Janek felt the hiss of the steam from the cryogenic suspension chambers as he gradually awoke. The hydraulics that operated the lid to the chamber opened quietly, making a soft, gentle hum as they did. As the fog on the glass lid cleared, Janek saw himself, hairless and naked. He was disoriented beyond all belief.

Nitrogen passed from liquid to gas as the vents opened, bathing him in a chilly cloud. Unexpectedly, he was overcome by an attack of nausea. He gingerly stepped out of the sleep chamber, then violently vomited. The sick feeling passed, and he regained his faculties.

He collected his thoughts as he dressed himself.

He was on a ship, he knew that much. He had just ended a long journey, but the question now became: Where had they gone?

Something beeped, and he turned around in time to witness a compartment coming out of the wall. Inside it was a manila folder, unmarked. He picked it up, opened it, and began to leaf through it.

He knew his destination.

“Tau Ceti,” he mused.