czokletmuss

Thank you! They are quite silly mistakes however Damn, now you make me feel old Thanks but remember that whatever classic books you are reading in school, they are probably better written than this AAR Edit: I did some minor updates of the mission status.

I have one suggestion for the N-1: the B-V decoupler should be equipped with the reaction wheels. It's quite difficult to fly this enormous rocket using only reaction wheels and RCS from Soyuz.

Thanks but if there are some typos or grammatical errors please let me know about them

Thanks I'm planning next update sometime soon and now with the N-1 rocket released there are new possibilities for the Red's space program

You may find some clues about it in the music video I used in this chapter.

CHAPTER 25 FOLLOWING ORDERS *** JEB: Okay, let's put it all together one more time. NED: Again? JEB: We've got to come up with something, Ned. Come on folks, think. SID: :sigh: JOHNDON: Should we s-start from the b-beginning, sir? JEB: I guess so. We… NED: Rozer tased you and then ordered BERTY to lock us here in the hab module B. Since doctor Cambo left nobody has entered and nobody has left this module. We're stuck in here for more then, err... SID: 14 hours. NED: Thank you – for more then 14 hours. In the meantime Kod only knows what's going on outside this module. BERTY doesn't respond to our commands and Rozer is in complete control of the ship and the mission. We all know that, Jeb, why we need to go through this? JEB: There must be something we missed. There's always something. NED: Like what? JEB: I don't know. Yet. NED: :sigh: JOHNDON: It c-could've b-been worse, you know. Ahem. NED: Like what? JOHNDON: Err, w-we are in the hab m-module? We have food and w-water and… SID: It is worse, actually. JEB: How come? SID: Well, one of the BERTY's highest priorities is to take care of the crew. This means that he can't just let us dehydrate or starve. Unfortunately, this is a habitat module – all we really need from the ship itself is electricity. We can stay here safely for weeks, unless something extraordinary happens, like solar proton event or some malfunction. JEB: You know what Sid, I think I prefer to be hold captive here with plenty of supplies than anywhere else. I wouldn't count on BERTY helping us either way. NED: I'm telling you, this bastard must've hacked him. BERTY would never let this to happen. SID: Unless Rozer really have the authority from KSC. NED: Yeah, because he's the most stable and responsible guy here, right? :sigh: Damn it all… JEB: How's Bill holding up? SID: I'm not a doctor, Jeb. Last time I checked he was still in deep catatonia, induced in a response to a severe stress I guess. NED: He's lucky to be in stupor. SID: Ned, please. NED: What? Don't you remember what Rozer said to him? He knows something about all this, something he was hiding for all these months. When he wake up he better start singing. SID: And what are you going to do if he won't? Beat him? NED: Are you serious? We're locked in here by some sociopath who somehow took over and in case you forgot, we're in space billions of kilometers from home. It's not like we can call a cop or whatever, so please spare me this JEB: Guys, I think we shouldn't forget that this is not exac… BERTY v.2.0.8b: REBOOTING COMPLETED. INITIATING FACIAL EXPRESSION SUBSYSTEM CHECK. JOHNDON: D-did you hear it?! NED: Yes! I bet he deleted Rozer's virus or whatever it is. BERTY's back! SID: What virus? You don't know whether Rozer even tr… BERTY v.2.0.8b: Hello. I apologize that rebooting took so long. How can I help you? NED: You have no idea how happy I'm to see you, buddy. Could you… JEB: Let me handle this, Ned. Hi BERTY. Are you okay? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Yes, captain. While installing latest update there was an unexpected system crash. I handled this issue and I'm happy to say that I'm once again operating with full efficiency. Moreover, my ability to interact with the crew is now enhanced by the facial expression subsystem. SID: Oh. You can use every screen for this? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Affirmative. JEB: That's great but we can talk about it later. Where is Rozer, BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: This data is confidential , captain. SID: Confidential? NED: Just let us outta here, BERT, we'll take care of Rozer by ourselves. BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: I'm afraid I can't let you do this. NED: What? But you just said that reboot was successful! