Zarkon’s True Colors

By Bekka Mouri

(Some thing sinister happens and Nigel loses the last of his cameras shortly after Maeve’s return…)

Lisa burst through the doors of the medwing, frantically looking for Sarah. Finally, she shouted, “ Where’s the doctor? “

A nurse walked over to her, “ There’s no need to shout, Miss. What is the problem? “

“ The lower harem… the pregnant girls… “ Lisa tried to explain, not knowing where to start. “ All of them are hurting! “

Sarah stepped out of her office, “ What’s all this noise? I am trying to do some research! “

Lisa dashed over to Sarah. “ Come with me! All of my girls are ill! “

“ What do you mean? “ Sarah looked at the frantic Headmistress of the lower harem.

“ Come with me and I will show you! “ Lisa grabbed her hand.

**

Zarkon sat on his throne, listening to the harem doctor. All of the ladies in the lower harem had all ‘mysteriously’ fell ill and miscarried their children. Sarah narrowed her eyes; “ Lisa said that you sent them some special tea since they couldn’t have regular. Do you know what was in that tea? “

“ The tea? I thought I was doing them a favor! “ Zarkon faked shock. “ I heard herbal tea would be good for them. “

“ But do you know what was in it? “ Sarah tapped her foot.

“ No, “ Zarkon shook his head solemnly. “ What? “

“ Several herbs that have been known to cause spontaneous abortions when drank in large quantities. Didn’t you even check before you order that stuff? “ Sarah knew he had it planned. She was quite sure of it but expected him to lie.

“ Oh my! “ Zarkon placed a hand over his mouth. “ I will have the merchant who sent it to me sent to the robeast pits for this! “

Sarah fought the urge to turn into her full dragon form and fry the lying bastard. She would have done it if the action repaired the damage that had been done but it wouldn’t. She would tell Lotor about it; he had a right to condemn his father’s actions verbally where she did not. “ I would suggest that. “

“ You may leave now. I wish to grieve and I will issue a statement expressing my grief to the lower harem. I don’t know if I will ever recover from such a horrible occurrence, “ Zarkon’s lower lip trembled and he acted like he was breaking down in tears. He covered his face and wailed: “ Why? Why? All those children! MY children! Gone! Waaaaaah! “

Sarah turned to walk away, rolling her eyes. ~Oh please. You didn’t give a damn about any of them. ~

**

Nigel tore his eyes away from the monitor screen, a loud banging at the cruiser door startling him slightly. “ Who in the blood hell could that be? “ He growled. He was very angry because a psychotic robot had blasted all but one of his fly-cameras. A very familiar looking woman with blue hair had passed by the last camera and Nigel wasn’t sure why she was so familiar.

“ Hello in there! I need to talk to yooooou! “ A woman called through the door.

“ Go away! “ Nigel yelled, looking back at the monitor. “ I told you two I am not moving my cruiser! This isn’t private property! Haven’t you ever heard of Squatter’s Rights? “

“ You won’t have a cruiser if you don’t open this door! “ The woman said.

Nigel heard someone else growl, “ Let me try, mom. If he doesn’t listen to me, let Ryo-ohki smash him! “

Nigel stood to his feet and headed to the door, but stopped as a woman with mint green hair and cat like eyes poked her head through the door. A slow smile crossed his lips, “ Well, if it isn’t Ryoko, the most wanted space pirate in the Milky Way. “

“ Look, I know who I am but I don’t know who you are and I don’t much care. I just wanted to warn you that my spaceship is going to land here in a little bit and you had better move if you want to live. “

Nigel put his hands up, “ You said that a few days ago. “

“ So? Mom’s calculations were a little off. Besides that, my ship couldn’t have gotten here because of all those cruisers full of men leaving. Ryo-ohki knows better than to fly into a formation like that! “

“ Look! I told you that I am not moving… “ Nigel’s voice trailed off as he heard the maniacal laughter of the robot again. “ No! Bugger! “

Ryoko and Washu looked at each other, wondering what the man’s problem was. “ What’s wrong with him? “ Washu looked up at Ryoko.

“ I don’t… “ Ryoko looked towards the dark skies. “ I think it would be a good idea if we moved and do it quickly. “

Washu looked up too. Some distance away, she could see an object entering the stratosphere. A glint of red told her what it was. “ I say that is a good idea. Let’s go. “

Ryoko grabbed Washu by her suit coat and levitated them both into the air as Ryo-ohki came closer and closing in fast. “ MeeeeeeooooooooW! “ She screamed, shooting across the sky before coming to a halt just above Nigel’s cruiser.

