A Lit Match in Orbit — Ronald E. Hudkins

- At a point in the near future, a catastrophe has made a portion of the Earth uninhabitable. Prior to the event, many humans were evacuated to the space stations and began living up there. By the time the event happened, there was already a separate and sustainable society of space stations orbiting the planet. The catastrophe did not completely destroy Earth and some inhabitable areas remained. A new government is created on Earth, separate from the laws and government of the orbiters. Laws include it being illegal for any of the orbiters to return to Earth unless they are married to someone on the planet. Despite it being 200 years later, relationships are strained but fairly peaceful and lines of communication remain open. Finding a terrestrial (Earth person) to marry online is one legal ticket home. This story is about one girl who finds true love and is allowed to return to Earth.