Joseph

Corporal Samuel Horowitz and Private Joe Besser walk on either side of you as they make their way through the corridors of the spaceship. The hum of the engines and the bustle of crew members engaged in various tasks fill the air. Some of the Marines are working on the weapons mount, and a few more are running simulations on their tablets.

As they walk, Corporal Horowitz turns to you and smiles. “Ya know, me faddah was also a medical doctah. He worked in Mars. Me? I always wanted to explore space, see the stars up close. That’s why I joined the military. Why’d you become a doctor, uh, doc?”

Doctor Dudley answers.

You arrive at the Combat Information Center (CIC), which you last saw seven years ago. For you, that was yesterday.

Horowitz touches his ear piece. “Sir, we have Doctor Dudley.”

Horowitz tilts his head, listens for a moment, and the door opens.

“After you, doc.”

Zarkov meets Foster in the CIC. Foster gives Zarkov a status update: quarantine message, blueprints of space lab and bunker.

Quarantine Warning

Woman’s Voice: “Attention all approaching spacecraft, a highly contagious and deadly virus has contaminated Yatima. Landing on or approaching the planet is strictly prohibited. Any ship attempting to land risks contamination and will be turned away. All communication with the planet is also suspended until further notice. We advise all ships to set a course away from Yatima. Our priority is the safety of both the inhabitants of Yatima and any potential visitors.”

The message repeats.

You wake to the sound of screams coming from the next cryogenic chamber. You groggily open your eyes and sees two unfamiliar faces staring back at you.

Corporal Samuel Horowitz: “Private Samuel Horowitz, sir,” says one of the Marines, and offers you a water flask. “This is Private Joe Besser”

Private Besser: “We’re part of the Marines brought aboard the ship while you were out cold. Captain Foster asked us to take good care of ya.” He drapes a blanket over your shoulders, and you find you are shivering.

“Hey Doc, up and at ‘em. Private Besser and me will escort ya to your quarters.”

As you walk, you take in your surroundings, slowly remembering the mission and your destination.

Finally, you arrive at your quarters. You enter, and to your surprise, you find a thermos waiting for you on a table.

Horowitz says, “Hey Doc, you rest. We’ll be right outside if you need anything.” They leave and close the door behind them.

You wake up screaming, your heart racing as you sit up in your cryogenic chamber. Your are disoriented and confused, unsure of where you are or how much time has passed. As your eyes adjust to the dim light, you sees an unfamiliar face looking over at him.

Private Louis Fineberg: “Hey, Doc, you alright? you were screamin' like a banshee.”

Zarkov responds.

Private Fineberg and another Marine, help him you out of the cryogenic chamber and onto your feet feet. The other Marine’s patch marks him as Corporal Howard.

Corporal Moses Howard: “Hey Doc, I know you’re out of it, but Captain Foster wants to see you, toot suite.”

Your legs feel weak and unsteady, and you lean heavily on the Marines as they walk you through the ship.

Finally, you arrive at at a door labeled in stenciled letters: Combat Information Center. Private Fineberg and Howard escort you in and then stand at either side of you at attention. At the end of the long conference table sits Captain Foster, his face lit by the screen of his tablet.