.
"The orders won't go out until you've made your suggestions and I've given the final approval," Alfor said. "So there's still time to address any-unresolved business."
He wanted to tell her. He wanted to warn Nayni but he knew she'd be just as furious if he went against protocol. No matter what he did, she'd be hurt. Coran didn't know if she'd blame him or hold it against him. She wasn't the type to be bitter. She wouldn't take it as a betrayal but the idea of the pain this was going to cause her would destroy him.
But telling her about the feelings he'd been harboring for so many years was just as impossible. Coran couldn't dump all of that on her right before she stepped into that chamber. It wasn't fair. It wouldn't be right. As much as he wanted to lay his heart bare and tell her all of this, he knew he couldn't. Now it seemed they would both go the rest of their lives without this confrontation that he had been longing for so desperately.
The four of them had actually fit into the Red Lion. They were flying through the vacuum of space. Stars streaked by them as the Lion barreled towards its destination. Nayni felt an immense gut-wrenching guilt. She'd kept this from Coran. She was sneaking away and he had no idea. They were heading right for the lair of the beast and he had no idea. It had to be this way though. If the others had found out, they would've come after them and then everyone would be in danger.
Part of why she thought this scheme would work was because of how few of them there were. It would seem like an easy task to overtake them. Once the Queen and Zarkon started firing upon one another, they'd be able to make a quick getaway. If the rest of the Lions were there along with the Castle, this wouldn't work. There was still such potential for this to go wrong. They could die. That was always a possibility. If that was what was to transpire than at least Nayni would die knowing that she'd made some kind of difference.
As long as the Queen's militia was weakened or Zarkon's forces were diminished, she'd be helping them. Nayni hovered around Lance. He was the one she trusted the most. He pushed forward on the throttle and the Red Lion soared through space. Nayni had managed to make it through the small jump without coating the floor of the cockpit in vomit.
Tomyko had agreed to come rather easily. Lotor had threatened both of the Altean women that if they started arguing he'd render them unconscious. Thankfully, Tomyko had kept her mouth firmly shut the entire time. Lotor was the only one that didn't seem to be on edge. He did still seem to be immensely pleased that his plan was finally being executed.
The Red Lion was creeping closer and closer to Zarkon's main fleet. They could see the massive, violet twisted capital ship in the far distance. Lance piloted the Lion behind a cluster of asteroids. They weren't going to make their move until they were certain the Queen was here. As soon as the Red Lion was within range of the flagship's scanners they would have quite a force to contend with. The Galra would be desperate to get their hands on the Red Lion.
Lotor leaned forward and tapped Nayni on the shoulder. He had a rather devilish look in his eye.
"Time to make your little call," Lotor teased.
Nayni recoiled.
"You think I can just summon up the Queen like a magician?" Nayni said.
Lotor didn't even flinch. He reached for her with one of his slender fingers and tilted her chin up. The gesture made Nayni feel as if bugs were crawling all over her.
"Do what you Alteans do best," Lotor said. "Reach out to him."
Nayni didn't think she was capable of that. She also was terrified by the idea. Tomyko was leaning against the side of the cockpit. She looked more annoyed than anything else.
"Look, if the Advisor finds you, he'll see that I'm here and they'll come swooping in," Tomyko said. "Just think about him or-or- or something."
That advice wasn't exactly helpful. Tomyko didn't seem to really be an expert on how to go about this either. Nayni looked at Lance for some kind of reassurance or direction but he just shrugged. Nayni bit down on her bottom lip. She knew the Queen and the Advisor were powerful. Maybe they'd be able to find them without too much effort. Tomyko shook her fists with frustration.
"Just do something!" Tomyko snapped. "Or am I going to have to be the one to try!?"
Nayni's ears twitched with annoyance. This woman was the most inpatient and insufferable person she had ever met.
"Come on! With the amount of time you've spent in that man's bed, he's probably permanently flowing through your bloodstream!" Tomyko growled.
Lance went pale and Nayni thought the boy was going to retch.
"That's revolting!" Nayni seethed. "And what on Altea does that have to do with anything!?"
Lance was just gripping onto the controls of the Red Lion and desperately trying to block out the argument raging behind him. Lotor couldn't stop chuckling. He found this all very amusing.
"The three of you should just ravish each other," Lotor teased. "It would alleviate quite a bit of tension I think."
Lance looked like he was about to cry.
"Please, for the love of God, stop talking about this," Lance begged.
Tomyko didn't care. She folded her arms across her chest. She looked completely disgusted.
"I would never lie with a man," Tomyko said. "And especially not that one."
