Chapter Six

Niloc couldn't help but smile as he watched the Arusian offensive on the viewscreen . They were doing nicely and were gaining ground, as Zarkon had planned. They had given the Polluxians the bare bones of a defense fleet, just enough to distract the Arusians and keep them from suspecting anything while the real battle would begin. He turned to another screen where the Castle of Lions was shown. He smirked. Danger was closer than they thought.

He stretched and wiggled his fingers, barely concealing his excitement about what was to come. Around him, his soldiers were preparing for their upcoming attack, making last minute changes. Niloc was not worried about it. As much as he hated how arrogant the thought was, there was hardly a snowball's chance in hell that the Arusians left behind could defeat them. From what they learned from Hagar's spy, there were only enough left to run the castle and for one squadron. Hardly enough to even battle with what Niloc had.

While the Lions are away, the mice will play, he reflected amusedly.

"Sir, we are ready to begin," a soldier said.

Niloc looked up leisurely. "What's the rush? We'd be there in five minutes. I'll let you know when I'm ready to go."

Lotor took a drink from his goblet. Idly, he stroked the blonde hair of the harem girl sitting at his feet. His yellow eyes gleamed in the semi-darkness, capturing the light from the viewscreen. His lips curled in a smile, though it wasn't a pleasant sight.

What's the rush? We'd be there in five minutes. I'll let you know when I'm ready to go.

Niloc had the arrogance that had been the downfall of Zarkon's other star generals. He had lasted longer than most, but there must be something in the air around the castle. Egotism reigned supreme and they became clumsy. As much as the Doom King praised his officers, they were usually replaced in a year or two. And as much as he damned his son, Lotor had survived them all.

He should open his eyes, Lotor mused. Then again, maybe not. He'd see me coming.

Keith's lips twitched upwards with satisfaction as the Doom fighter he had been following with his sensors exploded. The Lions still kept in formation, ahead of the fleet to pave the way. They cut through most of the fighters coming towards them while the squadrons behind them took care of the rest. Their plan was working perfectly. With Allura taking over most of the rearranging, they were able to recover and cut down the enemy faster. He briefly studied his scanners and saw that they had reduced the enemy fighters enough with minimum losses. It was time for phase two.

"Castle Control, how does it look?" he asked. "Are we ready?"

"Looks like from this end," Allura replied.

"Warships, ready for Phase Two," Keith said. "Release the ground troops. Squadrons, provide cover. Go one on one for this. Break formation if you have to."

The large docking bay doors of the warships opened and large all-terrain vehicles began dropping, their parachutes ballooning out above them. The Arusian fighters surrounded them and shot down any fighters coming towards them. But Keith saw that the enemy had decided to concentrate on the ATV's.

"Green and Blue Lions," he said. "Help out the ATV's."

Pidge and Calendi broke formation. Calendi decided to take the more violent approach and smashed through several fighters with Blue Lion.

"Careful!" Allura yelled. "It's not indestructible!"

"My shields are at ninety-five percent, Princess," Calendi replied. "It's under control."

"Don't do it again, Calendi," Keith said.

Before Calendi could reply, they saw an ATV explode when an enemy fighter scored a direct hit. Keith gritted his teeth.

"ATVs, start firing," Allura said.

Keith let out a relieved breath as their defense strengthened. Several of the ATV's had already landed and were firing back at the enemy fighters. There were no signs of the enemy on the ground and it was beginning to look like they were going to win. When most of the ATV's were on the ground, Red Lion sidled up to the Black.

"I think it's time for you to do your disappearing trick," Lance said. "Warship Oleru has its bay doors open."

Keith made one last sensor check and was satisfied with what he saw. The ATVs had gone ahead and the soldiers were getting out, rounding up the villagers nearby. Some were loaded in the ATVs while others went to wherever they would be safe from the fighting. They all had some place ready. From the looks of it, the Doom and Polluxian ships were scrambling to stop them, but they didn't have enough manpower to spread around.

"Go, Black Lion," Allura said.

"Green Lion, get back up here," Keith ordered. "Phase three is going to go in effect. Oleru, have the infiltration team at the docking bay. Arusian Fleet, I turn you over to Commander Branegan."

"Change of command noted," Allura said. "Remember, no radio contact with the team unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I would appreciate it if you told me the castle was going to blow up, et cetera," Keith said lightly.

"I've got you covered, Buddy," Lance said. "Good luck."

"Thanks. You, too."

When Green Lion appeared, the Black retreated into the docking bay. Bandor, and the team of five were there waiting. Keith had chosen five of the best Arusian covert ops people Allura had to offer. He had briefed them himself and was glad to note that they were up to date on all the latest gadgets. It was a small team, but it was better that way. They could sneak around easily while the fleet attacked the castle. Keith opened the hatch and they piled in. He turned to his team. The Black had been outfitted with a few extra seats just for the occassion and they were settling down.

"Strap in," he told them.

Coran watched the green dot with a yellow outline that was Black Lion reappear on the viewscreen and begin to break away from the fleet. It was not obvious in its purpose and the rest of the fleet gave nothing away. Black Lion flew as it had before, though it was pulling ahead now. Slowly but surely they were nearing the castle.

"They're almost there," Romelle murmured.

Seeing the Black separated from the pack made a few enemy fighters begin to take chase. A squadron of fighters left the fleet to go after those following Black Lion. Lance's doing no doubt. Allura was busy watching over the rest of the fleet, but now she was silent as she turned her attention to the Black...or more specifically, its pilot.

Be careful, she thought.

Suddenly, the alarms in the castle began to go off. Allura and Coran exchanged a look. She rushed to his side at the command console and paled. Coming up from the east were a swarm of enemy fighters.

"Vat iz eet?" Sven asked, fearing the worst.

"Pidge's shield better hold up," she said, shakily. "Because it looks like we've got company."