AviosAdku

Wow, that's quite the armada, and that gives me an idea as to how they deal with the Kerbulan raider, they aren't armed but they don't need to be. Before I give my theory, I should note that the Kerbulans' policy is not to leave unless they have used all their missiles (and I doubt the other cruise missile will be particularly effective against spacecraft). Ok, we know they think the Kerbals to be as warlike as themselves so the sight of that huge formation (particularly if they saw them launch, again, I'd love to see the look on their faces when the Enterprise took to the skies) bearing down on them (if the Enterprise can pick them up which I think it can) will probably make them panic. Yes they are all unarmed but the Kerbulans don't know that, to them it will look like a huge response, they didn't cripple the Kerbals and now their cover's blown and their raider (now low on munitions) is facing a huge enemy fleet, in short: a bad thing in their eyes. Probably the construction of the enterprise will make this worse as that will be their first target to fire upon but if they hit the deck, they might not have an effect (panels like that are among the toughest components in the game, often used for armour, in universe it would have to be tough to avoid sinking the ship should a plane accidentally crash into the deck), only making it seem worse in their eyes. What this apparent show of force will do may shake them significantly, along with the presence of Gregmore who I'm sure is going to have a big role finally (aside from a running gag) as he's wanted to since Eve. Just my 2c at the moment. Aku

Loved the shot of the hab module & lander on the transport, it really added atmosphere to this piece. It also reminds me jus how big things are in spaceflight. I know the reference point is a metre tall at best but the reduced Delta-v requirements mean the equipment is much smaller than ours too, still big by the scale of the world. (a minute or two later) Got to the section on the monolith scaffold, another impressive build, interesting that line about "Carbon crystal" cutting tools, I'm guessing the Human term is "Industrial diamond", if it is then I liked the way you distinguished Kerbin culture from Earth but in a subtle way that makes it still easy to get. In all, a good chapter, that reference to Hammond made me wonder, are there any other characters in fiction (or real life) that ones in your story are like? Aku

Ok, I think I just choked on nothing for a moment when I saw that (for effect that's all, don't worry). An aircraft carrier, flying. OK, it really did take off? Not that I find it unlikely in fact it probably makes perfect sense, these being Kerbals and all but ... aircraft carrier, flying. ... Brain.exe has suffered a fatal error and stopped working. ... Right, brain rebooted. I don't know what the Kerbals plan is (apart from Shirley's intention to scan for the Kerbulan attack ship) but I'm pretty sure that rescuing any at-risk/stranded crews will be high on their priority list. I'll also second @KSK's idea that the Kerbulans will assume what comes up will be an armed response and think they are in trouble, particularly if the Enterprise finds the Kerbulan vessel and they converge on it, they only have limited (and possibly partly exhausted) ammunition after all (though to be on the safe side, I suggest approaching it with remote controlled vessels first until they're sure their racks are empty). On that note, I'd absolutely love to see ... who is it? ah, Gregmore Kermulan (at least I assume it's him), his reaction to a how many hundred ton aircraft carrier taking to the skies, quite the demonstration of capability in my eyes as well as getting a closer look at space (even if it is only for a short while, that much rocket power can't stay up that long but they don't know that). Eagerly awaiting for what happens next. Aku P.S. apologies for the terrible attempt at parodying computer error messages (couldn't find a short one in the minute or so of research, any more would probably be over doing it for a minor joke.

Seconded (if I understand the analogy correctly) Well, I'd say things look bleak (Mortimer's takeover x a fair bit level) but I think I trust @Kuzzter to find a solution Here's hoping Aku P.S. Now all I have to do is cope with the constant tension until the resolution comes out (this is why I like reading stories that are finished), no risk to me it's just the "Mortimer Takeover" of Eve: Order Zero all over again.

My guess is that, seeing the Kerbulan's expedition lacks the firepower to do make a large scale impact on Kerbin itself (they don't have nuclear warheads) they most likely will be targeting Kerbin's space infrastructure, one piece of advice for Gene and the KSC crew: Duck and Cover (and probably get away from the buildings).

(checks comic again) Well, I thought it was Kenlie after someone mentioned the name is an anagram of that. Also I remember Kenlie Kermulan was stuffed in an empty cockpit and knocked out so I'm pretty sure its him (trust a Kerbulan to double cross an asset of theirs at the first possible opportunity), also I found the last time the sound effect for the contract was used. My theory as to how "Neelik Kerman" appeared was the following: - Bob Kermulan locked Kenlie in the retrieved cockpit (the one broken off in the Kraken attack ... wait a sec ... hmm*) and knocked him out - The cockpit was rebranded with a "Rockomaximus" logo and transponder (that the Kerbin tracking network read as a Rockomax transponder) - The fleet set up a phasing orbit with the Intrepid and released the pod - The pod was "Unbloaked" and left as bait, the KSP tracking network picked it up and processed it as a Rockomax rescue mission * Krakened pod ... kraken egg on Intrepid, maybe that little reddish object has something to do with the solution. I kept my reply vague last time so as to avoid accidentally saying too much (I got rather close once back when I followed Emiko Station). Aku

Well, if you look at the sign on the pod it doesn't say "Rockomax", instead something ... similar. Also there's the report of what happened to Kenlie Kermulan (chapter 16, page 4 if my archive is correctly numbered). Also, when @Kuzzter mentioned Kurt & Melgee's "Checks" game (or whatever the Kerbulan equivalent is) it made me wonder: maybe those two aren't as stupid as they seem, serving Valentina as strategists but hiding behind a veneer of lunacy to protect themselves. (just a random idea, not sure if it has anything to it) On a side note, I don't consider myself a Star Trek fan by any stretch of the term but I couldn't help notice that "Neelik" is only one letter off the name of a character in the series "Voyager". A shout out or not I don't know but I think the others commenting were right about its real meaning when they noticed that "Neelik" is probably an anagram. Excited to see what happens next. Aku

I'm back and thank you for clarifying about the calendar and chronology of that earlier post. As for this "episode": well, that happened Is it just me or this and A Jool Odyssey both hitting climatic points around the same time?

