The year is 2150.  Humanity has finally reached the moon!  After initial bases were set up, astronauts began to trade with the native Mooninites.  The Mooninites complained to the humans that their moon was being overrun by two different types of pesky creatures, the Zargots (see right) and the Nigons (pictured to the left).  They offered to trade the humans these animals in exchange for Pogs(tm), which were still extremely popular on the moon.



    The humans naturally agreed, and soon discovered that Zargots and Nigons were a huge hit as pets on planet Earth.  However, they were both rather strange creatures.  They were both ferocious enemies and if they were ever near each other they would devour one another instantly.  Both creatures also were born and lived in large groups.  During the winter, Zargots always traveled in inseparable packs of 24 and Nigons were to be found in flocks on 18.  During the summer Zargots all grouped in larger packs of 36 and Nigons formed tribes of 27.  If a Zargot or Nigon is ever removed from their group on the moon or in space, all members of that group die instantly.  This strange defense mechanism does not seem to hold true on Earth, where they can be split up.

    Despite their strange habits, the demand for these pets was so high on Earth that numerous companies began forming to capture the critters and ship them back.  But all space entrepreneurs had to buy their transport ships from one man: J.R. Mustin.  J.R. Mustin Intergalactic Shipping Industries made the only ships strong enough to hold Zargots and Nigons and designed the first cruisers with two levels.  These 2 leveled spaceships allowed alien hunters to store Zargots on the lower level and Nigons on the upper deck, keeping them separate until they returned to Earth.  J.R. Mustin designs ships of any dimension, but per Intergalactic Decree 409c, each alien must be provided with a 10x10 foot square pen while shipping.

    Now, your intrepid crew has set out to make their fortune in the lucrative Moon pet trade after saving up enough money to buy a ship from J.R. Mustin.  The only question is this: What dimensions should you request for your vessel so you can maximize the number of Zargots and Nigons that you can carry at once while keeping your ship as small as possible so you don't waste money on fuel?  Would your ship be fit for voyages during the summer, the winter, or both?  How could you come up with a plan to design a ship that would fit Zargots and Nigons if they traveled in different sized groups?

IMPORTANT FACTS TO REMEMBER

• Zargots and Nigons cannot be separated from their group.
• During the summer, Zargots travel in packs of 36 and Nigons in groups of 27.
• During the winter, Zargots live in groups of 24 and Nigons in tribes of 18.
  
• Each pet sells for 300 yen back on Earth.
• The fuel costs for your ship will be 500 yen per animal pen (first and second floor).
  
• All ships must have identical upper and lower transport decks.
• Smaller ships are easier to navigate.

WHAT J.R. MUSTIN NEEDS FROM YOU!

1. A scale drawing of the dimensions of your transport deck
2. An artists rendering of your spaceship.
3. A one page explanation of when and why your ship will produce the most profit safely.