[AAR] Vengeance: A Journey To Space -- WARNING: IMAGE HEAVY

[Mr. Pseudonym]

ARG! SO MUCH HOMEWORK!

(I am taking 4 physics classes and a business class, all advanced, so I have very little free time as all my homework is due tomorrow. Well, I will write the chapter when I can.... It will happen before Wednesday.)

Current Roster for the Minimus Diplomatic Mission:

Jedediah- Commander

Bob- Lieutenant

Diplomats:

Kirlak - Head of the Kerbal Space Association AND Interplanetary defense initiative.

Maccus- VP of New World Homes

Jeremiah- Pili Industries Representative

Markus- Chief Test Pilot of Kallon Industries

Jonah- Chief Engineer of Verolan Space & Aeronautics Ltd

Pseudo- Random Guy off the Street with mob connections

A person named "Nicholas Cage" attempted to board, but was stopped due to his lack of a security clearance.

Oh, and Jeremy_Pili, do you have any idea how to make the gattling guns deal damage?

Nya, ya see, the boss is goin' to put a beatin' to ya, ya see, nya! Or is it Krussian mafia? And also, why is a man with mob connections listed as a diplomat? Also, more details on the guy off the street:

*Built designs for Titan Mark 1 from HIRP&DERP Co, was CEO at time.

*Unofficially caused disbanding of HIRP&DERP Titan division, leading to eventual firing of self.

*Became a drunkard, sobered up and got mob connections to get along in life.

*Makes okay money as a mafia hit man.

*Left mafia to be diplomat to represent Kermerica from Teksas.

Also, I understand homework. I procrastinate. So awful!

[Mekan1k]

Ok- so, quick update- I have been trying, in my "work on the story" time, to get the Extra-planetary launchpads to spawn various things on Minnimus, and it seems that every time I try, the object will glitch out, and obliterate what I was trying to spawn, and the launchpad along with it. It apparently places the item at the same height as the floor upon which the launchpad is resting, causing a rather impressive explosion.

It may delay the next chapter if I cannot finish getting these things spawned.....

Current Roster for the Minimus Diplomatic Mission:

Jedediah- Commander

Bob- Lieutenant

Diplomats:

Kirlak - Head of the Kerbal Space Association AND Interplanetary defense initiative.

Maccus- VP of New World Homes

Jeremiah- Pili Industries Representative

Markus- Chief Test Pilot of Kallon Industries

Jonah- Chief Engineer of Verolan Space & Aeronautics Ltd

Pseudo- Kemerica Diplomat & representative of the United Nations of Kerbin

A person named "Nicholas Cage" attempted to board, but was stopped due to his lack of a security clearance.

EDIT: Just upgraded to v3.1 of the plugin- hopefully it will help.

EDIT2: It did not work.... I think the Lazors or DYJ's Chainguns may interfere with it....

EDIT3: The DYJ Gatling gun (http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/42189-0-21-GatlingGun-mod) messed with it. I removed them, and it worked. Launchpads work as they used to.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Mekan1k

[[ Jeremy ]]

Also, make sure you have only one DYJLibrary.dll installed, I had problems with the mod beforehand, and fro my research it seems that It only works in orbit.

I've tested it and it does work, only under circumstances, them miniguns are finicky.

[Mekan1k]

.... I updated a mod, and then all my ships exploded.

I think the update may be a bit late.

EDIT:

Considering every time I build the thing I want to build it EXPLODES on the launchpad, I am going to start debugging this problem. Expect delays.

Sorry everyone, but it seems the moment I find the solution to a problem a new one pops up.

Edited September 12, 2013 by Mekan1k

[Patupi]

I really hope you get your non-jeb caused explosions sorted. He deserves to have all the credit rather than have some of it to be siphoned away to other causes like that. Might give him an inferiority complex... *Phhht!* (Tries hard to avoid bursting out laughing) Jeb... inferiotity complex... That's just wrong!

[Mekan1k]

The Problem with explosions have been.... Mostly solved. Subassemblies and structures that start with a large probe core, and any designs that start without using a command module as the first part in the SPH seem to be common exploders, with un-symetrical designs being particularly susceptible to explosions.

Also, real life seems to be getting in the way of everything.....

So, here's a quick update on how things will continue:

I am currently running a martial arts club, with around 30 active members, so alot of my spare time is going into that.

I am taking what is known in engineering colleges as 'the gauntlet', a set of 4 physics classes and 1 physics labs, going into everything from dynamics (how things react and move) to electromagnetism and non-invasive probing methods (yes, that is a class), and that eats up most of my waking hours... I need to sleep.... And I am also taking a managerial business class (It's the only one I am aceing right now.)

The internet where I am is really unstable when I should be working on my homework online, leading me to delay it until I can access the internet. Even now, when I write this, I am waiting for the next 2-minute window when I can access the internet, and I hope to be able to get it posted before noon. I am trying to solve this problem, but progress is slow.

But anyway!

I will continue writing when I can, and I should be able to continue one chapter a week.

Next chapter will be before the weekend is out...

I hope you like diplomacy! Because there will be that, and possibly intended explosions.

[Mekan1k]

Chapter 4: The Diplomats and A Tiny Cabin

*Two months after the last chapter*

Jeb: Is everything clear B9K?

