Cargo to Callisto

"Cargo to Callisto" by Jay B. Drexel is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative revolves around the escape of violent criminals from a Martian detention center and focuses on the themes of identity, alien possession, and psychic warfare. Set against the backdrop of an interplanetary society, it delves into the complexities of the mind and the extraordinary implications of external consciousness. The story follows Joe Caradac and his wife Sarah, who find themselves intertwined in a dangerous situation as four ruthless criminals, the Aarnians, escape captivity. These beings have the chilling ability to leave their bodies and occupy others, posing a unique threat to those around them. As Joe navigates his ordinary life, strange occurrences and the unsettling behavior of those close to him lead him to uncover a sinister plot involving his seemingly innocent companions. The climax reveals a battle of wills that tests the boundaries of human consciousness, identity, and survival as Joe confronts the chilling reality of the Aarnians' existence and their desire to reclaim their physical forms.