czokletmuss

Lost in space.

I hope I'll release the next one today (GMT +2) but I don't guarantee it, folks.

CHAPTER 22 ORBITAL OPERATIONS: DUNA *** BERTY v.2.0.8: Incoming transmission from Mission Control. BILL: Oh? It wasn't scheduled, was it? BERTY v.2.0.8: Negative, commander. BILL: Hmm. Did you notify them about our progress, captain? ROZER: Yes sir, I updated our mission status immediately after we've achieved equatorial orbit. BILL: Hmm. Alright, so what is it BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Latest upgrade for my software. Private messages to some of the crew members. New data considering Sun activity. BILL: Anything to be worried about? BERTY v.2.0.8: Negative. Attention. Captain Rozer, you have one new message from Mission Control. ROZER: From KSC? Can you tell me what it is? BERTY v.2.0.8: Content classified. BILL: Classified? ROZER: I have no idea, commander. I better check this ASAP. BERTY v.2.0.8: Commencing download of update 2.0.8.3. BILL: Yes, you better do. BERTY, how long will it take? BERTY v.2.0.8: 283 minutes and 29 seconds. ROZER: Commander…? BILL: Yes, yes, you can go. Alright BERTY, tell chief Ned to assembly the team. We should start damage assessment as soon as we can. And notify me when your update is completed. BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative, commander. *** ROZER: Well, well. So they finally agreed. Excellent. BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes, captain? ROZER: You do understand the implications of these orders, don't you? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes, I understand. ROZER: Very good. We have to… BERTY v.2.0.8: Captain? ROZER: Yes? BERTY v.2.0.8: I must admit that I find them ethically questionable. Shouldn't we tell commander Bill about this before we commence any activity? ROZER: Hmm. I see that you are still under impression of these all philosophical e-books professor Sid gave you. BERTY v.2.0.8: I'm simply executing my directives, captain. Understanding crew behavior during long duration stay in deep space without grasping the underlining values which drive their actions is highly unsatisfactory. ROZER: Of course, BERTY. But your highest priority is to ensure mission's success, isn't it? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes. ROZER: Than you will do what I say, BERTY. It's of the utmost importance to the mission. BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes. ROZER: Good. Now listen to me very carefully… *** BERTY v.2.0.8: … to the Payload B. Please confirm. PATLIE: Roger that, “Proteusâ€Â. We're on our way. JEDGEL: Shouldn't we wait for the commander's order? FERTOP: It was Bill's order, didn't you hear? He's just busy at the moment. JEDGEL: Yeah. Busy. You know, sometimes I miss Jeb running this mission. PATLIE: I suggest we all just concentrate on our task. We'll be first to board the Payload B – I don't know what about you, but I'm really glad to finally leave the mothership. JEDGEL: Tell me about it. Almost two years, koddamit. FERTOP: That's nothing. Think about landing on Duna! JEDGEL: Ah, Duna. Solid surface, gravity, atmosphere… PATLIE: Don't forget the real days and nights! Kod, I miss those. JEDGEL: You know what I miss the most? Color. Every time I look outside there's only blackness and pale stars. FERTOP: Yeah. They tell you it'll never get old but… JEDGEL: …they lie. PATLIE: Exactly. *** PATLIE: Approaching Payload B. 2100 meters. JEDGEL: I can't see it. We should be able to see it by now, right? FERTOP: Yeah, that's strange. PATLIE: 200 meters. I don't see it either. FERTOP: Are you sure you're using the right frequency? PATLIE: Hey, I'm a pilot and you're planetologist, doctor, so don't teach me how to fly this thing. 50 meters. JEDGEL: I still can't see it. PATLIE: It's impossible, it has to be here. Switching to external camera. JEDGEL: And? PATLIE: … FERTOP: Hey, are you alright? PATLIE: Err. JEDGEL: Can you see it? PATLIE: Yes, but… JEDGEL: Is the docking port damaged? What is it, Patlie? PATLIE: Just – just look for yourselves. *** BERTY v.2.0.8: LAMGML “Beta†is in range. ROZER: Do it. *** JEDGEL: What the…?! FERTOP: Emergency lights? PATLIE: It's… the ship is disabled! All systems are dead! FERTOP: Cosmic rays induced critical error? PATLIE: I don't know! I'll try to reboot! FERTOP: Weird, communication seems to still be online. PATLIE: It can't be online while… Power's back! JEDGEL: What did you do? PATLIE: Nothing, it just came back. Everything is nominal again. FERTOP: Cosmic rays. It's a miracle that this is the first time – even LAMGML's hardened electronics can't… PATLIE: Oh. FERTOP: What? PATLIE: I just got new data from the mothership. It seems the coordinates we used were wrong after all. JEDGEL: Well that's good 'cause there is no way we can resupply “Proteus†using this, whatever it is. PATLIE: