The sound of scuffling woke Adam up. The lights had been turned off and he couldn't see far into the darkness. Then he jumped off the cot as a body slammed into the gate. They were galra, taller than the one who held them there. Their face twisted into a pained grimace, teeth bared, as their assailant growled out, "Name and rank, soldier."
Adam barely recognized Yorak's voice as the one in control. Adam stood against the back of the cell as the newcomer strained to reply, "It's me, Yorak. Tretok!" He tried to push off the bars with his free hand but she only pushed harder, twisting his arm further behind his back. "Let me go so we can talk!"
"I already told you to stay away. Nothing good will come of getting involved with the exiled prince." She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him off the cell gate, spinning and throwing him into the center of the room, but placing herself between Adam and the newcomer, Tretok.
Tretok picked himself up from where he fell. He straightened his uniform and shot a hurt glare at Yorak. "Was that really necessary?"
Yorak folded her arms. "You avoided surveillance en route. How was I supposed to know it would be you? But I digress. What are you doing here Tretok? Shouldn't you be sleeping in the barracks?"
"Perhaps, but I could say the same about you." Tretok tried to remain aloof, but even Adam could see through the facade. Then Tretok's bravado fell and he sat at the low table. "I brought you snacks."
Yorak chuckled and softened her stance. "Is every male trying to gain my favor?" She strode to him and lounged opposite on the floor. "Though we both know that's not what this is about. Come now, Tretok, you're practically vibrating with energy. Speak."
His ears tipped back in derision but he bit his lip before blurting out, "What has Lotor told you of the blade of marmora?"
Yorak's chin tipped down and she reached for the food at the table. "You think Lotor is entertaining research about the 'ghosts of diabazol'? Tretok, those are stories used to scare kits into behaving. The prince isn't so foolish as-"
"They're not just stories, Yorak!" Tretok reached across the table and put a hand on her arm. After a moment, he settled more upright and motioned toward where Adam stood with rapt attention. "We shouldn't speak in front of your ward."
"We shouldn't be speaking at all, yet here we are." Yorak waved a dismissive hand toward Adam and added, "Feel free to turn off your translator, but I haven't used mine in over a quintent and he seems to understand me just fine."
Adam scoffed at her tone, but sat down again. What did she get by lying like that? Then he wondered what time it was. Should he try to go back to sleep? It had to be the middle of the night. Though he didn't know if he'd be able to rest while those two chatted like besties.
"Very well, Yorak. I follow your lead." He paused again and Yorak poked him to make him continue. "Ah, alright! Easy! As I said, the stories are real. While responding to a disturbance, my unit was attacked. I alone survived. Lotor came to me in recovery. He believes the paladins of voltron are working with the assassins who attacked me!"
"They did a poor job since we're having this conversation," Yorak teased between bites.
Tretok's ears flattened in embarrassment and he reached to take the tray. "Perhaps I should enjoy this elsewhere."
Yorak gave a small yelp and reached to hold the tray down. "No!"
"Then behave and listen." Tretok relinquished his hold and Yorak slid it closer possessively. "I've been considering everything that's happened since then. Do you remember when I spoke of my previous assignment?"
"Wasn't it some holding facility? Small natives or such?" Yorak stretched and rolled onto her side, head propped up on one fist.
Adam tried not to look like he was eavesdropping. He laid down, but the curiosity kept him awake. Tretok continued, "There was an explosion. I don't know the cause, but there were no bodies found. I think Lotor managed to brush it from the records. I believe there's something bigger going on. I... I want to find them."
"The natives or the assassins? Tretok, you're hiding something from me."
Tretok sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess it doesn't make sense. Why should a proud galra shirk his duties so?" His tone became bitter. "I just... Surely you feel as I do!"
"Speak plainly, Tretok. Is this about the one you mentioned, the one you were obsessed with?" Yorak's words seemed insulting, yet her tone remained sympathetic.
"I know you feel as I do," Tretok doubled down. "We share similar histories and Lotor's interest in you says volumes. Yorak, do you intend to go with him? Has he spoken of a different future beyond the empire's tyranny?"
Yorak hissed. "Do you want to draw the druids' attention? Have some sense of self preservation! To speak such things is treason!"
"So what if it is?!" Tretok all but shouted. "How can you see what our race has done and not feel something is abhorrently wrong? Our ways are... barbaric... and... and..."
"Be still, Tretok. I agree with you," Yorak soothed. The shift in tone made Adam look over to see Yorak settled next to Tretok, one arm wrapped around his shoulders. He leaned into her, foreheads close. She continued, "But what is there we can do while the emperor yet lives?"
