The Mean Space

[Darknote]

Hi all! I usually juggle between playing Stellaris/Starsector/KSP/Rimworld, and I've decided to create narrative stories based on the games I play.  I was almost finished with my Starsector Chapter 3, when I wanted to continue my March 2024 KSP campaign.

(Yes, I will get back to my Stellaris AAR story soon, no stress!)

Forewarning: Every story has a beginning, and I feel like also deserve an ending. At one point, they will all get endings and be self-contained in their Parts... Eventually. But, I must also warn that I write because I enjoy it and I hope you will enjoy reading it as well. A belated thank you you to HarvesteR and the team for creating KSP and to Blackrack, Lisias and the rest of the modding team for expanding it so much! Thank you! And a shoutout to For All Mankind TV Show for reigniting my love for rockets :D!

So where does our Kerbal story start? Well, let's find out.

 

The Mean Space
A Kerbal Space Program Narrative AAR

Prologue

Pictured: Kastronaut Class of 1969, representing the last Kastronaut crew roster.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? Heroes. The lot of them!"

There wasn't much else you could say, looking at the iconic photo.

 The young Kerbal looked at the photo, then at the gentleman who seemingly appeared to worship it.  "Who are they?" They asked.

"Uhh, huh?" He looked at the young Kerbal perplexed. "Heroes." He said. "I was there, when the Moon landing happened."

 "Moon landing?" The young one said, "Pfff." And took out its phone and started typing on it. Then showed it to the man in work overalls, "That was in 1969."

"Aye, little one. I was there." He crossed his arms, "In front of the TV, when the documentary began. Across Time and Space, The Successes of the Eurokerbal Space Agency."

 "But wait, I just read the Moon landing was faked."

"Haha, huh. Good one, little Kerbal. No. It wasn't. And by golly, I wish I was there live."

 "No. It was fake. This social media person said it was so. And I've been following them since forever now!"

"What?" When he turned his head, the little Kerbal walked away, disinterested in hearing anyone contradict its' theory. 

He walked towards the kid, not yet finished in trying to change their mind. The Moon landing was real. That he knew for certain, and as he walked past the memorabilia from a past era, he saw a photo of the last mission. The year, 1971.

He sighed and placed his small Kerbal hand on the frame of the photo. Was it unfair? Not only to him, but all of Kerbality, that they'd be stuck here, on Earth. The insanity. What he would not give to -- 

 "HEY! You there. " The man with glasses approached him, "Don't touch that! It belongs to our museum."

 "Sorry, sorry." He bowed, "I just... "

 "No. Excuses!" He looked at his badge, "Mr. Mancer."

 "My bad, Mr. Werner, sir."

 "It's Doctor! Doctor Wernher von Kerman! Now, get back to ze work."

 "Will do, herr Doctor." He bowed and started mopping the floor of the space agency's museum exhibit. For a few hours at least, before exiting for his lunch break. As he sat down to finish reading Elsa Silvestri's daring Moon landing, his eyes couldn't help but admire the sky above the space center. 

 "Oh, what I wouldn't give."

 "What I wouldn't give."

He basked in the newfound wind gushing his way.  His whole life he dreamed to be a Kastronaut, so when the only position available opened up, he was the first to apply. 
It didn't matter that the pay was attrocious, the conditions awful and the role... A janitor. He was working for KASA. His dream job... Ok, maybe not dream 'job', but dream 'location'.

 

 

Chapter 1
"Welcome to a new kind of Hell. My kind."
Wernher von Kerman, while manually calculating the landing sequence for Kerbal Aeronautics and  Space Administration's latest lunar probe, 1965.

All stories eventually end. With the Soviet Kunion collapse, the UKSA and the Eurokerbal Union emerged victorious after the Kold War. And as such, had no more a competition. The frontiers of space? Written off as conquered. Funding was slashed for both agencies and while the technologies brought much to the economy and ease of life for ordinary Kerbals, the spirit of exploration and discovery vanished overnight. Elsa Silvestri's name will echo throughout history as a result of her accomplishments. Just as the work of countless Engineers and Scientists that made it happen, will be remembered forever. In the museum. The space museum. All stories have an end, you see, and we have reached ours.

But, my dear reader. Earth's resources were not limitless. No. And soon, ambition will again pull Earth's governments from their lull state, into the one most preferred by scientists. One that Wernher von Kerman remembers all too fondly.

One story had to end, yes. So that ours may begin. In the year 2024.

 "But herr Mortimer, please. I beg of you! We barely have enough funding to keep the lights on in my office!"

"Doctor Wernher, you should be thankful the agency could even afford electricity in the first place! I can't believe you didn't quit after we slashed your salary by 90%."

 "I can't give up, herr Mortimer. It's my entire life. All my blueprints, the potential for discovery is nigh!"

"Sell your blueprints at the corner store, Doctor. You'll get a better deal than trying push this narrative to our Administration. The President made it abundantly clear, money for space is wasted space."

 "That makes no sense, how much have our technologies provided for the United Kerbal States of America? For all of Kerbality?"

"The funding was approved in the Senate. It's a done deal for all departments, not just yours." And with that, Mortimer closed the door.

 

Wernher dropped his head into his arms. His office, a depressing show of stacks of papers everywhere.

 

 "Fools. Fools! The border of space was barely scratched... " He wept.

 

On an inconspicuous afternoon, Dominik was cleaning the outskirts of the large antennae of the joint KASA space center. It wasn't used much at all even 60 years later, but tourists still come over to visit and admire the now relics of the past. And most of all, children love looking through the ancient telescope in the observatory. Coincidentally, this is where Dominik was. Slacking off.

 "Visiting hours are off today, might as well enjoy a bit of leeway." He said as he maneuvered the command sticks of the observatory.

