It is 31 December, 2049, and the students and staff of the Columbus College, on the space station Ilea, are preparing for their New Year's Eve party. Professor Charles Brelan, head of Daedalus 10, is the guest speaker at a science discussion group. He invites lecturer James Bromwich to join a forthcoming expedition. Rosie Greenwood, the college bursar, welcomes new arrival Victoria Frobisher aboard. She will be rooming with Sara Robbins and Melody Shaw. Second Officer Finbow Lewis notices an abnormality on the viewscreen in command central.