Chapter Five

Allura changed into her formal attire half an hour before they landed on Earth. It consisted of a black jumpsuit with a high collar covered completely by a light-weight dark blue cloak that covered her from shoulders to ankle, her arms coming out from two hard-to-see holes hidden by the folds of the cloak. She had her hair up in a high bun encircled with dark blue beads, not a single strand of hair loose. She had watched Nanny do her hair enough times to know how to do it properly even though she didn't exercise that skill often.

Keith turned to watch her come up behind him and smiled softly at the picture she presented. Though he was sure that lighter colors would suit her light coloring better, she was still a striking woman. Even more so because she was completely unaware of it. Or just didn't waste time thinking about it. Either way, it was appealing. So much so that he turned around quickly before she could see his expression.

"All ready?" he asked.

She wiped her palms on the sides of her thighs. "As ready as I can be. Are we cleared for landing?"

"Yes. We should reach GG in ten minutes."

Allura leaned on the back of his seat rather than sit down. She was entranced by the scenes flashing across the viewscreen. Tall silver buildings glistening in the sunlight, tiny people scrambling around in their shadows. She had seen pictures of Earth, but it didn't prepare her for the real thing. It was nothing like Old Arus' archaic buildings and wooden carts. Her father wanted to keep Arus much like a rural planet despite the technological advances that were present in the Castle of Lions and in the Lions themselves. She was used to seeing farmers and lawyers in the same place, bartering for a dozen eggs and such. The bustle of the city GG was located in was impressive to her eyes.

"This city is called Washington DC," Keith said. "It was the capital of what was once the United States of America, but now it's considered the capital of Earth since GG is located here. Everything is here. It's even expanded."

"I wish we had time to see the sights," she sighed, a wrinkle forming between her eyebrows as she thought about what she had to face below.

"We'll make the time," he said.

They lapsed into silence as they neared the landing pad. Keith landed the Black without the slightest bump and they were greeted by one of Space Marshall Graham's aides, a small Asian woman with beautiful almond eyes, but a cold smile.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing to Allura. "Commander Porterfield."

The two nodded in acknowledgement.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the aide said. "I'm Lieutenant Gayle Tezuka. I'm to escort you to your quarters. The Space Marshall will contact you there."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Allura said.

Keith had Allura's hand tucked in the crook of his elbow and they walked with Tezuka to their suite with two rooms. As her official bodyguard, Keith didn't want to be as far as another room from her. Besides, she needed him for moral support as well. Their bags had been taken out of the Lion by two porters that Keith had kept a close eye on. The porters followed them closely now.

The suite was equivalent to Allura's chambers in the castle with the addition of Keith's quarters. They made themselves at home easily though Allura eyed the elaborate arrangement of yellow flowers on the center of the coffee table in the main room with some distaste. She stepped into the room, eyes darting from left to right as if a Doom soldier would jump out of the walls. Keith thanked Tezuka and the porters as they left. He looked around the room as he stood at the landing.

It was welcoming enough, decorated with a cheerful creme color. The beige carpet was plush and Keith's feet sank in it when he stepped down from the marble landing. The suite did have a touch of elegance in the form of a couch and armchairs with oak frames and a matching oak coffee table and side tables. There were no windows for the sake of security, but there was a floor-to-ceiling viewscreen that flashed pictures of landscapes all over the world for their viewing pleasure.

Allura stopped her walk around the room to stand in front of a painting of what looked like lily pads, but she couldn't be sure. Keith went to stand next to her, hands in his pockets.

"That's Nympheas by Claude Monet," he said. "Well, a copy anyway." He squinted at it. "Not a good one either."

"If that's not good, I want to see the real thing," she said.

With one movement, she swept the cloak off and collapsed onto the couch. She grimaced slightly as the hard pillows connected with her back, but didn't move. Keith raised a dark eyebrow as he regarded her.

"Don't get too comfortable," he warned. "Space Marshall Graham is going to call at any second and it won't do if he sees you lounging with your feet up on the table."

She sighed and stood, replacing the cloak. She picked up her suitcases which were still near the landing and deposited them in her room. Keith had already taken care of his and tried to take hers from her, but she refused to give them. She began to pace before the large viewscreen, Keith watching her from the couch. Suddenly, there was a beep and the landscape on the viewscreen was replaced with a smaller view of Space Marshall Graham's gray-haired head.

"Princess Allura, Commander Porterfield," he greeted. "Welcome to Galaxy Garrison. I'm sorry I wasn't there to personally greet you, but I had some matters I had to take care of."

"Lieutenant Tezuka was quite helpful," Allura said coolly. "The suite is beautiful. Thank you."

"I'm glad it's to your liking. If you aren't too tired, I would like to invite you to have dinner with me tonight before we start our talks tomorrow."

"If you don't mind, Sir," Allura said with a slight smile. "The Commander and I would prefer to rest in tonight. But I thank you for the invitation."

He nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness. The talks are scheduled to begin at oh-nine-hundred at the main conference hall. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."

"I won't," Allura assured him.

"Until tomorrow, then," he said.

"Until tomorrow," she repeated.

He nodded once at Keith and then the view changed back to the landscape. Allura looked at her friend, who had come to stand next to her.

"That wasn't too bad," she said.

"Don't let your guard down. He can be ruthless when it's called for."

"So can I."

He looked at her, at the delicate features he knew that hid a mouth that cut like a knife and a will made out of steel. But that also hid a sensitive soul and he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to stand up to the seasoned heads of GG. He only nodded.

"I need to get out of these clothes,"

Allura went to her chambers and took her cloak off. She changed into a pair of baggy blue pants and a white long-sleeved shirt, the kind of outfit she used to wear when she was underground. She went back to the living room and found Keith had also changed into civilian clothes; a pair of army green cargo pants and a plain black t-shirt. He was sitting on the couch, his portable computer open and on his lap. He was studying whatever was on the screen intently.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"We have to go over the profiles of the officers you're going to be speaking in front of tomorrow," he said. "It'll prepare you better."

She sat down next to him and he linked his computer to the larger screen. He began to read Space Marshall Graham's bio and Allura sat straight up, soaking in as much information as she could. Keith tried not to sound monotonous, but as time went on, he was beginning to bore himself. It wasn't until Allura's head dropped on his shoulder did he realize that he wasn't the only one bored. They had gone through a good part of the officers already and he was sure she was with him about two officers ago because he had checked. With a small smile, he gently moved her so she was lying down on the couch. He went to his room and got a blanket to cover her with. He planned to wake her up after an hour because they still had some work to do.

Keith retreated to his room and closed the door. He sat at the communication's unit and requested a line to Arus. Lance answered, looking exhausted and a little abused.

"Coran's working me like a dog," he complained. "Come back, Keith!"

Keith chuckled. "Take it like a man, Lance. I'll be back in a week at the earliest. How's the temp doing?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I thought you'd like her."

Lance gave him a look. "Where's Her Majesty, Princess of Love?"

"Knocked out. I just wanted to check on things. At the first sign of trouble, call me. Even if we're in the assembly."

"You got it, Commander Porterfield."

"Take is easy."

"You most of all."

Keith cut the link and stood. He went back out and found Allura awake and running through the officers that she had missed by falling asleep. She looked disapprovingly at him.

"Don't ever let me sleep again," she said. "Time is of the essence."

"If you say so. I'm just afraid of what you'll be like in the morning."

She let out a snort and went back to reading. He took his seat next to her and they began again.