A small white pod emblazoned with the number 471 was resting on a rock on the edge of a waterfall. A floating twig displaced it, sending it hurtling into the pool below. As it hit the water there was a flash of light and a creature covered in violent splashes of color replaced the pod. The creature waded out of the pool.

"Warning: Experiment 471 activated. Primary function: Visual Impairment." The metallic voice rang through the ship, alerting the attention of a large shark-like alien and a smaller yellow one. "Another day, another trog to catch," muttered the large one, Gantu. The small experiment didn't say anything, for once. He also had a number, 625. Gantu grabbed an experiment container and trudged out the door.

471 was pondering what to do next when she heard a loud pounding, drawing ever closer. Diving into a nearby bush, she watched as a large figure whooshed past her, crashing down a path to her right. She quickly turned her head to where the thing came from, and spotted a small black ship near the pool she had just waded out of. Why hadn't she noticed that before? She crept up to it, glowing faintly in apprehension. Peeking through the window, she caught sight of something moving within. There's only one thing to do, she thought grimly. She knocked on the ship door.

625 had just bitten into his sandwich when he heard a faint tapping on the door (or whatever you call that thing). Curious, he opened it to find something that was unmistakably one of Jumba Jookiba's genetic experiments, same as he happened to be. In fact, he instantly recognized this particular example. A memory bubbled up in his mind, a memory from not so long ago.

It was dark, and Experiment 471 was making her way back form the bathroom to her assigned sleeping quarters when something pounced on her from behind. Reflexively, she used the only method of self-defense she had. She lit up like a Christmas tree, bathing the entire lab in multicolored lights. "625!" came the collective shouts of about 624 other experiments, not to mention one very sleepy evil genius. Behind 471, 625 was rolling on the floor, doubled up with laughter. "That was only funny the first seven times, 625," chided 471, miffed but unruffled by the practical joke.

"Are you kidding?" he replied, getting up and brushing himself off. "That never gets old."

"It does to those who are trying to sleep. Just go to bed."

A sudden snapping interrupted 625's reminiscing.

"Um…. Are you okay?" asked 471, taking a tentative step inside.

" Well- oh, come in!" he stuttered, finally realizing what 471 was implying by sticking only one foot inside the ship. "Well," he repeated, directing his guest to a place she could sit. "Ol' fishface should be back any minute now, since he's obviously not going to find you out there."

"Who's Fishface? And why would he want to find me?"

"His real name is Gantu, and he'd want to find you because…. Because…" 625 paused, as if trying to make up another explanation, but then reverted back to the original story. "The truth is that he gathers up, or at least tries to, for that matter, other experiments and delivers them to Dr. Hamsterveil. To help take over the universe." 471 abruptly stood up, heading for the "door".

"Then I can't stay here," she stated simply. "I can't wait to be delivered to Dr. Gerbilstein to be used as a weapon, no matter how adorable he is."

"No, wait. I promise I won't send you to Hamsterveil."

"Honest?"

"Cross my heart."

"Okay, but this Fishface had better help you keep your promise. By the way, you look different."

"It's been a long time."