In the year 2159, 13-year-old "spacer" Mariska lives with her adopted father on the moon. Her genetic mother Natalya is on a 15-year mission to a distant solar system. Mariska makes the distinction that she was cloned from Natalya, but she has never met her and does not consider her a mother. Natalya is a fossil, one of the first humans to go to the stars. The fossils were genetically altered so that they could hibernate during the long galactic voyage. Because of Mariska's DNA, she is at risk of "going deep" into a premature hibernation if she sleeps too long. Her bedroom has an AI system that prevents this. Mariska is one year away from becoming a legal adult. Much of her life has been predetermined, including her one true love, Jak. They are expected to marry and hibernate together on their way to one of the star systems that will call to her. At spacer school, Mariska is approached by a dropout named Random who now works as the school janitor. Random shows Mariska a penny from 2018 and tells her that it might have belonged to Natalya. Natalya is about to return from her voyage, and Random reveals that her crew discovered an idyllic planet with water. Most of the crew plans to return with their families. He asks Mariska if she will join Natalya, which sends her into a panic. Mariska rushes home to confront her father, and he reveals that Natalya has already landed. Since her father is a contracted parent, he no longer has the right to keep her. In retaliation, Mariska intentionally tries to go deep. She wakes up three years later. Mariska is greeted by Natalya, who reveals that she was the voice behind Mariska's AI room system in an attempt to be part of Mariska's childhood. Mariska tells Natalya that she won't follow her anywhere. Natalya offers to follow Mariska instead.