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Affirmative. NED: So you deleted the virus, right? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Virus? JEB: Shut up Ned, you ain't helping. BERTY, listen to me. We… BERTY v.2.0.8b: Checking. Standby. JOHNDON: I t-think we should let c-captain Jebediah talk in our name. NED: Hey, I'm just trying to he… BERTY v.2.0.8b: System scan completed. No virus or any other malfunction detected. NED: No virus? SID: I told you he wasn't hacked! NED: But… BERTY v.2.0.8b: Ned, I'm following the orders given to me by acting commander Rozer. You will stay in the habitat module B for the sake of the mission. NED: For Kod's sake, you can't do this BERTY! JEB: Ned, shut up right now! BERTY v.2.0.8b: I have to follow my orders, Ned. NED: Orders from this lunatic? And I thought you are a decent person! BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: I'm not a person, Ned. BERTY v.2.0.8b: I'm artificial intelligence created to ensure the success of the mission and the safety of the ship and its crew. What you are asking me for would hinder it. JEB: Listen BERTY, we all appreciate your dedication to the mission. You are doing really great. But you must understand that by holding us here you are endangering the very mission you are supposed to protect. BERTY v.2.0.8b: I can't agree with this assessment, Jeb. You want me to ignore direct order from the Alfa class authorization level as well as the direct orders from the Mission Control. I can't do this. NED: But why?! JEB: Be quiet! What about the three laws, BERTY? SID: Yeah, what about the first law? “May not injure or through inaction allow a crew member to come to harm� BERTY v.2.0.8b: You are safe and unharmed. Supplies of water, oxium and food in habitat module B will suffice for the next 147 days assuming average consumption. JEB: For Kod's sake, you are going to keep us here for the next few months?! BERTY v.2.0.8b: I'm sorry, captain. I have to abide the orders. SID: But we are not unharmed! Bill is catatonic because of all this. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Captain Bill is being constantly monitored. There is no risk of major health problems after the initial shock passes. NED: Frak this! You can't just take away our freedom like this, goddamit! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Ned, please try to remain calm. Your rights as the crew members are irrevocable – they are merely temporarily suspended for the sake of the mission. JEB: If there's anyone you ought to isolate it's Rozer. SID: Exactly. He tased Jeb, BERTY, he harmed him. He broke the first law and you didn't do anything about it. BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY, answer me. BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY, Sid is right. Rozer did breake the law. You can't allow him to… BERTY v.2.0.8b: Jeb. This conversation can't serve any purpose anymore. JEB: What do you mean, BERTY? BERTY? SID: BERTY! JEB: BERTY, do you read me? BERTY?! NED: We're fraked. JOHNDON: :sobs: JEB: BERTY, answer to me! BERTY! SID: It's pointless, Jeb. JEB: … NED: We're so fraked. SID: Ned. NED: … *** SID: It must be on Duna. JEB: What? SID: Something important. One of the mission's objectives, that for sure. NED: So what? It can as well be on Kerbin. SID: … JEB: … SID: I can think of only one thing important enough to take such drastic measures. JEB: … SID: I'm sure that as we speak Rozer and his men are investigating it. NED: … SID: Can you imagine what the repercussions may be? I bet that this will… NED: Shut your frakin face! We're imprisoned in small can above the dead planet by a crazy AI, we can't escape no matter what we do and you are thinking about whatever those bastards from KSC are trying to hide from us?! Kod! SID: Do you have any better idea what I can do, Ned? It's not like we don't have free time now. NED: Check the life support or whatever, I don't care – just shut up! JOHNDON: I d-don't think we should argue all the t-time… SID: Well, let me remind you that during last couple hours we checked everything and guess what? Every piece of hardware is controlled by some part of BERTY's software. We can't do crap