The wall panel showed the docking arm had latched, and the depressurization process had begun. Shiro stood beside Kimi, joined by four in Guild gray. He listened as she concluded briefing her people of the situation, absently running his hand through his hair to swipe his forelock out of his eyes. His undercut had really grown out. Kimi's whisper at his shoulder caught his attention.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yeah," he admitted and stopped fussing with his hair.
"You oughtn't be. You are among friends, about to reunite with friends."
"I'm about to face a few answers to questions, that maybe I don't want to know the answers to."
"Whatever answers your questions uncover, whatever choices open up for you, does not change that you are among friends, Shiro," her eyes sought his, and her quirky grin deepened to a warm smile.
"Thank you, friend," Shiro smiled back.
The last air-lock door opened, revealing Allura's voice shrilly exclaiming she would not rethink her decision to visit this city.
"It's actually a really good suggestion to stay away from the Post that I highly recommend," Shiro announced as he stepped through the door, Kimi close on his heels, before it was completely open, pushing those just inside the arm backwards. The four in guild robes stood guard just outside the exit.
The docking arm created a long hall connecting the ship to the Post. Rather narrow, the width could comfortably accommodate two males of Hunk's girth, three if they were good friends. Shiro recognized Kolivan easily enough, but was soon overcome with shock when he recognized his own twin standing among his wide-eyed friends, "Ryo?"
Excitement and cries of his name answered him just before Pidge slammed into him and wrapped her arms around his chest. Shiro draped his arms around her young shoulders, saying, "I've missed you, too, Pidge."
Pidge whispered, "We've been searching for you!"
"I know, that's why I'm here," Shiro gave his young friend a squeeze, "So you don't have to cross another hell just to find me." His vision blurred as his twin approached.
"Enough squirt! Let me at my twin," Ryo said hoarsely.
Pidge let go of Shiro as Ryo grabbed his other side. Shiro and his twin clutched each other as though one could absorb the other. When he tried to laugh, a choked sob escaped, instead. He blinked and wetness escaped his eyes. Shiro hugged his twin tighter.
Ryo patted his shoulder, "You okay, bro?"
"I was not expecting you," Shiro whispered, "What are you doing here? Did they go all the way back to earth?"
"Just about. I heard you came back, with an arm upgrade, but you left without a word, and that's just not you, so I had to come find out what was going on with my twin."
Kimi slipped past Shiro, and his line of friends, straight to Kolivan, who was standing with the Alteans. Kolivan was informing them the approaching Aelghwe'an was one of his contacts among the Guild.
"You came out to find me? How? No, don't tell me. You smelled adventure and found a way," Shiro chuckled.
"Bro, it's great to see you," Ryo exclaimed, then whispered, "Who's the hot chick?"
"It's good to see you, too," Shiro gave his twin's back a hearty clap, and grabbed Keith close, next.
"Princess Allura," Kimi inclined her head respectfully, "and Coran of the lion ship, thank you for honoring our request, and meeting with us. My name is Kimi, I'm an Ambassador, charged with Shiro, and now you. I'm certain the purpose for our request to meet with you is clearer."
"Yes, I ... see," Allura frowned, and demanded, "How is it you have my black paladin?"
Shiro greeted Lance, and Hunk, keeping an eye and ear open to the other exchange occurring in the narrow space.
Kimi gave her a curt nod, answering, "We can speak of that momentarily," then turned her attention to Kolivan, "Kolivan, my friend," she held out her hands to momentarily grasp Kolivan's in greeting, "Thank you for honoring our request, and seeing them safely here. I'm afraid I've more to ask of you before we part ways."
Kolivan answered, "Kimi, it is good to see you, again. What can I assist you with?"
"Information. Two items. First, we've been hearing many rumors and we'd like to coordinate those data with your findings."
"We do have much to discuss and coordinate. Secondly?"
As they realized Kolivan was about to leave them, the voltron team gathered around the odd debriefing.
"Not with me, I'm afraid, as I'm occupied with this. Secondly, I've recently acquired raw data that has opened a new course for my own project, and I'd like for you and Booley to discuss any information you have on... I've a list of questions at the office."
