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It is now turn seven of the year 714 of the Gates Dynasty. Now that the tournament and spring equinox festivities are over, it's time to get back to work.

>01 (| New year
>02 |)
>03 (|
>04 |)
>05 (|
>06 |) Spring Equinox, Tournament
>07 (| <Present>
>08 |)
>09 (| Lydia's 17th Birthday
>10 |)
>11 (|
>12 |) Summer Solstice
>13 (|
>14 |)
>15 (|
>16 |) Begin Typhoon season
>17 (|
>18 |) Fall Equinox
>19 (|
>20 |) End Typhoon season
>21 (|
>22 |)
>23 (|
>24 |) Winter Solstice

>>24328879
>typhoon season
Uh, we're doing something about that, yeah?

>>24328935
It's still a long way off. At worst you'll just have to put a hold on development and temporarily evacuate. And last year's typhoon season was very mild, you might not have to do anything at all.

>>24328879
We MUST prepare for the launch before the Typhoon Season.

We shall allocate the budget as follows:
30RP - Mk4a Arcangel 13/16
3RP - Mk2 Capsule Pathfinder 6/10
1RP - Train Cobham Piloting - Stamina 3, Piloting 2, Engineering 0
1RP - Prince Orion Piloting - Stamina 4, Piloting 1, Engineering 0

>>24328935

The problem other than delayed launches is that we're being brought parts for assembly by ship; there will be delays. On top of that the Merikans do not have that problem...

Void knight training on the particular capsule we're using should begin in earnest! We should probably devote our personal time in teaching Anglish to Prince Orion, and most importantly, see what he knows.

>>24329064

Looks good to me. Power systems and so on can be researched while we can't launch.

We also must decide what of the other candidates -- those who aren't flying any time soon probably have things to get back to!

>>24329156
We believe that Sir Hawtrey (mad alchemist) would find great enjoyment in assisting our R&D department in the development of power supplies and other related systems.

We also believe that Prince Orion, Dame Palmer, Sir Harker, Sir Grenefeld, and Sir Waleys (who was actually in the 3 Point tier due to Valor point from the Centrifuge Test) shall be trained as the second wave Void Knights, for actual scientific missions in space.

We believe that the remaining candidates, by dint of at least scoring a point, shall be on a short list of reserve Void Knights. Our budget cannot yet afford them, but rest assured that once our budget expands, that they shall be called upon to serve.

>>24329262

Sounds good to me.

>>24329332

Cool story, bro.

>>24329262

We're interesed in what he can do to improve our thrusters! After all, everyhting we're doing is based on barely controlled explosions...

Other than Prince Orion, the islanders will be our guests for a few days. They should be given some sort of token by which to identify themselves to patrols if they want to return.

Alright, we have consensus on the budget, and of the personnel roster.

We shall now write to our Father and Mother, and to the Minister of Public Affairs. We shall inform them of the results of the tournament, our desire to maintain several Void Knights for continuing missions, and of our decision to keep Prince Orion, nominally a foreign royal, on as one of our Void Knights.
We must be sure that what we have done within the limits of propriety.

>>24329064
Confirmed, No points remain.

As a new house rule for testing. I am ruling that no part may be improved over 14/15 until it has flown successfully once. Not that a human is neither required or suggested for this test run.
All existing parts, are grandfathered in, but may not be improved any more after this turn until they have been flown.

Right now you have one Archangel sitting on the pad waiting to be launched.

>>24329668
The letter is sent.

>>24329771
>no part may be improved over 14/15 until it has flown successfully once
Very well. Let us test launch the Archangel as the last act of this turn.

>>24329771
>I am ruling that no part may be improved over 14/15 until it has flown successfully once.

Can I import this into the main game?

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>>24329873
Sure, I came up with it talking to you over e-mail after all.

>>24329827
You gather up the void knights onto the roof of the Manor to observe the launch of the Mk4a, and begin the countdown.

Five
Four
Three
Two
One
Ignition!

Rolled 4, 1 = 5

>>24329947
Oh dear, wrong button. Let's try that again.

Ignition!

>>24329958
>5
I believe that is a successful launch.

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>>24329958
>Ignition!

