Allura stared at her reflection in the lake. She sat on the edge of it, leaning forward so that she could look into the crystal clear waters. It was a miracle in itself for it hadn't rained on Arus for years, but with the help of a climate controller that the Boys requested, they finally were able to get the lake back. Ever since it was made, she had spent hours sitting on its banks, just thinking. If there was any time that she really needed to think, it was now. She had been busy working with Keith on their plan of action for Lotor's coming for four days straight. He would be arriving the day after next and they were now working as quickly as they could. She took a few minutes to breathe, having learned the hard way that she needed a break once and a while.

"I don't have a good feeling about this."

She looked up and shielded her eyes from the sunshine, but she knew that voice anywhere. It constantly grated on her nerves, but for once it actually sounded sincere. Lance sat down next to her, his legs stretched out in front of him. His heavy-lidded eyes did not hold a laughing gleam for once and were instead deadly serious.

"No one has a good feeling about this," she said.

"My gut is telling me this is wrong, Princess," he said as if she didn't say anything. "We can't let him in here."

She sighed. "I know, but it's what they want. For them I have to try."

"At what cost?"

"I don't know."

He stared into the blue sky overhead, raising his face to the warmth of the sun.

"You might lose what we've built here," he said quietly.

"I know," she said stiffly. "I know it all, Lance. I've turned this over and over in my head for hours now. I've thought of all the possible outcomes of our actions here and what could happen if one of you get injured. It's a no-win situation, at least from my standpoint."

Lance sighed. "I understand."

Another set of footsteps neared them.

"Are you two actually talking?" Sven asked with an amused smile. "Or did Keit force you to make peace?"

Lance stood. "I was just voicing my thoughts."

"It was a short conversation," Allura said.

Lance bowed to her and walked away. "Touche, Princess."

She stood and brushed herself off. "I suppose I should be going back in. Keith might work my men to death."

"As if you didn't."

"Yes, but they're my men."

They went to Castle Control where Keith and Coran stood in front of the holoview, a table that projected 3-D images. Presently, a 3-D image of Voltronia hovered before them. They turned to see Sven and Allura coming towards them.

"We should haf about twenty men surrounding de hall ven Lotor is dere," Sven said, resting his hands on the table. "Dere are too many places dat can be compromised. If ve only had enough time."

"We have to work with what we have," Keith said, frowning as he studied Voltronia. He pointed at a spot. "I want a guard post set up there." He pushed several buttons on the table and opened a link to Lance's communicator. "Lance, get in here."

Lance came strolling in moments later, an apple in his hand.

"What's up?"

Keith told him what he wanted done and he gave a quick nod before leaving to get it done. Allura chewed on her bottom lip as her eyes went over what they had accomplished. So far, they had four guard posts set up around the hall, as well as men patrolling the area at all times. They wanted to be sure that Lotor did not sneak into Arus to try to set up traps for them, such as another bomb. Snipers were going to be positioned in the rafters of the hall, but they would be firing tranquilizers instead of lasers. Keith did not want to risk an all out war if they killed Lotor. Zarkon was no loving father, but he would love a reason to point all his troops towards them. Allura watched the green blips on the map move back and forth. The men were following the track that Sven had showed them to ensure the most ground covered and seen possible.

"Good?" Keith asked, standing beside her.

"Excellent," she said. "Nothing is going to get by us."

"If dey try, it vill not be pretty," Sven added. "I vill go back out to help Lance if you do not need me anymore, Keit."

"Go ahead."

When Sven left, Allura turned to the commander. He gazed at her questioningly.

"When did you become boss?" she asked, crossing her arms.

His eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. He began to re-roll his flightsuit's sleeves. "I'm only helping you out, Allura. Don't turn it into a powerplay."

She glared at him, and was about to say more when Coran raised a hand to stop them from going at each others throats.

"Enough. You are both exhausted by all this and we do not need this noise."

They relaxed visibly. Allura went to sit on the chair before the main control panel. She steepled her fingers and rested her chin on them. Keith turned away from the map and rubbed his eyes. He stole a glance at the Princess and found her looking back at him. She nodded at him and he knew that was as far as she would go by way of apology. He nodded back.