| The option that has been missed is the age old screw up theorem.
Ash happened to be available when the ship sailed. Crewmen can and do suffer accidents, illness, go AWOL, resign, or simply get arrested by the shoreside police.
Standing order is to go to the assistance of a ship in distress.
As this is a galaxy where humans predominate, yet there is no instant method of getting there before you start (ala Star Trek), it is reasonable to suppose that those same standing orders cover such possibilities as meeting or finding evidence of alien life, especially if there may be something to gain.
Remember those ships voyages could last many years and they can't simply phone home if they meet something not in the book. |