Chapter #8

The drop-ship had landed two hours further from the city than originally planned, the delegate's forces sat in camps made around the parked ship. Clan and Spheroid alike ran wide patrols around the camps. There was a small amount of chaos as an alarm rang out from the ship, the sounds of machines moving inside it's armored belly, troops and vehicles moved away as the heavy gates lowered to the soil. As the inner gates slowly opened revealing the Duke's tank first rolled down the reinforced ramps and out of the way as the others one by one stepped down out of the ship in their machines.

The hanging armored plates on the Highland Angel shifted lightly as it walked, followed by Trillian's Lyran Fist, the Alpha, then the Wandering Spirit, then Wayward Son, then last came White Knight. Each machine already set to match it's group's IFF along with transmit a Wolfin one as well. “Smile kids, you're all on camera...and quit gawking. You have 20 minutes before we will be launching, pack your gear quickly soldiers. You can drool over the machines when you stop to rest. Your commanders have a waypoint series to follow to get to the landing grounds."

A series of private com transmissions rang out from the command machines, causing the camps to get broken down with military speed. Vehicles moved out as infantry boarded their carriers, elementals bounced on pillars of fire up to grip and climb onto their respective khan's mechs and the mechs of their clan.

Soon enough as the troops moved to follow their commanders in formations with aerospace assets scouting and covering their troops. Flames and plasma lashed out from the drop-ship's drives and started to push it up into the sky and then with a slight roll to thrust it toward where the fleet had landed.

**********

Chatter flew between forces as they traveled into the depth of the outback of the planet, the commanders moved in pairs along the road with Jasek. “I never thought I'd see the day when someone would attach a skirt to a..." He dodged to the side as the Angel lit it's jets and spun through the air, snapping out the skirt plates and unleashing the blades within them. “Easy Countess, I know I saw the sim footage...no need to cut off my arm."

“It's a kilt, not a skirt. I haven't worn a skirt since Terra and won't be wearing one anytime soon." She was still smiling though. “And I'm still married to the Republic...but if you can keep that damned devil's charm to yourself...we can have a drink tonight."

Jasek laughed like he hadn't in a long time, a grin creasing his face. “Deal...and how are we going to march the troops before we let them have a break. We have another break point coming..." His scanner pinged off of something a second before alarms wailed of incoming missiles. “Incoming assault!" He and the countess split apart as automatic systems on their machines chewed up the air and incoming missiles with thousands of rounds of ammo from small gatlings that pushed up on their shoulders.

Screeches sounded on the com channels as Jade Falcon forces erupted from well hidden pits and the nearby river. Missiles and high explosive rounds filled the air as the Falcon machines charged with their full fury. Weapons fire lashed out from the delegate's forces. Fanatical soldiers charged headlong into weapons fire, having triggered their trap too soon.

That was when the ground itself quaked as water erupted from the river with debris and hunks of rocks. 200 tons of mechanical monster had been dropped from a waiting ship that had shadowed the delegate's forces. The impact forcing the machine to crouch before a screaming battle cry filled the coms, weapons fire splashed over it's armored shell. The three barrels lit up as safeties were clicked off. The delegate's forces ground to a halt as naval class particle projector cannons filled the air before them with rapidly triggered shots. Machines erupted and shattered under the overwhelming onslaught.

Reactors erupted and crews burned with their machines erupted, like the cooking pots for the damned every man, woman, and machine for a click of outback now burned. The delegate's forces stood seemingly stunned as the river boiled around the feet and legs of the towering monster. Wolfin tech and mechanical abilities or not, the machine had been driven to the point that it glowed bright on heat sensors. The ax spun in the Countess's mech's grip before latching to it's back as the machine ran. “TB!" She cried out as she reached it, slow soft breathing sounded over the com and then purring as the machine slowly cooled.

