totm aug 2016 Kerny Kerman's Journal (mission reports from a Kerbal's point of view) [Chapter 87: "Among the growing shadows."]

[adsii1970]

Oh, what is THAT!

[Angelo Kerman]

29 minutes ago, adsii1970 said:

Oh, what is THAT!

That is the start of Pathfinder's Project Sandcastle. Think Firma for Pathfinder, with custom IVAs, with both building blocks and custom parts, all 3D printed on site by robots. Inspiration comes from:

I have DSEV to work on and BARIS to fix, but Sandcastle is back on my radar.

[Just Jim]

17 hours ago, Angel-125 said:

I have DSEV to work on and BARIS to fix, but Sandcastle is back on my radar.

Oh, someone hand me a drool bucket.... 

[Thedrelle]

*passes over drool bucket

[adsii1970]

Plock 32, Y003 
"Consider it as a part of your 'other duties as assigned'..." 
Chapter 48

The away mission, Lieutenant Gilti and Ensign Hildi, have been on the surface of Minmus for approximately three hours now. Their departure from the Excursion was as close to perfect as it could get. Once both were aboard the lander, they requested permission to begin their descent. Lieutenant Obion, a quick study at the helm under Lieutenant Gilti, has now assumed the operational control of the ship's navigational and communications system. 

"Roger, Lander 1," Obion responded. "You are cleared for departure."

"Captain," Obion called out. "Ship's computer indicates the lander is clear and free to navigate."

"Thanks, Lieutenant. Can you patch me through to the lander?" I asked. 

"Captain, we're receiving your signal," Gilti could be heard over the command deck speakers. "We're clear from the Excursion and our computer shows we are in operational control of the lander."

"Yes, so I've heard," I responded, looking towards the back of Obion's head. "Lieutenant Obion told me just a minute ago that our computer indicates the same thing. You may proceed to your first landing corrordinates. Keep us updated,  

The computer system that monitored the vessel was pretty straight-forward. Anything attached to the vessel, while under operation, reported its status to the command deck of the Excursion. From any monitor, anyone wanting to know the status of our vessel could easily access the screen. As soon as the lander undocked, the outline of the lander disappeared from the display. It was clearly operating and navigating on its own. Lieutenant Gilti and Ensign Hildi were on their way to the surface.

"Captain, we are receiving a signal from Lander One," Obion called out over the ship's intercom, totally unaware I had remained on the command deck. This is his first real mission with us and isn't really doing too bad. During the two-day transit to Minmus, he spend most of his free time divided in sending data packets to his family, learning anything that Commander Karloff would teach him, and begging Lieutenant Gilti to teach him all she knew about her duties and station aboard the Excursion. I have no doubt that someday he will become a captain of his own ship and crew someday. 

"Lieutenant," Triy replied. "He's right behind you..." She has been a surprise. Although she is currently training to be an Engineer, she has also become an eager student of the sciences. Although Ensign Hildi, our ship's doctor and chief scientist, is primarily focused on biological sciences, she willingly has spent time teaching our young stow-away the basics of geological sciences. She has a sharp mind and is constantly challenging myself, Karloff, and now Hildi. 

Within seconds, the speaker on the command deck came to life. "Excursion, this is Lander One," the excited voice of Gilti called out across space. "We are a minute from landing on the surface."

"Roger, Lander One," Obion replied. "We are receiving your trajectory data now." Just as with his mentor, Gilti, when performing his duties, it is sometimes difficult to hear the emotion in his voice -- unless it's extreme. "Our data is showing you have touchdown in five... four... three... two... one -- "

"Now there's no need to steal our thunder," Gilti replied in a half-joking manner. "Excursion, Lander One has made contact with the surface of Minmus..." Again, it was easy to hear the excitement in her voice. "I'd forgotten how empty this place was, Captain. We are deploying our solar panels and deactivating the main engine and RSS."

"Roger, Lander One," This time it was me who gave the reply. "Cycle down the systems. We'll be here waiting for you. Our next scheduled communication is in three hours. Lieutenant, you're in charge of this mission. Excursion out." 

"Aye, sir," she replied. "Lander One out." And with that, the away team would be on their own to perform their assigned mission objectives. Commander Karloff and Triy began the process of preparing the second lander for its departure in two hours. That crew would consist of Commander Karloff and Lieutenant Obion. For a day, the responsibilities of maintaining the Excursion would be myself and Cadet Triy until the return of Lander One. Knowing Gilti the way I did, I knew that by now, she and Hildi were already out of their lander and studying the terrain of this region of Minmus.

