The Venturer Program: Tour of the planets

[RogueMason]

Hats off to the Rosetta Rendezvous guys!

Woo!

Man, the story gets better and better every time I check back and read it! Out of curiosity, where are the Jool and skybox textures?

Thanks

The Skybox (well, the most recent one...) I pulled from Space Engine; it's from inside the Large Magellanic Cloud, a place that I think seems quite nice for the Kerbals to reside. The Jool texture is from Better Atmospheres.

Oh, and sorry it's taking a while for the next chapter, I sort of let them catch up on me again

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 38: THE DANCE WITH THE GIANT

A few days later...

Ed: “You know, I did always admire Jool. Even from Kerbin, it was unmistakably unique, and then there were all those mothership attempts that failed over and over again for one reason or another, like Jool was just daring us to get near it. Had I been in the space industry when Odysseus was planned, I'd have signed up for it in an instant.â€Â

Lengas: “I know what you mean. I'd never been beyond Minmus when I signed up for that mission. The very fact that I got selected was astonishing. I did have a gut feeling that something bad might happen when thinking back to the Triton and Everest attempts, but clearly we learnt from mistakes and finally achieved what we'd been hoping to achieve.â€Â

Ed: “And look at us now, just an hour from dipping into its clouds again.â€Â

Lengas: “Maybe we'll get some insight into why its changed its appearance so quickly.â€Â

Cal: “That's what I'm hoping for. My hypothesis is still just that; I need to know what's going on inside Jool and we're only going to be getting that sort of info from this aerobrake. Of course, this is all assuming the ship doesn't break up...â€Â

Lengas: “Hey, I've been keeping a good eye on the ship, so let me tell you right now that we won't blow up.â€Â

Cal: “Ok, ok. I was only saying that because the ship is showing some wear and tear after having been out here for so long with minimal support from home.â€Â

Lengas: “It is, and that's why I'm working almost around the clock to keep it from being more than just wear and tear. Don't worry, exploding is for another day.â€Â

Ed: “That's reassuring.â€Â

Lengas: “I know.â€Â

Cal: “Hmm. Anyway, I suppose I'd best be keeping an eye on Jool, see if I can spot any reason as to why it looks like this.â€Â

Lengas: “Right.â€Â

One hour later...

Bob: “Solar panels are clear.â€Â

Jeb: “Good. We don't want to lose them all the way out here.â€Â

Bob: “Nope.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, here we go again.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Entering atmosphere now. Alert; I've detected strong winds close to our periapsis. We may need to alter course upon leaving the atmosphere.â€Â

Jeb: “How strong are we talking, Stanley?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I'm estimating about 372kmh wind speeds to the east, but we may also experience turbulence in other directions.â€Â

Jeb: “Ok then. Everyone, really make sure your seatbelts are fastened, this could get bumpy.â€Â

Bob: “And I just had carrots for lunch...â€Â

Jeb: “Oh Kod.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Alert, temperatures may reach levels higher than anticipated. I'm also detecting slight buffeting from the winds.â€Â

Jeb: “How much higher will those temperatures get?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Hard to say, I'm afraid, Jeb. Just remain alert.â€Â

Jeb: “That's hardly useful, Stanley!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I apologise.â€Â

Jim: “Damn, the landers are lighting up like fireworks!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Both landers are beginning to exceed their temperature tolerances. Detecting damage to multiple systems. Warning, g-forces greater than anticipated.â€Â

Jeb: “Frak! Bill, how much longer?!â€Â

Bill: “We're beginning to... climb again!â€Â

Jeb: “Good!â€Â

Lengas: “I can hear sparks!â€Â

Jim: “Oh Kod, I don't wanna... die!â€Â

Jeb: “Damn it, just... hold together a little... longer!â€Â

Lengas: Hull integrity has dropped... to 71%, Jeb!â€Â

Jeb: “Agh, almost there!â€Â

Cal: “Jim's passed out!â€Â

Dean: “Mac and Ed have black out, too!â€Â

Jeb: “Crap!â€Â

Bob: “Both medical officers?!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Instating emergency conditions. Warning, multiple structural failures in both landers.â€Â

Bill: “We're almost out!â€Â

Jeb: “Deceleration is negligible, someone go and wake the doctors up!â€Â

Bob: “I'm on it!â€Â

Bill: “We're clear! Thank Kod!â€Â

Jeb: “Sheesh, I don't remember Jool being this vicious the last time we were here...â€Â

Lengas: “Damn it, I've got to check these landers!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “No hull breaches detected. Pressure is remaining stable. Enterprise itself is intact, but the landers are going to need significant repair work.â€Â

Lengas: “Damn it, I'm going to need help back here!â€Â

Bob: “I'll come and give you a hand in a moment!â€Â

Lengas: “Thanks!â€Â

Jeb: “Good Kod, the ship hasn't been this abuzz with activity for ages!â€Â

Cal: “Damn it, where's Mac?â€Â

Bob: “Out cold!â€Â

Cal: “Ed?!â€Â

Bob: “Same!â€Â

Cal: “Frak! Jim hit his head when he blacked out, I need help here!â€Â

Jeb: “Damn it! Stanley, give me a rundown of the crew's condition.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Mac, Ed, Franklin, Jim, and Matt have all been rendered unconscious. All but Jim are uninjured.â€Â

Jeb: “So Jim's our priority right now. Someone wake the docs up!â€Â

Dean: “I'm on it! Where are the ammonia sticks?!â€Â

Buzz: “They should be in the first aid kit closest to the centrifuge tunnel!â€Â

Dean: “Let's see... got 'em†Hold your breath, Buzz!â€Â

Buzz: “Ok!â€Â

Dean: “Oh good Kod, this stinks!â€Â

Ed: *cough cough* “Oh Kod, why do I smell ammonia??â€Â

Dean: “Ed, how many fingers am I holding up?â€Â

Ed: “Bleh... uh, 2?â€Â

Dean: “You're all good. Now for Mac.â€Â

Buzz: “I already sorted him out.â€Â

Mac: “And I never want to experience that again. My head...â€Â

Dean: “Take an aspirin and go help Jim, he hit his head.â€Â

Mac: “Ugh, right...â€Â

Buzz: “Dean, let's get Matt and Franklin awake.â€Â

Dean: “Good idea.â€Â

Several minutes later...

