The computer woke me very early in the morning. “Lt. Reilly. You have a message from Captain Tansky. Confirm. Lt. Reilly. You have a message from…”

“Acknowledged!” I barked at the computer as my body and mind were not happy about waking up right then and there. I don’t know if I had a full eight hours or just a couple, but it felt like the latter. Sitting up I rolled my neck and winced at the sudden pain in my back. Speed was not something I was ...