3. Blue Planet, Part 2

The lab's blinking machinery felt reassuring.

"I've finished the mass spectrometry on the top layer," said Matt, tapping his tablet. "The beryllium levels are… Pidge?"

"Pidge levels of beryllium?" Sam dad-joked. "That seems alarming."

"Matt!" cried Pidge, running to hug him.

"Is something wrong?" asked Matt.

"Not anymore," said Pidge, holding on.

"Okay…"

"Hey honey" called Sam. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"We got dismissed," said Pidge, hugging him as well. "Thought I'd drop in. What are you up to?"

"Oh, the usual," said Sam. "Your brother would rather count the atoms on the surface of the latest sample than probe the millennia of history beneath it."

"While your father," said Matt, "didn't see what I saw."

Pidge felt this wasn't the first time they were having the argument.

"Son," said Sam, "Officer Holgersson's loss was tragic, but it wasn't your fault. It's natural to want to find greater meaning in tragedy, but sometimes that's all it is - tragic."

"I know what I saw," said Matt. "Check the beryllium levels."

Sam sighed, tapped his tablet.

"There's no way natural cosmic rays can account for that," said Matt.

"The data is noisy," said Sam. "The instruments and samples just aren't good enough. When you're desperate to find a pattern, no evidence is required."

"When you're desperate to not find one," said Matt, "no evidence is enough. If an alien entity was involved in Holgersson's disappearance, we need to start looking at the implications."

"That is precisely the kind of alarmist, unsupported claim that keeps our field underfunded," said Sam. "Flying saucers are not coming to steal our cows."

"Well, technically…" said Pidge.

They both looked at her.

"I mean," said Pidge, "have you tried looking for exotic matter?"

"Here we go…" said Sam.

"If we're talking FTL, as far as we know a traversable wormhole or some kind of Alcubierre drive would require negative mass," said Pidge.

"They've done it with molybdenum diselenide in a lab," said Matt.

"Silly me," Sam said sarcastically, "I only ordered the positive mass spectrometer."

"We could hack it," said Pidge.

"Any polaritons should deflect in the opposite direction," said Matt.

"You want to hack a ten-thousand-dollar piece of equipment?" said Sam.

Pidge and Matt nodded.

Sam smiled. "Let's do it."

#

"It still doesn't feel right," said Allura, bagging the groceries.

"Look," said Hunk, tapping to pay, "I'm sure if Hunk-B were here he'd be fine with it."

"Maybe we can ask him," said Allura, pointing.

"What?" cried Hunk, ducking behind the checkout machine. "Where? Does he look mad?"

Allura watched as he stormed out of the diner, shaking his fist. "Yes."

"And wearing my lucky shirt, too," said Hunk, peeking over the counter. "We should be fine as long as he doesn't…"

Hunk-B checked his tablet and glared at the supermarket.

"He's coming!" squeaked Hunk. "How does he know? Do alternates have some kind of psychic link, like twins? Or maybe we share the bond with Yellow?"

"Or maybe your payment system informs the account holder when a purchase is made?"

"Oh, Allura," Hunk scoffed, "maybe your techno-magic Altean systems can do that, but here on Earth…"

Hunk-B walked up to the store clerk. "Someone here just made a purchase from my account."

"Earth technology fast approaching the singularity," Hunk said in awe. "What are we going to do?"

"I'll distract him, meet me outside," said Allura, moving towards the alternate. "Hunk? Is that you?"

"Do I know you?" Hunk-B said suspiciously.

Hunk grabbed the groceries and sprinted out of the store. He rested the bags against the alley wall. Hopefully Allura wouldn't take too long, it was almost time for second breakfast.

Allura actually followed soon after.

"You did it!" said Hunk. "What did you tell stupid Hunk?"

"I don't know," said the alternate, joining them. "What did she tell you?"

"First, well played," said Hunk. "Second, It's not what it looks like…"

"At first it looked like your pretty friend wanted to steal my kidney, taking me to a creepy alley," said Hunk-B, poking Hunk's belly.

"I would never…" protested Allura.

"But I guess she was telling the truth," said Hunk-B. "You're me."

"In the abundant flesh," said Hunk. "Look, man, I'm sorry we took your money."

"It's okay, it's not like it's technically stealing."

"Of course it's…" Allura said before Hunk glared at her.

"I was trying to save up for something," said Hunk-B, "but it's stupid."

"I'm sure it's not stupid," said Allura. "What is it?"

"Everyone knows pizza tastes better after it's spent the night in the fridge, right?"

"Of course," said Hunk.

"Yes," Allura said slowly, "as a regular human all of my three stomachs hunger for pizza."

"This lady gets it," chuckled Hunk-B. "So I thought I'd open a food truck that serves cold, day-old pizza. I'd call it: Repizzah!"

