Keith did not like this turn of events.

Sure, it meant that he was still alive. Obviously that was a plus, but at what cost? He looked at the purple-skinned alien in front of him, definitely not happy.

Lotor had been compliant, he'd let Keith handcuff him at least. It had all been too easy. The castle flew down to pick both of them up, he'd escorted Lotor up the bridge, and now Lotor was sitting calmly in a chair while the Keith and the paladins stood around him glowering.

Lotor winked at Lance, who responded with a grimace and by moving his weight from one foot to the other nervously.

No, Keith did not like this turn of events at all.

Lotor sighed and looked up at the people surrounding him. "Let me explain."

"I've heard enough." Keith hadn't meant to blurt it out, but he was angry.

Shiro sighed, trying to take control of the situation. "Keith! Let him talk."

"No! I mean...he's attacked us-hurt people-we've been hunting him for months...he's up to something." Keith finished lamely.

Shiro was clearly not happy. "Keith. He might be our chance to change the tides of this war, we need to hear him out."

Allura chimed in. "Shiro's right, there's no harm in just letting him speak to us, if we don't like what he says then we can figure something else out."

The other paladins were silent. Keith looked at Lance, not sure what he was hoping for, but Lance was looking at the ground ignoring the conversation.

"Fine."

Keith crossed his arms. He wasn't a paladin and Shiro didn't have much reason anymore to take his opinion to heart. Maybe I shouldn't even be here.

Lotor continued seamlessly, as though Keith had never interrupted him in the first place. "I know that there've been some difficult times between us, but I'm hopeful we can put those in the past. I know I can provide you with a wealth of information on my father and on the empire."

Keith didn't say anything, but he was glowering at Lotor. As though he knows anything that Pidge and Hunk and Matt can't figure out.

"I'm not interested in the empire or in taking control. Nor am I fond of my father. I have little interest in him except to take my revenge on him for ordering my murder." Lotor whipped his head so that his hair flipped out of his face. It was his only option at the moment since his hands were tied.

Is he kidding us with this routine. Surely everyone else can see through this act. He just wants to steal Voltron or something. Keith glanced at the others. The rest of the Paladins were listening intently. Even Lance was paying more attention than usual, although he was still pointedly staring at the floor. The only indication he was paying attention was how silent he was.

"I want to change the way my people are viewed in the universe. My father has forced the Galra to commit heinous crimes. I want to redeem my people." Lotor looked directly at Allura as he said this, pleading with his eyes for her to understand where he was coming from.

Keith could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes. Here's the part where he says he wants nothing in return, because he's just such a good guy. Total gar-

"I only want one thing in return...Voltron."

Keith's mouth dropped open. He had not been expecting that. Everyone's faces looked surprised. Even Lance looked up from the ground

"I am not talking about today. I'm talking about after this war is over. My father has used his power to destroy the good in the universe. He's sick and evil and needs to be stopped. Voltron can stop him with my help. And in return for helping you stop my father, I want Voltron to become an ambassador to my people. Only Voltron can convince the people of the goodwill of the Galra."

Keith studied Lotor's face trying to look for clues to his real intentions. There wasn't anything there. If Lotor was lying he was doing an excellent job.

"Let me prove myself. I know a great deal about my father's plans. I know how to win this war."

The rest of the group was nodding, except for Keith. He continued to study Lotor's face.

"The Galra are not evil. We need you." Lotor looked into Keith's eyes, nearly blinding him with the sincerity of it all. "I need you."

If he was a more trusting man he might have been convinced. There was just something about Lotor that Keith couldn't trust though.

Call it instinct.