The Moho Expedition

[Chel]

NOTE: This is a continuation of 'The Orange Wasteland'. As a result, some things may be connected to the other story. Therefore, to avoid confusion, read the other story here.

'The Journey'

Gemett ran up to the bridge of the Raptor. He started to give out orders to the crew. 'As soon as we're clear of the blast radius, get us back to Kerbin!' And as he ended that sentence, a bright light, a mix of orange, grey, yellow, red, and white, engulfed the ship. Alarms went off. 'I'm reading massive amounts of rock coming towards us' 'Engage evasive maneuvers'. 'Some of the debris is coming towards us so fast that we can't outrun it!' 'Use the hangar tractor beams to slow them down'.

'We can't engage hyper impulse engines until the debris has cleared', one of the bridge officers said. 'Ike is just to the left. If we get behind the moon, it should shield us from the rocks', Gemett replied. 'Setting a course now'. By this time, rocks were passing dangerously close to the ship. They reached Ike just as a rock, hurtling towards the bridge, slammed into the surface. 'That was a close one'.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GbUxQw4oNni2WlQV2

They waited for several days. Every few minutes a small bang was heard, of another part of the now destroyed Duna colliding into the surface of Ike. Only when the sound stopped, they emerged from the moon. Instead of seeing Duna, they saw a large orange-red nebula. 'The only remains of Duna. It looks beautiful, even though we were nearly killed by it a few days ago. I'll call it the 'Valiant' Nebula. Let's go'. Engaging the hyper impulse engines, the Raptor arrived in Kerbin orbit some days later.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RwfDnFJvUyH8DB2i2

'Let's head home. Open a link with the KSC to inform them of our arrival' Gemett said. 'Link open'. 'Raptor to KSC'. 'We here you, Raptor. Go ahead'. 'We're landing now. Prepare for our arrival in roughly five minutes'. 'Acknowledged'.

'Standard re-entry protocol engaged. Heading through the atmosphere'

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KGvuITPVjpoZMIyC2

'I see it. I see the space center!'

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'Activating landing thrusters. Surface impact in 5 seconds'. A small jolt was experienced, as the landing gear met the surface. 'We're landed'.

Rows of transports drove to the ship. The crew, numbering some 180, were all taken back to the space center. Gemett made sure that Jeb, Sukhi, Catla, Jonlong, and Patsey were all put in medical vehicles, before himself being returned to the facility.

 

[Chel]

'Training'

At the space center, Gemett received some news from Feeny while he was unpacking his possessions in his quarters. 'Catla's woken up from her coma. She's still on life support, but stable', Feeny said. 'That's great news! Can I see her yet?' Gemett asked, and with a nod, Feeny took Gemett to the medical ward.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oV5RToBb5g3e58eX2

'It hasn't changed much has it? The chair beds are still there, the light level is the same' Gemett said. 'Well you have only been gone for a month, unlike the Valiant crew for ten years' said Feeny. Gemett walked over to Catla's bed. Catla was sleeping, and had several wires in her arms and legs. 'Let's go. There's a meeting being held to discuss a new expedition' Feeny said, and they both left the ward.

'Thanks for coming. We'd like to discuss a trip to Moho. We haven't explored much of it, only sent a few probes. But from what we can tell so far, it would be great to get some surface samples' the RnD head, Ronbal, said. 'A mission to Moho? You do realise the surface temperatures reach over 600C' right?' Gemett said. 'Yes. And unlike Duna, we're training all of you to survive in every condition'. 

And at that moment, Ronbal handed out a list to Gemett.

TRAINING FOR MOHO

1. High altitude breathing

2. Landing failure

3. Gear destroyed

4. Fire

5. Mountain jumping

6. Blind navigation

'Great...' Gemett said.

 

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by The_Cat_In_Space

[Chel]

'High Altitude'

A few days later, Jeb, Catla, and Jonlong had woken up. They passed the physical and medical examinations, and were deemed fit to fly. Once Gemett had told them what they were doing, all four put on their jumpsuits and climbed into the aircraft for the first exercise. 'Let's start off with some small G-force tests, shall we?' the flight commander said to the group.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KkXsbpiG3uPMOJ283

'Taking off now'

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uIezBpxsZbw1nE4w1

'Welcome to the sunny Kahara desert. We'll do some low flybys before getting up to the height'

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GSSfqlWtRlpe3ikm1

And some flybys they did. Over the pyramids, through a canyon, steep dives and recoveries, and shutting engines off. 'Climbing to altitude', the pilot said, and within mere minutes they were cruising at 10,000 meters in the air.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GHpT6GtqUV00T89v2

The group stood in the back as the tail ramp opened. '30 seconds to drop'. The crew checked their gear. '15 seconds to drop' and they put their masks on. '5 seconds!'. The cargo bay turned green as the light came on. For a few seconds they just stood there, halfway in, and halfway out of the bay, and then forced themselves to jump out. Jeb went first, smiling and screaming in happiness. Jonlong, with a look of disgust after Jeb's exit, went out, and didn't say anything. Catla closed her eyes and just jumped, not wanting to face leaving a high-speed aircraft at 10,000 meters, and Gemett ran out smiling, doing rolls and loops. At 2,000 meters, they took their breathing masks off, and at 500 meters opened their parachutes. They all landed roughly 20 meters apart, and walked to the transport near the landing zone. 'That...was fun. I...never thought...that it would be...so fun' stuttered Catla, still processing in her brain that she had just skydived at 300m/s, 10,000 meters in the air.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vAjpl9zwwFaXJ7242