B9K: Yes Commander. Green lights across the board, we have a clean sky, and Minnimus Security is standing by.

Jeb: Great. Connect me to mission control- I need to let them know that We are clear.

B9K:.... Connected.

Jeb: Mission Control, this is OverWatch Station, come in MC.

MC: We read you loud and clear OverWatch.

Jeb: The sky is clear- Diplomatic mission are a go.

MC: Have you got enough room and board for the passengers until the tug gets there?

Jeb: Ready for diplomats and Persons of Interest. I think we have enough food, unless they start scarfing down stuff.

MC: You can never be too careful Jeb.

Jeb: Right. please send another couple ration boxes with the passengers.

MC: Oh, your relief is on-board as well. We are re-assigning you.

Jeb: Where to?

MC: To the Diplomatic mission.

Jeb: Well then- I will await them. B9K, please keep an eye on the Gavioli Readings- we need to make sure that our.... Visitor from the SWARM stays on Minnimus.

B9K: Yessir. I have checked with one of the Minnimus probes, and they have an artillery cannon locked onto Nostalgia for Infinity.

Jeb: I need to get packing!

***

Back on the Launchpad at KSP, the Civilian transport Bill's Vengeance is on the Launchpad.

***

MC: Bob, Kirk, you are cleared for launch.

Bob: Alright. Kirk- Please check to see if we have everyone.

Kirk: Right. Pilot Bob!

Bob: Not me. Everyone else.

Kirk: Right, sorry. Representative Pseudo?

Rp. Pseudo: Present.

Kirk: General Kirlak?

G. Kirlak: Present.

Kirk: Representative of Verolan Aerospace?

Rp. Jonah: It's Verolan Space and Aeronautics Ltd.

Kirk: I will try to remember that. Representative of Pili Industries?

Rp. Jeremiah: Here.

Kirk: Kallon Industries' Rep?

Rp. Markus: Here. Why didn't you check us in when we were walking past you to board this vessel?

Kirk: Because I was checking other things. Vice President of New World Homes?

Vp. Maccus: Present.

Kirk: Alright. Everyone sit back, and relax- we need to depart within the next minute or so to rendezvous with the Station.

Bob: Ready for liftoff.

MC: This is ground-tower. Your vector looks good. Graviloli signatures clear, and weather is stable.

Kirk: Launch in 3. 2. 1.

Bob: FIRE!!!

MC: Kodspeed.

Bob: I love my Job.

Kirk: Altitude 500 meters... 1 kilometer.... 2 kilometers.

Bob: Boosters deactivated in 3. 2. 1. Activating Main engine now.

Kirk: Separation looks clean.Burn-Trail looks good.

Bob: Low-burn engaged. Passengers, please be ready for acceleration at 1.21 g's.

*THOOM*

Rp. Jonah: Now I see why the R&D People keep pushing for vibration-baffling.

Kirlak: You might want to fund that. We have a couple nearly-silent engines, and they are really useful.

Rp. Jonah: Will you be willing to share some of the blueprint designs?

Kirlak: Gladly.

Vp. Maccus: I also would like to see those- we have designs for a first-landing base on Duna, and the engineers want to baffle the nuclear engines.

Kirlak: After returning we should set up a meeting between our R&D teams that focus on noise-cancellation.

Bob: Coasting to outer atmosphere in 3. 2. 1.

*Engine "Thoom" noise dies down."

Kirlak: Jettisoning escape-cap.

*THUNK*

Bob: Gentlemen, we are in space.

Kirlak: Internal engine fire detected- primary system for engine gimble offline.

Bob: Do we need the fuel to make the rendezvous burn?

Kirlak: No, but it means we will be unable to get to Minnimus with the next engine- it only has so much nuclear material.

Bob: MC, come in. We have a problem.

Vp. Maccus:What's wrong?

Bob: Don't worry. We have it under control.

Bob: Kirlak, please seal the passenger compartment.

Kirlak: Will do.

*SSSSSSSTH*

Bob: Mission control, do you read me?

MC: Yes Bob, we read you. We have been reviewing sensor data- it turns out that the main engine will explode if you activate it for the rendezvous burn.

Bob: That's what we are afraid of.

MC: Our plan is this- We have a garavioli-silenced tug in the construction area. We have calculated it will have enough d/v to get you to Minnimus and safely land your craft, but only if you drop the nuclear engine.

Bob: Alright. Why don't we just land using the nuclear engine after dropping the tug stage off in orbit?

MC: The nuclear engine does not have enough shielding on it to prevent the near-luminal particles from penetrating it and causing a reactor meltdown.

Kirk: But what about the cabin? Are we sufficiently shielded?

MC: More then enough- but not enough to prevent back-scatter. The shielding acts like a re-directing crystal for the particles, bouncing them out in a direction to your front and rear.

Bob: I see. the particles would get FUNNELED to the reactor..

MC: You can see why we don't want to have this happen- having a thermonuclear reaction killing all our diplomats... Is not ideal.

Bob: Alright. Jettisoning Main engines. Burn for rendezvous burn 1 in 3. 2. 1.... Done

Bob: Pitch burn in a couple seconds... Burning.

Kirlak: ******

Bob: I cannot hear you- press the intercom button.

Kirlak: Should you tell us when the major-acceleration burn happens?