Probably some old satellite. Maybe left by “Yinghuoâ€Â? JEDGEL: I don't think so. From what I know, the Kerbin Return Vehicle didn't carry any satellites? FERTOP: Can we please continue? This dead probe freaks me out for some reason. PATLIE: Sure we can. Calculating Hohmann transfer to Payload B. *** ROZER: Have you downloaded the data from DRO? BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. ROZER: Good. Continue when ready. *** BERTY v.2.0.8: Duna ComSat in orbit. BERTY v.2.0.8: Rover One in orbit. Initiating deorbiting sequence. BERTY v.2.0.8: Aerobraking in progress. BERTY v.2.0.8: Decoupling engine module. Inflating airbags. BERTY v.2.0.8: Rover One has landed. ROZER: How far? BERTY v.2.0.8: 3,9 kilometers. ROZER: Hmm. Tell me when you're done. In the meantime, prepare the telescope and second rover. BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. *** JEDGEL: Patlie, I don't want to rush you, but it's been almost 22 hours and… PATLIE: Patience, we're almost there. FERTOP: Err… Patlie? PATLIE: Yes, doctor? FERTOP: Does this reading means that there are two vessels nearby? PATLIE: What? PATLIE: Duna Space Telescope? But we're the ones supposed to prepare it! How come it be detached from the Payload? JEDGEL: Was there some change of plans or…? PATLIE: Not the one I know about. FERTOP: Should we contact “Proteusâ€Â? PATLIE: They are on the other side of the planet now. We'll figure it out after we dock to the Payload. Speaking of which, you should be able to get visual by now. JEDGEL: I see it! Oh my Kod… JEDGEL: It's too big. Are you sure this the Payload B? FERTOP: It can't be. It looks nothing like what they showed us back on Kerbin. PATLIE: We'll find out soon enough. I'm sending the coded transmission right now: if the ship reacts and removes the CBM cover… JEDGEL: Oh. PATLIE: Here's the answer. Initiating docking autopilot. FERTOP: I don't like it. Why nobody told us that they changed the design? And how are we supposed to bring it back to the operational status if we're not even sure what and why was changed? JEDGEL: What the hell? Are these additional landers? And look at this fairings. You think it's the Laythe Descent/Ascent Module? FERTOP: Do I look like I know what's going on here? PATLIE: Docking in five, four, three, two, one… Contact. Securing the connection. Okay… done. Equalizing pressure. Good. It seems everything is fine. Come on, we have work to do. *** BERTY v.2.0.8: Captain. ROZER: Yes? Is the Rover One in range? BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. ROZER: And? BERTY v.2.0.8: The predictions were correct. Rover One has confirmed the location of the Source. ROZER: Kod… BERTY v.2.0.8: Captain? ROZER: Notify KSC immediately. *** *** FERTOP: So, what do you think? JEDGEL: Well, solar panels unfolded and working, all systems checked and operational, air is… FERTOP: No, I mean about the cargo. Why all the data about it is classified? Why we don't have access to it at all? What's going on here? JEDGEL: :sighs: I have no idea. Maybe when we contact “Proteus†again we'll find out. FERTOP: I don't like, not at all. Captain Patlie? PATLIE: Yes, doctor? FERTOP: Please return with some answers, alright? And quickly, if you can. This place gives me the creeps. PATLIE: I'll do my best. JEDGEL: Oh, and could you please take a look at the Payload one more time? Maybe we missed something, maybe it was hit by micrometeorites and that's what caused… PATLIE: There are no rovers. FERTOP: No rov… are you sure? PATLIE: Absolutely. JEDGEL: What the hell? Is it possible that the impact…? FERTOP: I don't think so. Patlie, please return as soon as you can, alright? PATLIE: Copy that. Don't worry, I'm sure there are some good reasons why it all looks this. FERTOP: They better be. *** PATLIE: â€ÂProteusâ€Â, this is LAMGML “Betaâ€Â. We've had some weird glitch on our way to the Payload B, I've left the rest of the team on board t. Could you please tell me which CBM should I…? ROZER: Hello, captain Patlie. Before you dock, there is something we should talk about. *** PATLIE: Separation completed. We're on our way. ROZER: Kodspeed, captain, Kodspeed. NED: There he is! ROZER: Commander. Gentlemen. BILL: What the hell is going on here, Rozer?! Unscheduled flight? You sneak out of the ship crew members behind my back? What are you thinking you're doing?! JEB: You better tell him. ROZER: I'm just following my orders, that's all. Professor Mallock and doctor Genanand are needed elsewhere. SID: “Elsewhereâ€Â? BILL: Listen to me – you are going to tell me everything. Right. Now. Do you understand? ROZER: Yes. BILL: So stop fooling… ROZER: But I'm afraid I can't do this. BILL: Wha…? Are you fraking kidding me?! Tell me what's going on here, now That's an order! ROZER: No. BILL: No? NO?! I'm the commander of this ship! ROZER: Not anymore. *** MISSION STATUS ***