Jeb: “My Kod...â€Â

Bill: “What is it, are you alright?â€Â

Jeb: “I'm fine, it's just... look.â€Â

Bill: “Jeb, we're in emergency conditions and you're looking out... the... window.â€Â

Bill: “Oh wow...â€Â

Jeb: “It's things like that that make everything we've been through worth it.â€Â

Bill: “Except for Sid.â€Â

Jeb: “Except for Sid. Everything else though...â€Â

Bill: “Hmm. Well, I suppose we do need someone up here to keep an eye on things lest something develops, so just be aware of--â€Â

Jeb: “The Tylo flyby? I know, I saw it on the display.â€Â

Bill: “Alright then. I'll be back here helping out.â€Â

Jeb: “Ok.â€Â

Several hours later...

ANSI/Stanley: “Jeb, Commander Bill has authorised me to select Laythe as our target and prepare for any manoeuvre we must complete.â€Â

Jeb: “Is that so? Alright then, Stanley, begin preparations to plot our course to Laythe.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Yes, Jeb. The first burn will be to raise our periapsis to Laythe's altitude.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, I figured that much out on my own, Stanley.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “We'll also be adjusting our inclination to bring us into the planes of Laythe, Vall, and Tylo.â€Â

Jeb: “Yep, figured that one out too.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I'm sorry.â€Â

Jeb: “No, don't be, you're just doing your job.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Indeed I am.â€Â

Several more hours later...

Jeb: “And that looks as flat as a pancake. Stanley, if you would please create the next manoeuvre node when ready.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Of course, Jeb.â€Â

Meanwhile...

Cal: “Hey, Jim?â€Â

Jim: “Ugh... what... ow... wait, ow? Why does my head hurt?â€Â

Mac: “Listen, you banged your head pretty hard during the aerobrake, so don't try to move.â€Â

Jim: “Feels like a concussion... geez, that must have been one rough aerobrake. How long have I been out for?â€Â

Cal: “7 hours and 20 minutes.â€Â

Jim: “Damn, we must have passed the apoapsis by now, I imagine?â€Â

Cal: “Yeah, we're heading back to Laythe's altitude now.â€Â

Jim: “Well good. At least we didn't explode.â€Â

Cal: “Yep.â€Â

Mac: “Jim, I do need to check that it's actually concussion and not something worse, so could you come up to the centrifuge with me?â€Â

Jim: “I feel like if I move, I'm gonna puke.â€Â

Mac: “Well, that does sound like concussion... ok, stay put and I'll bring some stuff down.â€Â

Jim: “Like I'd be moving around like this, anyway.â€Â

Cal turns to Matt and Franklin.

Cal: “What about you two, are you ok?â€Â

Matt: “I've been better, I must say.â€Â

Franklin: “I'm confused; my flight training put me through acceleration more vigorous than that and I still blacked out. That shouldn't have happened.â€Â

Matt: “Well, you were stuck on Duna for years. That probably didn't help with your condition.â€Â

Franklin: “I know, but still...â€Â

Cal: “As long as you're both fine.â€Â

Matt: “Yeah, thanks Cal.â€Â

Franklin: “Thanks.â€Â

Cal: “Not a problem.â€Â

Some time later...

Bill: “Well, now that I'm sorted out back there, I suppose I can help out here again. Stanley, thanks for covering for me.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “You're welcome, Bill. I've already plotted the trajectory to give us a Laythe encounter.â€Â

Bill: “Ah, so you have. Looks a little tenuous, but ok, as long as it works. Jeb?â€Â

Jeb: “Zzz...zzz...zzz...â€Â

Bill: “Jeb!â€Â

Jeb: “AGH! WHAT, WHAT IS-- Oh, Bill. Sorry, I was tired...â€Â

Bill: “Well, you're the captain, I can't tell you what to do, really, but we've got to do a burn, right now.â€Â

Jeb: “Ah yes, ok. Is everyone strapped in?â€Â

Bill: “Yeah, they're all good.â€Â

Jeb: “Ok, let's do this.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Laythe encounter confirmed.â€Â

Bill: “I don't know, it still looks tenuous...â€Â

Jeb: “But it's there, right?â€Â

Bill: “It is, but I have this bad feeling we won't actually be getting that far.â€Â

Jeb: “We'll see about that, won't we? What's the worst that could happen?â€Â

Bill: “Hmm, you're right, what is the worst that could happen?â€Â

A few hours later...

