After they returned a few hours later, we were given a hangar to rest in. That was fine with us. As it had a large area, we could stretch out a bit and relax. General Nijdam addressed us the next day with a female assistant. She had a tape recorder. He said "After quickly consulting all the relevant officials, we have reached a decision." He let that hang in the air. "What was it!?" Boomie asked in frustration. "We have decided to accept your request. Why are you here? Tell me. My assistant can fill out all the paperwork." he said. Hearing that, I smiled. That was the first hurdle down. They could have easily refused us on the basis that we were not human. I then told them the harrowing story of the corruption of Ixiti and what happened to us at the northern base in detail. Each had a story to tell. Gamma about being harassed. Both Wideload and Boomie on the rape they had been through at the hands of the veterans. Babybird and Hatchling about the tragedy of their clutch mate, Bouncer. It had the general smirk and nod to himself. "Ixiti degenerates. They really fell far..." he muttered to himself.
We all had excellent hearing and picked it up. When we were finished, he looked at each of us and said "Don't feel at all ashamed of what happened to you. Those that dishonored you and themselves are the ones that should be ashamed." That was a nice thing to say. Wideload and Boomie were shocked. "You all have a warrior spirit. I will see what can be done." the general added before leaving us all. Things seemed to be going well. We just had to wait in here. It took a couple of in-game days, but we got an answer. We spent the time walking around the base and getting to know the humans. They were a bit freaked out by our presence, but they saw we meant them no harm. As we started helping out, they began to relax around us. The general returned in his helicopter. He said "Your story was very touching and even the president wept for you. However, there is no such mechanism for aeromorphs like yourselves to apply for asylum. That's a right reserved only for humans." This was a waste. He continued, saying "Reuzam diplomats have influenced our government to agree with them."
A new voice rang out from the entrance of the hangar. "...That you must all agree not to fight in any armed conflict for Liboleone: foreign or domestic. Pretty short sighted in my opinion." he said. General Nijdam did not look very pleased to see the newcomer. "General Ritske Krol." he said with disdain. The man that came in was the opposite of General Nijdam. General Krol was young, had unkempt hair and slouched with his hands in his pockets. We had to look at them face off. "That sticking point was one condition that those that were tepid would not budge on." General Krol said. I did not like where this was going. "What are we supposed to do? We were created to fight!" Boomie demanded. The general said "I know warriors like you yearn for the battlefield. Alas that is the condition for allowing you to stay here. Therefore, you must leave." It was all fine with me. Wideload looked at me. "Are you sure about this? We'll just be bounced all around the continent at this rate!" he asked. General Krol said "I was under the impression you'd be welcoming them. They were allowed to stay."
It was a giant bombshell to drop on us. General Nijdam said "You heard them. A group of aeromorphs from a different superpower will be hard to contain. Especially if the ones here are not allowed to fight in any way. They'll just be taking up the space and fuel that we have to purchase." The younger general rolled his eyes. "I might have a plan for them. If they agree to help with some experiments, that will be good enough for me." he said. I looked at him and said "What are these experiments? We are not going to do anything... invasive. That is gross." He smirked and said "I wouldn't dream of it. Are you staying here on base, or are you leaving? You can go wherever you want if you want." "I guess we can discuss it." I said with a sigh. General Krol looked towards his older counterpart. He said "I think I can handle them from here. I know that you're busy with other, more important things." The smirk on his face told me that he was enjoying this. The older man did not give him the satisfaction. "I do have things to do. Farewell for now." he responded before crisply turning and walking away.
