[AAR] To Duna!: A Space Race Era Adventure.

[metalmouth7]

Chapter I - Prologue

"We ended up making a rush job of it in the end."

"No we didn't! We did it the way we had to."

"Then explain to me why we have two Kerbals hurtling toward the Mun in such an outdated design. Especially after the millions we dumped into Dr. Lodble's Apollo project."

"Look, we both know that the Monarchists would have beaten us there otherwise. We had no other choice."

"Bill, you wanted the Gemini to go to the Mun anyway."

"That has nothing to do with it, and you know it. I mean, sure, I'm happy that my mission plan ended up being use-"

"You're still not getting it. This isn't going to be the end of it. Clearly they have the capability. If they do pull it off by the end of the week, not only will it make our mission look like a rush job, it'll show the public that they're winning."

"So what? Think of all the science we have yet to do! All the discoveries we have yet to make!"

"Yes. But Bill, we really can't afford it anymore."

"We can afford it Bob, we just need to stop wasting our money elsewhere. It's pretty clear that we could be doing better things than still trying to colonize the Northlands. It's pretty clear they don't want to be colonized.

"Alright. Listen. Regardless of what happe-"

"Director Bob? I'm from Billy-Bobcal Security. I have something you'll need to see."

Doctor Kerman stepped into Director Bob's office, startling the three Kerbals already inside. "Gentlemen? Why aren't you with the others, celebrating? We're the first! We WON!" The others looked up at the Doctor, wearily. "I'm afraid we're not much in the mood for celebration Doc," sighed Bill. The others looked at him with an air of defeat. The Doctor looked at the others, his good spirits suddenly sapped away."Why is tha-"

That's when he noticed the Munar photographs on the desk.

"Our photos have yet to return from the developing laboratory, how have you gott-"

"Doc. They're not ours. We beat the Monarchists to the Mun by about three hours."

"They beat us back by eight."