"Well," said Allura, "that's definitely… you tell him, Hunk."

"I like the pizza part..." Hunk said carefully. "I'm sure we can work on the rest."

"I know," sighed Hunk-B. "It's just nice to daydream about quitting the Garrison."

"Why would you do that?" said Hunk.

"You should know better than anyone else," said Hunk-B. "I thought being a space mechanic would be cool, but it's terrifying. And being terrified keeps me from enjoying the parts I do like about the Garrison."

"You're right," said Hunk. "Sticking with the Garrison put me in plenty of danger and got me stuck in an alternate reality from which I may never return…"

"But?" said Hunk-B.

"Sorry," said Hunk, snapping back. "I guess you don't realize the danger until you stop to think - or until you lose someone."

Allura held his shoulder.

"But I've also made friends, met amazing people, and found strength inside me I didn't know was there. I'm not saying Garrison or pizza is the right choice for you, but whatever you choose, I think you'll find we're capable of much more than we think we are."

"Wow, thanks, man," said Hunk-B, wiping a tear.

"So you'll stay with the Garrison?" said Allura.

"Hell, no!"

#

Pidge clambered over wiring, spare parts and funky-looking noodles to get to her tablet. "Pidge here."

"Hi, what're you up to?" said Keith.

She surveyed the chaos.
"Why wouldn't the manufacturer color-code them?" Matt groaned from under the stripped spectrometer.

"Savages," said Sam. "Okay, let's give it another go."

"Family time," said Pidge, smiling.

"I'm really happy for you, Pidge," said Keith. "I'm sorry to cut it short."

"Yeah, me too," sighed Pidge. "On my way."

"Great," said Keith. "Could you get Lance? He's not answering."

"Will do," said Pidge.

"Everything okay, honey?" asked Sam.

"Everything's fine," said Pidge. "I just have this group project..." That involves saving two realities.

"Hey, dad, look at these readings," said Matt. "I don't think it's the calibration this time."

"I don't believe it…" said Sam. "Katie, you have to see this. Katie?"

Pidge was out the door.

#

Lance-B cut between the hangars. If he was late again, Iverson had promised he'd never fly a kite.

"Hey, Lance, looking cute," someone said from the shadows.

"Who's there?" said Lance-B, squinting. "Keith?"

"Why the hell would Keith... Never mind," said Lance, walking into the light.

"Is this a prank?" said Lance-B.

"This is your ghost of christmas future," said Lance, cracking his knuckles.

"That doesn't make sense."

"It sounded better in my head," said Lance. "Anyway, I don't like the way you treat the ladies."

"I have a feeling the ladies disagree," said Lance-B, flashing a smiled.

"We both know that's a lie," said Lance. "We think we're being funny, but we're really just being jackasses."

"Yikes," said Lance-B. "Projecting much, buddy?"

"I'm not your buddy, friend," said Lance, raising his fists.

"I'm not your friend, guy," Lance-B replied, doing the same.

They circled each other, neither wanting to throw the first punch, neither wanting to back down.

"Okay, this could take a while," said Lance-B. "Maybe I do cross the line sometimes. But don't come here all high and mighty trying to take out your own guilt on me. You're not a better version of me."

"That's… actually insightful," said Lance. "Maybe we could…"

"Lance!"

Startled, Lance-B struck Lance in the eye.

"I can't believe it!" said Lance, cradling his face. "I actually fell for your sob story."

"No, wait," said Lance-B, "it was an accident…"

"Get off him, you bully!" cried Pidge, also punching Lance-B in the eye.

Lance-B looked from her to Lance, his face swelling. He turned and ran.

"He's lucky you got here when you did," said Lance. "I had him exactly where I wanted."

"Sure you did," she said, helping him up.

"Is your hair longer?" said Lance. "Wait…"

"Hey Lance," said the original Pidge, walking towards them. "Pidge, I can explain."

"It's complicated," said Lance.

"You're from an alternate reality," said Pidge-B.

"Not so complicated," said Pidge. "We need to go."

"Will you be okay?" asked Lance.

"Lance can get me expelled for fighting," she said.

"I wouldn't do that," said Lance. "Would I?"

"I'll find out soon," said Pidge-B. "Why are you here? Did you screw up your timeline? Did we screw up ours?"

"I'd rather not interfere more than we already have,' said Pidge, looking pointedly at Lance. "Just hug our family for me."

"Will do," said Pidge-B, running off.

"You hurt?" asked Pidge.

"Mostly my ego," said Lance, feeling his eye.

"In your own self-aggrandizing way, you stood up to a bully today," said Pidge. "Good job."

"Thanks," said Lance, smiling.

#

Pidge-B reached the line just as the inspection was starting. She stood at attention beside Lance, trying to steady her breathing. News of his purple eye rippled down the line, snickers echoed back.

