Kochanski felt the warm buzz spread through her as the second glass of liquid gold wine hit home. It had been over three million years since she had had a good Shiraz and she didn't realise how much she had missed it till just that instant. Across the table from her, Guglielmo smiled and poured her another glass from the dust encrusted bottle.

They had spent the day going about the city, stopping off at stalls and being invited into the homes of some of the most outlandishly dressed and distinguished Gelfs. They had finally retired to the restaurant that Guglielmo owned and run with just the two of them sat in the warm gloom. The place was Haven in miniature, the moody darkness shading white pearlescent walls, hung paper lanterns casting a soft glow of candlelight. The furniture was old and heavy timber, stained dark with age and worn smooth from use. Every surface was softened; velvet and cotton, silk and satin in a blaze of colours. Throws and cushions were liberally draped on chairs and stools, tapestries on the walls and rugs on the floors. Lister would have hated it.

"I must say Bella, it is wonderful to talk and drink with another human after so long. As much as I adore the Gelf it is good to spend time with someone with the same number of eyes as you."

Kochanski smiled, his voice wrapping around her like a syrupy fog. "Surely there are others? I mean, you are here. Three million years from Earth there must be trillions of us, scattered across the stars."

He shook his head, his eyes fixed to his wine, "I am afraid not, signorina. In all my years of searching, there has just been you. The holograms are there - of course, they are always there - but living humans? They stopped making us a long time ago."

"But how come you are here? We…I was frozen in stasis. I was only revived this late because that was when the radiation had reduced enough that it was safe."

Guglielmo's eyes focused on hers. "Why here? I can only think that it must have been destiny. How else was I to be here to meet you?"

Kochanski laughed, noticing the glint in his eye through his earnest expression, "No, seriously."

Guglielmo grinned. "Why do you think I am not serious? Fate is drawing us together, can you not feel it? I search for decades and find no one but I wait here and you fall from the sky. Il Mio Dio, there is no other explanation."

Kochanski flashed him the smile that made Lister fall in love with her and shook her head slightly. "You say you have travelled for decades but you barely look older than thirty. How old are you really?"

Guglielmo's jaw dropped and he placed a hand on his heart in a pantomime of shock, "Miss Kochanski, do you not know that it is rude to ask a man his age?"

"That is a right reserved for ladies. Come on, how come you have survived?"

Guglielmo topped up both of their glasses. Kochanski waited as he silently sipped at the wine before continuing. "I was made to survive. When humanity decided that the stars were there to be settled they created us: stronger, faster men who did not age. We were put into Arks filled with the tools to make civilisation and were sent across the cosmos. We were to prepare planets in suitable systems for human colonisation."

"The Space Corps started up the seeding programme? It was just in planning when we left Earth."

"Si, the seed ships went out and we were to pave the way for settlers." Guglielmo drained his glass.

"I'm guessing the settlers never turned up."

Guglielmo winced.

"What happened?"

The glint was gone from the Italian's eyes as his gaze cut into Kochanski's own, "Resh Mellok Sahk. We thought we would be out of the way but it was not enough. The Simulants were what we were not. Indestructible."

Kochanski poured the rest of the wine into his glass and he smiled gratefully as he picked it up. He raised it in a toast.

"To the fallen."

Her eyes filled with tears as they clinked glasses.

"To the fallen."

The two survivors drank together, alone in the dark.

The bustle from outside drifted in through the windows as Kochanski descended the thickly carpeted stairs into the empty restaurant. She was stepping carefully so that she didn't trip over the hem of her borrowed green kimono. Made for a Gelf several sizes larger than her, it was elaborately embroidered with winged lizards in gold and she had been assured that it was 'fit for a princess'.

A smile teased the corner of her mouth as she looked at the bar area, at the empty wine bottles and the two glasses.

Guglielmo came out from the kitchen, a glass of orange juice in hand which he handed to her. "Bongiorno Bella, I trust you slept well? I have word from the surface that the storm has cleared but there is still no sign of Mr. Cat."

"I'll go out and look for him. I want to get up to see how Dave and Kryten are doing."

The Italian pulled a face. "Before breakfast? No, I cannot allow you, what would my Mother say if she knew I had a guest that was not fed? Madre Mia she would not let me sit for a month. Come, you are nothing but bones. Tell me, what will you have?"