Although I had been instructed not to contaminate her team's observations, I wasn't to inform her that the site had been one of the sites we were to explore during our Minmus Explorer III mission. At the last possible moment, Gene and Dr. Haywood had changed from this zone to the location of an anomaly that had been detected from one of the two orbital survey satellites. The site they were now exploring had been one of the areas where the proposed Minmus colony would be constructed.

"Lieutenant," I said, "you have the conn. I'll be in the observation pod if you need me." And with that, I left the command deck and headed towards the observation pod. Once there, it became obvious to me why this was a complete waste of time - and I didn't even have to sit in the pod's chair to come to that conclusion.

Like so many other components of this vessel, it was obvious the upgrades and overall refit efforts led by Dr. Angelo solved some problems but caused others. This observation pod did have a great view of the dorsal docking port of the Excursion, but the view I had hoped for - of an unobstructed Minmus as we headed towards our apogee of our elliptical orbit above Minmus - wasn't there. Sadly to say, this would be one of the things to add to Karloff's list of things to address in the next refit.

For the two-day transit to Minmus and since the undocking of Lander One, Karloff and Triy had spent most of their time on duty cataloging many things they believe need to be corrected during the upcoming refit between our two Minmus missions. So far, the two had discussed the asymmetrical locations of RCS thrusters, solar panels, communications antennae, and even radiators. As Triy pointed out, many of the issues are from an attempt to reconcile the differences between the designs of Dr. Angelo and Dr. Wernher. Angelo's design changes were done to get us back into space and on our mission.

From what I understand, the second ship of this design is already under construction. Dr. Angelo and Dr. Wernher have asked that as we come across issues that need to be addressed, we are to include them in the next data packet. It will be interesting to see how they respond to our growing list of things!

I've began reading the most recent data packet sent by Bobak. We had received it about the same time as we began the Lander One mission. I wanted to wait until I had the time to really devote to reading the data packet. Along with the most recent episodes of The Saga of Emiko Station were reports from various things happening on Kerbin. A few things caught my interest, specifically Gene being ordered to report to the newest settlement on Kerbin -- New Kerbin City!

From the information within the data packet, J. Jim had caught a ride to the city on board the same flight as Dr. Edmund. He had decided to begin filming a new season of his show, and wanted to relocate his studio to the new city. Apparently, there was a rather lengthy and candid conversation between J. Jim and Dr. Edmund with the end result of Gene being ordered to meet with Dr. Haywood and Prime Consul Katrine. Captain Megzy had told Bobak that she really didn't overhear anything out of the ordinary on the two-hour flight, but then again, she was in the cockpit of the Dart. I've only seen Dr. Edmund on a video screen or over audio channels -- so I am really envious of Megzy. 

Bobak even said that Megzy even helped Dr. Edmund down from the Dart and escorted him to the airlock on the central station of New Kerbin City! I understand she's in the Ground Expeditionary Force, but at times I am envious. "Captain, would you like to become my personal pilot?" he supposedly asked her. With him being the senior consul on the Triune Committee of the Kerbin Defense Forces, I have a feeling that if she accepts his offer, she'll never have to worry about getting bad assignments! With that said, I'd gladly take a bad assignment in space rather than be stuck on Kerbin. But just to have the opportunity to meet Dr. Edmund personally...

The data packet also contained a bit about the conversation between Dr. Edmund and Gene. Captain Megzy had went to air operations control, and as she left the command center, she overheard a conversation between the two men.

"Gene, I know you don't like him," Dr. Edmund began. "But we need you to work close with him. Give him access to the center, to talk to the pilots, the trainees, and staff -- "

"I cannot believe what you're asking me to do?" Gene interjected. "He's pompous, arrogant, and -- "

"It's not an option, Gene --" Dr. Edmund cutting Gene off in mid-sentence. "It's not an option at this point --"

"I'll assign Bobak or Kuzzter to youngling-guard him," Gene fired back. "That's what I'll --"

"General Gene!" Dr. Edmund shouted back. "You may be retired, but you are still subject to my orders according to the Governing Principles of the Kerbin Defense Forces..."

"Yes, sir," Gene grumbled. Yes, Dr. Edmund was right. Gene's retirement from the Kerbin Defense Forces was what gave him the advantage of becoming the director of the Kerbin Aeronautics and Space Administration - or KASA for short. Now the very thing that had given him the advantage was the very thing that would cause him to follow this distasteful order. "I understand, sir." 

"Gene," Dr. Edmund continued, "have you seen the last few episodes of Jim's show, The Story of Emiko's Rock?"