"I will do what I can to assist you with both," Kolivan bowed to Allura, then shook hands with Shiro, and the other members of the voltron team, before slipping through the airlock and greeting the Guild members waiting for him as the door closed behind him.
"Do you have time for me now," Allura, hands on her hips asked Kimi, curtly, "Why did you send Kolivan away? Why do you have my black paladin?"
Kimi answered, "I asked Kolivan to assist my people with intelligence while he's here, and he left of his own accord. Kolivan knows he cannot accompany this next segment with you - " she was cut off by a flurry of questions from at least three sides, and stepped back from the brunt of it.
"This next segment," Coran was the first to cut in, "What do you mean next segment? What do you mean he can't be here?"
"Where are my father and brother," Pidge asked, looking between Shiro and Kimi, "Why aren't they with you? And how did you get past my diversion so fast?"
"What do your people need to discuss with Kolivan that can't be discussed in front of us," Allura demanded.
"Yeah, how did you get through Pidge's diversion," Lance asked. "The name's Lance, by the way."
Keith asked, "Who were those people you came with?"
"Don't we need to go to the Guild?"
"Whoa, guys," Shiro bellowed, putting his hands on the shoulders of Keith and Lance, the two standing closest to him. "No! You are not setting foot at the Post!"
"I'm going to try this again," Kimi muttered, then took a breath and addressed each member of her small audience with brief eye contact as she spoke, "Princess Allura, Coran, team voltron, my name is Kimi, I am to be your Ambassador, as I have been your colleague's. There is much to do, much to discuss, and little time for either.
"You will not be going to the Guild, we have other things to accomplish, so," Kimi produced a small device and memory chips, "I have brought the Guild with me. Kolivan is going to the Guild, because the Blade has rules we follow, and we have rules they follow. It makes our dealings a little clunky, yes, but we know where we stand with one another.
"Among our itinerary is gaining you access to Haven. There, you will be granted a chance to address the Council of Haven, if you like. They will hear you. I cannot make any promises that Haven will align with you as you might appreciate, or make use of. I will go over particulars with you.
"Also, in Haven, we have been harboring two humans we have come to learn are family to one of your crew. We would like to reunite them, and, if possible, task you with granting the Holt parent and offspring safe passage to their home world. Neither Haven, or the Guild has the means to do so at this time.
"As to your diversion, my cyber teams are very interested to learn your method of discovering the system you hacked. It was that you detected it in the first place, is what alerted us to your endeavor. You hacked into a system sweeping for slave ships full of children, which you obviously don't run."
Pidge's eyes widened, and she shook her head in the negative, while the rest of her team gasped and muttered with dismay.
Allura folded her arms across her chest, repeating her question, "How is it you have my black paladin?"
"I don't think she has your black paladin, princess, but that's a question for someone else to answer," Shiro challenged, causing everyone's attention to focus on him, "Hi Allura, hi Coran. Its good to see you, again, too. Great, now that's out of the way, I'd like to go see what black has to say about paladins of his choosing." Shiro slipped past Keith saying, "Maybe while I'm doing that, you could bring Ambassador Kimi aboard and discuss the information she brought?" He shook his head as he took long purposeful strides down the hall leading into the castle.
Kimi watched the humans' and alteans' reactions to their friend's departure, certain the man hadn't left her in any real danger. The youngest three sought answers to their bafflement in each other, while the eldest, the altean male frowned and sputtered to himself. Shiro's twin, and the other male near his age, were fixated on Shiro and shot furtive glances to herself and Allura.
"Shiro," Allura had twisted to look at him standing behind everyone, then she turned about the other way, watching as he stormed into her castle-ship. As he crossed the threshold, Allura said, "Bring her," then loped to catch up with his determined stride, "Shiro? Of course we're glad to see you! We've been searching for you!"
"Yeah. Here I am, and as I said, I'm glad to see you, too. I'd like to go say hi to black, now," Shiro replied amiably, as he continued to storm his way toward the bays.
"Shiro, of course you should reunite with black," Allura smiled and gave a nod. "While you're doing that, I need to know if we can trust her and I want to find out what this Haven is."
"You don't trust her," Shiro stated, then frowned.