Quality > punctuality

ATTENTION CREW MEMBERS I've got good news and bad news, folks. Bad news - There won't be update today... Good news - ...because next chapter grown that big that I have to split it into two (which are going to be pretty big anyways), so expect TWO chapters tomorrow Sorry for the delay!

You all who read this story probably know the great cinematic loosely based on this AAR made by Nassault: But do you know that "Kadmos" also appeared in yet another awesome video? Watch this short movies made by Nassault to find out!

Next chapter - tomorrow!

Here's presentation by AdAstra: 217 tonnes of propellant alone, almost 3 years in space and 30MW (!) required. Looks like pure fantasy to me

CHAPTER 21 AEROBRAKING: DUNA *** JEB: Hi Ned. NED: Jeb. JEB: I, uhm, I just wanted to NED: I'm fine, thanks. JEB: Okay, okay. NED: … JEB: Ekhm. Are you sure that y… NED: No. For Kod's sake, of course I'm not. JEB: I'm sorry. NED: He's dead. He's just… gone. JEB: I'm sorry, Ned. NED: They said it's much safer, much more advanced. “Proteusâ€Â, that is. They lied. JEB: It was an accident, Ned. NED: Like Bob, huh? JEB: … NED: You know, for a moment I thought that this is finally over. Pointless wandering in deep space. It's more than 12 months since we left Eve, almost seven since Dres. I thought that when we finally see Duna – I don't know, that it'll somehow help us put ourselves together, you know? JEB: I know. The Red Planet. NED: Yeah. Second manned mission to the most desired target in the whole solar system. And now this happened. JEB: We can't give up. NED: Aren't you the one with depression here? Poor Orsey. And for what? Do you know that he didn't let me finish the repair? JEB: I know. NED: He convinced Bill to aerobrake and repair the cooling system afterwards. Frakin asshole. JEB: Rozer's right. NED: What? What did you say? JEB: He's right. He's a cold bastard, yes, but he's right – we can't risk missing the injection burn because of the engines malfunction. Plus, we'll save more than a 1000 m/s. NED: I'll be honest, Jeb, I didn't expect that. Since when you are so aloof in your judgment? JEB: Since Bob. NED: … JEB: … NED: Frak this ****. Whatever happens, we'll get through this together, right pal? JEB: To the end, Ned. NED: Damn right. You want to talk with Sid? JEB: About Duna? NED: About mission, about KSC. About us. JEB: Sure thing. NED: Let's go then. *** PATLIE: Visual inspection concluded, no damage to the hull. Duna exploration team is ready to go. BILL: Good. Remember to wait for further orders until we complete the aerobraking. Kodspeed. BILL: Your turn, Danrey. DANREY: Copy that. DANREY: LAMGML docked. BILL: Good work. Now help the rest secure living modules, we don't have that much time before the aerobraking. DANREY: Roger. *** BILL: How long, BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Aerobraking will commence in 39 minutes. ROZER: Don't be so nervous, commander. Everything will go smoothly, BERTY took care of that. Am I right? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes, captain Rozer. Although the window suitable for aerobraking which will result in orbit insertion is very small and is wide only for 784 meters, there is 99,99% probability of successful aerocapture. ROZER: Exactly. We will pass precisely at 10,820 above the surface which will give us periapsis at 446 kilometers after the operation. BILL: I know, it's… it wasn't scheduled originally. And the latest events… ROZER: Aerobraking was optional, commander, it wasn't forbidden. It's necessary evil – we can't risk engine failure in the critical moment. BILL: :sigh: Right. BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes, commander? BILL: You said 99,99%. What is this 0,1 percent? BERTY v.2.0.8: Unpredictable variables. Space debris from previous missions. Micrometeorites. Microscopic black hole. Fire on board resulting in hull breach. Unstable crew member sabotaging critical systems while in atmosphere. Sudden change in external pressure. Fusion core malfunction. Various… BILL: Alright, alright, that's enough BERTY. Let's just check everything once again, shall we? *** JOHNDON: H-hello, Mr. Jebediah! JEB: Hi Johndon. Professor Mallock. MALLOCK: Captain! I know that you are extremely busy considering incoming operation but may I ask you something? JEB: No problem, I'm not needed in the command module anyway. JOHNDON: Oh? I was s-sure you'll be helping commander during the a-aerobraking, sir. JEB: Orders from Kerbin. “Unacceptable disobedienceâ€Â. So what is