© J.U. Park & Cyberwriter Novel, page  3   <-  home  -> Ron awoke to the blare of a monitor's readout and the loud, chirp of a computer sound. "Wake up call, initiated." said the voice of the computer. "The current time is 0545. This message is for Ron Waielee. Ron is to report to Docking Port 19 in fifteen minutes. Repeat. Ron is to report to Docking Port 19 in fifteen minutes. Does Ron understand? This message will repeat in 5 seconds." The voice echoed throughout the sleeping chambers. It's voice had a steadily dreadful tone to it. Quite automated. And, that message. There was no 'Good morning' or 'Is this an inconvenient time to disturb you?' feel to it. More like a jolt to the nervous system. It certainly knew how to state your position amongst your surroundings. And, that is how "they" intended it to be. And, as proof of this, only an evil mind would never installed a snooze sub-routine into the thing. Ron stirred out of his bed and walked over to the clothing closet machine that was standard equipment in every living quarters aboard the star base. He stepped in and the door closed behind him, automatically. He turned around as a large ring descended around him. The first pass that this ring made emitted a bright light that burned the bed suit off of his body. On the second pass, the ring sterilized him with the same effect as a thorough shower would have done. The third pass sprayed a synthetic polymer product all over him, which quickly formed into a standard station suit. The door opened up, and Ron stepped out. The whole process took only 15 seconds. Ron kissed Mary as she slept and exited room OS87.