Beyond - New Horizons

[Kerbalsaurus]

KERBALSAURUS PRESENTS:

***

YEAR -16, DAY SOMETHING - SEEDS OF THE SPACE AGE

Rockets have always been on the minds of Kerbals, as well as the huge booms they create. Kerbals have been making rockets since the invention of the firework thousands of years ago, and since then the engineering of them was always to see who could make the biggest explosion. It wasn’t until recently that they were realized to be a vehicle that could be used for more than just impressive, loud booms. Kerbals never used rockets for war or anything. War is a notion long past Kerbalkind. No, rockets were nothing more than glorified weather balloons. Before Kerbalkind looked to the stars, they looked to the clouds. You see, rockets could get higher than your average balloon, and could see clouds in a much fuller view. Data could be delivered in a more accurate and timely manner. However, no one quite saw the full potential in these vehicles. No one, other than one particular Kerbal.

A Tinny-Tom rocket, one of the earliest rockets, takes off from Woomerang Launch Facility. Image credit: KWB

Wernher Von Kerman was young when he got his engineering degree way back in the 1940s. Immediately after college, he was off to work for the Kerbin Weather Bureau (KWB). And what would he do for the agency? Build rockets! He was fascinated with them from when he was just a young Kerblet, and now he had his chance to get up close and work on them. However, the more he worked with rockets, the less excited they became. Rockets were stale. All they’d do was go high into the clouds, make it to a certain height, and then fall back down to Kerbin. There was no need to advance or go higher. Wernher was tired of working on the exact same thing constantly, but he lacked inspiration on where to go. That is, until one night, when he was at a coworker’s house. His friend, Goddard Kerman. He took Wernher out to his deck, and invited him to look through the telescope he had planted out there. Wernher looked through, and was amazed at what he saw. He saw the planets of the Kerbolar system, brighter than he’d ever seen them before! He looked towards the Mun, and saw every little crater on the its surface! It was almost like he was floating there, right above it! Then, the gears started turning in his head.

When he arrived at the launch site the next morning, Wernher spoke to Goddard about his experience with the telescope. He told him about how close the Mun felt, how he could imagine himself right there in front of the Mun, and about his idea. He told Goddard how rockets could be more than just weather balloons, that Kerbals can ride them far into the stars. At first Goddard laughed, and told Wernher he’d been reading too much science fiction. But when Wernher described more of his thoughts to Goddard, Goddard started to take interest. He told Wernher to meet him at his home again that night, and that they’d discuss this further. The seeds of the space age had been planted.

***

Well this came out MUCH sooner than expected. I've just had a lot of free time to write. But here it is, the grand return of Beyond! Now, this will start off a little differently from the original thread, as I'll go much deeper into the story of Beyond, and involve Beyond a little more into the world it takes place in. It's going to start off a little slow, but trust me, it will get more exciting. Honestly, I feel refreshes to play KSP now. It feels nice to start over and actually know what I'm going to do.

Now, I have a format in mind for the thread. Instead of a constant, monotonous style throughout the thread, I decided that the format will evolve alongside the thread. The beginning here, about the invention of space rockets and the like, is going to be formatted like a book about space travel. Then, the early days of Beyond will be formatted like a newspaper. A time similar to the shuttle era of the 80s, 90s, and 00s will be styled like an old website, and when we get to point comparable to the modern day, I'll bring back that newsletter format I was using. I promise I will try my best to bring quality to the thread (something the old one lacked a lot of). Cheers!

Edited July 30 by Kerbalsaurus
Grammatical fixes

[Mr. Kerbin]

We are back! Pretty quickly too!

[dsplaisted]

That was quicker than I expected, and I also like the new format.

[Kerbalsaurus]

1 hour ago, Mr. Kerbin said:

We are back! Pretty quickly too!

 

2 minutes ago, dsplaisted said:

That was quicker than I expected, and I also like the new format.

I’ve had more free time than I thought. I honestly thought it’d be the weekend before I got this released.

Edited July 29 by Kerbalsaurus

[RedAl1en1]

Fast return!

[TwoCalories]

This came back much quicker than I thought, but I'm really excited to see where the new, revised story goes!

[Lonelykermit]

We are so back!!