Speaking of which, have a pdf of the out-of-print classic Ignition, a book on the crazy, dangerous, and deeply alarming world of rocket propellant development.

>>24329958

The archangel soars into the sky, piercing the upper atmosphere before returning to earth. The largest rocket in history. Now both first and second stage are fully tested, leaving only the payload to be developed.

>>24330149
Can we test the payload with just the upper stage? It'd be cheaper than testing the full lower and upper stages with the payload.

At some point in the coming future we need to have a private talk with Sir Harker about his motivations.

>>24330207
Yes, you can launch a capsule on a sub orbital rocket, as long as it flies and completes it's task. For a capsule this would mean landing and being recovered.

>>24330128
Oh, wow. I've heard of this, but I never found a copy.

Choice quote on a particularly horrendous oxidizer:

”It is, of course, extremely toxic, but that's the least of the problem. It is hypergolic with every known fuel, and so rapidly hypergolic that no ignition delay has ever been measured. It is also hypergolic with such things as cloth, wood, and test engineers, not to mention asbestos, sand, and water-with which it reacts explosively. It can be kept in some of the ordinary structural metals-steel, copper, aluminium, etc.-because of the formation of a thin film of insoluble metal fluoride which protects the bulk of the metal, just as the invisible coat of oxide on aluminium keeps it from burning up in the atmosphere. If, however, this coat is melted or scrubbed off, and has no chance to reform, the operator is confronted with the problem of coping with a metal-fluorine fire. For dealing with this situation, I have always recommended a good pair of running shoes.”

>>24330308
"It's perfect!"-Professor Hawtrey.

>>24330376
Chlorine Triflouride is nasty stuff.

I once - in real life, at a conference- overheard a serious proposal to use Chlorine Pentaflouride. At that point, the only sensible response is to do an about-face and run.

>>24330149
Excellent.
We shall now lay out the next turn's budget:
30RP Mk4a Archangel - 15/19
3RP Mk2 Capsule Pathfinder - 6/11
1RP Training Harker Engineering - Stamina 2, Piloting 2, Engineering 1
1RP Training Cobham Engineering Stamina 3, Piloting 2, Engineering 1


Remember that the Mk4a is to be used as the Upper Stage once the Mk4c is developed; we will be using it for quite some time, and so we will need it to be very dependable.

>>24330416
To be fair, ClF5 gives you absolutely enormous density impulse and specific impulse.

It's just, you know, it makes prometheum look tame.

>>24330128

Wow, awesome!

>>24330207

Yes, this is done all the time IRL.

>>24330376

"I hope you will do us the honor of remaining on staff, even though you don't get to fly immediately?"

>>24330432

Second this.

Actually, now would be a good time to determine whether we should make the larger rockets and components re-usable.

The initially proposed Mk4c would be a Mass 12 Rocket, but if made re-usable, would be Mass 14 and only able to carry a cargo of Mass 12.

We need to consider re-usable rockets and capsules, because they are getting more massive and more expensive; we can't be building new rockets all the time for missions, especially if they have a Mk4c lower stage and a Mk4a upper stage, with a Mk3 Capsule.
Such a mission would cost 24RP for a single time use, and that's not even including the payload itself.

>>24330477

OK, but how do we add more dakka?

>>24329668
You receive a reply to your letter wishing Dame Cohbam good luck, and noting the presence of foreign royalty on your island.

You also get the latest paper. "ROYAL AIR FORCE AVIATRIX WINS TOURNAMENT TO BECOME FIRST HUMAN IN SPACE!"
There is also a brief article mentioning that your new rocket has been tested and is nearly ready to enter orbit, and that a Foreign prince was present, but no details beyond baseless speculation.
Still no word from Ms Kenaway...

You have 35 points to spend and two luck points. How will you spend this turn?

>Overseeing Cohbam's training.
>Helping Tutor Prince Orion in Anglish.
>Training yourself (costs 1 extra RnD point)
>Something else.

>>24330674

Our best guess is that their second launch was ballistically successful but the payload failed to activate.

We really should deal with Prince Orion...

1) He's cute.
2) He probably knows something we don't, we have a lot to learn and this is a part of the program that we can't entrust to anyone else.
3) He needs a crash course in industrial age!