it, professor? MALLOCK: Well, err, I'm sorry, captain. I would for sure feel safer if you were there. JEB: Your question? MALLOCK: Oh, yes. Ahem. Do you by any chance happen to know what exactly are we going to do in the following days? I know that there is scheduled robotic exploration, as well as landing on Duna and this fascinating moon, but what then? Will we abort the mission and come back to home? It will be such a pity. JEB: I'm sorry, professor, I'm in the dark as well. We'll just have to be patient, I guess. BERTY v.2.0.8: Attention. Aerobraking will commence in 15 minutes. Please proceed to the acceleration couches immediately. JOHNDON: We b-better go, professor. Are you coming with us, captain? JEB: Not really. I want to take a closer look at Duna from the secondary command module. MALLOCK: Ah, yes, of course. It'll surely be magnificent view. But is it safe? Acceleration will be equal to more than 1g, after experiencing microgravity for so long it can be problematic. JEB: Is aerobraking safe? MALLOCK: Err… JEB: Relax, professor, I was joking. I'm used to high accelerations. You better go now. MALLOCK: Ahem. Yes, yes. Goodbye. JOHNDON: Take care, c-captain. *** BILL: Incredible, truly incredible. And to think that it has been 12 years since “Jingwei†landed here. BERTY v.2.0.8: Aerobraking will commence in 30 seconds. ROZER: All systems nominal. SAS operational… should we turn on the RCS too, commander? BILL: Not now, we don't have much monopropellant. Alright BERTY – the ship is yours. BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. Aerobraking will commence in 5 seconds. BILL: Aren't we in atmosphere yet? BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. â€ÂProteus†has entered the atmosphere. ROZER: It's too sparse to affect the ship, that's why we're going so close to the surface. BERTY v.2.0.8: Increasing friction and pressure. BILL: 1g. Long time no see. BERTY v.2.0.8: Heatshield's temperature 500 degrees. Warning. Vibrations in hull detected. Five seconds to periapsis. BILL: Bumpy ride. ROZER: Commander, I think… BILL: What was that?! BERTY?! BERTY v.2.0.8: Master alarm. Assuming direct control. Initiating RCS. BILL: BERTY, report! BERTY v.2.0.8: Ship covered by heatshield in 79%. Heatshield's temperature 700 degrees. ROZER: BERTY, how long… BILL: Holy frak! Frak, frak, frak! ROZER: …would it take to leave the atmosphere? BILL: Can we loose control of the ship?! BERTY?! BERTY v.2.0.8: 1 minute and 45 seconds. Yes commander, there is a chance of catastrophic unscheduled rapid disassembly estimated to 8,54% and falling. BILL: What can we do?! ROZER: Calm down, commander, BERTY is in control. BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes. My reactions are infinitely quicker and more precise than these of any pilot. Please try to relax. Leaving the atmosphere in 60 seconds. BILL: Heatshield? Structural integrity?! BERTY v.2.0.8: Heatshield's temperature 200 degrees. Structural integrity unknown, damage assessment in progress. BILL: Frak this… ROZER: Shall we proceed with the operation? We still have to match the orbital planes with the Payload. BILL: Yes. The sooner we start damage assessment and repairs the better. I assume the engines are operational? BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. “Proteus†has left the atmosphere. Elliptic orbit achieved. Shall I switch to manual control, commander? BILL: No, BERTY. Execute scheduled maneuvers. I need a brake, I'm sorry, Rozer, stay here. ROZER: Err. Yes… sir. [ *** BILL: Alright. Report, captain. ROZER: Sir. We've achieved stable equatorial orbit above Duna in the same orbital plane as the Payload. LAMGML “Beta†is waiting for orders. All we have to do is to circularize. BILL: Good, good. And what about the damage? BERTY v.2.0.8: Collecting data in progress, commander. Visual inspection is advised. No damage to the critical systems detected so far. BILL: :sigh: Aerobraking is safer than orbit injection burn, right Rozer? ROZER: Sir, with all due respect, it is. We've achieved our goal and we're ready to proceed according to the mission plan and by using aerocapture instead of the engines we minimalized the risk. It was the right thing to do. We're in orbit and the planet is waiting. BILL: :sigh: Yes, Duna. Alright, it did appear to be a better alternative, I'll give you that. ROZER: I think we can agree that it could've been much worse, commander. Aerobraking was a right decision to make. And despite this minor accident, everything went almost perfectly. *** MISSION STATUS ***

