I’m a techno apologist so here’s why I think techno said that whole favor thing to dream:
1) it makes dream think that techno doesn’t really care for Tommy, thus making dream feel more secure in his power of techno. This gives Techno more leverage over Dream, esp in surprise atks

2) Techno was able to confirm that Dream IS planning something, in regards to Tommy, and that plan will include using Techno’s favor.

3) I think he was plain old’ bluffing. Acting staunch in one set if morals allows Techno to negotiate or meddle behind the scenes

ALSO we have all seen the arc of “begrudging mentor takes care of a child as an obligation but then secretly grows attached to the child while still acting like they don’t give a shit, but in a dire moment they betray orders and save the kid”

in the end I am just desperate for ONE good relationship in this server </33 I just want this to happen, but I doubt it will

I HAVE ANOTHER THING TO ADD. Techno’s whole reason for allying w Tommy was that he needed a partner to gov, but did he really? Tommy isnt really skilled at combat or destruction, or really anything that benefits Techno. I mean just look at it, Techno has been teaching (1/?)

Tommy how to do shit this ENTIRE time. If Techno actually wanted a powerful partner, his first choice would be nowhere near Tommy. Techno could destroy the gov singlehandedly. So if he didn’t choose Tommy for his skill or power, why else would he even take Tommy (2/?)

as a partner? I think there are two possibilities.
1) FULFILLING THE BEGRUDGING MENTOR ARC. He cannot admit that he actually cares for Tommy, out of safety for everyone and for the security of his future plans.

2) He’s using Tommy as leverage over Dream. It’s obvious that Dream is investing time into capturing Tommy, and we know that Dream and Techno are the two most powerful on the server. If Techno has Tommy, that’s a source if power Dream CANNOT match by replacement of anyone else

The ultimatum in this lies in how Techno sees Dream. If he sees Dream as a tyrannical power, it’s likely option 1. However, if he sees Dream as someone like him- just someone who has built a lot of power by themselves- it’s likely 2.

That being said, as the audience, we really have no idea what Techno thinks of Dream, so only time will tell now!