Fly Me To The Moon(s)

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September 24th, 2242
Near Tiara Station, Terran Orbit
14:25 SCT


"All personnel, brace for...
Log 01: Tiara Departure

FC Error

Missileer
Location
Aware of where I am not
September 24th, 2242
Near Tiara Station, Terran Orbit
14:25 SCT


"All personnel, brace for acceleration. All personnel, brace for acceleration."

Almost idly, you tap your heels together, disengaging your magnetic shoes; grabbing a nearby handhold, you steady yourself. A brief rumble is your warning before the acceleration hits you; 0.2 gravities and steadily rising as the drives are throttled up.

You take a moment to appreciate the distant sight of Tiara Station, her rings spinning serenely; turning to the hatch, you make for the bridge, mildly wobbly under pseudogravity after nearly two weeks in free-fall.

You listen to the rumble of the drives as you walk - a sound that's quite soothing, actually, given all the time you've spent in space. Now, though, you're not a kid running around the corridors of an old transport, you're Freesia MacKenzie - owner/operator of your very own spaceship.

Speaking of said spaceship, you call up the ship overview on your PAD, running your eyes over the wireframe schematic of a…

>Mid-range freighter; Not old, not new, but solid and efficient. Surprisingly comfy, too.
>X-boat; Small and not much cargo, but her small frame is faster than fast.
>Salvager - a bit creaky at times, but she's about as rugged as they get.
>Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
>Other: suggest a hull.


Exchanging nods with a crewman, you turn into the bridge - a smile crossing your face at the sight of the crew - your crew - nodding respectfully. A few even salute; you wave them down. This is hardly a UN battlewagon, after all.

"Commander." Your XO, a Terran by the name of Laura Shaw. "Up to cruise acceleration, outbound for our departure window."

"Very well." you acknowledge. "Status report?"

"Loadmaster reports no problems. Engineer is swearing up a storm, as usual, but says we're good to go. Oh, and the paperwork from the Space Authority came in. They like the name you picked, apparently."

>Optional: suggest a name for your ship.


"Good to hear. Time to clear Tiara control zone?" you inquire. Shaw glances at the nav display.

"An hour, just about. Assuming some moron in a shuttle doesn't cause problems with traffic control."

You quirk a brow, but nod. "Alright. I'll be in my office."

Suiting actions to words, you make your way into the small ready room/office off the bridge. Taking a seat, you bring up your display and begin familiarising yourself with the system.

Idly, you think back; remembering your time back home.

>Proficiency: Navigation - Orbits, courses, and astronavigation come to you easily.
>Proficiency: Engineering - You've always had a knack for machines.
>Proficiency: Socialite - You find it easy to get along with people.
>Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
>Proficiency: Other - Request another proficiency. Subject to QM approval.


Flipping through the database, you bring up the navigation display, staring at the projected course plot.

>Where are you going?

>[] Mars
>[] Hawking Station
>[] Saturn
>[] Ceres
>[] Other: specify.

________________________

QM's Note;

So, I've wanted to do a space quest for a while now. Still hammering out the finer details of the setting, but overall it's mostly done. Feel free to post questions; I'll answer according to your character's knowledge.

Basically put, it's a medium-hard sci-fi setting with a side order of cosmic mystery.

I'm not abandoning FOHA... my muse just adamantly refuses to let me work on it for the moment.
 
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Sol System, 2242
Some basic details for those interested;
The Sol System, 2242:

Humanity, contrary to expectation, hasn't self-destructed by the mid-23rd century. In fact, it's doing pretty well. Colonies across the Sol System, unprecedented peace and prosperity, even mostly-competent political leadership.

For now, anyways.

The Places;

Earth (or, as the cool kids these days call it, Terra) is, as ever, the home of the vast majority of humanity. More or less as one would expect; a pretty, relatively comfortable blue-green space rock. While various countries still function (mostly) as normal at home, all offworld affairs are handled through the United Nations - specifically, the UN Space Authority. Handling space law, enforcement, and administration, they're an entity of considerable power and influence.

