After being found out as a swipe, Jas tries to escape, which leads to his capture by Abner Doon, who helps him rise to prominence as a space pilot.

Jason guides the development of the new culture over multiple generations by using a substance called Somec, which allows humans to sleep long periods of time without aging.

The title arises from the operation of somec, the life extension drug forming the foundation of the interstellar Empire.

Somec creates an unbearable, torturous burning sensation throughout the body while pushing the patient to suspended animation.

Hot Sleep was re-released as a serialized novel in the first issue of Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show in October 2005.