Chill (Klance Warmth series Book 2 of +4)

25: Cold of Separation

He couldn't believe it. The reports were still coming in  sporadically, but every one of them agreed that Subcommander Ylvik's  battlecruiser and fleet had been defeated. Several reports claimed a  single, white ship had fired the blast that obliterated the fleet. Thace  found that hard to believe, but the evidence was right in front of him.

He  leaned back and considered his options. Commander Prorok was currently  reporting his choice to attack the Lions at Balmera 95-Vox to Emperor  Zarkon. Interrupting that discussion could be disastrous. Then again, it  would also humiliate the commander and further ingrain in the emperor's  mind that Prorok was nothing but a self-important leader. Also, to not  report this failed attack to the emperor as quickly as possible would  put suspicion on Thace. That was not something Thace could afford.

Thus  it was with great reluctance that he placed his hand on the  communicator and spoke the words that would likely break any confidence  the emperor had in Commander Prorok.

"Commander Prorok," Thace  said urgently. "I've received word from the fleet at Balmera 95-Vox.  Subcommander Ylvik and his fleet have been defeated."

"What?" the commander cried.

"There were no survivors except for the small scout skip in high orbit monitoring the situation," Thace continued.

"How is this possible?" Prorok demanded.

"I  am not sure yet," Thace answered honestly. "The reports are confusing.  They say it was a single weapon that decimated the entire fleet in one  shot."

"That... Such a weapon exists?"

"You are a fool, Prorok."

Thace  stiffened when he heard the emperor's voice through the communicator.  He had done his best to avoid direct contact with Zarkon because he  wasn't entirely sure if his true intentions could remain hidden from  that gaze for long. Especially so long as that Druid Haggar continued to  slink in Emperor Zarkon's shadow.

"You underestimated the power of Voltron," Zarkon continued. "Galra."

Thace  waited a tick before realizing the emperor had been addressing him.  "Y-yes great Emperor," he said, bowing his head instinctively.

"This weapon, from what was it fired?"

Thace  quickly double checked his information before reporting his findings.  "The reports say the blast originated from a single, large, white ship  in low orbit."

"Ah," Zarkon purred, sending the fur on the back of Thace's neck standing up. "The  Castle of Lions. It seems we can confirm Commander Sendak has failed to  bring me the prince and the Castle like he promised. Pity."

Thace swallowed nervously but continued to listen.

"This weapon, what else can you tell me about it, Galra?" the emperor asked.

"It  was white, my Emperor," Thace said, scanning through the reports once  more. "The scout ship said it lost all visual contact with the fleet  after a beam of white light struck Subcommander Ylvik's battlecruiser.  When the flames dissipated, there was nothing left of the fleet."

Zarkon hummed thoughtfully. "So," he said softly, "he used the weapon." He chuckled. "I  wasn't sure the prince had it in him. I look forward to meeting him in  person. That should be a most enlightening discussion."

Thace sincerely doubted the 'light' part.

"Galra," the emperor spoke again. "What is your name?"