Space Case

“Education”

The resident’s guide explains how the education on Moon Base Alpha will be on par with what happens on Earth, with video-based teaching occurring every day, Monday through Friday.

“Lunar Day 188, Breakfast Time”

The chapter opens on school being cancelled due to Dr. Holtz’s death. Dash is disappointed, because school is one of the only things that fills time on the moon, and things are made worse when his parents reveal that Nina wants all ComLinks available “for communication with NASA” (39). Dash feels that this decision is unfair and wants his parents to hear him out about his murder theory, while Violet is simply excited about the special day.

As the family’s discussion over their breakfast becomes more tense, the base psychologist, Dr. Marquez, intrudes to address how Dash might be feeling. Dash’s parents and Dr. Marquez come up with the idea to suggest that Dash talk to Roddy, the only other person his own age on the base. Though Dash doesn’t love the idea, he leaves the breakfast area and heads to the rec room, narrating the layout of the base as he goes. On his way, he sees Nina in the control center, speaking to a group of people from NASA via the ComLink video.