Okay, here's the deal. The Earth got used up so a bunch of other planets got terraformed. Some were rich and flush with new technology, others had cows. The central planets formed the Conglomerate and offered peace and prosperity to the rest, but we decided to fight them anyway because we're all cool and anti-authoritarian and stuff. I'm Bon Arnold, captain of Ambivalence. She's a mosquito-class transport. Got a good crew - well, a crew, anyway. Fighters, a pilot, a mechanic. Even picked up a Father for some reason, and a bona fide pet. Got a doctor too, rescued his idiot sister from some Conglomerate lab so for some reason they think it's a good idea to hang out with a bunch of people who routinely get pulled in by law enforcement. You understand.

If you've got a job needs doing, we can do it. As long as it involves cows.

***

Bon walked over to Scrub and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Just got a call from Impala, she's over on Ap Lanet and she's ready for us to pick her up."

"You got it, boss. I am a leaf on the tree, watch me hang there."

Bon looked at him, nonplussed, as Estuary's scream of "Noo!!! No! I won't eat the cottage cheese!" echoed down the corridor. They were both too used to this to take any notice.

"Scrub, what the la plume de ma tante are you talking about?"

"I thought it might make a good catchphrase. Do you like it?"

"Just get us to Ap Lanet. While we're there we'll drop in on Bert, he has some sick cows and heard about the cow medicine we've got stashed in the hold."

"Ok. Zee honey, would you engage the ignition?" Zee was gazing adoringly at Bon leaving the room and hadn't heard the question.

Bon turned back in the doorway. "Scrub, we ain't going nowhere without the ignition engaged."

Zee immediately jumped up and ran over to the ignition as Bon left. Scrub glared.

***

Later on Bon knocked on the door of Impala's cabin.

"Come in!"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, come right in!"

"I wouldn't want to disturb you."

"It's not a problem, come on in!"

"You're sure I ca