Space Case

“Emergency Preparedness (Continued)”

An excerpt that continues the message about emergency preparedness precedes Chapter 19. This handbook section cautions residents to always obey the base commander.

“Lunar Day 190, Really Early in the Morning”

When they re-entered from the air lock, Dash and Kira set off the emergency alarm, which wakes up everyone on the base mid-sleep. Almost everyone is in a state of panic, though their emotions vary. When things have calmed down a little, Dash explains his story, and Chang offers to try to pull data off the broken phone.

Nina begins chastising Dash and Kira, and after a short argument with Dash’s mom, Nina is shut down by Kira’s father, who shouts about the “irrefutable evidence” (298) that there is a killer on board. All of the residents are thrown back into a state of panic, and many flee to shut themselves in their room. Nina says she will look into it, but she wants everyone to go to their residences.

Chang and the Gibson family and Howard family nonetheless stay to see what is on the phone. Though most of the content is corrupted, they are able to hear a short clip where Dr. Holtz tells someone that they haven’t fooled him and that he knows “the military” (303) is likely governing this person’s actions.