Kochanski laughed as she followed him into the kitchen, "If you insist then it's been too long since I last had Eggs Benedict. But only because we have to protect your precious bottom."

Guglielmo arched an eyebrow but said nothing. Kochanski blushed, embarrassed. What the hell was wrong with her? Maybe the wine was still not fully out of her system.

She watched him as he spoke over his shoulder to her. He was throwing ingredients into a pan with a careless precision that spoke of long experience, making up a hollandaise sauce. As he cooked, his low murmuring voice describing the origin and uses of all the ingredients, she found her mind drifting. Here was a living man, charming, sophisticated and funny. As he dropped the eggs into a whirlpool of boiling water in one of the huge brass pans, she had to admit that he was easy on the eye as well. A thought suddenly came to her.

"What is your real name?"

Guglielmo smiled. "I am Guglielmo da Napoli. Why would I need another name?"

"Does it suit you though? Would you seduce Dorabella for the sake of a bet?"

Guglielmo beamed widely. "For all my life here I have heard of no one that knew of Cossi fan Tutte"

Kochanski smiled. "It is one of my least favourite operas but it is a classic."

Guglielmo began to plate up the breakfasts, "I wanted a new start, I needed a name and it was one I felt I could live up to. Of course, the only woman for him is Fiordiligi; his interest in Dorabella is strictly platonic."

She laughed as he handed over her plate. They ate in the kitchen, the smell of herbs surrounding her. She had missed this. A mining ship designed to travel through deep space was not a place where domesticity bred. She had grown up in virtual reality, the only times she was truly home was during summer holidays. She would be sat on a stool in the corner of the kitchen while Mother directed the help in making up the huge platters of food for her fabulous luncheons.

"Bella, I must ask, what do you plan to do?"

Kochanski sighed, "Our priority is to get Kryten fixed. The storm has passed now so I guess we should head across to a settlement near here that will be able to help us repair him."

Guglielmo put down his cutlery and fixed her with his glare, "What will you do then? After it is repaired what use will it be? What will you do after?"

"Firstly, Kryten is not an appliance, he is one of our crew. And secondly, I – we haven't decided what we will do after…" Kochanski trailed off.

Guglielmo looked off into the middle distance for a moment, lost in thought. Abruptly he snapped back to the present, fixed his gaze on Kochanski's and laid a hand on hers. "This Kryten is important to you I see. Come it – he will be repaired. I will make this happen, you don't worry. There is one I can call upon to help in this situation. He will come, you can rest here with me and he will do what needs to be done. No need for any dangerous voyage for you and I will continue to have the pleasure of your company."

"What, it's as simple as that? I thought that there was no one here who could fix him."

"There is not. The Gelf Council of Haven will tolerate only the most basic of mechanoids. The scars of the war run deep and are not easily forgotten. The man I speak of is… tolerated."

Kochanski's eyebrow raised, "A man?"

Guglielmo smiled, "In a manner of speaking."

What he would have said next was lost as a blur of green dropped from the ceiling and landed in a rustle of silks. The figure stood, splendid in a thick thread-of-gold encrusted red Matador's jacket, tight fitting green trousers and flowing green silk cape. The Cat had arrived for breakfast.

"Good morrow, my good Monkeys. Feed me."

Guglielmo chuckled and led the feline into the kitchen. Kochanski watched him go, a small smile creeping across her face.

Lister was twirling the hologrammatic pen in his fingers, his gaze fixed on a small patch of dirt between his boots. He was sat in the dust, his back leaning against the crumbling wall of a rough mud building as the trio approached. His head snapped up at the sound of her laugh, and he had scrambled to his feet by the time that Guglielmo, Cat and Kochanski had reached the doorway of the building.

"Hey guys, I'd wait a sec before going in. I think they need another minute."

Kochanski saw his broad grin and mirrored it with one of her own. The moment of shared joy at seeing each other again was broken by the creaking groan of the door as Guglielmo forced it open.

"Smeggin' Hell!"

Kochanski and the Cat could just watch as Guglielmo strode in followed by Lister grasping ineffectually at his arm. They looked at each other and shrugged before following the men in.

Inside the low hut was murky darkness filled with a low hum of noise. As her eyes adjusted she could see huddled forms and pinpricks of lights from the exposed circuits and interface ports of a crowd of mechanoids. Sitting on all manner of chairs, barrels and boxes, they were all sat facing the opposite end of the room where a single figure stood. Kryten.

