Project Farpoint: The Leap to Eeloo

[RogueMason]

Project Farpoint: The leap to Eeloo

For too long, Eeloo has been thought of as an impossible target by many of the mission planners and scientists in the astronomy department, and for a time, they were right. However, recent technological advances brought about by the discovery of ancient Kerbal artifacts and data drives scattered throughout the system has allowed for the impossible to be thrust into reality. It is no easy task, but it is one that will leave its mark for a very long time to come.

Prologue -- Part 1

Prologue -- Part 2

Prologue -- Part 3

Chapter 1: The Lonestar

Chapter 2: Duna

Chapter 3: The crew swap

Chapter 4: The Leap

Chapter 5: Eeloo

Chapter 6: The wreckage

Chapter 7: The final shipments

Chapter 8: Descent

Chapter 9: Farpoint

Chapter 10: Encounter at Farpoint

Chapter 11: Rendezvouz

Chapter 12: The confrontation

Chapter 13: Retaliation

Chapter 14: Set a course... for Home

Epilogue

Edited July 19, 2013 by RogueMason

[Scotius]

Awesome! New story to read

[Captain_Doug]

cant wait

[Mr. Pseudonym]

Yes! New story!

[Jacob01]

This looks like its going to be a good story. I can't wait to start reading it!

[Needles_10]

YESSSSSS! YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!

I look forward to reading this!

[RocketPilot573]

Yay! Can't wait for this to begin!

[astropapi1]

Suscribed and waiting.

[RogueMason]

PROLOGUE -- PART 1

8 years after Odysseus returns from Jool...

Flight Director Gene: "Alright, this moment has been six years in the making, let's make it count."

Jeb, Bill, and Bob are sat in the observation room, along with 6 others.

Jeb: "Man, if we get this thing into orbit, we've made history."

Bob: "I hope the time lag doesn't interfere with anything."

Gene: "Transfer Control, are we Go?"

TransCon: "We're Go, Flight."

Gene: "Then do it."

TransCon: "Roger that, sending the deceleration command."

Bill: "I bet you fifty it doesn't make it."

Jeb: "Sixty it does."

Bill: "Swindler."

Jeb: "You started it. Besides, why the lack of faith?"

Bob: "Maybe it's the fact that we lost both Eeloo probes before this one while they were en route to the destination. Am I right, or am I right?"

Bill: "Can't you guys take a joke?"

Gene: "Oi, what's with Mr. Pessimist up there?"

Jeb: "Nothing, just banter. Carry on Gene."

TransCon: "We have telemetry. The engine has fired."

Gene: "Alright, there's our good news. You know what to do from here on out, guys."

P-Com: "Probe core reads all is nominal."

Jeb: "See, everything's fine, Bill!"

Bill: "I knew it would be, I just wanted to throw some doubt into the minds of the newbie flight controllers down there."

Jeb: "Ah, make them think, make them focus. I like it! You'd make a good Director."

Bob: "What, old Bill here? Ha!"

Bill: "I don't know. I must say I prefer being in space rather than being bossy."

Gene: "You calling me bossy?"

Bill: "Nope, no, definitely not."

Jeb: "Oh, he so is."

Bill: "Jeb, no I'm not!"

Bob: "Gene, he's also thinking of replacing you!"

Bill: "BOB!"

Gene: "Is that so? I guess he can buy us a round after this, then."

Jeb: "Sounds goo--" *muffled as Bill puts his hand over Jeb's mouth*

Gene: "Excellent. See you later tonight then, Bill. Anyway, TransCon, how're we doing?"

TransCon: "We have Eeloo orbit, sir."

Gene: "Job well done, everybody. TransCon, finalise the orbit; get it as circular and as equatorial as possible. StageCon, you decouple the satellite at the right time. The Plan-Ex Corporation payed a lot of money and invested almost seven years of time into this. I'd hate to be the one to bring bad news to them."

StageCon: "Alright, Flight, we'll be careful."

A few hours later...

Edited July 3, 2013 by RogueMason

[Captain_Doug]

Wow and yay to the new director Bill

[RogueMason]

PROLOGUE -- PART 2

Outreach Colony, Duna...

Fertbert: "Are we sure? Are we absolutely, one hundred percent, dead sure that this engine design is feasible?"

