The Spy

Allura woke up early the day they were set to infiltrate the planet Pollux. Usually she would be energized and would take no time getting started with her daily routine. Today she just wanted to curl up next to Keith and sleep a bit longer. Rolling over to give him a quick cuddle she was surprised to see the space next to her empty.

Oh yeah, the fight. She'd forgotten how she'd kicked him out last night. It was stupid, really, but his insistence that she stay behind on the mission annoyed her and she snapped. They'd both been under a lot of stress the last two days, planning their course of action with little intel on their target. So, when he told her he'd rather she sit the operation out- even though she was a necessary piece of it- well, the conversation quickly disintegrated.

Something told her she wasn't alone. Her eyes darted around to check the darkened corners of the room. She could just make out the silhouette of her sleeping lover on the couch near the door. Despite her residual anger for his transgression she couldn't stop the smile that overtook her face. He really was always going to be there for her, no matter what.

After dressing quickly, she stopped to place a gentle kiss on her lover's forehead before making her way to the bridge to relieve Coran.

Her advisor was going to have to wait a bit longer. Just as she placed her lips on his face his arm flew up around her and brought her crashing down on top of him. She put up little struggle, mostly for show, before collapsing into his grasp and telling him how sorry she was for making him sleep there. Then it hit her.

"Wait, how long have you been awake?"

"Long enough. What a view to wake up to, makes up for this pain in my neck."

Unsure if she should punch him or kiss him, she opted for the latter before excusing herself to start her shift. Keith didn't make it easy for her to leave, and he certainly owed her one. I'll be sure to collect on that tonight.

Coran was relieved to see the Princess. It was not like her to run late and he was visibly concerned about her. After a short debriefing, he was excused to go get some rest while the castle made its way into Lotor's territory. Not long after seeing him off she was surprised when he returned, but in full paladin uniform. The shock only lasted a second when she surmised what was really going on.

"Keith, you look ridiculous. You've got the coloring all wrong."

He shot her a glance that told her he was disappointed in himself. Since finding out he was part Altean he'd been trying to learn their ability to disguise themselves. Allura was planning to go into the castle as a guard and he was doing everything in his power to take her place. To his chagrin, he'd been unable to master certain aspects or hold the form for a long time, and she feared he'd be discovered and captured. Or worse, killed.

After the other paladins had joined them and the plan was finalized they prepared for departure. Pidge would fly down in Green using the cloaking device to capture a security bot and reprogram it to accompany the Princess. Yes, she had pulled rank and was going to fly down with Pidge. She waited in the hangar as long as possible for Keith to come see her off. He'd left in a huff when the meeting ended and no one knew where he went. When she got back they were going to have a long talk.

As the lion approached Pollux it began to be very apparent how bad things were there. The landscape mostly barren except for some twig like trees and the occasional patch of brown grass. The surface was pock-marked from years of being bombarded. In the distance, they could see the dilapidated remains of the castle, a mere shadow of its former glory.

Pidge landed the craft behind the ledge of a large crater, hoping it would prevent them from being picked up on any Galra radar systems. They noticed a small group of slaves that were surrounded by troops. Allura was alarmed at the condition of the workers. She made a mental promise to rescue every one of them as she climbed quietly out of the hatch and dropped to the ground.

Next thing was to get a uniform. Most of the soldiers were robots so she had to draw an actual Galran guard away to steal his uniform. She removed her armor and hid it behind an outcropping of rocks then threw herself to the ground as if she'd passed out from a long day's work. When the guard approached her she easily overpowered him and knocked him unconscious. After donning his uniform, she took her armor back to the Green lion. There she was met by a grinning Pidge who apparently had an easier time finding, and naming, her new pet Rover II. That girl never ceased to amaze Allura.

After double-checking the schematics of the castle given them by the Blade it was decided that she should enter the castle from an entrance naturally darkened and more easily accessible. Pidge would stay behind and watch the monitors, beaming back Allura's position to the team lest a quick extraction be required.

Once again, the Princess took on the form of a Galra soldier. She couldn't help but remember the circumstances of the last time she'd done that. Shiro, we haven't stopped looking for you. Hang in there.

Getting into the castle was much easier than she anticipated. It seemed there was a rather small battalion on this planet despite it being overseen by Lotor. Perhaps that was punishment for his constant betrayal of his father, Zarkon. Nonetheless she was slightly suspicious and made every effort to stay out of sight.

The entrance she'd taken was near the dungeons. Sounds of torture, of despair coated the walls with sadness. Fighting the urge to run save the poor souls she steeled herself and worked her way slowly towards the upwards stairwell.

"Psst. Over here. Please help us!"

Allura swung her head around to see who was speaking. From behind a heavy door she could see a small face through the window. It was a young boy with fiery red hair. Not wanted to give herself away she hesitated to speak but approached the cell cautiously nonetheless. The energy emanating from it was strong, something she hadn't felt since before the war.

"It's okay, I know you're Altean. Please help my sister and I. She's very sick and needs help!"

The boy moved away from the door, affording her a view of his sister sleeping on the floor. A chill went down her spine. She looks just like me! Indeed, with few exceptions they could easily be mistaken for one another.

"Who are you?" The Princess sounded almost accusatory as she felt this surely was a trap.

"I'm Prince Bandor. That's my sister, Princess Romelle."

He explained that they were from the royal family of Pollux. For years, they were part of Zarkon's alliance, but after their father died they'd attempted an uprising against Lotor. Allura didn't need to be told how that ended.

The Princess felt a mix of excitement and sadness at the sight of her fellow Alteans. And the fact that she and the figure in the cell looked so much alike meant they must be related. She couldn't wait to free them and take them back to the castle. Lance will be thrilled, too. She giggled at the thought. Keith might be too, she surmised, given how they'd left things on the ship.

She shook her head to snap herself out of such a horrid thought. But in her stupor, she'd not heard the footsteps come from behind. There was a quick, sharp pain to the back of her head then total blackness.