They arrived in their lions at the same time as an Olkari vessel.
They waited for permission from ground control to land after the Olkaries were granted permission. It seemed the Jermites were at least trying to make amends by giving the other race priority.
"This bodes well," Allura said as they waited, "all we have to do is get a feel for what's going on and we can mediate once we have a grasp as to what each side is after."
"What if-"
"Hunk," Lance cut in, "That phrase is used after you have information."
"Got it," Hunk sighed.
"Voltron has permission to land," came a thin voice over their lions coms, "Platform 23."
"Roger," Keith replied, "and thank you."
There was no reply back, but they headed down into the atmosphere anyway.
()
The Jermite planet was one large mechanics dream scape. To the very core of the planet there were tubes and wires. Their social structure based on how close to the surface you were allowed to live.
Memorizing the blasted maps had made all three paladins cry for mercy.
"B1-excuse me, B2A5 and trainees, welcome," Telliksha, leader of the Jermites greeted them. She was slightly out of breath after having just welcomed the Olkari travelers on the other pad.
"I'm not the improtatnt one here," Lance said raising his hands, "That would be these two."
He stepped aside and let Allura and Hunk take over.
"A pleasure," Allura said giving a respectable salute. The Jermites didn't like touching, so hand shakes were out of the question.
"Indeed," Telliksha returned the salute, "If you will follow me, I shall lead you to your rooms where the four of you will be staying. B2A5, I assume you remember what areas are off limits and where you may go?"
"Of course," Lance gave an innocent smile.
She handed them off to another officer and told them to rest until the meeting.
They went to their room, strategically given their own rooms. Lance had prepared them for this. The splitting them up was a tactic to keep them from conversing quietly amongst themselves since it was against the law to have their room bugged.
That didn't stop each one from checking their rooms for bugs anyway.
When they were sure they were in the clear, they each signed into a secure net work in their paladin armor.
"Are you sure no one can highjack these waves?" Lance asked for the millionth time.
"Unless they have inside knowledge about Altean alchemy that even I don't know about, I highly doubt it," Allura reassured him, "My question is how they plan on getting this meeting started. I would like to speak to each group separately-"
"Then you need to say that first," Lance said, "Don't give them a chance to set parameters first. You need to be the ones to do that."
"Roger," they both said.
"As for Keith and I, we'll keep you updated throughout the day."
"You mean I will," Keith said, not sounding too pleased.
"Practice makes perfect, and you all wanted to do this now," they could hear the grin in Lances voice.
"Full code?"
"Full code."
There was a collective sigh and a chuckle from Lance.
()
The next morning Allura and Hunk were taken to the meeting house.
It was a tall metal building and they were taken to the very top. The room was rectangular in shape with private rooms branching off the one side and windows facing the other.
Ryner sat at one end and looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"Please, have a seat-"
"First," Allura raised a hand, "Before we begin I would like to speak to each party alone to get a feel for what you hope to get out of this meeting. I feel it would be best if you not only got to know us, but that we get to know you so we can mediate to the best of out abilities."
"Of course," Telliksha nodded and saluted to Ryner, "would you like to speak with them first?"
"We will relent to protocol," Ryner stood and saluted back, "we shall go first."
They entered a side room and hunk, after closing the door, did a sweep of the room. Allura waited and Ryner as well.
"Clear," Hunk nodded and took a seat.
The room was small, by comparison to the large meeting room, but it had a small circular table and a few comfy chairs.
"It is so good to see you again," Ryner smiled, "And I'm especially grateful they agreed to your mediation."
"What seems to be the problem?" Allura asked.
"They demand much, but give so very little," Ryner replied, "Working with them is like…like pulling a tap root with your bare hands! I can't quite explain it! They want to learn our ways with technology, but are incapable of truly understanding it."
"What is it you want in return?"
"We want a seat on the council," Ryner replied, "or we wanted them to join our coalition. We also asked that they share some of their medicines with us, but they hoard those even closer than their technologies!"
"And they specifically asked of you?"
"They wanted to know how we worked Technologies with our minds and with plants. They wanted us to teach them everything about our cubes and our crystal tech and especially about the teledove."
Allura was a professional, but Hunk Scowled.
"Why would they-"
"Hunk, we are working," Allura said with a smile, "keep questions professional."
In other words 'wait until we're done questioning both sides'.
They talked with Ryner for a little while longer and then left the room to enter the one next door.
"What seems to be the problem?" Allura asked again, giving the Jermites a chance to explain their side.
"The problem is that they are disrespectful of our culture," Telliksha sighed, "I admit we're backed into a corner. With the war on top of our other problems…"
"What other problems?"
"Our planet, as you can see, has no other life on it that isn't artificial. The Hargros help us so much in this area, they truly are indispensable, but there's so much more we could do if we could be more like the Olkaries."
It sounded like old fashioned jealousy to Hunk, but he let Allura take it.
"but to gain their knowledge, you must be willing to part with something," Allura replied softly, "What are you willing to trade that the Olkaries don't already have?"
Telliksha was silent for a long time. They already knew what they had to give, but they didn't want to give it up.
"Take your time," Allura said kindly, "But I want you to consider if the situation were reversed."
