>>26662463
Before we decide, how is morale at the RRC?
If they are feeling unappreciated and overworked, a party may be in order.

>>26662463
Budget Turn 9
10 RP RTG 15/20
40RP Trailblazer 10/15
3RP construct Pathfinder satellite for interplanetary mission
3RP Party

>>26662609
"I don't see any major Morale problems currently your highness, some of the men are a bit homesick but the weather's been pleasent, and there haven't been any accidents." Colonel Smith says as he gives his report. "However, Productivity could be better, but that's more because we've been spreading our budget across several different projects. Some of the departments feel stretched a bit thin. Perhaps you should consider what projects are needed most urgently and focus on those."

The Following things are required for a lunar mission

>Seraph Launch Vehicle. Mass 18 Currently 5/10, Prototype built, untested. Required for large lunar payloads. 18 points per level of improvement.
>Trailblaizer Capsule Mass 8, Currently 10/10, Prototype built, untested. Required for all manned lunar missions. 8 points to build or improve.
>Titan upper stage, Mass 10, Currently 5/10, Unbuilt. Required for all large lunar payloads. 10 points to build or improve
>Hecate Lander, Mass 8, Currently 5/10, Prototype built, untested. Required for lunar landing, 8 points to build or improve.

>>26662908
Once we launch the interplanetary probe on turn 10 we can concentrate everything on a manned lunar flyby. For that we need the Seraph, Titan, and Trailblazer.

>>26663022

What is this probe, and what bonus will it give us?

>>26663099
Pathfinder with an RTG, Waylight, and a MiniVAC. It provided a +2 increase to our budget.

>>26663099
An Interplanetary probe will grant you 2 more points of funding from the Royal Academy if successful.

Pathfinder Probe (Cost 3, Reliability 18/19)
>Radio (Cost 1)
>RTG (In inventory)
Cherubim Upper Stage (Cost 5, Reliability 17/20)
>Lunar escape fuel
>Lunar Injection 2 fuel
>Lunar Injection 1 fuel
>Launch fuel
Cherubim (Cost 12, Reliability 16/18)

>>26663022
>>26663149
>>26663212

Well, I guess we could spend this turn to send the probe, though I thought we had send it on the last turn.

With 21 to send the probe, we will have 35 left, enough to improve the Trailblazer to 10/15.

Hm, I think I can get behind this budget, then.

>>26663278

Also, still not making a party. Obviously, otherwise there wouldn't be enough RnD for the trailblazer.

>>26663278
You could launch it now if you redid the budget, but the RTG is only at 10/15.

>>26663278
Your math is wrong. The Trailblazer is a Mass 8 Capsule.

>>26663321
Launching now would be a bad idea with the RTG at its current Reliability and we're sending it on an interplanetary journey. We can send it next Turn.

Regardless, you need to confirm a budget.

We should send the probe out -- we're doing good on our unmanned program so far. Plus it'll help navigation and communication.

>>26663542

RTG is the Radio Thermal power cells? Didn't we succeed in testing them?

>>26663920
You did, but you still need to invest points in them to upgrade them fully.

>>26663942

Alright then.

RTG to 19/20 for 14 RnD
Trailblazer to 10/14 for 32 RnD
Titan to 5/11 for 10RnD (if possible; if not, see below)

RTG to 19/20 for 14 RnD
Trailblazer to 10/15 for 40 RnD
Small party for 2RnD

>>26664139

I support the budget with the party.

>>26664139
>RTG to 19/20 for 14 RnD
>Trailblazer to 10/15 for 40 RnD
>Small party for 2RnD
Confirming budget, updating wiki. Will you be inviting anybody to the party?

>We shall invite mother as we have questions for her.
>We shall invite Ms Kenaway because she was nice enough to invite us to her place last turn.
>We shall invite both and or other people
>We shall not invite anybody.

>>26664554
>We shall invite mother as we have questions for her.

We have work to do, even during the party.

>>26664595
>>26664554
We should inform her it is a modest occasion, though.

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Your mother arrives with a modest entourage on the next flying boat, and is allowed to inspect the interplanetary probe under construction as well as the Trailblazer prototype. "Oh my, you seem to be making great progress Lydia. We expect big things from you this summer." She marvles at everything and pretends not to have heard anything about the hidden city.

>>26664895

"Yes, mother. We are thinking exactly on that, big things. Would you like to discuss them?"

>>26664139
>>26664554
Wait, what are you doing?
This is an impossible budget. You're raising the Rating of the RTG more than 10 points in a single turn.

