Infinate Horizons Vol. 1: Beginnings

[Cortwade]

Infinate Horizons, Volume I

Beginnings

 

 

Table of Contents:

Chapter One: The System

 

 

 

[Cortwade]

Chapter One: The System

 

   It had been over 10 years since KSA was founded. In that time, they had landed on the Mun, Minmus, and sent probes to all the other planets in the Kerbol System. Of course, their ambitions did not stop there. Many high ranking officials were talking about a new idea, sending a probe to another star system. At the time, this was purely science-fiction. The nearest star system, Nova Kirbani, was over four light-years away. Using conventional rockets, everyone in the KSA staff now would be dead by the time the probe arrived. So, they were restricted to Kerbol for now. That wasn't so bad. The Ares Program, which would attempt to land a manned mission to Duna, was already in testing. The Prometheus Rocket System, which was a tried and true launch system, was already chosen to launch the mission. The crew, composed of 5 hardy engineers, scientists, and a pilot, were already in training. Commander Jeb would be the commander, along with Bob, Milfred, Bill, and Billy-Bobfrey. All of them were excited for the mission.

 The mission was expected to launch in about three months, when the next Kerbin-Duna Transfer window arrived. Using a Mun slingshot, they'd be able to hopefully get to Duna within six months. During that time, they'd be stuck in their tin can, although it was twice as large as the Mun Lander. Then the incident occurred. During the launch that would bring the habitation module along with the lander to dock with the main transfer ship, a strut broke. This caused a solid-rocket motor to hit the payload, making the whole thing explode. Faced with this failure, several large corperations recalled their contracts, and KSA was faced with bankruptcy. Worried, Gene Kerman, Mortimer Kerman, and Dr. Wernehr von Kerman had a high level meeting inside of the administration building.

 Mortimer  began, "Gentlekerbs, as you know, our space agency is facing bankruptcy. However, what I propose would not only save us from this grim fate, but make us a large amount of profit in the process, and be beneficial to scientific research. A large amount of debris has been accumulating in Kerbin Equatorial Orbit, which is where most of our launches take place. This is dangerous, and cannot stand much longer. Already the KSS has been hit with small, pea sized objects. These created holes, broke solar panels, and knocked a Kerbonaut unconscious once. So, I believe using our last remaining funds, we launch a long-term unmanned mission that will retrieve debris, then recover said debris. If we were to clean out  all of the debris in LKO, I estimate approximately 50 million Soseps could be returned to our agency."

 Gene and von Kerman thought this over carefully.

 The launch of the Retriever I occurred three weeks after the meeting.

 

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Stay tuned, this story is far from over.

 

 

 

[Cortwade]

Chapter Two: New Beginnings

 

  Jebediah looked over the controls. To him, they seemed like madness. Luckily Bill was here to explain what literally every button meant.

”What does this do?”

”It starts the secondary rocket engine.”

”What does this one do?”

”It separates the payload from our ship.”

”And this one?”

Jeb’s finger inched close to a big red button, glowing ominously.

”ERMEHGARD JEB DON’T TOUCH THAT!” Bill screamed. “It separates the capsule from the engine for reentry. If you press it now we’ll be stuck out here.

A routine mission to Minmus to collect some science was proving to be quite... annoying. At least Bill wasn’t stuck with that weird dude... He never shut up! What did he call himself? Doorpay? They were 5 days out from Minmus using a standard Hohmann Meneuver. Their rocket, the Adventure VII, was loaded to the brim with supplies, science stuff, and a rover. They were expected to stay for a week, then head back to Kerbin.

The Retriever was still operating. It had saved the KSA from bankruptcy. Already, it had made 2 million Soseps in recovered debris. In fact, it was likely maneuvering to retrieve some of the debris from Adventure. The KSA was already developing new and exciting technologies using the new funds they had received. The Minmus mission was going to be to survey a new site for the mining of a rare metal apparently quite common on Minmus. After the survey, the first extraplanetary base will be launched on a strange and ungainly device, the Prokaro I. It was nearly as tall as the VAB itself. Nobody had any idea how it worked, but it did. It will take the entire base, a rover, and ten crew members to Minmus, along with an emergency return ship, for a 2 year shift on Kerbin’s tiny little moon.

—

Five Days Later:

Bill was screaming at the top of his lungs. “JEB GET YOUR FLARPING HELMET ON! BOB GET STRAPPED IN!” Bill’s hand was on the abort handle. After dealing with four days of “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” and “What’s this button for?” they had arrived at Minmus and were descending. It was all going smoothly. Bob was down in the crew quarters, Jeb was smiling maniacally outside the window, and Bill was busy being a pilot, even though he wasn’t one. Then, suddenly a geyser erupted. Nothing to bad, at first. Some water splatters and small rocks hit the vessel. Then it got worse. 

The pinging of rocks got louder and louder. It seemed like the ship was going to be punctured. Then suddenly, it stopped. For about a minute, all was quiet. Then the ship was rocked with a giant bang. Alarms sounded, and the pressure in the lab and rover bay decreased, and disappeared altogether. Bill began calling a checklist to Bob.

”Capsule pressure!”

”Nominal!”

”Quaters pressure!”

”Nominal!”

”Lab pressure!”

”Vacuum!”

”Rover pressure!”

”Five Pascals!”

”Fuel storage!”

”Left tank leaking slightly, right tank Nominal!”

”Engines!”

”Nominal, 100 KN of Thrust!”

Bill then watched the altimeter tick down, and glanced at the speedometer occasionally.

15KM, 500m/s

5km, 100m/s

1km, 25m/s

”BRACE!”

The crew were jolted about the capsule. Bill and Bob examined the boards, next to an unconscious Jeb. Forgot to secure his straps, of course. This was going to be a rough mission...

—

Stay tuned, this is far from over.

[Gyrfalcon5]

Oooo!