Tomney: "We wouldn't have looked into it for so long if we didn't think the guys back on Kerbin could actually build something like this. The amount of information that was stored on the data drives inside the Face about this device was incredible. It even gave us information on how to use nuclear fusion for commercial electrical generation."

Fertbert: "I'll look at it myself one more time, seeing as I'm the chief engineer here, but don't get me wrong, I trust and believe you guys completely. I just want to make sure."

Hanlin: "If only we could build one here. We'd have a means of going between Kerbin and Duna at any time."

Tomney: "We do have that ability now, remember? The Hypersoar 2 that landed here not too long ago?"

Hanlin: "That is just an experimental SSTO spaceplane that needs refuelling after reaching Kerbin orbit, then refuelling again before it can descend to Duna's surface, then refuelling again after it reaches Duna orbit. Plus, it can only carry one man."

Lengun: "Unless you're willing to cling onto the ladder for the whole journey home."

Fertbert: "Alright then, let's get this sorted out, shall we?"

Lengun: "I'll get a comms channel open to KSC for you... there."

Fertbert: "Control, this is Outreach, Fertbert specifically, umm... yeah, we have a design that might be of interest to you."

A few days later, on Kerbin...

Jeb: "Would you believe they're already designing the cruiser that's going to take some guys to Eeloo? Here's the concept art."

Bob: "Oh, it has a centrifuge. Looks like it might have room for, what, seven crew, excluding centrifuge space?"

Bill: "What's confusing me is that engine design. I've never seen anything like it."

Jeb: "Yeah, and it's big too. VERY big. I wonder how much power it has?"

Control (on intercom): "Final countdown has begun, ten minutes until launch."

Jeb: "Well, let's go watch this rover launch, shall we?"

Bill: "With a little luck, it won't take six years to reach Eeloo."

Jeb: "With a little luck, it'll get off the pad."

Bob: "Plan-Ex Corporation designs never fail to launch, their rockets are very sturdy."

Bill: "But only two of their four missions reached the destination. Those two other Eeloo probes--"

Jeb: "Were subject to unforeseen cosmological events that couldn't be avoided. At least, that's what we know. Anyway, enough skulking, come on, I want to watch this one!"

Jeb puts concept art back on desk...

A few hours later...

Gene: "Ok, let's get this rover on the way, shall we? TransCon, give me a Go NoGo."

TransCon: "Flight, we are Go for TEI. Beginning transfer."

Over 1 year later...

Jeb: "I can't believe we're actually landing something on Eeloo. EELOO?"

Bill: "You sound surprised."

Jeb: "I'd have expected Tylo to come before it, but this is incredible!"

Bob: "As I recall, you were like this for the satellite, Jeb."

Bill: "Oh no, don't get Gene involved in our banter again..."

Jeb: "Hehehe.."

Gene: "Descent Control, how are we looking?"

DesCon: "Everything is nominal, even with Eeloo's fast rotation period. We are currently sub-orbital with the nuclear engine."

Gene: "Is that a Go then?"

DesCon: "That's a Go, Flight."

Gene: "Alright, take it down nice and easy."

StageCon: "Transfer sep complete, we're on the skycrane now."

DesCon: "Aaaand touchdown, skycrane is released, the rover is free on the surface of Eeloo."

Gene: "Bravo everyone! Get the automated systems active and take the rest of the day off. The next shift can take it from here."

[Needles_10]

Wow, good work! I'm excited!

[Captain_Doug]

Great so far. I can see why you said you had trouble with this story with sending two ships. Are the other two like failures or something that actually occurred or did you just add that to the story?

[RogueMason]

The other two weren't failures, per se. They got deleted when KSP decided to throw a hissy fit on me. Twice. Fortunately, I think I tracked down the problem and can now avoid aggravating the game again

[DaserTheGamer]

RogueMason BRing MOAR!

[RogueMason]

RogueMason BRing MOAR!

As long as my rockets don't end up like that cup...

[DaserTheGamer]

As long as my rockets don't end up like that cup...

Way to quote the scene from Thor

[RogueMason]

PROLOGUE -- PART 3

Several weeks later...

Jeb: "So, do you have any sevens...?"

Bob: "No, go shark."

Jeb: "Ugh..."

Bill walks in.

