Prologue…. Somewhere….Some when…..

Galactic Ambassador John Royston can hear sounds as if in a dark tunnel. He gradually makes them out as excited voices. He dimly hears but can’t see. His eyes won’t open…as if they are somehow sealed shut! I can’t move! He slowly thinks. Where am I? What happened?

“Doctors, I can’t believe it. After all these years he is waking up!”

John hears the excited female voice but doesn’t recognize it. He tries to open his mouth to speak but can’t. Something is over my mouth and nose!

“Has he opened his eyes yet?”

 John hears a nasally male voice speak and automatically knows he doesn’t recognize it either. John becomes more concerned. He tries to move his legs, but has no feeling there! He is able to slightly turn his head, but just barely and with much effort.

“No Doctor, but brain wave functions indicate he is awake and the monitor indicates he is breathing on his own now.” The female voice replies.

John hears the officious male voice say, “Then remove the respirator.”

John feels a soft hand touch his face and slightly raise his head. He can tell something has been removed from his face by the difference in air circulation.

As his eyes remain closed, John quietly analyses his own body functions and responses. He foggily notes; I feel highly medicated… groggy and sluggish. That must be why I can’t open my eyes or mouth or feel my legs. Hopefully it will wear off soon.

John tries to ignore the comment about ‘all these years’ and slowly shakes his head, willfully forcing his mouth to open. His eyes are still closed as he very weakly asks, “…Meredith, is that you?”

The officious nasally male voice concernedly asks, “Who is Meredith?”

John wonders; what galaxy, dimension or time am I in? ...