It was huge, mind you. But rust never managed to make its way to ruin its usefulness for Dominik, who giggled like a teenager every time he used it. 
In just a few seconds, the Starwise-I Mk. 1 LEO Station would come inside the periphery of the telescope, and he'd observe it for at least a few good minutes, like he does most days. Dominik couldn't afford a telescope by himself, even a tiny one. And besides, nobody's using the big one anyway.

And he saw it. He had to zoom it just a little bit...

A bit more.

 "Such a beauty. A pity... "

It was Starwise's final station design, accomodating the Intralunar vehicle used by the Pegasus mission. The Moon landing. It was the KASA and ESA's most prestigious invention and commission.

 "Wait, what the heck?"

He thought he saw something. He zoomed in.

Then a bit more...

More...

 *Gasp!* 

And with that, Dominik was about to change the course of history, forever.

By the time Dominik made his way into the Administration building, rain started pouring. The clouds, appearing out of nowhere.

He knocked on Wernher's office door. No answer. He placed his ear to it, and heard, crying? He knocked again, harder this time.

 "Come in, come in already. *Sniff*."

He was never allowed in the good Doctor's office, and he now knew why. Stacks upon stacks of paper everywhere. No matter.

 "Herr Doctor! Are you alright?"

 "Oh Heavens, I thought it was Mr. Mortimer... Yes, Janitor. What is it." He wiped his bulbous eyes.

 "The space station!" Dominik couldn't contain his words, "Someone's docking to it... The... The... "

 "Who? Spill it out already!"

 "The Khinese!"

Edited September 30 by Darknote

[Darknote]

Chapter 2
"I want to be a Kastronaut!"
Dominik Mancer, when asked by his grade school teacher what he wants to become, before his whole class laughed at him, 2015.

 "Are you positive?"

 "Very!"

 "I don't see them anymore."

 "They were there! I saw it with me own two eyes, herr Doctor!"

 "We need proof, herr Mancer. Definite, unfalsifiable, proof!" Wernher dropped off from the giant telescope, and paced around the inside of the observatory.

 "But why? I said they were there. Docked with Starwise."

 "We can't reach the station anymore... Pity."

 "So we just tell the KASA administration they were there, herr Doctor!"

Wernher snapped.

 "I am the administration! And even I have a hard time believing you, even if I want to, with every inch of my bodzy!"

 "Oh... " Dominik looked down, "Sorry."

 "Pff, no worries, herr Mancer." He waved with his hand, "I sorta, kinda, wanto believe you. But having proof is of utmost necessity."

 "How so?"

At this, Wernher joined his hands in unison, and gave, what could be Dominik thought, the very first smile in his life. A devilish smile.

 "My dear Janitor. If we could get hands on evidence... Well. Let's just say, you'll get a pay rise. A very big one."

 "Oh... Well... " Dominik rubbed the back of his head.

 "What? Don't you like kredits?"

 "No it's just, I'm not really paid. They just give me meal tickets and some occasional snacks when Mr. Mortimer forgets his sandwich."

 "What?! Then why do you clean, why do you maintain the facilities?!"

 "Because!" Dominik smiled, "I've always wanted to be a Kastronaut! And this is... The next big thing."

 "Ludicrous, madne -- " Wernher stopped, his mind even now calculating trajectories and orbital velocities, "Wait a minute."

 "Yes?"

 "Come with me." And Dominik followed. Together, the duo reached von Kerman's office. The young, barely paid janitor, didn't know what he was getting into.

A few good minutes later, the Doctor shouted.

 "Eureka! I was right!"

 "What?"

 "Starwise has built in recorder. It was a backup system designed by Gene Kerman, long ago. He wanted to see if the early Kastronauts were slacking off too often." He showed Dominik the blueprints.

 "Oh. Wait, so, the station could have recorded docking?"

 "Not could have, has! That is, if radiation didn't fry its' systems after 60 years. It was never designed to be in orbit for this long."

 "I can do it."

 "What?"

 "I can get the records back."

 "You'll do no such thing. You're the janitor, herr Mancer."

 "Aye, but I know every in and out of most command pods. I even calculated orbital trajectories in high-school! I've prepared my whole life for this, herr Doctor!"

 "That's cute."

 "I'm serious!"

 "So am I. You are not trained for any vessel nor have experience commanding pods under high G's! Doing pretend Kastronaut is one thing, commanding expensive ships with no one there to help you? That's a different can of ze worms."

 "Oh... I guess, you're right." Dominik sat on one of von Kerman's office chairs, pushing the pile of papers on it, to the floor. Every light on his face vanished in that instant.

 "Unless... "

 And was reignited just as fast, "Yes?!!"

 "I control it. We just need someone to press a few buttons, at most you'd be a redundancy. In case of anything... "

 "I volunteer!"

 "Of course you do."

Dominik didn't notice, but Wernher gave a slight smile as the Janitor turned around to leave.

The duo reached the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, that was now all but abandoned.

 "Woah! How are we going to move this to the launchpad?"

 "We're not. We don't have any other Engineers or Technicians left."

 "But... How will I fly the Agamemnon?"

 "What?" He turned to Dominik, "That's a blueprint on a wall! The Agamemnon was discontinued long ago!"

 "Oh... " They continued walking through the VAB, "Woah! Yes! I always dreamed of flying the Magellan!"

 "That's a miniature rocket toy. Focus, herr Mancer."

 "But, wait... How will we fly?"

 "We have a backup rocket for orbital maintenance. It's mostly remotely controlled, but it does have a slot for one Kastronaut."

They went through the VAB and exited on the other side, to the Launchpad.

 "Though, it's mostly never used since the state has to fund for Engineers to maintain or construct it again, every time we use it."

 "I see. And I can fly it?"

