Defenders of the Universe - SU/VLD (Adopted by jorge.Fuentes18)

Chapter 33: Re-settled In

Dradin.

"I win! I win! I win!" Ezor ecstatically shouts as she wins another round of the Dradini Casino's roulette game. The Dradini are a race of bald, green-skinned aliens with golden eyes and teeth; as well as having six, lanky arms. The false-smiling croupier handed the Half-Galran her winnings of Dradini Silver while Lapis and Narti watched her play. A rough estimate of her silver when compared to Galra Authorized Currency; she's won more than 750,000 GAC.

"It's just a ball spinning in a wheel, with bright and flashy colors." A dry Lapis stated. "I don't understand how you find it so entertaining."

"I just like games," Ezor explained; before showing off her prizes to the blue Gem. "And I especially like winning games. Are you sure you don't want to play a round?"

"I'm good," Lapis assured.

"Would the lady like to play another round?" The croupier suavely asked.

"Yeah," Ezor answered. "Set me up."

The wheel started to spin as the croupier dropped the ball. It bounced around for a bit before it joined the momentum of the wheel. 'He has it rigged to land on one of the higher numbers: twenty-five. The color: green.' Narti telepathically communicated to her friend.

"Twenty-five. Green." Ezor betted as the wheel slowly came to a stop, while the ball continued to roll until it landed precisely in the spot Narti said it would.

"The lady wins again." The croupier sighed.

"I win! I win! I win!" Ezor ecstatically shouts as she is handed her winnings. "Don't feel bad, buddy. I'll tell you what when your bosses strike a deal with our Emperor; I'll donate these to the casino as a show of good faith to our new alliance."

'Emperor Lotor requests our presence.' Narti informed her allies. 'The Syndicate leaders are here.'

"It's about time," Lapis said as she followed Narti and Ezor to the private meeting place in the back of the casino. They entered the room to find Zethrid, Lotor, who was petting Kova, and another one of the Emperor's Generals waiting for them. The latter still wearing her helmet; concealing her face. The cat leaped off the Emperor's lap and returned to Narti; who gladly picked her pet up.

The three head members of the Dradini Syndicate and two guards entered from the opposite side of the room. All but the soldiers garbed in lavish clothing, and one of them holding a bottle of liquor. "Ah, one of the last living Alteans, or Half-Altean, himself; Emperor Lotor. It is good to make your acquaintance." One of the heads greeted. "Please, have a seat."

Lotor and his Generals took a seat at the meeting table with the other crime lords. "I take it that you know why I arranged this meeting?" The young Emperor questioned.

"Oh, of course." The Syndicate leader answered. "It is well known that our organization has control of many trading ports. Some your father was able to take from us, others he still didn't know about. Something tells me you're after the latter. And frankly, I was expecting your thugs to beat that information out of us."

"Oh, don't worry," Zethrid spoke up. "That option's still on the table."

"But I'd rather take a more, diplomatic approach," Lotor stated. "Like all the other worlds who've aligned themselves with us; you'll get your fair share of the Empire's resources, in exchange for your loyalty and cooperation."

"It is a tempting offer, but before we make any big decision; would you like a drink?" The Dradini with the bottle asked as the guards placed four glasses on the table; which he proceeded to fill with a purplish red liquid. "Dradini wine, aged to perfection. I am sure you'll enjoy it."