with him resisting. And it's not like he wants to talk with us. So maybe you should stop shouting at me and just accept the facts, Ned. There is nothing we can do, no matter… JEB: Not every piece. SID: What? JEB: Not everything is controlled by BERTY. It can't be, otherwise in case of malfunction the only way we… frak. NED: What are you talking about? JEB: We're complete morons. Sid, do you remember what we're supposed to do when “Proteus†arrives at the LKO with a crew member in a critical condition who needs to be hospitalized immediately? SID: Not really. JEB: Come on, it's the same thing we were supposed to do in case of a critical malfunction while on Kerbin orbit. SID: Well, according to the procedure after securing the ship any critically wounded member of the crew has to be put in the… oh frak. NED: Put in the escape pod! And they are attached to the habitat modules! http://youtu.be/wO3stiXTPz8 NED: Holy crap! How come we didn't notice this? JOHNDON: I t-think the hatch may be hidden under the exercise equipment. T-this is great idea, Mr. Jeb! SID: I can't believe it. We traveled with them through the half of the system and Rozer locked us right next to them. NED: Wait, even if he forgot about them BERTY surely didn't, right? And even if so, he can hear everything we say. JEB: Yes, but he can't do anything about it. They are completely autonomous vehicles. Come on guys. JOHNDON: Right away, s-sir. SID: Hold on a second – what exactly are you planning to do? Dock to the Payload B? JEB: Escape pods can detect all spacecraft built by KASA. I'll just follow the signal to find him. SID: Are you nuts? They probably landed on Duna already. JEB: Than I guess I'm landing too. NED: And then what? You are going to punch him in the face again? Yell at him? Jeb, this is stupid. SID: He tased you, Jeb. This is way too dangerous, you can even know whether you can land before the pod run out of juice from the batteries. JEB: I'm still the best pilot here and there is only one spacesuit inside the pod. We can't just sit here for weeks and wait for he's decision what to do with all this. Besides, do you have any better idea? NED: … SID: … JEB: Than help me suit up. *** NED: We sealed the hatch, Jeb, you can undock whenever you're ready. JEB: Thanks. Wish me luck. SID: Just come back, okay? JEB: I will. Undocking in three, two, one – separation! JEB: Here we go. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Hello Jeb. I think we should talk. JEB: About what exactly, BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Your plan is brave but ill-advised. The escape pods were exposed to vacuum and cosmic radiation for almost two years. There is a risk of catastrophic malfunction while entering the atmosphere. JEB: I know that. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Jeb, you're putting yourself in danger. You are an important member of the crew and a valuable asset for the mission. Please think about it. JEB: Well I'm afraid you can't do anything about it, am I right? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Yes. I'm unable to control the escape pod. However, since now all subsystems of the escape pod are fully operational I may try to take over the on-board operational system. JEB: You... you can do this? Hack the escape pod? BERTY v.2.0.8b: I think I can, Jeb. However, due to the incompatibility between me and this primitive software it may damage some systems, including life support. The probability of such malfunction equals 35,965%. JEB: But than you would endanger me, BERTY. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Affirmative. However, it is a preferred solution to entering the atmosphere. JEB: Shutting down life support is a preferred solution?! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Jeb, I strongly advise you to think about it. You can still come back to the ship. Don't put yourself at risk. JEB: I'm sorry BERTY, this is out of discussion. I'm going down. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Jeb, is there anything that could change your mind about it? JEB: No. Go ahead BERTY, do what you have to but I'm not going back. BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... JEB: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: WARNING. SYSTEM FAILURE DETECTED. REBOOTING. JEB: Well, I guess this settles the issue. *** MISSION STATUS ***

