The trainee stared at the plate of food before him. It had been a full day and no one was out of the healing pods yet. He planned to time his meals so he wouldn't have to eat with everyone else. However he couldn't get over the food. He knew he'd have to get used to foreign dishes, but right now, his brain was telling him that neon green and purple were NOT a color food should be.

"Its an acquired taste," Hunk said sitting across the table from him with a plate of his own, "but I did add some seasonings we picked up around the galaxy, so it shouldn't be too bad."

The kid continued to pick at it, so Hunk decided that if he wasn't going to eat, then he could answer some questions. .

"So what's your name?"

"A3-"

"Nonono," Hunk shook his head, "Your name."

"…Jackson."

"Cool," he grinned, "how old are you?"

"eleven."

Hunk froze. What was he doing at eleven years old? Could he even think that far back?

"What made you want to become an agent?" Hunk asked instead.

"Mmm," Jackson looked around. He wasn't sure how much he was able to say and how much he wasn't, but it didn't look like the senior agent, B1A5, was too concerned about classification, "I guess…they found me? I was working on a summer project and one of the teachers overseeing it asked if I wanted to take a test for an even bigger project. Said it would be easy enough. And it was. Like, super easy."

"So…you didn't know what you were getting into?" Hunk was horrified.

"I wouldn't say I didn't know completely…I kind of guessed it was a big deal and hush hush and had to do with all the weird stuff I kept seeing all the time. Strange people on the subway, walking their dog, and don't get me started on theme parks. I figured out enough on my own I didn't need someone to point it out to me. Which, it turns out, is one of the things they look for. Can you piece together what's around you without information?"

"I make a valiant effort, but most things in space make no sense," hunk said resting his chin on his hand, "basic logic has no foot hold out here."

Jackson smiled, "same when you first join up. Reason kind of takes a back seat."

"So, you're a little more prepared for this than I was."

"Not really," Jackson absentmindedly took a bite of food, "just like reason took a back seat, so did my training when the invasion took place. I'd only been working for about two weeks when everything became chaos. My job was mostly running errands. I still haven't had my basic weapons introduction."

"Bet that's been hard."

"At least I'm not the only one. Two others started with me and their training isn't much better….though they already knew how to use a gun."

"You know…"Hunk said slowly, "I'm sure if you ask Keith…or Allura…or even Lance, they'll show you the training deck where you can learn how to fight with the weapons we have here. Maybe you'll find something you like even more than a gun, ya know?"

"Iiii, don't think I should until my trainer is present," Jackson said, though it was clear he really wanted to.

"Just an idea," Hunk shrugged, "just because Lance and I use guns doesn't mean everyone has to."

()

Lance had insisted on being the one present when the prisoners came out of the pods. One by one they woke up and he'd give them a blanket, a hot drink, and let them sit for a while until Allura or Coran could come by and take them to a room so they could get cleaned up.

When the trainee tried to spend all day with him, waiting for his trainer to wake up, Lance insisted that he go else where.

"Let me talk to A3 first," Lance said, "I know you're worried, but we've got to talk before anything else, k?"

"But he doesn't like it when I'm out of sight for too long…" Jackson said, "and I'm sure he'd like to see that we're all ok right away."

Lance nodded, "true. He would. But I'm even more sure that he'd hate it if we were in the same room."

"Why?"

"Because we don't like each other very much."

"Why?"

"He didn't like the way I was trained."

"Then shouldn't he be upset with your trainer?"

"I had a follow up trainer."

"…how does that work?"

Lance grinned, "you have to be a very bad kid."

Jackson scowled. He'd been told that he'd be forced to quit if he reached the point of dissidence. So apparently there was more to this story that this older agent wasn't going to tell him.

"Go make Pidge show you around," Lance said ushering him to the door, "she knows all the little nooks and crannies of this place and she needs to get away from her computer for a while, or you can help out Coran, I'm more than sure he'd love the help of your tiny hands."

"But you'll tell me when he's up, right?"

"You'll be the first one I tell the moment I'm done talking with him, you have my word."

"…fine…"

()

When Agent A3A1 opened his eyes he didn't know quite how to handle the situation. He didn't remember how he'd gotten where he found himself. He couldn't even truly remember when he lost consciousness.

But, all things put to one side, he was not prepared to find the one agent he didn't know how to handle waiting for him with a huge crap-eating grin on his face. When Iverson had told him he'd meet up with another agent, he'd expected it to be one that was a little more…competent, not to mention trustworthy.

