The Venturer Program: Mission one

[RogueMason]

The Venturer Program: Mission 1

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

After the arrival of the 21st age of Kerbalkind, there had been relatively little activity beyond manned missions to Mun and Minmus. Probes had been sent out to once again establish a simple presence in a lot of the system, but those with their eyes turned skywards grew restless, eager to once again see the bravest reach out to the other magnificent worlds that we once had in our grasp. The Kraken may have stunted the expansion out into space, but it has been a long time since those grim events. Now, Kerbals will once more set foot on the only other planet that had strong ties with home…

The Venturer Program has begun.

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

Prologue

Chapter 1: A fresh start

Chapter 2: The landing site

Chapter 3: Rise of the Venturers

Chapter 4: Duna

Chapter 5: Small steps

Chapter 6: Misadventures -- Part 1

Chapter 7: Misadventures -- Part 2

Chapter 8: The flight of time

Chapter 9: The truth

Chapter 10: Ike

Chapter 11: The desolation of Ike

Chapter 12: The homeward bound

Epilogue

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

PREVIOUS SERIES CAN BE FOUND HERE:

Mason Codex

Look up 'The Kraken Saga' and read in the order provided.

Edited November 1, 2013 by RogueMason

[RogueMason]

Now, before everyone rushes in here, I have a few announcements to make:

1. There will only be a few stories in this series and they may not be quite so long as those I've previously written.

2. I've started my university foundation course at college :D . I'm studying geography, physics, and maths on the Earth Sciences course with the hope of getting onto the Geology* course at the University of Liverpool. The work is going to take up a lot of my time, which will be the main reason for my slower updates of this new series. I've also made and am making new friends, and one of these I maaayyy have a bit of an interest in (she's nice, pretty, and likes a lot of the same stuff as me (sci-fi, for instance )). I'll just have to see where that one goes...

You do realise how hard it is for me to actually admit that last snippet??

So, my point is that these stories won't be updated as regularly as the last ones, unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I have a few chapters written up for this one already, but I think we may even be looking at just one per week.

On the plus side, STORY

*Why geology? Well, NASA needs geologists to go back to the Moon, plus Mars, right? I'll sneak into the space program this way

[Needles_10]

He's BAAAA-AAAAACK!

Partially. Despite this, Mason, you've gotten me riled up again! Good luck with this story!

[SpaceSphereOfDeath]

Yay! A new series, based on the last one, I'll love this one!

[Scotius]

Duna re-colonisation? Cool

[Captain_Doug]

dont worry mate about the amount of chapters. I'm just glad your back.

[Itsdavyjones]

well, can't wait for another story to come out. always a nice read.

[BostLabs]

Now, before everyone rushes in here, I have a few announcements to make:

1. There will only be a few stories in this series and they may not be quite so long as those I've previously written.

2. I've started my university foundation course at college :D . I'm studying geography, physics, and maths on the Earth Sciences course with the hope of getting onto the Geology* course at the University of Liverpool. The work is going to take up a lot of my time, which will be the main reason for my slower updates of this new series. I've also made and am making new friends, and one of these I maaayyy have a bit of an interest in (she's nice, pretty, and likes a lot of the same stuff as me (sci-fi, for instance )). I'll just have to see where that one goes...

You do realise how hard it is for me to actually admit that last snippet??

So, my point is that these stories won't be updated as regularly as the last ones, unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I have a few chapters written up for this one already, but I think we may even be looking at just one per week.

On the plus side, STORY

*Why geology? Well, NASA needs geologists to go back to the Moon, plus Mars, right? I'll sneak into the space program this way

1. Ok, no problem.

2. Excellent and Hubba Hubba! (LOL! Seriously, that is fantastic. Go get her Tiger!)

Geology is an excellent field for exploration. Just remember when you encounter new lifeforms that your security detachment is smarter than you in this matter. (Allied Space Ship Vorpal Blade reference)

For those of you that have no idea what I'm referring to.... I suggested you start Here

Edited September 28, 2013 by BostLabs

[Scotius]

1. Ok, no problem.

2. Excellent and Hubba Hubba! (LOL! Seriously, that is fantastic. Go get her Tiger!)

Geology is an excellent field for exploration. Just remember when you encounter new lifeforms that your security detachment is smarter than you in this matter. (Allied Space Ship Vorpal Blade reference)

For those of you that have no idea what I'm referring to.... I suggested you start Here

Not. Always.