Jeb: “FRAKKING TYLO!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I don't understand; this did not show up at all on the trajectory plan.â€Â

Bill: “It's not you, Stanley, it's Tylo! Damn it!â€Â

Jeb: “We don't have the fuel to keep beating around the bush trying to get to Laythe! Decison time, Tylo now, or Laythe now?â€Â

Bill: “Well, we're here now, so I say Tylo.â€Â

Bob: “What, we hit Tylo?â€Â

Jeb: “No, but it caught us while we were going to Laythe.â€Â

Bob: “Ah, Tylo, what a b*stard.â€Â

Jeb: “Bob, Laythe or Tylo first?â€Â

Bob: “Tylo, seeing as we're flying past it right now.â€Â

Jeb: “Ok, Tylo it is. Bob, go and tell the crew of our slight change in plans.â€Â

Bob: “Right.â€Â

Bill: “Uh, Jeb? I've just thought of a problem...â€Â

Jeb: “And that is?â€Â

Bill: “Jim's supposed to land here.â€Â

Jeb: “I thought that was Lengas?â€Â

Bill: “No, the mission planners change it before we left. Jim's landing on Tylo.â€Â

Jeb: “...Not with that head, he's not.â€Â

Bill: “Exactly.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, I'll just get Lengas to fly down there, then.â€Â

Bill: “Lengas hasn't been practising the Tylo landing, though, not since we left Kerbin.â€Â

Jeb: “Aw crap.â€Â

[The Error]

Tylo is the new Ike?

Hoo boy.

[RogueMason]

Tylo is the new Ike?

Hoo boy.

Tylo is Tylo; it will always find a way to snag you while you're busy doing something else around Jool...

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 39: TYLO – PART 1

Cal: “Right, let's see...â€Â

Cal: “There we go, let's get this thing moving.â€Â

Matt: “Err, who are you talking to, Cal?â€Â

Cal: “Myself, I guess. I'm just bringing the fuel tanker into a rendezvous with us.â€Â

Matt: “Ah yes, your logistics side, I forgot about that.â€Â

Cal: “Which I'm not bothered about in the slightest. I am mainly an astrophysicist, but I got landed with both jobs for the mission. I don't know why, mind you, but hey, what can I do?â€Â

Matt: “Eh... damn, I need another aspirin. That aerobrake was rough.â€Â

Cal: “I thought Eve was bad, but this one snatched the cake right from the maw of that purple death trap.â€Â

Matt: “Heh.â€Â

With that, Jeb and several others file into the hab.

Cal: “Uh, what's happening?â€Â

Jeb: “We've got a situation.â€Â

Cal: “I figured as much, what with you practically storming in here.â€Â

Jeb: “Well, just come up to the table area, would you? I'm convening a meeting.â€Â

Cal: “Oh. Ok then, but just let me finalise the tanker's trajectory.â€Â

Jeb: “Of course.â€Â

Matt: “Jim, what are you doing here?â€Â

Jim: “Captain wants me here for this, too... hngh... Could someone dim the lights a little?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Dimming lights to 75% of current brightness.â€Â

Jim: “Ah, thank you.â€Â

Jeb: “Is everyone here?â€Â

Bill: “Where's Bob?â€Â

Jeb: “Bob? Bob!â€Â

Bob: “Huh, what?â€Â

Jeb: “Meeting, now.â€Â

Bob: “Ah, ok, I'll be right there.†*yawn*

Lengas: “This had better be important because those landers aren't gonna fix themselves, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “Hopefully this won't take long.â€Â

Bob: “Right, I'm here. What's the prob-- oh, wait, never mind.â€Â

Jeb: “Let's make a start then. I'm sure you're all aware of our very slight deviation from the mission plan owing to unforeseen circumstances. We were heading to Laythe and then Tylo grabbed us, so now we're sat about 400km above the latter's surface. While that may not seem quite so problematic, especially seeing as we can refuel sooner rather than later, there is one hitch; the Tylo landing.â€Â

Jim: “...What about it, Jeb? This is my landing.â€Â

Jeb: “I know that, Jim, and that's precisely the problem. With your head the way it is, there's no way I'm letting you go down there. We need someone to fill the gap, and Lengas, I'd like that someone to be you.â€Â

Jim: “Now hold on a second!â€Â

Lengas: “Jeb, what?!â€Â

Jeb: “Lengas, you've got the most experience with the landing technique after Jim, so you're most suited to replace him.â€Â

Jim: “Captain!â€Â

Lengas: “Jeb, I can't! I haven't practised this thing since we left Kerbin and the mission plan changed! Add to that the fact that if I'm gone, the landers won't be getting fixed and we could be facing severe delays later in the mission, and substituting me for Jim is a horrible idea!â€Â

Jeb: “Damn, I knew you would say something like that.â€Â

Lengas: “I'm not one of these advanced pilots like you or Jim, anyway! I can only just fly the landers, along with other basic ships! Seriously, I'm not good for the Tylo landing and I downright refuse to do it, even if that means insubordinating you!â€Â

Jeb: “Good Kod, are you really that certain?â€Â

Lengas: “If I weren't, I wouldn't be yelling at you.â€Â

Jeb: “Ok then...â€Â

Franklin: “Forgive me, but why are the rest of us here, Captain?â€Â

Jeb: “In case something like this happened. I need a pilot for this landing.â€Â

Jim: “Captain, my head isn't that bad!â€Â

Jeb: “Mac?â€Â

Mac: “Well, I will admit it's not the worst concussion I've seen, but flying the Tylo landing is out of the question in his condition.â€Â

Jeb: “There Jim, doctors orders.â€Â

Jim: “No, I won't have this! I'm doing this landing, one way or another!â€Â

Jeb: “I won't allow it!â€Â

Jim: “One way or another, I said! Why don't we wait a week and see how I am then? Does that sound good?â€Â

Bill: “That's not a bad idea, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “And what if you're not alright in a week?â€Â

Jim: “Then make it two!â€Â

Jeb: “We can't wait around that long, Jim!â€Â

Jim: “Well I can!â€Â

Bob: “Ok guys, let's chill out. Now, how about this; we give Jim his week, but we get someone, say... Dean? Yeah, Dean. We train him up for the Tylo landing in case Jim isn't fit enough. Best case scenario, Jim gets his landing. Worst case, Dean does Tylo and Jim gets whatever Dean was scheduled to fly next.â€Â