"No, sir," Gene said, the agitation clearly present in his voice. "Besides having the name a little off, I know what you're talking about it. I have better things to do than watch a half-dying-brain-synapsis-moment Claymation show --"

"From now on, consider it an expansion of your duties," Dr. Edmund interrupted. "It falls under the 'and other duties as assigned.' I am not saying you have to enjoy it, but you need to watch it. You need to try and bring focus back to Jim's story line..."

"But -- " Gene began to protest.

"The last few episodes of this new season has dealt with some rather strange things, such as a plant creature that walks and talks, strange fictitious aliens -- humans, I think Jim calls them, and some other beings..."

"I can hardly imagine who would believe that gar--" Gene began, continuing his protest against this new and distasteful assignment. 

"It doesn't matter what you think, Gene!" Dr. Edmund interrupted. "It is the impression his show is giving about our space program. And you're going to be instrumental in bringing the focus on the wonder and excitement of space travel. I'd rather see those magic boulders and unbelievable space ships than... humans! But listen, Dr. Zarkov's research is creating a real interest in such things. His theories on the anomalies are just..."

The argument continued for another ten minutes, but Captain Megzy didn't stay around to hear the rest. Dr. Edmund had sent a message to the control room alerting her that she'd be departing shortly to take Gene and J. Jim back to the space center. Now that's a two hour flight I am glad I don't have to be a part of. I actually feel sorry for Megzy and wonder what it was like having both Kermen aboard a single craft knowing how they apparently feel about each other. 

The data packet also contained a status from the Island Air Field. It's not often I ever get information about the various surface settlements in the data packets. But the latest information is that the initial pilot's training will be moved to the island so that the space center can handle the increased traffic from the various surface settlements. The discussion is currently on if it would be better to simply add another structure to the settlement that already exists or to simply dismantle the old settlement and build a completely new structure. 

In an hour and a half, the second away team will descend to the surface of Minmus. The data packet contained a request by Dr. Haywood changing the second landing zone to one in the southern hemisphere -- the sight of another anomaly detected by the orbiting survey satellites. I've got a few things to do, including briefing Commander Karloff and Lieutenant Obion on this mission change. 

Edited September 1, 2017 by adsii1970

[Just Jim]

7 minutes ago, adsii1970 said:

"The last few episodes of this new season has dealt with some rather strange things, such as a plant creature that walks and talks, strange fictitious aliens -- humans, I think Jim calls them, and some other beings..."

"I can hardly imagine who would believe that gar--" Gene began, continuing his protest against this new and distasteful assignment. 

"It doesn't matter what you think, Gene!" Dr. Edmund interrupted. "It is the impression his show is giving about our space program. And you're going to be instrumental in bringing the focus on the wonder and excitement of space travel. I'd rather see those magic boulders and unbelievable space ships than... humans!

Hu... hu... Humans??? 

OMG, I'm responsible for Kerbals learning about "fictitious alien" humans???  And I'm a PR nightmare to boot??? 

Too, too funny! Thank you!  

Edited August 22, 2017 by Just Jim

[adsii1970]

23 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

Hu... hu... Humans??? 

OMG, I'm responsible for Kerbals learning about "fictitious alien" humans???  And I'm a PR nightmare to boot??? 

Too, too funny! Thank you!  

Notice, Dr. Edmund doesn't think, for what ever reason, a walking and talking plant is not of any reason to be concerned. But humans?!

Edited August 22, 2017 by adsii1970

[Just Jim]

4 minutes ago, adsii1970 said:

Notice, Dr. Edmund doesn't think, for what ever reason, a walking and talking plant is of any reason to be concerned. But humans?!

Hmmmm.... that is odd... lol.... 

Edited August 22, 2017 by Just Jim

[Angelo Kerman]

Quote

From what I understand, the second ship of this design is already under construction. Dr. Angelo and Dr. Wernher have asked that as we come across issues that need to be addressed, we are to include them in the next data packet. It will be interesting to see how they respond to our growing list of things!

I call modder abuse!

[adsii1970]

30 minutes ago, Angel-125 said:

I call modder abuse!

Hehehe...

[obney kerman]

So they're postponing landing at that site... again.

[adsii1970]

2 minutes ago, obney kerman said:

So they're postponing landing at that site... again.

Yup, mission requirements may change at any time. And if you're complaining, Ensign Obney can be forced to go through extended training before becoming a part of the crew...

Edited August 22, 2017 by adsii1970

[Just Jim]

11 minutes ago, adsii1970 said:

Yup, mission requirements may change at any time. And if you're complaining, Ensign Obney can be forced to go through extended training before becoming a part of the crew...

