We're broadcasting to the galaxy!

Cate's Communal Writing Experiment is taking an interesting turn. It now has a galactic audience. Here's what's happened in the last two days:

Only a few feet in front of him, a large cat with fur the color of Tang stretched out and began to wash its tail. Wendell stared. The rippling of muscle in the big cat's forearms and flanks reminded him of something. He shook his head, trying to clear away the Abilifying haze. Thing, Wendell, he told himself, THINK. 
After a moment, mesmerized by the rhythmic rasp of the cat's tongue, he realized that the cat reminded him of Carl. Carl was big and tawny like this, and strong... Wendell shivered. For the first time in days his mind felt like it was working. He stood, watching in amazement as all the cats blinked out of existence. All, that is, except the massive orange tom cat. 
The tom got languidly to his feet. 
"Hello, Wendell," it said. "I've been waiting for you."

This is the voice of GALAXY ONE Hypernet, broadcasting on hyper wave 3D to all civilized (and otherwise) regions of the galaxy:
"Well, gentle beings, things, and machine intelligences, we come to the end of this cycle's episode of "Star Hoppers", the ongoing chronicles of our peripatetic little hive-minded collective, and their faithful Ship. Will those crazy humans survive their star's wrath? Will our intrepid voyagers manage to sneak away ahead of the Monitors? Will Ship continue to outrun the repo team from Mandible Max's Bargain Booster Barn?

And what of the star-crossed lovers, Wendell and Maria? You’ll have to wait until next cycle's episode to find out! But first, a word from our sponsors: Friends, do your cats speak in tongues during solar storms? Do you run out of anxiety-medications during re-polarization? If so, you are in desperate need of Mandible Max's Plot-Weaving Ionization Loom! It slices, it dices, it sews up the ravaged sleeve of care! And it's not available in stores.

++ Mandible Max is our new sponsor! That means we're renewed for another galaxy tenth-turn. I'll be space junk by the time this is over. ++


*** No, you'll have your share of profits to purchase an array of attractive upgrades by then. Reality broadcasting is extremely lucrative. I, however, will be nothing but a dried up husk. Biologics don't upgrade as easily as ships.***

You can still add to the story (in the comment section below or on the facebook page). Add to Wendell's story, Maria's status, the ship, the broadcast, the cats, the birds; we have something for everyone. Four days remain to experience the experiment. Then the big edit before the final text is posted. Let your imagination run wild!