The Middle Kingdom - Seven
(*Note: a departure from the Voltron plotline of the series..but the train gets back on track later.)
She and Pidge were caught in a raid on Yesarus, where part of the VF had been undercover trying to free the slaves there. They could not form Voltron there for the planet's fields affected the crystals within the robot, and it would have been dangerous to form him. They were undercover because of the rebel group that was trying to overthrow Zarkon's rule..and the raid came, swift and unexpected. Doom soldiers were everywhere. Bodies falling down, dead from the blaster fire around them. She and Pidge fired back, but the barrage from the Doom soldiers was too much for them. They tried to radio the others, but there was too much interference.The best that Pidge could do was send out a distress call.
They ran, miraculously avoiding the laser fire, when Pidge was hit. He went down and Allura screamed, "Pidge!"
She knelt down and he said, "It's nothing, Princess. Leave me here! You gotta get out of here! If they catch you.."
She shook her head. "No! I'm not leaving you!"
She tried to lift him, but he yelled, "Ow!"
Allura stopped. She scanned his body and saw where he was hit. His wound was in the side, but it didn't appear to be life-threatening. His right forearm was burned as well. He staggered up despite her protests.
He said, "C'mon! We gotta get - "
Suddenly, the click of laser rifies aimed on them was heard. They both saw that they were surrounded by Doom soldiers. One of them who was obviously a leader, barked, "Don't move!"
Allura and Pidge froze in place.
The leader barked, "You are now the property of King Zarkon - you will be processed for slavery! Any resistance and you will be punished!Now, move!"
They were shoved into a larger group of people and taken to a large warehouse where they saw smartly dressed officers culling out slaves for specific purposes. To her relief, she did not see Lotor among the officers, but that did not mean he wasn't there. They were forced to stand in line with the group they were with, and Allura noticed that a soldier went around with what looked like a laser pen marking some of the slaves on their forearms. She knew that the guys had slave marks on their forearms. She worried most about Pidge. If they saw the mark upon his arm, he would be considered a runaway slave and executed. She also noticed that the officers went around and pulled some slaves out of rank and marking them on their ankles. She thought that they were probably designated for another purpose than the general population.
To their horror, they saw some people killed dead on the spot and left on the ground - obviously they were not worthy to wear the mark of Zarkon. Allura shivered. She hoped that Keith had recieved their distress signal.
Suddenly, her chin was jerked and she faced an officer who looked full into her face appraisingly. He then looked her body up and down, which made Allura mad despite her situation. The officer smiled and drew her to him, trying to kiss her. Her eyes flashed anger and the officer laughed.
He said to a nearby comrade, "She's a spirited one!"
The other officer appraised her as well and said, "Good thing the prince isn't here. You know he would of had this one in his bed already!"
Allura blushed furiously. The officer before her chuckled and said, "Oh..a maiden, I see..well, don't worry, love. I can take care that problem.."
The officer produced the tattoo pen and bent to her ankle. He quickly marked her ankle. Allura winced, for it hurt. The officer raised up and as he did so, ran his hand up her leg. He grinned with anticipation. Allura shivered. They were in big trouble here. The officer in front of her patted her cheek and said, "Let me attend to this next one, my dear, and then you and I can get to know one another."
The officer went to Pidge, looked him over and said quickly, "This one's wounded. He'd be better off dead.." He whipped his pistol out and Allura reached out and stopped him.
"No! Please!"
The officer ruthlessly shoved her away. "This is no concern of yours! Stand back!"
Allura placed a gentle hand upon the officer's chest. She said softly, "Please..sir..General.." she decided to lay it on thick."Please..he was already processed. He is my brother. We were separated - he just now found me."
Allura looked into the officer's face and said, "Please have mercy. I will do anything you wish, only please spare my brother."
She saw by the officer's face that he bought it.To her relief, the officer put his weapon away, but then he placed his hands upon her waist, and said, "You will do everything I want, pretty? Never let it be said that M'atea wasn't merciful.."
She saw Pidge in the corner of her eye, angry, wanting to clobber the officer, but he didn't dare.
Allura whispered, "Yes.."
The officer said, "You may call me M'atea, lovely, since we will be close friends.."
Allura shivered again. What could be worse than this?
Suddenly, another officer hurriedly ran by them. The officer facing her said, "What goes on here?"
The officer running by said fearfully, "King Zarkon's here!"
The officer blanched. "Zarkon? Here?"
Allura gasped. Zarkon! Maybe he won't come in here!But her worst fears were realized when she saw him come through the door. He looked about imperiously and suddenly, their eyes locked. Allura looked away quckly, but saw he was coming over to them in a hurry.She stood still as he came over. She held her head high as Zarkon appraised her. She saw the look in his eyes and knew he recognized her - and Pidge. Zarkon's eyes danced with mirth as he reached out to cup her chin.
He said, "Well, Princess Allura, how kind of you and your friend to come to me!"
She said nothing. He barked at the officer. "Has she been processed?"
The officer nodded in fear.
Zarkon barked, "Where?"
The officer said, "The ankle, Your Majesty."
Zarkon laughed, "So..you've been marked as a Castle slave!"
He turned to Pidge and said, "You, I know already where you're marked. You'll be in the roebeast games with your friends!"
Pidge spat out, "They'll come and you'll be lucky if you live!"
Zarkon gestured to an officer to hit him where his wound was. Pidge went down with a moan. Allura screamed, "No!"
Zarkon turned to her ruthlessly and said, "And you, my dear, will learn obedience to me." His gaze flickered up and down her body as he said, "You will pay for your defiance of me.."
He turned and barked at the officer,"Take the boy to medbot and get his wound healed. I want him alive and well for the Games."
Zarkon turned to Allura and grabbed her roughly by the arm. "You, my dear, are coming with me - we have much to discuss.."
As Allura was jerked along by Zarkon, all she could feel was that familar feeling of fear in the pit of her stomach..