Planet Earth is blue

The earth is just a blue speck in the distance. It's frightening to think about. Sometimes it feels like I died and I'm being shuttled off to heaven. Though, judging from how the ride has been so far, I should've said more prayers.

The green light above my door lit up this afternoon. Stanley said I had visitors. When I opened the door there stood Frank Bowman Jr., nervous and fidgety as ever, flanked by two Virgle "safety guardians" as they call them. They're basically just soldiers under the Major but the Virgle corporation likes to hippie things up whenever they can. They said I needed to come with them for a brief "behavioral re-education training." What could I do? I nodded and fell in line behind Frank.

Down the spotless white corridors of the ship we went until we came to the Major's room. He excused the guardians and motioned for us to sit down at his desk. There in front of each of us was an orange atmosphere adjustment pill and a short glass of water. Frank let out a small gasp.

Frank: But, I thought...

The Major held up his hand cutting Frank's protest short.

Major: It has come to my attention that the two of you have not been taking your medication. As you are aware, this poses a significant risk to your health and well-being the further we go into space. Stanley has recommended compulsory injection but I feel that you would like to do the right thing.

He looked at the two of us with a warm smile that seemed foreign to his face. Frank looked at me like a dog who just found out he was headed for the vet. Clearly I was out of options so I tried one last trick. I popped the pill, tucked it under my tongue and drank a few gulps of water. Frank watched me, mouth agape. The Major smiled and turned to Frank. Frank lifted the pill, hand trembling, to his mouth and took a quick drink like he was swallowing poison.

Major: There now, that wasn't so difficult. Stanley, I'm going to attempt some isolation training, can you run these navigation theoreticals?

The Major fed a large stack of papers into his computer console.

Stanley: Isolation training is not the recommended step. The re-education videos are far more effective. I can have them ready by...

Major: That won't be necessary. Please run the theoreticals.

A few strange flashes appeared on the terminal screen and an odd beep sounded. There was a moment of silence before Stanley answered.

Stanley: Understood. Calculating.

The Major led us to the airlock where several round exploration pods sat dormant. These were small ships used for external ship repair. A single oval window revealed the multicolored instrument panels inside. He took us into a ship and closed the hatch. A wild look filled his eyes and a fierce smile spread across his face.

Major: I've got half the guardians on my side and you two are my first recruits. It's time to take control of this ship again. Are you with me?

Frank: But, we took the pills. I didn't want to but...

Major: Placebos, you're fine. I had them made before we launched as a fail-safe.

Me: So, what's the plan?

The Major grinned a big Cheshire cat smile.

Major: Kill Stanley.