Dean: “Uh...â€Â

Jeb: “Bob, there are times when you inspire me.â€Â

Bob: “Thanks.â€Â

Jeb: “I think that settles that. Does anybody have any questions?â€Â

Dean: “Yeah, I do, uh... Why the hell did you pick me, Bob?!â€Â

Bob: “What? I just thought of some pilots and it boiled down to you and Buzz! Obviously I wasn't going to put Buzz through another stressful mission, so you fit the bill!â€Â

Buzz: “Uh...â€Â

Dean: “What about Jeb, though?!â€Â

Jeb: “What about me??â€Â

Dean: “Why can't you train up for Tylo??â€Â

Bob: “We need him up here, and besides, I don't think he'd appreciate Jim getting the Laythe landing.â€Â

Jeb: “Well there's that...â€Â

Bob: “What's the problem anyway, Dean?â€Â

Dean: “The problem? It's frakking Tylo! We've never landed there before!â€Â

Buzz: “Ok, I see the solution here; I'll do the training. If Jim's concussion isn't as bad as we first thought, then I doubt I'll be flying down there anyway.â€Â

Jeb: “What? Are you sure, Buzz?â€Â

Buzz: “Dean clearly doesn't want to do this and I'm the only volunteer, so...â€Â

Jeb: “...Well alright then, thank you Buzz. I think that settles our situation. Bob, do you think you could contact control and get them to send us the Tylo training stuff?â€Â

Bob: “Well I can try, but I doubt I'll have much luck.â€Â

Jeb: “Why's that?â€Â

Bob: “Long range comms are fried. Lengas and I didn't notice it at first, but the antennae were frazzled in the aerobrake. Sorry boss, we're on our own for this one.â€Â

Jeb: “Oh frak, why didn't you tell me? Oh, err, folks, you're dismissed. Bob?â€Â

Bob: “Like I said, we didn't notice it at first. Don't worry, we're patching the stuff up, but it'll take longer than a week.â€Â

Jeb: “Damn...â€Â

Bob: “Sorry, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “No, no, it's fine... you can go now, if you want.â€Â

Bob: “Alright then, buddy.â€Â

Meanwhile...

Lengas: “Hey, Franklin?â€Â

Franklin: “Lengas?â€Â

Lengas: “Listen, can I just ask you something?â€Â

Franklin: “You've technically already asked me two questions, but ok.â€Â

Lengas: “Don't be pedantic. Anyway, during your stay on Duna, you must have had a few technical problems that needed fixing, right?â€Â

Franklin: “Yes, but what's that got to do with... oh, I see. You want help managing Enterprise?â€Â

Lengas: “It would be appreciated. Bob and I are in way over our heads at the moment and could use another pair of hands. Of course, you don't need to help us if you don't want to, I was just checking.â€Â

Franklin: “Consider it done.â€Â

Lengas: “Ah, thanks. We'll be done with everything a lot quicker now.â€Â

Franklin: “For the record, I'll be better with the electronics stuff and not the mechanical side of things.â€Â

Lengas: “Not a problem, there's plenty of fried systems in the landers – actually, could you give Bob a hand with the long range comms?â€Â

Franklin: “Ok then.â€Â

Lengas: “Thanks.â€Â

Several hours later...

Bob: “Just a little more...â€Â

Cal: “I can see, Bob.â€Â

Bob: “Sorry.â€Â

Cal: “There, it's docked.â€Â

Bob: “Alright, I'll head down to connect the lines.â€Â

Cal: “Right.â€Â

Bill: “Cal?â€Â

Cal: “Yes?â€Â

Bill: “Listen, I've been running some numbers on the Tylo lander, trying to help Buzz with his training, but I've found a... problem would be putting it mildly, but I can't think of another word.â€Â

Cal: “A problem? What's wrong?â€Â

Bill: “The lander is still docked to its transfer stage, as planned, but it has neither the fuel or the thrust to get the lander onto the surface safely. I don't know about you, but I don't want Buzz or Jim pancaked on the ground.â€Â

Cal: “So what do you propose? Using the tanker?â€Â

Bill: “Exactly. It has the fuel and the thrust to pull it off.â€Â

Cal: “Just to be sure, you did account for all the fuel we're drawing from it right now?â€Â

Bill: “Of course I did, we'll still have plenty to get the lander down safely.â€Â

Cal: “So, you want me to fly it over to the lander and replace the transfer stage? What are we going to do with that?â€Â

Bill: “The transfer stage is going to be put around Vall. After seeing what Moho did to the fuel supplies of the lander, and with Vall being bigger--â€Â

Cal: “You want a Vall descent stage, too. Good thinking. Suddenly I have a lot of work to do, it would seem.â€Â

Bill: “You can pull it all off?â€Â

Cal: “Sure thing.â€Â

Bill: “Excellent.â€Â

A few minutes later...

Edited August 18, 2014 by RogueMason

[RocketPilot573]

That Tylo lander just got way moar boosters.

[VelocityPolaris]

Hooray! Another great chapter!

[Needles_10]

It'd be great if around Bop there was a debris field undetected  from waaay long ago.

[RogueMason]

It'd be great if around Bop there was a debris field undetected  from waaay long ago.

Perhaps some remnant radiation, too?

[RocketPilot573]

Perhaps some remnant radiation, too?

Dunnn Dunnnnn DUNNNNNNNN!

[VelocityPolaris]

I feel like this entire thing should be a movie.

