Harold awoke in the same way he had for 23 years in his cell, only he was not in his cell, he was in what seemed to be a rotating tunnel. As his eyes adjusted to the blinding white interior, he noticed a small brown envelope float slowly past him. “What the hell,” he muttered before reaching his hand out and grabbing it.

“Prisoner 10103,
You have been selected for a test mission into the unknown which resides in our own Milky Way galaxy. We understand the shock you must feel, but know that back on Earth we are watching breathless and though your life on Earth has been deemed a failure by our system, you can make amends here. Godspeed you, Harold.

Thomas B. Schneider
67th President of the United States of America"

Harold tried to drop the letter, but instead it just floated away. He noticed a large red button close by which had an arrow pointing to it. Still cautious, he pressed it. Above him, panels slid away to reveal Earth, his home, suspended in space and moving farther and farther away.