[Kerbalsaurus]

YEAR -17, DAY SOMETHING - BUREAUCRACY

That evening, Wernher and Goddard began discussing Wernher’s idea. If rockets are to be used to carry Kerbals into space, they’re going to have to be much larger than the dinky sounding rockets that were in use. Current sounding rockets also aren’t powerful enough to even get to space, so more efficient and powerful engine solutions would be needed. Over the next few days, the two would start to put their heads together, as well as invite others from work. These Kerbals would be Malina Kerman, Millikan Kerman, and Foreman Kerman. Over the next week, they’d put together a model on paper of what the world’s first space rocket would look like:

They’d then go on to further refine it.

Early blueprint of the SNAC-Corporal, signed by Wernher. Image credit: KAS, Beyond

It would take around a month for them to make theories and get through various mathematical hurdles until they finally got a rocket they thought was capable of breaking through the atmosphere, and reaching space. They called it the SNAC-Corporal. It wouldn’t carry Kerbals to space, but it was still an important leap in the development of that technology. However, many of the instruments aboard it were simply concepts. They’d need resources, money, and more engineers. Originally these engineers were simply making this rocket for fun, but the more they worked on it, the more excited they got. Many of their theories, at least through math, have been proven. After a short snack session, they all decided that what they’d need is a sponsor. Who better to sponsor them than the government!

The United Kerbin Administration (UKA) is a global nation, stretching to every corner of Kerbin. However, a government that large has a lot of opinions running through it, so trying to run even a simple idea through such a massive bureaucracy could take a very long time. However, these engineers were determined. These Kerbals did work for the government, so they could make it to the capital with relative ease to present their idea. After putting their paychecks together, they were able to buy train tickets for the five of them. So they packed their bags with data, notes, tables, and everything else needed to see if Kongress would maybe at least consider their idea. They knew the chances that the UKA would even notice them were slim. After all, they’re nothing but engineers. But it was worth a shot.

Flag of the United Kerbin Administration. Image credit: UKA

Once they got to the capital, they wasted no time. Immediately they started scheduling appointment after appointment with different  senators, Kongressmen, and other government officials. It was a long haul, but eventually someone did take interest. She was Kongresswomen Hattie Kerman. Once their presentation was over, she said she’d start making calls to various agencies across Kerbin to see what branch would pay for their outlandish idea. Once the meeting was over, they made their way back to the train station and headed back home.

They waited for an excruciatingly long time for a call to come back from Hattie. Many of them wondered if she simply said she’d call someone just to get them to leave. But, nearly four long months after their trip to the capital, they got a call back. It was Hattie.

“Good news for you all, I’ve found an agency that works closely with the field of space rockets,” she said. “They’ve agreed to work with you. I’ve gotten you all plane tickets and have sent them to Dr. Goddard's house. I expect you to be at the airport tomorrow.”

And with the bags packed ready again, they made their way to wherever Hattie was sending them. The plane they boarded was small, with UKA insignia on it and Kerbals in black suits surrounding. Always a reassuring sign.

When the plane landed, they found themselves on a dirt airstrip in the middle of a scorching desert, with nothing around but some old barracks, hangars, and a cement pad. They were instructed to go to the barracks, and told someone was waiting inside for them. Inside was Hattie, who, along with a large team behind her, welcomed the 5 of them to the facility.

Aerial photo of the Dessert Launch Facility/Airstrip. Image credit: KWB

“Where we are right now is the Dessert Launch Facility, an old weather rocket launch site” Hattie explained. “It hasn’t been used for a few years, but we’ve spent the last few months refurbishing the facility. The Kerbin Astronomical Society has agreed to help you with the project, and have hired a team of scientists and engineers to help you build the rocket. The UKA has given you full permission to do your project here, but under the condition that the project remains in complete secrecy until the SNAC-Corporal is finished. I’m sure you understand”.

She wished the team luck, handed them the keys to the place, and took off from the airstrip, which would be the last any of them would see of  her. They got everything they wanted, now all they had to do was get to work.

Edited August 18 by Kerbalsaurus
Grammatical fixes (this time the forums duplicated an entire paragraph)

[Royalswissarmyknife]

Beyond is Back!!!

[RedAl1en1]

YESSIR!

