Derek drives his wheelchair into position in the middle of the deck. Clamps lock onto the wheelchair as a belt closes around his torso.
There is a large computer monitor in front of him showing the grey hangar door blocking their exit. The rest of the deck is full of red leather seats and various computers that combine into an AI hive mind known as “The Ship”.
He looks to see that Maeve is strapped in, then issues the command to the ship’s computer to initiate take-off.
The ship replies, “Good to see you, Derek. And I see you have a guest. Initializing the thrusters.”
Derek feels the ship rattling. Then it stops dead.
“What happened?” Maeve yelps.
“The station has given a counter order,” the station replies matter-of-factly.
Everything is going exactly as Derek foresaw, “Issuing Emergency Order 563.”
The thrusters ignite one more, and the hangar door opens to reveal the lunar landscape.
Then, they lift off. Earth comes into view, a blue dot in the vastness of space. The orbiting space habitats are invisible at this distance.
A buzzing sound comes over the communications array.
Then Derek hears Nathalie’s voice. “What are you doing, Derek? This is crazy. You need to come back right now!”
Mark's Writing Corner 