I just read the last chapter and ... only in the Kerbal space program can you goof a burn by that much and not get fired, I really think that you captured the tone of Kerbals, competent (especially as engineers) but not that keen on safety regulations to comedic effect. Also congratulations on the plane design, insanely fast and agile with a good landing speed to boot, it sounds like a lot of fun. I must admit though that I'm a little confused by the chronology of the chapter (as in what happened when) could someone clarify, are they currently flying to Minmus or ??? I guess it doesn't help that I don't know how their calendar works, is it your own one or something you saw? Aku

For me it was: Laythe: Lathe (the tool) Vall: Val (as in the shortened form of Valentina) Pol: Pollen Dialect: Australian English

Is that a nervous grin I see on Bob's face? (checks the rest of the comic) I thought so, considering how things went last time this pair crew was flying (and in an atmosphere no less), I can understand any nerves Bob may have, considering he isn't the calmest member of the gang. Also on an unrelated note, I looked at the distorted comms the Kerbulans got of the crew, I couldn't see any real pattern other than the words were jumbled up seemingly randomly (whatever codec or whatever the term is the Kerbals use is somewhat different from the Kerbulans'). Aku

Wow! While I don't have anything planned, I feel this could be very useful should I try anything Kerbal related, seeing as I can't model to save my life. I'm no expert by any stretch of the word but this looks like the best Kerbal 3D model I've seen outside of SQUAD's models and in Blender as well! Congratulations on your work. Aku.

Impressive write-up, I really do like the world building at work here.

I just read the world building "micro essays", I love the detail of this world (one of the things I face when writing is the risk of writing too many notes akin to those rather than the actual story). Also, I completely understand writing the ending as soon as it comes to mind, with every iteration of my story project the ending sequence is thought out, often before I put pencil to paper (I'm attempting to write a graphic novel) on the first page. Looking forward to the next chapter. Aku

Wow, that happened. Also, poor Bill, he really does seem to have lost it. Looking forward to what happens next. Aku

I'm honoured, thank you.

Thank you for more great instalments, I laughed quite a bit at Jebediah's antics. In addition, I'm absolutely loving the depictions of a volcanic Laythe, probably due to my experience of seeing an active volcano up close for the first not that long ago during my holiday (White Island to be precise). One thing I noticed (maybe you could use it) is that all the sulphur produces a smell of rotten eggs that pervades the air and I think I even smelled on my jacket for a moment several days later. Aku

I finally caught up again (I've been unable to access this for a while), good job as usual. My favourite bit would hapless Nimzo's trip to the surface (I wouldn't worry about his head the way he landed, Kerbals have pretty tough skulls in my experience) <random_thought>Maybe that's where the vital organs are (aside from the brain), it might explain the head-body ratio </random_thought> Also, quite a plot twist, the Kraken attack and what happened to the pilot (forgot his name at the moment), I know there have been Kerbulan casualties before but ... yikes. What I'm wondering is why he's outside the cockpit, I think the only way is for you to EVA but was that a RP thing (in story he was ejected by damage/the attack) or did he actually jump out (in Universe)? Congratulations as usual. Aku

My favourite line so far in this chapter. I'm loving the picture of Kerbin that's emerging, an original but at the same time realistic feeling world that's really pulling me in. Keep it up Aku (Addition) I just finished the chapter, I like this origin story of the early parts, also this image of Jebediah, looking forward to seeing more of his personality.

Make that 2. In fact the mention on the First Flight thread is how I found this. Loving the originality of the whole thing too.

Just found this, followed. An interesting world here, while I can see some parallels to real events it isn't the typical "Kerbal WWII scenario", looking forward to how it turns out. Oh, I should mention that reading the title makes me think of the Apollo astronaut biographies/autobiographies that I loved reading.

Another intriguing and entertaining read, the whole mystery about what is going on really has me hooked. Also, I loved the description of how the ships are launched, very Kerbal. Quite clever too as I just realised (as I wrote this), Is it possible for them to go up onto land?

If I remember correctly there was a Hadfield Kerman in Project Odyssey, it's been a while since I saw it (and it isn't exactly a quick thing to re-watch) but I think he was the one who appeared in Munar space (or was it Minmus?) and was kept alive by some temporal anomaly. Not trying to imply anything, just my 2c.

You know, that line of Melbe's (trying to wall in the blocks) for some reason made me think of icehouse, particularly with those pyramid shaped monoliths.

Speaking as someone with minimal understanding of coding, that's impressive. That and the "save hacking" described. It really brought home to me how much work this work has taken "behind the scenes".