"Well, um..." Oh dear, what was he supposed to say? Thinking quickly had never been Fwiffo's strong suit, and the Captain was supposed to be the negoiator! And speaking of the Captain, why wasn't he here yet?!

"Maybe," Fwiffo said slowly, trying to buy more time. "We should try to figure out where she's most likely to be. I mean, checking the eating room didn't work; she must have moved since the time I saw her there."