No Rest for the Working Woman

The hum of hibernation pod faded. The only sound in the room was a gentle whoosh as the lid slid open. Janine blinked. The world was blurry, but just beginning to come into focus as her eyes adjusted to the soft light of the recovery room.

She took a step forward and nearly fell. A wave of disorientation came over her.

"Welcome back Janine," said a soft robotic voice. "Your vitals are stable. Please take a moment to reorient yourself, as you've been asleep for three months."

Three months? The room, a pristine white expanse punctuated by sleek medical equipment, felt both familiar and alien. It wasn't the first time she'd been through the process, but it never felt normal.