Guglielmo was leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed, an irate Lister whispering into his face with a look of murderous rage. Kochanski felt hugely uncomfortable all of a sudden, the unmistakeable feeling of walking in somewhere where she was not welcome rushing over her in a wave. The silent forms of the mechanoids had the air of anticipation about them as they stared fixedly at the nervous Kryten, who was shifting uncomfortably. The longer the silence dragged on the more she realised it was not the mechanoids' scrutiny that was bringing on the mortification on his plastic face but her scrutiny. He was embarrassed by her being there.

"Are we finished here?"

The Italian's voice cut through the darkness and snapped everyone out of the awkward stupor that had descended.

Lowering his gaze, Kryten nodded. "Yes, sir."

Lister turned to look at the mechanoid, the concern on his face frightening Kochanski with its intensity.

"You sure Krytes? You don't have to do nothin' if you don't want to"

Kryten smiled broadly and shook his head. "I am finished here."

Turning to the mechanoids gathered he gave a quick bow.

"Work well, my brothers."

From their seats the mechanoids bowed their heads in return, "We shall work well," intoned from voice units across the room.

Kryten stepped through the crowd and exited the hut, the eyes of the mechanicals never leaving him as he walked through. The others followed him out, Kochanski catching up with Lister before they reached the door and whispering to him.

"What the hell was that all about?"

Lister rounded on her, his eyes shining; rage warring with melancholy in the dark irises. "Faith."

He stormed out before Kochanski could reply, leaving her to stalk after him.

Outside it was exactly like she thought it would be - the Cat was brushing his hair, Kryten was looking around with a look of quiet contentment and Guglielmo was aloofly trying to ignore the bristling Lister who was even now trying to shout at him.

"What the smeg are you playing at? You couldn't have given us five minutes? What the smeg is so important that you had to bust in there with your – "

"I have arranged for someone to come to repair the droid. He is due to arrive any moment."

Lister rounded on Kochanski. "What the smeg happened to 'There are no traders who can help you'? And when was this decided? The storm's been over for ages and there's been nothin' from you. Anything could have happened to you guys. You could have fallen into an underground crevasse or been eaten by giant cave slugs for all I heard from you."

It hurt Kochanski to see him so upset and she felt herself choking up as she replied.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry Dave. We were ….delayed coming up. We sent messages that we were ok and that everything would be sorted in a few days."

Lister turned and glared daggers at Guglielmo. "Yeah, great comfort that was. Some Gelf sneezed something on me and, funnily enough, I didn't quite get that message. I almost got myself battered by those bird guys when I tried to find out what the smeg was going on by asking."

"My fault entirely and I apologise intensely." Guglielmo bowed his head but his smile never changed. "I was unaware that your droid could not translate the Gelf languages."

Kryten look of shame was expressed across every inch of his square face. "I am so sorry sir, I have been at fault and I must apologise whole heartedly. Naturally I will terminate myself and relieve you of the burden of my stupidity."

Kochanski grabbed his arm. "Don't be stupid, Kryten. We'll sort you out soon."

Kryten looked only slightly better but at least he had stopped looking for something to kill himself with.

The Cat looked up suddenly, on tip-toes and alert. A few moments later, the rest of the party heard the ominous rumbling drone. It started low and grew rapidly to a high pitched shriek as a silver disc shot across the sky, the backwash of its thrusters kicking up dust. As they watched, a cluster of specks detached from the disc and hurtled toward the ground, triggering alarms across the settlement. Avian guards came running, their staffs crackling with arcs of electric energy but were waved away by Guglielmo. There was a group of thumps as a number of crates impacted into the dirt, spraying clouds of earth. There was a roar of noise and the largest speck was revealed, landing in a delicate spray of dust.

The figure strode towards the Dwarfers, the smell of jet fuel coming off him in waves. Dressed in bright red motorcycle leathers he stood easily at six and a half feet tall. He lowered his jet-
pack to the floor and pulled his helmet from his head.

"Holy smeg…."

The others all looked at Lister who looked like he had seen a ghost.

Guglielmo strode forward and shook hands with the massive figure. He turned to the others, one arm around the shoulders of the man next to him.

"This man will help your Kryten. May I introduce – "

"Jim Bexley Speed," finished Lister.