Tretok chuckled low and shot back, "Now who speaks of treason?" They were quiet for a few minutes before he asked again, "Do you plan to accept Lotor's invitation?"
"In truth, I don't know if I should. There is much I could do beneath Warden Tio here."
Adam struggled to hold back a surprised laugh. Tio was the warden? That suddenly made a lot more sense.
"You should get some rest. You hardly sleep, Yorak."
"And what of my ward?" Yorak asked, "Would you watch them while I slumber?
"But of course." Yorak groaned and seemed to be about to disagree when Tretok insisted, "Not a hair shall be harmed and he shall remain in his cell the whole time. On my honor."
She considered for another few moments before growling, "Fine, but if I find out you didn't hold your bargain, I'll personally feed you to a weblum."
Tretok chuckled at her threat and disentangled from her. He went to where another chair waited and moved it within view of the cell. True to his word, he simply sat watching Adam while Yorak got some much needed sleep.
Adam felt the eyes of his watcher burn a hole into his shoulder blades. He shifted uncomfortably, unable to fall asleep. Like a fish in a small bowl, he knew he was only prey to the hungry cat.
After what had to be hours, Tretok said, "I believe she finally fell asleep." Then he stood and approached the cell gate. "Would it be foolish to tell you my true reason for coming this night?"
Adam considered feigning sleep, but slowly sat up. "I don't know? Not like I have a choice though from where I sit. If you wanna talk, I can't exactly stop you."
"Do not patronize me, Mr. Adam West." Tretok looked Adam head to toe, expression pained. "Forgive me. I had heard you were in a fight, but I wasn't aware of your injuries. Who hurt you so?
Adam smirked and waved a hand. "No can do, ghost rider. That would be in violation of the first rule of fight club."
To Adam's surprise, Tretok chuckled and replied, "Ah, yes. The club of which we do not speak."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Is it normal for you freaks to study memes?"
Tretok folded his arms and gave a confused shrug. "I do not know of what you speak, however the ones at my previous assignment spoke of a historic account involving a group of secretive near adults who engaged in close combat. I often watched them train on the grounds, curious why it became such a ritual."
Adam sat against the wall on the cot and crossed his ankles. "Seems like a waste of energy."
"I disagree, after all, they were trained at the same facility where your outer garb comes from."
Adam crossed his arms and took a deep steadying breath. "What the hell are you saying?"
Tretok gripped the bars of the cell and leaned forward, expression hurt and pleading. "The children from your military base were held where I was stationed. What I said earlier is truth. Lotor is interested in them for some reason, but I need to find them first. Please, I beg of you, where would the children from your base go for safety?"
Adam felt the blood drain from his face. The kids were alright? Then the admiral might still be with them. Of course she would plan something like this. Yet he could only think of one place they would go that might give them some kind of defense. And that place had already failed miserably.
"If Lotor finds them before I do, I do not know what he will do to them," Tretok insisted. "His father, Emperor Zarkon, has exiled him. If the paladins and assassins are indeed working with your younglings, he might just offer them up in atonement to regain his father's favor. I want to prevent that at all costs."
Adam swallowed to get the saliva back in his mouth and asked. "Why? What are my students to you?"
Tretok's wide eyes softened in pain at the corners. So open and innocent. A child himself. "I regret actions I failed to fulfill. In fear and pain, I abandoned them when I should have seen through their lies. Though even now, I do not know how they would react to seeing me again. I... I saw in them the individual I wish to become. That is the truth of my heart." He closed his eyes and folded his hands at his chest, ears turned back in shame.
"Then, I'm sorry, but I can't answer your question," Adam finally replied.
Tretok glanced up, eyes wide and mouth parted in disbelief. Then he took a deep breath and bowed his head with the salute of his people. "Very well. I shall remain until Yorak wakes, but I request that you do not speak of this conversation with her. I... don't want to involve her. She does not deserve trouble on my behalf."
"You care that much for her?"
Tretok walked back to his chair and settled once more. "We are not meant to be alone in this universe. I believe your people have the same sentiment."
With that, Adam knew sleep would not come back. He stared back at his captor for the remainder of the night until Yorak slowly sat up and stretched. Tretok and Adam both turned to her as she stood with her arms above her head.
"How did the two of you get along?"
Adam gave her a withering glare. Tretok replied just as exasperated, "We're thick as thieves."
"Oh?" Yorak paced over and looked Adam head to toe. "It seems as though you kept your word, Tretok." She put a hand on his shoulder and covered her heart with her hand. Bowing her head, she added, "You have my gratitude."