 "Nonsense. I will fly it, from our control room. You just need to stay put and tell me if the G's are too high."

 "Roger. This is so cool!" They kept walking alongside what once was a very busy road, until they reached the launchpad itself.

  "This area is off limits, not that there is anyone here to enforce that... " A tint of sadness could be heard from the good Doctor's voice. "Now, put this backpack on and keep it on you at all times! Zat is an order!"

 "Sir, yes sir!" He saluted, though he didn't need to. Wernher pointed forward.

 "There she is. The Doolittle II. Here, take this ear piece. I will guide you through it."

 "Isn't it a bit rusty?"

 "Details, details. She will still fly... " He continued in a whisper, "If the methane didn't evaporate already."

 "What was that?"

 "Nothing, nothing."

 "Oh dear... Here goes nothing... "

 "Keep going! You're doing great!"

 "Oh, good Heavens, oh no... "

 "How much longer?!"

 "Just a little bit more!"

 "Don't look down, Dominik. Don't look down... Don't let your fear of heights stop you. You're this close."

 "What was that?"

 "I said I'm almost there!"

 "Yes!" Wernher rubbed his hands together, "Yes... Almost there. The competition, the rivalry. The virtually unlimited funding! It's insane. Yes. Accidental launch, nothing we could do. Aha! But you see, Mr. President, we have evidence. Someone is stealing UKSA and ESA property! We need to act, now!"

 "What?!"

 "Nothing, nothing! Keep going, ja! You're almost there!"

 "Hey, shouldn't, shouldn't we not launch during a storm?!"

 "It will pass! Keep going!"

 "It will pass... It will pass... Oh, hey, I can see the entire space center from here! Just don't look down... "

 "Wunderbar! Now, just go in!"

 "Uhh... What's the password?!"

 "What?!"

 "The password!!!"

 "Oh! Press ze zero."

 "Oh, isn't that bad security?!"

 "I can't hear you, the rain's too loud!"

And so Dominik entered the module of the Doolittle.

 "Ok, well. There's not much in here. And the smell... Oh, it's old rusted metal, that's for sure."

As he climbed up and seated himself on the observation cupola, he noticed something strange.

 "Wait, where is the command console?" The rain kept hitting the outside of the cupola, the sounds reverberating throughout the ship.

*Through the earpiece, Dominik could hear the Doctor's words.* 

STATIC / "Good, are you seated yet?"

 "Yes, but, herr Doctor, where are the panels?"

STATIC / "It's not a command pod, herr Mancer, it's a mere observation cupola! Did you really think I'd let a civilian play with ze controls?"

 "Oh... I feel a bit hurt with you saying that... "

STATIC / "Don't worry, if this works, I promise I will personally vouch for you and fund your Kastronaut training."

 "Really? Thank you so much!! That means so... So much to me!" Tears fell down his ears. He was seated upright, mind you.

STATIC / "Ja, ja. Just focus and yell if the acceleration is too much."

 "Will do! Herr Doctor!" He saluted again, to no one in particular. "Wait, what happens if it doesn't?"

STATIC / "Was?"

 "What happens if it doesn't work out?"

STATIC / "I can't ~~ Rain is interfering with the radio ~~"

 "Doctor? Doctor!" The transmission cut off.

[Darknote]

Chapter 3
"Space is big, yes, but I've yet to see something bigger than the Doctor's ego."
Gene Kerman, consoling Elsa Silvestri before the Pegasus-IV launch to the Moon.

The rain droplets produced a constant, soothing, cacophony of sounds as they hit the metal of the observation cupola. A cacophony that lasted, almost close to an hour. Dominik didn't want to lose his mind so he started listening to music on his phone, when the Doctor interrupted him.

STATIC / "Herr Mancer, can you hear me?"

 "Doctor? Yes! I can!"

STATIC / "Gutt. Hope you're strapped in."

 "I am. Wait, I can still hear the rain outside!"

STATIC / "No worry, herr Mancer. The wind isn't that bad... " A moment of eerie silence followed.

 "Doctor?"

STATIC / "Ja."

 "What if it doesn't work out?"

STATIC / "Then you'll go down as the last Kastronaut."

 *Gulp* "You know, on second thought, maybe I need more training!"

STATIC / "Nonsense, you're a redundancy. You can do your job hands tied behind your back. In fact, now that I've said it... "

 "Yes, let's call it quits for today. Tomorrow we can continue with my hands tied, if it's safer for the mission, of course."

STATIC / "Can't, we'd miss our window, and we need to get to the government before an amateur astronomer spills the beans. If it was after me, I'd have them all arrested!"

 "I'm having second thoughts, herr Doctor."

.

..

...

 "Herr Doctor?"

STATIC / "T-5... 4... 3... 2... "

 "Oh golly me, wait. We can talk about this ~~ "And as he finished his sentence, a mountain fell on Dominik Mancer's chest, pushing him further into the cupola's seat and causing him to black out.

As darkness faded, he could see a streak of light splashed across his metal sealed cupola.

But in his ear, a repeating sound kept coming back.

STATIC / "Hello? Do you read me? Herr Mancer, please answer. Please. Hello? Do you read me?!"

 "I'm... I'm here." He coughed, "I fell asleep?"

STATIC / "He's alive! Eureka!"

 "How long was I out of it?"

STATIC / "The longest 4 minutes of my life."

 "Only four? Did we do it? Did we complete the mission?"

STATIC / "Nein, mein overambitious Janitor. You, are above ze clouds." The Doctor flicked a few switches and the Kastronaut saw the most beautiful thing he could ever witness.

 

 "Oh my Gods, I'm in space!!!"

He looked left and right, admiring the view of the Earth from above.

STATIC / "You are now en route to rendezvous with Starwise-I. ETA 15 minutes."

