A/N: this is a missing segment from the story. Chronologically, it goes between segments 2 and 3. Unfortunately, because of the way the story is written, this part had to be cut out because the happy parts (1-5) greatly outnumbered the dark parts (6-9). This is when Good Cop/Bad Cop make the recording that is discussed in segment 3. The ending is similar to the end of segment 5 because by that time, I'd already decided to cut this segment. Enjoy!

2.5.

Dinner with Ma and Pa Cop was always a filling affair, with plenty of meat and potatoes to go around. Hence why Bad Cop and Pa Cop were fighting off food coma by watching television in the living room. Pa Cop tuned into the news.

"Here we're going to live feed with the members of the space mission. How are the repairs on the rover going?"

The red astronaut came on screen. "It's going great, Lotta! Not only are we repairing the rover, we're also conducting maintenance and performing upgrades so it can last a long while yet!"

"That is good news. I also hear you're setting up a new satellite for Octan?"

"That's right! We've also brought along a satellite so Octan can more accurately track the weather, but right now, our priority is fixing the rover. How's it going, guys?"

The camera shifted to look out of the shuttle's viewport, where the white, yellow, and black astronauts were doing something with the rover and a control tablet. The red astronaut facepalmed and hit a button on his console. "I said, 'How's it going, guys!'"

The three astronauts raised their hands to their ears, then turned around and waved at the window.

"Looks like everything is awesome. And now my colleague, Blue, is here to answer some questions from you kids down on the surface. Take it, Blue!"

The camera swiveled and came to rest on another man in the ship.

Good Cop took over. "Benny!"

"Huh, whazzat, son?" Pa Cop yawned, but Good Cop was transfixed by the image on the screen.

"Hi, I'm Blue, but you already know that, thanks for the intro, Red!" Benny clapped, looking out of the frame. A jellybean floated across the screen and Benny caught it in his mouth. "Our first question is from Tamara, age 9. Tamara asks, 'Space has no gravity. Will food float out of your stomach if you leave your mouth open?' As you can see," Benny opened his mouth wide, "no. This is because when you swallow, the muscles of your esophagus-"

"He's brilliant," Good Cop breathed.

I should hope so. If he's putting a satellite up there, I don't want it to crash down on our heads.

"Speak up, son, I can't hear a word you're sayin'."

"The blue astronaut is my friend, Benny." Good Cop said, his eyes never leaving the television. "We hang out sometimes."

"What are you boys gossiping about out there?" Ma Cop called from the kitchen.

Pa yelled back, "Boyo's friends with an astronaut."

"Really?" She emerged, hands still in oven mitts.

"Water will stick to water. That means it's hydrophilic. Next question is from Michael, age 12. 'How do you use the bathroom in space?'" Benny paused. "I think it's better if we just show you. Red, bring the camera—what? Why not? I'm not going to-!" The camera was knocked askew as the two astronauts engaged in a muffled slap fight.

"What a nice young lad," Ma Cop commented. "Who's ready for cobbler?"

Pa Cop moaned.

Something tugged at Bad Cop's memory. He switched back in. "Daddy, can we record this?"

"Sure thing, son. I'm just going to-" Pa Cop waddled in the direction of the bathroom.

By the time Bad Cop finished setting up the recording, a steaming plate of cobbler was waiting for him. With a spoon in each hand, he took turns nibbling on it with Good Cop as they watched the rest of the newscast.

"—asks, 'What do you miss about Earth?' I don't miss Earth all that much, because space is so cool! Everything floats, the food is amazing, and it's like a sleepover party with my best friends ever!"

There was a smothered laugh from off-camera.

"For all you kids who want to go into space, keep working hard. Follow your dreams, and you can definitely make it!"

Benny smiled, from a few feet away, from thousands of miles away. Good Cop smiled back.