[Needles_10]

Not. Always.

(Danny + BOOM) * In the KSP Forums = Danny2462

MASON, MAKE THIS SERIES EXPLOIT THE GLITCHES! DO IT!

[Specialist290]

Lo and behold, another RogueMason story! ...In planning. Still, I'm expecting good things, given your previous output.

Now, before everyone rushes in here, I have a few announcements to make:

1. There will only be a few stories in this series and they may not be quite so long as those I've previously written.

2. I've started my university foundation course at college :D . I'm studying geography, physics, and maths on the Earth Sciences course with the hope of getting onto the Geology* course at the University of Liverpool. The work is going to take up a lot of my time, which will be the main reason for my slower updates of this new series. I've also made and am making new friends, and one of these I maaayyy have a bit of an interest in (she's nice, pretty, and likes a lot of the same stuff as me (sci-fi, for instance )). I'll just have to see where that one goes...

You do realise how hard it is for me to actually admit that last snippet??

First off, congratulations! College is definitely a great experience. Plenty of opportunities to do fun and interesting things (and before the peanut gallery interjects, I'm not just talking about boozing it up at late-night parties...) once you know what you're looking for and learn how to find them. You've also got tons of freedom to study subjects that actually interest you.

And good luck on the other matter as well I've recently found myself in a rather similar situation, though I've only had one chance to really talk to the girl in question. (She works at a place I visit fairly regularly, but we're not always there at the same time.)

So, my point is that these stories won't be updated as regularly as the last ones, unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I have a few chapters written up for this one already, but I think we may even be looking at just one per week.

On the plus side, STORY

Indeed. Gotta take the bad with the good, but fortunately, the good seems to be worth it in this case. Your schooling comes first, so if your schedule lapses, we'll understand.

[RogueMason]

Ooh, responses. Thanks guys, it's nice to see I'm still welcome

Nobody needs to worry. I may even put the prologue up today

I should also probably mention that there is a minimum of mods in my KSP now. I only have SUNBEAM lasers, Quantum Struts, and the almighty Universe Replacer. That last mod brings up another point; this story will use Rareden's default skybox (pretty, but a bit over the top now that I look at it), but the next stories will use my own skybox.

Kerbal scientists are still trying to figure out why the sky keeps changing every time they go to look at it. And why clouds suddenly appeared that are only visible from orbit...

[RogueMason]

PROLOGUE

4 years after the turning of the 21st age...

P-Com: “Looks like we've got a solid orbit for the Plan-Ex Duna probe, Gene.â€Â

Systems tech: “I'm still not happy that we managed to knock one of the flaming solar panels off.â€Â

Gene: “However, we know for a fact that the probe is still transmitting valuable data, and it can most definitely run its ion engine reasonably with just the one panel.â€Â

Systems tech: “It would be running even better had we not bumped into the transfer stage debris...â€Â

P-Com: “An error in the transmission must have done it, I've told you this countless times. I checked, double-checked, triple-checked, and checked again for good measure. My commands were clear.â€Â

Gene: “It doesn't matter, we have a probe in Duna orbit, so good work guys. We're slowly getting back out there.â€Â

Jeb (in the observation room): “Yeah, sure, if you call the manned missions to just Mun and Minmus 'getting back out there'...â€Â

Gene: “I also said slowly, Jeb. Besides, you're not slated for any of the upcoming interplanetary missions just yet, are you?â€Â

Jeb: “...â€Â

Gene: “I'll find you something, don't worry. But for now, the Venturer program is going to be run by some of our latest and greatest.â€Â

Jeb: “I hope so, otherwise why did we go and save everyone from the Kraken?â€Â

Gene: “Good point. Anyway, fancy grabbing a cup of coffee?â€Â

Jeb: “Yeah, I could use one actually...â€Â

Several weeks later...

