The fabric of space rippled around the cylindrical single pilot spacecraft christened ISV Boone as it soared to its interception point in the infinite void to study the ancient mysteries of a maverick comet that harborlessly roamed the cosmos from time immemorial. Commander Tybalt Cooper received an incoming transmission from the higher-ups at Control that upon his return the program participant would be honorarily reassigned to a branch of ground duty because he reached the maximum age of eligibility to be a government scout and interpreter in the Corps of Discovery.

The shiny box fresh technological miracle of the day prototype vessel's emotion recognition computer Haviland monitored her captain's stressed medicals. A scan of the 42 facial muscles catigorized an expression of shame. She inquired if nourishment would be in order. "Would you like to consult a psychologist? How about www --"

"- Have you heard of any place that's hiring?" a smile pulled at the astrogator's lips.