Nayni clenched her fist. This was just a waste of time. She let out a low growl.
"Just shut up!" Nayni snapped. "Stop talking and let me concentrate."
Tomyko muttered some insult under her breath but Nayni let it go. Lotor managed to muffle his chuckling though he still seemed very pleased with the conflict he'd stirred up. Nayni took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She wasn't very talented at using her quintessence for things like this. She also was worried that after establishing an even deeper connection with her Coran that this would prove to be a most difficult task. Nayni let out a sigh and closed her eyes.
She tried to focus all of her energy on the Advisor. She tried to picture him in her mind. The only image she'd ever seen of him had been staticy and blurry. As hard as Nayni tried she just couldn't hang onto the image of him in her head. She tried to focus on how his voice had sounded. She tried holding onto to that soul-crushing fear that he'd filled her with. It seemed like a quarter of a varga had gone by and nothing was happening. The longer she tried to reach out to the Advisor, the more pointless it seemed. Her thoughts kept drifting off and she'd catch herself and try to refocus.
When Nayni felt someone grab her by the back of the neck she thought it was Lance at first. That touch was too icy cold to be anyone within the Red Lion. Nayni felt terror slice right into her. Her eyes flew open and she looked over the faces of her comrades. Her bottom lip was trembling and she felt like someone was strangling her. Nayni started to gag and choke. Tomyko looked on in shock. Lotor just grinned, there was a deep satisfaction reflected in his golden eyes.
"Make your move, Paladin," Lotor hissed.
Lance pushed forward on the throttle. The Red Lion lurched as it soared towards Zarkon's capital ship. Nayni felt as if the air within her lungs had been torn out. She fell to her knees. Nayni clutched at her chest as she went into a fit of coughing. Tomyko and Lotor braced themselves against the sides of the cockpit. The Red Lion dove towards the flagship and was immediately met with a swarm of Galra drones. Lance made the Lion swoop around and it dodged the barrage of laser fire that was raining down around them.
Nayni braced herself on the back of Lance's seat and pulled herself back to her feet. She looked out the window of the cockpit. The flashing of the violet lasers was making her feel lightheaded. The swerving and diving that Lion was doing wasn't really helping her feel better either. Lance's teeth were gritted. He was pouring all of his focus into piloting Red and keeping them safe.
Just when Nayni started to fear that the Queen's militia wouldn't arrive, she saw that twisted undulating red rift explode in the middle of the battlefield. Nayni felt bile creeping up her throat. That fear returned tenfold. She was so petrified that she couldn't move. It felt like a thousand frozen needles had been stuck in her. The Other Castle emerged from the rift. As it flew by them, Nayni felt like a ghost had just passed through her.
The Galra began firing upon the new arrival. The Other Castle's scarlet barrier erupted around the vessel. Lance started to celebrate prematurely.
"Aw yeah!" Lance cheered. "Now let's haul ass!"
The Red Lion made a sharp turn and Nayni had to swallow her vomit. They could hear the sounds of the battle behind them. The exchange of laser fire and the explosions still were too close for comfort. The Red Lion was soaring towards the cluster of asteroids where they'd hidden before. The silver claws of the Lion were just about to scrape the surface of the massive rock when it came to a stop. The Lion lurched as it was being pulled backward.
Lance started frantically tugging on his controls. His eyes were wide with panic. Nothing he did was getting the Lion to respond.
"Oh man, what's happening!? What's happening?" Lance exclaimed.
Lotor's expression fell. He didn't seem to be afraid. He just seemed to have quietly accepted that they'd failed. Tomyko started to shake. Her eyes were wide with panic.
"It's the tractor beam," Tomyko stammered. "N-no I can't go back there..."
She just stared at the floor and started shaking her head. Nayni could feel the tug of the tractor beam in her gut. Lance kept pulling back on the throttle in a desperate attempt to free the Lion from the beam. The Lion shook. The battlefield around them was lit up with red and violet lasers. Explosions and parts of wrecked fighters were scattered across the scene. They were brighter than the twinkling stars that surrounded them. Nayni's heart was racing. She felt the dread fully starting to consume her.
The closer they were drawn to the Other Castle, the more her terror grew. She'd known this was foolish. She'd known this was risky but she'd grossly underestimated how massive of a mistake this had been. She trembled. It felt as if the Advisor was in the Red Lion with the four of them. It felt like his cold hands were wrapped around her thick neck. Lance kept shouting as he sent out a desperate distress signal but it sounded just like white noise to Nayni. The only sensation that broke through her overwhelming horror was a deep sorrowful regret.