Zouichi came in, saw the space setting and what the current pilot was trying to do with the asteroid field, and summoned up a ship of his own (http://www.macrossroleplay.org/Sketchley/Statistics/VF-171/VF171EX.htm): the Nightmare. It was considerably smaller than the Ptolemy, fast and easily maneuverable, so it wasn't much work to bring it up by the Ptolemy's bow, smoothly avoiding the oncoming obstacles.

"You know, there are easier ways to take something out for a test drive."