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Act 5. Pg 087
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PANEL 1: The MACHITO and FOOL’S BANE fly above the Earth, the explosion of the impact of the two giant ships are ahead of them. unknown, from inside the MACHITO: Good God. another unknown, from inside the MACHITO: It just keeps EXPLODING ORLA, from inside the MACHITO: Captain, Orbital Command is hailing us. PANEL 2: Close up on THE CAPTAIN as she listens. CAPTAIN: Go ahead, Command. COMMAND: MACHITO, this is Lieutenant Taylor. The Unidentified fleet has moved out of cannon range. BUT WE’RE STILL TRACKING AN UNKNOWN RING SHIP FLYING LOCKSTEP WITH YOU. PANEL 3: The CAPTAIN responds aggressively. COMMAND: You are both ordered to shut down systems and prepare to be boarded. CAPTAIN: Negative, Lieutenant. This is Capitán de Navio Taneel, and no one’s getting boarded, today. PANEL 4: From above earth, an Imperial Fleet arrives over the horizon. COMMAND: Let’s not pull rank there, Taneel. This is Admiral Mbeki of the ISPS Galerna. 15 minutes out. And you damn well WILL be taking that order. PANEL 5: The CAPTAIN puts her hands up reflexively as ORLA cuts in. CAPTAIN: Roger that, Admiral. Apologies for— ORLA: PARDON ME, ADMIAL. This is Orla O’Malley of his majesty’s Jinyiwei… PANEL 6: Close up on ORLA, gesturing with her hands. ORLA: …and I’m afraid your order has been countermanded by higher authority. COMMAND: Don’t try to pull that on ME, agent. THE JINYIWEI HAVE NO SAY HERE. PANEL 7: From behind ORLA, as she continues. ORLA: It’s not MY order, Admiral. It’s the order of his excellency, EL EMPERADOR Del Gran Imperio Humano Y Sus Planetas… PANEL 8: ORLA, fist against open palm, bows to ‘NANDO, who looks horrified. ORLA: …Fernando Cruz. ‘NANDO: OH NO YOU DON’T. —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
PANEL 1: The MACHITO and FOOL’S BANE fly above the Earth, the explosion of the impact of the two giant ships are ahead of them. unknown, from inside the MACHITO: Good God. another unknown, from inside the MACHITO: It just keeps EXPLODING ORLA, from inside the MACHITO: Captain, Orbital Command is hailing us. PANEL 2: Close up on THE CAPTAIN as she listens. CAPTAIN: Go ahead, Command. COMMAND: MACHITO, this is Lieutenant Taylor. The Unidentified fleet has moved out of cannon range. BUT WE’RE STILL TRACKING AN UNKNOWN RING SHIP FLYING LOCKSTEP WITH YOU. PANEL 3: The CAPTAIN responds aggressively. COMMAND: You are both ordered to shut down systems and prepare to be boarded. CAPTAIN: Negative, Lieutenant. This is Capitán de Navio Taneel, and no one’s getting boarded, today. PANEL 4: From above earth, an Imperial Fleet arrives over the horizon. COMMAND: Let’s not pull rank there, Taneel. This is Admiral Mbeki of the ISPS Galerna. 15 minutes out. And you damn well WILL be taking that order. PANEL 5: The CAPTAIN puts her hands up reflexively as ORLA cuts in. CAPTAIN: Roger that, Admiral. Apologies for— ORLA: PARDON ME, ADMIAL. This is Orla O’Malley of his majesty’s Jinyiwei… PANEL 6: Close up on ORLA, gesturing with her hands. ORLA: …and I’m afraid your order has been countermanded by higher authority. COMMAND: Don’t try to pull that on ME, agent. THE JINYIWEI HAVE NO SAY HERE. PANEL 7: From behind ORLA, as she continues. ORLA: It’s not MY order, Admiral. It’s the order of his excellency, EL EMPERADOR Del Gran Imperio Humano Y Sus Planetas… PANEL 8: ORLA, fist against open palm, bows to ‘NANDO, who looks horrified. ORLA: …Fernando Cruz. ‘NANDO: OH NO YOU DON’T. —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
FULL ARCHIVES
Act 5. Pg 087
Act 5. Pg 088
Act 5. Pg 089
Act 5. Pg 090
JUMP TO:
Act 1Act 4
Act 2Act 5
Act 3Act 6
Tales of the Drive
JUMP TO:  Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5Act 6 Tales of the Drive
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Act 5. Pg 090
Posted on March 26, 2026 by Beth Reidmiller

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