Joel is an experienced porter helping Lyn carry Mission toward the Nest; he helps retrieve Katelyn's body at Central Dispatch.
A capable porter two years older than Mission Jones, Joel argues that failing to retaliate will make the Porters appear weak and predicts that people will carry whatever they want for several days. As water threatens Dispatch's contents, he moves sorting crates higher on their shelves. He volunteers to accompany Mission and Lyn, and finds a large supply of new white Security coveralls in a sorting bin.
Joel leads the tandem carrying Mission, setting an aggressive pace while planning bathroom stops roughly every twenty levels so Mission can stretch and drink. He protests when workers stop the pair and question their load. When Mission and Lyn cut Mission's hair, Joel helps collect the clippings; he wants to get beyond the thirties because Security is everywhere. At Central Dispatch, he and Mission retrieve Katelyn's body and put it into the bag.
He leads the tandem haul and helps transport Katelyn after the discovery at Central.