Hot House Crustacea: Conclusion
(Inspired by Seduced On The Bridge by Little White Mouse)
Epilogue One
"And this is how you found it?" asked the Chief Executive of Shipping and Transport, scanning the report.
"Yes Ma'am," replied 4230, the first respondent.
"Interesting," S&T said, "Continue for the record please."
"Right. 4782 experienced an accidental collision which adversely affected its cognitive and mnemonic functions; furthermore, there was damage to its environmental controls and stasis fields. Some of the cargo escaped. I'm sorry to report there are financial losses; some of the cargo ate the others...and there was a complication."
"Ah yes, the sentient primates," Shipping and Transport remarked.
The Chief Executive for Legal Affairs spoke, "My staff has determined that 4782's malfunction has made it non-culpable for its actions. It is my recommendation that no sanctions be imposed."
"So noted," said S&T.
"It is ironic that the environmental malfunction made it possible for 4782's rescue," the Chief Executive of Engineering remarked. "If the moisture from the ship's bridge hadn't caused the short circuit, the distress signal might not have activated. 4782 might have drifted for years without anyone ever finding out."
"It would have been bad for the primates," said the Chief Executive of Xenobiological Affairs.
"And the condition of the principals?" asked S&T.
"4782 is under repair and upgrades. It is very remorseful over its mistake. An A.I. psychoanalyst will issue a report soon," said Engineering.
"The sentient primates are being housed in a residential cubical until their legal and medical situation is resolved," said Legal.
"In other words, until we figure out our liability," snickered Xenobiology.
"The sentients were extremely agitated when the investigatory party entered the bridge," 4230 remarked. "The party was forced to use tranquilizers."
"They're primitives, they've never seen sentients of our species before," said Xenobiology.
"Didn't stop them from 'engaging in carnalities' with the crustazoids," snarked Engineering.