Five More Days (WIP!)

[LavaCake]

Five More Days (WIP)

A Fanfiction By LavaCake

Part I; Ascent

I watch the waves lap onto the coast in serenity in the metal cage, looking out the window to glimpse my home for the last time. A peircing call from mission control commands my attention, forcing me back into reality. One by one, I flick the red switches by the launch protocol that has been drilled in my memory, activating SAS, RCS and activating the orbital map for future reference. I report the usual "Nominal" to control and they give the countdown. "T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, ignition on, 4, 3, 2, 1, liftoff." The jolt of massive boosters underneath me tugs me to the back of my seat, I grab hold of the controls and make the necessary minute changes to the navigation of the craft. I stare at the nav ball, knowing that losing track of it could mean disaster. In the corner of my eye I see my velocity climbing steadily, as well as my altitude over Kerbin. I glance at the fuel gauges for the solid boosters at first stage, see the fuel deplete, decouple, then activate the 2nd stage liquid fuel boosters. Hand still on the controls and accelerator (Though the latter was worthless for the boosters) I am told that my apoapsis will be substantial for a 100 kilometer orbit. I am then giving a node directive; accelerate 1000 m/s in T- 5 minutes. I check the controls again, making sure they are nominal, before looking out of my window to see something I thought I never would; a sunrise from space, seeing the delicate majesty and balance of the solar system. I stare there until I glance at the node counter and realize there are 30 seconds until the node arrives. I wait 'till 10 seconds and activate the liquid-fuel engine, feeling yet another jerk towards the back of my seat, vibrating and shaking uncontrollably. After about a minute of burn, I am told "Cut acceleration, you have reached nominal velocity" by control and yank the thrust lever backward as the beads of sweat gather at my brow, trying to get the rusted stick backward. I sigh of relief when it gives in and goes back, feeling the engines deflate.

Part II; Mishap

MC chimes in and states "A node has been made for t-minus 30 minutes for you to preform a Hohmann Maneuver to the moon, it will require you to gain 1400 m/s in acceleration, but we believe your 2nd stage thrusters will do." I respond back with the usual "Roger that" and turn the mighty ship with the power of monopropellant. I sit there, snooping around in the cabin containers, looking at the usual "Food" and "More Food" containers until I spot the "Pilot Distractions" container and open it, seeing a rather remarkable assortment of cheap dollar-store items. I see a notepad and pen and grab both. I click at the pen in rhythm, wondering what I should draw. I cease the clicking and gain inspiration; I will draw the sunset of Kerbin from orbit. Curve after curve, line after line, I draw a sketch that rather does not do the majesty of space justice. But it will suffice, for now. I put the pen and paper back in the "Pilot Distractions" cupboard, but hold onto my masterpiece and put it in my pocket. MC startles me by saying "You are t-minus two minutes away from the node, activate thrusters A.S.A.P." I then slowly move the accelerator forward and watch as the "Pilot Distractions" cupboard flings open and spews out its contents backward.

Edited May 30, 2015 by LavaCake
Made a part of Part II and separated Part I and II