Tretok covered her hand on his shoulder and smiled warmly down at her. "I only have your welfare in mind, cherished one." Then he reached out and touched the side of her helmet.
"Stop," Yorak whispered.
"I will not judge you, whatever I see." Tretok paused. "Yet I will wait until you are ready to reveal your full self to me. Yorak, Mr. West, I take my leave."
Adam watched him leave. "Good riddance."
Yorak turned back and Adam saw the concern in her frown before her helmet covered her mouth and chin once again. She then walked back to the table and reached for a small reflective pouch. "Do you hunger?"
"I could go for some breakfast."
She chuckled and brought the pouch back, using a small knife with the hilt wrapped in fabric to open it. She passed it through the slot in the gate and waited for Adam to take it. When he opened the pouch, the strong smell of seasonings made him cough.
"Forgive me," Yorak said, her hand lingering on the gate slot. "It's rations in the traditional method of Diabazol. I believe the exact ingredient is rammox flesh."
Adam started eating and said, "You two are so strange, but you are a cute couple."
Yorak scoffed and slowly knelt ten feet from the gate. "Tretok and myself? Ew! Never! He's like a brother to me."
"Really? His pet name is strange for siblings."
Yorak folded her hands on her thighs. "Galra do not form bonds by blood alone. At least, that is one of the traditions of Diabazol. Not that many follow them."
Adam set aside the jerky, saving some for later, and sat crosslegged opposite her. "What are you doing?"
She did not move, but responded, "Meditating. Will you join me?"
"It's been some time, but sure. Why not."
More time passed. There was no way to tell how long he'd been here or estimate how much longer before this strange isolation would last. But Yorak seemed at peace with the way things were. It almost gave him some reassurance that maybe his situation wasn't as terrible as it seemed.
Then there was a commotion that slowly approached. Adam listened warily, but then he glared at the newcomers. Four hulking galra in armor with two of those weird dogs invaded the peaceful space. Adam looked back to Yorak, curious about what was happening, but she simply gave a long sigh. He sensed an eye roll behind the blackout visor and smothered a small grin.
"Oi, whelp, how long do you intend to waste your time here when there's other work to be done?"
When Yorak didn't respond, another snubbed, "Of course, someone as lowly as you shouldn't be so lax. Wouldn't want the warden to punish you."
"I heard she made some kind of deal with the warden, the little whore." He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "On your feet. Show proper respect to your superiors."
Adam waited, knowing there was nothing he could do, but wishing there was. As much as he hated the aliens, Yorak had never done anything to harm him. But caution and a subtle aggression to the way she tipped her head told him to stay silent. He was rewarded when she put her hand on the one on her shoulder and stood with grace from her kneeling position.
"Forgive my impertinence," she said with a small bow, before pinching the hand she held and twisting their wrist. When they yowled in pain, she shoved as hard as she could, forcing the offender back. "Now, how can I assist such... upstanding soldiers as yourselves?"
"Insolent brat!" Another reached for her throat, but she dodged back a step. Then the others circled closer, forcing her back against the cell gate. The 'dogs' growled, revealing sharp canines as long as Adam's fingers.
Even though Yorak let them circle her, she didn't show intimidation. "I am only doing as my superiors have asked. You, on the other hand, are invading the space I have been given and thus ruining what I have worked hard for. Leave now, and no one will be hurt. Better yet, I won't report this insubordination to the warden. He'll be none the wiser."
"You really think we would let such a small, blind half-breed like yourself-"
Then the dogs growling went quiet. One of the handlers fell back a step as the leash went slack. "What's wrong, Aton?"
Adam watched in horror as the beast known as Aton, blink and you'd miss it quick, turned and bit it's master's arm. Chaos broke loose as the soldiers tried to free their compatriot. Until the other animal turned as well, putting itself between Yorak and the others, threatening the ones who had brought it.
"You little witch," their leader shouted over the screams in the room. "Release your control of my yupper or I'll kill you!"
"That's enough, Yorak!" The growls immediately ceased as the warden walked in with the galran prince. The screams however... The warden glared at the soldiers and commanded, "Get him to the med ward and take those beasts out of here. I'll deal with your transgressions later."
Yorak stood to her full height and saluted while the soldiers followed orders. Then Lotor smiled charmingly and walked toward her. "I didn't know you were sensitive. Narti will love to have company."
"Sir?"
