A/N: So, I am really sorry for the later update then I planned this week. I had to deal with two broken computers over two weeks that didn't want to work with me. That is why this update is a little later than I wanted to update. Please comment and review.
Season 4, Episode 3; "Black site"
Lotor's Ship:
Lotor stands watching his creation come to life. Linna is located below him in a small metal bar cage as a foot soldier walks up to ask her where this random piece goes. She is not allowed to touch the machine, only create the plans for its construction. Linna glances up at Lotor who grins with happiness towards her. He is very proud of what she has done in a few days. It took a lot to get Linna to do this project in the first place.
Flashback: a few days ago
Linna lays asleep in her cage when Lotor storms in with excitement in his footsteps. Linna doesn't even notice his entrance until he throws a very cold bucket of water on top of her. She screams in panic and darts off her cot. She shakes her head with chills traveling up her body. Linna glares at Lotor when she spots the bucket still in his hand.
"Yes?" Linna wonders to him while looking down at her drenched clothes.
"I have a brilliant idea," Lotor informs her with a smirk on his face.
"What idea?" Linna asks him and starts rubbing her arms to try and warm up in drenched clothes.
"I want you to build me, my very own Voltron," Lotor grins at her as he watches her entire body stop.
"What?" Linna stares at the ground still not able to move or look at him. "What do you want?"
"I want my own Voltron," Lotor tells her as he places the empty bucket on the ground. "Did you hear me that time?"
Linna doesn't dare move. All she can think of right now is how can she stop this from happening. Nothing is coming to her right at this second. Lotor starts getting a little annoyed with her silence so he breaks it by opening the door to her cage. Linna turns her head to stare right into Lotor's yellow eyes with purple irises.
"Linna?" Lotor whispers her name as his hand guides to her hair strands that drape down her face.
Linna takes a deep breath in front of him. She knows that he will not like her reply to this statement. Lotor slowly guides her hair strands back behind her ears. His fingers glide down to her jawline as they reach her chin. Linna doesn't move her eyes from his while they stay in complete silence.
"You need to speak or I will get angry," Lotor replies to her silence as his fingers guide to each side of her jaw bone as the grip gets tighter around. "You don't want me to get mad."
"You... want me to build you... your own... Voltron..." Linna stutters to him still staring into his eyes.
"Yes," Lotor answers with a devilish smile and a luring voice.
"I..." Linna takes a deep breath. "I can't do that."
Lotor stares at her as his grip tightens around her jaw bone, causing her to flinch in pain. Linna feels the pain start to gather in her jaw.
"I'm... sorry," Linna whispers to him when she feels her jaw break. "Ah!"
Lotor turns around and slams the cage door as he listens to her scream in pain. He shakes his head because he didn't want to do it. She just isn't listening to him. Ezor runs in when she hears the screams to see if there is anything wrong. She stares at Linna on the ground screaming in agony while Lotor is standing perfectly fine right in front of her.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Ezor asks him as she continues to stare at Linna screaming when she sees that her jaw is not alined.
"Yes," Lotor answers her as he fixes his composure. "She didn't have the right answer to my question."
"What would you like me to do?" Ezor wonders to her commander because she knows that they can't just leave Linna screaming in pain like this.
"When she finally stops screaming make her startup with the plans for creating me my own Voltron," Lotor informs Ezor as he walks out of the room.
Linna tries to stop screaming but the pain is too much for her. She can feel her mouth not able to close or move for her. Acxa stares at Linna with concern in her eyes. She slowly glances out of the door to see if Lotor is nearby. Acxa grabs the bucket and fills it quickly with warm water. She takes a towel from the rack and opens the cage door. Linna tries to run to the corner but she can't move from the spot where she has planted herself after Lotor broke her jaw.
"I am not going to hurt you," Acxa starts to tell Linna as she dunks the towel in the warm water. "I need to move your jaw back in place."
Linna stares at her with fear and pain in her eyes. She knows exactly what that means. She is going to be a whole lot of pain real quick again. Acxa slowly approaches Linna, trying to show her that she means her no harm at the moment.
"I am going to put this towel in your mouth so you can scream in it as well not bite your tongue when I push your jaw back in place," Acxa informs Linna everything that she is going to do right before doing it.
Linna feels Acxa's hands wrap around her jawline just like Lotor had done just before breaking it. Acxa slowly counted to three in Galra before Linna feels the shot of pain echo through her body even more. She screams within the towel that lays dormant in her mouth at the moment. She at least didn't bite her tongue. Acxa pulls the towel out of Linna's mouth and dunks into the water again before dabbing it across Linna's face.
"You will be fine now," Acxa tells her as she dabs the towel one last time and leaves the cell with a bucket in hand. "I will be back in a bit for the plans. You should start working on them."
Linna stares at Acxa through her tears as Acxa walks out of the room. Linna cries her eyes out as she lays on the ground of cement. She wants this to end. Linna closes her eyes, trying to avoid the pain that echoes through her whole body at the moment.
"I have to get out of here soon," Linna whispers to herself. "Voltron... Please help me... Please..."