Von Kerman could've told him an ETA of a few days, and Dominik wouldn't mind. If he could, he'd stay up here forever...

 "Man, this is so beautiful."

He could see the antenna protruding from the side of the cupola. His only means of communication back home. So naturally, he moved with his phone closer to it, to catch a signal.

 "Doctor, I'm not getting any signal on my phone."

After a few long seconds, Wernher answered.

STATIC / "Right. Ich forgot. You are ein civilian. Apologies if I will forget this in the future, herr Mancer. No, antennae don't give you signals for your phone, they are a direct link to KASA Command & Control."

 "Oh, so that means, I can't phone my parents to tell them the good news?"

STATIC / "Yes... Precisely so."

Over the course of the next few minutes, the maintenance ship maneuvered, giving Dominik an almost 360 degree view of outer space.

 "Ooooh!"

 "Aaaaah!"

The small blip he noticed, was getting closer.

 "I think, I think I can see it, herr Doctor!"

STATIC / "Think is not good enough, I need precise confirmatio -- Sorry, sorry. Yes, I am glad you can, herr Mancer!"

 "My apologies, herr Doctor. I will try to be more concise."

STATIC / "No worry. I can see it also through my screens."

 "Man, it's so much bigger here."

  "Oh, woah, the ship's pushing me back and forth!"

STATIC / "No worry. It is me. Trying to get a better view on the docking port."

 "If I may ask, herr Doctor. Why are we moving further away?"

STATIC / "Usually we have enough time to maneuver when closer, but we have to hurry now. You'll be on the dark side of the planet soon."

 "Woah! The dark side!"

STATIC / "Not as enticing as it sounds. It will mean you're blind."

And so, the pod maneuvered here and there, pushing Dominik in every direction.

The RCS jets were firing aggresively, compensating for the Doctor's rash moves.

STATIC / "Not good. Hold tight."

 "What's wrong?"

STATIC / "We're too late."

And just like that, the station vanished. Replaced by a curtain of darkness. 

 

 "Doctor? I can't see anything anymore."

STATIC / "I know!"

 "Doctor, I'm scared!"

But he got no more replies.

 "Come on, Doctor. You can do it." Though, in hindsight, what Dominik hadn't realized was, that the Doctor hadn't performed a remote docking procedure for over 50 years. Not that he'd admit any mistakes, of course.

A few seconds, then minutes passed. The RCS jets weren't firing anymore. Was that good or bad? He couldn't tell. And his heart wasn't doing him any favors. Hyperventilating inside a controlled environment wasn't bad, unless the air was limited. And his was.

 "Calm down, Dominik. Calm down. Breathe in, breathe out. Just like on those internet videos you watched late at night, while pretending to mop the floor."

STATIC / "I heard that!"

 "Doctor!" And as he said it, he could hear metallic clamps reverberating throughout the ship, thump, thump, thump. One after the other, and then, a small beep.

STATIC / "It's not aligned properly, but should be good enough. ETA 14 minutes until sunrise."

 "Surprisingly good state after 50 years of no maintenance. If Ich hadn't known any better, I'd say radiation isn't real! Hah!"

 "Herr Mancer, you can detach your safety belt, and head down to the depressurization compartment. There is a pressure suit there, please know you'll have a very limited window to perform any action. So don't depressurize until absolutely necessary! And don't forget to lock in ze helmet. I've increased your ship's floodlight range as much as I could. But your suit has lights of its own when you put it on."

 "Understood, herr Doctor."

As he moved down into the compartment, the young Kerbal was also learning to move in zero gravity.

 "I found the suit. Putting it on. And the helmet."

After it clicked, he pushed himself towards the outer lock door.

 "Herr Doctor. I'm ready."

STATIC / "Gutt. Because over 50 years of missed software updates made remote download not that convenient it seems. Your suit has a cable and you have to attach it to the databank of the station. Inside the station."

 "Got it! I'm ready for depressurization."

STATIC / "Not yet, mein overzealous young Kerbal. We need to wait for the light side of the planet first."

 "Got it, got it." He clenched his fists. He was ready. Dominik Mancer was about to go EVA for the first time in his life, when just yesterday he was a mere janitor working for KASA.

And as the minutes passed, he was becoming more and more impatient... Through the porthole window, he could see, a glimpse more like, of the city lights back on Earth. And how they had no idea a Kerbal was above them.

And just like that, a new dawn approached Dominik and subsequently, the KASA/ESA space programs. But they didn't know this yet.

STATIC / "Alright! You're now on the light side, ETA 14 minutes until dark side."

 "Alright, opening!" And he did, helmet lights on. With one step forward, he leaped out of his small ship and quickly grabbed a metal girder.

 "Ooooooooh, myyyyy, Gooooooooooooodddsss"

STATIC / "Is everything alright?"

 "Yes, yes. I'm alright. Trying to move in this suit is hard. But I'm doing it! Mom! Dad! I'm in space!!"

STATIC / "Focus! You should have some metal bars you can use to move around on the outside. From your position, you have to move towards the station, and then take a right towards the sunrise."

 "Right to the sunrise, got it." 

 "It's so much bigger close-up!"

STATIC / "You should have some built-in ladders going to the Intraplanetary ship once you reach the end section."

 "Aye, I'm climbing them right now... Climbing, haha!"

STATIC / "Keep your jokes for when we are finished."

He reached one of the cross-sections of the station, and jumped a bit forward.

 "Weeeeee!"

 "Oh no, frick!!"

STATIC / "Stop playing around!!"

 "I'm trying! Ok, I clinged myself to the second cross-section of the station."

STATIC / "Gutt. Now, move down patiently. There should be a door to the lab."

 "Yep, found it!"

 "What's the pass -- "

STATIC / "Zero."

 "Okay, I think someone needs to redo security checks on these crafts."

