The Venturer Program: Resurgence

[Daddy Cecil]

dun dun duun!

Can't wait for next chapter. Also, when did you actually take the screenshots? The antenna on the rover looks a bit... old.

[RogueMason]

dun dun duun!

Can't wait for next chapter. Also, when did you actually take the screenshots? The antenna on the rover looks a bit... old.

That's because these pictures were taken literally at the end of 0.21. The pictures in the next chapter (i.e the one I will be posting next) were subject to some weird trans-dimensional warping effect that became known as 0.22. No old gold dishes survived the transfer; their sacrifice will always be remembered

Not that such an explanation will make it into the story.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 7: DILEMMA

Two weeks later…

Hans: “Franklin, I think we’re pushing the rover a little too hard here!â€Â

Franklin: “We’ve managed the first part of the slope just fineâ€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“

Hans: “Yes, but this part of the slope is too steep! The motors are burning out, plus it’s getting dark. We need to turn back.â€Â

Franklin: “But we’ve come so far this time!â€Â

Hans: “We’ll just try another route like the last few times. We’ll get there eventually.â€Â

Mernie: “I’m definitely with Hans on this one, Franklin. I really want to see the top of this volcano, but there’s no way we’re making it up here tonight.â€Â

Franklin: “Alright, fine. We’ll head back.â€Â

Very carefully, the rover turns around and begins its journey back down the side of the mountain while the last of the sunlight slowly fades away.

Franklin: “Ok, so which way are we going tomorrow?â€Â

Mernie: “I’d suggest looking a few kilometres further along either side of the base. I'd suggest to the left seeing as we haven't really looked that way yet.â€Â

Franklin: “That sounds like a plan.â€Â

Hans: “Hey, umm, you are trying to slow this thing down, right?â€Â

Franklin: “Yeah, I’m applying the brakes gently enough to keep us going but also enough to keep us safe.â€Â

Hans: “Really?â€Â

Franklin: “Umm, yeah… why?â€Â

Hans: “Well, it’s not working. The rear brakes aren't touching the wheel.â€Â

Franklin: “Should I switch this thing to reverse?â€Â

Hans: “It would help, but not much. Try the brakes a bit harder.â€Â

Franklin: “Alright…â€Â

As soon as the brake pedal is pushed, the brakes snap into place and jolt the wheels to a dead stop. The rover goes flying head over heels, throwing its crew everywhere.

Franklin: “WHOOOOAAAA!!!â€Â

Hans: “AAAHHH!

Mernie: “NOOOO!â€Â

Hans and Mernie land relatively close to each other with sickening thuds, while the rover tumbles not far ahead of them. Both men lapse into unconsciousness.

Several minutes later…

EVA Suit: “WARNING, SUIT RUPTURES DETECTED IN RIGHT LEG, LEFT LEG, AND LEFT ARM. COMPARTMENTALISATION IN PROGRESS. OXYGEN LEVEL AT 32.2%. PLEASE SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.â€Â

Hans: “Ughhh… son of… uuhhhhh…â€Â

EVA Suit: “COMPARTMENTALISATION COMPLETE, OXYGEN LEAKS CONTAINED. WARNING, BODY TEMPERATURE AT 36.4^OC. PLEASE SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.â€Â

Hans: “Franklin… Mernie… can you guys…. ARGH! Can you guys hear me?â€Â

Hans stumbles to his feet with great effort, and scans the landscape.

Hans: “Damn it, my arm… my head! Ugh… Franklin, Mernie, respond!â€Â

Mernie: “------an hear you, Hans. Where are… wait, I see you…â€Â

Mernie also climbs back to his feet after falling back down twice, wincing with pain both times.

Hans: “You look like hell *cough*.â€Â

Mernie: “My left leg is murdering me… Where’s Franklin?â€Â

Hans: “I don’t… know. Franklin, do you copy?â€Â

Hans: “Franklin? Can you see him anywhere, Mernie?â€Â

Mernie: “I can’t… *cough*â€Â

Hans: “Franklin… respond, damn it!â€Â

Mernie: “Oh frak…â€Â

Hans: “Ok, ok, err… what the hell are we going to do?!â€Â

Mernie: “Don’t ask me, I’m in no position to answer that!!â€Â

Hans: “Dude, you’re suit… is leaking!â€Â

Mernie: “Where??â€Â

Hans: “Your thruster pack... well, at least it isn’t your oxygen.â€Â

Mernie: “That’s alright… meanwhile, I can see ruptures all over your suit.â€Â

Hans: “They’ve been compartmentalised.â€Â

Mernie: “You’re still losing body heat, though. You need to… get indoors, now.â€Â

Hans: “We have to… find Franklin first!â€Â

Mernie: “I can’t see him anywhere, Hans!â€Â

Hans: “Then we’d better start looking.â€Â

Mernie: “You don’t have time for that! You’ll be dying of hypothermic shock if we don’t… get you indoors soon!â€Â

Hans: “I… I…â€Â

Mernie: “I’m sorry, man, I want to find him too, but he’s gone.â€Â

Hans: “Damn it… come on, let’s find the bloody rover.â€Â

Hans: “Oh, for crying out loud, the rover’s a mess!â€Â

Mernie: “What’s wrong with it?â€Â

Hans: “Well, we’re lucky it still has its wheels, but the comms dish and several other systems are gone. Plus we have to tip it over.â€Â

Mernie: “And just how… are we going to do that?â€Â

Hans: “Jump into it with as much force as we can muster.â€Â

Mernie: “Well, we’re both injured, so I can’t recommend itâ€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“

Hans: “But it’s the only option we have!â€Â

Mernie: “…Alright.â€Â

Hans: “HNNGH!â€Â

Hans topples back to the ground and the rover begins to roll further down the hill.

