For The Stars

Chapter 10: Communications Base Thaldycon

"Thanks." Their moment didn't last, ruined by the sudden opening of the heavy hangar doors and the Green Lion's loud roar. Keith glared angrily at the lion as it landed and mentally told Red to scold her sister for the intrusion.

Ignoring their guests, he turned back to his friend. "Can I accompany you to the resting wall later this quintant?"

"I'd like that."

"WOW this place is awesome! How long are we staying here? Can we see the generator thingy? Is there a cafeteria? Where's the bathroom?" Hunk rushed out of the Green Lion and nearly trampled Lance in his attempt to get answers from Keith as quickly as possible. With the hangar doors closed once again, protecting them all from the harsh vacuum of space, the two Blades dissolved their masks. Plak took over when Hunk reached them, stamping down everything he had just been feeling and putting on a more welcoming expression. He greeted the overly excited Paladin, offering to escort the poor guy to the nearest toilet, and giving a look that said he was very interested in spending some time getting to know this new species. Keith smirked; the others were not going to like the way Galra got to know each other.

"Dude, this place is cool. It looks nothing like those Galra bases we've been on!" Lance said, admiring the design of the station.

"This is a Galra base, Lance. It's just not an Empire base."

"Yeah, yeah, you knew what I meant." The Blue Paladin waved his hand dismissively and Keith narrowed his eyes, letting out a faint growl at the boy. "Yeesh, take a chill pill dude." The young Blade gave a sharp hiss and before he could revel in the shock on Lance's face, a swift smack to the back of his head had him reeling around to face Tragok.

"This is precisely why you are not on the welcoming committee, kit." Keith groaned and mumbled 'not a kit' as he stepped aside, offering a respectful salute to the base's Commander. "Right, welcome to the Blade of Marmora Communications Base Thaldycon. We are honoured to host the famed Voltron Paladins." Keith rolled his eyes. "Since you are already familiar with our operative Keith, I shall defer to him for your tours."

"WHAT?" He shrieked. "I thought I wasn't on the welcoming committee. Can't I just go back to my room?"

"No." Tragok turned to Allura, softening his voice and stance to come off slightly less militaristic. "Princess Allura, you will be our honoured guest. I have a private room prepared for you." He bowed and left them, exiting the hangar as swiftly as he'd entered it. Keith turned to glare at the others; playing chaperone had not been in his plans. He didn't say a word, instead Keith made his way abruptly out of the hangar, turning in the opposite direction of Tragok and heading for the paladin's rooms. The group scurried behind him to keep up.

They walked the halls in a nearly suffocating silence. The others made the odd comment here and there but Keith ignored them. Each question was ignored, each comment about the architecture or design of the base was ignored, and each observation about the Blade of Marmora or its members was ignored. Eventually they got the hint and stopped speaking.

One by one the paladins removed their helmets, tucking them under an arm as they walked. It wasn't until they reached the first room that the problem with this decision became apparent. "This room is for Lance and Hunk and Pidge. That one –" he pointed to the door directly beside the room to its left "- is for Coran and Shiro." He then turned to the door directly to the right of the first room "Allura in there." before turning back to face the group, crossing his arms and letting out a huff. "Any questions?"

Their faces were an array of shock and confusion. "Uh, what? Dude, da-fuck language was that?" Lance asked, his look of confusion migrating into annoyance. Keith glowered at him.