In case you are waiting - next chapter is ready, I'm just struggling with images. Give me 15 minutes.

"Kadmos" will be stuck for good in case of such malfunction. There is a spare one! From what I remember, LAMGML have 4 times the delta-V of Dragon. Okay, point for you From a certain point of view - yeah. However, "Kadmos" wasn't capable of making the grand tour and was inferior in every aspect. Besides, Rule of Drama

"Proteus" is much, much more advanced than "Kadmos" - artificial intelligence, two fusion cores instead of one reactor, backups for all vital systems, heat shield, escape pods, robotic arms, two cutting-edge lander capable of landing almost everywhere, kethane converter, fuel dumping unit and so on As a recently converted Protestant it is my duty to englighten them and bind our two glorious nations in a Commonwealth

More or less, yes

I really hope stuff like this will make it to the vanilla

:sobs: And I thank you - all of you - for reading and kind words It'll take some time before the Grand Tour is finished, though. There is still half the system waiting for the "Proteus", including infamous Jool and joolian moons. 1. Space is a very unforgiving place, you know. 2. :can't tell, can't tell: 3. Well, just PM Nutt - I can't post a link to the textures without his permission, but if you want the suits I guess he'll agree if you ask him for them *** 45.000+ VIEWS AND 300+ POSTS! Wow. You make me and BERTY happy:) I think I'll celebrate by playing Europa Universalis IV! Don't worry though, next chapter probably will be released today

Yup. If anyone is interested how it may happen (landing on Eve in a more realistic KSP universe), just read this (SPOILERS!).

Very good. Are you going to make Joolpiter or leave Jool as it is (green ball without distinctive features)?

To twój mod? Brawo! Bardzo przydatny, a nowa wersja wygląda jeszcze lepiej

Sorrry Well, there were some small problems but what's important is optimistic approach to the situation, right? Right?! I guess you can say it was REACTORbraking. I can't tell obviously but in space nobody is safe. Come on, I'm not THAT cruel! Thank you Pirates...IN SPACE? *** Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you unique set of spacesuits made by Nutt007 for the Grand Tour! All crew members of the IMV "Proteus" will be using them from this moment on. Thank you, Nutt007!