Hans: “No, NO!â€Â

Mernie: “…â€Â

Hans: “YOU FRAKKING PIECE OF CRAP! GET BACK HERE!â€Â

Despite Hans roaring at the rogue rover, the vehicle continues to roll downhill until it topples over and breaks up.

Mernie: “Hmph…â€Â

Hans: “DAMN IT! What the frak do we do now?!â€Â

Mernie: “I don’t know, I’m thinking! …Wait, the lander!â€Â

Hans: “Yeah, what about it?â€Â

Mernie: “You left the probe core active!â€Â

Hans: “I did? Wait… I DID! Haha, yes!â€Â

Mernie: “I’ll contact Venturer.â€Â

Hans: “Give them our exact coordinates.â€Â

Mernie: “Venturer, it’s Mernie. Listen, take control of the lander and fly it to our location, we need it now!â€Â

Scott: “Why? What’s going on?â€Â

Mernie: “Shut up and do it!â€Â

Scott: “Ok, ok!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I have control, flying to your location. Warning, biosigns for Franklin Kerman are non-existant. Emergency declared.â€Â

Scott: “What??â€Â

Sigler: “Franklin’s biosigns are gone?!â€Â

Scott: “Damn it ground team, what’s going on?!â€Â

Hans: “The rover failed us, Scott. Went head over heels and threw us everywhere. We can’t find Franklin anywhere.â€Â

Mernie: “We’re both injured, and Hans’ suit is ruptured badly. Get ready for rendezvous.â€Â

Scott: “Holy…â€Â

Sigler: “You sure you can’t find Franklin? I might be able to help him!â€Â

Mernie: “He’s gone, damn it! We’ve looked everywhere around us!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “The lander is on the ground.â€Â

Hans: “Let’s get out of here.â€Â

Edited January 10, 2014 by RogueMason

[Danish_Savage]

Now that was very unexpected.

Also very well written. Keep going strong Mason.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 8: THE EMPTY SEAT

ANSI/Stanley: “Ascent trajectory plotted. I will fly the ship. Mernie, ensure that Hans remains in good health.â€Â

Hans: “I’m telling you, I’m ok!â€Â

Mernie: “Like hell you are! Half of your body has been exposed to the well-below-zero temperatures of Duna; I’m surprised you haven’t developed frostbite yet.â€Â

Hans: “I… yeah, I guess. Still, you’re no better off with that leg.â€Â

Mernie: “I’m very much aware of that, Hans.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Brace for ascent.â€Â

Hans: “So we’ve been here on Duna for… what, two weeks?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Two weeks, 2 days, and 7 hours.â€Â

Hans: “Well, that’s just fantastic. And to top it off, we left the body of our mission commander behind!â€Â

Mernie: “There was nothing we could do, man.â€Â

Hans: “I know, but we should have searched further. I had oxygen, and my legs are still working.â€Â

Mernie: “You wouldn’t have lasted much longer.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Mernie is correct, Hans. The extremely low temperatures of Duna in combination with the low pressure atmosphere would have been enough to eventually kill you, seeing as your suit was and still is losing power at an alarming rate.â€Â

Hans: “My suit’s dying?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I estimate 12 minutes of power remaining. You are fortunate to be inside a safe environment now.â€Â

Hans: “I guess I am.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Optimal sub-orbital trajectory achieved. Circularisation burn in 3 minutes.â€Â

Mernie: “Well, we’re going to be alright, I guess.â€Â

Hans: “You know, for what it’s worth, your doom saying a few weeks ago? I’m not going to question it again.â€Â

Mernie: “I just hope I didn’t jinx it.â€Â

Hans: “I doubt it. Hey, I’ll even bet Firespitter rigged the rover to fail.â€Â

Mernie: “…â€Â

Hans: “…That might actually be worth looking into.â€Â

Mernie: “Definitely.â€Â

One hour, 42 minutes later…

ANSI/Stanley: “Beginning docking procedure. Please prepare to offload all samples and data.â€Â

Mernie: “…Frak, the samples!â€Â

Hans: “Oh for crying out loud…â€Â

Mernie: “They’re still in the habitation module on Duna!â€Â

Hans: “That’s just great. After all that, we have nothing.â€Â

Mernie: “Hans, you… you wanted a souvenir for your partner, right?â€Â

Hans: “I’ve got one stashed in my suit. In fact…â€Â

Hans shuffles around in his suit utility pouch and reveals a smooth, colourful pebble.

