Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of Red Dwarf--I'll let you know if it happens.
Author's note: Flashback sequence. This answers a lot of questions.
"Miss Adler?" Hollister's voice echoed through the half-empty Drive Room. Nicole got shakily to her feet. She had been waiting for that name to crop up for over an hour. She glanced at the figure beckoning her into his office and sighed. She walked uneasily over to the looming figure who gently pressed his hand on her back, forcing her into the tiny room. He sat down and looked up at her, an expectant smile on his face. He didn't say a word. She felt her body temperature raise way above what was normal. His eyes bore into hers with overwhelming suspense. Finally she couldn't take the pressure any more:
"I'm so sorry, sir! Jackson made me do it, sir! She--"
The Captain raised a hand to silence her.
"I have no interest in what you get up to in the privacy of your own quarters, so long as it doesn't break any rules," Nicole bit her lip. She was pretty sure that stealing Hollister's pile medicine, using it as makeshift massage oil on a senior officer, and charging him sixty dollarpounds for it was actually against the rules, but she didn't let on. Hollister continued, "I actually wondered if you were interested in a little expedition. I know you've had your eye on the Ganymede Project," Nicole's heart gave a start, "but unfortunately all the positions have been filled. However, there is a semi-stable assignment being planned for next week. It's normally something we would give to one of the technicians to do, but Lister's in stasis; Rimmer's busy with a drive-plate job; and I know you're eager to contribute to the work force." Nicole nodded enthusiastically. She'd waited years for an opportunity like this!
"What's the job?" she asked, before remembering, "Sir."
Hollister smiled, "You are to go back down to Mimas and pick up a consignment of supplies that were left behind."
Nicole's heart sank to her feet. That was it? Picking up a few supplies? Wasn't he going to at least try to challenge her? Apparently not. She sighed as she realised: a mission's a mission.
"Yes, sir." She said expressionlessly. A quick salute, and she was out of the door.
A week later she was stood in the empty landing bay of a Starbug. A large box was wheeled into it and placed down in front of her. It was about twice her height and had a lot of complicated looking buttons and labels. One in particular caught her eye: "Warning: may cause damage to the brain and hea--" The last word had been partly burnt off, but she guessed it was supposed to be 'heart.' She had never felt so uncomfortable in her life. She didn't want to be a part of this mission any more, but she couldn't exactly turn to the Captain and say, "Hey, actually, I've changed my mind. Why don't you bring that bloke out of stasis early so you can make him do this?" With this in mind, she stepped uneasily into the capsule and sat in the only seat. She set a course to Mimas as she had been told to do. As she typed in coordinates she became acutely aware that this was the only part of the task that truly needed any Navigational skill. This didn't help her racing pulse. As she finished programming the pod, a timer was set on the side of it. The very last thing she remembered was thinking: "I'm going to die, I know I'm going to die," as the lid to the capsule was closed with a metallic thud.
A/n: Hope this has shed some light on the somewhat confusing situation I have thrust this poor girl into! I'd like to thank 'The Mutant Velociraptor' and 'lil smegpot' for wishing me well on my operation--I'm feeling a lot better now, thankyou! The chapters won't come as thick and fast as they have done because I'm going back to school in a couple of days.