"Wow," B1said handing him a blanket and a cup of some steaming liquid, "look any more disgusted and I'll have to take it personally."

A3 took the cup and tried to step out of the machine he found himself in. His knees wobbled unexpectedly and B1 caught him. He sat A3 down on the steps and put the blanket around his shoulders.

"these healing pods kick you harder than morphine," B1 replied knowingly, "take your time and get the chill out of your system."

"…Where is…my trainee?"

"He should be crawling through the vents somewhere," Lance shrugged, "but I'm sure he's fine. He's had six months of training right?"

"I only had two weeks with him when the invasion took place….he did tell you about this?"

"Yes, he told us."

"Us?"

"I have permission to give Voltron whatever clearance is need to meet expectations. I am not the one in charge."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't see the need for me to assert my authority. The leadership here is sound…could be a little more solid and constant, but I think we've gotten to a stable state."

"B1…"

"Its fine, A3, trust me," Lance pointed to the drink, "hurry up. It will take you forever to get the chill out if you don't drink that. Then you can get something to eat and a shower."

"We don't have time for that."

"Yes we do."

"Earth is-"

"In a state, I know, but we are currently on the other side of the galaxy. Time may be a luxury, but its cheaper than rushed mistakes."

A3 rubbed his head. He always got a headache when talking to a B1.

"the kid is ok though?"

"He was a little roughed up, but he's fine. I'm a little worried that he doesn't know basic weapons yet or even the basics of flying a ship, but we can fix that on our way back home."

"You will do nothing," A3 growled, suddenly tense.

"I never said 'me', I said 'we'," Lance said, "which may or may not include 'me'. He's already spared a little with the others in the training deck. He's really good with a staff. Though he refused to hold a gun until you taught him how. He's a good little Dash."

"We don't call them Dash's anymore."

Lance shrugged, "the point is, we've been making plans based on the usb that fell out of your jacket."

"There's that 'we' again," A3 hissed, taking a sip of the drink finally. It was horrifically gross, but it did warm him up.

"I just thought you should know that I'm not in charge and you are a guest," Lance said, a firm statement masked by the smile on his face, "Voltron is the main force in this galaxy and we've just finished a major mission and, truthfully, the last thing we needed was to hear our planet was being attacked. We've made plans and we'll run them by you. If you have any suggestions, then go ahead and put them out there. But, mark my words, A3, if you try to take over, I will match you authority for authority, and I will win."

"B1," A3 replied setting the empty cup down on the step, "I am not here to take control, I am here to make sure my planet is still around so when my kid is old enough to go school, its not a prison camp."

"You say that now," Lance said, smile gone and all pretense aside, "But we both know how you work."

"A lot can happen in two years. You've been gone a while."

"Yeah, someone actually married you," Lance snorted, "never would've seen that coming."

"she's a patent woman."

"she'd have to be."

"You need a girlfriend."

"I need a sarsaparilla and a nap."

A3 shook his head, "where is my jacket that just spit up my usb from its sealed pocket?"

"Over there," Lance waved in the direction of the small pile, "you can thank Krolia for collecting everything. She didn't have to and she sure didn't have the time to."

A3 nodded as he stood slowly, finding his feet again, "these, you said, are healing pods?"

"Its doesn't seem like it until you've actually had a good nights sleep and let everything settle."

He made his way to his jacket and scowled at the tears in the seems, "while you were riffling through my pockets, you could've mended it a bit, like a good junior agent."

"Come on," Lance grimaced, "then I'd have to treat all my seniors that way, and I can't have anyone expecting anything from me."

"The horror," A3 rolled his eyes as he pulled out a flat tin and a lighter. Taking out a cigarette from the tin he lit it and took a deep breath, "that's better."

Lance made a face, "you know, I've quite enjoyed working in an environment where I could actually breathe."

"Just because you're not old enough…wait," he held out the tin, "two years in space makes you legal. Want one?"

"And ruin my beautiful looks with tar drool? No thanks."

"that's not a thing."

"You've never seen the old man that lives down my street back home. Great stories, a breath that could kill and voice to match."

"That's something totally different-"

The door on the other side of the room opened and caught both their attention. Keith walked in and paused as he spotted the man smoking. He'd been about to say something, but now he looked between Lance and the man. Slowly he turned and started to walk out.

"Wait!" Lance stood, "What's up?"

