Not needing to breathe and sending verbal content in bursts allows them to get out // I'm glad he isn't trapped here but I wish I had contact with him and // It's an animal!, so close on the heels of the last sentence that they're nearly talking over themself, in one audio string that ends with a shrill, surprised whistle.

// Hello? they say to the snake. // Can you talk?

They've met passengers in the form of talking animals; the snake might be someone from the ship.