Swamped

We received a functional prototype already, I doubt it is the only one our host has so no reason we couldn't damage or alter it for our own purposes.

This plan of theirs seems rather flimsy. For someone who bolts down everything they own, they sure have given you a lot of leeway and taken a lot of risks.

Or at least it seems that way.

Let's push the envelope. If they won't see you, you can force a meeting. Send the robot with a the original prototype, but modified for you to speak though it. (This way they don't get what they want - a miniature version of what they already have.) Use your existing method to listen to his responses.

It's time to negotiate. He's bartering for your freedom, but clearly that is not enough for you. You'd rather be a prisoner than enable someone who poses a threat to your outpost. You know they lost someone already, (don't let them know that). But suggest that they have underestimated the defensive capability of your post.

Of course, while that transmitter is riding to him, no reason you can't also install a high frequency clicker to get a rough idea of where the hallways and open areas are (clicking at a range sufficiently above most creature's hearing.)