Hans: “I found it just this morning. I don’t think that could have been better timed.â€Â

Mernie: “Lucky sod. I’m the geologist, and I came out of it with no rocks to my name!â€Â

Hans: “Bad luck, buddy.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Docking in 3… 2… 1… docking complete. Pressurising.â€Â

Scott: “Welcome back, guys.â€Â

Sigler: “Hans, Mernie, once pressurisation is complete, I’ll have a look at you.â€Â

Hans: “Alright.â€Â

Hans: “Hey, Mernie, would you do me a favour?â€Â

Mernie: “Hmm?â€Â

Hans: “Seeing as I can’t go outside with this suit, could you check the docking connection as well as the lander hull?â€Â

Mernie: “Sure.â€Â

Mernie: “Everything looks fine, despite our little rush into orbit. The lander’s got a bit of red dust on its legs, but that’s to be expected.â€Â

Hans: “Good, good. You can come back in now.â€Â

Mernie: “Roger that.â€Â

[SpaceSphereOfDeath]

This chapter needs more samples.

Are the elites the new kraken, if so, things are going to go down around duna

[Needles_10]

Methinks Firespitter has something to do with Franklin Kerman's disappearance.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 9: PROJECT NEBULA

Several weeks later, in Kerbin orbit…

KSC: “Confirmed, all systems are go. Enterprise, you are clear for Mun transfer. Just watch yourselves out there, ok?â€Â

Jeb: “Copy that, control. Everybody, buckle upâ€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“

Bill: “We’re going for a ride?â€Â

Jeb: “Killjoy.â€Â

Bill: “What?â€Â

Jeb: “Oh, you know what. Seriously though, buckle up.â€Â

Lengas: “Engines are ready.â€Â

Jeb: “Punching it.â€Â

Lengas: “Engines are at full power.â€Â

Bill: “This should take a few minutes to complete.â€Â

Jeb: “Haha, this is a good ship!â€Â

Bob: “Indeed.â€Â

Jeb: “Hey, how’re things in the back?â€Â

Kirlo: “Good.â€Â

Wehrster: “Ok.â€Â

Orski: “Alright.â€Â

Jeb: “Good, good… wait, do you guys feel that…?â€Â

Bill: “Feel what? Wait… yes, I felt it. A tremor?â€Â

Lengas: “Well, it’s not the engines… wait, something’s wrong. Oh crap, brace yourselves!â€Â

Jeb: “WHOA!â€Â

Bill: “What the hell??â€Â

Bob: “I’m losing everything here!â€Â

Lengas: “Engines are gone!â€Â

Jeb: “Bill, what’s going on?!â€Â

Bill: “I don’t even… the ship’s split in two!â€Â

Jeb: “Mother of Kerbin… right, I’m pulling us away from this!â€Â

Bill: “The engines are still firing, we’ll plough right into a fuel tank!â€Â

Jeb: “Not on my watch!â€Â

Bill: “Ok, we are… remarkably, clear.â€Â

Jeb: “Status?â€Â

Bob: “Look out the window.â€Â

With that remark, Jeb peers out of the window only to find the errant transfer stage carrying on without them.

Jeb: “Well, that thing isn’t going to stop until it runs dry.â€Â

Bill: “It’ll probably go interstellar, now.â€Â

Jeb: “No doubt. I wonder what any alien civilisations will make of that thing flying right at them.â€Â

Lengas: “Umm, Jeb? I recommend powering the lander up. We could use the engines on it right about now.â€Â

Jeb: “Go ahead.â€Â

Kirlo: “So, umm... what the hell do we do now?â€Â

Jeb: “We circularise our orbit and call for help. In fact, I want you three in the back in the lander and back down on Kerbin once we’re done sorting the orbit out.â€Â

Kirlo: “And abandon you guys? What if you need the engine?â€Â

Jeb: “It’s not like we’ve gone very far away from home, is it? Control will just need to send a rescue vehicle, that’s all. In the meantime, we’ve got a whole mission's worth of snacks, which is more than we know what to do with.â€Â

Kirlo: “Fair point.â€Â

Half an orbit later…

Jeb: “Now then, there is definitely not a ship back there.â€Â

Lengas: “Just check the damage and get back inside.â€Â

Jeb: “Alright, bossy.â€Â

Jeb: “Hey, Orski.â€Â

Orski: “Hey Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, I’ll tell you guys something; this wasn’t a random disassembly. There are explosive blast marks on the back. Looks like there were detonation packs there.â€Â

Bill: “Geez…â€Â

Lengas: “This reeks of Firespitter.â€Â

Jeb: “Worse; an inside job.â€Â

Bob: “Definitely an inside job.â€Â

Jeb: “I’m heading back inside now. Contact control, let them know what’s happened.â€Â

A quarter of an orbit later…

Jeb: “Circularisation complete. Lander team, you can undock.â€Â

Kirlo: “I still don’t like the thought of leaving you up here.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, you can’t de-orbit us because we’ve got no ‘chutes, and we can’t all cram into the lander, so you’re just going to have to go.â€Â

Kirlo: “Alright…â€Â

Kirlo: “Hold on, this lander wasn’t rated for Kerbin landings.â€Â

Orski: “I think we’ll be fine.â€Â

Kirlo: “Hmm…â€Â

Kirlo: “WHOA!â€Â

Orski: “OOF!â€Â

A couple of alarms go off.