Mars saw its first permanent settlement established in 2046, and has since grown into a planet of some 170 million people. Semi-independent of the UN, the residents are looking forwards to the proposed terraforming projects coming over the proverbial horizon.

The Asteroid Belt is the domain of mining drones, manufacturing facilities, and shipyards. Its only real population live aboard Ceres Station (built on the eponymous planetoid) and O'Neill Station, humanity's first venture into self-sustaining spaceborne habitats. Generally either a very boring place to work, or a very fun place to party.

Saturn, much to the surprise of many, was next on the list for colonizations; specifically, in the form of floating habitats in the upper atmosphere, and stations in orbit. While boasting a populace of a scant 400,000, Saturn's near-self-sufficiency in terms of water and food make for an interesting case study on the "habitability" of gas giants.

While little exists past Saturn save some scientific stations and the occasional survey vessel, rumours about recently of a mysterious archaeological expedition dispatched to an asteroid near Neptune...

__________

Active Vessel

SV Untested Hypothesis [NCV-22496]
Atlas-class Survey Vessel
Science Vessel
Cargo; 5/400 (current/total)
Passengers: 12/40
Crew; 22
Drives; x4 Rolls-Royce SL-206
Armament; N/A
Other Facilities: x4 Science Lab, x1 Astrometrics Lab, x2 Probe Launcher
Upkeep Monthly; €620,000

Vessel Traits

50% Bonus to all Sensor, Sensor Analysis, and Science rolls
20% penalty to all Hull and Damage Resist rolls
20% bonus to all Electronic Warfare rolls

_____

Freesia Sofia MacKenzie
Birthplace: Noctis Labrynthus, Mars
Age: 27
Sex: F

Proficiencies;
Science I

Connections;
>Alouette MacKenzie - Mum (Mars)
>Joshua York - Cargomaster (Tiara Station)


Available Funds: €1,500,000

_____

Glossary


UNSA: United Nations Space Authority. The final governing body throughout much of the Sol system.

VMMD: Voss-MacMillan (Plasma) Drive. Standard spacecraft engine.

X-boat: High-speed courier. Engines, fuel tanks, and little else, used to transport sensitive data and cargo very, very quickly.

Tiara: Tiara Station. The primary interplanetary dock in Terran orbit.

Marvin: Endearing or derogatory term for Martian citizens, depending on context.

Gas-head: Endearing term for Saturnian citizens.

Lunatic: Term for Lunar citizens. Possibly derogatory.
 
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[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Navigation - Orbits, courses, and astronavigation come to you easily.
[X] Ceres
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
[X] Saturn

If this is a cosmic mystery quest, then I feel like maximum science will be helpful.
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
[X] Saturn
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Navigation - Orbits, courses, and astronavigation come to you easily.
[X] Ceres
 
[x] Salvager - a bit creaky at times, but she's about as rugged as they get.
[x] Proficiency: Engineering - You've always had a knack for machines.
[x] Ceres
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Engineering - You've always had a knack for machines.
[X] Saturn

I'm going to assume that there isn't any FTL drive (yet at least) @Commander Error ? Also, how common, and problematic are things like pirates, illegal settlements, proxy wars and the similar? Basically, how 'controlled' is space, and what are the common dangers?

Also, are we going to get the opportunity to upgrade or replace our ship provided the quest continues long enough?
... Is an FTL Drive an actual possibility in this quest?
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
[X] Saturn
 
I'm going to assume that there isn't any FTL drive (yet at least) @Commander Error ? Also, how common, and problematic are things like pirates, illegal settlements, proxy wars and the similar? Basically, how 'controlled' is space, and what are the common dangers?

Also, are we going to get the opportunity to upgrade or replace our ship provided the quest continues long enough?
... Is an FTL Drive an actual possibility in this quest?
No FTL, no - that's a technology that continues to evade humanity. For now.

As for space... fairly controlled, but pirates (in the Somalia-style 'hijack and ransom') are a recurring problem in less-patrolled regions of the asteroid belt. Not exactly a crippling threat, but one that's proven awkward to remove. The bigger issue to most is the organized crime cropping up on the colonies (and on Earth, but that's been there forever). Protection rackets, shakedowns, straight-up theft, et cetera.