"Why should I trust her? I don't know anything about her, and I've never heard of Haven! Kolivan said nothing of Haven," Allura demanded, "Shiro, I just met her," she touched his arm, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong is, its not that you don't trust her," Shiro abruptly stopped walking and faced Allura, "after all, she only told you who she is, what her status is, that she's here to answer your questions and give you assistance, even though you damaged part of their defenses," he screwed his eyes shut and when he opened them, Keith and the others were approaching their flank, with Kimi surrounded, and Allura was wide-eyed indignant in front of him, "okay, so you just met her, fine. Would it kill you to be cordial? Hospitable?"
"I'm not going to welcome just anyone aboard my ship," Allura leaned in, her hands fists at her sides.
Overhearing Lance quip something about parents fighting did not brighten Shiro's mood. He was gratified to see the others were following him and Allura through the ship, though, and that Kimi didn't appear to be cuffed.
"I'm with her and can vouch for her intentions. I know its been awhile, but I have to wonder, do you trust me," Shiro eyed Allura critically, "Have I given you reason to doubt me? To doubt my judgment?"
"I just met her!"
Shiro gaped at her for a moment, then resumed walking toward the lion bays, saying, "So you do doubt my judgment."
"Shiro!" Allura rushed to catch up to him, again.
"Allura, it's been what, five weeks? Six weeks since I helped you get black's bayard back," Shiro glanced at Keith behind them, "I've had some time to get to know Kimi, and Haven. I'm not going to lead an enemy to you!"
She insisted, "I do trust you!"
"You're connected to the lions, Allura! If you don't trust me, if you don't trust my judgment, how can black trust me? How can voltron trust me?"
Allura grabbed his arm, anchoring him in place, "Shiro, my people have history -"
"Your people having history is fine," Shiro retorted, and stopping mid-step to turn to face her, his eyes momentarily caught Keith's just over her shoulder, "Its that you consistently seem unwilling to set aside your history, so everyone can move forward with your father's vision of spreading peace. That's what has me concerned."
"I am willing to set aside history," Allura insisted. "Are they?"
Kimi, peering at her over Coran's and Keith's shoulders, stated, "Haven wants no quarrel with you, princess. Neither does the Guild."
Allura shot the Ambassador a narrow-eyed look over her shoulder, "And you can speak for both, can you?"
Coran and Keith glanced at her just behind and between them, and each stepped aside so Kimi was ringed by the paladins and adviser.
"Yes, well, more or less, but generally speaking, yes," Kimi answered, keeping her eyes firmly on whom she was addressing.
"How long do we have to wait to address this council," Allura snapped. "Days? Weeks? I can tell you, we certainly don't have weeks!"
Kimi reassured the young woman, "Nor have you days. I can have a meeting set up for you by the time we are within Haven's boundary. If you have the proper technology for what I'd like to have happen, it might be another hour or two after docking, people do like to have their dinner. Otherwise, the earliest session of the upcoming cycle, or tomorrow morning after breakfast, at the latest."
"You say you can gain us access to Haven," Keith asked, with a glance toward Shiro and Allura, "What do you mean, gaining us access to Haven? What is Haven?"
Kimi faced Keith, "Haven is our area of space, protected with a border I only recently learned you have encountered. In this area, we only sweep for Galra ships, which is how you were able to get through to the Post. Over the rest of Haven, we only allow passage of ships carrying one of our Ambassadors. I am here to get you through that portion of our border, and to answer any questions you might have that I am capable of answering."
Coran asked, "Do you need to be in the control room for that?"
"So long as I am on your ship, you will pass through the border. I have no need to be anywhere specific," Kimi answered Coran, "but I can be in the control room, if you like."
"Princess, how about you and Coran take Kimi and everyone up to the control room, and work on getting us through the border so we can pick up Pidge's family, and maybe meet these Haven people," Keith suggested, crossing the few steps between himself and the other man at Allura's side, "I guess Shiro and I are going to go talk with black."
Shiro's gaze lit on Kimi, and he sighed. She was calmly observing them; him, his friends, the alteans. This was not how he'd wanted the first meeting between his team and this ally to begin, but she seemed to be holding up. When her glance caught his gaze, she lifted her chin minutely, and he dipped his in response.
Allura stared at Keith a moment, then nodded, "We can do that."
"What are the rest of us going to do," Lance muttered.
"What's on those memory chips," Pidge asked.
