We Are the Explorers

[VASMIR]

We Are the Explorers-Prologue I

January 28, 1986

The shuttle was still, by all means, a new vehicle. Having only flown twice in 1982, here was her one and only second chance. And who would be a better pilots than Jebediah Kerman and his brother, Bill, to test this machine.

"Calm yourself Bill, you don't have to keep gimbal-turning the rocket." Jebediah assured Bill. "She'll turn herself now."

"I know Jeb, but its not me. The whole dang rocket keeps swaying."

Jeb stared at the navball, and just as he was about to blame Bill for the anomalous behavior again, a loud bang filled the cockpit. "What did you do Bill!" Jeb yelled, but just after scolding his brother again, the shuttle started shaking rapidly.

"You know I did not-" Bill was cut off as a bright light blinded him and flames enveloped him. Before Jebediah knew it, he was thrown out of the cockpit like a bullet from a gun.

Jebediah stared up at the crumbling rocket in awe and terror. But he soon was flooded with fear. 'What happened to Bill?' He thought. He then realized, 'What's going to happen to me?'

Jeb was falling, helpless, unable to save himself. And with his inevitable death upon him, Jeb stared at the beautiful view of Kerbin, his home, below him.

It seemed unfair that the universe would be so cruel to just one being.

Edited June 15, 2015 by VASMIR

[VASMIR]

We Are the Explorers-Part I: Can we do this?

The auditorium was filled to the brim with Kerbals. So many in fact, that half of the crowd had to stand outside of the old building. The old building was the Astronaut Center, or at least what was left of it. The entire KSC complex was shut down only a year after the Resolute Disaster that claimed the life of Bill Kerman. This time it was KASA's one and only second chance.

For 2 full hours, the crowd of hundreds sat and listened to Gene Kerman's speech on the history of space exploration, and live interviews with real kerbonauts, but Gene had one last treat for the crowd.

"I want to see a future" Gene started his speech "Where cities as big as the KSC dot the surface of Duna. I don't want this to be on some crappy sci-fi movie, I want this to be real." The crowd held their breath in anticipation-"I want to send a Kerbal to Duna." At that moment, the crowd exploded into applause. Excited Kerbals screamed like jet engines, children started jumping for joy, and parents held their mouths open in awe! Of course, not everyone was happy. Madame President despised the KASA, thinking that it was a bad waste of billions of KerbCoins.

Gene saw the President's death glare, and responded rather well. "Here we have Watney Kerman discussing the mission plan for such a mission." Gene said before walking off the stage, only to be greeted by Jebediah.

"Did you really beleive what you said?" Jeb asked Gene.

"Of course I did."

"Good." Jeb replied, before walking onto stage with Watney.

"Hello everyone, I'm Watney Kerman, and here is the famous kerbonaut Jebediah Kerman." The crowd, once again, cheered with delight. "Okay, lets get started." Watney addressed the crowd. "Launch 1 for the mission is a reusable rocket that launches the Duna Ascent Vehicle(DAV) to Duna on a low-energy transfer. After 8 months, the DAV lands and begins mining ore and converting it into fuel to be used in the ascent. We are not bringing our fuel with us, as that would require a rocket too massive to launch." The crowd stared at him, most likely confused. Watney still went on, oblivious to his surroundings. "Launch 2 happens the same year, but this time with the habitat module. The hab is unmanned, and lands as close as possible to the DAV. It sits and waits for 8 months for the crew to arrive. Launch 3 happens 2 years later, at the time of the next Duna launch window, this time carrying the ion-propelled Kerbin Return Vehicle(KRV). The KRV is launched to Duna on a chemical booster, but uses ion engines. The KRV uses a giant heat shield to aerocapture into a low Duna orbit." Jeb felt like telling Watney to slow down, but he soon dismissed the idea. "Launch 4 happens at the same time as Launch 3. This launch has a copy of the Hab Module, but this time, its manned by a crew of 2 Kerbonauts. The Hab II lands near the other 2 spacecraft, and the crew is unloaded onto the surface, where they stay for 7 months before departing into LDO. The crew use the DAV's command module to dock with the KRV, before taking a 3-month-long burn to reach Kerbin. The crew then enter the DAV's command module where they re-enter Kerbin's atmosphere and land." The crowd stared at Watney, wide eyed and completely lost. "Well, uh...here are our 2 that will fly on the mission." The crowd cheered again as Valentina walked onto stage, and stood beside Jeb.

'She's cute' Jeb thought.

"They will be departing on our first, Explorer Class mission to Duna in 3 years!" Watney exclaimed. "But, before then, we will be launching our first DAV and Hab to Duna in only 6 months, so you guys better watch out." Watney finished his speech before pausing to stare at Jeb and Val, and finally walking off stage.

"3 years, not that bad." Jeb told Val.

"Believe me, it will go by a lot faster than you think". Val replied.

Expect episode 2 in a while, as there is low revenue right now. Episode 2 is when the DAV will launch. Also, should I ship Val and Jeb in the story?

Just so you know, I plan on putting pictures in the story, so it is more like an actual mission report.

Edited June 15, 2015 by VASMIR

[Windspren]

But.... But they're siblings.....