[Kerbalsaurus]

YEAR -16, DAY SOMETHING - SNAC-CORPORAL

It was difficult work to build the SNAC-Corporal. It was a new piece of technology, and many of the instruments on board had to be invented. It took almost six months to get the rocket finished, especially considering the budget constraints on the team. One thing that slowed them down was the construction of a second SNAC-Corporal that began a month into the first, in order to have a backup rocket. The worst thing to happen was that they ran out of coffee! It was a long, convoluted, drawn out process, but in the end they had something on the launchpad. The SNAC-Corporal was ready.

The SNAC-Corporal sitting on the launchpad, ready for takeoff. Image Credit: KAS, Beyond

The countdown starts.

“Engine startup on SNAC-Corporal in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Engine Startup!” - Wernher Von Kerman

The SNAC-Coproral tips over due to idiocy. Image credit: KAS, Beyond

Debris from the second stage. Image Credit: KAS, Beyond

Oops. Sooo, apparently, the first stage of the rocket was not as powerful as the engineers thought, and was unable to carry the rocket into the air. It toppled over on the launchpad, and fell to the ground. A loud BOOM rang across the desert. No one was injured in the accident, but it was a major embarrasment for the KAS Rocket Program. All press present at the event immediately ran for their planes, eager to tell the world of the incident in the Desert. It was a PR disaster, and Kongress was, understandably, not happy. Wernher flew to the capital to beg the UKA for at least one more chance to launch.

“We have one more rocket ready to launch,” Wernher would tell the assembly. “All we want is one more chance to launch. It’ll be well worth our time.” Kongress would reluctantly grant Wernher one more chance, but if the rocket failed again, that would be it for the rocket program.

So, back to work. At the facility they cleaned up (most) of the debris on and around the launchpad, as well refurbished the damaged launchpad. And a little under a month later, with some modifications made to the rocket, the next SNAC-Coporal was ready for launch.

The SNAC-Corporal sitting on the launch pad (again). Image credit: KAS, Beyond

The countdown started once again, and the SNAC-Coporal was off!

The SNAC-Corporal rises high into the sky! Image credit: KAS Beyond

The team watched their work take off! Within two minutes it was out of view, and everyone surrounded the flight tower, which monitored the rocket’s progress. Within five minutes, the ground would see that the rocket had become the highest flying object in Kerbalkind’s history, flying up to about 63km high, what was then considered to be high above where space began (50km). Which means they’d done it! They’d sent the very first Kerbalmade object into space!

Science capsule at highest point. Image credit: KAS, Beyond

Cheers rang across the facility. They’d done it! What was simply a small thought among five engineers had carried Kerbalkind to the stars! When the science capsule was recovered, lots of data came back. The data would first of all prove that space does not in fact begin at 50km, but most likely at 70km (a record that would later be broken by future variants of the SNAC-Corporal). It also brought back interesting findings on Kerbin’s upper atmosphere.

The crack team of engineers were hailed across the planet. Now they had to break their records, and with more engineers and scientists on the way, a new renaissance was on the way.

Edited July 31 by Kerbalsaurus

[Kerbalsaurus]

YEAR -5, DAY SOMETHING - USC-1

Over the next nine years, the Kerbals working at the DLC/A would continue to do extraordinary things. Every launch seemed to be something new. New data, new milestones, the world was entranced by these Kerbals who were seemingly magic. And recently, they’d been toying with the idea of a more advanced rocket.

Sounding rockets so far have all been based off of the SNAC-Corporal, which was powered by solid fuel. While it was quite cheap, it was also very inefficient. So far the highest the KAS Rocket Program had gone was about 105km. If they wanted to go any higher and get more valuable data, they’d have to create something powerful and efficient. One of the engineers recalled their middle school science fair project, which was a baking soda volcano. He said that if they used more flammable materials, they would be able to create a similar reaction that could actually lift a rocket. After some thought, they realized that perhaps the idea wasn’t too farfetched. Immediately they got to work trying to find materials that could create an explosive reaction powerful enough to carry a sizable payload into the air. After researching various fuels, they decided on using a fuel simply called “Liquid fuel” and Oxidizer, which when mixed together would combust and release a HUGE amount of force, which could be harnessed into an engine. It isn’t rocket science.

