[ WP ] Unknown by the general populace , humanity has already begun deep space colonization . You have been drafted for the latest expedition .

A brilliant flash, a deafening bang. 
 
 I was only awake for an instant before a cloth hood was thrown over my face, and something was stuffed in my mouth. I tried to scream. I was n't able to hear anything at all, though, in that moment. I have no idea if I made any noise at all. 
 
 In my thrashing, someone grabbed my limbs. They must have had at least four people. Their weight pushed me down into my bed. I felt a prick in my neck, and in moments I was back asleep. I did not dream. 
 
 
 I slowly became aware of a low humming. My limbs were heavy and dull. I could n't even move them, let alone think about opening my eyes. I was comfortable, but vaguely aware that I was not in my bed. I did not recall any reasons that should disturb me. 
 
 Eventually, after a while, I heard some motion, and some voices down a hallway. Voices...? That was not my wife. My eyelids fluttered for a moment, and by dint of great effort I was able to pry them open. 
 
 I found myself in a painfully white room. Harsh fluorescent lights stabbed my eyes. They were directly above my face. I instinctively lifted my arm to shield my eyes, but my arms did not respond. I tried again, and then tried the other arm. I felt that I had a sheet pulled tightly over me -- so tight that I could not move. 
 
 I realized that I had shut my eyes again against the bright lights. I opened them again, and tried to look down. My head did not move, either. I felt a strap on my forehead pulling my head back down every time I tried. 
 
 I let myself lie there for a second, trying to get my bearings. I searched my memory. Had I been hurt? Had there been an accident? Was this a hospital? 
 
 I was awake now. I was not sure whether I should announce that or not. Was it safe? Was I in danger? What was going on? 
 
 Weighing the dangers of being found to to be awake by dangerous characters, versus the dangers of going neglected, I decided that I would rather start making some noise to let people know I was awake. I reasoned that if there was anyone who wanted me dead or harmed, they would have killed me already, and if it was a hospital, they might need to give me some kind of treatment. 
 
 I was just about to open my mouth when I heard a male voice. 
 
 `` Oh, I see you've woken up!'' 
 
 I opened my eyes again ( when had I shut them? ) and tried to turn my head to the voice. Fruitlessly. 
 
 I heard the click of a switch, and the sound of a motor. My bed started to tilt upwards. I thought it would stop soon, but it kept tilting until I was nearly upright. Some kind of bonds kept me tightly secured to the bed. 
 
 As the bed tilted, the room came into view. The room was white and sterile. Even the floor was white. It all appeared to be metal or some kind of plastic rather than painted plaster or wood. There was what looked like a stainless steel sink across the room. Now that I had something to look at, I kept my eyes open, though it was painedful. 
 
 A slender, short man in a gray pinstripe suit stood in the middle of the room. The man was fairly young -- perhaps in his mid-twenties -- and he had a tightly trimmed moustache and goatee. He stood at a jaunty, almost effete angle, as he leaned on a cane. 
 
 `` Well, Mr. Harwood,'' the man smiled broadly at me, `` how do you feel? Could you try wiggling your fingers and toes for me?'' 
 
 I tried to move again. I could barely squirm, but I did feel my fingers and toes move against each other. 
 
 `` Excellent, Mr. Harwood. I'm sure you have many questions.'' 
 
 I could not quite place the man's accent. It seemed vaguely Transatlantic, like something from an old Carey Grant movie. 
 
 The bonds tying my head down allowed me to turn my head slightly from side to side as I took in the room. 
 
 `` Where am I? What is this?'' 
 
 The man started smiling even more broadly at me, splitting his thin face open. I could start to feel my heart beat in my ears. 
 
 `` Excellent questions, Mr. Harwood, very good. Allow me to introduce myself first.'' 
 
 The man bowed to me. 
 
 `` My name is Mr. Joseph Davis. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Harwood.'' 
 
 I suddenly realized that I was not sure if my name was Harwood. In fact, I was having trouble remembering anything at all about my past. 
 
 I opened my mouth, but was interrupted before I could speak. I felt myself shaking a little. 
 
 `` Where indeed, that is a good question.'Where' is approximately 50 light years from your prior residence, the planet Earth.'' 
 
 Mr. Davis reached up and straightened his bow tie. 
 
 `` When,'' he continued,'' is another good question. On Earth, it is about the year 2100, although here on the ship only about eight years have passed.'' 
 
 I felt paralyzed, even under the tight bonds. I knew if I had not been strapped to my bed, I would have fallen right over. 
 
 `` But, I do n't think that can be right,'' I muttered. He beamed at me. 
 
 `` No,'' I said, my voice shaking, `` I think- I think I'm from Boston. I'm not from space. I think it's…2015? 2016?'' 
 
 Mr. Davis opened his mouth wide with delight, showing me his gleaming white teeth. 
 
 `` Oh, Mr. Harwood, how droll! You must understand, you've been in the deep freeze! They put you in there with the others, not to be awakened until we arrive. I must say, I am quite impressed that you are already able to remember what year it was when they took you.'' 
 
 Mr. Davis drummed his fingers on the nob of his cane. 
 
 `` We have n't arrived yet, of course. I was n't supposed to awaken you, but... the food has been dreadful for the last three years. Nothing but algae byproducts.'' 
 
 I stared at him. I heard the words he was saying, but nothing was sinking in. 
 
 He twisted the nob at the top of his cane. It clicked, and then the sound of metal rubbing on metal as he lifted it. A blade. 
 
 `` Come, Mr. Harwood. We must be quick, before they find us. And I simply must have my bacon.''