"Holt!" barked Iverson. "Glad you could find the time to…" He noticed Lance. "Garcia! Looking better than usual today."

Pidge couldn't see his expression without turning her head. Would he say he slipped and fell, come up with future payback? Or would he admit he got punched by someone half his weight, if it meant getting instant gratification?

"Thank you, sir," said Lance. "Courtesy of Cadet Holt."

The snickers grew. Expulsion it was, then.

"But I deserved it, sir."

"Really?" said Iverson. "And why is that?"

"For being a jackass, sir."

Pidge couldn't believe it. Someone guffawed.

"By god, Holt," said Iverson. "Someone's finally knocked some sense into Garcia. As fighting is a big no-no, you'll have a chance to deepen this newfound camaraderie while you give me twenty laps. Off you go."

"Yes sir," Lance and Pidge said together.

They started running.

#

Adam drove the buggy up to the farmhouse. Keith and Devall were working on some kind of antique hoverbike.

"Oj!" said Sven. "Is that a 2024 model? Can't believe it's still flying."

"It's not," said Keith, wiping oil off his hands.

"No use crying over milk you haven't spilled yet," said Devall, hitting the ignition and twisting the throttle.

The bike lurched into the air, sputtered, stabilized.

"Wow," said Keith. "We actually did it."

"So the choppers are still in the air?" said Pidge.

"What? Oh, they left vargas ago," said Keith.

"So why didn't you…"

"You were right, Pidge," said Keith, patting the bike. "The team needed the R&R. So did I."

"Okay guys," Hunk called from the doorstep, dishcloth in hand. "Keith, Mr. Devall, you need to clean up. Pidge, Lance, Sven, new guy: wash your hands, you're setting the table. We'll use the big one on the porch. Chop-chop!"

"Yes, chef!" said Lance, mock-saluting. "Did you bond with Black Lion while we were away?"

"What happened to your eye?" asked Hunk. "Did you get into a fight?"

"Looks like mostly on the receiving end," said Keith.

"The other guy was quick, strong, and very good-looking," said Lance.

"He got into a fight with his alternate," said Pidge.

"Why am I not surprised?" said Keith.

"Hey, when big personalities meet, sparks fly," said Lance. "Besides, it's not like he got away unscathed."

"Thanks to alternate Pidge," Pidge added.

"Wait," said Hunk, "Pidge clocked Lance?"

"Yep," said Pidge, "gave'em the ol' left hand of Voltron right in the eye-hole."

"Yeah, yeah, violence is hilarious," said Lance. "C'mon, the table's not gonna set itself."

#

Lance carefully aligned the last plate… perfect. Now he could finally get some ice for his beautiful...

"Five on the same side looks cramped," said Hunk, passing through. "Better put someone at the head of the table."

"Fine," grumbled Lance, rearranging the place setting.

"That looks like a Board meeting," said Hunk, passing through again. "Better make it five and four."

"But you said… fine, whatever," said Lance, undoing the changes.

"C'mon, Lance," Hunk said yet again, "we said we wouldn't squeeze five on the same side."

"Make up your quiznaking mind!" cried Lance. "First you tell me… Wait, where did you get the yellow shirt?"

"It's my lucky shirt," said Hunk-B. "I've had it since forever."

"Not in this reality you didn't…"

"What's the holdup?" said Hunk, joining them.

"Two Hunks!" cried Lance. "How will I tell the evil one?"

"C'mon, Lance," said Hunk. "Both of us are cool."

"You invited your alternate?"

"Of course," said Hunk. "He's a great guy. Hunk-five!"

The high-five echoed throughout the house.

"Also," said Hunk, "he helped pay for your food, so please don't punch my alternate."

#

Hunk beamed at the full table. "Ladies and gentlemen from all realities, welcome. For your meal this afternoon, Team Hunk has prepared a selection of Earth dishes we hope will please Human, Altean, and Galra alike."

"Half-Galra," muttered Keith.

Hunk-B stood beside him. "Before you you will find Cuban arroz con pollo, Swedish köttbullar with lingonberry jam, and, last but not least, Samoan coconut luau for dessert. Please enjoy."

"Hey," said Lance, "what about American cuisine?"

"Lance," said Hunk, I am not making you a hotdog."

"C'mon," said Lance, "shouldn't Allura experience the full breadth of Earth food culture?"

"She's had enough junk food for the day," said Hunk.

"It's true," she said, sadly spreading mustard on her pollo. She raised her glass. "Thank you, Hunks, everything looks delicious. And thank you, Mr. Devall, for taking us into your home and giving us shelter. We will do everything we can to ensure your planet remains safe."

"I should be thanking you," said Devall, raising his own, "for bringing joy back into this house."

Everyone dug in.