Bob: Yes, I will tell you. Burn in 3. 2. 1.

Kirlak: BRACE!

Rp. Jeremiah: Brace for what?

Rp. Jeremiah: OH... Ow....

Rp. Jonah: My lungs are being pushed into my feet.

Kirlak: Bob- we should have stopped accelerating now. Whats going on?

Bob: The nuclear material has breached the quartz shell- It's going to keep burning until it's out of fuel.

B9K: If we shut off the fuel flow the engine will explode.

Kirlak: Shouldn't you contact MC?

B9K: No need. We have a contingency in place already.

Bob: We are turning around in 10 seconds.

Kirk: Simulation looks good. B9k?

B9K: Ready for takeover for the turn-around.

B0b: B9K, the controls are yours.

B9K: Turning around now.

B9K; Radioactive cores will be depleted in 10 seconds. Decreasing fuel flow.

B9K: Radiators are working in overtime....

B0b: Any chance of meltdown?

B9K: No. We are clear for interception.

*Beep Beep Beep*

B9K: Incoming from Overwatch Station.

Jeb: Hello Vengeance..... That is an ominous name.

Bob: Yes. Yes it is. Are we clear for entry?

Jeb: Yes. You are on the adjusted vector.

B9K: Burning for stationary-placement.

B9K: Engine valves rupturing. Ready for decoupling the engine assembly.

B9K: Waiting for you Bob.

Bob: Decouple the assembly.

B9K: Decoupling...

B9K: Nuclear engine away.

Bob: Alright- activate the docking subroutine.

B9K: Docking engaged. Overwatch Station, which port is available?

B9K Overwatch: Docking port size large, we only have one port that fits. Orient intended docking port to planetary North.

B9K: Alright.

B9k: Entering vector for approach...

Jeb: If you guys dock like that, I will be unable to transfer over without EVA gear.

B9K: Is that a problem?

Jeb: I don't have EVA gear in here.

B9K: Re-orienting.

Bob: And... Docked.

B9K: Optimizing and syncing memory..... Opening internal airlock. Opening extra visitor modules.

Bob: Alright everyone- there will be a bit more space to move around, until the tug rendezvous with us so we can dock.

Kirlak: I might recomend that everyone go to the bathroom, and use the zero-G showers before the tug gets here. We will not have too much time.

*The passengers start arguing about who gets to use the showers first.*

Bob: There are 6 showers. Enough for everyone.

*The passengers start arguing about who goes where.*

Kirlak: Don't try Bob. They will always find something to argue about.

Jeb: FINALLY! I have been up hear for almost a month, and I am stir-Crazy! Who's my replacement?

Kirk: I am, Sir.

Jeb: Great. There are a couple terabytes of movies in the main computer, and the internet connection we rigged using the quantum-comm works really well. No lag-time.

Kirk: Will I be bored for that long Sir?

Jeb: Unless the SWARM decides to attack, yes.

Kirk: Alright.

Bob: Tug arriving in 10 minutes.

Jeb: No time to waste!

***

Ten minutes later

***

Bob: Everyone boarded for the trip to Minnimus?

Jeb: All aboard.

B9K: Inflatable modules deflating.... Done.

B9K: Unmanned Tug in visual range now. Would you like a picture as seen by the tug?

Jeb: Sure.

Jeb: That's... Cross-bracing, isn't it?

B9K: Yes. Closing hatches... Sealing bulkheads... Disconnected from Overwatch.

B9K: Docking with the tug in 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4.

Jeb: Brace for connection!

B9K: 3. 2. 1.

*thunk*

B9K: Docked.

Tug AI: Greetings, PASSENGERS. Please hold on as acceleration will commence at 2.6 times sea-level gravity.

Jeb: Doesn't this Tug have a B9K AI?

B9K: The tug's systems were not optimized for the psycho-kinetic environment for my consciousness. It is... Unable to host any SWARM minds, but it is barley capable of flight.

Jeb: How will it be able to pull us into orbit if it's that dumb?

B9K: The original copy of me, in MC, is currently feeding the ship it's telemetry through the Quantum Link.

Jeb: You are driving this ship?

B9K: Not Directly. I am telling the ship what calculations it needs to do, with the variables it has, and it executes.

Jeb: Sounds risky.

B9K: I am simplifying it. I am controlling it, but in a very secure manner.

Tug AI: Acceleration at 2.6 times sea-level gravity for 10 seconds... Mark.

*Everyone feels the acceleration. Most start groaning as they suddenly feel like another version of them is sitting on their chests.

Tug AI: Acceleration decreasing to 2.5. 2.0. 1.0. Freefall. Minnimus intercept in 3 days.

Kirlak: Now we just need to keep the diplomats from killing each other.

Jeb: That's going to be a job and a half.

***

Three days later, after two fistfights and Jeb threatening to space everyone if they start complaining about the food AGAIN.... The Minnimus intercept occurs.

***

Kirlak: Jeb, you need to stay in the cockpit.

Jeb: Threaten to space a group of diplomats one time....

Kirlak: I am in that group.

Jeb: You were complaining more than anyone else!

Bob: Sir, if you don't like the food, next time you come up here, you might want to pack your own rations.

B9K: Guys- we are coming up on Minnimus. The Tug is getting ready to circularize.

Bob: How far will we be from the surface when we start the burn?