-Greetings Countess Tara Cambell, I am Whiskey. I have been tasked with helping keep Tara Bishop's sanity and have grown quite fond of her.- A voice in her head...well it wasn't often you saw a pilot known for their grace start to flail and fall flat on their ass, but this was one of those times. -She's currently sleeping, her stress level grew too high...I had no other choice. Faced with your her torturers she grew past even my abilities.-

The Countess triggered a private com channel. “She's alright...wait how are you ok, how are you talking in my damned head?"

There was a soft mew and a soft bit of laughter in Tara Cambell's mind. -My race has no spoken language, we are the ones who watched humanity for a great many years. But for now, until the talks properly begin, please do not tell the others of our talk. People pass off her talking to me as cat loving gibberish.- A screen shifted to show Tara Bishop's sleeping face and the feline curled around her neck. -I truly am but a child though, and to this I was tasked with her as training, I have grown to care for her though...as the Admiral has put it when he tasked me with her well being. Tara Bishop is my human.-

The Countess smiled. “You're....all telepathic, a race of telepathic felines, that get alone with canines..."

-Not the same as those from Terra, though this isn't the time nor place to have that discussion. You have 10 seconds before your armor is tested.- The gentle voice counted down in her mind as the Countess stood her mech up and looked around. And then she heard the groan on the com and turned her mech in time to see the other slowly rise up and look around.

“Huh...what happened...Falcons..."

“You butchered them AH!" Being pounce hugged by a long time friend wasn't the worst thing to happen, being in an assault mech and your friend in something twice your machines weight. She actually could hear the metal groan as it was lifted up in a titanic hug. “Put me down....this isn't funny!"

There was laughter on all channels on the coms, especially when all Tara Cambell got was “Nope, No, and My Countess!" as her machine was carried along like the other's doll. There was also purring as the Countess gave up and hooked an arm around the other machine's shoulders. “Now...oh you did, naughty kitty you weren't supposed to do that yet....ok fine. I'll be good, but staying right here and joining the walk."

“Be safe Captain, we're heading back to camp.....and the General says to put down the Countess and let her walk her own damn machine. Admiral is awake too, and oh ye furless lords of the land....we've started patrols. Should be safe another two clicks up the path, And Bishop...." There was a groan as she set her friend's machine down. “Remember...your hugs can shatter bone now, be careful."

(((((((((

The fleet made camp along a section of ocean front with ships wringing the area, guns facing out at the world and up at the sky. Vehicles and mechs sat being worked on or moved to patrol the area. Gunship trios made up the bulk of the patrols that covered several square miles around the landing site. Talk had long since spread of the Feral being shipped off and the replacement arriving that day. A Class 5 machine something meant for the harshest front lines, was being brought against the Admiral's wishes for him to use. Some of the techs and crews had already seen it back on Skye, sitting in it's transport at the base never touched or seen by it's pilot.

Summer's space-port had already gotten a ping from 3 ships at full burn for the planet that they were delivering something to the Wolfin, and a polite warning that two of the three ships were battleships and not to interfere. What the captains hadn't planned or prepped for was that the space-port, a few mercenary groups, and two news stations had picked up on the transmissions and used the enhanced communications systems to call the ships and ask questions. The humans were all so annoyingly curious.

The Admiral against the wishes of his doctors was already up and moving, checking over damages and losses and dealing with Blade hounding him whenever he tried to do something. His mate...wife whatever the humans used for that meaning had outdone him on tactics today. Pain medications and a large amount of fresh bandages and the sling meant he could move about, the towering Wolfin with him with or without orders would drag him by the muzzle back to medical if he hurt himself. "I'm injured, new arm, nano machines speeding my healing....still have a pup-sitter."

"Because you're as stubborn ass as my wife says it, you're lucky that Alice is busy checking things over with the repairs or she'd drag you back herself." The smile he had also wordlessly said that he'd love to watch his wife do that.