Wehrster: “Oh great, we lost the nuclear engine when those ‘chutes deployed. The environmentalists are going to love this...â€Â

Kirlo: “Oh, fantastic.â€Â

Wehrster: “That said, we do still have the radials.â€Â

Orski: “They'll do, actually.â€Â

Kirlo: "Touchdown. We're about 10km from KSC. Stay in here until the recovery vehicles get over to us. Orski, how's the external geiger counter looking?"

Orski: "Within normal levels. Looks like our renegade engine hasn't hit near here."

Kirlo: "Phew."

KSC: "Lander crew, stand by. Recovery vehicles are en-route and will be with you shortly. We're preparing a rescue craft for the other bunch right now."

Jeb: "See, nothing to worry about."

KSC: "You've nothing to worry about... yet. Every single one of you is grounded until we can figure this out."

Bill: "Every one of us?!"

Jeb: "Frakking hell, control, that's unnecessary."

KSC: "Like hell it's unnecessary! We don't know what happened, and with all this Firespitter controversy, we need to investigate everything tied to any incident, including crew members who could have supposedly planted detonation packs in the hull of a cruiser."

Lengas: "Damn, you really think one of us did this?"

KSC: "We don't know, but we sure as hell are going to find out."

[RocketPilot573]

That ship didn't last very long... KSC does has an infinite budget to replace it, right? Right???

[The Error]

Grounding the Big Four? Isn't obstructive government stuff fun? Especially since I feel like Firespitter is taking over via slowly converting the government and KSC.

[RogueMason]

Grounding the Big Four? Isn't obstructive government stuff fun? Especially since I feel like Firespitter is taking over via slowly converting the government and KSC.

The Big Four and the Lesser Three who escaped on that lander. Our investigations will find the culprit behind this incident!

[The Error]

The Big Four and the Lesser Three who escaped on that lander. Our investigations will find the culprit behind this incident!

Obstructive Bureaucrats for the win.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 10: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – PART ONE

Duna orbit…

Scott: “Ok guys, commencing transfer burn now.â€Â

Hans: “Engines are good.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Estimated burn time of 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Fuel reserves are nominal.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Ike encounter achieved. 4 hours and 25 minutes until Ike periapsis.â€Â

Scott: “Alright then. So, what now?â€Â

Sigler: “I don’t know what I can do anymore. I’ve already tended to Hans and Mernie as best as I could, though I can’t say much good about Mernie’s leg.â€Â

Scott: “Not much good? What’s that supposed to mean?â€Â

Sigler: “Well, he landed the hardest when that rover broke, and his leg took the brunt of the impact. I’m actually amazed he doesn’t have any open fractures, but the bones are very badly damaged.â€Â

Scott: “Does he know?â€Â

Sigler: “Of course he does.â€Â

Scott: “And he doesn’t mind you talking about it?â€Â

Sigler: “No, no.â€Â

Scott: “What about Hans?â€Â

Sigler: “His injuries are less extensive, but emotionally, he’s not doing too well. Franklin dying has really hit home with him.â€Â

Scott: “I guess I can understand that. Something like that coming completely out of the blue is always a recipe for trouble.â€Â

Sigler: “There is one thing though; Hans is really thinking that Firespitter were somehow responsible for tampering with the rover. I just don’t see how that could be possible.â€Â

Scott: “An inside job, maybe? That said, the rover should have failed a lot earlier than it did if it were tampered with.â€Â

Hans: “No, I know they did something. Can you not see it, guys??â€Â

Sigler: “Damn it, I’m a doctor, Hans, not an engineer!â€Â

Scott: “I must confess that I’m also trying to see how they could have done it. It’s more likely just an unfortunate failure.â€Â

Hans: “I’ll find something. I know I will…â€Â

Several hours later…

ANSI/Stanley: “Optimal Ike orbit achieved. You may commence the landing sequence whenever you are ready, seeing as we have no predetermined landing sites.â€Â

Scott: “Alright folks, just keep an eye out for good sites.â€Â

Mernie: “I’m on it. In fact, I think I see a good one already, about 35^o north of the equator. I’ll put it in the landing computer.â€Â

Sigler: “That’s it? You’ve just decided our landing site like that?â€Â

Mernie: “I’m a geologist. I know a good site when I see one.â€Â

Sigler: “Ugh…â€Â

Scott: “It does look reasonable, actually. Come on, Sigler, we’re going.â€Â

Sigler: “Alright, boss.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Undocking complete. Landing team, you are clear to de-orbit.â€Â

Scott: “That we are. Take care of my ship, Hans.â€Â

Hans: “Sure.â€Â

Scott: “De-orbit complete.â€Â

Sigler: “Let’s not crash. I’d hate to have to look after four people all at once.â€Â

Scott: “Four?â€Â

Sigler: “You aren’t forgetting that I’d be part of such a crash and thus count as person number 4?â€Â

Scott: “Oh right… now I feel a bit silly.â€Â

Sigler: “And so you should.â€Â

Scott: “Hold on, I’m just going to change our trajectory a bit.â€Â

Sigler: “A bit?â€Â

Scott: “Quite considerably, actually.â€Â

Sigler: “Why?â€Â

Scott: “I’ve just spotted a better site.â€Â

Sigler: “Oh.â€Â

Scott: “Ok, we’re a kilometre above the surface and falling. Get ready for touchdown.â€Â

Sigler: “Fuel supplies look good.â€Â

Scott: “600 metres… 500… 400… 300… 200… 100… 50…â€Â

Sigler: “Proximity alarm.â€Â

Scott: “10 metres. 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… touchdown, cutting engines.â€Â

[EnhancedCookie]

I just have to say that these stories are AMAZING! I love your writing style, the pacing is very good and its impressive how you have revived the universe after The Kraken Saga. Good job and keep going!

