“It’s time to go Rosemary, are you ready?”

“Just a minute, Officer,” answered Rosemary. “I just need to go to the bathroom.”

Officer Howler sighed. He and Rosemary were supposed to set off on their mission to capture Jake from Crawk, but it was taking a while. Rosemary had already repacked her suitcase three times, checked for tea bags, pop socks and her favourite brand of baked bean, which she “didn’t think they’d have in Crawk.”

It wasn’t only Officer Howler, the Rearguard Beagle and Rosemary’s pilot for this mission who was getting frustrated.

“Come on Rosemary!” shouted Eric Smythe. “You have to take off in five minutes, otherwise you’ll be mixed up with the ships of Fight Squadron Black Widow.”

Officer Howler wasn’t too worried. Although Fight Squadron Black Widow was named because they generally destroyed as many of their own ships as the enemies, he’d be able to get them through there safely. It would, however, be nice to be on time and have a nice easy start to their long voyage.

Rosemary eventually surfaced, her flight helmet wedged over her perm in preparation for take-off.

“Sorry, I always have to go even before I get on the bus. You know, just in case.”

Officer Howler didn’t know. He was a dog, he’d go anywhere. But he nodded, and signalled to Rosemary to follow him.

Rosemary and Officer Howler made their way along the corridor, pulling Rosemary’s excessive amount of luggage behind them. Eric Smythe ushered them into a little room and within a flash, they found themselves outside in a little cabin next to the launch pad.

Rosemary wasn’t best pleased.

“Eric! You need to tell me when you do that! It really shakes up the bones of us old ‘uns!”

Eric grinned. He’d had half an inkling that Rosemary wouldn’t like it and that was the main reason for doing it without warning. She’d been a right pain ever since she’d arrived, constantly asking for stuff and moaning to him about the “terrible treatment of my Jakey.”

“You need to get on now,” said Eric. “Your ship is ready.”

“Okay, okay,” said Rosemary. “Don’t rush me.”

Officer Howler was trying to keep quiet. Even though he was a bit frustrated, he knew that he had a lot of travelling to do with Rosemary as his sole companion, and beginning the voyage with an argument would not be the best of starts. Besides, she was an angry Mom, travelling across the galaxies, hell-bent on finding her war-criminal son and clearing his name. Angry Mom’s were scary.

Officer Howler led the way along the walkway into the little ship which was to be their home for the next month at least.

Rosemary followed him, and was pleasantly surprised. Despite its run-down and concise appearance, it was actually quite spacious inside. As well as the main bridge, from where Officer Howler would steer the ship and keep contact with FOG, there were two breakout rooms, with sofas and plasma screens where they could lie back and relax. There were two bedrooms, both ensuite, which Rosemary was very pleased about. She didn’t fancy cleaning the hair out of the shower after Officer Howler had been in. He was a man, she was sure he wouldn’t do it himself. There was also a shiny and well equipped kitchen where Rosemary assumed she would spend most of her time. She loved to cook, as do all Moms, and although on this mission it would only involve plating up dried food, this would still keep her sane, as would making as much tea as the water supply could handle.

“Here we are!” said Officer Howler, making his way onto the bridge. It was all about the mission for Officer Howler. Despite his previous reservations, he couldn’t help but look forward to it. He was about to fly into the most dangerous airways in the universe, during a war, to sneak out the most wanted man in the universe. This was exactly the kind of mission he had been born for.

Officer Howler was just hoping he had been given some decent guns.