Cook had accomplished his usual legerdemain with the space rations but the breakfast table was less appreciative than usual.
"The detail's been gone a long time," Doc Braddon said, toying with an omelet. "Do you think it's a wild goose chase?"
"Reminds me of a time off Venus," the skipper said. "Before any of you were born, probably...."
His juniors listened politely until the familiar narrative was interrupted by the 'com on the bulkhead. They recognized the voice of Sergeant Maraffi, the non-com in charge of the crew in the scout craft.
"We found something. Looks like bodies. Well preserved but incomplete. Humanoid."
"Bring 'em back," the skipper said. "As many as you've got room for in the sling." He added as an afterthought: "Do they smell?"
"Who knows?" Maraffi said. "I sure don't aim to take off my helmet to find out. They're not decomposed, though."
The skipper grumbled to Doc: "I thought you checked the atmosphere."
"There isn't any," Doc said, annoyed. "Didn't you read my report?"
"All right," the skipper said, not looking at him. "I can't do everything. I naturally assumed these people breathed."