Though I guess it was a lot to keep up with to read and all too.
It can be quite intimidating, especially when Real Life is also trying it's hardest to interfere with things.
However, even the grumpiest looking of clouds has a silver lining, there's space for one more -
@Fancy Party, you were top of the waiting list, so first dibs goes to you.
Bunz is good, we just have to put our heads together on how best to insert an octocat into the crew. My initial thoughts are:
1)
Restaurant Patron! There's all sorts of people at the Henderson's Ribs above Nurr-Slugg, it's entirely feasible that Bunz is there. Perhaps Bunz has been separated from their old crew. Perhaps Bunz has been abandoned by their old crew. Perhaps the old crew had an accident and they're, you know, not around anymore.
2)
They've Always Been There! It's an option, but my least favourite (like caraway seed cake, seriously, yuck).
3)
This Warp Engine Is A Bit Experimental! Sort of like Option 2, but warp engines are notoriously fickle and weird in how they operate. Warp technology sometimes can sometimes cause "anomalies". Bunz could be that anomaly! Be the anomaly you want to see! Or something.
3)
Meet At Ofromia! The crew is, I believe, going to head towards the planet of Ofromia to help Zane Heron throw a party. This presents quite a few opportunities to get involved, either as a party-goer, an employee, a random passer-by, a member of the Space Friends who is also trying to help, etc. etc.
It probably goes without saying at this point, but these are just the first set of ideas to pop into my head to get the ball rolling and,
Katamari style, pick up other, bigger, better ideas to run with. If none of these appeal, that's fine, we can come up with something else. After I've had another mug of tea.
Edit: That encounter worked out better than I expected it to.
I was re-reading the posts and thinking that, in a weird sort of way, the actions taken actually worked quite well together - a bit of diplomacy-ish, an implied threat, a distraction, a sneak attack.