The story behind an invention.

[Xel_AI]

A flak cannon lies at the side of the rocket pad. It fires projectiles meant to blow up at different ranges, in the air.

But why all that trouble? Have a cup of tea, it's a long story. Also, I added some story elements.

Last time, my anti air weaponry fired modified decouplers as flak. That worked for a time.

Bill Kerman stands beside the cannon, and fires it at the test missile coming in from an angle. The sluggish projectiles arcs over the descending missile, but by some

minor miracle, the missile is hit by a stray projectile and blows up.

"Boss? You might want to make some changes to these..things, they seem to be too slow." Bill wipes his forehead, or attempts to anyway.

I was about to reply, but then... an alarm breaks out. It's from a station housing jets.

"Multiple fast moving blips inbound. Take cov-". The mechanized voice stops abruptly as a wave of explosions decimate the airbase 2.5 km away.

After some analysis, it turned out that the flak projectiles that missed fell onto the base and destroyed it.

After one minute of mourning, I set to work on stronger and faster projectiles. One that would be strong enough to break free from Kerbin.

By some act of fourth wall gods, I created a decoupler that would definitely go on an escape velocity.

I scheduled a test fire at dusk.

The moon was just rising as a heavily armoured missile came inbound directly to the missile platform.

Bill calmly fires. A cloud of projectiles rapidly fly towards the missile, knocking it to its side. Another burst of flak destroys the missile through the fragile parts.

"Boss? I think it's good enough. Look! The projectiles are on a escape velocity now!"

A smile forms on my lips, and I turned my attention to my Mün Station. As usual, Jeb Kerman has volunteered to land on the Mün via EVA.

Through the command centre screen, Jeb salutes the staff before descending. He makes ground safely.

The science crew cheer, but are cut short by a blared warning from the station itself.

"Multiple blips on an intercept course detected. ETA 30 seconds. Recommend evasive maneuvers and raising ablative covers. " From a nearby probe in higher orbit,

we watch as the station raises the covers towards the blips...towards the probe, and fires thrusters. The probe camera blinks out to Jeb's cameras.

From his view, a ball of fire erupts briefly from the probe's last known location.

" Attention all crew. Unknown projectile ETA 10 seconds. Brace for impact. "

Multiple explosions are seen on the ablative shield covers. Cracks start to appear, and some parts start to break off. I glare at my science team,

they must have used cheap jet structural parts for these covers. Abruptly, the impacts stop - the hail of flak must have passed.

The science team breathes a sigh of relief, and some start to drink koffee.

Suddenly, the station is impacted again from the second round of flak. This time, the ablative shield covers shatter on first contact. The hapless station shakes wildly as impacts

and explosions take their toll. The station is engulfed in many small fireballs..before becoming one itself. As the flare dies out almost immediately, all that's left of the

station are some hull plates, cameras and the occasional pod. The pieces lurch towards the Mün and start falling.

"Jeb, come in."

"..."

"JEB! Look for survivors!"

Jeb makes it to a grounded base on the Mün. The cameras on his suit are shaking. Like his body. His helmet is blurred from tears.

As he stepped out from the base, a photo of him and his crewmates falls on his hand. His helmet blurs all over again, as we recall

the search results.

"Dust and echoes. No one made it out alive from the station. Just dust and echoes.."

The wreckage falls around him like rain.

For the next few days, he would repeat that to himself consistently.

When you read this part, you probably didn't realise anything. But if you hate sad endings, don't recheck the entire topic.

For those who did, you are observant.

Anyway, ever since the incident, I created flak projectiles that are essentially mini boosters set to explode at certain ranges as they overheat.

If you really want to know the true ending, examine the topic throughly. But don't spoil it...or do, perhaps.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Xel_AI