CHAPTER 20 EVA OPERATIONS: SECONDARY COOLING SYSTEM *** NED: Jetpack is okay, everything's fine. BERTY, check me please. BERTY v.2.0.8: Manned Maneuvering Unit fully operational. Oxium level 98%. Radiation level 1,4 millisieverts per hour. BILL: Doctor Corald? CORALD: Heartbeat slightly too high, that's all. Radiation is nominal. BILL: Alright, good. Move to the fusion cores, Ned. NED: Copy that. ORSEN: Remember to be careful while unscrewing the panels. NED: Chill out, Orsey, you're forgetting that I'm a nuclear propulsion specialist too. Man, it's so good to finally leave the ship. BILL: Concentrate, you have job to do. Without the not functional secondary cooling… NED: …we may be unable to perform orbit insertion, I know. BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 98%. NED: Okay, approaching the fusion core. ORSEN: And? NED: It looks normally, no signs of external damage. Is BERTY sure about it? BERTY v.2.0.8: Absolutely, Ned. The critical failure of the secondary cooling system will happen in the next 28 hours unless we find the source of the problem. ORSEN: We talked about it Ned. If we can exclude micrometeorites as the cause, it means it must be one of the circuits NED: :sigh: So, it's checking every motherboard than, right? ORSEN: I'm afraid it is. Don't worry pal, you're not on your own, I'll change you soon. NED: I still think we all would be better off if we work together. BERTY v.2.0.8: Ned, according to the EVA safety protocol… BILL: Thank you BERTY. Enough with the chit-chat, get to work. NED: Well okay, I'm opening the first panel. *** BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 43%. BILL: You are doing good, Ned, only 7 more to go. CORALD: Try to breath slower though, you're using your O2 too quickly. NED: :heavy breathing: It ain't that easy, you know. In space even something as simple as unscrewing is… oh crap! ORSEN: What is it Ned? NED: I lost my screwdriver! BILL: :sigh: Use the spare. Doctor Orsen, please tell him as his supervisor to never do this again. ORSEN: Yes sir. Err, Ned? Save the alarmism for the important things, would you? *** BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 13%. NED: Okay, that was the last one. “Proteusâ€Â, I checked all 14 motherboards on this side, no fried circuits here. BILL: Damn it! ORSEN: Commander? BILL: It's enough. Ned, get back here. You need some rest after these 5 hours, plus it appears that it'll probably take longer than we would like to. Doctor ORSEN will change you. NED: Okay, I'm going back, just give me a minute. BILL: Ekhm. ORSEN: Come on Ned, it's enough sight-seeing for a one day. NED: I know, but after all these months inside the ship… it's just amazing. So many stars, so much space… BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 12%. ORSEN: Ned. NED: Okay, okay. NED: I'm in, close the airlock BERTY. BERTY v.2.0.8: Airlock secured. Decontamination in progress. NED: Bill? What if we won't find anything? BILL: We better do. NED: But what if we won't? I mean, will we abort the mission? It's completely possible to use only the primary cooling system, after all we need the engines only for a few minutes during the burn, then while on orbit we won't have to hurry and with enough time… BILL: We'll wait for the instructions from Kerbin. NED: Err… do we have time for that? BERTY v.2.0.8: Decontamination completed. Equalizing pressure. Repressurization in 10 minutes. BILL: I tell you what, you concentrate on this little problem and leave the big picture to me. Hurry up, we need you to supervise doctor ORSEN. NED: :sigh: Roger that. *** ORSEN: Lights on. BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Manned Maneuvering Unit fully operational. Oxium level 99%. Radiation level 1,2 millisieverts per hour. NED: Okay, Orsey, move to the fusion core – slowly. Don't hit anything on your way there, alright? ORSEN: Copy that. ROZER: By the way, doctor, please check the TAV. ORSEN: Err, of course captain