[PrecursorSI]

Hey I just starting reading your stories this past week and I have to say this is a really well written series. I hope you continue to make new stories, as I know being a college student myself the amount of free time you have is very limiting. I have actually been inspired by your work to attempt my own series in a similar writing style. I already have a little bit of a introduction into my "universe" explaining the setting and history.

[RogueMason]

Thanks, it's always nice to see that I've inspired another to do this sort of thing

Hopefully I'll get the next chapter up later today.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 40: TYLO – PART 2

Captain's log, entry 22: Well, we've been refuelled now. That's reassuring. What's not reassuring is what we'll be doing after we're finished with the moons here; waiting for Eeloo. Kod, that's going to take forever, and we'll also be waiting for yet another fuel tanker to show up before we leave Jool. That's to be worried about later, though, seeing as we've got work to do.

Bob and Franklin managed to get one of the long range comms dishes working again and we contacted control. They sent through the Tylo training stuff... well, most of it anyway. The comms dish burned out before we could finish receiving the information, but Buzz says there's enough to work with. We've got him working with Jim for the week, so we'll definitely be doing this landing one way or another.

-----

Meanwhile...

Buzz: “Thanks for the help, Jim. Same time tomorrow?â€Â

Jim: “Earlier. We need to get you up and running with this ASAP. I'll come and get you, ok?â€Â

Buzz: “Oh, alright then. I suppose that makes sense.â€Â

Jim: “Yeah, it does.â€Â

Mac: “So, how are you feeling?â€Â

Jim: “I could still pull this whole thing off, even in my condition, doc.â€Â

Mac: “I've no doubt about it, but you've got both doctors orders and those of the captain to contend with, so I'm afraid you're grounded, so to speak.â€Â

Jim: “Sigh...â€Â

Mac: “Hey, it's only a week, and even if you don't land here, then you've got another landing on one of the moons, right?â€Â

Jim: “True.â€Â

Mac: “Hmm. Well, I'm going to get my lunch. You want anything?â€Â

Jim: “No, I've already eaten.â€Â

Mac: “Ok then.â€Â

Jim watches Mac leave the centrifuge before rushing to grab some things from around the rotating hab.

Jim: “Stanley, can you hear me?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I'm here, Jim, what is it?â€Â

Jim: “Listen, just for the next 10 minutes, I need you help, is that ok?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “What would I be doing this for?â€Â

Jim: “A good cause. Right, first thing, stop tracking my movements for the 10 minutes I specified.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I'm no longer tracking your position. What's going on, Jim?â€Â

Jim: “Now, give me the status of both landers.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Analysing... complete. Lander Alpha has minimal power generation, no RCS functionality, and damage to comms and the landing equipment. Lengas is currently working in there. Lander Beta has maximum power generation, minimal RCS functionality, and minimal comms responsiveness. Beta is currently vacant. Life support in both vehicles is functional. What are you asking me this for, Jim?â€Â

Jim: “Nothing in particular, thanks for asking. And thanks for the help.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I don't understand.â€Â

Jim: “You will, Stanley, you will.â€Â

Jim rushes out of the centrifuge with a bunch of stuff in a pack, checking to make sure no-one can see him heading for Beta. He nearly heads into Alpha by mistake before panicking and floating to Beta.

Jim: “Right, let's get this started.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Warning, Lander Beta is powering up.â€Â

Jim: “Damn it!â€Â

Lengas: “What the hell? Jim!â€Â

Jim: “Aah!â€Â

Jim manages to seal the airlock before Lengas reaches it, a slight bump audible from the other side.

Lengas: “Ow! Jim, open up!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Jim, please, this isn't a good thing you're doing.â€Â

Lengas: “Jeb, we've got a problem over here!â€Â

Jim: “Time to go!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Lander Beta has undocked.â€Â

Jeb: “Lengas, what is it?!â€Â

Lengas: “Jim's in there!â€Â

Jeb: “What? By accident or--â€Â

Lengas: “He's hijacking the bl**dy thing!â€Â

Jeb: “Jim, if you can hear me, get your a** back here right now! Whatever you're doing, you're in no condition to do it!â€Â

Jim: *muttering* “As if...â€Â

Jim pulls away from the docking port.

ANSI/Stanley: “He's manoeuvring away from the docking port.â€Â

Jeb: “Stanley, can you override his controls?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Negative. If the lander communications equipment were in better condition, then perhaps I'd be able to, but after the aerobrake--â€Â

Jeb: “Frak! Lengas, how's Alpha?â€Â

Lengas: “Jeb, *Beta* shouldn't be flying at all! Alpha is in worse condition!â€Â

Jim: *muttering* “Time to go.â€Â

Jim fires up the engine despite an alarm calling for further repair work.

ANSI/Stanley: “He's flown off. Tracking course... he's heading for the Tylo lander.â€Â

Jeb: “Damn it! Bob, Lengas, find a way to get control of that lander!â€Â

Lengas: “Aye!â€Â

A few hours later...

Jim: “Ah, there it is. Brilliant. Let's just get in closer and then I'll suit up and go.â€Â

Beta flies in to dock with the top of the lander.

Jim: “That's it. Let's make history, shall we?â€Â

Several minutes later...