>>26665096
Ehh, That rule isn't that important, it only really effects really tiny parts anyways, and I don't want to have to get you guys to re-confirm the budget.

The RTG has been in development hell for long enough. and even if you don't spend those points this turn, you'd probably end up finishing it next turn. The project you'd re-distribute those 4 points to is probably a project you'll end up working on next turn, so it all evens out.

>>26665181

Pretty much this. Can we field-test the thing in a safe manner, like on a barge?

>>26665181
That's not the point. The point is that you let something which is blatantly against the rules of the system go by without even a single mention. This makes your bookkeeping unreliable, much like the problems we had a while back with your notes on the reliability ratings of several parts being wildly off.

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>>26665056
"Oh yes we would love to hear your ideas Lydia. Do share them with us." The queen says as she folds her fan and waves off her handmaidens who leave the room, leaving you two alone in the workshop standing in front of the Trailblaizer

>>26665244
RTG was tested on the last turn. IIRC you actually tested it twice successfully.

>>26665270
I'm sorry for being such a horrible person.

>>26665341

You are an awesome person and this is an awesome story.


>>26665341


This is where we should break the news. "It may be unrelated to the Foe Stars, but what are the chances?"

>>26665341

We shall talk about the nord's belief of people coming from something from beyond the planet, and how they might be right. Is mother aware of our recent discovery? If not, then we shall break the news to her, about the lunar city. If yes, then we will ask her for a meeting with the full society, in order to discuss the subject. We shall also ask her iif she believes the society could help with the RRC's funding; the SSC is aware of the lunar city.

Should we offer or invite speculation on what the moon city was for?

I'm leaning towards observation as a theory.

>>26665527
>we will ask her for a meeting with the full society, in order to discuss the subject
The Society has already given up whatever plans they had and simply told us to deal with the matter, putting all responsibility of dealing with the Foe Stars on us. I highly doubt that this attitude will change.

>>26665341
"Were you aware that the Nords believe we are descended from humans who came from space to colonize this world? That it was the appearance of a Foe Star which inspired them to attempt to conquer the planet?
"Their stories may have more truth to them than just a passing resemblance. What does the Society make of the City we have found? Or have you not yet made it known to them?"

>>26665712

More importantly, does anyone know what the Nords are doing with all of this?

>>26665790
According to Suthland Intelligence, the Nords have had all of their ambition and drive burnt out of them by Midland nuking them into submission.

>>26665527
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before you learned more than the propaganda." The queen says. "Yes the Nords do believe they are the descendents of space travelers, and that it is there birthright to return to the stars. This belief is actually not unique to them and was once common all over the world, however the Astrologers have since suppressed this heresy in midland and most of the other areas. Only in the frozen north and far east have the old religions remained intact.

When we married your father, he had recently ascended to the throne and the stars had foretold a reign of peace and prosperity. The foe star appeared shortly after and threw the prediction into disarray. The society didn't know what to make of it, but to the nords, it's meaning was clear.

A new Kriegfuer united all the northern clans and began a conquest of the earth as the first step to re-conquering the stars. The city you found on the moon also features in there stories, they believed that if they could reach it they would be reconnected with there lost heritage. However to get to the moon they would first need greater resources and easy access to the equator. To us stopping them was not just a matter of defense, but a holy mission to protect our faith. We managed to hold them back but many in the society consider it a loss. We only won with the use of heretical weapons, and now we find ourselves following the path they only started upon."

>>26665903

"The difference is that we're going there in peace. I hope."

Now we are worried about a new holy war starting if this thing comes out. Our contingency plan should be to spill the beans to Jakisan and agree to keep this a secret for now, if nothing else to avoid another world war.

"Mother, if you feel that way about the radio-reactive system, you'll appreciate how we've turned a sword into a plowshare. We're uncertain about adveriting this, but still..."

Onwards to launch?

>>26665903
"How ironic. Apparently nothing is truly sacrosanct in the course of one's holy crusade, is there, Mother?
"Regardless, We project that a manned fly-by of the Moon and of the City shall be mounted and completed within the next two years.
"However, the Suthlanders are nipping at our heels; hiding this from them will soon become impossible, and may already in fact be too late. Does the Society wish for any specific means of dealing with this?"

>>26666041
"The society is divided, about you, your organization, and the foe stars. If you were not my daughter the rocket corps would be bearing there full wrath for your every action is the gravest heresy. However if you believe that Ms Kenaway can be trusted, this matter is under your prerogative. In a way you were raised to fill this position." The queen says with a slightly mischievous gleam in her eye.