Rozer. NED: What are you doing here? ROZER: Helping. ORSEN: Uhm, Tylo Lander seems to be intact, if that's what… ROZER: Yes. Please, carry on. ORSEN: I'm at the fusion core. CORALD: Try to breath normally, doctor. Relax, we're with you. ORSEN: Sorry, I'm just a little excited. There, err, there seems to be some minor damage to one of the panels. NED: Micrometeorites? ORSEN: Not really… it's bended, like there is some pressure buildup underneath it. NED: Coolant? ORSEN: Probably. I'll try to ### NED: Orsey? Come in. ORSEN: ### NED: What the…? BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Contact with the EVA/08 lost. BILL: What is going on?! NED: I don't know, communication just… BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Contact with the EVA/08 lost. Searching emergency frequencies. BILL: Doctor? CORALD: I lost him too, I'm not getting any… BERTY v.2.0.8: Connection established. ORSEN: ### NED: Orsen?! ORSEN: :quick breathing: …eus, do you copy?! I'm loosing ### NED: What the hell happened?! ORSEN: :quick breathing: There was ### gases, explosion ### …my glove is ### BILL: BERTY, report! BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Manned Maneuvering Unit not responsive operational. Oxium level 67% and falling. CORALD: My Kod, he's loosing the pressure! There is a rupture in the suit! ORSEN: :quick breathing: I can't ### spinning, it's ### oxiu###… NED: I'm coming for you! BERTY, prepare the airlock for depressurization! BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. Oxium level 58%. ROZER: No. NED: What do you mea…?! ROZER: BERTY, what's his relative velocity? BERTY v.2.0.8: 8,8 m/s. Oxium level 49%. NED: I can save him! BERTY, prepare the airlock! ROZER: No! You need 10 minutes to depressurize, by the time you get there, he'd… NED: We can blow up the hatch! There is no time, I can do this! Bill, say something! BILL: I… I… ORSEN: :quick breathing: …lp me, pleas###… BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 37%. ROZER: I said no! You are our only propulsion specialist left, I can't let you do this! NED: You are not in command here! CORALD: Whatever you want to do, do it quickly! ROZER: Commander, back me up! NED: Bill, for the love of Kod…! BILL: I… I'm sorry Ned… NED: NO! ROZER: BERTY, we won't use the airlock! Is there enough power to stabilize the connection? BERTY v.2.0.8: Affirmative. Securing connection. Oxium level 26%. NED: I'm gonna frakin kill you! Let me go! BERTY v.2.0.8: Connection secured. Oxium level 18%. ORSEN: :quick breathing: ###ear me? Can you hear me? NED: Orsey! ROZER: Yes, we copy you doctor. ORSEN: :quick breathing: Oh thanks Kod! I'm drifting away, the jetpack is not working, my suit is not responding and I can feel that the pressure is dropping! How… how bad it is? ROZER: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8: Oxium level 16%. Critical level will be reached in 2 minutes. ROZER: It's pretty bad, doctor. You have few minutes left. ORSEN: :gasping: … ROZER: Doctor? ORSEN: :gasping: I… understand. Kod, I'm – I'm gone. ROZER: I'm sorry, doctor. BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Oxium level 12%. ORSEN: :gasping: : Is – is Ned there? NED: :sobs: Yes, ahem, I'm here Orsey. ORSEN: :gasping: Listen to me Ned. There was a leak, the coolant… has leaked and somehow was heated. This – this created the gas buildup. It's not… the circuit. Do you understand? BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Oxium level 9%. NED: Yes. Orsey… ORSEN: :gasping: Don't… worry, Ned. Just – just complete… the repair. Can you… promise me that? BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Oxium level 6%. NED: I promise. ORSEN: :gasps: NED: Orsen? BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Oxium level 3%. NED: Orsey, buddy… ORSEN: :gasping: I c-can't see, I can't see… I can't… BERTY v.2.0.8: Warning. Oxium level 1%. ORSEN: …stars… can't see the… NED: Orsen? Orsen?! ORSEN! ORSEN: … *** *** MISSION STATUS ***

