Chapter 9-
A Tyrant's Values
King Zarkon paced the confines of his bedroom in anger and worry. His son had not reported since he took his leave nearly a week ago. As much as Zarkon hated to admit it, he feared something had happened to him. Coming to a stand still, he folded his hands behind his back and stared at the wall in front of him. That boy, always getting into trouble. Zarkon frowned as he heard the sound of knocking at his door. The middle aged king noted the shadow of a figure on the wall and waited without turning for the person to say what it was they came to say.
The young guard entered the room slowly and quietly hoping not to anger the king any further. "Sire, our radar has spotted a ship headed in the direction of the Aurora Quasar. We think it may be a Polluxian vessel, sir. What would you have us do?"
Zarkon remained silent for a time contemplating the situation, but his mind was still on his missing son. Masking his emotions once more he turned to face the guard.
"Send a small fleet after them; only for surveillance. I don't want them to know that we are watching. Once they spot the ship have them radio the castle." the guard bowed and headed for the door. Zarkon hesitated. "Also..." the guard stopped and turned back to his king. “...Also, tell the fleet to keep an eye open for the prince." The guard bowed once more and shut the door behind him.
King Zarkon shook his head, not happy that he had showed such an emotion. It was true that the guard may have thought nothing of it besides that his king wanted to know where his heir was, but he knew it could be seen as a weakness if the guard realized the root of his concern. Love, was not a good emotion for him to show, even for is own son.
With a small sigh, the king turned and walked back toward the center of the room. Zarkon began his pacing once again in worry and agitation. If they don't find him soon, I'm going to drive myself crazy. Throwing his hands into the air with exasperation, the aging king turned to leave.
Mere hours later a guard ran into the room and to the base of the ornate stairs that led to the throne. Falling to one knee, he waited patiently for his king to acknowledge his presence before speaking. Zarkon sat on the throne drinking a glass of red Tyrionian wine to take the obnoxious thoughts and worries from his mind since they hindered his work. Taking a last sip from the golden goblet, he held it out knowing that someone would fill it momentarily. That's when he turned his eyes to the man before him.
"Sire, our men have found the ship and are now tracking it. The ship seems to be looking for something below the quasar, although they seem to be trying rather hard to keep their distance." Zarkon brought his goblet to his lips noticing that it was now heavy with liquid. After a couple of slow sips he stared at the young man.
"Any information on whom the ship is piloted by?" The guard shook his head.
"No, sire, but the ship is definitely Polluxian. That much is certain now that we have actually sighted the vessel." King Zarkon stared at the far wall contemplating the situation at hand. His mind still wandered to his son despite his currant condition. The wine was beginning to befuddle his mind but he knew he wasn't drunk yet which was his goal.
"Any sign of Prince Lotor?" the young man hesitated in his response.
"Sire, we think the vessel's objective is the prince. There was a rumor a time back that Prince Lotor had a secret base built far below the Aurora Quasar. No one knows exactly where the base is located but that may very well be the thing that the vessel is searching for. As you know, sire, Voltron has been destroyed but there was a message one of our men intercepted yesterday that happened to be from Planet Arus; it seems sire, that the prince may have Princess Allura captive." Zarkon looked over the rim of his glass at the young man in slight confusion.
"So, you're saying that this ship is after my son, who just so happens to be on a secret base of his, where he is holding the most important woman in the universe as prisoner, AND HE NEVER BOTHERED TELLING ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT!" The king's stupor was quickly replaced with rage as he threw his goblet at the wall. Clenching his fists he stood and glared at no one in particular. Quickly standing, the young guard dashed out of the room to escape the king's rage, not wanting to be the focus of it. Zarkon seethed in anger as he paced the throne room.
His emotions were mixed beyond comprehension as his mind switched from anger to relief to sadness to rage. Zarkon was angry at his son for not telling him, for making him worry, but also relived that he had been found, and at the same time saddened that his own son would keep such things from him. Suddenly tearing his eyes from the wall he eyed the place where the guard should have been kneeling.
"Guard! Get back in here right now!" the young man came barreling in and immediately fell to his knees in fear.
"Send the fleet to find this base of Lotor's! I want him, the princess, and all inhabitants brought back to the castle unharmed if possible." He stated hurriedly pacing the throne room once again. Glancing up at his king the young man decided it was time to leave. Getting up as quickly as possible without drawing Zarkon's attention, he snuck out the door to put the monarch's orders into action.
King Zarkon continued to pace long after the guard left him. His instincts told him his son was up to something while his heart told him it was no matter. He slammed his fist into the nearest wall with rage at his confusion. Zarkon knew to destroy his son would hurt the kingdom and himself, but if the prince was plotting against him.... The bewildered king hung his head at the thought of what he might be forced to do.
Of course he was hard on his son, it was the way he thought it had to be, but he never wanted to kill him. His threats concerning that were almost always empty even though he knew Lotor didn't know it. It was his job to play the part of a king who had no weaknesses and therefore no one he cared for.
Slowly making his way back to his throne, Zarkon sighed inwardly and masked his emotions. He sat there thinking over the situation with a heavy heart. Zarkon decided he would do whatever was needed when the time came, no matter what that might be.
To Chapter 10 - Reckless Hostilities
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