Mothership: Episode 6
Captain Foster’s crew scours the al-Khwarizmi, hunting for the abducted Pvt. Fineberg, taken by an unknown combatant. Meanwhile, Dr. Zarkov demand to disembark onto the surface of Yatima immediately, urging several Marines and Arcturus to accompany him. Captain Foster advises the good doctor to remain put until the lab ship is secure, but Dr. Zarkov’s persistence forces Captain Foster to give in, except for Arcturus and the Marines. Prior to their descent, they resupply their oxygen, unaware that Dr. Dudley has dosed their air tanks with a potent, weapons-grade psychoactive substance.
As Dr. Zarkov, Bey, and Sethu journey downward to Yatima in a lander, Foster’s team and Arcturus continue their investigation of the ship. They return to where Pvt. Fineberg was attacked and send seven Marines to explore a hole in the floor. They discover a passageway leading to the empty fuel tunnels of the al-Khwarizmi, the clandestine route used by their adversary. As they press on, they discover a figure lurking in one of the ship’s quarters. As they approach, they realize that it is the disembodied face of Arcturus nailed to the wall. Inspired, Cpl. Samuel Horowitz wears Arcturus’s face over his own and scans the room, discovering an android eyeball. It flashes Morse code that reads, “KILL ME,” and Arcturus deftly pockets the eye.
Dr. Zarkov and his group land near the Hab, and upon exiting, they begin to experience the effects of the psychoactive substance Dudley had dosed them with. Although Dr. Zarkov has some familiarity with hallucinogens and understands what he’s experiencing, Dr. Sethu becomes increasingly distressed. As they approach the Hab, they discover a body wrapped in a tarp, likely a member of the missing survey team. Dr. Zarkov hacks the airlock, and they enter the Hab, gloomy in dim, crimson emergency lighting. They see silhouettes darting through the pallets and lab equipment within the Hab, and a makeshift spear is flung at them. They are under attack!
Meanwhile, aboard the al-Khwarizmi, Dr. Dudley’s psychoactive substance begins to affect Captain Foster’s team. Pvts. Jerome Howard and Joe Besser feel a sense of euphoria, but Cpl. Moses Howard is overcome by terror when he spots Cp. Samuel Horowitz, who still wears Arcturus’s face. Cpl. Howard panics, voiding his bladder and bowels before passing out.
Catalina alerts Captain Foster that the lost Pvt. Fineberg is approaching the Nellie.