The engine born from this concept was the LV-T30 “Reliant” engine, the very first liquid fuel engine! However, they still needed an actual rocket body if any vehicle was to actually be created. After many late night coffee sessions and fireside chatter, the team of engineers was able to create the USC-1, the very first liquid fuel rocket! Its goal was to become the highest flying object created by Kerbals. It took around 8 months to build, even with the fairly saturated budget the team had, but when they finished they had created the most powerful flying machine in Kerbalkind’s history. After some talk, they agreed to broadcast the launch live to all of Kerbin. The UKA would broadcast publicly via the Kerbin Broadcasting Network (KBN). The following photos and quotes are taken from that brodcast.

The USC-1 sits poised and ready on the launchpad. Image credit: KBN

“This is the Dessert Launch Facility flight tower, reporting clear conditions. We are GO for launch.” - Boston Kerman

“Pad technicians confirm all systems look good, and we are GO for launch.” - Wernher Von Kerman

“Roger that pad, we are GO for launch in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, engine startup, 4, 3, 2, 1…” - Boston Kerman

USC-1 high in the air. Image credit: KBN

“Liftoff on the USC-1!” - Boston Kerman

USC-1 at its highest point. Image credit: KBN

“Boston, can we get an altitude reading?” - Wernher Von Kerman

“Sure thing. We’ve tracked the payload to about… 134km!” - Boston Kerman

Yes, that’s right. The USC-1 became the highest flying object Kerbals had ever launched! On board the spacecraft were cameras that, while not of the highest quality, could snap some of the best pictures of Kerbin ever seen.

Picture of Kerbin snapped by USC-1. Image credit: KAS, Beyond

Once the spacecraft had moved past the zenith of its flight path, its next challenge stood in the way: getting it back to the surface. Research suggests that the atmosphere does not like when you go through really fast, and punishes you by lighting you on fire (or covering you in really, really hot plasma). At first the engineers were sure that the return capsule could survive the heat of re-entry, but now they had second thoughts. However, they thought of a solution in advance. They decided that the capsule would spin like crazy on re-entry. This would evenly distribute heat among the capsules surface, and damage to it would be minimal. Everyone holds their breath during re-entry…

USC-1 is caught by cameras once again! Image credit: KBN

“Successful parachute deployment confirmed!” - Boston Kerman

…and it makes it! The data returned is overwhelming! Pictures from the mission are plastered on newspapers across Kerbin the next day, with headlines like “KAS Does the Impossible”, “Engineering Reaches New Heights”, and “You WON’T Believe what SCIENCE just did! *insane*”. However, the founding five Kerbals were starting to get sick of being stuck to the planet. They believed that there was more for Kerbalkind, beyond the confines of Kerbin. After seeing what the USC-1 did, they knew that its capabilities far exceeded what they expected. Their new plans were to expand the USC-1, with liquid fuel second stages, and capabilities to carry satellites and even Kerbals into Kerbin orbit. However, the KAS couldn’t do any of what they dreamed of. They needed more space to work with, and all the workers and administrators of the rocket program needed their own organization. Then it hit them. Beyond the confines of Kerbin. They rounded up some officials from the rocket program, and off they went again to the capital. This time with more serious ambitions…

Edited August 3 by Kerbalsaurus
Formatting fixes

[Kerbalsaurus]

~KERBAL GAZETTE~

UKA ESTABLISHES SPACE PROGRAM!

YEAR 1, DAY 1 - BEYOND IS ESTABLISHED!

 

Seal and flag of Beyond

Today, Head Administrator of the UKA Dwight Kerman has signed the Space Act! Kerbin has its very first dedicated space program! For about 4 years now, the UKA has been refurbishing the Kerbin Weather Bureau’s old Cape Kerman Launch Facility, now renamed to the Kerbal Space Center. This will be the center of all of Beyond’s operations. “This is the start of a new era!” said newly named director Kerbalsaurus Kerman. “I’m excited to see where the program goes.” The goals of Beyond are quite ambitious, but it appears that most Kerbals have faith in them. Their first planned mission? Launch Kerbin’s first artificial satellite. Most rockets have been transported from the old Dessert Launch site to the KSC, so Beyond believes they should be able to launch the satellite in the next 10 days! Exciting times are ahead for Kerbalkind!

 

READ NEXT: Kimera Industries Releases Interesting Vending Machine (pg. 4) | It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s… Both? (pg. 7) | Kerbals Report Mystery Planes Flying in the Desert (pg. 10)

Edited August 19 by Kerbalsaurus
Changed Kerbal Gazette font and added article title.