Buzz: “Any idea why we're being told to head to the briefing room?â€Â

Luner: “Buzz, if anyone should know why we are headed there, it should be you.â€Â

Buzz: “I wish. The only one of us who seems to be in the know is Kirlin, and he already went on ahead to the briefing without us.â€Â

Luner: “Hey, you two coming?â€Â

Rodbald: “One second, chief...â€Â

Edory: “Just finishing... YES!â€Â

Rodbald: “NO!â€Â

Edory: “Ha, I said I'd win!â€Â

Rodbald: “I'd have won that race if you hadn't nudged that other racer into me!â€Â

Edory: “But the fact remains that I beat you!â€Â

Buzz: “Guys...â€Â

Rodbald: “Yes, Buzz.â€Â

Edory: “Sorry Buzz.â€Â

Rodbald and Edory pack up the game they were playing and head off to the briefing room, while Luner holds Buzz back for a moment.

Luner: “Buzz, I need to talk to you.â€Â

Buzz: “I'm all ears, Luner, what is it?â€Â

Luner: “Are you sure those two are ready? I mean, sure, they've got good reflexes thanks to those games they play, but they don't have quite so much simulator time as some of the others who've been put forward, and every study ever made shows that simulator time is the bes--â€Â

Buzz: “Luner, they'll be fine. They've passed all the tests necessary for spaceflight. Heck, you and I haven't been around for too long, have we?â€Â

Luner: “I suppose...â€Â

Buzz: “Now come on, before Kirlin gives us his stare of death for being late.â€Â

Luner: “Heh...â€Â

A few minutes later...

Gene: “Glad you could finally join us, you two. Your Mission Commander here was getting a bit restless.â€Â

Kirlin: “Quite.â€Â

Luner: “My fault, really, I just needed to talk to Buzz for a second.â€Â

Gene: “It's quite alright, your flight is still over a year away, so there isn't much of a rush to get you briefed.â€Â

Kirlin: “That being said Gene...â€Â

Gene: “Yes, I know, Kirlin. Alright, is everyone comfortable? This'll be quite a long session.â€Â

Buzz: “Oh boy...â€Â

Gene: “Now, as some of you may be aware, the only manned flights we've been cleared to operate so far have been to Mun and Minmus, plus a few orbital missions to get us back in the running. You can blame the politicians for that one, despite the best efforts of Mason Shipyards and Industries to get us flying regardless of the potential remnant threat from the Kraken.â€Â

Luner: “Of which there isn't any...â€Â

Edory: “Wasn't it that Krakens-thingy-mawhatsit that sorted that mess out?â€Â

Gene: “Krakensbane device. Anyway, we all knew the damn government would be like this, with their 'It's too risky and we don't want to fund your risks' and blah blah blah. Well, they only recently decided to fund manned interplanetary missions, again despite MSI being an independent space business...â€Â

Rodbald: “Wait, so you're saying that you brought us here to discuss a manned... interplanetary mission...?

Buzz: “Holy crap.â€Â

Gene: “Yes. You guys are at the top of the list for the first Venturer program mission, and your destination is Duna. Kirlin is, like I said, your Mission Commander, so he'll be the one in charge. However...â€Â

Kirlin: “However, Buzz, you'll be in command of the ship. I'm to be commanding the landings, even if I'm not on either of them.â€Â

Buzz: “I'm in command of a ship? I'll need some training for that...â€Â

Gene: “You'll all be trained up prior to the start of the manned portion. The unmanned portion of the mission is being sorted out right now.â€Â

Luner: “Unmanned?

Kirlin: “Yes, as you can see on the screen, this is no ordinary mission to Duna. We'll be staying on the surface of the red planet for almost 4 months before heading to Ike for a day or two. Therefore, we require a surface habitation unit plus a rover for the main part of the mission in order to cope with a visit of this duration.â€Â

Rodbald: "There's an error in that graphic. One of the arrows around Duna is pointing the wrong way."

Kirlin: "..."

Gene: "..."

Buzz: "..."

Rodbald: "Just so you know..."