STATIC / "You can complain when you're back down. Now focus!"

 "Alright, entering!"

 "Oh man! Ok, now, where do I go?"

STATIC / "You should go up! Press the lever on each door between the compartments and they should open. Should."

 "Roger that, Kouston!"

STATIC / "Stop it."

 "Roger."

 "Alright, go up. Press the lever, and voila!"

 "Next door, next lever!"

 "Woah!"

STATIC / "Focus!"

 "Sorry!"

 "Okay, I think I'm on a dead end."

STATIC / "What du mean, dead-end?"

 "You said to go up."

STATIC / "The other up!!"

 "Alright! Jeez!"

 "Man this station is huge."

 "Go other up... There are no ups in space... Oh, what's this?"

 "Looks like someone's heroes. Maybe they were Kastronauts too?"

 "Okay, I think I found it!"

 "Woah ho hoo!" He rubbed his small hands together, "I made it, Doctor! Doctor?"

STATIC / "Ja, ja, a bit busy trying to downplay the recent rocket launch."

 "I'm strapped in to the command post, Doctor!"

 "And I've got to say, Earth is looking mighty blue today."

STATIC / "When you're done with your 'astute' observations, activate the mission log screen and insert your data cable into the port under the screen itself."

 "Alright. Mission... Log."

 "Nope."

 "Not this one."

 "Got it. Okay! Cable inserted."

STATIC / "Gutt! Ja! Sehr gutt, herr Mancer. You made this old Doctor proud."

 "Now I just need to get it back to Earth!"

STATIC / "No need, your suit's connection to the maintenance ship is sufficient to download the data. Mein Gott! Those sneaky Khinese! They tried hacking our databanks! My databanks! The audacity."

 "Yeah!" He shook a fist in the air, "How rude of them!" He looked left and right, unsure whether he used the correct volume for his voice.

STATIC / "Indeed. And now we have undeniable proof."

 "Okay, now what?"

STATIC / "Now I bring you back home. I would recommend you find a bag and vomit into it."

 "What? Why?

Edited September 30 by Darknote

[Darknote]

Chapter 4
"I didn't realize it then. It's weird in hindsight, that it was the last mission to the moon. It's strange being the last, you know?"
Elsa Silvestri, during an interview in 1988.

 "Alright, I'm moving away from the station now, herr Doctor."

STATIC / "Are you strapped in?"

 "Strapped and ready to descend!"

STATIC / "Ignition start in 3... 2... 1"

STATIC / "Cut. Engine cut. You're now going to descend on the dark side of the planet. You'll be blind the whole descent, but I've scheduled the parachutes to deploy as soon as you reach 2000 meters."

 "Understood." 

 "I will never get tired of this!"

 "Doctor! Doctor! There's fire outside the pod and I feel the seat trying to push me through the... Glass!"

STATIC / "No worry, herr Mancer! Just don't forget to breathe!"

 "It's getting a bit hard to!"

A few more excruciating minutes later, our Kastronaut lands nearby the KSC.

 "I... Made it! I've been to... Space."

STATIC / "Gutt. Now, get back to the KSC. We have much to discuss."

 "I'm in the water. How do I get back?"

STATIC / "By swimming, ja."

 

A few hours, then days passed since that faithful mission. Days in which Wernher and Dominik were interviewed extensively by the government.

 

 "Mr. Mortimer, your thoughts?"

 "Senator Karloss, I had no idea what was going on until the capsule fell back down to Earth."

 "So you have no responsibility in these current events?"

 "Correct."

 "It was needed to be done!"

 "Doctor von Kerman, it's not your turn to speak."

 "Alright, well, I think I understand the situation better now. Thank you all."

 "Mr. President, although I accept no responsibility for the situation, I need to re-iterate, that the Doctor did what he needed to do, to get absolute proof. He may be a bit insane, but his heart's in the right place."

 "Who are you calling insane?!"

 "I understand, Mr. Mortimer. Thank you for all the details provided. My team and I will discuss this topic in a closed session."

 "I must also mention, the Khinese are probably looking for our Prospectus project."

 "The what?"

 "What's that?"

 "Yeah, I think the good Doctor needs his meds. I've never heard of this project before."

 "It was before your time, gentlemen! Ask your NSA Director, they'll know." 

[Darknote]

Continuation of chapter 4

 "Now listen here, kid. All we need is for you to sign this piece of paper saying the Doctor endangered your life."

 "No."

 "What do you mean, no? You said you were a janitor one day and the next you were flying in outer space."

 "And if it wasn't for the good Doctor, I wouldn't have ever reached outer space, to become an actual Kastronaut!"

 "You could save countless future Kastronauts if you sign this paper, kid."

 "And if it wasn't for the Doctor, we wouldn't have had a space program to begin with! Don't you get it! He's not the danger, the Khinese are! They are trying to steal our schematics!"

 "One last chance, kid. Do this or I'll make sure you'll never fly again."

 "What?!"

 "You heard me. Now sign."

Dominik thought about it for a good minute or two. But his answer remained unchanged.

 "No."

The unnamed agent took the dosier and left the interview room without saying anything else. Soon after, Dominik was released from the NSA headquarters and he returned home.

In the meantime, at the Senate hearing, the President reached out to the NSA which gave permission to the Doctor to divulge the sensitive information...

 "Yes, we know how Earth looks, Doctor."

 "And the Moon. Why is it highlighted?"

 "Gentlemen. We have made great strides in our space program. But it's been over 50 years since we launched any vessels (The legal way)."

 "Yes, I'd prefer we don't have to reassure our allies and enemies that we're not firing ICBM's."

Wernher clicked a button on the projector to move to the next slide.

 "I present to you, project Prospectus."

 "Can't really say I'm impressed, Doctor."