"I am an Admiral, a fighter, and yes I'm hurt, without the nano machines I'd be screaming like a newborn pup." He looked at the data-pad in his hand and huffed. "And why is bay 3 being cleaned out? Using that eased things up on the rest of the fleet." He saw a crook of a smile on his friend's muzzle, his own ears dropping. "No...I said no heavy assault units in my forces. It was the one thing I stuck to even after..." He huffed and then murred as he felt fingers work around his ear and then yipped as they snatched his ear and made him lean down.

Anastasia stood holding her own data-pad and holding her husband's ear. "Now...I have already signed and accepted for one command unit, heavy quadruped machine to replace Feral...which has already been sent on it's way back for your home." She had a stern tone in her voice as she held him still with him unable to get hold of her hand. "I have orders here as well and a greeting from a Planetary Lord and Lady....your parents and a request you use the machine which you were trained in and oh look at this." She twisted his ear and he yelped loudly and took a knee, not a single sentient was getting into that talk as she stared down into his eyes. "This is a prototype that you personally worked to get the kinks out of...and wanted to use a lighter human machine instead. You even got into a fight with two older siblings about it and your father..." She let go of his ear and held the pad toward him. "Scan your eye or I'll shave you bare."

Needless to say he let the scanner on the data-pad scan his eye before looking up at her. "I will pilot it love, for you."

She'd sigh and leaned down to kiss him. "You're lucky I love you you big idiot." A smile on her face and his as he stood. "Lets go...its going to be here soon and the letter from your father says it is only coded to you..."

He'd sigh as they moved for a landing ramp at the far end of the bay. "Yes...I told him I didn't want to use it, told him to recode it to someone else."

Blade just barked a laugh. "You get your stubborn streak from your father, you thought he'd listen. You're just lucky your older sister took your seat on the council brother."

"I am not leading from the rear...what is the word from the agents."

Anastasia looked over her screen. "Alkalurops has a month before the Falcons or Hell Horses hit it. They need the metal production after loosing Skye, Summer, and Chaffee. Though they have reinforced their holds on several worlds and that little bitch has returned as Khan of her clan."

"Khan, ruler, General...she will die either way. Her Clan will see reason or be cut out like a parasite along with the Hell Horses....and how did your ancestors come up with these Clan names?"

Anastasia just shrugged. "How the hell should I know, guess fluffy bunnies doesn't sound tough." Both men laughed, though her husband's laugh died in a yip. "Our agent is on the ground on Alkalurops, Galatea is reeling after the recent raids from both clans, The republic is getting it's ass kicked, and both the Combine and House Liao have no damn clue what to do about is or that they're within 2 years of getting pounded by a hostile race."

"Eaten" Blade corrected her, making the combat leader shiver. "Eaten, not beaten."

(((((((((((

The air around Allabad's spaceport was humid as Betsy Ross walked down the ramp of the drop-ship, a heavy pack hooked over her shoulder and a smile as she looked around, having enough fond memories of people to make the return a willing one. Her raven hair had a few grays mixed in now from stress and her companion had forbidden the use of horrid smelling dyes. Olive skin wrapped in light colors, a military duffle and a casual stride grew far less glances than the one walking beside her, of course a brown and green cat would...especially one wearing a cooling vest and shoes.

-This planet is annoyingly hot, and smells funny. It will be fun watching the canines whine and never come out of their armors.- 80lbs of feline spoke in his partner's mind, his voice mature and deep. -And you should know I'm supposed to refrain from making weak minded ones do things or causing trauma.-

She could answer him back in her mind, after all the telepath was always listening to her and everyone around him. “Yes I know it's hot and smells funny, most of our worlds smell funny to your people." -Just let me warn people before you speak in their heads, big bright colored telepathic cats are something you have to get used to.- Of course she made no attempt to go through customs, instead she had sent a message and climbed into a waiting truck that had been left for them. The last time she'd been to this world it had seen the horrors of war and tyrannical rule, and she knew most diplomats were a pain in the ass to deal with.