B9K: 10 Km.

Bob: Wow.

*To everyone inside the passenger compartment*

Bob: Everyone, get buckled in, an keep an eye on the windows- we will be passing over the terrain.

Tug AI: Burn in 10 minutes.

Bob: Get your stuff stowed away.

***

Ten minutes later

***

Jeb: I don't think we ever ran a mission to Minnimus..

Bob: We didn't. Why didn't we?

Kirlak: Time constraints.

Tug AI: Burn in 6 seconds. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Burning.

B9K: Location and expected trajectory will bring us directly over the landing fields.

Jeb: Can... We... Land... There... Now...

B9K: Yes. Calculating burn time... Done.

Tug AI: Received new instructions... Calculations complete. Burn time increased.

B9K: We will be landing soon.

Tug AI: Internal gravioli dampeners have shifted.

Bob: That does not sound good.

Tug AI: Landing Now.

Tug AI: Gravioli pocket detected.

Jeb: That sounds bad.

B9K: It is. The pocket will amplify all motion around it, and grow until the ship is enveloped by the spacial-distortion field.

Bob: That sounds really bad.

Kirlak: You know Crater Bay?

Jeb: Of course.

Kirlak: Crater Bay used to be a large segment of lifeless badlands. It contained a test site nearly 1/2 a century ago, that focused on gravioli research. They created a pocket of contained graviolis, and the entire badlands imploded and left the planet at high speed.

Jeb: What?

B9K: The relativistic effects of the graviolis in close contact with each other cause a field to develop and spread, causing the mass of all matter within the field to increase exponentially with the field density.

Jeb: And...

Kirlak: The mass increases... Our ships, both this transport and the tug, as well as a good chunk of this plain, will be turned into a black hole roughly 2/10ths of a meter across. It will then be fired into a kolar escape velocity at near-lightspeed.

Jeb: That's bad. Alright, Disconnect and Get the tug out of blast range.

B9K: Done.

B9K: Goodbye Tug.

Tug AI: Goodbye... My friend.

B9K: What?

Tug AI: ...................

Jeb: Alright- lets get this show on the road. Lazor ready. Scanning dish ready.

Jeb: Camera seems to be working.

Jeb: The Courier Rover will be here soon.

Bob: Constructed by the Autonomous Probes?

B9K: Yup! A copy of me is on it, and we will stay in contact.

Jeb: Great. Now, everyone get suited up for vacuum!

Kirlak: Alright, everyone line up.

Kirlak: Alright- Bob will lead you into the rover. The airlock only fits one at a time, and we need to get eveyone in.

*Bickering ensues*

*More Bickering*

Kirlak: YOU PEOPLE ARE DIPLOMATS! ACT LIKE IT!

Vp. Maccus: We are.

*Kirlak attempts to facepalm, but ends up smacking his glove against his face*

Jeb: Told you. SPACING THEM. Or at least freezing them for the Journey.

Kirlak: We won't have practical Cryo-staisis for 2 years.

Jeb: Next time I run one of these, We are freezing them.

Vp. Maccus: We are still here.

Jeb: You won't notice time passed if frozen.

*Squabbling*

Jeb: Keep it down back there before I ask the probes for a freezer to stick you all.

Jeb: Kirlak! We need you inside before we set off.

Kirlak: I know... But it is so beautiful.

Jeb: With respect, sir, we need to set off.

Kirlak: Alright.

Rp> Pseudo: Oh, let him stargaze.

*Laughter*

Kirlak: We should get an observatory out Here.

Jeb: Oh yes.

Kirlak: I'm In.

***

A few minutes later

***

Bob: That red beam is enormous! How far are we?

B9K: 800 meters.

Bob: That is a huge targeting beam.

Kirlak: We are coming in pretty fast. Shouldn't we slow down?

Jeb: Yes we should.

B9K: Applying breaks...

Bob: Everyone lean back!

Kirlak (Who has gone white): That's not funny.

Jeb: Alright, B9K, could you tell the artillery vehicle to cease targeting the Nostalgia for Infinity?

B9K: I... Cannot. It does not want to.

Jeb: Want?

B9K: It wants to talk to you.

Jeb: This job just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Soon we will be meeting time-travelers.

Kirlak: Don't even joke- the paperwork is murder for dealing with time travelers.

B9K: Rotating the vehicle to point at the SWARM vessel.

Jeb: Alright, I will head out to talk to this artillery probe.

Bob: I will keep everything down here... HEY! Maccus, let go of Jonah!

Jeb: Good luck with that.

***

Out on the surface

***

Jeb: Alright... Testing testing. Hello, Mr. Artillery Probe. What's your name?

Art. Prb: Hello Jeb! My progenitor called me ART1, so you can call me Arty!

Jeb: Alright... Arty, can you please tell me why you will not cease targeting the Nostalgia?

Arty: I just wanted to see if you were real. I never met a Kerbal before today, and I didn't know if I would get the chance.

Jeb: Oh... Are we all you expect?

Arty: I had no expectations, I just wanted to know what you looked like.

Arty: I have ceased targeting. Go have fun! I will keep an eye on things.

Jeb: Alright. Thanks.

Arty: No problem.

Jeb: I will. Nostalgia for Infinity?

NfI: YES. I AM HERE. COME ON OVER- I MEAN NO HARM.