"Just gonna tell you that Pidge has gone through everything and wanted to ask you a few questions," Keith said, "but if you're having a meeting, then I don't-"

"Pish," Lance grinned, "naw, we said all we needed to. We were just discussing the lack of intelligence in smoking in an enclosed oxygen enhanced area in the middle of deep space."

A3 swore and pinched the end of his cig, "happy?"

"right," Keith still was a little uneasy around strangers, "I'll get the others then. Meet you both in the bridge?"

"Sure. And get Jackson. I told him he'd be the first to know when this guy was awake."

Keith nodded and left through a different door.

A3 placed a firm hand on Lances shoulder. Looking up he saw the older agent glaring down with a dead cig between his lips.

"And what…the Hell…is that?"

"That," Lance said softly and with his most angelic smile, "is the leader I'll go down defending. You have a problem?"

A3 closed his eyes and reached for his lighter again.

()

Jackson ran ahead to the bridge, eager to see that his trainer was alright.

"Sir!"

"Greenie," A3 looked the boy over and nodded, "I hear you've not been lazy."

"No Sir."

"How is 'Greenie' any better than 'Dash'?" Lance asked as the others filed their way in.

"Its not, I just wanted to tell you what to do," A3 said looking around and was impressed with the ship. Lance had only showed him what was on the way to the bridge, but he already could tell that the timid and non-aggressive Jermites would kill to get their hands on this tech.

"It is rather cathartic," Coran said coming up behind A3, making the man jump and reach for a weapon that was no longer at his hip.

"Thanks," Lance rolled his eyes.

"I'm Shiro," Shiro said Reaching out a hand and quickly introduced everyone else.

"Since we're being informal, you can call me Harvy," A3 replied and puzzled at the odd looks he was suddenly getting from the other people in the room.

Harvy was about as tall as Shiro and every bit as muscular. His hair was evidently bleached as his dark roots were showing strong and, all in all, he looked like the holy mixture of a German and a Russian with an American western accent. DEFINITELY not someone you would peg as a 'Harvy'.

"I thought K5 told you to never tell people your real name," Lance muttered through a smirk.

"There's nothing wrong with my name-"

"Right, Pidge," Shiro raised his voice to cover any awkwardness, "You're show. Keith, is Krolia going to join us soon?"

"She should be here after she's done talking with Kolivan…it might take a while."

"Allura," Pidge waved at her as she sat in her paladin station, "if you would?"

Allura stepped up and brought up the star field; the holograms spanning the entire bridge. Harvys eye widened even more.

"We've got to get us one of these…"

"That's the thought that started this whole mess in the first place," Lance shrugged.

"If you two would shut up," Pidge snapped, "I was able to Piece together everything that needs to be done."

"but," Shiro added, "because you know more about Earth situation, we wanted to wait for your input before making any solid decisions."

Harvy nodded and looked around, wondering where he should direct his attention. So far he didn't recognize any of the star systems.

"This the plan we have so far," Shiro continued as the holograms shifted and Earth with its surrounding star systems appeared in the center of the room, "There's Earth with the other two planets in the alliance, and the 'safe house' planet that the Alteans and the Blades are occupying."

"You didn't…"

"Nope, your usb did."

"It was coded."

"Pidge can hack into Iversons back-logs, what makes you think you –"

"Seriously!" Pidge snapped, "do I have to separate you two?!"

Harvy answered by lighting another cig while Hunk slid in between them.

"The Olkaries have agreed to help rebuild the barriers around these star systems. With their ingenuity and the craft ideas of the Jermites that's we've seen, they could be a very formidable force."

"The enemy is already inside our boundaries," Harvy stipulated, "how is focusing on the barrier going to help now?"

"We plan on inverting the barrier," Keith said nodding to Pidge who started up the simulation, "by making it so that whoever enters into the boundary can't get out, we can claim a level of control over the battle field."

"The more they try to leave, they stronger the barrier will become," Shiro looked very pleased with this part of the plan, "and that can give us an advantage when they retreat."

"And why would they retreat when they are clearly stronger in every way?"

"Because," Lance shrugged, "Sendak may be like a cockroach and actually know how to use leverage properly. But he still doesn't know when to stop pushing."

"We're tied of him," Hunk nodded, "and Voltron is more than capable of taking out his ship."

"Once his ship goes down, the rest will flee."

"The rebels will aid and Lotor will come in and surround their back," Keith pointed out the simulation of Voltron chasing a series of Galra ships right into the path of larger Galra ships. The Rebels ships were circling Earth.

"The Rebels will scan, aid, and help clear out any enemy lagging behind."

