Here's strip 122 of Dude in Distress, and we find out who the Azzi is. (Femme referred to him back in strip 108; and the psychic communication also explains how she got the distress call back in strip 92.)
Now I have all sorts of H.A.L., from 2001 a Space Oddisy, quotes going though my head. "I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that." Hmm, how would Azzi get along with H.A.L.?