"Oh, that!" pooh-poohed the Earth operator. "That was a mistake—didn't I tell you? The examiners got mixed up. It seems their orders were to examine every single man aboard the Saturn, with no exceptions. And since there were two Biggs on board—"
Biggs, who had been listening to the message come in, jerked like a spitballed schoolmarm.
"Uncle Prenny!" he yelled. "They got him mixed up with me. I'm the First Mate and he's the First Vice-president. They probably just entered the report that the 'First Officer' was unfit for space travel! Uncle Prenny's heart has been bad for thirty years!"
I grunted contentedly and cut the connection. "Then all's well," I said, "that ends swell, huh?"
The Old Man, too, grinned happily.
"Right you are, Sparks. From now on our troubles are over. Peace and contentment from now on...."
But with Biggs aboard the Saturn, that's a thousand-to-one shot. Any bets?