The New Prince

Chapter 19

19. Darkness Rises

Allura ran into the control room and headed to the communication console. She began keying in the codes when she felt someone place their hand on her shoulder.

"Allura, what are you doing?" Sven's voice marked a tone of question.

Without turning around, she answered swiftly, "I'm about to contact Zarkon. His plan is failing and he's going to have to find another way to take Keith away from us, but not this." Her voice began cracking, "Not this…he's killing him."

Lance, who had walked in with Sven, reached for the console and quickly pressed the disconnection button, "You won't contact him Princess." He ordered, "That's exactly what he wants."

Turning to him abruptly, Allura's eyes filled with hot tears. Lance noticed the small droplets rolling down her cheeks and the defiant look on her face, "What do you mean what he wants? Does he want him dead? Because that's what he's doing Lance, he's killing him!"

Sven looked at her tenderly, as if trying to make her understand, "If we show any weakness at this point, he'll know he's won. We can't allow that."

"He's dying Sven! He almost died right now!" Allura cried out in desperation.

Watching the princess succumb to panic, Lance immediately hugged her. Allura held tightly to him as she let herself go, "You don't understand...he almost died right now! I can't lose him...I can't."

"You won't lose him Allura." Lance replied as he stroked her hair, "You won't."

VVVVVVVVVV

Zarkon stood in front of the vidscreen in his control room. Notified by one of his Intel experts that a connection from Arus was entering, he walked up proudly and awaited the incoming transmission. Then, it ceased within seconds of coming in. The king found himself tempted to contact them, but instead, he thought about it.

They still have no idea what's happening to him.

"Sire, would you like to establish a connection with Arus?" one of his experts inquired.

"No, let it be." Zarkon answered as the doors of his control room opened. He turned and watched Cossack walk in. "What's happening?" he asked knowing that his first officer had news in regards to his own assignment.

"I've been monitoring that Dr. Marseilles just as you've ordered. Today, she left on a transport from the Garrison for Arus. I think she suspects..."

Shaking his head, Zarkon stated, "She doesn't suspect; she knows. I think it's time to bring in the good doctor. I won't allow her to ruin my plans. Bring her to me, take Starr to help you."

"As you wish, your Majesty." Cossack bowed before exiting the control room.

Turning to the officer that had spoken to him previously the king ordered, "Connect me to Haggar."

Within minutes, the old witch came up on the screen, "Yes Zarkon?"

"Give me a status on the Commander."

"He's entered the third and final phase, but that Arusian doctor seems to want to stall the process. The longer he stalls it, the longer we'll wait for him."

"Hmmm...I think it is time to bring my son home." Zarkon mused. "Haggar, take a robeast with you and make sure you succeed."

"As you wish Sire." She nodded once before the connection ceased.

VVVVVVVVVV

Two days…he hadn't realized what a hard piece of rock his planet was. The days blazed with heat and the winds around him burned his skin as he fought the gusts that prevented him from continuing on his path. The nights formed an endless fog of ice; Lotor's teeth rattled to no end as the coldness of the planet penetrated the former prince's bones.