"When they have worn all of their earths away,
and only then,
Shall they truly turn to their skies..."

Taken from
Duach Dah Me Yah (Marlith Dustdowners Edition) Book IV, Verse XXVIII, line number may vary

The ICARUS medical team is operating on a victim of radiation sickness.

DANIA LUVEY:
He's burning up! Get the restraining belt! SERAL CAMIK:
Heart rate's in the stratosphere! Breathing's irregular! DANIA LUVEY:
We've got to calm him down! 24 units of Aminoxine! SERAL CAMIK:
24 units of Aminoxine! DANIA LUVEY:
He's stabilizing... This is the worst one we've seen!
Camik, I'm late for an important meeting. If he regains consciousness, contact me immediately. SERAL CAMIK:
Yes doctor! The Medical Relief Team were due over an hour ago! Any idea where they are, Doctor?

An ICARUS crew instructional video plays on the Medical Relief Team's shuttle.

ICARUS STATION
Our Brightest Hope
For A Better
Tomorrow

WOMAN (JUSTYCE JIGRETTE?):
SENATORIAL SECURITIES ACT.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMPLIANCE.
YOU ARE NOW APPROACHING ICARUS STATION.

FIRST, YOU'LL ENCOUNTER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF WELL OVER A HUNDRED AND TWENTY DEGREES. OVEREXERTION CAN EASILY LEAD TO HEATSTROKE, DEHYDRATION, OR MUCH WORSE. STOP AND REST THE MOMENT YOU FEEL YOURSELF GROWING WEAK.

SECOND, WATER IS A RARE COMMODITY. TRY NOT TO WASTE IT. WATER WASTERS WILL BE SENT BEFORE A TRIBUNAL.

THIRD, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, RETURN TO YOUR QUARTERS. WAIT FOR A SECURITY OFFICER TO ADVISE YOU HOW TO PROCEED. DON'T MOVE AROUND THE STATION WHILE THE EMERGENCY CLAXON IS SOUNDING. YOU MIGHT BE MISTAKEN FOR AN INTRUDER.

FINALLY, REMEMBER ICARUS IS A PRIMARY SECURITY ZONE. SECURITY PERSONNEL ARE AUTHORIZED TO LIQUIDATE ANYONE THREATENING THE STATION.

Inside the ICARUS Station Security Operation Room...

SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
I do hope this is important, Jurell. RAMIN JURELL:
I don't think you'll be disappointed, Senator. JUSTYCE JIGRETTE (ON SCREEN):
Chief Jurell! Science section reports another burst of unusual activity in the sun! RAMIN JURELL:
Any idea what's causing it? JUSTYCE JIGRETTE (ON SCREEN):
No, sir, but it's the largest fluctuation we've seen! RAMIN JURELL:
Alright, let me know if there are any developments.
The incoming medical shuttle just finished beaming over our inbound communiqués. Data Central have reason to suspect that Shatterjack has infiltrated the station. They believe that you are his likely target! SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
What!? The political assassin? RAMIN JURELL:
You've heard of him. SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
Of course I have! He murders 27 government officials, and you fools let him on board this station? As head of security, I hold YOU personally responsible. RAMIN JURELL:
It gets worse, Senator.
What's Captain Luvey told you about the recent decrease in mining efficiency? SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
He told me it was because of the plague outbreak.
The emergency medical team should sort it out when they arrive. RAMIN JURELL:
It's not the plague! Our orbit has been steadily declining for the past ninety-six hours! We've had to divert energy from mining to the thrusters, and that's bought us another seventy-two hours before we slide into the sun!
We're trying to solve the problem, but it's not easy! Data Central are aware, but I'm warning you now in case you wanna leave the station. SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
I... I have to stay here!

The Medical Relief Team shuttle is inbound.

WOMAN (JUSTYCE JIGRETTE??? FACES COMPLETELY DON'T MATCH):
INCOMING SHUTTLE.
I HAVE YOU ON VECTOR SEVEN SEVEN ONE.
RE-VECTOR FOUR LON FOUR.
VERY GOOD, SHUTTLE. YOU ARE CLEAR FOR LONDING.

SHUTTLE, I AM PICKING UP FULL-BAND INTERFERENCE ON YOUR [unintelligible]
PLEASE IDENTIFY.

The shuttle crashes into the ICARUS docking bay.

WOMAN:
SHUTTLE.

The docking bay is blown out.

DIFFERENT VOICE, SAME WOMAN IN CINEMATIC:
Chief! We've been hit by a level seven solar flare! JUSTYCE JIGRETTE (ON SCREEN):
The entire top disc has been irradiated, and chief? That incoming shuttle didn't make it. RAMIN JURELL:
Condition zero! No one is to go near the top disc without my authorization! Get a report from Engineering and let's get a search organized! Full radiation protection!
Why... I just remembered! The Captain was down on the shuttle deck! I'm going to look for him! Senator, you should return to your quarters! SENATOR TAMORIN AIDIN-EDGELL:
I expect to continue this conversation as soon as possible, Jurell. RAMIN JURELL:
Doctor Luvey, I need your help. Meet me in Sector C in five minutes, I can't explain right now. Just be there.

Garrit Sherova, the sole survivor of the shuttle crash, steps out of the wreckage and checks his radiation detector reading RAD 30% and rising.
The camera pans to a picture of his wife and daughter...

...and the game begins.