At that moment, Chef Bullpuss called up from the galley, “Ai canna get another ounce of meat off this ancient chicken - it’s regeneration system has failed completely.”


“Macau, that’s awful,” said Lieutenant Moppet, “whatever shall we have for tea?”


“That probe is getting too close,” reported Mungo, “and some garbled messages are arriving. ‘IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?’ seems to be the prevalent one. Shall I program a jump through hyperspace to avoid it?”

“Negative, Helmscat Mungo,” responded Vulcat Tabitha, “not whilst your brother, Engineer Simpkin, is outside.”