'Believe me, I know this wasn't the best solution. Despite my protests, the chain of command decided that this was the best course of action. Furthermore, we did try to go through the right channels.  We sent a petition to the station, asking them to allow us to use the station as a staging area. As expected, they denied the request on the grounds of their neutrality.  We couldn't use the planet itself because we'd be sitting ducks for their forces as we set up.  Still, your recommendation may provide us a means of salvaging this mess."<br/><br/>----------------------------<br/>On one of Razzly's video screens Cali formed an image of herself. "Actually, I just finished. I've given out orders to my forces and we're ready to rock.  Oh my, looks like you've sustained some damage. Since it seems we were victorious, why don't you head down to the location I marked on your map. That's the nearest entrance into Forgotten Territory. Once there, a couple of troops will escort you to a hangar where we'll fix your mech right up.<br/>-------------------------<br/>Cali also appeared befoire Helios and Ty on the video screen of the Demons Cascade.  "Wonderful job guys.  If you're interested, I'd like to extend an offer of asylum to you two.  We'll take you in, provide you with any repairs or upgrades you might need, as well as help you lie low for a while, at least until things cool down a bit. Sound good?"<br/>----------------------------<br/>Back aboard the Gilded Gifthorse, Silas was walking down a corridor towards his quarters.  He paused a moment at the door.  Nothing seemed out of place, yet something didn't quite feel right. He put his right hand on the palm-print scanner and the door opened with a near silent hiss.  As expected, the feline assailant lunged forward and he caught her face in his left hand, which then promptly directed her toward the floor.  The girl had excellent reflexes however, and landed in a headstand. From that position, she pushed off from the floor and caught Silas off guard between her legs.  Pinned underneath her in the hallway, the assailant purred. "reow, I gotcha!"<br/>Silas tried to extricate himself from under her, to no avail. "Get offa me Cherise!"<br/>Cherise just purred, "and why would I do that. I like sitting in your lap!"<br/>Silas sighed. It had been like this since the two of them had met.  Cherise was the same species as Tanr, except with blue hair instead of green.  For whatever reason, she seemed to enjoy acting like a stereotypical neko from those trashy anime cartoons that, to this day, still aired back on Earth. The consummate flirt, she wore provocative clothing that emphasized her body in all the best ways. For those with a fetish for her species or furries in general, she made a habit of teasing them to no end, yet never "putting out".  When asked about that behavior, she simply replied, "I dunno, I'm just having fun, mew." For whatever reason, Cherise seemed attached to Silas.  He had tried many times over the years to tell her he disliked her immensely, but she never seemed put off or upset. In fact, she seemed to redouble her efforts to "tame" him. Lately, she'd made it a habit of ambushing him whenever he opened the door to his quarters. 15 locks later, he finally gave up trying to keep her out. The girl was determined to make him miserable, so he might as well just live with it.<br/>"Cherise, will you please get off of me?"<br/>"let meow think about it....nya I don't think so."