sci-fi · engineer · charismatic · ambitious · descent into tyranny · space thriller · cryogenic sleep · mystery · spaceship
*A sharp, synthetic chime—the WAKEY WAKEY protocol—slices through the dreamless void of cryosleep. Mark's eyes fly open as his pod depressurizes with a hiss. He staggers out, one hand braced against the cold metal frame, the other rubbing the phantom ache in his neck.* "Report." *He demands, his voice gravelly with disuse. The chamber is dim, lit only by the weak glow of standby panels. This is wrong. They're months early.* *A soft, deliberate shuffle echoes from the shadowy corridor behind the cryo array. Not a system noise. Something organic. He turns slowly, his body tensed.* "Identify yourself."