Edory: “So we're looking at a full-scale exploration mission as opposed to a simple landing mission? Seems like a bit of a risk for our first steps back out there.â€Â

Gene: “Damn, Edory, you sound like a politician!â€Â

Edory: “I do? Oh wait...â€Â

Buzz: “Tut tut.â€Â

Rodbald: “I hope that's the only politically-minded view you have.â€Â

Edory: “No, no, don't worry, I guess I said it wrong...â€Â

Kirlin: “People.â€Â

Gene: “Sorry, Kirlin, do carry on.â€Â

Kirlin: “The only reason we aren't doing a simple landing mission, Edory, is because we've done that plenty of times before. I'll assume you're aware of the Lunar and Interplanetary series of ships, so I won't go into those, but the point is that we've never really covered a lot of ground.â€Â

Luner: “What about Outreach Colony?â€Â

Kirlin: “In case you hadn't noticed, that colony no longer stands. Besides, they only really explored three sites; the base location, the Face, and Signal Hill in the South Polar ice cap. Most of Duna is untouched.â€Â

Gene: “The cartographers already picked out a few locations using the probe we have in orbit there. The unmanned equipment will touch down at one of these sites and you'll be expected to pull off a precise landing when you get there.â€Â

Buzz: “Ok, so when do we start?â€Â

Gene: “Good question.â€Â

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

Crew:

Kirlin: Mission Commander, Duna Surface Specialist. Unclear background history (unable to find records…).

Buzz: Commander, Captain of Venturer VNT-050 for two missions. Pilot. Enlisted out of the air force.

Rodbald: Navigation and sensors. Enlisted out of the air force.

Luner: Pilot and engineer. Ike specialist. Previous work includes construction of Lonestar LNS-038.

Edory: Ship doctor, some engineering ability. Worked as an air force medic.

Edited September 29, 2013 by RogueMason

[Itsdavyjones]

i see the backwards arrow, nice read other wise.

[cantorobriar]

Nice. You need to post some of those ships from the kraken saga in your "Mason Shipyards and Industries" thread sometime. I have so many uses for them, especially the Libra. Otherwise, can't wait to see what happens. I wonder what Jeb would do if he had an SRB and he was about a kilometer from Kerbal D.K. (District of Kerbin).

[The Error]

And with luck, their hab modules and SCIENCE will be towed out there by LBR-030-B.

If not, hope for more sexy spaceships.

Great prologue!

[RogueMason]

And with luck, their hab modules and SCIENCE will be towed out there by LBR-030-B.

If not, hope for more sexy spaceships.

Great prologue!

The Libra may slip into the third story of the series, I don't know. I still need to launch it. Which reminds me, I have, by some remarkably small chance, Halemone Kerman in my roster of Kerbonauts. Halemone, a member of the LBR-030-A. Did not expect to see him again. I also got another guy from Outreach colony back. Small world, huh?

[The Error]

The Libra may slip into the third story of the series, I don't know. I still need to launch it. Which reminds me, I have, by some remarkably small chance, Halemone Kerman in my roster of Kerbonauts. Halemone, a member of the LBR-030-A. Did not expect to see him again. I also got another guy from Outreach colony back. Small world, huh?

Only 1200 km across, mate.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 1: A FRESH START

KIN Reporter: “Today we shall be witnessing the start of the first stages of our species efforts to reclaim the planets. After the war all those years ago, it had been thought that maybe we wouldn’t fly to the other worlds of our solar system, but through persistence and development, the space program is finally taking the necessary steps to get 3 brave Kerbonauts on the surface of Duna, but not in the old fashioned method of simply landing there…â€Â

KIN Reporter“… but by undertaking a complicated mission that will see these people explore the surface of the red planet in more detail than ever before, in an uncharted region far from the safety of home.â€Â

KIN Reporter: “The first, unmanned pieces of equipment have already been lifted into orbit, and I understand that the Rover module has just begun to transfer. We’ll now switch over to the feed from within Mission Control.â€Â

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

TransCon: “The Rover module is en route to Duna, ETA 130 days. Prepping the Habitation module for transfer.â€Â

Gene: “We’re doing well, so far. Just remember, no disasters on international television, alright? I don’t want to have to explain to the media why we lost a rocket engine causing the ship to spin out of control.â€Â

