Tolliver's Orbit

A weary pilot finds himself stuck in the icy domes of Ganymede, caught between a demanding manager and a stagnant schedule that offers little more than idle waiting. Johnny Tolliver signed on for a lucrative hazard‑pay job, hoping to fund his engineering studies, but the colony’s bureaucracy and quiet corruption keep him grounded while the real work flies elsewhere.

As days blur into a relentless Ganymede week, the promise of a mysterious “creeper” mission begins to surface, hinting at a chance to finally prove his skill and break free from the endless loops of paperwork. With the looming arrival of a high‑profile visitor and a fleet of unfamiliar cargo, Tolliver must decide whether to play it safe or seize the risky opportunity that could launch his career—or land him in deeper trouble. The story mixes sharp humor with a gritty, off‑world workplace, offering a vivid glimpse of life on the edge of Jupiter’s domain.