The rest of the second day had been spent trying to locate the spot where the rally took place. Fortunately, it wasn't a seedy building or a cave or some other small space this time around. Towards Ursa's northern sector was an open area marked by aisles surrounding a central platform. She'd seen similar places like it in her comics. Amphitheaters. Usually, they were used for tournaments and the like.

They stopped their investigation there, though, as it was getting late into the night. Day three was devoted solely to checking around the arena. Sasha opted to stay home to get her bearings. And to keep Cici informed.

"You're sure?" the fox asked.

Sasha nodded. "It's him, alright. And if I know Sulky, she'll be hiding somewhere waiting to attack. She'll have to share, though."

Cici's hologram sat down, her tail curling around her legs.

"Geez. Now I wish I was there too. I owe that jerk a knuckle sandwich for putting us through this crap."

"There's still a day if you wanna take a shuttle over."

Cici groaned. "Maybe if I didn't have a civil war to stop. Stupid grad duties."

Sasha shrugged. It was strange to think that out of the three of them, Cici was the only one doing her actual job.

While they were out hunting a sulky wolf and a crazy human, Cici was dealing with the fallout of a civil war back on Rutune. Though the tech integration had been going smoothly, the more traditional avians had been up in arms over 'outsider interference.' Cici and her liaisons had been trying to keep the world from falling apart ever since. It was a task Sasha didn't envy, but was proud of her friend for staying calm in the face of. Her friend had never been the responsible type, but she was doing the best she could. That was good enough.

"Be careful out there, Sash," the fox said. "If things get bad, you call me, okay. I might be galaxies away, but I don't wanna get another death scare."

She nodded. "Yeah. Sorry again about that. I'll try to keep you in the know, Cici."

"You better." Her hologram smiled. "And pass the word to Iris, too. I miss my wolf bestie. Tell her she better call me when you see her again."

"Duly noted."

Sasha waved, Cici's hologram disappearing as the call shut down. She really was proud of her. It hadn't even sunken in that Cici had no contact with Iris this entire time. And yet here she was focusing on her duties and checking in. Staying calm no matter how much the fox must have worried for the both of them. She almost felt a little jealous. The minute they separated, Sasha was jumping for a ship to bring them back together. Always dreaming of them. Hoping more than anything that the next world would be the world they were on.

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She'd broken laws, committed actual treason, and nearly died just to find them. Meanwhile, Cici had been trying to make the graduate thing work for her and Iris had been on a one-wolf mission of revenge. It was weird to think, but somewhere along the line, she had become the irresponsible one of the trio. She was the infamous traitor who had a target on her back, wanted by the biggest organization in the cosmos.

And though she knew it was incredibly stupid, she would have gladly done it all again if given the chance. Minus the near-death and liaison betrayals, of course.

She snickered, sitting back on the bed. A lone panther out to bring her friends together once again. Semi-alone, at least. She still had two liaisons at her side. And a crew of robots. And...

"You alright, GT?" she asked.

The staff appeared in her lap. It had been quiet for days, though it tended to do that at times so she'd gotten used to it. Still, it felt right to check in with it as well. Especially given all she'd learned about Elisia since the last time they spoke.

"Do you think she's here too?" GT asked.

The thought had crossed her mind. This was her lead, after all. But even if the goddess was around, would she even show her face?

"Do you wanna see her?" Sasha asked.

"I'm not sure. I am still processing."

The staff was quiet a moment, Sasha stroking its metal. It really was a nice weapon, though she seldom told it so. Maybe that needed to change too.

"Well," she said. "For what it's worth, I'm glad she made you, GT. Can't really imagine a better weapon for me than you."

It didn't respond, though she felt the staff resonating against her fingertips. Almost like it were purring, though she knew it lacked the ability. It was a metal pole at the end of the day. A very smart metal pole, but a pole nonetheless. And somehow it was her closest friend on the ship. Discounting Training Bot, of course.

"Couldn't have got here without you, buddy," she said. "And now we're gonna take down the Comet Man together."

The weapon chimed. "I am prepared to fight with you, Ms. Sasha. Please try not to get yourself too hurt."

She giggled. "I only promise to try."

She looked up as the front door unlocked, both her liaisons returning with bags of groceries. Had it gotten that late already? She felt her stomach rumbling, only realizing then how hungry she was.

"We're back, Panther," Mr. Xan announced. "And the good news is, Twig's got a plan for us."

"Which we can discuss after we eat." The weasel cracked his neck. "And sleep. Sweet whiskers."

Sasha smiled.

All things considered, she was more than a little glad for how things turned out. Sure she had a lot of work to do to get her friends back, but at least she'd made some good new ones. Mr. Xan got to work in the kitchen, Sasha watching as he diced up ingredients.

On the final day of their preparation, the panda decided it was time to let her try his sushi. It was sweeter than she expected.