>>26666241

If we raise this bit of news, the SSC will probably be awash in money to beat us there. We must be there first at least for the tech advantage.

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>>26666241
>you were raised to fill this position

>>26666241
"There are times, Mother, where we wish we had learned a little more about how to assemble and wield a network of picked men, rather than academic knowledge. But only every once in a while.
"We will keep quiet about the City until we have placed a Midland flag atop its highest building. By then, Ms. Kenaway's own program will be capable of reaching the moon themselves, and secrecy between us will be redundant.
"We shall proceed as we see fit, then.
"Ah, there IS one more matter, Mother. There had been sabotage of the Stonefield Radio-Array some Turns back; have the Society any idea who instigated it?"

>>26666518
"If we had to guess?" The queen laughs. "we would suspect the Royal Historical Society, cross that you were desecrating the most sacred astrological site in midland with a creation of alchemy." She pauses for a moment after saying this. "But we are sure you know who's really responsible. Somebody who dosn't like taking no for an answer and wants to pry you away from your friends in the armed forces. General Clay has been a neusance as of late, but rest assured the throne will work to reign him in, you should focus on your work for now."


It is now turn 10, you have 52 RnD points to spend and 1 luck point remaining.

>>26666666
1st

>>26666666
52 RnD?
What happened to the remaining 4RnD?
Are you trying to shortchange us?

>>26666694
56, sorry.

>>26666666
>>26666666
>>26666666
>>26666666
>>26666666

I think you hit some sort of demonic jackpot there, God Mother.

>>26666718
That must be the reason for my miscounting.

>>26666241

We cannot let the SSC triumph over us. Ms. Kenaway is aware of the city, and is more likely to get support from her nobles by revealing the truth. How can we do the same without letting others know of the city?

>>26666802

By encouraging elements of the press that are friendly to us to play up the SSC's strength.

We can't afford a Sputnik moment, but we must create the perception of one.

>>26666802

Slowpoked to hell.

ANyway, we could...repair our relationship with general Clay. If the City is an advanced settlement, it might have information on weapons, if not weapons lieing dormant. We could use this...offer to give him any and all information about weapons or similar that we find on the moon. For a price.

>>26666666
>>26666703
Turn 10 Budget:
21RP Interplanetary Probe
Pathfinder Probe 3RP
>Waylight 1RP
>RTG (from Inventory)
Cheribum Upper Stage 5RP
>Escape Fuel
>Injection Fuel
>Injection Fuel
>Launch Fuel
Cheribum 12RP
10RP Construct Titan Prototype
20RP Titan 7/10
2RP EVA 19/20
3RP Invent Lunar Rover 1/5

>>26666835

However much of an asshole he may be, he understands operational security -- I second disclosing this to him, after swearing him to secrecy.

>>26666855

Looks good to me. The lunar rover probably looks kinda neat at this stage...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYQWzRYJJs

>>26666835
No, the King is going to step in and deal with Clay.
He obviously can't deal with the insurrection to the West, and he's jeopardizing Midland's lead in the race to the Moon. He must be replaced, and he shall be.
We should leave our Mother and Father to dispose of him.

>>26666855
Would that rover be manned or unmanned? I'm still roughing out rover rules in my head and I'm thinking of making them work like capsules with a dry mass of 1 and a capacity. A mass 1 rover wouldn't be able to carry anything, but it can drive around for one turn before it's batteries are depleted. If a rover is designed to be manned instead of remote controlled it can carry one extra mass of crew, but it's empty mass will still be 1 in transit. So a mass 1 rover would either be a battery powered RC car, or a 1 man moon buggy.

>>26667231
Since we're going to be using it to help explore the City, a buggy would be better.
Though as we start exploring the inside, an RC car that can be used to test for security systems might also become useful.

>>26666961

We will have to talk about this with the King, though. And he has always taken a neutral, or somewhat distant approach to everything.

Clay actually gained power/influence thanks to the insurrection, and we can still use him, and the other generals.

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>>26667231

Much as I like unmanned rovers, we don't have time to develop such a thing -- unless it's controlled by reatively close by. But that's extra weight...

(Pictured : First ever RC vehicle, circa 1898, by guess who)

>>26667639
>Tesla

Of course. He was obsessed with wireless everything.

>>26667583
Mother said that the throne will take care of Clay; we don't have to talk to Father about it.
In fact, if we brought it up with him, he'll probably give us bad marks for it.