The warden cleared his throat and folded his hands behind his back. Approaching slowly, he explained, "I know your isolation period has not passed, but Prince Lotor has made a request for a prisoner transfer. I have approved and filed the required documents. Officer Yorak, you are to accompany your ward to Lotor's vessel, providing any and all assistance."
Lotor turned his charisma to the warden with a raised eyebrow. "And the other issue?"
Warden Tio nodded to Yorak. "I leave all decisions in Yorak's capable hands. She has my absolute trust whatever judgement is made. Officer, you have one varga to prepare your ward for travel. I'll have security sent to retrieve and escort you after such time."
Lotor turned back to Yorak with a warm smile. "Your demonstration was wonderful. I know I've made the correct choice. I look forward to your stay aboard my private ship."
Then they left and Adam felt the oxygen get sucked out of the room. Transfer? Did this have to do with what Tretok had talked about? Did Lotor really suspect he would know where the cadets were?
"...am... Adam, breathe," Yorak coaxed. "Focus on me."
He turned wide panicked eyes to her. "What the hell is going to happen?"
He turned wide panicked eyes to her. "What the hell is going to happen to me?"
To his surprise, she sighed and opened the cell gate. "May I enter?"
Adam froze, his fight or flight response warring just beneath the surface. "You're asking?"
Yorak stood with arms wide open. "I understand the importance of barriers, as small as this one is. This is your space and I will respect that as long as I can. Please, let me help."
Dumbstruck, Adam simply waved her in. "Be my guest. Welcome to casa de west."
"Gracias," Yorak teased as she entered and sat on the edge of the cot. "I will answer any questions I can, but we don't have much time." She patted the cot next to her.
Adam sat at the other end of the cot and considered his questions. "Why are you so different?"
Yorak did not turn toward him. "Ah, one I can't answer. Apologies."
"What is Lotor planning?"
She looked down and kicked at the floor with the toe of her boot. "I know he plans to ask me to join his crew, but it is concerning that he asked for a prisoner transfer. Just know that whatever happens, I will be with you at all times. I will not allow you to be hurt, though if Lotor is the person I hope him to be, it will not come to that."
"You're my protector now?"
She finally looked over, not that he could see her expression behind the visor. "I have been since I arrived." She repeated, "I have been with you even when you could not see me. That will not change."
Adam leaned forward over his knees. "You speak in riddles. I don't really get it. Will Lotor take me off planet?"
Yorak shook her head and leaned back on her hands. "Street smarts."
Adam quickly looked up and stifled a snort. "Pardon?"
"As a somewhat entertaining individual once said, don't let a kidnapper take you to a second location. Street smarts." She sighed and stood. "Now, we must prepare. I am sorry for the conditions that will be applied."
She stood and walked out of the cell, but left the gate open. Once again, Adam felt the desire to make a break for it. He could knock her out and escape this hellhole. Instead, he reached for the jerky and finished eating. No idea when he'd get a decent meal like it again.
Adam glared at Yorak above the muzzle. She pretended not to notice where she waited next to him on the bench. She started tapping her finger. So annoying. Adam groaned and rolled his eyes.
Another few minutes passed before ten sentries paced down the hallway and stopped next to them. Yorak grabbed Adam's bicep and pulled him to stand next to her. They fell in with the sentries and started moving with fluid grace.
Adam glanced sideways after noticing that one of the sentries held a small box with ornate decorations engraved into the bare metal. Yorak caught his look and explained, "A small gift for the prince to show gratitude and smooth any hard feelings when I inevitably decline his request."
Adam raised an eyebrow at her, but then the doors opened and he blinked in the harsh desert light. A blast of hot air and sand stung his exposed skin and he turned his face to minimize the contact. A short walk later they entered a large shadow. Adam risked a glance to see a large space ship some hundred feet in front of them.
Five individuals waited at an open ramp. Adam felt sweat not caused by the drastic heat run down his back. Yorak said before they entered earshot, "Focus and be patient, Adam. Keep doing as you have in the past and I will handle the rest."
He tried to get his panic under control. Could he really trust her? Not like he had any other options. When the sentries came to a stop, Yorak finally left Adam's side and met Lotor halfway between the parties. Be strong. You're resilient. You can handle anything they'll throw at you.
Lotor reached out and held one of Yorak's hands in both of his. He spoke in words whipped away by the wind before tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. They turned to enter the ship and the sentries lurched into motion, forcing Adam to march.
The lieutenant walked with Yorak and Lotor, but the other three galra watched Adam with curiosity and disdain. He heard whispers and then giggles. He refused to look at them and climbed the ramp.