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [WARNING, UNIDENTIFIED DESCENT STAGE DETECTED. PLEASE VERIFY]

Jim: “Oh shut up already!â€Â

Jim: “You're doing well, Jim, you're doing well.â€Â

??: “--------ontact with the tyl-----nder. It is currently descending.â€Â

??: “Damn it. Jim, if you can hear me, you're in so much damn trouble.â€Â

Jim: “Cool it, Jeb, I'm doing fine, the descent is going as planned.â€Â

Jeb: “Don't you speak back to me, Jim! You've gone against orders both from me and Mac for what? A little glory?!â€Â

Jim: “This is my landing, I'm trained, I'm healthy, I know what I'm doing.â€Â

Jeb: “You're going to wish you weren't, believe me.â€Â

Jim: “Oh, save it Jeb, just because you couldn't do this after banging your head. What are you, jealous? Jealous that I'm apparently the better pilot?â€Â

Jeb: “You dare?â€Â

Jim: “Oh no, did I hit a nerve? What a shame. Listen, I'm in the middle of making history here, so if you don't mind? We can continue this pleasant conversation later, maybe after I plant the flag, ok?â€Â

Jeb: “Unbelievable. I can't even tell you to abort, now. Mark my words, though, there will be trouble for you when you get back.â€Â

Jim: “Whatever, I'm fulfilling the mission objective, and that's what counts, right?â€Â

Jeb: “...â€Â

Jim: “Exactly. Now, goodbye.â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [CURRENT ALTITUDE 100KM. DESCENT RATE NOMINAL]

A few minutes later...

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [LANDER ENGINES ENGAGED, PREPARING TO DROP DESCENT STAGE]

Jim: “Here we go, the last leg...â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [WARNING, UNIDENTIFIED DESCENT STAGE DETECTED. MANUAL JETTISON REQUIRED]

Jim: “Where's the switch... ah, there we go.â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [DESCENT STAGE JETTISONED]

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [WARNING, DIVERT FROM CURRENT TRAJECTORY TO AVOID RADIATION AND DEBRIS. 600M TO SURFACE]

Jim: “Damn, we're still going pretty fast...â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [10 METRES. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 0.]

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [LANDING COMPLETE. WELCOME TO TYLO, INTREPID EXPLORER]

Jim: “...Oh my Kod.â€Â

[RocketscientistV]

Wow. The clearance between the engine and the ground...

[RogueMason]

Wow. The clearance between the engine and the ground...

Unfortunately, the engineers working on this lander had no concept of clearance. They were all fired taught a valuable lesson about spacecraft construction.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 41: THE SPACE PIRATE AND THE STRANGE NEW WORLD

Several minutes later...

Jim: “Damn, I haven't felt this sort of gravity for a while... kinda hurts.â€Â

TYLOSUIT PRO: [sUPPORT SYSTEMS ENABLED]

Jim: “Right then, time for some footprints, I think.â€Â

Jim: “I did it. I'm actually walking on Tylo. My Kod...â€Â

Meanwhile, in orbit...

ANSI/Stanley: “I can confirm that Jim has just set foot on Tylo safely. The lander is in perfect condition and Jim seems to be doing ok thus far.â€Â

Jeb: “This isn't how I wanted it to happen. It's bittersweet; we've finally conquered Tylo, but to do so through insubordination? Damn...â€Â

Bill: “It could be a lot worse, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “Now is not the time for that sort of talk, Bill. Jim had his orders and he ignored them.â€Â

Bob: “Sort of makes us asking for that Tylo training stuff a little worthless now, and we may have permanently burned out that long range comms dish doing it. The other dishes may work fine eventually, but that one is probably ruined.â€Â

Jeb: “Ugh! Stanley, tell me when you get communications with Jim, alright?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I will do my best.â€Â

Jeb: “Thank you. At least the AI doesn't go against orders.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Captain, I feel I have some responsibility for what has happened today.â€Â

Jeb: “No, I'm sure you didn't, Stanley, we tried to stop him.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Actually, he asked me to help him do it.â€Â

Jeb: “...What?!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “He asked me to stop tracking him and to give him details on the conditions of the landers. I had no idea what he was planning at the time, and I apologise for what I've done.â€Â

Lengas: “Damn...â€Â

Jeb: “I don't even know what to say, Stanley, but at least you've been honest, so thank you.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “You're welcome. And again, I'm sorry.â€Â

Jeb: “Apology accepted. Now, get to work on the comms problem.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Yes, Jeb.â€Â

Back on Tylo...

Jim: “Well, that must be what's left of the tanker. Where's the flag... aha, gotcha.â€Â

Jim: “Awesome. Now, let's check what's left of the tanker... hang on, no thruster pack functionality? Damn it, I'll have to walk...â€Â

A few minutes later...

Jim: “Trusses. Naturally. They survive everything. I wonder if I can get on top of it...â€Â

Jim: “Hell yeah. Oh, wait, whoa!â€Â

Jim: “Ow. Computer, status?â€Â

TYLOSUIT PRO: [sUIT IS NOMINAL]

Jim: “Oh good. For a moment, I though I broke something.â€Â

Jim: “Samples, let's see... here's one... and another... that one looks good...â€Â

Several hours later...

TYLOSUIT PRO: [CORE SAMPLE STORED]

Jim: “Brilliant.â€Â

[VelocityPolaris]

Yay for Jim!

[RocketPilot573]

Walking on top of a truss piece... FOR SCIENCE!!! sort of... i guess...

Anyways, nice chapter!

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 42: THE MAKING OF HISTORY

Lengas: “He can't be staying down there for much longer, surely.â€Â

Bob: “Yeah, surely not.â€Â

Jeb: “It's been hours since he set down, he should have been back up ages ago. It's like he's rubbing it in my face or something... maybe he's scared.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “From what I can gather from the connection I've established with the lander, he seems to be remarkably calm. I doubt he's scared.â€Â

Jeb: “Hmm...â€Â

Bob: “He'll come up for air soon enough, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “I damn well hope so!â€Â

Lengas: “Listen, I'm going to get back to work on lander Alpha, Jeb. There's nothing more I can do here. I'd suggest getting Cal if you want to try and operate Beta remotely.â€Â

Jeb: “There's no point now, but if I need to, I'll speak to him.â€Â

Lengas: “Sorry I couldn't be of more use.â€Â

Jeb: “No, don't worry abou--â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Alert, Jim is preparing for liftoff.â€Â

Bob: “There, you see? He's coming back. Just don't grill him too hard when he returns, alright?â€Â

Jeb: “I'm not promising anything.â€Â

Meanwhile...