Dex hopped over her into the passenger seat and pushed the boots from his paw-like hands, setting them at his side in the seat as he sat up proper. -I will try not to traumatize your friends Betsy, but you realize time is short and the enemies far worse than what you know are at most two years away.- He looked over at her as she started the truck, purring as she turned on the air conditioner. -Your friends will be fine if they listen to reason.-

“From a telepathic cat....a brightly colored one...." Her words died off as her anxiety vanished and calm fell over her. “Quit cheating...." Her foot slammed down the throttle and they tore off heading away from Allabad for Glenn Mor Valley. “Now for a nice gentle...." The truck rocked as it ramped out of a pot hole. “Ok not so gentle ride to the meeting place."

-Falkirk, home of Grace O'Malley, governor of an ore rich yet storm ridden world.- Dex would relax into his seat and leaned up to swat a couple of the vents toward himself. -How many children do you have?"

Betsy sighed. “You can get into my head and find out easy." She'd look over at him and rolled her eyes as he just mewled at her. “You want me to tell you." She blanked her mind for a long while, nearly an hour before she'd speak again. “I have a boy and girl....had a brother, killed by Falcons....my husband as well...but you..."

Dex huffed. -Knew that you came to Skye after the Falcons were pushed out by the- He said a name that made her brain hurt slightly. -Sorry, Wolfin. You hunted and killed several Falcons that were left behind. You even caught onto my stalking you and watching you. You're smart, resourceful, good with tactics and finding things others can't. Its why I spared you when you tried to trap me.-

Betsy laughed musically as she drove. “You nearly killed me, I have scars on my back leg and shoulder thanks to you..."

Dex purred. -And my fur hides one on my entire arm thanks to you.- He'd stretch and opened her bag to grab a small ration to munch on. -Best fight I've had in years, you're a fun partner. Just a little light on the fur.- And then they were both laughing.

((((((((((

"I didn't go over this much data even when I tried to take Terra for my own and I smashed around Northwind a couple of times first. How many damned enemies does your coalition have?" She'd shake her head as they sat outside looking over data filled screens. "The most annoying is one that's attacking everyone, how the....what the hell is this damn name?"

Dark and Blade both looked at the screen and shrugged, though Dark spoke. "Evolutionary parasitic Hive mind, class 10 danger code, weak against the..." He said the race name for the felines and made Anastasia's eye twitch. "Soldiers weak to telepathic attack in lower number, higher numbers and nests require long range to orbital bombardment up to full planetary destruction." He looked over as Anastasia stared at him. "They usually attack more than one world at once, they reproduce in mass numbers through eggs and spores which are hard to kill and tend to be hidden or go dormant for years. If a planet is able to be saved and Hive mind crushed, it is standard to rotate full assault groups for at minimum 50 years and have assault troops stationed on planet for 100."

Blade sighed. "We've lost billions of lives to that race...and that is just our race. The gypsy brain ticklers...." He trailed off as Dark snorted and Anastasia blinked looking at him. "Alice's name for them...the felines, says they look like gypsies and like to tickle brains." He'd shrug. "They've lost more than us to that race, and we call them either Hive mind or Plague for short...depends on how large the force is that we find."

Anastasia rubbed her temples. "So a parasitic hive minded race that apparently splits off parts of itself and then...if it's able to hold an area will reconnect to the main Hive mind..." She'd shiver softly at the thought. "That is what the coalition believes is heading for the Combine and Liao? They hate working with others, worse about honor and pride than the Clans thought of being." She brought up another screen. "There are also several agents working throughout Liao and the Combine, testing the people and rulers to see how they will handle your people..." She'd look at Dark sighed. "You're preparing to wall them off aren't you?"

