<strong>"Ah, well, those incoming ships would be the Smileys."</strong><br/><br/>Only the most sadistic race in the known universe.  Only the meanest bastards ever to dare the cold, hard depths of space.  Only the most twisted, cruel, and downright<em>mean</em>bunch of protoplasm out there.  No wonder your new employer doesn't want to hang around!<br/><br/><strong>"And they aren't exactly sneaking.  They attacked this world some time ago and were beaten off...at cost.  Surely you didn't think that the Navy would station so many troops out here without some underlying reason?"</strong><br/><br/>She turns in her chair to calmly regard the cheerfully swimming little yellow blobs as they converge on Pocatello.<br/><br/><strong>"We knew they'd be back.  Looks like we were right.  And now my presence here is no longer required.  So..."</strong><br/><br/>Her next comment is interrupted by a quiet:<br/><br/>"Uhhh...that doesn't look right..." from the pilot.  "We shouldn't be counting down for Jump yet!  We're still practically parked on the ground."<br/><br/>"Don't look at me," mutters the Navigator darkly.