 

 

Edited October 27, 2017 by The_Cat_In_Space

[Chel]

'Landing Failure'

After being checked for any damage at the space center, the four Kerbals were allowed a week off. 'Perfect! Now I can finally test my jet-powered rover-plane!' said Jeb. And so he did. He showed the engineers the plans for it, but they refused. A small bribe of free snacks got them to work. The next morning, a loud bang was heard on the runway, and several control tower staff came down, their shirts being stained with coffee. Jeb was subsequently banned for the week from buzzing the tower.

After the week had passed, they were called in again to a meeting. Sukhi and Patsey were sitting around the table. They were delighted to see their two friends, but learnt that both weren't ready to go on missions yet. 'According to our schedule, it's time to practice landing failure. Off you go', and the group were quickly transported to the craft. 'I remember this. It's the first model of shuttle' said Catla, as Jeb activated the engines.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/98VzEVa6L3bTm3143

'We're supposed to climb up, fly around, and come back. Except we're to land with gear up' Gemett said, reading the mission instructions.

They flew over the old airfield, now an experimental test zone, and turned around.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7SUUfXQz6atmomrr2

'Setting landing course, and I've programmed it to keep the gear stowed' Catla said, accessing the flight computer.

Jeb lowered altitude, and aligned with the runway. 'Warning. Gear Up. Warning. Gear Up' the computer said, trying to put the gear down.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DvVqXZeKIGMLG88g1

Catla eventually shut off the computer, to stop the continuous alarm.

'Here goes nothing!' The underside of the shuttle hit the runway. Hard bumps and jolts hit the crew. Things falling out, wires snapping. Gemett activated the parachutes, and with a final screech, the shuttle stopped.

 

 

 

[cratercracker]

@The_Cat_In_Space

-------------------------------

"Show some goddamn respect"

100-150-200

------------------------

For you, my friend!

 

[Chel]

Thanks! But...I already chose the Moho one from your page. I'll just update the patch the next time I get on (I'm writing this now with KSP running).

[Chel]

'The Start'

The crew didn't have to do the next four training exercises, as the shuttle caught fire, the gear was destroyed anyway, and Mission Control skipped the last two (as the launch window had been moved ahead). When the time came to launch the mission, Patsey and Sukhi still weren't fit enough to go. Dotty and Teddo Kerman went instead.

'And we're off again! Why do we always get the long missions?' said Jeb, as they were lifting off. Their ship, the 'Falcon', was the same as the 'Raptor', but was a newer model. Fitted with new safety systems, hovering thrusters, and more powerful engines, the 'Falcon' could take the crew to Moho in approximately one day.

'K.S.S Falcon, requesting permission to leave for Moho' said Teddo, contacting Mission Control. 'Request granted, you are cleared to visit Moho. Make sure you bring back some souvenirs!'.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MINon3D60wj05qhM2

And after a day of nothing but space, Moho appeared before them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ee2xcwm9vKqTt87W2

'Sensor readings say the temperature is over 500C, and that the surface is a mix of rock and iron. There also appears to be a weird 'hole' in the north' Dotty said.

'Jeb, take us down to land' said Gemett, while doing various checks of the systems.

'There's a large but flat crater over there, but a canyon is the only way through' Jonlong said to the rest of them. 'Good thing we practiced canyon flying back in the desert'.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EUpggNbpqNr4nfbA2

The canyon was a tight squeeze for the ship, but Jeb got through.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CgyBJTUYIUCyk2DM2

'And welcome to Moho, everybody!'.

[Chel]

'Field Day'

Moho was a desolate world, devoid of life. The group started doing scans for anomalies, but found nothing. Jeb was getting restless. He would sit in his quarters all day, and through pictures of explosions. Jonlong, from firsthand experience on Duna, suggested to Gemett that all of them could drive in the new rover. They talked about it over dinner, and agreed. First thing next morning they would explore their surroundings. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/q6LgoUhGZc3INJDA3

After having a good breakfast, the crew walked over to the vehicle. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SnCdSRKbvUQYKzQC2

'This thing is more advanced than other rovers. Ten wheels, powerful spotlights, window covers, and a science bay make it a mobile base' said Catla, who had been studying the design back on Kerbin. The interior was sleek and modern. Rows of computers, with 360-degree cameras in the cockpit, and a crew area comprising a lounge room and bunks. But best of all, it had a seat outside for which a Kerbal could operate cutting lasers. As soon as Jeb heard the words 'cutting laser', he settled in the seat outside. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/spNG2Su3LnY2K1Us1

'Ok. Let's take this out for a drive. Up the hill?' Jonlong said, and Gemett agreed. Surprisingly to Dotty, who was reading a book in her bunk, the vehicle could easily go 30 - 40 m/s, albeit shaky over Moho's rough terrain. She eventually gave up and sat in the lounge with Teddo and Catla. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/lkRObBykpBzEoj693

They stopped every once in a while to fold out the solar panels, and stretch their legs. Catla took surface samples, Jonlong simply looked around, and Dotty and Teddo sat down and chatted, until Jeb got them running when he fired off the cutting laser at some rocks near them, much to Gemett's disapproval.

