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

Icarus, USOC Ship Graveyard, Solar System
Ice covered the heavy steel doorway. “My men will have this melted in
no time” said the Admiral. “We’ll restore localised power to this area
with a generator. NorthCo soldiers surrounded Derek and the Admiral,
forming a circle of protection. The men got to work on the ice with
complex plasma torches while an engineer set up a heat cube; a device
that generates and regulates the temperature for a small area.
“
You’re going to be thankful it is there when you open the door. I’m sorry
but I’m afraid for this next part, you’ll have to take off one of your EVA
Suit’s gloves. It will be cold, and it’s going to feel bad, but we have pressure
regulators set up around here. They don’t have a long range but you don’t
need to go far.” Derek nodded numbly at Admiral Cheng’s words.
Liquid droplets floated back and hit Derek’s helmet. The ice was
melting away easily at the hands of the torch. The generator was set up
to the right of the door and the engineer was playing around with the
wires beneath the floor panels. Suddenly, the door’s display and
scanner lit up, followed by all the lights and electronics in a ten metre
radius.
Admiral Cheng’s wristpad blinked again. He answered the call but this
time, it wasn’t good news. “Do everything you can” he replied before
ending the call. Turning towards Derek yet again, he said “Wyatt has
found us. The Matador has been spotted travelling towards us. Our
time runs short. I’ll help you with the glove.” Derek nodded subtly as
Cheng pressed the glove release and unscrewed it. Derek felt the cold

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immediately on his fingers. “Go to the scanner. Now.” Derek hurried to