Bill: “Hey guys, we've just been told to head to the briefing room, now.â€Â

Jeb: “Oh really? I wonder what for.â€Â

Bob: “A Mun mission, no doubt.â€Â

Jeb: “I'd quite like that.â€Â

Bill: “Would a Mun mission call for 3 others to come along with us?â€Â

Jeb: “Might be a hefty mission.â€Â

Malrick: “Hey guys, you heading to the briefing room?â€Â

Jeb: “Yeah, you too?â€Â

Handorf: “Plus Raygas and I.â€Â

Bob: “Six kerbonauts? Hmm...â€Â

Jeb: “I don't think we're going to Mun.â€Â

Bill: “Captain Obvious...â€Â

Jeb: “Shut up.â€Â

A few moments later...

Gene: “Ah, there you are. Took your time, didn't you?â€Â

Jeb: “Yeah, yeah, old man. Anyway, I'm figuring this isn't a Mun mission, is it?â€Â

Gene: “Six kerbonauts? No. Sit down, all of you. I'll give you the brief version before the flight planners get here.â€Â

Bob: “So, no Mun mission then...â€Â

Handorf: “You know, they did start construction on that new Eeloo cruiser the other day. Could this be...â€Â

Gene: “Exactly. You are the guys we chose to go to Eeloo.â€Â

Jeb: “Wow, really? You're actually sending Bill, Bob, and myself out into deep space again on yet another pioneering mission? Awesome.â€Â

Gene: “You won't be going out into deep space right away. I've already spoken to Raygas about his role.â€Â

Raygas: “Yeah, and I don't get to go to Eeloo this way.â€Â

Bob: “Damn, that's a downer.â€Â

Raygas: “But I get to see Duna.â€Â

Jeb: “Duna? Whatever for?â€Â

Raygas: “A mid-mission crew transfer. I believe there's an engineering and geological expert out there at the moment.â€Â

Jeb: “Oh, fair enough. And what are you to do Raygas?â€Â

Raygas: “Just take over the other guys ship, simple as that.â€Â

Jeb: “And do we have a mission patch?â€Â

Gene: “But of course, one for each of you, as well as for your transfer later on. Here.â€Â

Bill: “Huh, quite nice.â€Â

Malrick: “Lonestar LNS-038? My guess; that's the cruiser.â€Â

Jeb: “Good name, seeing as we're going to be very much alone for a while.â€Â

Gene: “Thought you might like them. Anyway, I'll wait for the flight planners to get here before continuing.â€Â

Bill: "I hope they don't keep us waiting too long."

Jeb: "And why do you hope that, aside from the fact that we'll get bored?"

Bill: "I'm afraid you'll try and sign me up for Gene's job again!"

Gene: "As if I'd let you take my position, anyway, but that's not to say--"

Bill: "No, I'm fine, don't want to hear it."

Jeb: "Anyway, sounds like our guys are in the corridor now. I hope they have some good stuff for us"

After the briefing...

Jeb: "So we launch on the next transfer window... I hope Lonestar will be ready for then."

Bob: "Same. Now, we were in the middle of a game, weren't we?"

Jeb: "Ah yes, let's get back to that..."

[Captain_Doug]

What game were they playing?

[RogueMason]

Jeb: "So, do you have any sevens...?"

Bob: "No, go shark."

Jeb: "Ugh..."

Shark is a commonly played card game on Kerbin, and the aim is to collect as many full sets as possible. The game is over when one player throws their cards into the air and storms off in a rage, leaving the other victorious. 1-4 players. Cards not included. Batteries not included. Not suitable for small children. Explosion hazard.

It's basically the Kerbal equivalent of Fish, only more.... Kerbal...

[Captain_Doug]

Shark is a commonly played card game on Kerbin, and the aim is to collect as many full sets as possible. The game is over when one player throws their cards into the air and storms off in a rage, leaving the other victorious. 1-4 players. Cards not included. Batteries not included. Not suitable for small children. Explosion hazard.

It's basically the Kerbal equivalent of Fish, only more.... Kerbal...

Ahh I see. Now I know what my kerbals are playing while on my spacestation

[Scotius]

Cant wait to see completed Lonestar ready to burn I never got anything bigger than MapSat to Eeloo

[Captain_Doug]

Cant wait to see completed Lonestar ready to burn I never got anything bigger than MapSat to Eeloo

I got a probe out there. Not sure if it still has fuel or not.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 1: THE LONESTAR

A few weeks later...