[Mr. Kerbin]

On 8/2/2024 at 8:18 AM, Kerbalsaurus said:

Kimera Industries Releases Interesting Vending Machine (pg. 4)

lol

BTW, does USC-1 mean Untitled Space Craft-1. Even though you say you’re not, you are good at writing and drawing.

[Kerbalsaurus]

17 hours ago, Mr. Kerbin said:

does USC-1 mean Untitled Space Craft-1.

Yes it does. Coming up with names is surprisingly difficult. It was either that or Dave.

[B0lt]

6 hours ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

Yes it does. Coming up with names is surprisingly difficult. It was either that or Dave.

If I remember right there is a name generator plugin for ksp which should help with that

 

[Mr. Kerbin]

20 minutes ago, B0lt said:

If I remember right there is a name generator plugin for ksp which should help with that

 

Look for O.R.A.N.G.E.S.

 

 

[B0lt]

7 hours ago, Mr. Kerbin said:

Look for O.R.A.N.G.E.S.

 

 

Will download 

[Kerbalsaurus]

~KERBAL GAZETTE~

BEYOND LAUNCHES KERBIN'S THIRD MOON!

YEAR 1, DAY 13 - DOOHICKY-1 

MISSION OBJECTIVE: Launch Kerbin’s first artificial satellite

LAUNCH VEHICLE: Prima-1 Rocket

The Prima-1 sits poised and ready on the launchpad.

“T- 15 seconds to launch.” - Gene Kerman (Flight Controller)

Today is a historic day on Kerbin, as Beyond prepares to launch its first artificial satellite! The Doohicky-1, as it’s been named, is a small, cheap, and very basic satellite. This is on purpose. Scientists say it’s supposed to be punctual, now showy. It has all of the necessities a satellite needs: power, computers, and science. Obviously it’s much more complex than that, but really that’s all you need to know.

It sits on top of the very first orbit capable rocket, the Prima-1. It’s not all too innovative, just a USC-1 with a second stage stuck atop it (named the Poodle-A). It’s only capable of lifting about 500kg to orbit, but it’s an important stepping stone in space exploration.

“T- 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, ignition sequence start, 3, 2, 1...” - Gene Kerman

“We have ignition,” - Gene Kerman

“And we have liftoff! Liftoff on Doohicky-1!” - Gene Kerman

Crowds on the cape cheered as the rocket rumbled into the air! They watched as the flame slowly disappeared into the clouds and thunduorous sound of the engines faded away. Meanwhile, in mission control, things were bustling. Notes were flying from console to console, Kerbals were chattering back and forth about the situation of the spacecraft, and some guy was punching the broken coffee maker.

“Stage 2 ignition. And can someone go out and get a new coffee maker?” - Gene Kerman

Doohicky-1 in all its metallic glory!

“We are GO for orbital insertion!” - Gene Kerman

The world held its breath. If the stage didn’t have enough fuel, the mission would come hurtling back to Kerbin.

“Orbit confirmed! Doohicky-1 is now in a stable Low Kerbin Orbit!” - Gene Kerman

Cheers rang across mission control. For the first time ever, an artificial satellite hung above the skies of Kerbin! It was a historic day for Kerbalkind! Immediately, ground teams got to work on getting data back from the satellite. In the meantime, Kerbals sit and appreciate the new star in the night sky, moving faster than anything ever flew before.

READ NEXT: Experts Now Believe the Sky May Not Be the Limit (pg. 3) | Government Dismisses Claims of Mysterious Radio Signals (pg. 7) | Satellite Watch: When Will Doohicky Pass Over YOUR Home?

***

Yay! More excuses! I apologize for nothing be written in the last week, I'm just a bum. I will not lie and I will tell there will be another week of radio silence, but this time I have a good excuse. I'm flying down to Florida on Sunday, and since I'm a sane person I do not bring my laptop on vacations. I'm sure you understand. And if you don't, why?

Edited August 19 by Kerbalsaurus
Changed Kerbal Gazette font and added read next section.

[Dunas Only Moon]

hi guys its been a while

Spoiler

mostly because i forgot my password

 

i finally got KSP for my pc.

Edited August 17 by Dunas Only Moon

[Dunas Only Moon]

rest in peace thread

[Mr. Kerbin]

23 minutes ago, Dunas Only Moon said:

rest in peace thread

????? Is it over????