>>24330674
Our budget:
30RP Mk4a Archangel - 15/19
3RP Mk2 Capsule Pathfinder - 6/11
1RP Training Harker Engineering - Stamina 2, Piloting 2, Engineering 1
1RP Training Cobham Engineering Stamina 3, Piloting 2, Engineering 1

>Helping Tutor Prince Orion in Anglish.
>Something Else
We shall request a private meeting with Sir Harker, and have him explain to us why he intentionally lost the tournament. His history with Dame Cobham aside, we require the most skilled and talented candidate, the best possible Void Knight, to make this historic launch. Not simply from a perspective success versus failure, but because of the unknowns involved and that a slightly lesser candidate may die where the better one would have survived.

>>24330755

A guess would be that he's already earned a place in history.


The budget looks good to me; we should also take the time to make sure the prospective pilots have some input on the Pathfinder as far as ergonomics go.

Is it possible to switch a non-re-usable rocket into a re-usable rocket?
Or will we need to invent a new version that starts at 5/10 reliability?

>>24330863

RAW, new version, but it depends on GodMother of course.

>>24330755
"My guns must have jammed your highness. I wouldn't dream of throwing a fair duel. Besides, Kat's a good pilot. She's a bit ill-manered, but I am every bit confidant in her ability to pull this off. If it was going to be anybody other than me, it had to be her." Sir Harker explains. You are fully convinced by his excuse, but he gets serious as he explains Cobham's ability. "Besides, she weighs nearly 20 kilos less than I do."

>>24330863
A new version will need to be developed, starting from scratch.

>>24330708
Who shall be Prince Orion's tutor?
>Professora Minerva
>Mister Luxon
>Somebody else?

>>24330937

We should deal with Prince Orion ourselves! Maybe Amelia can help, as Mr. Luxon. The Professora probably has better things to do with her time!

"Sir Harker, we do not believe you for a second, but if that's your reasoning... you're a wiser man than we thought."

>>24330937

Sir Harker I apologize to have assumed you would forfeit a duel. If you wanted too you could open a space program your self with your considerable knowledge. So why did you decide to cause an act of treason to join me instead of a letter?

>>24330937

Why not have several tutors for the prince?

>>24330937
"Sir Harker, we request that you divulge the nature of the conflict between yourself and Dame Cobham. We cannot afford any unnecessary delays, especially with the Merikan program so close behind us, and the Typhoon Season encroaching upon our schedule."

Mister Luxon shall assist Prince Orion with Anglish. Professora Minerva has her hands full with radio-reactive research, and we must handle the administrative tasks of the rocketry corps.

>>24331043
That would mean distracting the Professora, AND summoning Mr Luxon from house Gates.

>>24330991
Sir Perro sees through your plans and tells you it would be inappropriate for you to be spending that much time alone with a boy your age. Besides you are supposed to be managing things.

>>24331045
Mister Luxon will be summoned on the next turn to train the Prince to be a gentleman. In the mean time he's been building a house near the village for his companions, Half of whom have departed to inform his mother of the present situation.

>>24330755
Confirming budget.

>>24331162

Sir Perro is going to have to relearn to play hide and seek :) Jokes aside, Orion's people probably know something we don't, however distorted by myth it might be. His story resembled that of our mother a bit too much to be coincidential.

Budget confirmed.

The eve of your 17th birthday fast approaches, do you have any plans?

>>24331279

Beach party!

>>24331279
We shall hold a modest birthday ball here at the Tannhäuser Facility. We shall invite our family, of course, for a few days of relaxation.
The candidates and the facility staff, of course, shall be in attendance.
It shall be modest, for we have much work that needs to be done.

>>24331279

oh nothing really except mentiong loudly every now and then how much we would adore a parrot/fish/random island critter in passing while wandering the halls. What we are a princess and its going to be our 17th birthday, will be funny to see the results.

But start building a rocket on our birth day to launch on our fathers birthday.