KSC: “Liftoff! We have liftoff of the Lonestar LNS-038 destined for Eeloo.â€Â

Jeb: “Wow, this fusion engine is damn powerful if we're in the air with just a couple of booster rockets.â€Â

Bill: “I don't wanna die, I DON'T WANNA DIE!â€Â

Jeb: “What's up with you?â€Â

Bill: “This engine scares me. So much power, and a fusion reactor?! I don't like this!â€Â

Jeb: “We haven't blown up yet, and if we do, we can abort, so keep it together, mate!â€Â

Bill: “I, uh... yes Jeb.â€Â

Bob: “Nothing out of the ordinary anyway.â€Â

KSC: “We're looking good, approaching booster sep.â€Â

Jeb: “Copy that, booster sep imminent.â€Â

KSC: “Booster sep complete. Lonestar, you're running on the fusion engine only now.â€Â

Jeb: “Wow, this is powerful...â€Â

Bill: “We almost have orbit.â€Â

Bob: “Should I inflate the centrifuge?â€Â

Jeb: “And extend the solar panels, please Bob.â€Â

Bob: “Aye.â€Â

Bill: “There, we have orbit.â€Â

Jeb: “I'm taking us out to above the orbit of Odysseus.â€Â

KSC: “Copy that, so long as the lander can reach you.â€Â

Bob: “I'm fairly certain it will be able to.â€Â

A few hours later, MKO...

Jeb: “Right, I think I'm going to have a look around.â€Â

Bill: “Alright, just don't go near that engine. I don't trust it.â€Â

Jeb: “Oh relax, you sissy! The engine has loads of safeguards; it has to! The health and safety nuts went berserk when we unveiled the design. In fact, I think one guy fainted.â€Â

Bill: “Ugh, if you say so.â€Â

Jeb: “Anyway...â€Â

Jeb: “Centrifuge looks good. Full rotation and inflation. That will give us a nice comfy 1G to live in.â€Â

Bob: “I can indeed confirm that. The floor feels bouncy though...â€Â

Jeb: “Eh, it won't rupture. Bobcat is known for making resilient equipment.â€Â

Jeb: “So, err, control... this is a nuclear fusion engine?â€Â

KSC: “Yes, what gave it away, the fact that we briefed you on it and mentioned it loads on the ascent?â€Â

Jeb: “I was just making sure it wasn't some cheap knock-off from Linu. That country has some serious manufacturing issues.â€Â

KSC: “It's from Leucome Industries. They got awarded the contract after the guys at Outreach Colony dug up the schematics for it. Naturally, a lot of money went into the R&D for this as the project also led to commercial nuclear fusion power as well as advanced rocket propulsion.â€Â

Jeb: “And I won't get irradiated by lingering too close to it?â€Â

KSC: “You shouldn't do.â€Â

Jeb: “Shouldn't do what? Linger or get irradiated?â€Â

KSC: “Both. For all we know, Mr. Stuntman, you could have weaved your way through the compression rings at the back and damaged something.â€Â

Jeb: “Err, right, whatever. I'll head back inside now.â€Â

KSC: “You do that. We're sending the lander up now.â€Â

Jeb: “Oh, and for the record, Control, I don't approve of the laser cannons on the nacelles. Remember what I said about Odysseus?â€Â

KSC: “Listen, you're not the only one. The Libra said no to weapons too, but they got attacked around Eve. It was a very discrete attack, but it was an enemy ship nonetheless.â€Â

Jeb: “Ugh, FINE! I'll have the stupid laser cannons, but the power conduits --â€Â

KSC: “ARE NOT TO BE TOUCHED, are we clear?â€Â

Jeb: “Crystal clear, Control...â€Â

A few hours later...

Handorf: “Lonestar, this is the lander, permission to dock?â€Â

Jeb: “Oh, you need permission do you? Sorry, even as ship's captain I can't do that.â€Â

Handorf: “Yeah, yeah, we're docking anyway.â€Â

Jeb: “Sure, bring yourselves in carefully.â€Â

One minute later...

Handorf: “Raygas...?â€Â

Raygas: “Almost... there, docked.â€Â

Handorf: “Brilliant. Shut down systems for now, they'll only draw power.â€Â

Malrick: “As if the Lonestar will have any issues with the tiny power draw from a lander.â€Â

Jeb: “You never know...â€Â

[Mekan1k]

...

I feel like the mission is going to end prematurely when the lazors hit the centrifuge.