Ars Moriendi

A hiss of air as the seals break open, the lid of the casket moves up and away, and a blinding light fills your waking eyes. You heave your naked body up and out of the casket and are greeted by chill air, and the low mechanical chorus of machinery. You stand on a cold metal catwalk in the middle of a long chamber, rows upon rows of crypto-hibernation caskets line the walls, which stretch before you for over a mile. A loudspeaker crackles into life, a second of static giving way to three chimes, which echo through the chamber. Then comes a voice.   "Good morning! You have been stuck in Crypto-Hybernation for... Well, who cares? That isn't important..."   The voice is cheerful, in a somewhat creepy and almost malevolent way.   "... What is important is that you are awake. And still alive. For now. The next few minutes at least."   "Now, I'm certain you have many questions. 'Where am I?' 'Why am I here?' 'Am I in danger?' 'Who is this mysterious voice?' 'When can I go home?'"   "Let me answer those for you in order. You are on the Prison Ship 'Gladius Domini'. Why do you think you idiot? Yes. You may call me 'Steve', and I am in charge here. You can go home if you earn your freedom, assuming you survive that long, and that your home still exists."   "Any more questions? I don't care. You may now begin screaming."