He simply shrugged. "Weigh the lives of billions against the entire race. One of the other races we're at war with and attempting to work out a peace and border...they've destroyed solar systems to back off the Hive mind, dropped Iron asteroids into stars to shove them supernova. Not even the Gigeck destroy solar systems like that without having no other choice left." He heard Blade snort. "Yes the one time...but to be fair our fleet caused the explosion by knocking the holding drives off their station. If the hadn't done that, then the situation wouldn't have cascaded to terminal levels of heavy metals causing the star to erupt."

"We're not getting into another argument over that battle, it was four generations ago. And it led to that rule of war you love..." Blade huffed. "Under no circumstances are you do destroy drive systems of large stations or super dreadnoughts within a star's gravity field without ensuring the ship or stations total destruction." He seemed to read off as he looked out into the distant horizon. "Your mate loves that rule, because it means he gets to keep capitol class fusion missiles."

Dark smiled like an idiot, tail thumping softly. "They're really pretty when they go boom. No residual radiation, and basically renders every thing to gasses and plasma. I've used only 1 of them in my life. Great for making large sections of organic Hive mind fleets suddenly not there." He'd chuckle. "I do love explosions...Blade loves fire."

"Fire is interesting and best for cooking, also can melt armor and weapons of an enemy machine....or burn a Plague creature." Blade's voice rumbled as his eyes looked up higher in the horizon. "Transport is here." came out only a moment before vehicles and mechs moved to clear a large area beside the Nautilus. 

"And electronic countermeasures are up and going full. I will not have those freeborn news raAAAATS..." She glared daggers at her husband, the towering Wolfin having used a stick to swat her armored behind from behind his own back. "I will not have them broadcasting this until its ready to be shown...and you're lucky you're injured or I'd find something heavy to hit you with for that." Her grumble trailed off as the air shook with the transports arrival.

((((((((((((((

It had turned out that the forces on Skye had had a good bit of fun and sent along supplies, munitions, spare armor, and fuels on the same transport as the Admiral's machine. That meant that an hour to get it worked out of the ship and ready to move for the first time in over a year....turned into 4 hours of just unloading and splitting up the supplies between the fleet ships. It also meant that the Admiral had spent the last 2 hours inside the cockpit of the machine getting it tuned to himself with a trio of techs checking over the systems. Several other techs were slipped into spots checking over systems on the Alpha. 

"Alright the cores are ready to spin up when they get this clear." Came a Human tech's voice over the coms and then laughter. "You mean so the dust this thing shits out doesn't ruin the supplies." "I thought Jack was a light brown human, not gray." "Electronic suites are all good and ready to go. We're going to need to power test this thing and give it a shakedown run."

The Admiral groaned. "You do know I am injured..." "He's gonna need to get up to a full run and shake the hell out of this thing to make sure everything's in solid." "Injured...explosion, lost an arm, I mean got a mechanical now but...." "Well once the shakedown is done then we can get the ammo and missiles loaded into this thing, that's going to take a while." "Is anyone actually listening to their commanding officer?"

"Yes they're listening, no it will not change what needs to be done. If you are up and able to move around and climb into a mech so soon after being injured then you will within reason help the tech crews complete their test on the new machine or you will be bound and gagged and tied to a bed in medical." Came from Anastasia. "So you will take it slow and work up to properly testing the machine, we clear love?" He answered with a huff. "Good, now everyone back to work...nearly got the machine clear."

"I like that human, she's fun." "Mine as well be one of us." "Anyone that can constantly get away with calling the Admiral Pup wins props." "You know he hates that nickname." "He no doubt also hates the thought of pink fur-dye bombs being left in his quarters as well." That came from Alice. 

"Hi Alice, who is family and outside the normal binds of playing nice...please no fur-dye bombs." Dark said with a sigh and gently worked his new arm from it's sling and into the control harness that one of the techs had finished with.

Alice laughed heartily and sounded like she was working. "So something I've been wondering, when are you going to give me a niece or nephew." Dark yipped and apparently to the glee of the elemental tech...Anastasia turned red as her hair. "Just curious, cause Blade is gonna be a father."