#

They stood quietly at the porch, looking over the desert.

"I think it's time," said Keith.

The paladins nodded.

"I've been talking it over with Adam," said Sven, holding his hand. "I've decided to stay."

"What about the Blades - sorry, Guns?" asked Keith.

"We know the Alteans visited Kerberos," said Sven, "it's only a matter of time before they come here. The Garrison has to be ready." He tapped his tablet. "I've collected all information I could to give us a head start. We're counting on Voltron to take the fight to the Alteans."

"Thank you, Sven," said Allura. "We'll do our best."

"Looks like it's goodbye again," said Devall, handing Keith a cloth package.

Keith unwrapped the odd blaster with neon green insets.

"The design seems ancient Altean," said Allura, "I've never seen anything quite like it."

"A gun of Gamara," said Sven, "forged from a planet that no longer exists. A great honor."

"Krolia wanted her son to have it, but…" Devall wiped his eyes. "I think you should have it."

"Thanks, Trev… dad," said Keith, hugging him.

"I wanted to give you something too," said shirtless Hunk-B, handing Hunk his yellow shirt.

"But that's your lucky shirt!" said Hunk.

"It's our lucky shirt," said Hunk-B. "If you're gonna be out there kicking alien butt, you'll need it more than I do."

"Thanks, man," said Hunk, hugging him. "When we're done, I'm bringing everyone back here for day-old cold pizza."

"What?" said Lance.

#

"We're here," said Keith. "That's the cave where we found Blue last time."

Sven stopped the buggy. They proceeded on foot through the tunnels.

"Do the lion carvings seem different?" said Pidge, shining her wrist torch.

Lance shrugged. "Still looks like they were made by a five-year-old."

The carvings started glowing.

"Okay, guys," said Keith, "get ready for…"

The floor collapsed, sending them tumbling into an underground pool.

"...that," said Keith, shaking his armor dry.

"Blue!" cried Lance, running towards the giant mech. "Wait, why are the ears are so big?"

"The better to hear you, deary," Hunk said in a granny voice. "That's no lion, that's a wolf."

"Told you something was off," said Pidge.

"So these Alteans worship wolves instead of lions?" said Lance.

"We don't technically worship lions…" said Allura.

"You just make them the core of all your iconography," said Pidge.

"Precisely," said Allura.

"Could be worse," said Hunk. "Imagine if the lions were human-shaped, and they combined into a lion-shaped Voltron!"

"There's probably a reality where that's true," said Pidge.

"Guys, let's focus on the mission," said Keith.

"Right," said Allura, placing her hand on the particle barrier. Nothing happened.

Pidge gestured at Keith to say something.

Keith looked at Hunk.

Hunk almost looked at Lance, thought better of it.

Lance opened his arms in silent protest.

"I don't understand," said Allura, crushed. "I'm not the pilot."

"Maybe none of us are," said Pidge. "Maybe it has to be our alternates."

"That's awkward," said Hunk, "we already said goodbye and everything. I feel bad putting this burden on them."

"They are no different than you when you arrived at the Castle," said Allura.

"We know they can rise to the occasion," said Keith. "I'm sorry, Sven. We're going to need you a little longer."

"I understand," said Sven.

"What are we supposed to do while they save the world?" said Lance. "Sit on our hands?" He punched the particle barrier.

The giant mech howled, eyes aglow. The barrier dropped.

"Huh," said Lance.

"Man, I cannot handle another round of lion musical chairs," said Hunk.

"Okay, scrap Plan B," said Keith. "We're back on Plan A."

"But who's gonna fly Red?" said Lance.

"Let's worry about finding Red first," said Keith.

#

The Blue Wolf left the atmosphere and blasted towards the Moon.

"Check out this maneuverability!" said Lance, diving into a barrel roll.

"Duly checked," said Hunk, grimacing.

"Did you get a hold of Slav?" said Keith.

"Killjoy," said Lance. "Slav, do you copy?"

"Paladins!" Slav's voice crackled over the coms. "Wait, where is Sven? He always has a high probability of dying."

"He's alive," said Keith. "He's staying back to build up Earth's defenses."

"Good for him," said Slav. "Those two had such a low probability of being together. Did you obtain information on the other lions?"

"Well, we know they're not lions," said Hunk.

They looked at Allura.

"I haven't sensed anything," she said. "I could try again aboard the Yalmor…"

"Wait, Blue's trying to tell me something," said Lance.

Everyone waited.

"And?" said Pidge.

"Slav, could you check these coordinates?" said Lance.

"On it," said Slav. "They're in the Javeeno system, outside Altean space."

"That's Arus," said Pidge.

"I don't wanna say I told you so," said Lance. "But I told you so."

"But if the Caste's still on Altea," said Hunk. "What's on Arus?"

"Let's find out," said Keith.