Arrow Through Space: A Science Fiction Short Story

By Jeff Walker

From the creative mind behind The Long Lost War, the critically acclaimed sci-fi novella, and the electrifying sci-fi thriller, The Jungle Planet (order it now on Amazon)…

The exciting science fiction short story about Jacob Michaels, a pioneering astronaut attempting to launch into "faster than light" travel. As he takes the daring step to launch his specially made spacecraft into the universe at an unprecedented speed, something happens during the voyage. Jacob is suddenly thrust into an unknown adventure, one with bizarre and unknown possibilities which he may not have the power to escape from. With so much riding on the success of his mission, he'll be required to partner with the one person he never thought he'd encounter––his future self––and become ensnared in this strange circumstance of interplanetary space travel!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeff Walker
• Release date: May 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223354734

Jeff Walker

Jeff Walker  - An avid creative writer of short story fiction titles in the genre of science fiction, speculative fiction and supernatural thrillers. Currently he resides in a small rural town with his wife and two young children in Ontario, Canada. He majored in art and creative writing in high school, and then,  attended college to pursue a career in Graphic Design.  After a few set backs and career changes, he is returning to his love of writing and art. He enjoys writing fan fiction, collecting movie memorabilia, and spending time with his family and friends. His first short story eBook published was - The Cure (November 3, 2011 on Kindle/March 3, 2013 on Kobo)  and then two more short stories followed - Incident On Bio-Moon Five (March 13, 2013 on Kindle/January 28, 2014 on Kobo) and The End Of Time (Aug. 31, 2012 on Kindle/Feb. 18 2013 on Kobo). These stories where then collected into his first full book, both in Ebook and Print - Distant Saga Trilogy: A Short Story Collection (August 2, 2015 on Kindle/Kobo - Republished Date, year on Kindle/Kobo - Revised Edition Date, Year on Kindle/Kobo/Blurb).

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Faster than light…

Captain Jacob Michaels was transfixed by the view as the spaceship increased its velocity. The pioneering astronaut felt a wave of joy as he watched the stars blur and vanish from view as the ship surged forward. He was close to becoming the first human to ever cross into space in a blink. He was prepared to take the risk, knowing that the mission may fail or even if he would survive the journey.

The powerful engine thundered like a volcano as it pushed the craft to an unprecedented speed. The sleek and slender design of the ship wasn’t just for mere aesthetic, it was purposely engineered to help fold space with greater ease. Jacob was strapped to his pilot chair with a cluster of belts and harnesses to keep him restrained in flight. The scientists were concerned that if he tried to move during this unknown velocity, that he might just end up severely injured or killed.

At the time, he thought it was overkill on their part, but as the pressure and intensity continued to grow stronger, he understood the need all too well. He was glad that the comfort of the chair was part of the initial design; to make it comfortable and energy absorbing so that he wouldn’t be crushing his bones against the surface of the material as it pushed him back.

The daring astronaut had made the padding absorbent with polymers and a synthetic foam that would cushion his spine from shattering. With only a small console in front of him and controls on either side of his hand rests, the pilot had little motion for anything else. The only window to look out of was above him; a tiny porthole that barely showed anything other than the blackness of space itself. He could do nothing but sit there and guide the craft with just a joystick and a prayer.

It was a strange sensation as the ship suddenly boosted into its final thrust. This was the one that would change the destiny of all mankind and send the human race into the next stage of exploration. The spacesuit was as bulky and white as the chair, they blended together seamlessly as if they were one object;