[3 Months before launch]

*Start of recording*

Interviewer: Please, state your name, age and a short introduction about your expertise to the camera before we begin, for the records.

Miguel: My name is Miguel Alpaneiros da Cruz, I'm 42 years old and I am a PhD in human behavior and cognitive impacts when in long term enclosed spaces, and in psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder without the need of medicine. I've graduated top of my class in Psychology major from the National Autonomous University of Mexico where I also got my PhD.

Interviewer: Okay, so we can begin. Doctor Alpaneiros, do you have any previous knowledge or understand the position you have been invited to apply for?

Miguel: Not really. The men who came to my office did not really disclose too much information. All I know is that it's a position to work with the Infinite Horizon space agency at a highly classified expedition and that the salary is unbelievably good. I was shown their documentation and asked to go into a car and haven't even been able to call my wife since I was asked to surrender my phone until the end of this interview to avoid information leakage. Ever since this company's founding had been announced in the media, you've been very secretive about a lot of things, including who your executives are.

Interviewer: Good. On the table in front of you, you'll find two documents.

The first is a non-disclosure agreement. I'll have you sign it before we can even start discussing what this position entails and what this specific mission is about. It will state the consequences of non-compliance as well as the terms required from you.

The second is, possibly, your contract. It will state your salary and benefits as well as what services you must provide for the duration of the intended labor.

Do you understand both of these as I explain them to you before we proceed?

Miguel: Yes.

Interviewer: Then please, read and sign the first document.

*fast-forwarding video*

*Miguel signs the document*

Interviewer: Proceeding. Two months ago, precisely at 9:52pm, the most expensive and technological satellite developed by Infinite Horizon carrying a heavily equipped unmanned rover was lost during a gravity slingshot maneuver around the sun towards mars due to an unexpected solar flare. Exactly 17 days later, a heavily corrupted file was received by Control. Analyzing the file, we were able to extract the satellite's log; a single low quality and corrupted video file and the coordinates for the satellite. According to the log, after connection with Control was lost, the satellite's in-built AI took over trying to regain its previously defined route and, after getting picked up by a planetary gravity, it maneuvered to position itself in orbit around the planet.

Miguel: It did manage to arrive alone on Mars? So you are reinstating the Mars expedition that you announced in the news that had gotten canceled?

*The interviewer looked coldly towards Miguel and without answering continued with her briefing, placing a Datapad on the table in front of Miguel*

Miguel: Is this...

Interviewer: After analyzing the video file, it was first thought that the satellite had been damaged and somehow found its way back to Earth. The video file, even though covered in static and heavily corrupted, clearly shows a green planet with water and an atmosphere, yet by checking the coordinates provided, this recording was taken at the same orbit as Earth, but on the exact opposite side from the sun.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Miguel: Wait, what?

*Ignoring Miguel's question, she continued*

Interviewer: By aiming other satellite's cameras towards the signal's source, there was no planet present and verifying with older records from several organizations, there has never been signs of any planet present on said coordinates, but by using relays to strengthen the connection with the satellite, even though there was still strong interference, we were able to verify it is still there and that the planet does indeed exist even though it is impossible to capture visible light reflected from it from farther distances than its orbit.

*Miguel adjusted himself in the chair placing a hand over his mouth in disbelief*

Interviewer: With the strengthened connection, Control deployed the unmanned rover towards the planetary surface in hopes that by using the satellite as a Relay, some exploration would be possible, but as the shuttle with the rover got closer to the surface, the interference got progressively stronger and the signal got lost, but on descent, the sensors of the shuttle and the rover were able to verify that not only is the gravity very close to the same as Earth, but that the planet has a breathable atmosphere with no known or detected pathogens and that the greenery seen from orbit are indeed plant-based life forms.

Miguel: Wait, WHAT!?

*Miguel raised suddenly from his chair as he shouted*

Miguel: Why haven't we heard of any of this before!? Over a month ago!? Are you telling me there is a completely invisible planet just like ours, with water and plants and you have been keeping this from the scientific community? From society!?!? Do you have any idea what this means!?

Interviewer: Doctor Alpaneiros, please sit down so I may continue. I must remind you that you did sign the non-disclosure agreement and this falls both within the powers and jurisdiction of this agency as a privately owned research organization.

*Miguel sat back down and again placed his hand over his mouth, shocked*

Interviewer: Good. Following the events of this discovery, due to it being the second planet in third orbit from our solar star, the planet has temporarily been named as Sol-3.2, and due to the implications, the Mars expedition for accelerated terraforming and colonization was canceled and all its resources were transferred for a manned expedition for the Sol-3.2 planet, since unmanned exploration has been proven impossible. As this expedition will be long-term and the distance to be traveled is expected to take anywhere from a few weeks to over a month or two before arrival to the planet, the crew is gonna need extensive psychological accompaniment and your specialization and PhD makes you more than qualified to be the onboard psychologist of this crew.

*Miguel stayed seated in silence, still in shock*

Interviewer: I must remind you that you will not be allowed to disclose any of this information outside of these walls and that this is your only opportunity to be one of the first human beings to set foot into an alien planet perfectly capable of being inhabited by human beings. This is something that history will not ever be able to forget about you, doctor. I should not disclose of this information, but your wife is also being considered for as one of the main researchers to touch ground.

Miguel: My wife?

Interviewer: Her research areas and the fact that she has studied a wide array of different fields and carry several PhD makes her more than qualified for the job. Even if she has with little practical experience in the field, her value as a researcher more than over compensates for her lack of experience. This is in no way an easy nor safe decision, but it is something that if you do accept, Humanity shall never forget about your name.

*Miguel stayed in silence for a few moments while thinking*

Miguel: I have a request...

Interviewer: You are not really in a position to be making requests, but I will listen.

Miguel: I want to take this decision together with my wife. If she is being considered for the job, you will interview her as well. After she has been briefed, when it comes to deciding to go or not go, I want to be there and talk with her. Given the conditions and the situation, we should take this decision together knowing what the other chooses as well.

*The interviewer stopped for a second while thinking*

Interviewer: Very well. That is reasonable enough, but you will have to stay here and wait until we finish with her briefing.

*Reacting to something being said on her earpiece, the interviewer continued*

Interviewer: And you are in luck. She has just arrived so you will not be waiting long. I will guide you to a room you can be comfortable in while I talk to her and I will send someone to call you back once we are done talking.

*End of recording*