Once inside, the sentries parted to let Adam walk ahead and one of the aliens gestured with an arm for him to go down the hall. The other two walked behind, the smaller one almost skipping. "Don't worry about Narti. She doesn't talk much, but she's a great listener."
"You shouldn't tease our guest, Ezor," the tallest one rebuked. It only earned another giggle from Ezor. "As long as we're doing introductions, I am called Zethrid. I believe you already know Acxa, though informally. We will correct this at dinner."
They stopped at a door and Narti placed a hand on the door pad. The door opened to reveal comfortable officer quarters. Ezor leaned around the doorframe too close for comfort and explained, "This is where you'll be staying. Make yourself at home."
Adam stepped into the room and turned to see Zethrid and Ezor smile at him before the door closed. The light above changed to red, but then his shoulders instantly relaxed when the cuffs released. He looked at his wrists and saw the cuffs were still there, but the magnets had disengaged. So he was a guest?
He looked around the room. New clothes were laid out on the bed. New clothes that matched the crew of Lotor's ship. He opened every cupboard, every door, and inspected every inch of the living space. No doubt there were cameras, but he couldn't find them. Mentally exhausted, he looked at himself in the mirror.
He had lost weight, he knew that, but he didn't expect to see the weariness in his eyes. Sudden tears stung and he reached up to scrub them away. Resilient. Angry. Tired. Could he actually last through whatever Lotor had planned for him?
"Brrrow?"
Adam felt a small pressure at his ankle and looked down to see a large feline creature with tufts at the tips of its ears and tail wind through his legs. Red and blue stripes marked a strange variation of tabby down its back. It walked over to the bed and jumped up, sitting perfectly still. With a small smile, Adam walked over and scratched between its ears. Its eyes closed contentedly.
"May I come in?"
Adam jolted at the voice at the door. Muzzled as he was, he couldn't respond and surely the door was locked. Then the door opened and Lotor peered curiously inside. "Ah, my apologies, I told the warden such measures weren't necessary. May I?" Lotor gestured to the muzzle.
Adam wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he nodded and stood completely still. He highly doubted whether Lotor had spoken to the warden. Just another lie to try to gain his trust. But true to his word, the pressure of the muzzle fell away in relief. Adam bit his tongue not to thank the prince.
"There, my apologies. Yorak seems to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to rules and regulations. Ah, I see you've met Kova," Lotor said as he went to the bed and stroked the 'cat'.
"It must have been sleeping in here before I arrived." Adam folded his arms and leaned a hip against the sink. "Look, I don't want to be rude, but I'm going to be. What the hell are you doing? What do you want from me?"
Lotor gave a charming half smile. "Straight to the point. I appreciate your pragmatism. First, I want to invite you to dinner. The ladies are all dying to meet you. Then, there is a small matter I wish to discuss. I believe you have some more... insight into something that concerns me greatly. Would you be a guest at my table?"
"I could go for a meal," Adam said with a shrug. "Lead the way."
Lotor folded his hands behind his back and stepped into the hall. The cat ran after, tail flicking back and forth in a question mark. Adam followed a few steps behind the prince who said over his shoulder, "Were the clothes ill fitting? I can have something else fabricated for you."
Adam cleared his throat and said, "No, I... didn't try them on. The idea of wearing them feels... wrong."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Lotor apologized again. They walked in silence for a few more minutes before entering a large dining hall with a window overlooking a beautiful lake surrounded by verdant forests. "I took the leisure of taking the scenic route to give us the best view."
"I didn't even notice the ship moving," Adam mumbled. So much for street smarts.
Yorak stood in the corner with the lieutenant drinking from clear glasses. She smiled, though there was something simply... polite in the interaction. Then Kova ran over and Yorak broke out in a true grin when she dropped to a crouch and scrunched up the cat's face between her hands, glass forgotten on the floor.
Zethrid and Ezor shared a chuckle and poured more drinks at what had to be the galran equivalent of a bar. Lotor returned with a glass and handed it to Adam. "To future endeavors."
Adam didn't match the toast and walked into the corner where he could see everything. After all, even as a guest, they had left the cuffs. He had a constant reminder that everything he saw was false. He wouldn't be swayed by pretty lies.
After a social hour he didn't participate in, sentries brought in carts loaded with plates of entrees. Seven places were set and once the food was in place, Lotor called, "Dinner is prepared. Mr. West, please sit where you wish."
Adam noticed Acxa sit opposite Lotor at the round table. So that was their dynamic. Ezor and Zethrid sat beside each other, Ezor scooting her chair closer to Zethrid. Narti sat opposite Yorak, leaving Adam to sit between Yorak and Lotor.
