Chapter 4: Larmina Gets Her Crew
Princess Allura tweaked a holographic image with a few quick flicks of her fingers across the keyboard. To her right, Viceroy and Castle Envoy Coran stood with a formerly austere frame begotten by life's mechanical trials. Resting his hands on his alabaster cane, the royal envoy nodded his head.
The remainder of the group filtered into the room, Larmina looked anxiously around trying to recognize their faces. I don't see anyone here I know. She sighed, I should have known this was a trap – they are probably going to send me to another finishing school. Brother.
"The Crown of Arus would be best suited if we strengthen our diplomatic abilities," Allura began.
What I'd tell ya, finishing school. Larmina shifted her gaze to the right, seeing someone enter. She could not make out the silhouette from her current chair.
"With an increasing diplomatic ties, we have located an exploratory academy that best suits both the educational interests of Larmina … as well as her spirit."
Larmina's eyes widened and Allura punched in a few more keystrokes. "Field Diplomacy Academy has reopened their field studies program across five galaxies and twenty provinces. This academy gives young diplomats the opportunity to explore native planets in the Galaxy Alliance through ecology, commerce, philosophy, and field study –"
Her heart sank more stuffy programs. "The difference between this one and her previous training is that she will be responsible for most of her own tactical response if it so arises and be spending more time with the children of other diplomats. With her, we will be sending a skeletal crew for the duration of the training, and different VFM's will be joining her at different legs of the training."
Allura paused and shifted her weight, "At times, the cadets will be joining her as well as members of the Voltron Force. We are looking forward to your assistance to allow my niece the opportunity to be in the field with a reserved body guard presence. Because the Galaxy Alliance has newly been re-established with new members, we expect some of the participants will be from the Drule and Ramien Galaxies. It is important to know that everyone who is participating in this program has gone through an extensive screening process – we expect that you will work more with these individuals to protect the students than you will to protect them from each other. You will be rotated out every three weeks to assist with detail and refreshment, coinciding with the mini-breaks offered to each student at every six weeks. We appreciate your willingness to volunteer for this assignment, as it will aid in the future of Arus."
Allura briefly looked at her niece and noted her reaction before returning to the room. As she stepped next to her niece and winked, Allura outstretched her hand and passed a small microchip to her.
Larmina brushed her hand across the desk and heard Allura whisper, "No surprises, Hunk was the one who recommended it. He thought you might like it."
Larmina smiled, he's a cool cat – I know it will be good.
"Larmina," Allura turned toward her niece, "Could you come to the front to meet your team?"
Larmina nodded and stood before the room. For the first time, she noticed, everyone was wearing Arusian clothes… not uniforms. She smiled liking this idea of this much, much more. No stuffy bodyguards when she was little. Maybe they'll even let me get another bite of Carnivore Classic – we've got to go to Earth at some point! It is, after all, where the Galaxy Alliance actually is. Her heart sank again. Larmina recognized some of the faces. They were faces on dossiers files that Allura had given her two nights ago, saying that she needed Larmina to remember these new guards. Larmina had put off to go skateboarding with the guys. Way to go, Auntie. You could have at least told me what it was for, now I'm going to look like an idiot –"
Allura looked to her niece and raised an eyebrow.
Okay not going to fully blame you.
Each new team member came to the front of the room and shook hands with Larmina. After shaking hands, Allura added, "Thank you for volunteering to participate in this project. Your efforts help build the future of Arus."
After calling four more names, Allura called "Major Birkman," Lance, The Second-in-command of the Voltron Force came to the front, "will be present as a… nod to the seriousness of Lamina's protection, we take this project. He will be joining and departing the team periodically. Voltron Force Cadet Daniel Hernandez will be joining Larmina during the second leg of the trip, and Voltron Force Vince Gray will be joining the team during the third leg of the trip. Thank you for coming to this briefing, you are dismissed."
Larmina and Allura remained at the front of the briefing room.
"Aunt Allura?" Larmina hemmed and looked down at her shoes.
"Yes, Larmina?" Allura opened the conversation for Larmina to offer her opinion.
Larmina looked to the side and to her aunt, "Aren't I old enough to figure out what camp I can go to? This felt… sudden."
"Larmina, you are right. I didn't want to spring this on you, and I wanted you to get time to know your team before you go. Something," Allura paused and looked away before returning her gaze, "Has come up. I thought you showed a great amount of tact with your new team members, despite the newness of the situation. You are growing up every day, and I am glad the Galaxy Alliance has reformed to allow us this opportunity for you to stretch your wings. I know you have lived most of your life on Arus, but I want you to take a look at this microchip before you tie down your life with the lions."
Larmina plugged the microchip into her VoltComm. Her aunt's face came up on the hologram, "Larmina, I thought you might like looking at all these amazing things you'll be experiencing while on your expedition."
A series of images began to play in front of Larmina, who became completely absorbed. "Fencing on an Astroid Belt in Zero Gravity, Flying an RAF Helicopter as a Rescue Pilot, and learning to Skydive through the Arusian Pine Forest – you never let me do that!"
"Arus had to contribute something to the Field Diplomacy Academy," her aunt winked. "I thought you might like to finally give it a go." Allura took another pause, "I thought you might also like to know, there are two tracks to this program in case a year is too much. Rather than doing this all in one year with a same age group, there is another group forming because their duties are steep to do a six week excursion once a year. I have reserved you in both to let you make the decision or we can withdraw."
"I want to go, Aunt Allura."
"It's settled then. Congratulations, Larmina, I have a feeling you will have a wonderful time."
Larmina hugged her Aunt, maybe turning fifteen won't be so bad after all. Just as she finished thanking her aunt, Larmina had a nagging feeling in the back of her head. If she's sending me on this, why doesn't she seem more worried after what Keith said about her trip? Larmina brushed the thought away, adults are too serious. "Can I go get ready for the winter festival now?" She asked.
"Of course, Larmina," Allura responded, "I'll see you and Vince there." She rubbed her niece's head.