When scientist and explorer Michael Anderson awakes from cryo at a distant alien star, he has no idea how cold and alone he'd feel. No idea, that is, until his sole mission partner Terra starts to die in the thawing process. Twenty light years from the nearest human being, cut off completely from anyone who could help them, Michael must act quickly to save her—but if passing through cryo is like passing through death, what does it mean for those who come out alive? Won first place in the 2009 Mayhew Short Story contest at BYU. Based on a scene from the novel Genesis Earth (now available at A 3,000 word short story.