For the first few minutes, everyone ate in silence apart from the scraping of cutlery. Then Lotor asked, "How do you like the cuisine?"
Adam swallowed and dabbed at the corner of his mouth with a fabric napkin. "Whoever your chef is, they know what they're doing."
Then the conversation was suddenly flowing like the drinks. Zethrid spoke of shipments and orders that had been placed and received. Ezor asked Yorak about her life at the prison. Narti remained silent, though once food was finished, Kova jumped into her lap and settled.
Before long, Adam was struggling to stay awake. The stress of the last two weeks while constantly on guard and sleeping a few hours the night before made him lean on his fist. Yorak reached under the table and rested a hand on his knee, finger tapping slowly.
When there was a lull in conversation, she spoke up, "You'll have to forgive me, but I do believe my ward has had enough socializing for one night. If you'll excuse us, I'll escort him to his quarters."
Lotor stood when she did. "May I accompany you?"
Yorak waved a hand. "I believe I can find my way, thank you. It's just... I have had enough company for one night as well."
Lotor came around the table and took her hand once more. "I understand. Thank you for deigning to stay as long as you have. Sleep well, and we shall speak in the morning."
She bowed her head and withdrew her hand before taking Adam by the bicep again. He stood and walked with her from the dining hall before whispering, "Thanks for the rescue. I hate formal events like this."
"Same. Did Lotor's officers do anything untoward?"
"They're definitely forward. Though not moreso than most of the women I've worked with." Adam nearly tripped from dragging his feet.
Yorak leaned closer and asked, "Are you feeling well?"
"Yeah, yeah, just not used to drinking, I'm sure." They reached his room when he leaned on the wall and asked, "What do you make of Lotor's advances?"
"Advances?" Yorak scoffed and said, "He's hardly- Adam? Adam!"
He saw her lurch toward him as his legs suddenly gave out. She caught him under the arms and practically dragged him into the room. When she settled him half on the bed, he gasped and asked, "What was that!?"
"Just breathe for me. I'm going to take a reading of your vitals."
"I'm sure it's only the alcohol. Takashi used to... used to..." he chuckled drunkenly and struggled to cover his face with a heavy hand. Then the drunk tears started.
Yorak clicked her tongue and reached out to gently stroke the hair from the side of his face. "It's alright to weep. I won't judge." Adam simply turned his face to the wall. She added, "Your blood pressure is a little out of its normal range, and your heart rate is elevated. I'll stay with you for a time."
Adam choked on his sobs and curled up on the bed. "Takashi and Keith, I'm sorry. I'm such a failure."
"Survival is not failure, Adam."
He didn't respond before he passed out.
Adam woke the next morning with a massive headache. He pressed against his temples, trying to gain any relief. He groaned and sat up, then lifted a fist and jumped back in the bed. "Jesus, Yorak!"
She had fallen asleep sitting in the chair, leaning into one side of the back with her legs half across the armrest. He noticed again how young she looked. Staggering to his feet, he groaned and rubbed his head, reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder. "Yorak, wake-"
Before he could touch her, she startled awake and caught his wrist, her other hand bunching into a fist. Then before he could even protest, she immediately let go and leapt forward off the chair. "Forgive me! I should- I have to go." Then she bolted.
Adam was left with a slowly vanishing fright and a raging hangover. He stumbled over to the sink and reached for the bottles beside the mirror. Not sure what he expected, he was pleasantly surprised to see familiar names on the medication. Checking concentration, he popped four pills in his mouth and swallowed them before starting to strip to take a much needed shower.
An hour later, he emerged feeling more like himself. The meds had kicked in and he was clean. But the question remained, what to wear? He glared at the galra garb. If nothing else, it was clean. Resigned to his fate, he found the clothes fit like they'd been made for him. Still, he put his faded and worn garrison jacket over the thin long sleeved material.
Then came the waiting once again. It wouldn't be bad if he had something to do, but the narrow quarters made it difficult to perform any exaggerated movements. So he laid back on the bed. No need to be uncomfortable.
Most of the day had probably passed before there was a knock at the door. It opened and Adam sat up to see Acxa standing in the doorway. "If you will, Lotor wishes to discuss an important matter with you."
Adam followed her to where Lotor stood before massive wall sized screens portraying holographic images. He entered and glanced through them, taking in blurry shapes of humanoids in dark uniforms with glowing eyes. Then he froze. The largest photo held the image of a shining metallic lion lashing out at sentries around her.
