Isaac stepped forward, his optical sensor glowing. “Fascinating. The cloud’s digestive enzymes are non-random. They target specific mineral structures and organic compounds with the precision of a sommelier selecting a vintage. The moon it was consuming was rich in tricyclic hydrocarbons and volcanic salts. A ‘complex, earthy’ profile, one might say.”
Ed grabbed Dr. Fen by the shoulders. “How do we get it to spit us out?” The Orville
And on the viewscreen, the Orville —smelling faintly of burnt seaweed and victory—sailed off toward its next completely absurd adventure. Isaac stepped forward, his optical sensor glowing
Back on the bridge, the crew was picking themselves up off the floor. Fen by the shoulders
The Orville emitted a concentrated burst of the Pepto-Abysmal’s flavor signature directly into the cloud’s “taste” receptors. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the entire cloud shuddered—a cosmic, full-body dry heave. The amber haze turned a violent shade of chartreuse. A booming, psychic wave of pure revulsion washed over the ship’s hull.
“Okay,” Ed said, leaning back in his command chair. “Standard first contact protocol. Kelly, hail it.”