Obney... say NOTHING!!!  hehe  

Edited August 22, 2017 by Just Jim

[DarkOwl57]

1 hour ago, Just Jim said:

Obney... say NOTHING!!!  hehe  

I see nothing, I was not here, I did not even wake up this morning!!

(Time to play everyone's favorite game... GUESS THAT QUOTE!!!)

Edited August 23, 2017 by DarkOwl57

[Just Jim]

6 minutes ago, DarkOwl57 said:

I see nothing, I hear nothing, I did not even wake up this morning!!

(Time to play everyone's favorite game... GUESS THAT QUOTE!!!)

1) Way too easy... (or I'm way too old... lol)

2) "Did not even wake up this morning" is my favorite of his.... 

[DarkOwl57]

2 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

1) Way too easy... (or I'm way too old... lol)

2) "Did not even wake up this morning" is my favorite of his.... 

1) Hahaha. I'm watching re-runs on MeTV (A Chicago-based tv company that shows old TV shows (M*A*S*H, Hogan's Heroes, Andy Griffith, etc.)) but I actually got the line from a YouTube video 

2) All of them are my favorites XD

EDIT: Damnit just remembered I screwed up the quote

[Just Jim]

16 minutes ago, DarkOwl57 said:

I'm watching re-runs on MeTV....

Also one of my favorite channels.... in fact, to bring this back on-topic... more or less.... it was @adsii1970 himself who privately suggested to me that I name the cat in my last couple chapters Svengoolie... from the MeTV show on Saturdays.

hmmmm..... I wonder if J. Jim's film crew have a calico mascot.... maybe a calico platypus.... lmao.... 

[DarkOwl57]

2 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

Also one of my favorite channels.... in fact, to bring this back on-topic... more or less.... it was @adsii1970 himself who privately suggested to me that I name the cat in my last couple chapters Svengoolie... from the MeTV show on Saturdays.

haha I thought I knew that name! (Never watched the show though )

3 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

hmmmm..... I wonder if J. Jim's film crew have a calico mascot.... maybe a calico platypus.... lmao.... 

Hahaha that'd be amazing. Actually... All this Hogan talk is giving me an idea..... *Begins furiously typing Chapter 7*

[Just Jim]

Just now, DarkOwl57 said:

haha I thought I knew that name! (Never watched the show though )

You HAVE to!!!  All he shows are campy/classic sci-fi and horror movies!!! This Saturday is Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue!!!  

[DarkOwl57]

4 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

You HAVE to!!!  All he shows are campy/classic sci-fi and horror movies!!! This Saturday is Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue!!!  

I'll definitely check it out; creepy sci-fi isn't really my thing but I solemnly swear I'll keep an open mind.. For 5 seconds before my attention span switches to DRL

[Just Jim]

2 minutes ago, DarkOwl57 said:

I'll definitely check it out; creepy sci-fi isn't really my thing but I solemnly swear I'll keep an open mind.. For 5 seconds before my attention span switches to DRL

Well, I think I know him well enough to say there is a ton of those movies in both @adsii1970 and I.... which might also explain a lot... 

[DarkOwl57]

3 minutes ago, Just Jim said:

Well, I think I know him well enough to say there is a ton of those movies in both @adsii1970 and I.... which might also explain a lot... 

I probably won't be able to watch this weekend, but next weekend appears to be open

[adsii1970]

16 hours ago, Just Jim said:

Well, I think I know him well enough to say there is a ton of those movies in both @adsii1970 and I.... which might also explain a lot... 

Yup, and let us not forget one small detail about my life I'd like to throw in. My father was career military and from 1983 to 1988, I lived in Germany AND was subjected to Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. During that time, Saturday mornings were filled with old black and white episodes of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Star Trek (the original series), Space 1999, and a few others. On Tuesday night during the summers, I'd stay up until the wee hours of Wednesday watching the British military broadcasts of old Dark Shadows, Dr. Who, and some of their other sci-fi and sci-horror, and between the two television stations, there were the just plain sci-stupid shows.

[KSK]

On 8/22/2017 at 8:52 PM, adsii1970 said:

Notice, Dr. Edmund doesn't think, for what ever reason, a walking and talking plant is not of any reason to be concerned. But humans?!

Talking plants are perfectly normal - nothing to see there. Walking plants are a bit strange though and as for humans... that's worse than the crazies who claim to have been captured by pink-skinned Dunans.  

[Angelo Kerman]

You think those Vectors are something else, wait until you get a load of this:

https://clips.twitch.tv/SwissUgliestEggnogBIRB

Edited August 27, 2017 by Angel-125