"Go to bed! Non way!" Rory said as she shook her head in disbelief. "De company will ne'er take me back. J'em diseased."
"The company no-longer exists in our time," Lister told her. "You see I was put in suspended-animation-stasis for three million years. When I got out everyone was gone."
"Why you in stasis fo' t'ree million years?'
David shrugged. "Long story," he said. "You see I was put in stasis for bringing a pregnant cat on board. When I got out I learned that there had been a radiation leak, due to a faulty drive-plate. Our ship's computer, Holy kept me in there until he was sure that the radiation had cleared."
"So you want me to Join yo' group?" asked the Cajun.
"If you would, Madame," Kryten added.
"What functions I would provide for you?"
"You would be our commanding officer, Grand-mere," Rimmer announced. "You would be in control of all that needs to be done around here."
Rory shook her head in disgust at what she just heard. "I have non idea that my progeny would become such imbeciles," she declared. "De company exists non mo'! Rank has non relevance. What real functions I will serve?"
"We need whatever part of your mind is left until your cancer takes you," Lister stated. "Your service record says that your hobbies lie in defence. There are times when we need a tactician and we were wondering if you'd be interested."
"And what durin' peace-time?" she asked. "Shall I stay in a closet an' wait fo' skirmishes? Now dat sound excitin', yeah. Where d'I sign-up?"
Lister's eyes rolled back. Shaking his head he could see where Rimmer's sarcasm came from.
"There are better things to do besides just wait around, Ma'am," Kryten pressed. "Your service record states that you're a top-notch technician. Now although Mister Lister has been able to hold us together okay, we still have much to be desired for repairs around here. Now what do you have to say to that?"
Aurora Rimmer pursed her lips in the same manner that her grandson does whenever he mills over something. After giving forth some thought she asked, "I may have a drink of water?"
"Of course, Madame," Kryten replied joyously. "I'll get it for you right away." With that he took off.
"So this means you're going to stay, then?" Lister asked.
Rory looked at him and gave a quiet nod.
"Do you have any other outfits besides your uniform or do you live in it like Brillo-Pad-Hair over there?" asked the feline, who had been standing in the corner looking at himself in his hand-mirror.
The Cajun gave a smile as she shook her head and said, "I wear dis here uniform, my good sir. It d'not wear me."
With relieved expressions, Lister and the Cat exchanged glances. It was beginning to come into focus that although Aurora Janvier Rimmer shared a lot of the same traits as her grandson, she may be easier to get along with, so long as you didn't anger her."