Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or locations in this story apart from Nicole Adler and her old home (which will make an appearance later on, if you're confused.)
Author's note: I really like this chapter. It took me a while to write the first bit--writer's block again--so it might seem a bit.....crap. Please stick with it.
"One hour to go, sirs," stated Kryten, "Should I charge up the bazookoids as a precaution?"
"Yes," Lister said, at the exact same time that Rimmer said, "No."
They looked daggers at each other for a long time. Kryten nervously broke the silence: "Um, what should I do, sirs?"
Lister spoke first, "Charge up the bazookoids."
Kryten went to do so.
"Kryten, stop," came Rimmer's voice, "stay where you are, that's an order."
Kryten froze mid-step.
"Don't listen to him, Krytes, go get the bazookoids!"
Kryten moved again.
"No!"
Kryten stopped.
"Yes!"
Kryten moved.
"No!"
Kryten stopped.
"Yes!"
Kryten moved.
"OK, hold it, hold it!" Cat piped up, "Kryten, you're making me dizzy, man!"
"Look," said Rimmer, "if this is the capsule from Red Dwarf, how is the occupant going to feel if he or she steps out to a barrage of bazookoid fire?"
"Yeah," retorted Lister, "but how are we going to feel if it's some deranged simulant that's in the mood for killin' stuff?"
This argument continued for quite some time before a compromise was finally met: They would load all the bazookoids and keep them in the room, but they would only be set to 'stun' and no-one was allowed to touch them until it was certain that whatever was inside the capsule was dangerous. However, before they had time to instigate to plan, the quarantine alarm went off. The pod was ready to open.
Kryten hit some keys and the pod opened with a hiss. A foggy mist rose from the capsule creating a thick cloud within the quarantine bay. Kryten hit some more buttons and the fog gradually cleared. Lister's hand twitched over the bazookoid. Kryten rhythmically punched commands into the console. Rimmer watched on, mesmerized by the swirling patterns the fog was producing. Cat didn't really care what happened, as long as he was fed within the hour. A coughing sound emerged from the pod. It sounded female. Lister grimaced with effort not to reach for the bazookoid and open fire. The silhouette of a small, slender, woman was cast in the mist. Lister's instinct got the better of him as he grabbed his weapon.
As the whirling veil cleared, her features were thrown into illumination, and the first thing that struck everybody's attention was the Red Dwarf uniform she was wearing. Rimmer smiled. Oh, how he loved being right!
His smile rapidly faded into full on awe, as her face looked up at the motley crew. Rimmer's, Cat's and Lister's jaws dropped to the floor. She was stunning! Her wavy, auburn, mid-length hair sat impeccably on her shoulders. Her ice blue eyes were the colour of the ocean. Her face was a perfect oval shape. She looked around desperately confused. Where the smegging hell was she...?
A/n: All my friends think I based this woman on myself, but it ISN'T true (unfortunately)! Still waiting for reviews........