[The Error]

Nice landing. Time for hopefully-non-Firespitted SCIENCE!

[Sylandro]

What if they find a derelict kraken probe on Ike?

[Danish_Savage]

Yeah progress baby!!!

While the whole conspiracy thingy is good, it's also good having some normal gameplay so it doesn't feel forced.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 11: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – PART 2

Scott: “Ladder looks good, but watch the drop at the bottom when you follow me out.â€Â

Sigler: “Copy. How does it look out there?â€Â

Scott: “Well, I’ve never been to Ike before, but I’d say this is one of the more interesting places, hence why I decided to fly us over here.â€Â

Sigler: “Hmm, I guess I’ll see for myself.â€Â

Scott: “I’m down. It’s a lot like Dres, actually; the gravity is similar, and so is the terrain. I’m kicking dust everywhere, too.â€Â

Sigler: “On purpose?â€Â

Scott: “No, of course not, but I could if you wanted.â€Â

Sigler: “No, no. I'd prefer to be able to see out of my visor.â€Â

Scott: “Heh. Now, where did I put that flag… ah, here we go.â€Â

Scott: “Hey, what do you think of calling this place the Franklin Highlands?â€Â

Sigler: “That’s… good. Hans will be pleased, no doubt.â€Â

Scott: “Well, I don’t know about being pleased, but it might help him move on from this.â€Â

Sigler: “Yeah, maybe. Anyway, I’m coming out now, so watch your back.â€Â

Scott: “I say we grab loads of samples to make up for the ones we left on Duna.â€Â

Sigler: “Well, we sure as hell have enough space in the lander, so let’s get searching.â€Â

Scott: “I’ve got to say Sigler, you’re remarkably upbeat.â€Â

Sigler: “Why wouldn’t I be?â€Â

Scott: “I’d have thought the whole mess we’re in would have you stuck in a rut. Franklin dying, then the other two being seriously injured…â€Â

Sigler: “That won’t stop me from looking on the bright side of things. Come on, you know me better than most, Scott.â€Â

Scott: “Aye, that I do, but there must have been something you felt.â€Â

Sigler: “Naturally, I was shocked, upset, and confused, but that was weeks ago. My only concerns now are the mission, getting home, and making sure Hans and Mernie are alright, and while I’m away from them, I may as well try and be cheery. I’m afraid I’m out of jokes, though.â€Â

Scott: “Nah, you’ll think of something to crack.â€Â

Sigler: “Maybe.â€Â

Several days pass by, and the team survey and collect around the site. Before long, it is time to return to orbit.

Scott: “Man, that’s a view and a half.â€Â

Sigler: “I see why so many people are focused on Duna. I mean, sure, I get it; Duna re-colonisation is an awesome prospect, but seeing that planet from here is incredible. It makes me wonder why we haven’t stopped to put a base on Ike yet.â€Â

Scott: “I think that’s being considered, actually.â€Â

Sigler: “I’m not sure where I’d rather stay, then. Duna? Ike? Tough choice.â€Â

Scott: “I’m probably a Duna man, myself.â€Â

Sigler: “Why’s that?â€Â

Scott: “I grew up when Duna was fascinating to everyone; the idea that there could be life there was one that was gaining a considerable following. Dunians, they were calling them. Obviously, the chances of anything coming from Duna were a million to one, they said.â€Â

Sigler: “But still they came.â€Â

Scott: “Wait, what? Did I miss something?â€Â

Sigler: “The Kraken?â€Â

Scott: “Oh. We first encountered them around Ike, remember? And technically they’re extrasolar.â€Â

Sigler: “Yes, but Ike is part of the Duna system, and the first Mechani-Kraken confronted us there, so technically, they came from Duna.â€Â

Scott: “I’m just not going to argue that point. Anyway, Duna is just this awe-inspiring place to me, so that would be where I would choose to stay.â€Â

Sigler: “Fair enough.â€Â

Scott: “Alright, come on. Venturer is probably wondering why we haven’t made orbit yet.â€Â

One hour later…

Scott: “Venturer, we’re moving in to dock. Make some space, because we’ve got a lot of samples to offload.â€Â

Mernie: “Cool. At least we have Ike rocks to play with.â€Â

Hans: “Yeah, cool.â€Â

Mernie: “Oh, cheer up already, would you?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “10 metres to docking port… 5 metres… 4… 3… 2… 1… docking successful. Equalising cabin pressures. Prepare to offload samples and data.â€Â

Mernie: “Welcome back, guys.â€Â

Scott: “It’s good to be back. You’ll never believe the view we had down there.â€Â

