Burning Bright Eyes

One

        "Alright, Paladins," Allura rallied everyone to the bridge, snapping Lotor out of a daze. "We are en route to planet Mierome, to where we heard a distress signal of an attack."

        Lotor looked up from where he was sitting on the steps off to the side. Planet Mierome, he thought, turning to stand up. It feels like it's been so long since I've last seen that place... and that person. I suppose my mind had wandered to that fateful day...

        "The Miero are a difficult people to get through to," Lotor warned, standing beside the princess. "I should know; I was put in charge of their planet for a deca-phoeb. The only bridge of light in this situation is a high-ranking officer being a Galra hybrid, like myself and your little friend. Her name is Ayiko; I believe the signal came from her."

        "I've been reading up on them," Pidge volunteered, shifting her glasses. "Despite living by a white dwarf star, their entire planet can generate its own energy since it's mainly antimatter, and the inhabitants are also commonly called 'the Spectral Race.' That's all I know, unfortunately."

        "Very impressive," Lotor commended the Green Paladin. "The Miero are given the moniker on account of the lack of light and how it has affected their general appearance. Ayiko is also a dear friend, both to myself and my former generals. In our first meeting," he fought to keep his voice even, "it seemed as if we were the only ones who didn't wish her harm. She holds such a position solely because she is bigger and stronger than pureblood Miero, due to her Galra blood. Although the cultists on the planet couldn't care less for a hybrid being at a respectful position."

        "I can understand where that's coming from," Coran chimed in. "Hybrids of any kind are normally looked down upon by purebloods of their parents' races. I'm sure you and your generals had a fair share of it, from the Galra especially."

        Lotor nodded once in confirmation before the screen started going off, having picked up a strange noise coming from a specific location on the planet the Castle of Lions was approaching. Allura turned on the speaker, causing all of them to hear several snapping noises, many angry voices calling out in a foreign language, and a lone, muffled female voice whimpering and crying in pain. Hunk looked terrified and hid behind Pidge, and the others' expressions all looked to be a mix of worried and scared. Surprisingly, out of all of them, Lotor appeared to be the most upset.

        That voice... "That's Ayiko," he breathed when the audio was silenced. "They must be lashing her, judging by those noises; I wouldn't be surprised if there's also a prisoner's helm in the equation. She must normally be out of commision for over a movement afterward without a healing pod. It's similar to the first time we met, when some blood-purist superiors pushed her into a crater of sharp rocks via a shot to the back. This is the source of the distress signal: her armor automatically sends it when she's in poor condition."

        Allura was horrified at the Galran's words, even moreso than the Paladins. "I... I never imagined that anyone would have to endure such harassment from their own kind. If this happens as often as you believe, we must rescue this friend of yours. Pidge, ready the Green Lion. You'll use your Lion's cloaking ability in this mission. Lotor, since you know this Ayiko better than all of us, you will have to accompany her with your own ship to rescue your friend."

        The emperor smiled. "I am glad you understand how important this is to me," Lotor thanked the Altean woman as Pidge went to her Lion.

        Allura returned the smile. "Consider it repaying for us capturing you those few times. We still owe you one even after Oriande."

        Lotor smirked in an almost playful manner before going to his own ship. Please be alright, Ayiko. We're coming to help you.

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