Orbital by bill zhao copyright 2017 Bill Zhao Table of Contents act one (earth)

Derek opened the door and stepped out. He went around the back of
the STN and stared at the locked trunk. A labyrinth of steel plates and
bars covered it. Derek had no idea how to open it. “Oh right. It opens
when I press that button by the driver’s seat. I bloody forgot” shouted
Carter. The trunk clicked open and sure enough, there were three sets
of power shield plates and half a dozen firearms. “Yeah. They’re here
all right” said Derek.
“
Well then whaddaya wai ng for? Slug one of those shields to me and
bring some guns over here. Oh and don’t forget to get one for yourself.”
Derek did as he was told and sat back in the backseat with the gear a er
taking it and closing the trunk. Carter took the guns he wanted and looked

---

at Derek who asked “We’re not gonna do what I think we’re gonna do are
we?”
“
Well if what you’re thinking is that we put on our shields, go to the USOC
moon headquarters, murder everybody and steal their shu le, then yes.
That is exactly what we are going to do.”
Carter grinned and sat back, holding an automatic rifle. He primed it
and said to Derek “Now son, I know you won’t like this, but this is for
the greater good. You’re gonna have to do this no matter what.” Derek,
who had put his shield on nodded silently. They put the rest of their
gear on, including pistols and knives and readied up. Carter turned the
STN around and drove silently back.
Derek’s heartbeat didn’t slow down. Its pace climbed higher and
higher the closer they got to the USOC moon headquarters. Derek
stared out the window as he saw it in the distance. Carter saw it too and
said “we’re gonna stop around here and you’re gonna take the bolt rifle