 "So we have a second station in orbit around the Earth?"

The Doctor pressed for the next slide.

 "Nein. It is an asteroid that our space program captured long ago, to test our asteroid prevention program. Or APP for short."

 "My goodness. How big is it?"

 "Pretty big, Class-D from what I recall. Though, one small problem." He clicked next.

 "The drone we use is in need of maintenance."

 "Why is there a drone attached to it?"

 "Don't tell me... No way."

 "For fuel & propellant of course! I managed to design a system of self-refuel via mineral processing."

 "Fuel? For rockets?"

 "For anything really. If the asteroid in question has ze required minerals."

 "Can it be... Deorbited? So that the minerals can be sold?"

 "Of course! But I wouldn't advise it at this point. We are years away from such feats. Since... Our lack of funding." The Doctor winked at the President and the Senator.

 "I see. Alright. Thank you, Doctor. I think we have sufficient details to reach a compromise during our closed hearing. Which will be expedited considering the Khinese threat."

 "Yes, yes. Threat. Big threat." He whispered to himself, smiling.

 "What was that, Doctor?"

 "I said, yes! I await your decision regarding our funding changes!"

 "We haven't really decided on anything at this point... "

 "Of course, of course. Then I take my leave, gentlemen."

 

The next day, Dominik returned to his underpaid work as usual, when he noticed multiple individual Kerbals entering the agency's doors.

 

 "Sorry, visiting hours are between 2 and 4 PM." He held his hand up and the mop in the other.

But the individuals didn't look at all like civilians. One even yelled from the back, "Is this where we can hand over our CV's?"

Edited October 7 by Darknote

[stupid dumb idiot]

day 8 of reading this

[Darknote]

Chapter 5
"I'm not here to talk to you, to write about my hopes, my dreams. I'm here to show you. I'm here to inspire you. And like a snake-oil salesman, I'm here to ask for your money. But, I'll also take the oil. Thank you. Keep the snake."
Wernher von Kerman, towards the UKSA President, 1951.

 

They say, a Kerbal can succeed in a thousand dreams, but it is those who open their eyes and learn from failure, who will forever shape Kerbalkind. Mortimer, was the exact opposite. A Kerbal from a rich family, appointed as Finance Director for KASA as a favour from the current Administration to his family, for supporting their election campaign. He wanted nothing more, than to sit in his office, sipping on expensive cocktails and watch media on his computer.

It didn't matter to him whether KASA was defunct tomorrow. Heck, it might as well had been. Who cared about the Space Program except conspiracy theorists? Garnering those click-bait titles on social media. Who cared about the Space Program, except, herr Dr. Wernher. Who was sitting to his right, on his side of the desk, looking at the first sign that things have changed. Candidates.

 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."

"Carillo Hernandez, 28, born in Kexico, UKSA Airforce pilot."

 "Mr. Hernandez, can you tell me why you offered to join our Space Program? Heaven's sake, there's not much to do here... "

 "Yet." Wernher smiled.

"Well, misters, I've been a pilot for experimental jets for a long time. To tell you the truth, as time passes, after I ejected from the last experimental jet, limited my options quite a bit. But I -- "

 "Why did you eject?"

"I felt I was gonna die, Mr. Wernher, sir."

 "It's Doctor. Doctor Wernher."

"Sorry. My apologies."

 "How did you feel, after ejecting?"

"Uhh... " The Kerbal scratched his head, "Pretty stupid. In hindsight. But happy, the jet landed on its own."

 "Mr. Hernandez, what do you feel you bring to our Space Program? Why do you deserve to be a Kastronaut?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't. After that mistake. But, I don't want to give up, misters -- er, Doctors."

Wernher tilted his head towards Mortimer.

 "He's not a Doctor. You can call him Mr."

 "Superficial titles notwithstanding, you already risked losing one expensive toy, Mr. Hernandez. So convince me why we should let you join our program, to risk our own toys?"

 "Ignorant nicknaming of boundary pushing designs notwithstanding."

 "Potato, tomato."

Carillo looked lost in his trail of thought. But, he refocused. His eyes moved from Mortimer to Wernher.

"I have two Masters degrees, one in Engineering and another in Astrophysics. I love challenges and... I want to prove that a Kerbal is not defined by one mistake. But by getting back up. Mister and Doctor. Let me show you what I can do."

 "Thank you, Mr. Hernandez."

"No, no. Thank you, sirs and Doctor..s..." He got up from his seat and left.

 "Not sure of this one."

 "Tsk, tsk, Mr. Mortimer. Du knows I get last say."

 "I presume you don't even want outside advice on these matters? Why am I even here?"

 "Ah, but I do want you in these interviews. Aber, shall I say, I want to present a united front for our future employees."

 Mortimer laid back in his chair and crossed his arms, "A united front means a joint understanding and decision making."

 "Sehr gutt, herr Mortimer. How about this. I will listen to your critiques and accept them if appropriate, but in return, I desire one favor from you."

 "Favor? For what? Money?"

 "Nein. You shall see when ze time comes."

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

 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."

 "Francois Dubois. 35. Franke. Nuclear Physicist."

  "Ah, a fellow Eurokerbal! Tell me, why should KASA hire you as its next future Kastronaut?"

 "Oui, ehh, I am, I mean, I always wanted to help design the future of Nuclear technology, to be used in vacuum, in space."

 "Mr. Dubois, it says here you were fired at your last job, at the National Nuclear Program in Franke."

 "Oui, ehh, you see, mistakes happened. I forgot to double-check the control rods, my mistake. I admit."

  "And why should we allow you access to our experimental Nuclear equipment designed for vacuum environments?"

 "Monsieur Docteur, je have no argument, except perhaps a curiosity? For the unknown."