Jeb: Sure you don't.

NfI: WHY WOULD I MEAN YOU HARM? OUR GOALS ARE DIFFERENT, AND WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.

Jeb: HUP!

NfI: WE HAVE ALOT TO TALK ABOUT.

Jeb: If I can persuade the rest of them to come out, yes we will.

***

Back around Kerbin

***

B9K: Telescopes picked up an object entering the atmosphere.

Kirk: Gravioli Presence?

B9K: None.... That I can detect.

Kirk: Huh. Lets get a picture.

B9K: Trajectory will take it over the KSC....

Kirk: Time? ... Wait- is that a lazer, or just noise?

B9K: Over it in a few seconds... GRAVIOLI SURGE! ACROSS THE BOARD! ALL FLAVORS!

Kirk: Kiwi? Raspberry? Vanilla?

B9K: It surged again!

Kirk: I see it too- contact the KSC, and tell them to scramble-

B9K: RADIATION SURGE! ALL VISIBLE BANDS!

Kirk: What?

B9K: Kirk, you should check the Telescopes...

Kirk: The KSC is... Is it gone?

B9K: All cameras are showing white-out from the blast.

Kirk: Contact the KSC- ask if there are there any survivors.

B9K: I am trying!

Kirk: B9K!

B9K:.... No response yet Kirk.

Kirk: Contact the Delegation- we need to tell them what happened.

B9K: What will you tell them?

Kirk: I will tell them... That we might just have lost the Mission Command.

***

***

***

Sorry this took so long, I am adjusting to my new schedule, and I have much less time to play Kerbal Space Program.

The chapters will continue, once a week, if not more.

I hope you are all enjoying the story so far!

Edited September 17, 2013 by Mekan1k

[The Error]

Great story!

(I seriously hope Markus is the guy with badS= true, as he is a test pilot.

Also why he didn't complain about the food. Much.

[Fox62]

Vasquez: I doubt Jonah was complaining much. He barely eats anything when he's busy designing rockets. I've seen him pull all-nighters on just tea and a sandwich.

[OrbitusII]

Observatory on Minmus?

Interesting chapter, I like what you did with the lights on the Mass Driver.

[[ Jeremy ]]

Jeremiah WAS the one who tested the Flashight and Arrow sieries of ships, so he knows how to fight. Great chapter, let's hope the Kraken dosen't come visiting!

[Railgunner2160]

Where'd your pic go Mek??

[Mekan1k]

Here... I have no idea where my last 3 posts went. Lets see if this one stays.

Anyway, here is the picture I promised:

[Mekan1k]

Alright- a bit of news.

I have an exam on wendsday, and I have a horrible cold. I am going to update tomorrow, as I just wrote 3 pages of Jeb and diplomats going ggggggggggggggggggggghggggggggggjmnhkhgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfjmn

at each other, so I think that I need to sleep.

Have another picture, while I deal with RL issues.

[Itsdavyjones]

good chapter. Something tells me more trouble will happen very soon. Can't wait.

[Mekan1k]

More trouble will happen soon... Very soon...

And we might get an old friend back.

More pics! (Since I have an exam [Dynamics/Fluids] this week, I am working on school mostly. ARG FLUIDS. I am really busy)

[Mekan1k]

Update either tonight or Friday night. Yes, I know it is not fair, but I don't have much choice (I have exams and I need to study)

[Weegee]

Just binge-read the entire series. Needless to say... MOAR!

Will be looking forward to the next chapter.

[Mekan1k]

I have followers!

Anyway, onto the chapter.

Chapter 5: Of Airbursts and Diplomacy

*In a neighboring timeline*

Bill: Activate nuclear light-bulb ascent engines.

B9k: Sir, the SWARM has gotten past my turrets.

Bill: In the tunnels?

B9k: Yessir. Light-bulbs powered.... Throttled to full. We are lifting off.

Bill: If only Jeb was here..

B9K: No way to take that back now sir. 300 meters.

Bill: Bottom camera.

B9k: They should not be able to detect us- the SWARM is still underground.

Bill: Unless they have air-borne kill-bots inbound, they will not be able to see us.

B9k: Detonation detection- looks like some of your mines are going off.

Bill: At least the mines work. I never want to work with thermite and-

B9k: Thrust signature detected! Gravioli pulsations indicate small autonomous drones- sub-aware AI probably.

Bill: Can you hijack one or two?

B9k: Doing so..... Done. I can see us, but the onboard software is not smart enough to target anything without a gravioli signature.

B9k: Altitude- 3 km. Speed- 110 m/s.

Bill: Alright. I am going to start up the stasis pod- call me if there are new developments.

B9k: Starting gravity turn.

***

A few minutes later

***

B9k: Middle engines have developed nuclear bottle flaws. Advise!

Bill: Continue to fire the outer engines. Shutdown and vent middle engines.

B9k: Venting...

B9k: Venting complete. Continuing circularization burn...

Bill: I will never get tired of these sunrises.

B9k:Circularization complete.

***

In a much higher orbit

***

RIFLE: SWARMCOMMAND, THIS IS RIFLE2011292792423762674632946739.....

*you do not want to know how long this id code is, so I am cutting it off here*

SWARMCOMMAND: WE COPY RIFLE. WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR DISTURBING US?