"What data the Guild has on the Empire, their most recent confirmed activities and locations, and latest rumor reports," Kimi told the girl at her shoulder.
"That sounds like information that would be good to have access to," Keith said, "You should all look into that, and get the ship into Haven, while we're doing this."
"That's what we're going to do," Ryo said, with a nod. "So we'll go up to the control room, too, guys, and young lady." Ryo tousled Pidge's head, playfully.
Hunk groaned, "Ugh, does everything have to be about fighting the Empire?"
Lance stepped beside Kimi, "So, while they're looking at those info chips you brought, I can take you on a tour of the castle."
"No, thank you," Kimi said.
Shiro and Keith watched the larger group's departure a moment before continuing to the black lion's bay.
"See, I knew you'd make a good leader. Even Ryo listens to you," Shiro said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "So, black did bond with you."
Keith gave a start, "Yeah, I guess. Maybe. That's what we're going to find out, right?"
"Yeah, I guess we're going to find that out, and on the way, you can fill me in on what's really been going on these last few weeks."
"You want to know what's really been going on? We've been searching for you!"
Keith's account rather confirmed Shiro's suspicions, but he still felt compelled to confront the craft. Of particular interest to Shiro were Allura's reconciliation with Keith before the battle of the bayard, and then her white lion vision during the team's battle with a creature of the empire's devising. It was also interesting that they hadn't gotten a read from his suit. They'd resorted to using his DNA, which resulted in them finding Ryo, first. Then red had flown to Ryo, when black had accepted Keith.
The two men were just outside the pedestrian entry to black's bay, when Shiro asked, "And black never made any sign of wanting to find me? Even when you were at this border the first time?"
"No. Black never made any move to find you, or attract attention to us, either time we were at the border before forming voltron with Ryo," Keith's brow furrowed. "Or after."
"Well, let's find out what black wants," Shiro said, and they walked into the bay, together.
Upon reaching the control room, Coran went to his station and began to disengage the ship from the docking arm. When the ship was in motion, Kimi gave the alteans coordinates to pilot their ship toward, " - and there you will see the docking destination."
"Docking again," Allura asked, "Is there anywhere we can we land?"
"At this speed, that distance it will take about two hours," Coran muttered
"For planetary preservation purposes, we employ certain traffic protocols, and for this planet in particular, where the Holts are visiting, we only use the public transit. To be honest, we mostly use public transit within Haven."
Pidge gasped and looked up from her console, "We're picking up my brother and father, first?"
"We are going to where they are, directly, because it's nearest," Kimi gazed around the massive room, appreciatively.
Hunk suggested, "Is there someplace we might pick up some carry-out? Food to go?"
"I was hoping we might get to visit a little while, see a planet or two," Lance said.
"Kimi," Pidge called, "how do we know if we have the right technology you were talking about?"
Kimi knelt beside Pidge's console and together they learned the lion ship was not equipped with the holofield technology that would be necessary for the meeting as Kimi had hoped to plan it. She took her own personal device out of her pocket and asked for Pidge's patience.
"Telepathic technology?" Pidge watched as Kimi made the device in her hand light up, while her eyes sort of blanked, as though she were lost in thought.
"What are you doing," Hunk asked, then asked Pidge, "What's she doing? What is that?"
"She said telepathic technology," Pidge turned her head toward her friend, but kept her eyes on the aelghwe'an, "I guess she's communicating telepathically."
"What's it doing to her," Lance waved his hand in front of Kimi's face.
Kimi cocked her eyebrow, "You're charming."
"Guys, give her space," Ryo admonished.
"I'm in my space," Pidge crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat.
"Princess," Kimi abruptly stood to look at the young woman she was addressing, "I was hoping to keep you on your ship, and have you back on your way all speed, but I'm afraid I might have to prolong your stay with us."
"What do you mean," Coran asked.
"Your ship is not as equipped as I'd hoped for the meeting to occur as I'd planned," Kimi answered, "I was hoping to hologram you in virtually, but you lack the appropriate tech and need some upgrades to accommodate that. So you may have the appropriate technology and upgrades installed, or you may accompany me to a Council house capable of accommodating you, and have your meeting there. Either can take about the same amount of time."
