Shattered
By Shannon (AKA KittyShan, LancesKitten)
Originally Published 10/20/2015
Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Be Advised - Foul Language, Violence.
Rating: M Violence, Sexual Situations
Chapter 11
Approaching the hanger, Sven kept his head down and his gun leveled at Romelle's back. Their clothes tattered and filthy, the two women looked for all the world like nothing more than bedraggled slaves. Sven had used the chain to wrap around Romelle's waist before having Darla hold one end between her clasped hands. At a glance, it looked as if the two were chained together, but Sven knew even the slightest inspection would give them away. He noted luck was on their side - only one guard stood duty.
"What've you got there?" called the Doomian soldier standing watch.
"Gifts for some fancy-pants on planet Demos," Sven replied; he worried his accent would give him away. "Open the door."
The guard stood still, watching them as they approached. The closer they got, the more certain Sven became that he would be forced to kill this man too. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the guard turned to the key pad, and punched in the entry code. The doors slid open, and as they hurried inside, the soldier met Sven's eyes.
"Fire off a few shots, shoot the panel," the guard indicated the keypad. "I never saw anything, this isn't worth my life."
Sven pointed the gun at the guard's chest, but after a moment, did as asked.
"Not every Drule and Doomian wants this war." The soldier's words were spoken quietly as he quickly moved in the direction opposite the castle.
: )
: )
Once inside the airship, Romelle turned to Sven. "Do you think he will give us away?"
"I don't know," Sven replied. "But if we get this thing in the air, it won't matter. We will be free and away from this place within moments."
Romelle nodded and strapped herself into the co-pilot's chair. She pointed to a door at the far end of the ship's bridge. "All right. Darla, through that door are more seats. Strap yourself into one of them."
Sven stared at her as if she had lost her mind. "I don't know how to fly-"
"Yes, you do."
"I-"
"Sit down, Sven, and just let your heart guide you." Romelle's voice was both encouraging and soothing. He remained hesitant and she continued. "Sven, you are one of the best pilots in the entire galaxy!"
Sven slipped into the seat, still unsure. But he knew that had to do something. Closing his eyes, he reached deep down inside of himself, searching for that energy, that light he knew burned within his soul. Keeping his eyes closed, he used his mind's eye to wrap his body in that white light. Without opening his eyes, he reached out and took hold of the ship's controls.
'This feels right,' he thought.
Opening his eyes, he set to work launching their ship. It was as if something inside him had simply burst free, and he knew exactly what needed to be done.
As they lifted off, Romelle felt her body sink back into the seat. Within moments, they were breaking free of Doom's atmosphere and on their way. She watched Sven at the helm, he handled the ship with such ease - his lack of confidence from just a few moments before was gone completely. She knew he could do it!
And, for the first time in months, she also knew everything really would be okay!
: )
: )
"That was much easier than I thought it would be." Sven's voice held a note of relief. "This may sound strange, but I feel like I've done this before."
"We still have to reach a safe place," Romelle countered. "And I recommend Arus be our destination."
Sven programmed the coordinates into the ship's path. Taking a moment, he looked over and studied Romelle's face. "Arus. That is the home-planet of your cousin? The one you said I knew?"
"Yes," Romelle said. "Would you like me to tell you what I know about your past?"
"I would," his voice was quiet, hesitant.
"As I told you before, we did not know one another, but I had heard your tale from my cousin, Princess Allura." Romelle paused to weigh her words. "Allura's family was also murdered by Zarkon's forces, but many years ago when she was just a child."
"This Zarkon is Lotor's father."
"Yes," Romelle confirmed. "Zarkon has been trying to conquer the universe for the last fifty years or so."
"Fifty years?" Sven sounded incredulous. "Wouldn't that make him a very old man?"
"In our life spans, yes it would, but the Drules live for several centuries." Romelle understood his confusion. "That aside, with Allura's father dead, the side of good lost it's greatest defender, Voltron."