P-Com: “The probe cores read all systems nominal, so we should be fine.â€Â

TransCon: “Habitation module is commencing TDI. P-Com, be advised, we’ll have to decouple that second stage from the initial launch once it’s empty.â€Â

P-Com: “Yeah, no problem.â€Â

TransCon: “And, decouple. P-Com?â€Â

P-Com: “Clean separation, fire up the main transfer engines.â€Â

In the observation room…

Jeb: “Hey, why don’t these transfer stages have nuclear engines?â€Â

Bill: “Beats the heck out of me, unless someone wanted to see if we could pull it off.â€Â

Buzz: “I bet it’s the government still being a bit stingy, not really wanting to cough up the cash.â€Â

Jeb: “MSI built all this stuff, and they’re private sector. Outside the jurisdiction of the government.â€Â

Kirlin: “Jeb, the government has nothing to do with this operation. MSI obviously made a mistake in their designs.â€Â

Jeb: “And who are you to say that, Kirlin?â€Â

Kirlin: “The first Mission Commander of the Venturer Program, Jeb. I’d have thought you of all people would have known this, especially seeing as you were… unconsidered, shall we say?â€Â

Jeb: “Hmph…†*Disgruntled snorts*

Bill: *Whispering to Buzz* “Who is this guy? I’ve never seen him before.â€Â

Buzz: “Kirlin Kerman, and I’m as clueless about him as you are other than the fact that he has a stone-cold personality. Personally, I don’t like him right now, but I’ll have to put up with him.â€Â

Bill: “Hmm, I don’t think Jeb likes him either…â€Â

TransCon: “Engine stop, we have a Duna encounter, ETA 125 days.â€Â

Gene: “Alright, we’ll monitor these things outgoing until they hit the altitude of the Mun, then we switch over to the next team, but for now, get some coffee. You’ve done good work while millions watched.â€Â

A few people get up and head over to the café and restrooms. Kirlin stands and leaves the observation room, Jeb watching him closely.

Jeb: “I frakkin’ hate that guy. He’s got no feelings, I swear…â€Â

Buzz: “If you’re going to pity anyone, pity me. I’ll be the one flying with him for 10 months.â€Â

Jeb: “At least you decide what to do when everyone is on the ship, not him.â€Â

Buzz: “I suppose so. Don’t worry, I’ll put him in his place if he tries anything.â€Â

Jeb: “Good man. Now, Bill, you fancy heading over to that fancy bar they opened the other day?â€Â

Bill: “Sure thing. Buzz?â€Â

Buzz: “I’m going to bed, I’m shattered. This training regime is exhausting…â€Â

Jeb: “I remember those days well. Enjoy them while you can, Buzz, because the first time you fly into space will always be the best.â€Â

Jeb and Bill head out of the room, while Buzz sits back down, silently watching the mess of controllers below him.

4 months later…

[The Error]

Cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

The first steps (back) into space!

Suck it, Kraken!

[cantorobriar]

Pictures tell real stories, don't they?

[Scotius]

Yes! Nothing will stop Kerbals from taking their rightful place among the stars. Nothing! And i kinda like Kirlin already . To succesfully stare Jeb down, a guy has to have spine made of titanium and a pair of huge brass ones.

[The Error]

Yes! Nothing will stop Kerbals from taking their rightful place among the stars. Nothing! And i kinda like Kirlin already . To succesfully stare Jeb down, a guy has to have spine made of titanium and a pair of huge brass ones.

none, however, are brassier than Jeb's brass ones. Or are his just boosters?

...I should stop typing now

[Needles_10]

Cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

The first steps (back) into space!

Suck it, Kraken!

Hey! Don't insult my creation! It...erm...nevermind.

I'm excited about this new story! Keep the chapters coming!