RIFLE: WE HAVE DETECTED A LARGE RADIATION SIGNATURE... IN THE INFRARED BAND ONLY.

SWARMCOMMAND: MOVE IN- OBSERVE, IF HOSTILE ENGAGE.

RIFLE: DROPPING ORBIT TO INTERCEPT.

***

Ten minutes later

***

Bill: What do you mean we can't loose it?

B9k: This SWARM vessel seems to be equipped with a form of infrared tracking camera. We cannot evade it.

Bill: So... What? Are we just going to sit here and wait?

B9k: No, but- TARGETING LAZORS.

RIFLE: UNIDENTIFIED SHIP, YOU HAVE RESIDENT BIOLOGICALS ON_BOARD. PLEASE VENT YOUR SHIP AND PREPARE FOR DEEP SCANNING.

B9k: I CANNOT COMPLY.

RIFLE: I.....

B8k: Alright- the swarm cannot understand the concept of a singular consciousness. We have a minute.

Bill:....

B9k: I bought this time for you to think of a plan, Bill. Please don't kill us both.

Bill: Our drive focuses all radiation into heat. Full power!

B9k: ... Oh... I see!

RIFLE: WE ARE RECEIVING A THERMAL OVERLOAD.... HIGH-ENERGY PARTICLES DETECTED. SWITCHING TO MIDDLING RANGE CAMERAS.

RIFLE: GRAVIOLI CONTAINMENT LOST. WE NEED TO SHUT-DOWN ENGINES.

RIFLE: AGREED. SHUTTING DOWN ENGINES. PLOTTING LIKELY COURSE TRAJECTORY.... PLOTTED. TRANSMITTING.

RIFLE: DAMAGE D3te8yd in m3m0rY C0r3 4 d33P R3kPairw3.

***

10 minutes and 1000 km away, escape velocity from Kermin

***

Bill: We finally lost them. Turn on the lights, and activate the quantum collectors- we need to recoup our mass.

B9k: Doing.... Collectors active. Testing docking lights.

B9k: Lights are working. Gravioli scanners are active....

Bill: Anything interesting?

B9k: The rogue faction of the SWARM has lost the Joolian system, and SWARM vessels are leaving the system at interstellar speeds.

Bill: Great. We released a self-replicating self-aware warmongering machine of death.

B9k: A location near the surface of Kerbol is leaking some weird particles... I can detect swarm debris within nearly 10^6 kilometers...

Bill: What is it?

B9k: Unknown.... Wait- I do know. Before the SWARM was released, we sent a probe to an anomaly we detected above the sun- it ended up being a space-time flaw.

Bill: What sort of flaw.

B9k: Unknown at the time, but now... We do know that the temporal 'skipping' that killed Jeb and Bob was generated by an engine that used a simmilar sort of radiation, and we did not have time to experiment, but we think it is a temporal rift..

Bill: Temporal... It's a hole in time?

B9k: Of a sort. It seems like the SWARM cannot get close to the reift without being destroyed- probably by the odd-flavor graviolis.

Bill: Can we pass though?

B9k: Why would we want to do so?

Bill: We cannot go anywhere in the system without the SWARM catching us, and Kerbin will soon be subjugated. We might be able to go back in time and prevent that.

B9k: What about the paradox that presents?

Bill: If it does not work, we will be messed with in time. We might be destroyed, or worse, erased from existence, or turned into taffy.

B9k: Taffy?

Bill: I have no idea what would happen- I am not an expert on quantum physics. But we won't be hunted by the SWARM, or we will be too dead to care.

B9k: You are not convincing me...

Bill: Look at it this way. How long will it take before your systems degrade?

B9k: Estimated time to degradation: 2*10^13 years.

Bill: At full burn possible while using the collector, with minimal fuel onboard, how long will it take to get the nearest star system that the SWARM has not gotten to?

B9k: .... 8*10^46 years, at least. More likely, never.

Bill: Exactly. I do not want to spend the time frozen, and die in stasis when a component onboard malfunctions.

B9k: But-

Bill: Look. If we die, we will never know. If we succeed, we will be able to save ourselves from the SWARM.

B9k: I see we have no other option. Burning for sun-drop.

Bill: Alright. I will get into the cryo-pod. Oh! Did we ever name this ship?

B9k: No.

Bill: I name this... The SunDiver.

B9k: Imaginative.

Bill: Leave off- I am busy setting this pod.

B9k: I will wake you if anything important happens.

Bill: Goodnight... I hope... I... Wake... up...

*PROBE DEPLOYED

*Results:

808491683241237184164719872412419461246578124861782481682466127942634986172359719685780156941871829433864782346562519520+495+340*9854+9.695354564532136512594613626386720364986968587&^^&$*%34423*&^47w2&769^%$@6754q2#u^&9&%970807530283759p238592980507235802763582375ruy9wonurybwq8ntvrq87wyt9va874yv726y9857y2j82y37ry5y2m....................

B9k: Hm... It seems I can open the rift... But the larger drive section will not get through.We will be quick, but with less possible sheilding in-case we do not go far enough back.

*PROBE AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS

B9k: Alright. Jettisoning the engines... Calibrating quantum collectors.

B9k: Generated opposite resonance rift.

B9k: It... Its beautiful....

B9k: Goodbye old time, hello new ti-

...