“ What the bloody hell? “ Nigel came to the door and looked above as Ryo-ohki came to a feather soft landing, her landing gear missing the cruiser totally. The belly of the ship pressed in on the top of the cruiser, the noise of metal against metal making his gut twist.

“ Beam us up Ryo-ohki! “ Ryoko commanded.

“ Meeeow! “ Ryo-ohki responded, sending out a shaft of red light.

Nigel watched as Ryoko and Washu were beamed aboard the ship. With another caterwaul, the ship took off and vanished quickly from sight. As if in a trance, Nigel shut the door and retreated into the cruiser, wondering if he needed a vacation.

**

Lotor grabbed a vase and pitched it against the wall, not satisfied with the shattering noise it made. He picked up a wine glass and threw that into the wall as well. He growled and sat down in his favorite chair. A moment later, he was stomping across the floor, looking for something else to break.

Things were getting out of hand and he was going to put a stop to it. Three of his women were pregnant with the children of other men. Four if he counted the girl Cale had dropped of to be in his care but he was just keeping an eye on her. She didn’t REALLY need to be under his care anymore; Cale was getting married to someone else and the whole reason he had dropped Maeve off was to refine her a bit to be his wife or that was the impression he got anyway.

Not only that, the lower harem was pregnant. His buffoon of a father had gotten almost everyone of the women pregnant when he had two Mr. Happys. He knew his father would sooner die than to support the brats but he had told the women they could become scribes if they bore him a son. He went to his wine cabinet and pulled out a bottle, looking for his glass.

“ Godsdamn it! “ He growled, remembering he had broke it. He ripped the cork out and took a drink right from the bottle. He didn’t normally do that but he needed a drink and he didn’t want to waste time summoning a slave to get him a new glass. He was getting a headache too and probably would have to send for Sarah for some medicine.

He took another drink, trying to think what he could do. He could always kick the two new Scribes out; he had never touched either of them so he had no attachment to them yet. After that, he would ban them from Doom for life and have them shot if they ever set foot on the planet again.

A knock at the door distracted him. “ What? I am busy! “ He yelled.

“ It’s Sarah. I need to speak to you, Lotor. It is very important. “

Lotor flung the door open, making Sarah gasp at the sight of him. His hair was a mess because he had run his hands through it so many times. He wore no shirt because he had gotten too hot with all of his pacing back and forth. His wild eyes told her he was VERY angry.

“ What? “ He snarled. “ Is ANOTHER one of my women pregnant? “

Sarah shook her head, “ No. It’s about the lower harem, actually. “

“ What about them? Has my father refused to support his children? No surprise there… “ Lotor muttered.

“ Your father won’t be having any children coming from there, Lotor, “ Sarah said, her voice loud but firm. “ All of the women had miscarriages today. “

The wine bottle slipped from Lotor’s hand, landing on the floor with a soft thud but not turning over. “ ALL of them? “

Sarah nodded, “ I know I should not meddle in his affairs but I had to tell someone. Those ditzes think it was an accident but I know he did it on purpose. He even issued a statement to tell them how grief stricken he was. It was a load of robeast dung; I know he planned it. “

“ But how did it happen? “ Lotor leaned against the doorway.

“ He supposedly ordered some herbal tea so the women could still have tea. I had a sample analyzed and it turned out to be made up of several plants that have been known to cause miscarriage. “

Lotor snorted, “ Sounds like something Hager would do. My father is too much of an idiot to think up something like that on his own. “

“ I thought that too. I just wanted to let you know, “ Sarah sighed.

“ Well, it’s happened and there’s nothing we can do about it now. Make sure those wenches get GOOD shots so this doesn’t happen again, “ Lotor said, leaning over and picking up the wine. “ Sarah? “

“ Yes? “

“ Do you have some headache medicine on you? I am getting one from all this mess going on with the Scribes, “ Lotor put a hand to his forehead as if to prove his point.

Sarah reached into her lab coat and pulled out a couple of packets of pills. She handed them to him; “ I figured someone would need these today. Here. “

“ Thank you, “ Lotor took both packets and ripped them open. He threw the pills into his mouth and washed them down with some wine.

