Escape Velocity BY Victor Manibo

In this genre-bending near-future thriller, Knives Out meets Parasite in the luxury space hotel Space Habitat Altaire, where the wealthy elite gather for a glamorous reunion. This premier resort, orbiting Earth, is the chosen venue for the Rochford Institute's 25th alumni gathering, an event for the world's richest and most influential former students. These reunions are not just social affairs; they are pivotal opportunities for attendees to secure spots in an exclusive Mars settlement, a haven for the elite as Earth's decline accelerates.

Amidst the splendor, finance magnate Ava is haunted by the mysterious death of her brother during their final year at Rochford, a tragedy she is determined to solve. Ambassador Laz, harboring unrequited love, seeks Ava's affection, while Sloane, desperate to shield his family's dwindling fortune, hunts for new business alliances. Meanwhile, Henry, the heir to a healthcare empire, concocts a risky scheme to ensure his escape to Mars, driven by a secret he's long buried.

As these former classmates engage in power plays and schemes, they remain oblivious to the brewing danger within the hotel's service corridors. The staff, resentful of the elite's disregard, have their own plans, poised to disrupt the reunion in a dramatic fashion. The guests, blinded by their self-importance, fail to see the imminent threat, mistakenly believing that their wealth and status will always protect them.

In a tale of intrigue, ambition, and dark secrets, Space Habitat Altaire reveals that even in space, the social hierarchies of Earth persist—and that those at the top should never underestimate the resolve of those they overlook.