Enter the Glish, a race of permanently-moist aliens who lick each other in greeting. Despite its buzzing cafè culture and farmers' market, the Glish are hesitant about Peterborough and must do a lot of hand- and face-licking before they sign. When the deal falls through, Space Force demand that Commander Henderson and crew find another investor by the end of the week.

Henderson must make first contact with a strange, new world: Queppu. This is his chance to speak to the peoples of a planet - to make history. Instead, Henderson, Teal and York are greeted with crossbow fire and accused of being rebels against the leader.

It's Gary Neville Day and time for the crew of the Camden Lock to let their hair down and take a well-earned break. Traditionally, the crew hold the Cadet's Ball and extend a courtesy invitation to the Commander. But in a more 'appropriate' tradition, the Commander holds a dinner with fine wine and Wotsits for the Officers.

Henderson has his eye on a Nobel Peace Prize when the Bulaah and the Lallakiss arrive at the Camden Lock for negotiations over the rights to an asteroid. Discarding Teal's complex agendas in favour of a 'man-to-thing' chat, Henderson raises the stakes of the negotiation by threatening to blow up the disputed rock if they don't agree to share it.

While scanning the galaxy for drug smugglers, the Camden Lock encounters the ship of the round-the-galaxy solo spacewoman, Clare Winchester. Concerned for her mental wellbeing, Henderson decides to put the mission on hold to do a little bonding. He finds Clare a mass of neuroses and superstitions - she also appears to have a tortuous relationship with a 'Mr. Cup'. When his poster of an orangutan fails to improve her outlook, the two row.

During a round of psychological tests, the Camden Lock is fired upon. Mistaking it for part of the evaluation, Henderson ignores the sounds of the destruction. Could it be his last mistake?