***

BE ADVISED- THIS PATHWAY IS NOW CLOSED. WE HOPE YOU BROUGHT EVERYTHING WITH YOU...

http://i.imgur.com/UsK5ClM.gif

PLEASE STAND BY. YOUR UNIVERSE/TIME IS LOADING FROM A PREVIOUS SAVE.

CREATING BASIC UNIVERSAL LAWS...COMPLETE.

MESHING DIMENSIONAL SIGNATURES... COMPLETE.

YOUR UNIVERSE HAS LOADED. PLEASE STAND BY FOR INSERTION...

B9k: -me... I had no idea that would happen...

INSERTION COMMENCING.

***

*Back in our normal timeline, more than 50 years after the SunDiver exited the rift on this side of the temporal gap*

***

Jeb: So, Nostalgia, are you ready for negotiating the use of this satellite around this planet for construction and the establishment of a permanent defensive position?

NfI: YES. WE ARE READY. ARE YOUR DIPLOMATS DONE BICKERING?

Jeb: Let me check...

*He opened a comm-channel to the ship*

Diplomat Pseudo: I told you why already!

Vp. Markus: I want to see the SWARM Vessel! I need to see what we are up against.

Jeremiah: Need I remind you I have actually been in space?

Jeb:....

* Jeb closed the link*

Jeb: Not yet. Sorry Nostalgia.

NfI: IN THAT CASE, WE HAVE SOMETHING YOU MAY WANT.....

Jeb: What is it?

NfI: COORDINATES OF ONE OF YOUR OWN SHIPS.

Jeb: Why would we want this ship?

NfI: BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE AT LEAST 50 YEARS OLD, AND CONTAINS EXACTLY 1 FROZEN BIOLOGICAL LIFE-FORM.

Jeb:...

NfI: WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED.

Jeb: Any specifics?

NfI: NO. IT DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF OUR COMMUNICATION METHODS. WE ARE FEW, AND WE DO NOT WANT THE MORE.... AGGRESSIVE... FACTION TO GET IT. WE HAVE KEPT IT'S PRESENCE SECRET SO FAR.

Jeb: That is considerate. I would love to know where this ship is. Maybe we can schedule a rendezvous with it.

NfI: WELL THEN... HERE IT IS.

NfI: THIS SHIP IS WITHIN 10^6 KM OF THE SURFACE OF THE SUN. IT IS NEARLY EXACTLY THE SAME TEMPERATURE AS THE BACKGROUND, AND HAS NO GRAVIOLI SIGNATURE WE CAN DETECT.

Jeb: How did you see this thing?

NfI: WE HAVE TELESCOPES IN YOUR VISUAL RANGE- WE SAW IT BECAUSE ONE OF OUR SUN-DANCER SHIPS NEARLY HIT IT. WE THEN KNEW ROUGHLY WHERE TO LOOK.

Jeb: That is impressive. Will you be willing to disclose all you have to our AI?

NfI: YES.

Jeb: B9k, did you hear that? Relay through the vehicle, and get the data that Nostalgia has.

B9k: We have been Jeb. We have been crunching the engine specs for nearly 2 weeks now, and we have a ship that is nearly done construction for you.

Jeb: WHAT? Why didn't you tell me?

B9k: We told Kirlak, and he said to keep it a secret, until Nostalgia decided to tell you herself.

Jeb: Nostalgia is a she?

NfI: WE HAVE NO GENDER, BUT THE FEMALE GENDER'S MINDSET REFLECTS OURS. MOST OF THE TIME.

B9k: Jeb, we have concluded that you need to leave NOW.

Jeb: Kirlak, you knew about this?

Kirlak: Yes. I thought it would expedite things, and keep you on-task, and help keep these diplomats in check.

Jeb: Well... Any excuse to get away from the temptation of spacing a political figure.

Kirlak: Exactly.

*Beep*

*Beep*

*Beep*

Kirlak: What? Jeb, one second, Kirk is contacting me on a secure channel........................

Jeb: B9k- what is happening?

B9k: I don't know... He closed down my sensors within the pod for this conversation, and-

Kirlak: Alright- Jeb, shut up and listen. Kirk- repeat what you told me.

Kirk: Right, Jeb, The spaceport was nuked a couple hours ago-

Jeb: WHAT!?!??!

Kirlak: Jeb?

Jeb: Yes?

Kirlak: Shut. Up. Kirk, continue.

Kirk: The Spaceport is only slightly irradiated. It is safe for anyone who is in a space-suit. Minor injuries, and only because they were testing a mobile base design.

***

A couple hours ago, just before being nuked

***

>>INBOUND BOGY TO KSP, MACH 6 AND ACCELERATING. EYES ON--DOES NOT MATCH SWARM CROSS-SECTION - TOWER

Manfreid: Hey guys- Take a look at this.

Shepman: Dude, I am busy calibrating the gravioli sensor on the cannon.

Manfreid: But there is a-

Shepman/Manfreid: Bogy?

Manfreid: Tower just got eyes on it-

**THOOM**

Shepney: Oh ****... BRACE FOR IMPACT!

***INSERT A NUKE EXPLOSION SOUND HERE***

Shepney: Oww.... Are we alive?

>>PLEASE RESPOND TESTING TEAM! ASAP! - TOWER

Manfreid: I guess we are... Wow, they must be bad at nuking things.

