Lamond Deford awoke to a gentle vibration. He didn't move, and decided to indulge himself in his dreams by staying in his sleep pod for a few more minutes. A quiet buzzing noise followed a few seconds later. He groaned, unfastened his harness, and gently eased himself onto the cold metal floor. His knees and back creaked in protest. The alarm got loader. Of all the machinery surrounding him that could possibly break in this godforsaken place, why couldn't that alarm clock just die. He knew the answer of course. Atomic batteries would not die for about 500 years. So when he was just a pile of dust and bones in that pod, the vibration and subsequent alarm would continue sounding for centuries.

Lamond began his regular morning routine. He inspected the hydrometer to make sure humidity levels were maintained. He checked the oxygen and CO2 regulators. Then he had a quick breakfast, and began the task that would take the majority of his day: inspecting 4000 square feet of moss beds.

The sun was not up yet, so Lamond moved carefully in the dim light. Last week he had carelessly stepped on one of the new moss beds and had killed the plants. A few more mistakes like that, and he might not survive to see the sun rise.