>>24331279
>>24331525
Our budget for Turn 9:
30RP Mk4a Archangle - 19/20
3RP Mk2 Capsule - 7/11
1RP Training Cobham Engineering - Stamina 3, Piloting 2, Engineering 2
1RP Training Harker Engineering - Stamina 2, Piloting 2, Engineering 2

>>24331603

I'd focus on the capsule. Also, we should keep Harker and Cobham as dedicated pilots.

18RP Mk4a Archangle - 17/18
18RP Mk2 Capsule - 12/16
1RP Training Cobham Piloting - Stamina 3, Piloting 3, Engineering 1
1RP Training Harker Piloting - Stamina 2, Piloting 3, Engineering 1

>>24331743
To get the Mk2 up to 12/16 would require 27RP, since it's a Mass 3 Capsule.
And the Mk4a is already at 15/19.

>>24331743
>18RP, 18RP, 1RP, 1RP
That's a total of 40RP, our budget's still 35RP per turn.
Your budget is rejected due to being unfeasible.

>>24331830

I herped, sorry!

Let's get the Archangel to 18/19 for 18RP and the Pathfinder to for 9/13 for 15RP.

>>24331900
38RP actually, but the point stands.

>>24331903
Alright, that's an acceptable compromise.
However, the Mk4a, Mk4b, and Mk2 Capsule must all be 19/20 before launching. We cannot afford failure.

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>>24331910
>>24331900
>>24331830

I herped so hard I derped.

My budget proposal, to allow for faster launchness:

18RP Mk4a Archangle - 18/19
15RP Mk2 Capsule - 9/13
1RP Training Cobham Piloting - Stamina 3, Piloting 3, Engineering 1
1RP Training Harker Piloting - Stamina 2, Piloting 3, Engineering 1

Please reconfirm budget.

>>24331952

Sure, but this lets us get farther next turn. So is that OK?

Too much caution and we'll be scooped....

>>24331971
Confirming this budget.

>>24331994
Then for maximum efficiency, next turn we need:
21RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/15
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
1RP to build and load guidance module
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b

That will allow a manned mission by turn 11.

>>24332079
No, wait, a better Turn 10 would be:
21RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/15
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
1RP to build and load guidance module
3RP to improve Mk4b to 19/20
3RP to build Mk4b and launch with Mk2 Capsule to test
3RP to build another Mk4b for the manned launch next turn.

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>>24332127


Let's doooo it!

>>24331999
Budget confirmed.

>>24332079
Keep in mind you can launch the capsule sub-orbitaly to test it's re-entry capability. Testing the RCS thrusters will be harder because you would have to get them into orbit, but it might be worth it if you don't want to risk stranding Cobham in orbit.

Meanwhile.

Prince Orion asks you who is pregnant. He hears people talking about a birth, but none of the women on the island appear to be carrying a child.

>>24332156
We shall explain to Prince Orion that in our culture, and in the culture of the Suthlands, it is customary to celebrate the day of birth of a person each year. More so if the person is of royal lineage, such as us.

>>24332156

I miss read that as asking us if we were pregnant.

but go with >>24332247

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We should explain birthdays and ask what's the closest tradition his folks have.

Testing the RCS is a problem, yes.

>>24332274
Well, if testing the RCS is important, then we can change the Turn 10 budget to this:
18RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/14
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
1RP to build and load guidance module
3RP to improve Mk4b to 19/20
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b and launch with Mk2 Capsule and Mk4a to test all systems

>>24332336
If the ascent stages fail, the capsule just falls back to earth and can land normally. If the RCS fails, the capsule is stuck up there, and you lack the ability to mount any sort of rescue mission.

>>24332336
This looks good as a Turn 10 budget, because it lets us test the Mk2 and the Manuevering Thrusters.

Turn 11 would look like this:
30RP for Mk2 Capsule 19/19
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build RCS
1RP for training

Turn 12
12RP to improve Mk4a 19/20
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b
Mk2 Capsule built
RCS built
Launch Manned Flight
14RP still remaining

>>24332403

Looks like we have a general plan.

Using our luck to take some risks with the RCS and thruster makes sense, we think.

>>24332403
>>24332380
It appears we can time the first manned launch for the summer solstice. Is there any significant cultural significance for the solstice?

We COULD launch a manned mission by Turn 11, but it would be much less safe.

>>24332440

My vote is for an early launch.