"A standard pincer attack," Harvy huffed, smoke coming from his nose as well, "will this guy really fall for it?"

"That's not the problem," Lance said, "we need to contact the other planets in the alliance and make sure they know what we're doing and make sure Sendak doesn't try to use them against us as well. You're more current and up to date on the political tensions between the three."

Harvy sighed and scratched at the stubble on his face, "Right, can I ask a few clarifying questions after all this?"

"Of course."

"Then here's what I know. The Jermites are a very private race. They horde their ideas like dragons with gold. I honestly don't know if they will willingly work with another technologically advanced race. They already don't like us very much because we got the microwave to work before them. But I'm sure if they saw it as a life vs. death, and someone they trust is there to introduce them, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. As for the Hogros…don't step on their fields. They're quiet, have a strict moral code and customs, and their crops are their not only their life, but their religion. I don't think the enemy had attacked the other planets when we left, but if they have, then I'm not sure if the Hogros will be angry enough to fight, or defeated. I'm leaning a little more towards the defeated. Grishi took over after Polaki died."

Lance made a face, "great. Frok will never be allowed to go home now."

"What kind of people will they work better with?"

"I…wouldn't know," Harvy looked over at Lance.

"Grishi is in charge you say?"

"Yes."

"Who's his second?"

"Tropp, and Bikk is his third."

"Bikk?" Lance perked up with a big smile as he turned to Hunk, "Do you think Shey and her folks would like to meet new people?"

"I can ask," Hunk said, "but you know they don't like fighting."

"That's not the point," Lance said quickly, "because neither do the Hagros, BUT the Hagros have this tendency to get attached very easily when they like something."

"Even Grishi," Harvy said nodding and tilting his hand from side to side, "a pill and a half, but his intentions, although well meant, are a bit skewed."

"So if they get attached to the Balmerans, Then they will join the fight?"

"Not all of them, but enough should," Lance said, "Bikk is a really tender soul with an iron pole up his back."

"Also Frok's little brother."

"And more apt to listen to reason."

"So now the problem is who goes to visit the Jermites and at the same time visit the Hogros?" Allura sighed, "Voltron will be tied up, so Lance can't."

"I can introduce the…Olie…Ol.."

"Olkaries."

"Yeah, I can introduce the Olkaries and the Jermites," Harvy said, "then while they're working I can-"

"Or," Lance interjected, "while you're with the Jermites, the little Dash can take care or the Hogros and Balmerans."

"No."

Lance threw his hands up, "Why not?"

Hunk, looking between the two stepped out of the way of the growing anger that was building between the two.

"He's not been trained!"

"And whose fault is that?!"

"Don't you DARE lecturing me on how I train! The enemy attack mere WEEKS after we got our charges! There wasn't enough time to properly get his supplied much less begin his studies!"

"You've taken not only a DASH, but a GREEN DASH out into the middle of SPACE!" Lance roared back, "You're lucky Haggar didn't kill him or worse! This is NOT a training ground, but its about to become one! If you're not going to teach the kid, the why didn't you leave him behind with one of your brothers?!"

"there isn't enough qualified left!"

"AAAAHHHHH!" Lance scratched his head aggravated.

"HEY!" Shiro shoved them both away from each other, "Stand down!"

"Don't-"

"Jackson," Shiro turned toward the kid and ignored the others completely, "what do you think?"

The kid, who had been happy, if not a little awkward, to stay out of the conversation, found himself now the center of attention.

"..i….i don't have the training…"

Harvy nodded and Lance rolled his eyes.

"It will take us a few weeks to get back to Earth with everything we need to fight off Sendak," Shiro said and turned to Harvy, "Will you be capable of speed training him so that he can act as mediator?"

"It takes months," Harvy growled.

"You saying you are Incapable of doing it?" Lance poked, "because from what I've seen, the kid is intelligent and fully capable of learning at a quick pace. He already knows the basics of Altean Staff fighting and its only been a week. So the fault will lie with you, A3, if he fails, yes? Is that what you're worried about?"

Shiros breath held as he watched the death glares pass in between the two agents. They had seemed so cordial and almost friendly a few minutes ago. Now they looked like they could kill each other and not feel bad about it.

"Ummm," Jackson raised his hands in surrender, "I really have no say-"

"Of course you have a say," Lance snapped, "but no trainer will ever tell their Dash this. You have a lot more freedom than you think."

