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

be soon. Speaking the start of his dying words, he managed “Derek, I
guess we can’t do the shuttle plan any longer. You can’t even fly. Find a
way. Remember whatever means necessary” He forced himself to not
struggle on his words.
Derek looked at him, showing fear more than ever before. The shuttle
was useless to him now and getting to the Icarus from there would be
near impossible. But now, more problems came from downstairs as
Derek heard the thumping of footsteps. He went back into the room.
Peering out the small window, he saw vehicles pulling up. USOC must
have learnt. Derek doesn’t have much time, and then he took a longer
glance at the device in the front of the room. Carter grunted and stared
at the device “You know Derek, I think that might just be your magic
ticket out of here.”

---

“
What is it?” “All Orbi-Sec outposts have experimental ma er transporter
devices that go on a one-way trip to Geisen, the USOC Orbital Stronghold
by Saturn. It’s your only way ge ng out of here. I’ll hold them off.”
Painfully, Carter tried to rotate and face the stairs but could only
manage so much. The controls were relatively simple, a computer panel
with a final activation switch. Derek picked up his assault rifle, loaded
it and faced the panel. “Looks about right. Do it.” Said Carter as Derek
stepped inside. He nodded and activated it. Carter’s final words
“Remember – whatever means necessary” followed by chaotic
automatic gunfire echoed in Derek’s mind as the white field enclosed
him and his eyes closed shut. The loud swish of the machine and the
high pitched whir drowned out the words and bullets as Derek’s body
was transported over 300 million kilometres away.