“Ellie, love,” Lem turned to her, “it’s not true. I’ve never been on this planet or seen creatures like this.”

“Don’t call me ‘love’. I’m just your partner.” She would not cry in front of him. “Apparently, that’s all I’ve ever been.”

“No, Ellie -.” He couldn’t explain it now, certainly not in front of the Superjudge.

“Your figure is quite pleasing to my eyes,” the Superjudge spoke to Ellie. “Your curves are of great interest to me.”

“Oh God, it’s flirting with me,” she whispered.

“Let’s get back at both of them,” the Judge suggested. “Revenge intercourse?”

“Ellie, I swear -,” Lem shook the ‘revenge intercourse’ image from his mind. “I don’t even know a Martha – of any species.” He cleared his throat. “And let me assure you, no one calls me ‘Lemmy.’” He spit the nickname out as he spoke it. “I wouldn’t allow it.”

“But what about this letter?” Ellie asked before the Judge could.

“Well, I do have rather a lot of enemies,” Lem began.