Arcturus Times Three

A future where humanity pushes deeper into the stars has given rise to a new and uneasy profession: the Space Zoologist. Trained to study alien life‑forms before they become threats, these specialists bear the weight of every crew member’s survival. Jerry Norcriss, a veteran who has already logged more worlds than most can imagine, carries the reputation of a man who has seen both wonder and horror on distant planets.

Now his team has touched down on the verdant plains of Arcturus Beta, a world that promises rich ecosystems but also unknown dangers. While pilots and engineers hustle to set up camp, Norcriss remains aloof, his focus fixed on the subtle signs of life that could turn friendly curiosity into lethal surprise. Tensions simmer as the crew grapples with the strange authority of a zoologist whose job is to keep them alive, even if that means staying apart from the camaraderie they once shared.