Mernie: “Was Duna in the sky?â€Â

Sigler: “Oh yes. We couldn’t have picked a better spot, actually.â€Â

Mernie: “Nice to know. I see you entered the location into the database; the Franklin Highlands?â€Â

Scott: “I thought it would be a nice memorial for a good man.â€Â

Mernie: “Yeah, good thinking. Hans has been… quiet. I’ve tried to help him out, but I can’t get much out of him.â€Â

Sigler: “I’ll see what I can do. How’s your leg?â€Â

Mernie: “It hasn’t got any worse, but it’s still very painful.â€Â

Sigler: “I’ll check it out again later.â€Â

Mernie: “No problem.â€Â

Several orbits later…

[Danish_Savage]

Thanks for another good chapter

[The Error]

Ike is fun. Coming up next: _________.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 12: WOLF

Dean: “Alright control, I’m heading to that depot now. Are you sure the other two have made it safely?â€Â

KSC: “Positive. The depot is reading two docked ships; a Hawk and an Arrow. Only the Arrow is showing signs of damage, but that’s just one parachute from what we can tell.â€Â

Dean: “Oh, alright then.â€Â

KSC: “Just watch out for Buzz. The last time he saw an Elite fighter, he obliterated it. We don’t exactly want him doing that to you.â€Â

Dean: “Uh, thanks for the heads up… Wait, haven’t you told him I’m flying up in this crate?â€Â

KSC: “We’re maintaining radio silence for the moment. Firespitter activity around that area has been a bit higher than we’re comfortable with. You’re going to have to convince Buzz to not shoot you.â€Â

Dean: “Great…â€Â

Several hours later…

Kenhat: “Buzz, we’ve got incoming!â€Â

Buzz: “Son of a--!â€Â

Dean: “Buzz, wait, it’s me, Dean!â€Â

Buzz: “Like hell I’m going to fall for that, scumbag!â€Â

Dean: “No, really!â€Â

A warning goes off in the cockpit of the Elite as Buzz targets the ship. Dean in turn targets Buzz to hold a Stalemate.

Dean: “Buzz, I promise you, I’m Dean Kerman! Look, to prove I’m not here to kill you…â€Â

Dean: “See? I’m out of my ship! I can’t hurt you now!â€Â

Buzz: “…Dean? Do you mind telling me what the hell you’re doing piloting one of those… things?!â€Â

Dean: “That ‘thing’ is a Firespitter Elite class light fighter that we captured, somehow. I don’t know the specifics of it, but I do know this; it’s going to get me behind enemy lines.â€Â

Buzz: “Behind enemy lines?â€Â

Dean: “Firespitter has started work on their own space station, Buzz. I’ve been told to infiltrate and investigate, plus gather intel that otherwise would go amiss.â€Â

Buzz: “Oh really?â€Â

Dean: “I swear.â€Â

Buzz: “…â€Â

Buzz: “Alright, you’ve convinced me. Do you need to dock?â€Â

Dean: “I’ll need refuelling, yeah.â€Â

Buzz: “Bring yourself in, then.â€Â

Dean: “Is this depot automated?â€Â

Buzz: “Yeah. After the first spacedock was destroyed, it was decided to commission this little thing to host military starfighters instead of relying on another spacedock to accommodate us.â€Â

Dean: “Fair enough. Keeps any civilians and scientists out of trouble.â€Â

Buzz: “Exactly.â€Â

Half an orbit later…

Dean: “I’m clear, beginning transfer.â€Â

Kenhat: “Good luck out there.â€Â

Buzz: “Anything you find, report it to us as well as control. It could prove very useful.â€Â

Dean: “You got it, Buzz. Hopefully I’ll see you sooner rather than later.â€Â

Buzz: “Aye.â€Â

One hour later…

Firespitter station: “Incoming fighter, please transmit clearance codes.â€Â

Dean: “Copy that, transmitting now.â€Â

Firespitter station: “Hmm, an older code. I haven’t seen this one for a while. Still checks out, though, so you’re clear to dock.â€Â

Dean: “Roger that, beginning docking sequence.â€Â

Dean: “Docking successful.â€Â

Firespitter station: “We’re refuelling you now. Hey, did you hear about that fight the boss had with Krumer?â€Â

Dean: “A fight? What happened?â€Â

Firespitter station: “We’ve got the documents here if you want to have a look. Heck, I’ll send them to your ship’s computer.â€Â

Dean: “Ok then. Now, what have we here…â€Â

<LOADING>

<LOADING>

<DOCUMENT LOADED>

Krumer: “Listen, Director, I want to talk to you about further service. I do believe we are winning against those space-faring fools, and that attack against their station was brilliant. I want to keep the pressure on them.â€Â

Miting: “You forget that that attack on their spacedock came at the cost of one of our pilot’s lives, as well as the mobilisation of further military units on their end. To continue to go on the offensive while we’re outgunned would be a fools errand.â€Â

Krumer: “You have the money I’m paying you to do this job, so I suggest you invest it in more ships than they have.â€Â

Miting: “It isn’t that simple. We don’t have the infrastructure necessary to mass-produce our ships unlike them, plus their weaponry is more advanced. I don’t think that pushing another obvious attack is the way forward just yet.â€Â