Yet, that wasn't what caused alarm. In the foreground of the image stood two figures. One with long white hair holding the other by the throat against a wall. The victim clawed at the arm holding him, but the hood of his dark uniform had been removed. Adam's mouth went dry as he recognized Lance McClain.
Lotor glanced up and caught Adam's stare. "Thank you Acxa. Would you watch the door, please." Acxa saluted and left. Lotor waved an arm at the images and asked, "How do you like my life's work?"
"It's... definitely something." Adam tried to act casual and walked toward a table with more information and broken items. "What is this?"
Lotor played with a dark blade bearing a strangely familiar blue light. "This is the compilation of many deca-pheobs of research. Do you recognize this?"
Adam shook his head. "It's pretty. Some kind of ritual dagger?"
Lotor sighed and placed the blade on the table. "This is a luxite blade, a very rare metal that is amorphous in nature. The assassins known as the Blade of Marmora use them to commit their crimes against the empire. I've traced their presence to many major events in galran history, but they finally came for me again."
"Again?"
Lotor smiled bitterly. "I operated a research facility on the outskirts of the empire. There, I was attacked by a paladin of volron, an ancient weapon from the time of my races' home planet's destruction. The blue paladin whose lion had been discovered on... your home planet."
Adam shook his head in confusion. "I'm sorry that happened to you?"
Lotor highlighted the image of Lance and the prince. "I believe you know this man."
Adam clenched his jaw, trying not to betray himself. "I see someone from earth. That's all."
"Really?" Lotor clicked and a new image popped up, a school with people in formations Adam recognized from the garrison. The image zoomed in twice. "Perhaps you'd like a closer look."
The senior class led the cadets in drills, but now Adam couldn't hide his shock. Lance stood hanging off of another, grins on both their faces. In a worn hoodie too big for his frame, stood Keith. The brother he'd thought was dead.
"You do know these people. After all, they wear the same garb you do," Lotor chided. "I need to find them. After all, there are some... questions I have for their assassin friends."
"I don't know what you want from me?" Adam shot back. Anger and shock churned painfully in his stomach. "I was a prisoner in a mineshaft for years! They separated us from our kids!"
Something cold and calculating shifted in Lotor's gaze and Adam watched in horror as he grabbed the dagger off the table and threw it almost directly behind him into the wall. "Reveal yourself, assassin."
Adam felt his adrenaline rise and slowly moved into a better place for a fight. Then there was a strange shimmer in the corner where the dagger stuck in the wall. A hand grabbed the hilt and the shimmer traveled along the arm to the torso until a familiar form pulled the dagger and stood to full height. Adam's shock returned as he recognized Yorak.
She paced with strong even steps while Lotor also circled toward Adam. Lotor growled, "So this is your true nature. I knew you were too good to be true."
She tilted her head and said, "Get behind me, Adam. Step away from the prince."
Lotor's smile turned to a sneer. "What did you have to gain by infiltrating my crew?"
"I didn't do this for you, your majesty," Yorak explained while continuing to put herself closer to Adam. "I am, however, disappointed at the lengths you went to just to fail at finding us. At the very least, I will thank you for returning a family heirloom."
Lotor's eyes flashed dangerously. "First you tell me to leave, then you leave me a trail of breadcrumbs. What should I have done?"
"This anger is misplaced. We were never your enemies, Lotor. That is why I hoped you would come to us." Yorak's voice remained calm and evenly paced.
"Stop with the deceit, assassin. Let me hear your real voice. After all, Yorak is a traditionally male warrior's name. How did I miss something so obvious?"
Adam jumped as Yorak's feminine voice changed mid chuckle. She gave a flashy bow. "It is the name my mother gave me."
"And thus I am surrounded by enemies yet again. Ever since I was a babe, your kind has targeted me. My own daiyak tried to kill me in the cradle."
"Inell loved you!" Yorak shot back, a dangerous edge sharper than any knife in her voice. "She wanted to rescue you from your father's cruel ministrations."
"Lies! But it won't matter, I'll kill you here and make the paladins come to me. After all, fresh bait lures much prey."
Adam felt his blood run cold as Lotor rushed forward, drawing a sword and swinging down at Yorak. They waited, paused to strike. Then a panel fell from the ceiling and another galra landed on top of Lotor. The newcomer rolled and curled up on himself painfully, but Yorak cursed and ran forward to check Lotor.
"He's alive."
"Yorak," Adam called, "We have company."
Yorak's attention snapped to Tretok and they quickly flipped him onto his back. Yorak straddled him, and held the dagger to his throat. "What have you done?"