"Voltron?" Sven sounded excited. "I do not know what this 'Voltron' is, but I recognize the name."
"Voltron is a mighty robot defender. Our Voltron is made out of five robot lion ships, which when joined together, form Voltron, and Voltron has yet to be defeated." Romelle felt hope well up in her heart - perhaps Sven would remember his life after all!
"I see," he said, although he wasn't sure that he really did.
"When Arus was razed, Princess Allura was just a tiny child. Her father's best friend and royal advisor, along with the royal governess, secreted Allura away and kept her alive all these years. When they were able to come out of hiding, Coran, the royal advisor, began sending transmissions to all known allies in hope that they would send help." Romelle sighed before continuing.
"Unfortunately, with Voltron out of commission, Zarkon and his forces had run amok throughout the universe and most planets were unable to send help. But the Galaxy Alliance specially trained a team of young cadets and sent them to Arus to help revive Voltron."
Sven listened with rapt attention but was growing impatient. "This is all very interesting, but I don't understand what it has to do with me."
"You were one of those pilots, Sven. You piloted the Blue Lion before my cousin took your place when they believed that you had been killed."
"And why did they think I had been killed?"
"Because Witch Hagar killed you."
"I don't understand." Sven shook his head. "How did she kill me if I am here, alive?"
It was Romelle's turn to shake her head. "I don't have the answers, Sven. I did hear Lotor and Hagar talking about you once, and they mentioned that your memory had been erased. Although, I did get the impression that you had been under some sort of sleeping spell, or perhaps a potion had been used on you. I'm sorry, but that's all I know."
"It is more than I knew an hour ago." Sven studied the ship's control panel. "Perhaps we should try and contact your cousin, I wouldn't want to have our ship mistakenly shot down after everything we have survived."
Romelle thought carefully before she spoke. "I agree, but..."
"What is it, Roma?" Sven felt her concern and reached out to take her hand. "Please speak freely."
"Keith is the Captain of the Voltron Force, Lance is his brother and pilots the Red Lion. The three of you grew up together, you have been friends since childhood."
Sven nodded his encouragement, making it clear he wanted her to continue.
"Hunk, Pidge and Allura are the other three pilots." She looked as though she might cry. "They have believed you dead for almost a year, Sven. This is going to be a terrible shock. Both wondrous news that you are still alive, and at the same time heart breaking news that you no longer know any of them."
"I know you must be right, but I don't see what I can do to change any of this."
Romelle moved over and knelt next to him. She took his hand in both her own and brought it up to her heart. "Sven, I think you should allow me to send a transmission to my cousin, and that we should keep you a secret - just until we land and they can see you with their own eyes."
"I see your point," Sven said. "And I agree. Only, your obvious worry concerns me. I would never be angry over you speaking your mind."
Romelle let out the breath she didn't even know she'd been holding. "I just don't want to hurt you, Sven."
He gave her a roguish grin. "The only way you could hurt me is if I never saw your beautiful smile again, Roma."
With his free hand, Sven reached down and cupped her face, tilting her chin back and smiling into her eyes. When he lowered his head, Romelle closed her eyes and waited with baited breath for his lips to caress her own. Somehow, she wasn't surprised at all when she felt him kiss her cheek before pulling away.
When she opened her eyes, she found the handsome space explorer watching her intently. She blushed under his scrutiny, feeling both excited and embarrassed. As if sensing her mood, Sven caught her hand.
"You deserve better. To be cherished." When she kept her head turned away, Sven added. "You are a woman who must be courted properly."
She turned and looked down her nose at him. "And are you the man who can do so?"
"Perhaps," Sven gave her a look that curled her toes. "In time, I promise we will see."
Romelle felt the flush move up her throat to stain her cheeks. She searched for a snappy comeback but found her tongue tied. She spun on her heel and headed for the ship's state room. "I'm going to check on Darla."
Sven chuckled as the flustered Polluxian Princess slammed the door closed.