Sarah arched an eyebrow, “ What have I told you about doing that? “

“ I have done it before and it hasn’t killed me yet, “ He snapped.

Sarah took a step back, “ I was just reminding you. “

“ I don’t need to be reminded, “ Lotor grumbled.

“ Have you at least TALKED to Bekka and Aly yet? “ Sarah leaned against the doorframe. She had advised him to speak with them both as soon as possible.

Lotor took another drink, “ Just Aly. She cried like no tomorrow. “

“ Did you yell? “ Sarah looked down at the floor.

“ Of course I did. She yelled at me first, telling me I was too harsh and I was being unfair. She’s hardheaded… “

“ That she is but she wouldn’t even be alive if she wasn’t. The girl had to survive somehow, “ Sarah reminded him gently.

Lotor growled, “ But I still think that was irresponsible of her not to warn you. This could have been avoided. “

“ I know. When do you plan to talk to Bekka? “ Sarah changed the subject. She could tell he didn’t really want to talk about Aly.

“ Soon. I heard she’s staying in her room mostly. Gina thinks she’s really afraid of me now. I don’t understand, Sarah. When that girl first came here, she wanted me; I could tell. “

“ Could you? “ Sarah smirked.

“ Yes, I could. Then, next thing I know she’s all over Tim. Do you know what happened there? “ Lotor looked at Sarah, hoping she could provide him with some insight.

Sarah sighed, “ I guess she fell head over feet for him because he was the first man who had ever been interested in HER. From what I know about her, she has always hooked up with loser who used her. I assume she is used to having to do all the giving and the man doing all of the taking. From what I have seen, she hasn’t had to give Tim a single thing, except for herself. “

“ Hmmm. I will have to talk to her about that. I wonder if she even knows what real love is? “

“ I doubt it but that’s just my opinion, “ Sarah shook her head.

Lotor took another drink, “ I will have to talk to her in the next few days then. She has a lot to learn still, “ He smirked, “ And I still have to see her whip collection. “

“ Does she know? “ Sarah asked firmly.

“ Hector told her why I put that ad in that dingy little hellhole. Her talents were being wasted, “ Lotor nodded. A slow smile crossed his lips, “ He says she’s pretty good. “

Sarah put her hand up, “ Spare me the details of what you discuss with the DungeonMaster. I am sure he gave you a very vivid description of their encounter; something I wish NOT to hear. “

Lotor cocked his head to the side, “ Sarah? Is there something I need to know? “

“ Like what? “

“ Why you treat Bekka so special? “ Lotor prodded.

Sarah chewed her lip. “ She was in the hospital so much and I have seen her in so many bad situations since she came here, I guess she’s kind of grown on me. She really is a sweet young woman. “

Lotor nodded, “ Ma said that too. Bekka’s almost adopted Ma as her surrogate mother… “

“ Cut her some slack, “ Sarah sighed. “ She was taken away from hers at a young age and she needs to fill that space. Didn’t you miss… “

“ Sarah, you are stepping out of line, “ Lotor locked eyes with her, his gaze telling her to be quiet. “ Your department is taking care of the bodies around here. If we needed a psychiatrist, I would hire one. “

“ Pardon me, sire. I guess I got too comfortable speaking to you like this. I won’t forget my place again, “ A little bit of sarcasm was evident in her voice. Sarah played psychiatrist more than he realized, especially in Bekka’s case.

**

Bekka went to leave her room but stopped when she kicked a long box that sat in front of the door. ~ I wonder what that old witch is trying to do this time? ~ She thought, picking it up. She opened the small card on the front of the box and caught her breath.

“ Dearest Bekka, “ She read out loud. “ I know our time together was short but I had to leave. You see, Hawk’s Eye and Fish’s Eye were with me all along and they took care of the imposter Zarconia. They came to get me but you had been kidnapped. Miss Washu tracked you down and told me you were still alive so I left you a present I had started making for you after we first met. Maybe Helios will let me come visit you again some day. May this gift remind you of our brief time together. Hugs and kisses, Tiger’s Eye. “

Bekka’s fingers trembled as she lifted the lid from the box. “ Oh my gods! He didn’t! “ She gasped, looking at a brand new pocket sized whip. Another note was in the box; Bekka opened it and smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek.

The note said: “ I made this by hand just for you since your old one is looking a little worn. Tiger’s Eye. “