Narrator: When we last saw sergeant schlock, he had just been shot down, and was on a predictably ballistic path, which would almost certainly terminate right in the enemy's lap.
Narrator: Enough recap... We'll pick up on the continuation of this thread in a few days.
Schlock: I'll just wait here until then.
Narrator: A bit earlier, aboard the mercenary superfortress 'Post-dated check loan'
Thurl: Petey, we're back!
Tagon: No smoke. No holes in the walls, this is a good sign.
Petey: Welcome home, Captain. As you can see there were no problems in your absense.
Tagon: Have you lost weight? Your head looks smaller.
Petey: Ah, the ears... My avatar's appearance is determined by some hard-wired algorithms that are outside of my direct control.
Tagon: You mean you can't change what you look like?
Petey: Why does this surprise you? Few sentient beings can change more than a few, simple, cosmetic aspects of their appearance.
Petey: Besides, large, glorious ears are a far cry from, say, Male-pattern baldness.
Thurl: This is a mark of maturity and intelligence. I'll have you know.
Tagon: Oh yes, that was very mature.