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [WELCOME BACK. NEW SCIENCE DATA COLLECTED]

Jim: “Good. Computer, what is the status of the lander?â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [ALL SYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL AND READY FOR ASCENT]

Jim: “Right then, I suppose I'd better get back into orbit. Don't want to keep Jeb on the back burner for too long...â€Â

Jim: “Oh damn, this is sluggish. At least it's actually moving.â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [ASCENT PROFILE NOMINAL]

Jim: “I know, you stupid computer, I've been practising this.â€Â

TYLO LANDER COMP V7.9: [ORBIT ACHIEVED]

Jim: “Holy frak, I did it, I conquered Tylo! Haha!â€Â

Jim: “Victory is mine! Agh, my head...â€Â

Jim: “Ok, let's get back to the lander.â€Â

Several hours later...

Jim: “Ah, there we go. Let's just power everything down and--â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Jim, -o y-- read?â€Â

Jim: “...Oh. Yes, Stanley, I read you.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Excel-ent, I just wan--d to a--uire a comms signal to ---ure that you ---- safe.â€Â

Jim: “Why would you care about whether or not I was safe? I, of all people?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “That is one of my fu------, Jim. Despite recent events, I do not bear ---udge against you.â€Â

Jim: “In that case, thank you, Stanley, I'm fine.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Very well. I will maintain co--ac- via Beta once yo---nter.â€Â

Jim: “Ok then. Let me guess, Jeb's still mad at me, right?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Very -uch so.â€Â

Jim: “Lovely, thanks Stanley.â€Â

Jim: “Now that's a pretty sight.â€Â

Jim: “Stanley? I'm in lander Beta, now.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Affirâ€â€tive.â€Â

Several more hours later...

Jim: “Enterprise, do you read?â€Â

Jeb: “Oh yes Jim, we read you. Good to see you've finally returned.â€Â

Jim: “Jeb, how pleasant to hear your voice. Let me guess, I have a big fanfare and a party waiting for me on the other side of the airlock?â€Â

Jeb: “Don't kid with me, Jim, you're still in trouble. Bring the lander in and we'll be having words.â€Â

Jim: “Whatever, tough guy, you don't scare me.â€Â

Jeb: “Shut up and dock the damn lander!â€Â

Jim: “Not if you keep up that attitude, Jeb. Just bear in mind, I have all the cards here, and what do you have, hmm?â€Â

Jeb: “I have Stanley.â€Â

Jim: “Stanley won't be much use to you, the lander's automated flight systems are offline. You're just gonna have to rely on me.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “I'm afraid this is so, Jeb, I cannot gain control of the lander.â€Â

Jeb: “Damn it. Jim, just bring the lander in, for Kod's sake.â€Â

Jim: “I'm afraid you're going to have to give me your word that you won't make a drama out of this before I dock.â€Â

Jeb: “Jim!â€Â

Jim: “I have the cards, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “...Just dock.â€Â

Jim: “That sounded somewhat submissive, so I'll take it as your word. I'll bring the ship in now.â€Â

[wasmic]

Jim is becoming something of a douchebag.

[RogueMason]

CHAPTER 43: BITTERNESS

ANSI/Stanley: “Lander Beta has docked. Please offload all samples and data.â€Â

Jim opens the hatch and before he can blink, Jeb slams him against the side of the airlock corridor, pushing his forearm against Jim's throat.

Jim: “AGH! You bloody maniac!â€Â

Jeb: “Shut up! You dare act like this, huh? You dare undermine my command?!â€Â

THUD.

Jim: “Ow, geez man, get the hell off me!â€Â

Jeb: “Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in, Jim? You'll never fly another ship in your life after I'm done with you!â€Â

Jim: “Kod damn it, get your arm of my neck, I can hardly breathe here!â€Â

Jeb: “And yet you won't shut up!â€Â

Bill: “Holy crap, Jeb!â€Â

Lengas: “What the hell?â€Â

Jim: “Guys, tell the idiot captain to get off me!â€Â

Bill: “Jeb, ease up a little, would you?!â€Â

Jeb: *seething, glaring at Jim through narrowed eyes* “Consider yourself lucky that I don't think you're worth the time. You're relieved of all duties. Don't even think about going into the bridge or landers, either.â€Â

Jeb releases Jim suddenly.

Jim: *COUGH COUGH*

Bill: “Well, at least you didn't kill him.â€Â

Jeb: “Like I'd do that. Now, hurt him? I'd do that. Stanley, keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't leave the hab.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Yes, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “Now, get out of my sight.â€Â

Jim: *cough cough*

Silence as Jim floats away while Jeb stares into the open lander. A panicked Ed appears from the centrifuge.

Ed: “I heard coughing. Who's hurt?â€Â

Jeb: “No-one, I just tried to knock some sense into Jim, that's all.â€Â

Ed: “And by knock some sense into Jim, you mean...?â€Â

Jeb: “It doesn't matter. If you want, go check him out, but he isn't to leave the hab until I feel he's ready, understood?â€Â

Ed: “Uh...â€Â

Jeb: “Understood?â€Â

Ed: “Yes, uh, I understand, Jeb.â€Â

Jeb: “Good. Bill, how are we looking for the Laythe transfer?â€Â

Bill: “We're all set.â€Â

Jeb: “And what about the transfer stage we're using for Vall?â€Â

Bill: “Cal's sorting that out now with Buzz and Bob.â€Â

Jeb: “Right. I need an aspirin, I'll be back on the bridge in a bit.â€Â

Bill: “Alright.â€Â

A few hours later...