"The situation has been reversed," Telliksha said a little more sharply, "How many times have we saved the humans and the Hargros without asking anything more in return? And since the Olkaries are part of YOUR separate alliance, should they not cover your debts as well?"
Allura shook her head.
"You are making this deal with the Olkaries by yourselves," Hunk said, "Ryner and her people are more than happy to share their knowledge, but you need to-"
"Do not," Telliksha said, her voice getting dangerously quiet, "tell ME to be 'open' and 'teachable'. They insult us by insinuating that we are not intellectuals, those backword, closeminded-"
"That is enough," allura raised a hand, "insults are not permitted. What you perceive as insults are merely instructions in how the technology works. It is the answer you asked for. They've already given it to you."
The Jermite bristled, "You dare…oh, I see, you are protecting your friends."
"Of course not," Allura said calmly, thought Hunk knew she'd been insulted, "I recorded my conversation with the Ryner of the Olkaries. We could have a third person you approve of listen to it and determine if we are being parcial."
"We will do just that," Telliksha snapped.
()
"We played into their hands," hunk said as he walked into Alluras room. They were trained to sweep it every time they entered and he had to wait to make the comment.
"They do know how to manipulate the situation," she sighed, "but this could also be to our advantage."
"Their party is going to be anything but impartial," Hunk said.
"And that kind of thinking makes you partial, hunk, stop it."
"But-"
"I know," Allura waved her hand in the air, "I know. I get a bad feeling in there too. There's something they're hiding…"
()
Lance whistled as they walked down a metal bridgeway. Their feet clumping compared to the pitter of the more insect -like Jermites.
"Its been a while since I've been here," Lance said looking around, "did you guys build even more scrapers?"
"Indeed," their guide replied, "Our population increased by 2% last year alone."
"How many did you lose in the war?"
"…not enough."
Lance and Keith winced. The Jermites viewed life and death much differently than other races. They tended to look at it from a population stand point. Life as a mass rather than an individual matter.
"Oh, can I show Keith the building with the gears and whirly gigs?"
The Jermite stared at Lance, completely nonplused.
"The one I went to last time," Lance waved his hands, "you guys said it was a conduit thingy, and I said it look like heavily decorated back yard and then-"
"Ah, yes," the Jermite nodded, "I remember. This way."
They entered a platform that lowered them two levels. They traversed many bridges and platforms before entering a dimly lit building.
"Yes, this is a central conduit that leads to-"
"TAG!" Lance slapped Ketih as hard as he could on the shoulder. Keith shouted in pain as Lance ran, giggling.
"Get BACK HERE!" Keith chased after him, "You're causing trouble for the guide!"
The Jermite looked on in puzzlement and then sighed. They had said that the B1 agent had changed, but this was ridiculous.
Keith and Lance continued to shout at each other and the Jermite listened to it, making sure they stayed in the building. So long as they stayed in the building, then everything would be fine.
()
"indeed," said the third party, a Horgro that looked tired, "there was nothing biased in their conversation with the Olkaries."
"Then we can continue this conversation," Telliksha sat with a huff, "where were we? Right, we were discussing how we can settle this matter with the Olkaries. We have plenty of technological advancements to share-"
"What they requested," Allura said slowly, "was medical aid. They have all the technological advancements they could want, what they need is more chemical."
"That we haven't even shared with our closer neighbors," Telliksha snapped, "We are not sharing it with anyone. Anything else, but that."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"Then I will take your proposal to Ryner and see what she thinks."
()
Lance winced as Keith hit him hard in the arm.
They had set up a recording in the rafters of the building so that it would seem like they were there. Pidge and Hunk had recorded nearly two days worth of arguments between them over the years that they cut and pieced together for this event.
They stuck to the shadows, their foot falls not making a sound as they crossed the walkways and scaffolds.
They searched all the buildings on their list and then some only to come up with nothing suspicious.
"There's one more place I'd like to check," Lance said, "If I'm not back in 30 doboshes I want you to go back and head out."
Keith laughed, but when Lance didn't join in, he scowled, "Not funny, Lance."
"I'm serious," Lance said, his voice and face serious as well, "If you're caught getting back, ask the guy who finds you for help. Don't let them know you know the layout of this building. Make up a convincing story and then ask them for help."
"And what about you?"
"I'll make my own way," Lance said, "I have more experience in this area and I know how to get out of sticky situations. But I need to make sure that Alluras and Hunks missions aren't messed with. Everyone knows I'm a trouble maker, but if we can put out that all of you are clean and such, then it will make everything so much easier."
"I don't like this."
"Neither do I, to be honest, but if we each do our parts, everything should fit together like a puzzle. And that, that is so satisfying," Lance grinned.
Keith sighed and nodded. He understood and also felt satisfied when a plan came together in the end.
"If you're in a lot of trouble, then figure out a way to get us," Keith said, "no matter what. Mission be damned."
Lance raised an eyebrow, "That's not very professional of you."
"Damn it, Lance!"
"Ok, ok," Lance raised his hands to quite the black paladin, "I'll do what I can. But trust me, ok?"
Keith nodded and sat back to wait the allotted 30 doboshes.