[Dunas Only Moon]

 

35 minutes ago, Mr. Kerbin said:

????? Is it over????

nah its dead

[Kerbalsaurus]

5 minutes ago, Dunas Only Moon said:

 

nah its dead

Did you read the last post? I just haven’t had the time to write it, that’s all.

Edited August 17 by Kerbalsaurus

[Toaster355]

On 7/29/2024 at 8:01 AM, Kerbalsaurus said:

KERBALSAURUS PRESENTS:

***

YEAR -16, DAY SOMETHING - SEEDS OF THE SPACE AGE

Rockets have always been on the minds of Kerbals, as well as the huge booms they create. Kerbals have been making rockets since the invention of the firework thousands of years ago, and since then the engineering of them was always to see who could make the biggest explosion. It wasn’t until recently that they were realized to be a vehicle that could be used for more than just impressive, loud booms. Kerbals never used rockets for war or anything. War is a notion long past Kerbalkind. No, rockets were nothing more than glorified weather balloons. Before Kerbalkind looked to the stars, they looked to the clouds. You see, rockets could get higher than your average balloon, and could see clouds in a much fuller view. Data could be delivered in a more accurate and timely manner. However, no one quite saw the full potential in these vehicles. No one, other than one particular Kerbal.

A Tinny-Tom rocket, one of the earliest rockets, takes off from Woomerang Launch Facility. Image credit: KWB

Wernher Von Kerman was young when he got his engineering degree way back in the 1940s. Immediately after college, he was off to work for the Kerbin Weather Bureau (KWB). And what would he do for the agency? Build rockets! He was fascinated with them from when he was just a young Kerblet, and now he had his chance to get up close and work on them. However, the more he worked with rockets, the less excited they became. Rockets were stale. All they’d do was go high into the clouds, make it to a certain height, and then fall back down to Kerbin. There was no need to advance or go higher. Wernher was tired of working on the exact same thing constantly, but he lacked inspiration on where to go. That is, until one night, when he was at a coworker’s house. His friend, Goddard Kerman. He took Wernher out to his deck, and invited him to look through the telescope he had planted out there. Wernher looked through, and was amazed at what he saw. He saw the planets of the Kerbolar system, brighter than he’d ever seen them before! He looked towards the Mun, and saw every little crater on the its surface! It was almost like he was floating there, right above it! Then, the gears started turning in his head.

When he arrived at the launch site the next morning, Wernher spoke to Goddard about his experience with the telescope. He told him about how close the Mun felt, how he could imagine himself right there in front of the Mun, and about his idea. He told Goddard how rockets could be more than just weather balloons, that Kerbals can ride them far into the stars. At first Goddard laughed, and told Wernher he’d been reading too much science fiction. But when Wernher described more of his thoughts to Goddard, Goddard started to take interest. He told Wernher to meet him at his home again that night, and that they’d discuss this further. The seeds of the space age had been planted.

***

Well this came out MUCH sooner than expected. I've just had a lot of free time to write. But here it is, the grand return of Beyond! Now, this will start off a little differently from the original thread, as I'll go much deeper into the story of Beyond, and involve Beyond a little more into the world it takes place in. It's going to start off a little slow, but trust me, it will get more exciting. Honestly, I feel refreshes to play KSP now. It feels nice to start over and actually know what I'm going to do.

Now, I have a format in mind for the thread. Instead of a constant, monotonous style throughout the thread, I decided that the format will evolve alongside the thread. The beginning here, about the invention of space rockets and the like, is going to be formatted like a book about space travel. Then, the early days of Beyond will be formatted like a newspaper. A time similar to the shuttle era of the 80s, 90s, and 00s will be styled like an old website, and when we get to point comparable to the modern day, I'll bring back that newsletter format I was using. I promise I will try my best to bring quality to the thread (something the old one lacked a lot of). Cheers!

(I'm late as hell, I know)

Awesome to see one of my favorite threads reborn!
Something I love about Beyond, which it has over my threads, are how alive the characters and space program feel. I've attempted to do this as well with dialog and such, but I think I've done a really bad job (I will talk a little more about this in my next DIRECT post including that going forward I will attempt keep it just about the architecture as I feel I am the best at that), compared to how well you've done it! I also love the idea of the format of each post evolving to have the appropriate theme for the time period, that's awesome!

Godspeed, Beyond!