Howls and cheers filled the transport and nearby area, and an Elemental woman was carried off by her husband, snuggling into his fur and laughing as he licked her face.

((((((((((((

Alkalurops had become calmer in the time since it fought for peace, aside from the occasional time of coming across road work, convoys heading for the spaceport laden with goods, or the odd local traveling Other than that there wasn't much to do aside from drive and listen to the local net talk about projects. Apparently the big company mines beyond Falkirk had been raided by local militia and every bit of their files gone through, and all but one had been seized by the planet after crimes against the populace had been found.

Dex looked out the window as they shot past Kilkenny, the town being lit up in some areas from renovations and work sites of repairs being done. Kilkeny had suffered a fair amount of damage during the 2nd to last battle for Alkalurops, dual use of civilian buildings meant that parts of a large complex had landed and destroyed different areas. Several blocks had taken weeks to get properly cleaned up after the grain elevator had exploded and buried a company of Rough Riders mercenaries. Dex had looked over the reports and files that Betsy had kept in her backup data stores. Several towns on the route were either completely abandoned now or in the processes of being rebuilt, the dictator had been merciless and brutal, which had ensured that most if not all of his people were now dead.

He'd gleaned a few of her memories, mostly nightmares or night terrors her people tended to have and try to hide, knowing the hells humans put one another through reminded him of some dealings of the past. -Your friends are an interesting bunch, warriors, miners, professional killers. And there is an Atlas ahead.-

Betsy laughed and slowed the truck, turning on her high beams. "Benjork, He's no doubt meditating inside his machine." She'd look over at Dex and saw that his eyes were closed in the dim light of the truck interior. "He is a rather mystical person." She'd reach over and swat him, making him jump and hiss at her.

What she wasn't expecting was the Atlas to suddenly appear in the dark with search lights blaring as they turned on. -Damn it female, I was talking with him...well I was guiding a dream.- His mental voice was just as angered as the angry cat face he gave her. -You just made me scream in his head!-

Betsy laughed and clicked on the truck's radio, letting the former Nova cat hear her laughing, though her laughing turned into cursing as the truck was suddenly yanked up into the air and held on the Atlas's hands. "Ben...put me down this instant!"

The laugh Ben gave was almost childlike. "You woke me from such a lovely dream my dear, you know better than to disturb me...that privilege is saved for Grace." His voice betrayed his fondness for the miner. "And of course the twins..."

"You two had kids!" She'd squeak.

"I did not take a vow of chastity....and Grace forgot to mention her lack of contraceptives...." He'd pause. "I'm...a father." he said as if still trying to get used to such an alien concept. "Grace also broke my right hand and three fingers, and a nurse's nose in Allabad."

Dex purred. -You picked a good mate.- He'd stay calm even as something rare happened, Benjork was caught off guard and stumbled a little, shaking the truck in the mech's hands before setting it down. -Thank you for not dropping us Benjork, that would have been painful.- He watched Betsy take back off and match pace with the towering mech. -Betsy is my partner now, and you may call me Dex for short...-

Betsy laughed. "Yes because your names make my brain hurt, worse than the most long winded human name." She'd relax back into the seat and could see the lights far ahead for Falkirk at the end of the valley. "Kids....and twins..."

Benjork would shake his head softly. "Some way that does not seem nearly as strange as someone speaking inside your head at will...I have had visions and guiding dreams. Can you not speak like those giant wolves?" His answer was an odd mrow and purring, and a few other feline noises. "I will take that as a no."

-No we can speak our own small language if we need to orally, but languages of other races are far too annoying to try and learn to speak. So we use our minds, much more efficient and practical and we can decide who listens to our conversation usually.- Dex watched out the window as the big mech gained more speed and started to run. -Problem?-

Ben sighed as he looked at the com link. "Fatherly duties, Sean and Angus demand my attention. And quit laughing Betsy..."