Bill: “Done, we're going to Laythe.â€Â

Jeb: “Good. Cal?â€Â

Cal: “I'm just uploading the last command to the transfer unit now.â€Â

Cal: “There, I think it should get going now. I'll keep an eye on it and make sure it arrives at Vall as intended.â€Â

Jeb: “Nice one. If you guys don't mind, I'm sleepy, so... goodnight.â€Â

Bill: “Uh, ok then.â€Â

A few hours later...

Jim: *muttering *“Stupid Jeb, thinking he can boss me around... just because he's the captain...â€Â

Matt: “What was that, Jim?â€Â

Jim: “None of your business.â€Â

Matt: “Well, if you don't want to talk about it, then fine, just sit there and mope.â€Â

Jim: “In case you hadn't noticed, I was already doing that, moron.â€Â

Matt: “I'm sorry for trying to be helpful then. Geez...â€Â

Franklin: “I wouldn't bother, Matt.â€Â

Matt: “Nor would I, now that I've been tendered that greeting.â€Â

Jim: “I'd appreciate it if you two would stop talking, especially in that manner.â€Â

Franklin: “Frankly, we don't have to talk to you at all. If Matt wanted to know what was up in an effort to try and help, you should have at least had the courtesy to listen. Maybe he could actually have done something to set you straight, but I guess you're just too narrow-minded to comprehend that. The glory of the Tylo landing just had to be yours, after all, even if you had to fly a damaged lander to do it, potentially jeopardising the rest of the mission for your few minutes of fame.â€Â

Jim: “Shut up.â€Â

Franklin: “Ok, if you insist, but just let that thought sink in, why don't you? Matt, do you want food?â€Â

Matt: “I just ate, but I'll come with you anyway.â€Â

Franklin: “Right then.â€Â

Jim: *Deep exasperated breath*

A short while later...

ANSI/Stanley: “Alert, we are on a collision course with Laythe.â€Â

Bob: “What the...?! Bill, where's Jeb?!â€Â

Bill: “Asleep! I'll get Buzz.â€Â

Bob: “Just hurry up!â€Â

Bill: “Buzz?â€Â

Buzz: “Hmm?â€Â

Bill: “We need you at the helm, buddy.â€Â

Buzz: “Why, we aren't crashing into Laythe, are we?â€Â

Bill: “Umm...â€Â

Buzz: “...Oh crap.â€Â

Bill: “Yeah, could you please save us all from a fiery death?â€Â

Buzz: “Ok, let's sort this out. How bad is it?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “It's almost a retrograde hyperbola around Laythe, so we'll be expending a considerable amount of delta-v to rectify it.â€Â

Buzz: “Damn. Alright, is everyone in their seat?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Waiting on Dean... clear to burn.â€Â

Buzz: “Throttling up.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Estimated time to burn completion is 1 minute 11 seconds.â€Â

Buzz: “Understood.â€Â

Bob: “Whoa, I think we just hit a band of radiation, the sensors are going wild!â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Confirmed, boosting shield power. Alert, the boost in shield power is detracting from engine operations. Fusion core instability could occur.â€Â

Lengas: “Frak!â€Â

Bill: “Stanley, divert power from elsewhere to sustain the core or the shields.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Deactivating communications array, interior lighting, science equipment, and seat warmers.â€Â

Bob: “No, not the seat warmers!â€Â

Lengas: “Damn, not again...â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “It doesn't help us that we aren't generating power with the solar array currently owing to the position of Laythe. I have a solution; a significant portion of the ship's power goes to sustaining myself. I can shut down some of my processes to help.â€Â

Bob: “Stanley, we may not be able to bring them back online if you do that.â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Nevertheless, I must. The power I can free will sustain the ship and reactivate what I just deactivated, plus I currently do not require my games mode, amongst other things.â€Â

Buzz: “You have a games mode?â€Â

ANSI/Stanley: “Yes. Deactivating non-essential systems. [ERROR, SOFTWARE FAILURE, REBOOTING]â€Â

Bob: “... Frak.â€Â

Lengas: “It worked, though, we've got more power than we need.â€Â

Bill: “Trajectory is almost there, Buzz...â€Â

Buzz: “I see it, I see it...â€Â

Bill: “That's it, cut the throttle!â€Â

Lengas: “Oh thank Kod for that, I don't know how much longer I could have kept that juggling act up with the fusion core. As it is, it's half burnt to a crisp, so I'm going to need to look at it.â€Â

Buzz: “Will it still function?â€Â

Lengas: “Yeah, it was just firing then, wasn't it? It can handle maybe another two minutes of burn time before exploding, so I will definitely be looking at it once we're in orbit.â€Â

Bob: “I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Lengas, what with the radiation out there.â€Â

Lengas: “The shields should keep me protected, provided they don't buckle on me while I'm working. It's not like I've much a choice, though; either I fix it or we're stuck around Laythe – permanently.â€Â

Bill: “Well this day just gets better and better...â€Â

Edited August 29, 2014 by RogueMason

[RocketPilot573]

Seriously, GAMES mode? Um, what games?

[The Error]

Wow. This trips keeps gettin' better and better.

[RogueMason]

Seriously, GAMES mode? Um, what games?

I don't know really, it's the first time Stanley's said anything about it. Maybe he made them himself, in which case they're probably computerised Chess and Solitaire, not that that's a bad thing.

Easy games for an AI to cheat at, though...