They were all seated at the conference table of Castle Control. Coran, R'issa, Prince Bandor, Sonenya, Hunk, Pidge, and Prince Lotor.
Keith, Kate and Chip were patched through via e - mitter. They were all finalizing the plans to attack Doom the following night. There had been some problems at first, mainly with Prince Bandor, who wanted to run Lotor through at first sight-and with Keith who was convinced Lotor was setting a trap for them.
To avoid bloodshed, Coran negotiated an uneasy truce between the three of them.So far it held. Lotor had given Coran(and hence the Alliance/Garrison forces)the codes to destroy the bots and terminate (temporarily) the planetary shielding. He did warn that there was the possibility that his father could have changed the codes, but it was only a possibility. Sonenya had said that she sensed that his father did not-feeling over-confident in his victory.
Coran was definitely not used to having a witch around, but he had to admit, she helped a lot. It was Sonenya who explained to Coran what was truly in the heart of Lotor and that his love for Allura was true. What had truly shocked Coran was her revelation that Allura was in love with the alien prince.
He had thought, ..Nanny will have a fit!!.... He didn't know what to think of that!
For now, he would place that problem on the back burner. Right now, they had to rescue Allura and destroy Zarkon once and for all.
It was decided that the four remaining lions escorted by Alliance and Garrison forces would go to Doom. The new holimagers installed on the lions would disguise them as sleek pleasure cruisers-the same as other guests would be arriving in. The pilots would be Pidge and Hunk in the Green and Yellow Lion respectively, Prince Bandor in the Blue Lion, and after much debate, arguement and discussion-Prince Lotor in the Black Lion. The reason being that he knew exactly where the lions could be hidden and undetected near the Castle. He knew every inch of Doom and he was the most experienced and an excellent pilot who quickly learned to fly the lead lion.
Bandor had argued that they could call Sven to fly the Black Lion but Coran had pointed out that Sven needed to stay with Romelle in case Zarkon should attempt to take the citizens of Arus from Pollux. In actuality, Coran did not want Rommelle to know of their plans too closely, for he did not trust her. He swore Sven to secrecy, although Sven at first, did not wish to do so. Coran had convinced him that it would be better for Romelle's peace of mind. Sven then agreed, for he had noticed Romelle's strange behavior ever since Allura had been taken to Doom. He wanted to spare her any anguish.
The fleet would be cloaked with the new cloaking device that had finally, after an entire year of delays, setbacks, red tape and spy problems, been finished and was successful on the numerous test runs. Prince Bandor in Blue Lion would lead the fleet, for although Prince Lotor also had the fleet experience, he would personally go into Castle Doom and rescue Allura. This Sonenya insisted upon.
Prince Bandor had the experience in leading his own royal fleet, however, his fleet was on Pollux, guarding against possible invasion by Zarkon's forces. Pidge and Hunk in the Green and Yellow Lions would assist Pidge's brother, Chip, in deactivating the planet's shields, and bots. They would also help free the numerous slaves on the planet. Fortunately, most of the slave population was centered within a 20 mile radius of Castle Doom. However, many others were scattered in work camps around the planet. It would be Green and Yellow Lion's job to hit the areas around the planet and free the slave population and any civilians. Garrison freighters would also be near to pick them up.
Chip's job was very important for he had to deactivate the bots and the shields at the same time. He did not want to give Zarkon any advance notice of their attack until it was too late. All of Zarkon's officers would be at the ball, leaving only the bots in charge. Sonenya had said that just that fact alone proved that Zarkon was over-confident in his total triumph. If he had suspected anything, he wouldn't be leaving the planet's security under control of the bots.
Coran and R'issa, of course, would be going to the ball as commanded by King Zarkon. Although Coran hated the thought of putting R'issa though danger,the invitation had named the both of them - he knew he had to take her. He didn't know how they had found out he had married. Zarkon had his ways though. They would be going via a long-range shuttle, for they did not want a Doom craft around Arus.
Prince Lotor and Sonenya would be going in the Black Lion. They would be disguised as a an officer and his wife from the other side of the planet Doom. They were careful to pick a very remote area and an authentic name. Lotor's distinct features would be altered by Baile Gorma using plaskin-basically a temporary face-lift, and Sonenya would go as herself, albeit a few changes in her hair coloring and skin tone.
Sonenya insisted upon going, even though she did not know how she would react to her old lover after all these years. She made Lotor memorize a strange word until he got the inflection right and told him to say that word to Allura before he took her from Castle Doom. When Lotor had asked what it was, she had said that it would help the spell of the claim be broken.
Keith and Kate would be "captured" by an officer by the name of B'arrin by the back enterance of the castle. Their bonds would actually be rigged to where they would loosen easily. Concealed weapons would be given to them. The slaves throughout the castle were ready with the weapons that Chip had configured. They were undetectable by Doom sensors. Although not all the slaves were armed, all were ready to throw off Zarkon's cruel yoke. At the right time, Alliance, Garrison personnel, and the slaves would all revolt, leaving the planet in chaos. Through the slave grapevine, the slaves were instructed not to harm Allura or her rescuers. During all the confusion, they would all make their escape, and Zarkon would be brought to justice-if all worked well. Sven on Pollux would monitor their communications, again careful not to let Rommelle know to much of their plans. All was in readiness-now all they had to do was let Allura know of her impending rescue.
Rise Into The Abyss:Chapter Eight