>>26667231
So does this mean that for a 1 man moon buggy with the ability to carry 1 cargo, it would need to be invented and developed as a Mass 2 Moon Buggy?

>>26667770
Yes, but for mass 5 or so you could get a buggy that could drive itself, have it's own RTG to power it for a thousand years, and still have 3 units of cargo or passengers.

A Mass 2 buggy equipped with a winch (representing a digging tool) could take samples of the lunar soil and place them into a rocket for return to earth.

>>26667915
Maybe when we build the lunar base we'll need the Mass 5 Buggy.
Until then, a Mass 2 should be enough.

>>26666855
>21RP Interplanetary Probe
>Pathfinder Probe 3RP
>>Waylight 1RP
>>RTG (from Inventory)
>Cheribum Upper Stage 5RP
>>Escape Fuel
>>Injection Fuel
>>Injection Fuel
>>Launch Fuel
>Cheribum 12RP
>10RP Construct Titan Prototype
>20RP Titan 7/10
>2RP EVA 19/20
>3RP Invent Lunar Rover 1/5

Confirming budget updating wiki.

>>26667915
So if we develop only a Mass 1 Rover, does that mean that it won't be able to carry anything?
Will a manned Rover have to be Mass 2?

>>26668061
No a manned mass 1 rover can carry 1 person. It's an exception. Unmanned ones can't however.

>>26668049
Let's launch that Interplanetary Probe.
We shall call it the "Voyager Project".

>>26668084
Then it's better to design this as a manned rover.

>>26668102

Are we ready to launch it?

We should let people etch their initials or their loved one's on the body, if there's time.

File: 1376713744701.gif-(146 KB, 427x492, Vostok1_big.gif)

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Rolled 1, 1 - 2 = 0

>>26668194
Yes we are ready to launch now, sorry for the delay I had to walk my dog.

Five
Four
Three
Two
One
Zero!

>>26668588
>dat roll

Ooohhhh, DOUBLE CRITICAL!

DO we get something good from this awesome launch?

>>26668588

And with Mother watching! Yay!

Rolled 8, 4 - 2 = 10

>>26668606
Nope! Mother is impressed though.

Rolled 7, 2 - 2 = 7

>>26668705
First stage separation confirmed, we are now in orbit, beginning lunar injection burn.

Rolled 10, 10 - 2 = 18

Burn 50% completed.

>>26668718

Cross fingers, nervously pet Cottonball. There is no such thing as a routine flight.

We will of course answer all teh questions Mother and her retinue may have --- we've learned enough about astro-craft to do so.

>>26668741
Dammit! Reroll!

>>26668741
>Rolled an 18, Fail! Fuel is expended but the burn does not happen, it is now impossible to finish the mission as planned.

>Re roll the burn (1 luck point)
>Use the last unit of fuel to try to finish it (Crash into the moon)
>Use the last unit of fuel to re-circularize the orbit and leave it there.
>Do nothing and leave the probe on a highly elliptical orbit around the earth.

>>26668830
Reroll the Burn.

Dammit, this is why the 19/20 Reliability is needed. It's all well and good until something goes wrong and we have to scrub a 21 RnD investment due to 1 bad roll.

>>26668830

Consarn it! Can we get some data if we recircularize? Maybe use it as a satellite?

>>26668884
An extra radio satellite is always useful.

>>26668915

We should do that. I'd rather save whatever favor we have with the (dice) gods for a manned mission.

>>26668869
Consider that a luck point might be worth more than 21 points.

>>26668830
I suggest a REROLL!

Rolled 1, 9 - 2 = 8

Casting tiebreaker, Re-rolling

>>26669225
Success, the probe continues towards the moon where it will eventually make a slingshot into interplanetary space.

That will happen next turn however.

>>26669251

We congratulate the ground crew. We should give the SSC the frequencies to this one once it's past the Moon: we will lose contact with it eventually, but maybe they'll be able to talk to it for longer.

We should note that should the unthinkable happen and our entire world be destroyed, some of our work will survive.

>>26669251
Good. Now, let's see what's next on our agenda. We still need to meet with Queen Taurus in order to secure land on her island to construct another Radio-Telescope that we need for global coverage.

It's late, archiving and going to bed. See you next Tuesday.

>>26669551

Thank you!!!

>>26662463
Just a side thing here, does anyone have more art like this or a link to the artist?

>>26669612
Artist's name is Fuzi Choko according to reverse image search.