Krumer: “So, what do you propose?â€Â

Miting: “What do I propose? I propose that you get off our backs! You’re pushing us too hard, for crying out loud! Hell, it was your government that initially held us back before you came begging for our help!â€Â

Krumer: “Excuse me?â€Â

Miting: “You do recall your little raid on our facility, followed by the various sanctions?â€Â

Krumer: “Yes, of course I remember that.â€Â

Miting: “And then you came crawling to us because you saw that we weren’t giving up as a privateer organisation.â€Â

Krumer: “I saw your potential only after the raid and as those blithering idiots at KSC and MSI started really hassling me. I needed to get them off my back, so you seemed like a good choice.â€Â

Miting: “Wow, a compliment?â€Â

Krumer: “You’ll have no more if you maintain this attitude, Director!â€Â

Miting:â€ÂHey, you’re forgetting that you are the one who needs us! I could easily pull out of this contract if I so desire, and where would that leave you, hmm? Sat amongst a pile of criminal charges all directed at yourself. Before you even consider telling me what we should be doing when you know very well that you aren’t funding us near-enough to complete the goals you set out, think about who you are actually dealing with. I’m heading home. Good day, Krumer.â€Â

<DOCUMENT END. CLOSING>

Dean: “Whoa. I didn’t know things were this delicate.â€Â

Firespitter station: “I know, right? I guess we up here are lucky to know such information. That said, we are the pinnacle of Firespitter technology; this station took a while to get prepared, and we need every scrap of information to fight off those KSC guys.â€Â

Dean: “Yeah… say, what’s that other ship docked here? I’ve never seen one of those before.â€Â

Firespitter station: “Well, obviously there’s the other Elite, but that there is a Scimitar fighter-bomber. Any cap ships that come our way will have a nasty surprise.â€Â

Dean: “Sounds good.â€Â

Firespitter station: “It does indeed, especially seeing as we have Director Miting and General Haddred visiting the station in the next few days. We need all the help we can get.â€Â

Dean: “Director Miting is coming here?â€Â

Firespitter station: “Yes, and he is most pleased with the rate of progress we’ve had.â€Â

Dean: “I’ll scout the area out once he arrives, then.â€Â

Firespitter station: “Good idea.â€Â

[The Error]

So KSC has a covops section? TIL.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 13: HOME RUN

Several weeks later…

ANSI/Stanley: “Alert, the Kerbin transfer is in T-1 hour. Please prepare to separate the lander and plot trajectories.â€Â

Scott: “Stanley, could you plot the trajectory please?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Affirmative. Calculating… complete. Transfer trajectory plotted.â€Â

Scott: “Thank you.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “You’re welcome, Captain Scott.â€Â

Scott: “Anyway, you heard Stanley, guys. Let’s get the lander ready for separation.â€Â

Sigler: “Why are we leaving yet another lander behind? It’s an incredible waste!â€Â

Scott: “Actually, this one is going to be re-used, according to control.â€Â

Sigler: “What? How??â€Â

Scott: “The Duna re-colonisation initiative calls for a few base sites to be located on the surface as well as an orbital spacedock capable of refuelling even the largest ships. However, that station must also play host to a Duna and Ike lander. That’s where our friend here comes into the equation.â€Â

Sigler: “Oh, cool!â€Â

Mernie: “You’re damn right that’s cool.â€Â

Hans: “I guess it is pretty good.â€Â

Mernie: “Hans.â€Â

Hans: “I know, I know. I am trying to cheer myself up, but… I don’t know.â€Â

Mernie: “I’m sure we can get you some help back home.â€Â

Scott: “And we’ll still be doing our best for you.â€Â

Hans: “For which I’m grateful, but you really don’t have to.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “It would be in everybody’s best interests to help you, Hans.â€Â

Sigler: “Besides, it’s giving me something to do, which is a bit unusual for one of our usually perfect missions.â€Â

Hans: “Well, you might be occupied for the rest of the trip home.â€Â

Sigler: “I’d hope not, but we’ll just have to see.â€Â

Scott: “Alright, enough lingering, we’ve got a lander to undock.â€Â

Half an orbit later…

ANSI/Stanley: “The lander has separated from Venturer. It should carry out the commands I’ve assigned it to settle into its parking orbit. Please finish final preparations for the Trans-Kerbin Injection burn.â€Â

Scott: “Roger that, Stanley.â€Â

Another half an orbit later…

Scott: “5… 4… 3… 2… 1… commencing burn.â€Â

Hans: “Engines are looking fine, structural integrity is nominal.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “3 minutes remaining. Fuel reserves adequate.â€Â

Mernie: “My leg isn’t agreeing with this acceleration.â€Â

Sigler: “We’re not accelerating that much.â€Â

Mernie: “Yes, but that doesn’t mean my leg is agreeing with the acceleration… ow.â€Â

Sigler: “I’ll come over and have a look.â€Â

Mernie: “Please do.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Negative. Wait until the transfer burn is complete.â€Â

Sigler: “How much longer, Stanley?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “2 minutes and 30 seconds to TKI completion.â€Â