And yes, if things proceed long enough, you'll be able to get a new ship - perhaps even more than one, depending.

As for future FTL... well. That would be telling.

Edit: for the record, any questions on setting will be answered to the best of my ability, within the realm of your character's knowledge.
 
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[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
[X] Saturn
 
[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Science - While no specialist, you know a little about a lot, when it comes to SCIENCE.
[X] Saturn

Ya know ya got me just with the title. Its a beautiful music too, written and sung by Sinatra.
 
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[X] Survey vessel - for all the fact that surveys can be dull, they pay well… and you get to go everywhere.
[X] Proficiency: Engineering - You've always had a knack for machines.
[X] Saturn
[X] Ship Name: Ave Maria

Because we'll find new things. Eventually.
 
Log 02: Cruise Acceleration
Log 2: Cruise Acceleration

Gain Proficiency: Science I
Update: Ship added [SV
Untested Hypothesis, NCV-22496


You stare for a moment at the dot on screen, representing Saturn. Word has it, the University of Copernicus is looking for a few ships to schlep some undergrads around - something about field work out in the boonies.

Flicking your wrist, you shift to the next screen; crew roster. Scanning it idly, you sigh and lean back, trying to relax in the .8g of cruise acceleration.

A beep sounds, and the light beside the door blinks. "Come in," you call, straightening up and collapsing the holo. A moment later, the door swishes open, admitting your XO.

"Commander." she greets, flopping down into the seat across from you. "We're on course and cruising. Found us something to do once we arrive?"

"Could be." You bring the holo back up, flicking over to the comms screen. "Word has it U of C is looking for ships to lug some undergrads around and teach them how to space." Tapping a string into your keyboard, you hit enter; messages fill the screen. Opening one, you skim it. "Yep, several open requests for survey ships to head into the outer system for research work."

"Not bad. What's the pay like?" Shaw arches an eyebrow.

"Flat rate of two million for a month-long trip. Space for two labs and twelve passengers… we can manage that, easy."

"Sounds pretty good. What's our time to Saturn?"

You do some quick mental math. "Bit over a week at current accel. How's the crew?"

"Mostly happy. Save Keller. Then again, I doubt he's ever happy."

You quirk a smile. "Sounds like him." Waving the holo off, you stand. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to drop by medbay for some g-drugs and take my shift on the bridge."

"Aww, does the Marvin need me to carry her in this high grav?" Shaw grins widely. "'Cos I will, too."

"Wow, that eager to cop a feel? I'll pass, thanks, we should at least pretend to be professionals." you return, tapping the door control.

"Aye aye, commander ma'am." she answers dryly as you walk/limp out onto the command deck.

_____

Easing your way into the infirmary, you nod a greeting to the medic. "Doc."

'Doc' - or, more accurately, Joseph Holloway - looks over at you. "Commander. Looking for adapters, I take it?"

"Read my mind," you confirm, falling into one of the nearby chairs. Holloway huffs a laugh, moving over to the glass-fronted cabinet beside his desk.

"Not even an hour in, and you're already going for the pills. That bad?"

"Week-long trip to Tiara at third gee, two weeks in free-fall getting this hull ready to go, then suddenly, wham, point-eight gee. Have some sympathy, Doc."

"Yes, you poor career spacer, you." he observes wryly. Pulling a bottle from the cabinet, to tosses it to you. "Take one now, keep another for later. Call it twenty-one hundred."

"My hero." you mutter, downing the meds as directed. Tucking another into your pocket, you recap the bottle, tossing it back. Getting to your feet, you head back out, intending to luxuriate in an acceleration couch for a while.

"Try not to keel over on your way back." Holloway snarks. You reply with a two-finger salute as the hatch slides shut behind you.

_____

Idly skimming through news headlines, you ponder your trip. Space travel being what it is, you often find yourself with little to do but stare at screens for hours on end. While any spacer worth their salt gets used to this quickly, you find yourself exceptionally bored - commanding a ship doesn't require you to watch reactor output, or tweak engines for ideal efficiency, or whatever.