"If it takes the same amount of time, why not do both," Lance suggested.
"You might not want the technology as a permanent fixture if you don't already have it," Kimi pointed out. "It does take up space."
Ryo asked, "Will having it allow us to gain entry to Haven at will?"
"No, but it would allow you to hail for an Ambassador," Kimi glanced around at the looks she was receiving. "We don't trust the technology on our own ships. If one of our own comes back without an Ambassador, they have to wait for one to be brought to them. There are a few areas within a few hours range of the border perimeter, which we use to hide out such waits."
"Why can't we hail for an Ambassador with the technology we have," Coran asked.
"We don't rely on radio for any purpose other than to acquire knowledge, which is largely how we've stayed hidden as we have," Kimi explained.
"Why are you wanting to keep us on our ship," Allura asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Lance asked, "Don't you want to get to know us?"
Ryo muttered, "I thought we don't have days?"
Coran asked, "Is there something you don't want us to see?"
"It's that there is so very much to go over, and so very little time," Kimi pieced together another device slipping in two of the memory chips, as she made her way toward Allura's station, then set the ensemble on the floor in front of the dais. The young altean woman watched intently as the Ambassador tapped the device and toggled through menus.
When a star-map appeared, Kimi swiped it larger, and stood, "We, as in Haven, are this area here, and we still have some outposts in these areas we use. Yes?" Kimi glanced up and saw she had attracted the entire team to her demonstration, so continued, "We know the Galra engaged you approximately here, about three weeks ago?"
She noted a nod, so continued, "Okay, most recently the empire has been most active in these areas." She toggled the menu and the idea board she and Shiro had been working on earlier popped up. "From what we can glean from the rumor trail, he's preparing something, a strike of some sort," toggling back to the map, she pointed, "either here, or here... but possibly here," Kimi stood, looked Allura in the eye, "All of those areas are well outside the range of our ships. If we, the Guild, are going to be able to assist you, we need to figure it out, now. If you, princess, are going to convince Haven the fight is yet worth pursuing, you have now to prepare."
Allura frowned, "Me?"
"Haven's been pulling back for centuries. They're close to pulling out altogether. They barely help with their own missions when the Guild runs with them, anymore. Shiro and I attended an emergency brief and vote just this morning, where Haven voted against doing anything about this," Kimi gestured at the image.
Allura exchanged concerned glances with her adviser and their assembled crew. Then they exchanged nods of silent agreement.
"Is your technology compatible with ours," Coran asked. "I'd like to see your data in larger detail, if I may?"
"We can see if it is," Kimi knelt and toggled the menus until the device powered down.
"What if that has a virus," Hunk asked, then cringed, and muttered, "I was just asking."
"Yes, please, you should check compatibility," Kimi agreed, "and whatever else you need to allay any fears you have." She lifted the device from the floor and held it out, quirking her cheek when Pidge greedily swiped it from her.
Pidge practically bounced as she began inspecting every angle, "So, how does it work?"
"If what I've heard of you is true, youngling, I shall let you loose on it and later you can tell me of all the bits I'm not utilizing properly," Kimi chuckled as the girl's eyes and smile lit the room, and shooed her off, saying, "go, do you. Impress me."
Allura sat on the edge of her dais, "Tell me everything I need to know."
"For a meeting with Haven Council, or for working with the Guild?"
"For meeting the council, first," Allura answered, absently stroking the mice as they scurried up to her shoulders.
Kimi tilted her head, "I still need to know if you want to set up with the technology for it in your ship, or if I should settle a space within Haven for you."
Lance flopped into his chair, "I vote for getting off the ship for a little while."
"Ditto," Hunk said, "Hey, do you have anything like burger shacks, or deli shops, or pizza?"
"Guys," Ryo bellowed, "were you not paying attention? We don't have time for sight-seeing."
"Either way, the meeting won't be held until after zero eight thirty of the upcoming cycle," Kimi said, "so, yes, you do have a bit of time to visit one or two planets, and be back outside Haven by this time tomorrow. However, I need to set up one or the other, now, for it to be so."
The team soon decided they would attend the meeting off location, but they also wanted the technology Kimi was speaking of, available to load onto the ship, which they would add at their own convenience. Kimi asked for their patience while she settled the accommodations.