Tretok gasped up at Yorak, eyes wide in shocked realization. "It is you." His voice was full of hope.
Yorak hissed between their teeth, "What do you want?"
"To go with you," Tretok breathlessly admitted. "Please, I want to help. Everything I told you, all of it, is truth. You know me, Yorak."
Yorak didn't seem moved by Tretok's admission. Then Tretok grabbed the knife and pushed it further against his throat. With a threatening finality, he said, "You stayed your blade once. If you won't take me with you, do not do so a second time. Vrepit sa."
Yorak fought against Tretok, arm shaking as they tried not to harm him. Then Tretok released and Yorak fell backwards, rolling to their feet in a half crouch. Tretok coughed and slowly stood, matched in motion by Yorak.
Yorak seemed to consider everything before saying, "To gain knowledge is an arduous journey. The answers you seek may cause pain and cannot be unlearned. If you are discovered, the empire will inflict every torture upon you. Are you certain this is what you want, knowledge or death?"
Tretok steeled himself and stood to his full height. "I wish to strike back against the empire. I want them to pay for the suffering they have caused. I will give everything to see Zarkon's end."
Adam waited with bated breath, completely unsure what he was watching. Then Yorak stepped forward and offered a hand. Tretok gave a relieved sigh and they grasped forearms in solidarity. Yorak then pulled Tretok forward before releasing and stepping over the unconscious prince.
Adam asked, "What about him?"
Yorak looked at Lotor with what Adam felt was disappointment. "He has failed the test. He is not who I hoped he was. Come, we need to make our escape before the others realize what's transpired."
The door opened and a small feline shape wearing scaled armor ran to Yorak's feet. Yorak responded by flexing their leg, allowing the animal to jump from their thigh to their shoulder, settling like a mounted weapon.
"Do you remember how to shoot?"
Adam fell in line as Yorak went to the door and peeked out. "Hasn't been that long, stranger."
Yorak reached for the wrapped blade at her waist and Adam watched as it changed into a battle rifle with red markings, cloth falling away dramatically. Tretok gasped and said, "You are a paladin after all."
"Didn't deny it. You never asked," Yorak teased. Then they started down the hall.
Adam noticed Acxa, limp on the floor. "What happened to her?"
"Catnap," Yorak explained. "Cretin has been doing wonders behind the scenes. We should be able to access a fighter in the hangar and make our exit unnoticed, so long as Lotor's officers- Damn it."
Yorak slid to a stop and Adam heard footsteps from around the corner. He put a hand on Yorak's shoulder, ready to move when they did. Instead, they whispered, "Brother bear, we could really use a distraction right about now."
Adam heard a voice return, "Roger, red leader. Shadow boxers engaged. One distraction coming up in, five, four, three."
Two and one were silent before an alarm went off and Adam saw a dozen sentries run down the hall toward the officer. Yorak darted across the hall. Adam took off a second later and felt a sting in his side, but kept going. Another sixty seconds and they entered the hangar.
"Adam, get onboard. Tretok, engage the preflight protocol. I'll get the doors open." Yorak sprinted to the console and started typing rapidly.
Adam ducked onboard, finally looking down to see what had happened. A small burn hole marred his jacket. Tretok rushed past and clicked toggles and switches, engines roaring to life. Adam braced on the wall, concentrating on breathing through the pain. A few seconds later, Yorak climbed on board and sat in the pilot's seat.
"Hang on."
Glad he'd put himself where he stood, Adam felt the g-force hold him in place. Yorak then started talking to the person in their ear, "We've made our exit, no bogies in sight. One extra passenger and the greatest detective himself. No, not Lotor. I trust him, though. Have Mr. and Mrs. smith finished their mission? Good. Tell them to rendezvous at the desert safehouse..."
Then Adam started to collapse from the pain as the adrenaline wore off. He was sitting on the floor when he heard Tretok shout, "Yorak, your ward!"
"Fuck! Tretok where is he hit? You need to stabilize him!" Yorak shouted into the coms, "Adam is down! We're making an emergency flight to the castle. Have Allura prep the healing pod. Eta three dobosches."
Adam felt himself fade in and out of consciousness. Tretok stripped him of his shirt and applied painful pressure. Then he was in a bright white hallway being carried on some kind of stretcher. A woman with dark skin and long white hair braided back from her face joined the entourage.
"Angel?"
Yorak's face swam into focus and they said, "Adam, you need to stay with us. Fight for me. Adam, what happened to Takashi? Where is Shiro?"
"Taka...shi... desert... miners..." Then he lost the battle with consciousness.