And with the planting of a flag, they drove back to base.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/0ploAgK3eHECAeGw1

 

[Chel]

'Perry The Raptyl' 

After returning to base, Catla analysed the samples. She found fragments of asteroids in them, which supported the reason of Moho's craters. Gemett read the mission log, and informed the KSC of their findings. 'Good. Now you'll check out the far hills. We've been wanting to see them for a while, but couldn't penetrate the steam'. A look of fear spread across Jonlong's face. He had encountered fog oon Duna as well, and hated the feeling of not seeing everything. 

'We'll have three hours to relax, and then get on with the mission. I'm having some lunch. And Jeb, don't try to annihilate the base with cutting lasers', Gemett said. Jeb instead went outside and just looked at the laser, still intent on using it. Catla was still analysing the samples, when she yelled out to the others. 'I think I found something!'. They all came rushing into the lab. 'What is that!' Dotty said, looking at Catla's shoulder. A small animal was sitting on top, with two wide eyes. It had four legs, and dusty brown fur. 'It's a new species. Must've been burrowing or something in the sample area', answered Catla. 'Well, what are we going to do with it?'. 'Quarantine it first, to see if it has any diseases or infections. Then release it back into the wild' The animal, now called Perry, made a soft purring noise, and squeaked happily, before Catla put it in quarantine.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cpZYpoQcAyXO3NDD3

'Scans say that Perry doesn't have any infections, wounds, or other things. It's in perfect health' said Catla. 'Good. It can be returned to the wild' Gemett replied. Catla opened the airlock, and put Perry outside. But almost immediately, Perry started screaming. The fur started melting, and it began crying. 'Get it inside!' and Catla grabbed Perry and quickly put the damaged creature inside. She treated it for sixth degree burns, severe skin melting, and heat stress. 'Poor thing, must only be underground as it can't survive the surface temperatures' said Teddo, watching the now asleep Perry being operated on by Catla. Further studies revealed that Perry was a male Raptyl, an obscure hybrid of a cat body, but with a Lemming's sense of smell and burrowing skills. The far hills would have to wait another day.

 

[Chel]

'Teddo Kerman'

It was the middle of the night. The crew were sleeping, but awoke to the emergency alarm. It was Mission Control, contacting them. Jonlong got up quickly, but stumbled out of bed, bruising himself, and made his way to the computer. 'This is Moho 1, what is it?' 'We have a big problem. An asteroid struck one of our probes, and the impact sent the rock off course. It's heading straight for Moho' the operative said. 'What do we do? We have no weapons or anything!' said Jonlong, very worried by now. Jeb, also awake, just tapped him on the back. 'Cutting laser, dummy!' he said, and then ran to the rover. The asteroid was by now clearly visible in the sky, and there was no time to waste. At this point, the others had woken up and were running to the rover as well. Jeb activated the cutting beam, and sliced the asteroid in half, and then quarters, and then eighths. The fragments fell to the ground as small rocks. Unfortunately, Teddo was still half asleep when running to the rover, and was too late. A piece hit him, and then there was only dust. The dust that was the remains of Teddo Kerman.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4ZR8RNojBxW4LvVL2

'Teddo? Teddo! TEDDO!' Gemett called out, a look of disbelief on his face. The whole crew also watched Teddo's demise. Everyone was silent. Shakily moving his arm, Gemett contacted Mission Control. 'Moho Expedition to Mission Control...we've lost Teddo Kerman'.

'He's gone...I can't believe he's actually gone!' cried Dotty. 'My brother, dead. Just turned to dust! One second alive, the next second, there's nothing!' Catla tried to calm Dotty down, but it was no use. Jeb came back down into the lounge. He was immediately tackled to the floor by Dotty, furious at the loss of her brother. 'YOU KILLED HIM! YOU DID IT! YOU CUT THE ASTEROID TO KILL HIM! I HATE YOU!'. Jonlong tried to grab her to stop assaulting Jeb, and eventually had to use his EVA spanner to knock her out. 'I...I was just saving the crew...I...didn't mean to' he said, getting himself up off the floor. 'It was an accident. If you didn't cut the asteroid, then we would all be dead by now' said Jonlong.

That night, the group gathered. Dotty planted a flag where Teddo had been, and saluted her brother. Mission Control held a funeral service at the Astronaut Complex, constructing a memorial to Teddo around the flag pole, which had been turned black. Everyone was in mourning. The staff paid respects with flowers and cards. Teddo's parents visited, and placed a toy model of the 'Valiant' on the site, having been Teddo's favourite possession.

It was a sad, sad day for the space program.