Two weeks passed.  The armoury built up.  Lister continued his combat training along with some of the villagers and, on occasion, the Cat; who turned up when he felt like it.  In truth, he didn't really need to be there at all; his heightened senses and quick reflexes made him just about the best warrior they had, and nobody had beaten him yet in a swordfight.  Rimmer was still going on regular trips to scout around the Furies camp.  Kryten was happy helping out around the village and Kochanski was...well, not happy but she hadn't said anything more about leaving and seemed to be coming to terms with the situation.  She was still being very chilly to both Lister and Rimmer though; and Lister, to everyone's surprise - even his - had not made much of an effort to hold out an olive branch and had left her to sulk.

            He spent most of his evenings in Rimmer's hut.  Sometimes they were joined by Ethan but more often it was just the two of them.  Lister would be waiting with the fire lit and a meal cooked when Rimmer came back and they would discuss whatever he'd seen and formulate some strategies.  But mostly the night ended with them reminiscing about their time shared back on Red Dwarf and Starbug.  Despite all Rimmer's tales about his adventures as Ace, Lister could tell that he'd missed his old ship, and its crew, tremendously.  

            Finally, Rimmer came back one night with a very grim expression.  Lister had been waiting for him by the fire, but he took one look at his face and got to his feet, "What's wrong?"

"It's started, Listy," he said simply.  "They're getting ready to move.  Massing arms, packing provisions, all of it.  They're coming."

"Already?" The dismay was evident on Lister's face.

"I know.  I really thought we'd have longer than this."  Rimmer anxiously ran his hands back through his wig.

"How long do we have?"

"They'll be marching in a few hours.  We can probably expect them sometime tomorrow afternoon."

            Lister looked at him, "What do we do?"  Rimmer took a deep breath,

"We find Ethan.  We tell him what's happening.  And then I find the Cat and we fly over there and hit them with the air-strike.  Right now."

"But..." Lister paused, "I thought I was going with you." 

"You were.  But the situation's changed now.  I need you to stay here and help Ethan.  Between you you've got to get this lot organised.  Kriss needs to be ready to start evacuating the village as soon as we get back with the 'Bug and the lads need to be getting kitted out at the armoury asap."

"Right.  Okay." Lister conceded, "You find Ethan and I'll find Kriss.  Let's go."