-She's not...she's as red as your wife's hair and giggling like an idiot.- 

Betsy couldn't answer and actually pulled over as her pad beeped, pulling it up and seeming to mentally break at the cuteness before Dex got to see. It was a picture of Benjork with a cast on his hand with two little boys, one with a tan and fiery red hair and the other as albino as his father The picture also showed the beaded necklace that now always hung from his neck and the gold ring that never left it.

It beeped again. "Hey Foxy lady...how long until you get here? I can feel Ben coming into town...men and giant mechs and..." The miner growled and then blinked as she heard mewing. "The hell is that?"

Betsy was trying her best not to laugh out loud. "That is my new partner Dex." And then she got to hear a rumble and the slamming of a door, a dash of happy baby sounds. "He's alien, and ignore the purring...he keeps trying to pass for a Terran feline..."

Grace let out a bark of a laugh and there was the sound of a door as she stepped outside. "Yes, but it doesn't help that they look like old Terran gypsies in color. We've had reports of a few of them having been spotted on planet in different areas. They're not that great at blending in....and Betsy....you're working with the aliens?"

Betsy sighed. "Falcons killed my husband, Syn, and a few others I cared about. Nearly got me Grace. Tell you more about it later if you want...wasn't pretty. Wolves are good people for the most part, Felines are well...."

-I think the phrase you're looking for is cats are sweet loving assholes that will claw you when you need reminded of something.- Dex let loose as Betsy gently drove.

Grace stiffened. "That is so damn weird..."

"Now you and Ben can talk about the voices in your head together."

"Ben's baring his teeth at you."

-We feline's do like petting...maybe you should pet your big human cat behind his ear.- Oh it was so fun messing with humans, and what better to have fun with the 15 years of cat jokes he'd learned than a Nova Cat. And then he heard growling, baby giggles, and two women laughing.

"Oh you're being reconnected to the rest of the universe, you're also getting a group of techs coming in tomorrow, machines, and a small carrier bout the size of a dropship is hiding in system. The Admiral asks that you take these actions as non hostile and that he doesn't anger another red furred woman."

Grace walked back out onto the porch and pointed at finger for Ben to stay. "Why is all of that getting shipped here? I mean I'm for Alkalurops supporting itself, fended off a few Falcon raiding parties. But why is this Admiral sending all of this help." Grace sounded nearly as nervous as she felt hearing all of that. She'd watch Betsy's truck pull up to her home.

-For the sake of security reasons, not that I think this place has spies. There is a significant chance that the Falcon forces will be coming here in a month's time, at most 2 months. We've brought along all of the records passed along to the delegates on Summer, including the biggest reason for the carrier. Our friends lost a good many people, the Admiral lost his for lack of a better human word...wife.- He'd get out of the truck and walked around on two legs to look up at Grace's face and mew softly. -There are also other problems humanity must face, he is hoping to help humanity survive.-

Betsy snorted. "And logically they're far more interested in keeping us alive and as hopeful allies, than watching us get slaughtered and having an enemy on another front."

"I need a drink." Was all Grace said and watched as Dex held up a paw like hand and waved at her in greeting, stepping back a little as the feline came up to her waist. "You look like a gypsy...and your patterns are swirled...how do you pass at all for a Terran feline?" She asked curiously.

Dex shrugged in a rather human way and looked up at her. -Powders and other treatments for short or long term...much like Terrans alter your fur color, just gentler to our systems.- He'd speak into thier minds and peaked into the open door and made eye contact with Benjork. -You humans also have a weakness for certain looks it seems...- he was giving Benjork his absolute best cute begging kitty face, and was fast enough to dodge the boot thrown at him.

Betsy laughed. "Told you, that face doesn't work on everyone. Grace toss some messages...you're governess...but you need to get people together for what we have to talk about."

Grace groaned. "I hate politics..."