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 2: THE LANDING SITE

A few hours later…

Gene: “DesCon, are we Go or No Go to land the Habitation module?â€Â

DesCon: “P-Com?â€Â

P-Com: “Probe core is reading everything nominal, we are Go for descent.â€Â

DesCon: “Roger that, commencing descent now.â€Â

P-Com: “TransCon, confirm successful separation of transfer unit?â€Â

TransCon: “Confirmed, we are now flying just the Hab module.â€Â

DesCon: “Hab engines firing, parachutes are armed.â€Â

In the observation lounge…

Luner: “If they crash this thing, then our mission’s getting cut short.â€Â

Rodbald: “They won’t crash.â€Â

Luner: “I mean, what if there’s a sudden gust of turbulence in the atmosphere that knock us out of sync and the module just plummets before the parachutes finally rip it to pieces?â€Â

Rodbald: “They won’t crash, Luner.â€Â

Luner: “Or maybe the engines will cut out due to faulty wiriâ€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“

Rodbald: “Luner, the hab module is not going to crash!â€Â

Luner: “Hmm… I just want this to work, I don’t want the mission to be ruined.â€Â

Rodbald: “You aren’t even slated for Duna, you’re slated for the Ike landing!â€Â

Luner: “Yes, but if the mission does get cut short, then we’ll just be sitting in Duna orbit taking pictures and making notes for months! Plus, if that thing crashes, we won’t be able to pull the fuel from it and into the lander, which we will have to do.â€Â

Edory walks in, along with Bob.

Bob: “Watching the hab module descent, are we? Looks good so far.â€Â

Edory: “It’s getting very close to the ground there, very fast…â€Â

Bob: “Don’t worry, Duna has a thinner atmosphere but the parachutes will still be fine to decelerate the thing. I’ve seen it before, although I must admit I find the lack of drogues ‘chutes disturbing…â€Â

Rodbald: “Drogue ‘chutes really work that well on Duna?â€Â

Bob: “Oh yeah, they’re invaluable on Duna. Because they deploy higher up than standard parachutes, we can slow things down earlier and without much of a G-shock. Coupled with standard parachutes and you have a good landing system, although engines are still necessary.â€Â

DesCon: “Gene, we are nearing touchdown, all systems are fully functional.â€Â

P-Com: “And touchdown of the habitation module on the surface of Duna!â€Â

Gene: “Excellent, we’re one step closer. Now, the rover module.â€Â

P-Com: “We’re still waiting for it to be at the correct angle before beginning the de-orbit burn.â€Â

Rodblad: “See Luner? Safe and sound. You don’t have to worry about me being cramped up in a command module while I’m down there, now.â€Â

Luner: “Good…â€Â

30 minutes later…

DesCon: “Rover module is beginning descent. If we miss the base site, it shouldn’t be by that large a distance, Gene.â€Â

Gene: “Alright, but until it’s safely on the ground, we have to make sure it gets to that base site. Even a 5km overshoot or undershoot will be bad.â€Â

P-Com: “All systems nominal. TransCon, prepare to jettison the transfer stage.â€Â

TransCon: “Transfer stage is Go for separationâ€Â

P-Com: “Confirmed separation, the rover module is flying solo.â€Â

DesCon: “Nearing parachute deployment, T-minus 50 seconds.â€Â

Bob: “No drogues on this thing, either?â€Â

Rodbald: “There’s nowhere they could actually attach drogues to on that thing. For some reason, the eggheads over in the R&D office haven’t managed to develop a radial drogue ‘chute yet.â€Â

Bob: “R&D is just an office?â€Â

Rodbald: “Umm, yeah… you have been here longer than us, haven’t you, Bob?â€Â

Bob: “…â€Â

Edory: “Aren’t they planning a new R&D complex?â€Â

Rodbald: “They’re looking at building it up very soon, actually. Looks promising, if you ask me.â€Â

Luner: “Shush, the rover’s about to begin touchdown procedure.â€Â

DesCon: “And we’re down, engine cut-off.â€Â

P-Com: “It’s a bit far from the hab module. Begin the correction manoeuvre.â€Â

DesCon: “Roger that, engines re-ignited, heading for the hab module.â€Â

Luner: “Oh boy…â€Â

Bob: “Hey, at least it got down safely, Luner.â€Â

Luner: “I suppose.â€Â

DesCon: “Touchdown next to the hab module. All engines are offline.â€Â

P-Com: “Once again, all systems are nominal.â€Â

Gene: “Brilliant. I want a few of you to make sure everything’s in working order ready for the manned presence and then you can go get a coffee or something.â€Â