They arrived on Doom fairly smoothly, getting through all the bureacratic red tape involved in getting docked and registered. The "inspectors" were checking out their cargo. Keith was pretty sure half of it would be "appropriated" somewhere or other. It didn't really matter.
Kate was cool, not a nervous bone in her body. To Keith's suprise, she was quiet.
....she knows when to be quiet, evidently...good.Keith thought, impressed.
Towards dusk, they approached the tavern where their secret contact was. They walked in nonchalantly, both chatting as if they were husband and wife. Kate really got into the part by kissing him briefly as they came in the door. He gave her a look and she simply smiled that "who me?" smile and proceeded in.
There weren't too many patrons at this hour, which was suprising. Usually there would be more people - people coming in from work, but Keith thought it was better that there wern't today.
They walked over to the bar where Keith recognized the barkeep from his description. The barkeep looked haggard and tired, but he looked at them and said, "Whatdya have?"
Keith replied, "Two Arusian Flamethrowers with a twist." The barkeep quirked an eyebrow. This was the code word for recognition.
The barkeep said, "Sorry, mister, we're all out...how about some Tyrusian c'aalubr'aande? (a type of brandy).
Keith knew this meant that the barkeep would talk to them in private, and said, "Yeah, sure..and uh-you got a private room? My wife and I.."
The barkeep nodded. "Yeah, we got one, over here. Lemme get the key."
The barkeep went to get the key, thinking that he would remember their faces the rest of his life. He didn't have any choice-Commander S'aaul had his girl, A'nnaah, who was only twelve. If he didn't help trap these Arusian spies, she would be sold as a pleasure slave. She was all he had since his wife D'arria died and he had promised on her deathbed he would take care of their only daughter.....Gods help us...and forgive me.he thought. He got the key and came back out.
He gestured at the two and said, "C'mon." They went to the door at the back of the bar where the barkeep unlocked the door and escorted them in. The door closed behind them.
Keith said softly. "C'aaryl...is it safe?"
The barkeep nodded. "Yeah, you here about your guys?"
Keith nodded. "Yes, we lost communications-we need to know what is going on."
The barkeep said sadly, "Oh, you'll find that out, soon enough, sir..."
Suddenly, Doom guards came out of thin air around them. Keith thought, ..holoimagers! they were hiding behind holoimagers!
As the guards were coming at them, Kate and Keith put up a good fight, but were overwhelmed. There were just too many. The guards had bound their hands behind them, when they parted for someone. He was a massively handsome Drule with a chisled chin and muscular physique. It was Commander Jarius S'aaul Tianus-Zarkon's new second-in-command.
He looked his two capitives over and said, "Well, C'aaryl, you've done a good job here...trapping our little birds."
The barkeep looked relieved and said, "Then my daughter...."
S'aaul smiled and said, "She has already been sold as a pleasure slave..T'was done in my absence. I truly - regret - that." S'aaul brushed off his uniform front absently. It was clear that he cared little about the problem.
C'aaryl lunged towards S'aaul and shouted, "Nooo!!! You promised!"
The guards easily stopped him.
S'aaul said coldly, "I promised you nothing! She is being sold because you dared to work for our enemy! And now, you will be summarily executed. Take him away. You know the proceedure..."
The guards started dragging the barkeep C'aaryl away. As they did, he cried, "You bastard! One day you will pay for everything! Doom will fall!." then he added, "Guys, I'm sorry...." Keith nodded back, understanding. Kate looked at the barkeep and said a silent prayer for the barkeep and his daughter.
The door closed and S'aaul said, "How pathetic." Then he turned to survey his captives. He walked around Keith and said, "I believe I know who you are..."
Keith said nothing. S'aaul looked Keith full in the face and said, "You are Commander Keith Akira of Voltron Force."
Keith tried to look innocent, but S'aaul smiled grimly and said, "Oh, please, Akira..don't deny it. I have a very good memory for faces. I've studied yours before. Even under all that dirt and muck, your face is recognizable. Welcome back....we have a room waiting for you! Oh, and by the way, your spies? I regret to inform you that they are all now deceased..they died rather badly I'm afraid..."
Keith had suspected as much and he knew that the same fate awaited him. It was Kate he feared for now.
S'aaul turned away from Keith and turned his attention onto Kate. He smiled broadly, "Well, as the Terrans say...what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this....hmm?"
Kate just stood, chin held high and said nothing.
S'aaul walked around her and looked her up and down. Then he stopped and looked at her face. He took his hand and swept her hair back and saw her pointed ears. S'aaul took his hand and caressed her cheek lightly. Kate jerked her head away and gave him an angry look, her eyes blazing like emeralds.
To her surprise, S'aaul laughed! "It is just as I thought! Those eyes! Tell me, my dear," cupping her chip in a iron grip. "you were at the Battle of Tri'son, were you not?"
Kate thought...oh crap! it can't be!....
She said nothing.
S'aaul looked into her eyes and said, "You were, wern't you? Yes, I remember you. The bravery of a man in a form of an angel," he chuckled. "Don't you remember me, sweet? Hmm? ....Yess....you do! I can see it in those captivating eyes of yours! I almost took you, didn't I ? If it hadn't of been for your foolish friend..."
.Jake!..she thought.
Kate spat out, "You cut him to ribbons!"
S'aaul smiled. "Of course I did. He interfered in our business."
Kate snapped, "We had no business! You tried carrying me off!"
S'aaul laughed, "My dear, I was quite swept away by your beauty! It was a compliment, I assure you....one that I intend to return very soon..."
Kate thought, ....oh boy, this is not good..of all the Drules in the galaxy, we had to run into the one who tried to make off with me..Kate, how do ya do it?...
S'aaul gestured to the guards. "Take our guest,Akira to medbot room 2 down the hall from my offices within Castle Doom. Secure him but don't do anything to him-yet. I want to interrogate him - personally - after this lovely lady and I have become....reaquainted."
"Good bye, Akira....I will see you soon." As they were taking Keith out, he yelled, "Wait! What are you going to do with her?!"
S'aaul turned towards Kate, smiled and turned back to Keith. "Oh, I'm not going to harm her, if that's what you think, Akira. No, we're going to go over old times-namely the Battle of Tri'son. I think we shall pick up where we left off-so to speak. It will quite a pleasant little reunion-Go!! Take him out!"
The guards took Keith and left, leaving S'aaul and Kate alone. S'aaul put his arm around Kate's waist and said, " I believe fate has brought us together again - obviously we are meant for each other. Now, my lovely Garrison spy," he said, taking her arm, "we shall have a pleasant evening together, hmm? I suggest you cooperate with me-for your friend Arika's sake. Perhaps I will be lenient on him depending on how "persuavsive" you can be. "
And so, Commander S'aaul led his captive out the door and into the dusk of a Doom evening.
