Back on the Trid's ship, an energy emanation shimmered briefly. From its fast-dissipating field stepped a golden, furry creature with twinkling chocolate eyes and a pure sugar-plum, kiss-blowing heart.

Sugar Dog looked around and saw only a skeleton crew keeping watch. No one saw her. "Huh!" she said, "No Sugar Dog Man here! Guess the Trid is off on a toot. Ah reckon Ah better ready up his recovery chamber, won't he be surprised when Sugar Dog be here to welcome his surly ass home, all hung over!" Trotting off to the recliner room, she shook her head in bemused affection, silky ears shimmering could they but have been seen.

After making preparations, she settled down to wait. Would Billy have picked up a terminal case of the red-ass? No matter-- she'd deal with it!

~S~