Upsidedown turned out to be a good word. They boarded the big ship an hour later and were respectfully ushered into the presence of Captain Fromer and his staff.
“We’re underway,” Captain Fromer said. “We’ll be landing in nine days to deliver R’thagna Bar home.”
“How is he?” Hansen asked.
Fromer shrugged. “He’s been thawed out, frozen, and thawed out so many times, it’t anybody’s guess. Take a look for yourself.”
Someone pulled back a curtain to expose the recumbent, thawing, steamy form of His Exhalted Excellency R’thagna Bar.
“Why’s he undressed?” Hansen asked.
“Funny, now that you mention it,” Fromer said, puzzled, “why is he undressed?”
“Fascinating! Damnedest thing I’ve ever seen,” Candle said.
“What’s so fascinating?” Fromer asked suspiciously, moving closer.