Maybe a drill, in a couple days. Just long enough for boredom to really set in.

A notification pops up on your display; tapping it, you're met with a message.

TO: f.mackenzie/ncv-22496
FROM: j.york/tos-09200
SUBJECT: Of interest to you?

Freesia,

Friend of mine forwarded a message to me from U of OM - not really my balliwick, but you might be interested, if you want to give your new girl a decent shakedown.

Cheers,

Josh


You open the attached message - it is indeed from the university on Olympus Mons, asking for a civilian survey ship to aid in an "important study of several asteroids in the outer solar system." How mysterious. The offered fee, however, was five million - not a sum to be sneezed at, for two months' work.

Sitting back, you turn this over in your head.

>[] Proceed onwards to Saturn - You'd rather not change course out of the blue if you can help it.
>[] Call Shaw, ask for her opinion.
>[] Divert to Mars - you always did love a good mystery, and the pay looks good.

>Additional: Hold a drill during the trip? Fire? Acceleration? Other?
 
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[X] Proceed onwards to Saturn - You'd rather not change course out of the blue if you can help it.

dV is expensive. Let's not blow it all on a course change for secret squirrel shit.
 
Hmmm... Does the mission for the University of Copernicus specify where in the outer system we need to go whilst lugging around undergrads? Because if we can swing by UoOM to accept the mission/get the needed stuff, then swing by Saturn to pick up the undergrads before continuing on to the asteroids UoOM wants us to help investigate...

Well, getting paid twice for doing the same task, without doing so causing problems with either pay master is a nice thing to have happen... That said, best to get a second opinion just to be sure.

[X] Call Shaw, ask for her opinion.
 
dV is expensive. Let's not blow it all on a course change for secret squirrel shit.
Not so much as you might think - through the spacemagic of the Voss-MacMillan plasma torch, 'refuelling' is basically a once-every-few-months thing.

Hmmm... Does the mission for the University of Copernicus specify where in the outer system we need to go whilst lugging around undergrads? Because if we can swing by UoOM to accept the mission/get the needed stuff, then swing by Saturn to pick up the undergrads before continuing on to the asteroids UoOM wants us to help investigate..

The UofC offer just specifies "Neptune or nearby bodies."
 
Not so much as you might think - through the spacemagic of the Voss-MacMillan plasma torch, 'refuelling' is basically a once-every-few-months thing.

I mean, we're burning real piles of fuel here, and we would have to cancel out a lot of momentum. That means fuel and time, both of which equal money.
 
I mean, we're burning real piles of fuel here, and we would have to cancel out a lot of momentum. That means fuel and time, both of which equal money.
You've only been under thrust a bit more than an hour - not actually much velocity to cancel out, all told.

As for fuel... spacemagic. :V (Fuel is a concern, yes, but not the all-consuming massive worry it is with chemical engines.)
 
@Commander Error, based on my experience with other semi-hard to hard space quests, the player-base will soon be demanding the precise exhaust velocity, and thrust of the Hypothesis' main drive, as well as her dry and wet mass in order to min-max the requisite orbital trajectories. There is no escape.

I hope you're comfortable with KSP, because the type of SVer that goes for this type of quest isn't going to be satisfied with straight-forward near-Brachistochrone trajectories.:p
 
@Commander Error, based on my experience with other semi-hard to hard space quests, the player-base will soon be demanding the precise exhaust velocity, and thrust of the Hypothesis' main drive, as well as her dry and wet mass in order to min-max the requisite orbital trajectories. There is no escape.

I hope you're comfortable with KSP, because the type of SVer that goes for this type of quest isn't going to be satisfied with straight-forward near-Brachistochrone trajectories.:p
I've played Kerbal since 0.18, so I like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to space :V

Precise details of the ship's drive shall remain in the domain of Your Character Doesn't Know, at least until I can do some napkin math for it.
 
[X] Divert to Mars - you always did love a good mystery, and the pay looks good.

never say no to a sidequest.
 
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