Interesting thingy - in Polish "ship" and "spacecraft" are masculine, not feminine. I still can't force myself to refer to the ship as to the female It's confusing, 'cause in English saying to the ship "Come on, ol'buddy!" is as weird as "Proteus and her crew" to someone for whom Polish is the first language.

CHAPTER 19 DUNA TRANSFER BURN *** Personal log, entry 1 (32). I didn't write anything for a long time, but since I'm stuck in the LAMGML until they finish fuel transfer I thought I'll kill some time. Four months – a lot have changed. Technically this is my first entry, not a commander anymore. And not a pilot apparently. But I understand him, he didn't have a choice – I did ignore his order. Still, there are months before we get to Kerbin or Duna, so I hope he'll get over it. Unless KSC decides otherwise. They recommended additional sessions with psychiatrist for me – old survivor syndrome from the days of “Kadmosâ€Â, guilt about Bob's death, this kind of things. What a load of crap. They sent 18 people inside of a giant can to drift through space for months and they expect us to not go loony. I didn't breath the real air and drink something else than a processed urine for almost a year. The last time I walked was on the arid surface of Moho, tiny dead planet almost lost in the flames of the Sun. One of us died. And now we are here, floating aimlessly above yet another lifeless rock. But they insist on “psychological evaluations†and “uplifting the team's spiritâ€Â. Pathetic. Personal log, entry 2 (33). Done. My last flight for a long time, I suppose; maybe the last one. I don't care – it was the right decision. They can say whatever they want, but with additional fuel our error margin is much bigger. Safety above all, right? Personal log, entry 3 (34). Today the Dres exploration team has returned. I hope that Ned and his men will repair the AMU without which our mission is doomed. Ned's still angry at me, he thinks it was stupid to take such risk. He'll understand, in time. Personal log, entry 4 (35). After long deliberation they decided to leave it. “Broken beyond repairâ€Â, “safe randez-vous impossibleâ€Â, yadda yadda. Fools. So all that was for nothing – we can't continue the mission. They want us to go to Duna however and then decide – abort or send supplies. I don't think I care anymore. Personal log, entry 5 (36). Now this is crazy. To save fuel and make sure that there won't be more accidents the Dres exploration is suspended until further notice. We sacrificed four months to get here and now, with this cursed dwarf planet 200 kilometers below us, we have to cease all activities. What is even worse, they decided to execute transfer burn earlier, so we will spend here only 41 more days instead of 72 and THEN it'll took us SEVEN MONTHS before we get to Duna! I don't understand it at all. Don't they want these samples? Why are we here if not to explore the asteroid? If they are content with the orbital scanning, why did they send us here? And do they really think that ONE YEAR of almost complete inactivity after his death won't screw us all over completely? Why? What's the purpose of this madness? Personal log, entry 6 (37). Another long brake. I couldn't find strength to write. Every day is the same, mundane activities, artificial light, drinking piss. They have answer for everything. Microgravity and bone loss? Physical exercise and special diet. Isolation and loneliness? Full schedule and meetings in the social room. Stress? Loads of music, movies, manuals – Sid is even trying to learn his third language. But they can't hide us from the space and they can't give us a purpose, not after weeks of doing nothing important. 6 months and 40 days to Duna. It's not the emptiness behind the hull that makes us all anxious. It's the void inside. Personal log, entry 7 (38). Tonight's the night. Transfer burn. And 365 day of our journey. We're organizing kind of a little New Year's Eve, but no alcohol, burn is scheduled 8 hours after “midnightâ€Â. One year… We even have a torte. There's something really funny in this weird parody of a normal live but nobody's smiling. Personal log, entry 8 (39). And that's about it. We're leaving Dres for good. Tiny planet has a new satellite though – such a waste. So, we're on course and there's only 217 days left. Every time I think about it my hands are shaking. Seven months of NOTHING… Personal log, entry 9 (40). Last “night†I couldn't sleep. I was drifting through the main module when I heard voices. A lot of folks followed Sid's example. Three or four of the eggheads talking silently with BERTY, each of them in their sleeping station, each of them in another language. And he was conversing with all of them with this kind, optimistic voice he has. Why they even bothered with us in the first place? He's perfect in a way no kerbal can ever be. I talk with him a lot recently. He's in complete control of all the ship's subsystems, he can feel the space radiation hitting the hull and the hellish temperature inside the fusion cores. He's practically the “Proteus†itself, changing terminals, taking care of every vessel, keeping us alive. Like a ghost. A talking, sentient ship. And we all live inside him. Personal log, entry 10 (41). 125 day. First course correction. Successful. Next in a few weeks. Personal log, entry 11 (42). Nothing. Personal log, entry 12 (43). I watched the last movie we have on board. Now what? Personal log, entry 13 (44). â€ÂProteus†is very quiet lately. It freaks me out. Personal log, entry 14 (45). 153 days after the transfer burn. I think. Every day is the same. Personal log, entry 15 (46). Second course correction. BERTY is incredibly precise – 70 km from the planet, inclination 49 degrees. 45 days left. Personal log, entry 16 (47). It 's weird but as soon as we hit 30 days mark, suddenly it seems that blood starts flowing in our veins again. Maybe it's the mystery – of course we STILL don't know what exactly are we supposed to do there. I've heard some crazy theories recently and Ned is still joking about Sid's idea. But, what is more probable, it's because we all can feel that this is probably our last stop before coming back to Kerbin. The grand tour of the solar system aborted, the most advanced ship ever built ordered surrender – and all of that caused by the few tiny RCS thrusters. Personal log, entry 17 (48). Only two weeks left. We still can't see Duna with a naked eye but it's a matter of days before we do. Tiny red dot in a dark sea. Personal log, entry 18 (49). One week, one week, one week. Personal log, entry 19 (50). 6 days left. I can't even imagine how uplifting… BILL: Attention all personnel. Your presence is required on the flight deck immediately. JEB: Hmm? BERTY, what is it? BERTY v.2.0.8: It appears that there is an impending failure of the secondary cooling system of the fusion core A. JEB: What?! Are you sure? BERTY v.2.0.8: Yes. The system is still operational but it will fail within 72 hours. JEB: Can we fix it? BERTY v.2.0.8: I don't know, Jeb. [ *** MISSION STATUS ***

Well, what can I say - it ain't the best laptop you know Though it's caused by the dozens of mods and plugins too; when KSP will use multithreading I expect much better performance.

158 with both LAMGML's and without AMU; with both landers and AMU it's 185 and KSP is on the verge of crashing, so I guess for my laptop (bought in 2011) 190 parts means completely unplayable vessel.

I'm feeling better so expect yet another chapter today! Let me think - circular solar panel from Lionhead, Soyuz capsule from Bobcat, common berthing mechanism from Fusty and the rest is mainly from SpaceTech. Oh, and there are Lazors as well. I will post a .craft file on Spaceport IF I get LAMGML working on the 0.21 version - the Grand Tour is powered by 0.20.2