>>24332420
Here is the safe plan:
Launches by Turn 12.
Turn10
18RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/14
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
1RP to build and load guidance module
3RP to improve Mk4b to 19/20
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b and launch with Mk2 Capsule and Mk4a to test all systems
Turn 11 would look like this:
30RP for Mk2 Capsule 19/19
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build RCS
1RP for training
Turn 12
12RP to improve Mk4a 19/20
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b
Mk2 Capsule built
RCS built
Launch Manned Flight

Unsafe but faster, launches on Turn 10:
Turn 10
21RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/15
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
6RP for Mk4a
3RP for Mk4b
Launch Manned Mission

>>24332472
I think that we should speak with Dame Cobham before approving such an experimental and dangerous launch.

Yes, we could launch next turn, as proven by >>24332489
But with components that are untested, and with a reliability of 14/15.

>>24332489

>>24332514

Turn 11 launch?

>>24332522
Turn10
18RP for Mk2 Capsule to go to 14/14
3RP to build Mk2 Capsule
1RP to build and load RCS
1RP to build and load guidance module
3RP to improve Mk4b to 19/20
6RP to build Mk4a
3RP to build Mk4b and launch with Mk2 Capsule and Mk4a to test all systems

Turn 11
21RP Improve Mk2 Capsule 17/18
6RP Mk4a Rocket
3RP Mk4b Rocket
3RP Mk2 Capsule
1RP RCS
Manned Mission Launch

It all comes down to whether the Merikans will get a man to orbit in Turn 11 or 12.

>>24332570

Hence why I'd prefer to launch early.

Though untested in orbit, the RCS is Reliability 19/20.
Will it get some kind of penalty for not having flown before?

>>24332514
Chobam tells you she doesn't mind the risk. However just as you are discussing things, Smith shows up holding a wireless telegram from the mainland.

"FIRE AT MERIKAN ROCKET FACILITY, ANGA IV ROCKET EXPLODES ON LAUNCHPAD!"

>>24332593
I guess it's grandfathered in ;p

>>24332593

Clearly someone's been wearing a RCS hat.

>>24332631

Eeeeeks! Any casualties?

>>24332631
Oh no!
Quickly, we must write a letter to Ms. Kenaway, asking if she is alright, and that we pray that no one was hurt in the accident.


.....Anga IV.
They've already made a version 4 of their rocket. It is decided then?
We will launch a Manned Mission at Turn 10!

And may the gods protect us.

>>24332631

ohh dear we must send our condolences for their failed rocket and and missing/injured/dead personnel

>>24332673

no we shall wait until it is safe, If we launch to early after this tragedy the press will eat us alive

>>24332673
>>24332685

I'd compromise to turn 11.

Second on the letter.

Looks like the Merikans are playing with their cards close to their chests, overall.

>>24332685
Then are you voting for the Turn 11 Launch plan, or the Turn 12 Launch plan?

While this was a setback for the Merikans, they will be able to retake ground quickly.

>>24332728

Did anyone get hurt?

>>24332753
We would need to use the wireless to communicate with the mainland, to see if they have better reports.

You send a wireless back to Ms Kenaway, and she replies thus.

"AM SO SORRY, stop, WANTED TO SEND YOU A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE VIA SATELLITE, stop, SECOND STAGE IGNITED ACCIDENTALLY, stop, FAULTY WIRING, stop, MAKE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR OWN, stop, NOBODY DIED, stop, ANYWAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY, stop, end of message."

>>24332794
when is s Kenaway's birthday, I feel bad not knowing this.

Thank her for the advice and for the present even if it did explode the thought matters.

>>24332819
I feel worse for not having decided it yet. All these characters who don't have birthdays yet! And my calender only has 24 slots on it!

>>24332794

Definitely send our thanks.

(Derp, that's what happened to MY sat, dammit!)

>>24332867
(I thought you sat just had an umbilical come louse? This was based on what happened here http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1333/1 )

Your parents should be arriving soon. if you don't remember, this is your birthday.

>>24332939
Blah, it's late and everyone is asleep again.

I'll start with the party tomorrow.

>>24332939

Yeah, was exagerating :P

thank you!