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Chapter 14 Director Direc stood watching the rocket silently lift off the pad, a white dart atop a white cloud with a glowing yellow heart. The crushing rumble of the rocket engines rolled through the observation room. As the rumble faded Khenry walked up and stood beside Direc. They watched as the first boosters separated from the rocket. “How fares your flock of little birds Khenry,” Direc asked. “They fly true,” Khenry said. “We’ve got three stated to launch for Mun, and one for a very high molniya orbit around Kerbin.” “That’s our second Mun lander mission,” Direc said, seeming to not listen to the answer, or even focused on the rocket. “We should have boots on Minmus within the year, and then where?” Khenry looked at Direc. “Duna, Moho, the Joolian system, Eeloo.” “Yes. But, why?" “To study the goo.” “Yes. That’s the core. Why we started. But, is there more? Should there be?” Khenry shuffled to turn and face Direc. ”Sir… Direc. What’s going on?” “We travel the black,” Direc’s voice and eyes were far away and unfocused. “Should we come back?” “What do you mean?” concern coloured Khenry’s voice. Direc turned to Khenry, his eyes were focused again. “We’re going to have to change our design approach.” His voice was focused as well. “Small cabins will work for the moons, for a week. But, for a year it’s a bit of a tight space. It means we’re going to be pausing for a moment. “The probe work outside of Kerbin SOI will continue. We’ll pause any kerbaled programs beyond the moons. Instead we’ll focus on developing orbital stations.” “It’s a bit of a shift of direction.” “It’s a needed shift. We are near the limit of what we can achieve with what we have available. This will let us develop the next generation of ships, and keep us going further.”
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Chapter 20 Walt walked up to the reception desk of the club. The exterior of the building was old brown limestone with grey frosted glass windows. The small brass plaque had announced it as the “Old Empire Society.” The brown wood paneling of the walls were varnished and polished to a near mirror finish. The carpet runner over the dark wood floor absorbed the sound of his footsteps. The attendant looked up as Walt approached. “Mr. Walt Kerman,” the attendant said as Walt walked up to the desk. “Mr. Kemille is waiting for you.” He looked at Walt appraising his choice of suit. “Thank-you for dressing appropriately. Some of the guests of members do not. Which causes inconvenience, and occasionally a brief disturbance.” Walt noticed the formally dressed kerbal standing quietly in one corner. He had the same look of intelligently controlled strength as Ox back at “The Fuel Plant.” “Yes. It is a privilege to have been invited.” The attendant nodded. “I believe it is your first visit here.” “Yes.” “We have a few rules, and Mr. Kemille will be sure to assist you in that matter. However, I will stress that the members will appreciate a level of discretion with anything that you may incidentally see or overhear during you visit.” “Yes, I can understand that.” “Very good. Oskwald will escort you to Mr. Kemille now.” The attendant gestured behind Walt. Walt turned around to see the formally dressed kerbal now behind him. “Ah,” the attendant said. “A few members have expressed an interest in meeting with you. If I may, can I pass your information on to them?” “Yes,” Walt paused for a moment. “Would they prefer the general line or my direct number?” He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. “Both, if you please.” Walt placed two business cards on the counter. “Thank-you,” the attendant nodded to Oskwald. “This way, please.” Oskwald said as he stepped towards the entrance to the rest of the building. Walt followed him through the labyrinthine corridors. They passed several kerbals and kerbalinas dressed in an older very conservative style of clothing. They were sitting in large leather chairs either reading or dozing, silently playing various games, or quietly discussing something around a pool table. Walt and Oskwald stopped in front of a closed door. Oskwald pressed against the wood paneling beside the door with his fingertips. The door opened from the inside. Kemille gestured them into the room. He closed the door behind them. “Thank-you for coming Walt,” Kemille said shaking Walt’s hand. “Would you like tea, coffee, or…” “Tea.” “A pot of tea, Oskwald, and a fresh pot of coffee for myself.” Oskwald left and closed the door behind him. “Well what do you think?” Kemille gestured around him. “It is nice. But, seems a bit rich for my tastes.” Kemille chuckled. “It is for me too. The company carries most of the annual fee. But, some of the members are fans of mine, some are regular financers, some are both. So it isn’t a completely unwarranted expense.” “No, I guess not.” Kemille gestured to one of the chairs as he sat down. “Now, I’ve had a couple of ideas pitched to me and I’d like the KSP’s help with them.” Walt smiled. “We’d love to help. However, I may advise against some of those ideas for certain reasons which I may or may not discuss.” Kemille smiled back. “Oh, I’m sure Kisney, Universal, WBnWS., RKO, and the rest have been talking to you as well. But, let’s see what we can arrange.”