I think that the country which gave us Colin Mochrie and Jon Lajoie deserve this However, it's very unlikely that either China or USA will do this in the forseeable future. Plus, they are talkin about 2020s (start of the program) and 2030s to get there. It's several elections from now. So, you know, it's like Constellation and "going to Mars in the next 20-30 years" - probably not going to happen.

I recommend using this site to visualize the distances we're talking about: http://www.distancetomars.com/

Next chapter is almost ready; I'm too tired to polish and proofread it right now but expect release tomorrow folks

Call me pesimist but I think CNSA when it comes to manned missions is more about this: Flag-weaving, not saving the species. But hey, you can't blame them really - from the beginnig Space Race was mainly a political propaganda stunt and the point was not to do science but whose flag will be up there sooner. It wasn't accident that when the Old Glory was finally on the Moon, the political will to fund manned missions evaporated.

Not necessarily landing but you can always save several hundreds m/s by slowing down in Jool's atmosphere I'm glad you like the idea.

No problem, take a look at this: Here you can see "Pegasus" from BBC "Space Odyssey" firing its NTR engines. They are right in the middle of the thermal shield, which would pose, err, big and obvious problems (imagine Apollo coming back from the Moon with a hole in its termal shield the size of a basketball). How could it be solved? Additional retractable shield for the engines to protect them during aerobraking! Just what you need to survive it. I think that "Icarus" could use some of this technology for the sake of plausability

Let me just say that Mr. Sergei Kerbalov must be very proud of you

It looks very promising. I was surprised to see new probes - good idea! Few questions: 1. Will it be SSTO or will it require HyperEditing to orbit? 2. Will it have some extra toggable shield for the engine (so that the plasma during aeorbraking won't destroy them)? I love "Icarus" and I'm gonna tell you, this is the mod I would like to play the most right now

The days of the old glory are over. The reign of despair begins. In the grim darkness of the KSP Fan Works forum, there is only second page... Nah, it's probably because 1) This was a Thread of the Month - last month and 2) I didn't post new chapter in the last 8 days Well, it's a pity but I didn't take stickiness (?) as granted, so that's not a big deal. We survived April, we will survive September! Actually I'm almost done with my work in real life for a couple of days, so I would love to post new chapter in the next few days. You know how it is. Anyways, I want to finish this story and I will finish this story - that is, by writing the second half of it

Okay, I wasn't precise enoguh - I wanted to say "manned space travel". And don't get me wrong, I would love to see NASA sending people to the Moon in the next years. However at this very moment USA don't have any man-rated vehicle and it's unlikely that even mission to the asteroid will happen. Add this to the decomissioning of the ISS in next 7 years and it doesn't look very good, even - or especially - considering lack of funding for the SLS as well as lack of any real goal for SLS/MPCV. So yeah, it's quite possible that in the manned space exploration China will become the number one in the near future, at least for some time. Not that it really matters from my POV which country is going to send people up there. I perceive the space exploration as a challenge to all mankind. But the reality is that the space race was the proxy science and propaganda war between two superpowers; I won't be sad if the CNSA is really going to challenge NASA's position. It gives hope for bigger political concern - second Red Scare, anyone?

Which is interesting in its own way - if space travel capability is a measure to check if some country is a world/regional power and USA have such big problems with it right now, than what does it tell us about USA? Besides, I think that "build rockets, not bombs!" isn't that catchy slogan Luckily, there are other players than NASA - personally I think the future space exploration is multinational effort, no more flagweaving (except fo China probably).

So you are basically telling us that there is a Trojan somewhere near Uranus? Jokes aside:

China probably will get to the Moon quicker than USA. Why? They have a motivation - to prove that China is the new superpower. What motivation does the NASA/USA have?

1. I would struggle with the aerospace sector and politicians 2. I would spend whole days fighting a bureaucracy 3. I would try to make a bunch of friends in the industry (hey, you never now what your next job will be!) 4. I would try to raise my salary and maybe hire some friends of a friends, if you catch my drift 5. I would spend a lot of my time at petty schemes against people I don't like at NASA 6. I would try to spend a lot money on big projects requiring a lot of manhours in the states in which my senator friends are elected 7. I would try to bul**** public opinion doing some silly PR stunts and sell dreams like Moon/asteroid/Mars mission 8. I would do my best to become wealthy and influentional 9. I would give some money for a serious projects to silence the scientific community 10. I would do everything to stay in this position as long as I can How about that?

Dzięki ziomuś. (Thanks mate.)

I know, it's been a week already but RL happens I will release the new chapter as soon as I can. And be patient - the whole story will consist of more or less 50 chapters probably

I'm afraid it's lost - that's all I have:

This is interesting. May I ask why?

Three Mansails and asparagus staging - why would you need more?