A Space Corps deep space exploration vehicle is found tumbling through space, a short distance away from an asteroid belt that will almost certainly destroy it. As the Red Dwarf crew approaches aboard Starbug, an automated system aboard the Space Corps ship begins bio-printing a crew, except that there’s a bit of a paper jam. As the ship drifts into the asteroid field, Rimmer panics and fires a missile, which saves the ship almost by accident, and earns Rimmer a field promotion to officer from the bio-printed commander of the rescued ship. Rimmer wastes no time in instituting a class system, reserving officer perks entirely for himself, including access to the bio-printer, which he uses to create a crew of fellow Rimmers.
written by Doug Naylor
directed by Doug Naylor
music by Howard Goodall
Cast: Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat), Robert Llewellyn (Kryten), Stephen Critchlow (Captain Herring), Penelope Freeman (Lifts / Gosh Lady), Daniel Barker (Croquet Commentator)
Notes: Guest star Stephen Critchlow has also appeared in Doctor Who audio dramas, including The Nowhere Place (opposite Colin Baker as the sixth Doctor) and The Lady Of Mercia (opposite Peter Davison as the fifth Doctor).
LogBook entry by Earl Green