 "Curiosity is not enough, Mr. Dubois. We need competent Pilots, Engineers and Scientists. With a pedigree."

 "Monsieur Mortimer, allow me to show you what I can do for your Space Program. At the first hint of mistake, I personally will quit."

 "No."

 "Pardon?"

 "At the first hint of a mistake, you will document it. And then continue your work."

 "Monsieur Docteur, je not understand?"

 "If I gave up after the first mistake, the second crash, or the third detonation, the Koviets would've won the Space Race. You will document it. Und continue your work."

Francois nodded in agreement.

 "So convince us, why we should let you make mistakes, Mr. Dubois."

 "Oui, ehh, I have a Doctorate in Nuclear Physics, and am working on my Masters for Astrophysics, monsieur Mortimer. I am able to perform well in high-stress situations. And I speak Khinese."

 "Thank you, Mr. Dubois. That will be all."

 "Non, merci boucoup monsieur et Docteur." He got up from his chair and left the office. 

 "Well. This ist sehr interesting, ja."

 "How is he speaking Khinese, going to help us?"

 "You never know when a translator on the Moon or Europa could come in handy."

 "I think your ego is surfacing again, herr Wernher."

 Wernher smiled, "It never dipped."

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

Outside the office, a row of candidates looked nervous, one by one, they entered the office under heavy breathing. And at the last row, was Carillo, talking to his sister.

"I think it went alright, sis."

 "Did they say what they expect us to say?"

"I mean, not really. They just asked my name and why I wanted to join."

 "Oh my... " She propped her chin up with one fist, "What if my reason isn't good enough, Carillo?"

"Don't worry Maria. It's going to be fine. Remember Elsa Silvestri? Your hero? What would she do in this situation?"

 "Take control."

"Exactly. So don't worry lil' sister. Take control like Elsa did in Moon Attack 3."

 "Or during the Moon landing."

Carillo and Maria turned their heads to the man sitting on the last available chair.

 "Right, Moon landing. She was the first."

 "Indeedio! She was. I walk past her photos every day."

"What? Wait, you work here?"

 "Yeppers."

Maria leaned in to see his barely visible ID, but Dominik shifted against her.

 "Oh my apologies. I'm a bit stressed."

 "Don't stress about it. Happy to meet y'all!"

"Name's Carillo, likewise, man."

 "Maria." She nodded, but said nothing else.

"So you've already been through the interview? They hired you?"

 "Oh yeah, a long time ago, actually."

 "What? You're an actual Kastronaut?"

"Woah."

At Maria's words, several candidates turned their heads towards them.

 "I mean, I fly rocket....s. But just for helping the good Doctor, you know?"

 "You know Doctor Wernher? How is he? Oh my goodness, he designed the rocket that went to the Moon!!"

"Yeah, hah, Maria has action figures of him."

 "He's a bit jumpy, needy and quite arrogant. But he's incredibly smart. And rude."

 "What? How dare you say that! That man's a hero!"

 "Woah, lady. Take it easy. You asked for my opinion."

"Yeah, Maria. This man's a Kastronaut."

Dominik raised both his hands.

 "I mean... "

 "How did it go? Your interview?"

 "Oh, well." He looked at the ceiling, "I just sent my CV and they messaged me online saying I'm hired."

 Maria widened her eyes, and in a whisper said "What?!"

"Dude. Who are you?"

 "You can call me Dominik."

[Darknote]

Continuation of chapter 5

 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."

 "Marcella Dreher, 29, born in UKSA and I'm an... Was an Engineer for the UKSA Navy."

 "Ms. Marcella, it says here you were discharged from the Navy for arguing with your superior and physically assaulting them."

 "Yes. I was. She kept trying to apply her solution, but it never worked. So when I applied my idea, and it worked, she assaulted me."

 "Why would she assault you?"

 "Well... I kind of made fun of her after the whole shtick. And she insulted me back, so I retaliated. But I've learned my lesson! I've attended anger management classes!" She placed both hands parallel to each other, in front of her head, moving them back and forth.

 "And why should we allow you to join KASA?"

 "I've always been fascinated by space, the reason I even became an Engineer was because of Sandrine Schroeder. She was an inspiration to me as a kid. I got the shuttle she fixed mid-flight. As a toy, of course. But still... "

 "What guarantees do we have you won't physically assault your colleagues or us, for disagreements?"

 "I learned my lesson, Mr. Mortimer sir. The only bad spot on my record is that event. And... I... Want a second chance. To prove myself." 

Wernher noticed a small tear falling down her green skin.

 "Thank you, Ms. Dreher. That will be all."

 "Thank you, as well." She left the office.

 "What do you think?"

 "Potentially dangerous."

 "I meant, of her wanting a second chance?"

The Doctor smiled.

 "I mean. I got mine. I'll think about it."

 "Next!"

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

 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."

 "Damien Willow, 46, UKSA, Scientist specializing in Biology and Microorganisms."

 "And why do you wish to join KASA?"

 "Well, Dr. Wernher,  I have a Doctorate in Biology and I'm studying right now for a Masters in Microorganisms and their impact on the environment. But I'm afraid most biology is already catalogued on Earth."

 "And you wish to discover life beyond it?"

 "Wishes being wishes, I'd say, lower my expectations. But I don't want to go to sleep knowing I never even tried, Doctor."

 "It says in your CV that you used to work for ESA. We are partnered with them. What made you switch places?"

 "They have no need for Kastronauts. The last Kastronaut from ESA to go to space was on a KASA rocket, back in  the 70's."

 "And you thought you had better chances here, with us?"

 "At least I can say I tried."

 "Gutt enough."

 "Thank you, Mr. Willow."

 "Thank you, gentlemen." He left.

 "I have good feelings about him."

 "At least he didn't get fired for assault. Or trash a jet fighter."