Flashback Ends:
Linna stares at Lotor with a towel wrapped around her chin to keep her from moving her mouth. She looks at him with anger as she points on the map of instructions she has for the foot soldiers before her. She does not speak only nod or shake her hands in response to the guards. She hears Acxa speak towards Lotor about meeting with Central Command. Linna hears Emperor Zarkon come out of Acxa's mouth which causing her to glance back at Lotor. His face is not very happy at the mention of his Father's name. Even though Linna has already warned him about Zarkon, Lotor still never wanted to hear his Father's name come from another person's mouth.
"Very well. Prepare a ship," Lotor answers her as he turns his eyes to Linna's.
"Do you think he's onto us?" Ezor wonders for the group.
"No, my father is simply ready to return to the throne," Lotor releases his eye contact from Linna and turns to his generals. "He can have it. Our plans have not changed." Lotor starts to walk away from them. "Narti, come with me. The rest of you continue to oversee construction. I will return shortly."
Lotor walks down towards the main door and down the stairs to be face to face with Linna. She stays where she is and keeps her eyes away from her. She does not want to look at him. Another foot soldier approaches Linna about a part of the ship.
"Linna," Lotor approaches her now with a grin upon his devilish face. "I was wondering if you would like to visit Hagar and Zarkon?"
Linna's eyes go wide with the question he just asked her. She does not turn her head. All she does is stare at the foot soldier waiting for her to give him the new orders that he needed to fix the problem with the ship. Linna tries to hide her panic when Lotor appears before her face. She can't hide for him now.
"Linna," Lotor guides his hand to her as she flinches at his approach to her. He lays his hand upon her cheek that burns at his touch. He watches as her eyes close, trying to hide the tears. "I won't lay another finger on you if you come with me."
Linna glances up at him as she slowly nods, "yes" to him. Lotor smirks at her with greed and pleasure found in his eyes. He knows exactly what he is doing, but Linna can't figure out why he wants her there. Lotor opens her cage and calls for Ezor to come and take over Linna's position. He guides Linna out of her cage and towards the ship that he and Narti will be taking to get to the Main Fleet.
"I will be with you the whole time," Lotor whispers to her when he sees the panic written all over her face. "I will not let them touch you. I just want to show them that I have something that they want but I have and will never give to them."
Linna lowers her head to think about what Lotor just told her. She still can't make sense for what Lotor is planning. She can't figure out what his real agenda is.
Zarkon's Main Fleet:
Lotor has Narti park the ship as they reach the main hangar of the Main Fleet where Zarkon wants them to meet. He grabs Linna by the arm and drags her beside him like they are one. Narti stays closely behind to keep her in place. The door opens in front of them with Hagar waiting for them which surprised Lotor for a second.
"Welcome, Prince Lotor," Hagar speaks under her hood as she notices Linna beside him. Her unexpressed face turns to a grin before speaking. "Please, follow me."
Hagar leads the way to where Zarkon wants to meet them. Lotor stares at her as she walks a few feet in from of him and Narti. Linna stares at her with fear creeping into her stomach. She can feel the tightness taking over her. She feels herself tighter her grin around Lotor's arm which caused him to look at her for a moment. Now he is starting to regret breaking her jaw. He wants her to him why she is so nervous right now. They start walking after Hagar as she leads them all to the Main Hall where Zarkon waits for Lotor. The large dark purple doors swing open by themselves as Hagar walks in first, followed by Lotor, Linna, and Narti. They all stare at Emperor Zarkon that sits in his great chair before them. Linna hides behind Lotor the best she can like she is a small child once again.
"I have brought your guest Emperor Zarkon," Hagar informs Zarkon as they stop in front of him.
He stares at the three of them before him. He finally lays his eyes on Linna, hiding behind Lotor. He doesn't change his expression but Linna can feel the excitement he felt when he laid his eyes upon her. She keeps her closed behind Lotor like he can't see her even though she felt his presence glaring down upon her.
"Father, it gives me such pleasure that you've made a full recovering," Lotor starts out to him as he takes a knee to him which gave Linna a full view of Zarkon now. "YOu look stronger than I've ever..."
"Silence!" Zarkon stops Lotor from speaking while still staring at Linna. "I did not bring you here to waste time with your flattery." Lotor lowers his head to his father as Zarkon continues to speak. "You are relieved of your position, effectively immediately."
Lotor's eyes open with a sudden realization of what his father has just told him. "Lord, I beg you, do not discard me. Let me stay by your side." Lotor stands at this statement to show his commitment to his Father.
"Your short reign will be regarded as a black spot on the Galra Empire for years to come," Zarkon informs his son.
"Of course, my efforts at ruling the universe seem feeble beside your inestimable accomplishments. But, perhaps, if you were to train me, I could learn," Lotor explains to his father.
"You are no longer needed," Zarkon informs Lotor.
"As you wish," Lotor answers back him with his head lowered.
Lotor takes a hold of Linna's arm when Zarkon stops him with his words. "I would like to speak to Linna."
"Lord," "I will speak with her alone," Zarkon interrupted Lotor before he could even say another word.