Sigler: “Mernie, do you think you can wait for that long?â€Â

Mernie: “I suppose I can, but it’s really hurting me now.â€Â

Sigler: “Stanley?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Negative. Wait until the transfer burn is complete.â€Â

Sigler: “Mernie, you’re just going to have to wait, I’m afraid.â€Â

Mernie: “Damn it.â€Â

Two minutes later…

ANSI/Stanley: “Transfer burn complete. Kerbin encounter confirmed in 89 days and 21 hours.â€Â

Sigler: “I’m coming now, Mernie.â€Â

Mernie: “Thank Kerbin for that…â€Â

Hans: “Everything looks fine, Scott.â€Â

Scott: “Alright. So long, Duna. I think this is the most evil you’ve been to us.â€Â

Hans: “It wasn’t Duna, it was Firespitter. Don’t go blaming that planet.â€Â

Scott: “You’re still determined to frame them for that?â€Â

Hans: “I’ll find something, but it makes sense to assume it was them after all they’ve done.â€Â

Scott: “Hmm, perhaps…â€Â

A few months later…

Scott: “And there’s home. Beautiful.â€Â

Sigler: “Meanwhile there’s probably some space battle going on between us and Firespitter.â€Â

Scott: “I very highly doubt that, Sigler.â€Â

Sigler: “You never know.â€Â

Scott: “No doubt that we’ll be told to watch out though.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I’m monitoring incoming transmissions to ensure nothing like the end of the first Venturer mission happens again.â€Â

Scott: “Good idea, Stanley.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Also, I probably won’t overload this time.â€Â

Scott: “Good to hear.â€Â

Sigler: “Yeah, that was scary, Stanley.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “To be fair, Captain Scott, you were asking for it.â€Â

Scott: “Asking for it? I only forgot your name a few times.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “217 times, Scott. That’s more than a few.â€Â

Scott: “…Depends on what you define as a few…â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “…â€Â

Sigler: “Riiiight.â€Â

Scott: “…Anyway…â€Â

A few hours later…

ANSI/Stanley: “Aerobraking commencing.â€Â

Scott: “Let’s hope nothing bad happens.â€Â

Mernie: “Now that you’ve said that, something’s going to happen.â€Â

Hans: “I’d rather it didn’t.â€Â

Scott: “Just keep an eye on the ship, Hans. You’ll be the first to know if something does happen.â€Â

Hans: “Great.â€Â

Sigler: “Mernie, how’s the leg support holding?â€Â

Mernie: “It’s strong. I think I’ll be fine through this aerobrake.â€Â

Sigler: “I think you’ll be fine, too.â€Â

Hans: “External temperatures rising considerably. I’m reading 2000K so far. Structural integrity is remaining constant at 89.4%.â€Â

Scott: “Got it.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Alert, current aerobraking will reduce the apoapsis to below an acceptable altitude. Commence an emergency burn.â€Â

Scott: “Oh, ok... looks like something did happen, then.â€Â

Scott: “We’re coming out of the atmosphere. Report?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Optimal apoapsis achieved. Inclination changes will need to be performed, but we are mostly equatorial. Fuel reserves are optimal.â€Â

Hans: “Nothing unusual to report here, Scott.â€Â

Mernie: “My leg survived.â€Â

Sigler: “I told you it would!â€Â

Mernie: “And I believed you, alright??â€Â

Sigler: “Hah, alright then.â€Â

Scott: “Ok, all that’s left now is to circularise and wait for pick-up.â€Â

A few hours later…

Sigler: “Well, I think I know what I’m going to do, next.â€Â

Scott: “And that is…?â€Â

Sigler: “I’m putting my name down for that Ike base.â€Â

Scott: “You might want to check the spacedock openings, seeing as that’s the first thing they’re sending out there.â€Â

Sigler: “Hmm, might be worth a look.â€Â

Scott: “You’ll always be able to get to Ike from there, and they’ll definitely want a doctor as good as you around.â€Â

Sigler: “Nah, I’m not the best… oh, who am I kidding, of course I am.â€Â

Scott: “Anyway, I think I may join you out there.â€Â

Sigler: “That would be fun.â€Â

Mernie: “I don’t know what I’m going to do with this leg…â€Â

Sigler: “The only reason it’s like that is because I couldn’t fix it all the way out here. A surgery on Kerbin will definitely sort that out for you.â€Â

Mernie: “I was hoping you’d say that. What sort of geologist would I be if I couldn’t walk around?â€Â

Sigler: “That would be a downer.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Transfer vessels are en-route now. ETA 3 hours.â€Â

Scott: “Thus concludes the third Venturer mission, eh?â€Â

Sigler: “It’s been good fun.â€Â

Hans: “That it has.â€Â

Mernie: “You sound more optimistic.â€Â

Hans: “Aside from losing Franklin, it’s definitely been one hell of an experience.â€Â

Scott: “Indeed.â€Â

[ramnrmeul]

Something tells me that the covert ops section of KSC is: A. Technically a separate organization relative to KSC and only shares their launchpad, B. Is called Section 31, and C. Was established when KSC was founded.

[Itsdavyjones]

ahh came back today, and had this entire story to read, just great. Keep up the good work.