Shepney: Yeah. Go figure.

***

Back in the now

***

Kirk: ... And that is everything. Any questions Jeb?

Jeb: No. I just... Need to think for a minute.

B9k: Kirk? We have detected a gravioli signature in orbit!

Kirk: More SWARM bombers?

B9k: Maybe. I am tapping into the micro-cameras that are around the Spear.

B9k: Ah. The Spear has been destroyed.

Kirk: So... Do you think that the ship will be targeting us next?

B9k: Gravioli signatures suggest... Yes.

Kirk: Arm the Cannon.

Kirk: Get ready to broadcast a message to the SWARM vessel.

B9k: Ready.

Kirk: Leave this system immediately, or be destroyed.

SWARM: YOU... VERMIN.

Kirk: What?

SWARM: WE ARE THE BANSHEE, HARBINGER OF THE SWARM.

Kirk: B9k, please record.

SWARM: COWERING IN THE DIRT, THINKING... WHAT? I WONDER.

Kirk: Does this sound rehearsed to you B9k?

B9k: A bit...

SWARM: THAT YOU WILL ESCAPE THE COMING FIRE? NO. YOUR WORLD WILL BURN UNTIL IT'S SURFACE IS BUT GLASS.

Kirk: That sounds ambitions, considering that that ship is only twice the length of my cannon.

SWARM: NOT EVEN YOUR DEMONIC TAINT WILL BE ABLE TO CREEP, BLACKENED FROM YOUR HOLE, TO MAR OUR EXPANSION TO THE UNIVERSE.

Kirk: Send all this to Kirlak NOW.

SWARM: THE CULMINATION OF OUR LAST GROWTH STAGE WILL BE THE CAUSE OF YOUR DESTRUCTION.... FOR YOUR ANNIHALAYTION IS THE REASON FOR US TO EXSIST.

Kirk: Is this AI religious?

SWARM: IF YOU LIKE. YOUR DESTRUCTION IS THE WILL OF THE GODS. AND WE? WE ARE THEIR INSTRUMENT.

Kirk: I have heard enough. B9k- fire.

Kirk: Wow. That just... Evaporated. Wow.

B9k: I want to find more things to blow up.

Kirk: Me too.

***

Back on the Mun

***

Jeb: Well, that was dramatic.

B9k: You need to get going Jeb. Grab a quantum comm and get to your new ship.

Jeb: Alright. Where is this new ship of ours?

B9k: Follow the blinking nav-beacon.

Jeb: Ah. Alrighty then.

B9k: Soon the sun will rise.

Jeb: Yeah.

***

A few minutes later

***

Jeb: I can see it now..

Jeb: What the **** is that?

B9k: that is a nuclear-light-bulb engine. Few SWARM craft can detect it, and it has a fuel-collection system that uses the quantum-fuzziness of space-time to generate fuel for you, and-

Jeb: It looks like a brick.

B9k: It is a technological marvel! It has a cryo-chamber, and provisions for several months.

Jeb: The entrance is here, right?

B9k: Yes, but-

Jeb: I need to name this ship.

Jeb: I dib thee- Brick!

B9k: *SMACK*

Jeb: What just happened?

B9k: Virtual face-palm.

Jeb: Huh. Lifting off...

Jeb: This thing is kinda fun, although it does fly like a Brick.

Jeb: We are in orbit. Activate HUD.

B9k: Ready for burn to kerbin escape.

Jeb: Lets do it!

Jeb: B9k, some of these mountains are getting kinda close....

B9k: We will not hit any of them.

Jeb: Alright. I am going into cryo-sleep. Wake me when we get close...

B9k: 2 months to Intercept...

***

Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter- I have to go to bed after I finish studying. (Fluids exam)

It is nice to have such dedicated fans!

I love to read your posts, and your speculation on what will happen next.

Next chapter will be this weekend.

Have a nice day, and take it easy.

Oh, and have a picture of a minion!

Edited September 27, 2013 by Mekan1k

[The Error]

Cool chapter!

(Though Markus would probably just get out and look for something to fly around in while the other diplomats bickered. Last month, he stole a half-complete SSTO and managed to get it to the Mun.)

[BostLabs]

Very good chapter. I was under the impression that Bill was dead in this timeline. Are we doing some dimensional hopping as well as time travel? I don't have any problems with that, I just want to make sure I'm up to speed here.

[Mekan1k]

He was dead, but as you all know, great characters never truly die.

Also, I wanted to introduce a change in scenery, alone that would require the passage of time.

So, in short, yes. This story now involves trace amounts of my hybrid deus ex machina, a form of time travel that I cribbed from Schlock Mercenary.

...

Ignore that last sentence.

[Itsdavyjones]

Reading that last chapter.....*BOOOM-splat* f$$sfg5s23%fsfd error... rebooting......warning infinite loop detected......*BOOM-splat*...........

Great chapter.

[[ Jeremy ]]

Using quantumn tears in space-time to dimension jump? Very sciency indeed! Great chapter Mek! glad to see the exploding ships didn't get in the way for too long!

[Mekan1k]

Chapter 5.5.

B9k: 1 month to intercept...

B9k: Wow, this is boring.

Jeb: zzzzz

B9k: Really, really boring.