Lotor gives Linna a look of 'we will take about this in my ship.' Narti and Lotor head through the doors as they are slammed behind their exit. Linna stands before Hagar and Zarkon with fear still in his stomach. She wants this to be a dream. She wants to wake up now. Hagar stares at the bandage around her head.
"What is wrong with your jaw?" Hagar wonders at Linna with her head tilted.
"My jaw... is broken..." Linna gets out with as little to no movement of her lips.
"Lotor did that, I presume," Hagar replies with no emotion in her voice.
"Yes," Linna answers her.
"I would like you to stay with me, Linna. I know the power of knowledge that you hold," Zarkon speaks to her now.
"I... am fine," Linna replies to Zarkon with a little bit of nervousness in her voice.
"We will be taking you from him, Linna," Hagar states to her which causes her eyes to open with fear more than normal.
"I.. would like... to leave..." Linna replies to Hagar's statement.
"You may," Zarkon answers her as turns to walk away. "But we will be seeing you soon."
Linna races faster to the doors as she slams them shut behind her. Lotor stands, waiting for her as Narti is nowhere to be found. She feels the sweat running down her face as she stares at him. Lotor takes hold of her hand and starts walking towards the ship. Linna glances up to see Hagar watching them as they enter the ship. Linna looks over her shoulder to see Narti and his cat stop and stare at Hagar. Linna can feel something happening but Lotor places her on the ship before she has a say.
"Run the protocol to search for trackers," Lotor orders Narti. Narti runs the protocol as nothing shows up. "Transpose the dynamics and run that protocol again." Narti does as he is told and runs it again to find a bug underneath the ship. "You think you can fool me, Witch? Destroy the bug."
Linna watches as a light goes across the ship as it cleans it from all bugs. It sends an electric shock on it to kick it off the ship. Linna stares at Lotor as he growls in anger towards the witch and his father. She can see the anger in his face. They all keep quiet for the rest of the trip to Lotor's main base. He lands the ship in the hangar as he takes a hold of Linna's arm. They both walk out of the ship with anger on his face. Ezor and Acxa are waiting at the docks for Lotor to return with news.
"How'd it go? Are you fired?" Ezor wonders.
"I'm afraid I was relieved of my command, yes," Lotor answers with a smile on his face.
"The second ship is complete and ready for testing," Axca informs Lotor which Linna did not want to hear. "The sentries are just making some final adjustments."
She has been trying to stall them for days but it did not work. She lowers her head at the thought of Lotor having two ships that were made for the comet-like Voltron. Linna keeps her head low at the thought of being the one to kill her friends.
"Excellent," Lotor replies with an even bigger smile on his face. "Linna, did you hear that?"
Linna nods her head in reply but doesn't look at Lotor. She did not want this to happen. She wants to go back to the Castle of Lions. She wants to be with Allura, Coran, and the Paladins. Lotor releases Linna's arm because he knows that she won't run with three of his generals with him. Linna zones out what Acxa starts to tell Lotor next because she starts to hear something. She tilts her head towards Narti as the voices start again but in a very low whisper. She knows it is coming from his direction. As Lotor and Acxa finish talking, Linna starts to feel pain echo through her head. It is not pain from her broken, healing jaw. It is something completely different.
"Ah!" Linna screams as her head starts to flash through different events.
She feels her body hit the floor with a pound in her jaw to multiply the pain. Lotor and the generals stare at her motionless body as they watch a mark appear upon her shoulder. Lotor stares at it because it is not Altean that he has seen.
"I will take her back to her cage," Lotor informs his generals. "Figure out what that mark means!"
"Yes, sir!" All of his generals answer him.
Lotor picks her up in his arms as he walks towards her cage. He stares at the door for a moment but decides to not open it. He takes Linna to his bedroom where he lays her upon his bed. He pulls a blanket over her as he stares at her bandage mouth.
"I should not have done that to you. I should have told you my plan," Lotor whispers to her as he stares at her struggle in pain. "I hope you tell me what Zarkon and Hagar wanted from you. I hope you tell me."
Lotor stares at her before looking over a dark purple couch that lays within his room. He strolls over to it and sits down. He lowers his head into his palm as he waits for Acxa to come to get him before they do their test run.
"I want you to explain to me what happened to you. You better tell me," Lotor whispers to Linna before feeling himself start to fall asleep. The next moment he knew, Acxa is in his room to wake him up.
"Prince Lotor," Acxa shakes his shoulder. "The test is ready."
"Alright," Lotor waves her away as he looks to see that Linna is now motionless in his bed. He places his hand on her to see if she is still breathing. He can feel her heartbeat as he notices another marking on her other shoulder but different from the one he saw before. "Let's go."
Acxa watches Lotor with wonder in her expression as she follows Lotor out the door of his room. He leads her towards the second ship that Linna has helped them create with the comet. Acxa however, has never seen Lotor like this before.
"Do you know who we will be testing?" Acxa asks her leader.
"Voltron..." Lotor answers her with nothing in his voice as he enters the hangar with the second ship. "I want to destroy Voltron and I will be doing it with these ships."