Haggar was cackling. "The time draws ever nearer, Prince," she said, stroking the Blue Cat’s head and gazing at the activities going on in the Ballroom through Prince Balcos’ eyes. It was decked out in flowers, and filled with people anxiously waiting for the wedding to begin. All the Space Explorers were standing along the aisle, waiting for Allura to pass by so that they could each kiss her hand pay her homage. Balcos himself stood in front of the altar, and the Archbishop was also there.
"Order the attack ships to enter Arus’ atmosphere," Lotor commanded. "The bomb we planted is right under the ballroom… when it goes off, it will be will cooking a delightful stew – with the meddling space explorers as meat." He laughed wickedly. "You sure are a witch after my own heart, Haggar."
Haggar laughed again. "Of course, sire," she said. "Right before the bomb goes off, the little brat we captured will provide enough of a distraction so that Balcos can spirit the princess away in her Blue Lion before the Castle blows. That way, if the plan does go awry, we still have the princess as hostage."
"If the plans go awry?" Lotor asked menacingly. "They better not go awry, old witch, or you answer to me." He drew his sword and made a threatening gesture.
"Everything has gone according to plan so far,
hasn’t it?" she snapped defensively. "Besides, with the princess as our
captive, they cannot form Voltron and the Robeast will destroy them all
the same. This time, no matter what happens, Arus will be ours."
"What the… Cheddar!" she exclaimed. In the short time she had been in the Castle, she had become a fast favorite with the mice. They skidded to a stop and rushed back to her, nearly overwhelming her with their chattering. She could sense that they were agitated about something. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the gift of understanding them, the same as the Princess had.
"What’s wrong, little guys, how come you aren’t at the Ballroom? The princess is getting married, you know…" she said, picking up Cheddar in her hands and raising him to the level of her face.
Cheddar was frantically trying to mime the word "bomb," but Kayla couldn’t understand him. The mouse jumped up and down on Kayla’s palm, finally pretending to fall into a dead faint. That hit a bell with Kayla.
"Somebody is dying," she guessed. The mice, sensing a breakthrough, nodded. "There’s danger." They nodded again. Then, at the same time, they all jumped up with their arms raised and fell to the floor, pretending to be dead.
"It’s a bomb!" Kayla gasped. The mice nodded. Cheddar motioned her to come with them. "But…" She needed to be at the wedding as it started. Keith was counting on her. It meant the difference between winning or losing Balcos forever.
But if the bomb went off, they would all die. With one final glance the direction of the Ballroom, she let out a sigh and followed the mice into the underground tunnels.
Kayla was not her father’s daughter for nothing. As a child, she had trained under her father, trying her best to be the son he never had. Her father had trained her gladly, not because he wanted her to be different, but because he enjoyed her company – and he recognized her talent.
And Kayla was very good with bombs.
At first glance, she already knew that if the bomb went off, it would be strong enough to cause the ceiling above it to cave in. And from the sounds above, she guessed that she was directly under the ballroom. She could disarm it, but she had to work fast.
She began to pray that someone would stall the
wedding.
"I don’t know," Pidge whispered back, a worried frown creasing his brow. "Maybe she’s looking for Leland. I don’t see him anywhere either."
Keith watched the approaching procession with a calm expression on his face, but the wheels in his head were turning frantically. Without Kayla there, he would have to force Balcos’ hand by threatening him directly. He didn’t want to do that – what if he were wrong? But, looking at Balcos with his icy cold eyes, standing like a robot, he doubted that they were wrong about him.
The maids were slowly approaching the altar, scattering wildflowers as they went. Behind them, he could see Nanny, dignified and proper, as she prepared to march. And, he knew, behind Nanny, were Coran and the Princess. Darn it, where was Kayla?
They needed a distraction.
The maids were smiling as they slowly marched
forward to the music. They were too busy looking around and scattering
flowers to watch where they were going. Muttering an inaudible apology,
he very slowly stuck out his foot in the path of the first maiden.
"What’s that, old witch?" Lotor asked, not quite understanding what she was saying.
"Nothing sire, nothing at all…" she cackled again, but not in quite as strong a voice as before. "Everything is going according to plan."
"When do I order the fleet to attack?" Lotor asked impatiently.
"Once Balcos and Allura are safely out of there," she replied. The maidens were still floundering on the floor like beached whales. It didn’t help that the damned Space Explorers, for all their fighting skills, were suddenly acting like they couldn’t move without bumping one another over…
"Oh no."
And Haggar realized that they knew. Or at least
suspected. Without saying a word to Lotor, she mentally activated the Robeast
she had planted on Arus.
Trust me.
What was Keith up to?
As they ran down through the tunnels looking for the fastest route to the ballroom, she wondered about the bomb. It proved that Balcos was no good – but what if he was doing this by choice? What if she was wrong about his sense of honor? What if she was wrong about everything?
She ran faster.