"Just because you're Iversons favorite doesn't mean you can corrupt whomever you please with your complete disregard for protocol," Harvy growled through clenched teeth, "I've swallowed everything from the release of classified information to relinquishing control, but I will NOT have anyone telling me how to train and ruin this kids future as a functional agent!"

Lances eyes widened as his face burned. It was clear that the older agent had struck a clear point.

"If Lance wasn't 'functional' would Iverson still keep him in the force?"

Keith shrugged as he asked his question. Harvys glare switched over to the other boy…the other problem.

"And then we have your other failed mission to consider on top of your ineptitude."

"I've never failed a mission," Lance said and laughed even though his face was still red with anger, "some just take a little longer than others. Iverson will have my full report once everything is complete and I actually have time to write it."

"the fact that you have not taken charge shows a level of incompetence that should be grounds for referral!"

"the fact that you can't even own up to your own fears and rise to the occasion when its CLEAR that this Dash is capable of the responsibility will ALSO be in my report!"

"Jackson."

The adults looked back at the kid, whose face was also turning a deep red, "My name is either Jackson, or A3-1, NOT Dash, or Greenie. I am an A3, and YOU are a B1 and have no say in how I am trained! I accept my trainers orders! You've never trained anyone so what makes you an expert?!"

Harvy nodded and Jackson turned on him too, "and I can't believe that my trainer would not take the opportunity to make a plan work!"

Lance snorted and muttered, "You don't know him very well."

Harvy stepped toward Lance and Shiro intercepted, planting himself firmly in between the agent and the paladin.

"If neither of you are going to actually DO anything except TALK, then I'm going pick someone else who WILL teach me what I need to do to help!" Jackson snapped

Lance raised his hands and stepped back, "Do what you think is best, A3-1. Its your planet too."

"And who would you pick?" Harvy asked looking down on the kid.

Jackson looked around the room and pointed, "the leader should be capable to teaching me diplomacy, right?"

The silence in the room was so still…then it shattered.

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!" Lance grabbed hold of Hunk as they both fell into gut bending laughter. Shiro just closed his eyes as Keith, the one the kid had pointed out, stood in resolute ridicule.

"No," Harvys voice was cold and solid as the others took a breath to keep laughing, "anyone else."

"But-"

"I," Allura said, her own cheeks pink with ill-concealed humor, "I am the one with the most diplomacy knowledge. I can show you all you need to know as well as continue your staff fighting skills."

"but isn't he the leader…" Jackson questioned, visibly wilting under their reactions.

"I can fight," Keith said shooting a glare at the others, "but people are still not really my thing."

"He is getting better," Pidge said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes, "but he's not teacher material yet. Though if you want him to teach you the skills of silent interrogation and awkward pauses, then he's definitely your guy."

"But…he's the leader…" In Jacksons head, 'leader' and 'trainer' were synonymous with 'all knowing'.

"That's right," Lance said, recovering before Harvy could answer, "he is, and we'll follow his lead no matter what. That's why we're a team. That's why even agents work as partner units. What one lacks the others pick up. And over time you pick up your partners habits and skills as you work with them."

"We all can help," Shiro said, doing his best to smooth the waters, "you were right in saying that Harvy is your trainer and you are an A3. He is still in charge where you are concerned, no matter, Lance, how much you heckle him."

Shiro eyed Lance until Lance, again, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"but I want to help," Jackson said looking up at his trainer, "I really don't know if I can, but I can't just stand by if there's an opening I can fill…right?"

They all turned their attention to Harvy, who lit yet another another cigarette. After a moment of quiet thought he made the final decision.

"The white-haired lady and the ginger can teach him whatever he needs to know. The rest of you are nothing but criminals and will not corrupt my charge."

"sooooo…that makes us the Suicide Squad?" Pidge asked grinning, "Can I be Joker?"

"Nonono," Hunk shook his head, "We're The Dirty Half-Dozen."

"Only if Shiro's the guy that kisses the grenade," Lance grinned.

Shiro relaxed a bit. Sure the tension would go down now that a decision had been reached. They had left Earth in less than legal circumstances, and the Agency was a government enforcement agency. Harvy's attitude made a bit more sense when looked at from than angle.

"Tsk," Harvy gritted his teeth, "all of you…every single B1 is always the same."

He flicked the end of his cig in Lances direction and left the Bridge, heading who knew where.

"How about you go show him where the rooms are," Allura said nodding toward Jackson, "Then the two of you can talk one on one. That should be best."

Jackson nodded, took one more look around, and left.