 "Minor details. It is their goals that interest us, herr Mortimer. Their aspirations."

 "Aspirations, right. Not prestige or money. NEXT!"

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

 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."

 "Nezu Kalina, 29, UKSA, ATC Operator for Kalay Airlines."
 
 "And why do you wish to join KASA?"

 "I love challenges."
 
 "Do you now?"
 
 "Yes. I do well under high-stress situations and have fast reaction times. Working for Kalay was great, but very dull."
 
 "It says here you graduated top of your class. Business class. What made you choose to become an Air Traffic Control Operator?"
 
 "Nothing, really. It just fell on my lap during job hunting."
 
 "Ms. Kalina, you realize this job is highly stressful and complex. There are dozens of manuals you have to read to get familiar with."
 
 "Yes, Dr. Wernher." She nodded, "If it's anything close to what I've read about in the Science magazines, I think it will be right-up my alley!" She did a fist bump in the air and smiled.
 
 "Sehr gutt. Thank you, Ms. Kalina."
 
They all shook hands and she left the office.
 
 "Next!"
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 "State your name, age, kountry of origin, and current role."
 
 "Maria Hernandez, 30, I was born in Kexico, migrated to UKSA, I am a jet pilot for the UKSA Airforce."
 
 "Ahh, are you related to a Mr. Hernandez?"
 
 She nodded, "Yes, he's my brother."
 
 "Ms. Hernandez, you come highly recommended by the UKSA Airforce Chief of Staff."
 
 At this, her face lit up, "I just did my job, sir."
 
 "Doctor is sufficient."
 
 "Pardon?"
 
 "Dr. Wernher. Title before the name, Ms. Hernandez."
 
 "Of course. Doctor. Sorry."
 
 "It is a great surprise to find out you are related to Mr. Hernandez. Your record is spotless."
 
 "Mistakes happen, Mr. Mortimer. I don't blame my brother for something I wouldn't have done differently."
 
 "Tell me, Ms. Hernandez, why would you want to join KASA?"
 
 "I love to fly. To push the equipment to its limits."
 
 "Right, right. So you followed your brother into the UKSA Airforce, and now you want to join KASA just like he is."
 
 She nodded, "Yeah, we were always inseparable. Had each other's backs. It's how our mother taught us."
 
 "Imagine a brother and a sister becoming Kastronauts at the same time... "
 
 "Ja, sounds like a fairy tale."
 
 At this, Maria looked down. She feared she didn't pass.
 
 "Thank you, Ms. Hernandez. We will come out soon to announce the new candidates."
 
 "No, thank you Mr. Mortimer, Dr. Wernher." She bowed and left, a bit shaken from the whole fiasco.
 
 "What do you think, herr Mortimer?"
 
 "I think if they both pass training, it's going to be a PR win."
 
 "If they don't both die during it."
 
 "Wait," He turned to Wernher, "How tough is Kastronaut training?"
 
 "Tough enough that there's only one requirement: Survive."
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 A few good minutes later, the duo exited their office and stood in front of about 60 candidates vying for the various roles at KASA.
 
 "Ladies and gentlemen. First, let me introduce ourselves. My name is Doctor Wernher von Kerman, and this is Mr. Mortimer Laurent. After much deliberation, we have reached a conclusion on who amongst you will be admitted to the Kastronaut training and/or various otherroles inside KASA."
 
The Doctor pulled out a sheet with names.

 "Francois Dubois. Scientist Class Kastronaut. Pass. Welcome aboard."

 At this, Francois clenched both his fists and said "Tres bien, mon ami." in a whisper.
 
 "Marcella Dreher. Engineer Class Kastronaut. Pass. Welcome. Try not to hit your colleagues out of excitement."
 
A small "Yes!" voice could be heard from the back.

 "Carillo Hernandez."
 
Carillo raised his head, with Maria's hand on his back gripping hard on his shoulder.

 "Pilot Klass Kastronaut. Pass. Welcome."
 
Both siblings smiled at each other. This was Carillo's second chance. And Maria was all that glad for him.

 "Nezu Kalina, Mission Control. Welcome aboard!"
 
A few claps were heard in the back.

 "Damien Willow, Scientist Class Kastronaut. Pass. Welcome, welcome."
 
Someone whistled in the room.

 "Keep it down, please. Behave."
 
 "Und. Final name."
 
The room went quiet. Carillo could feel his sister gripping his arm, tense and breathing heavily.

 "Maria. Hernandez."
 
She gripped harder.

 "Oww. Sis."
 
 "Sorry! Sorry!"
 
 "Pilot Class Kastronaut, Pass. Welcome aboard. The rest? See you in 5 years. Maybe. If we're still here."
 
Over 50 rejected candidates got up and sulkily walked out of the conference room. The Hernandez siblings hugged each other and Dominik could see the Doctor smiling.

 "Mr. Mortimer, a word?"
 
 "I'd like a few more. Can you tell me why you picked the worst of the worst from our selection? I mean, Heavens forgive us, I had to fight you tooth and nail to get Maria and Damien."
 
 "It is not their qualifications that matters to me. But their resolve. Spirit. I don't want the best, they won't learn anything else. They already consider themselves the best."
 
 "You're so full of yourself, Doctor... What did you want?"
 
 "Ja, you remember... Ze favor?"

[stupid dumb idiot]

year 28 reading.

[Darknote]

2 hours ago, stupid dumb idiot said:

year 28 reading.

It will be year 50 by the time the forum 502/504 errors will allow me to post the next update. I lost my work twice... 

[stupid dumb idiot]

god bless man

[Darknote]

The forums have returned! (I should backup this story). Will continue once I get more free time.

On 11/2/2024 at 6:59 AM, stupid dumb idiot said:

god bless man

Godbless, to you too!