>>24309610
We shall consider the idea of an aerial duel. We shall confer with Lord Perro if such a thing can be arranged.

Rolled 94

>>24309610

we should allow a day of rest and preparation for the final event. and we must work hard and secretly to ensure Sir Harker wins, I fear if that man is denied this he will undergo his own space exploration enterprise that will out shine any other.

An aerial duel sounds fantastic

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>>24309610
The full scorecard is as follows,

Dame, Kateryn Cobham <4 points>
>Vengeful,gluttonous Airforce pilot, Stamina 1/3, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Charles Harker <4 points>
>Fastest man alive, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 2, Engineering 0

Prince Orion <3 points>
>Noble Savage, Stamina 2/4, Piloting 0, Engineering 0
Dame, Elizabeth Palmer <3 points>
>Seaworthy navy pilot, Stamina 1/3, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Christopher Grenefeld <3 points>
>Intrepid civilian avator Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0

Sir, Jonathon Waleys <2 points>
>Heroic Army officer, Stamina 0/3, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Sir, Geoffrey Curteys <2 points>
>Humble civil servant, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Dame, Anne Lytton <2 points>
>Prideful airforce pilot, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Humphrey Gerard <2 points>
>Bellicose Navy Pilot, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0

Sir, Lettice Sadler <1 point>
>Cockney policeman, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Dame, Nicole Dunham <1 point>
>Bored Heiress, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Sir, Harry Hawtrey <1 Point>
>Mad Alchemist, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 2

>>24309790
Yes, n the last thread, the current suggestion was to have the two finalists break the tie with a mock aerial battle. lord Perro, an expert duelist, agrees this is the ideal way for two knights to resolve things.

What shall the terms of engagement be?

>>24309868
>What shall the terms of engagement be?
What are the traditional terms?
Can we use paint rounds?

>>24309942
Seeing as this is a tournament and not a matter of personal honor, paint rounds are preferred.

The actual form of the battle however often varies, and there is no universal standard for rules, scoring, and victory conditions. You will have to decide that yourself.

>>24310011
Very well.
How does this sound: the contestants may choose a fighter plane of their choice, to be loaded with paint rounds.
A hit to the cockpit is an instant victory.
A hit to a fuel tank will also be considered an instant victory (do we have self-sealing fuel tank technology? We may do away with this if the technology is available to us).
The first person to cover 30% of wing area of a given wing, shall be declared the victor.

Rolled 27

>>24310011

The arena will be a mile in radius of the base with no height limit. Paint upon the wings is one point, body 2, 3 for the cockpit. after each hit there will be a 30 sec break off and rearrangement time. the first to 30 points wins.

>>24310146
Yes indead, most combat aircraft have self sealing tanks. "The comet 1 however lacked that feature to save weight." Sir Harker explains as he chuckles and adjusts his mask.

>>24310179
Couldn't this potentially take too long and use up too much fuel?

Though I suppose, this would be a good test of endurance in the cockpit.

An aerial battle would be interesting, but what if one of them were to crash? It would be so terrible for the conscience.

>>24310146

If this can be done safely, it's an excellent idea! Plus the people working with us will probably enjoy seeing it.

>>24309861

Both contestants would probably be horrified at the idea of fixing a formal duel, and so should we be.

>>24310179
Reducing the point scale might make things more manageable.

Sir Perro suggests best out of three rounds, a round being counted when one pilot marks the other with paint. The victor is called after one pilot scores two separate kills.

>>24310465

That sounds easier. Let's do that! Possibly midmorning or midafternoon so everyone can see it.

(Sorry for coming in late. FWIW, the Antares launch carrying the satellite I helped make was scrubbed at T-600 today, so yes, things still do go wrong)

>>24310465
That does sound far more manageable.
We shall have the arrangements made at once.

Rolled 8, 8 + 1 = 17

>>24310665
(It's okay, I was late too, what was the payload?)

>>24310598
>>24310689
To avoid giving Harker an unfair advantage by flying in the aircraft he designed himself, the Royal Air Force delivers a pair of Hellcats for the duel. Both champions have used the Hellcat before in the war, apparently they were even in the same squadron together...

>>24310892

Then we shall put on the hamster-carrier hat and watch the show!

(A microsatellite using the guts of a Nexus One as its cpu. The rocket itself is a new design so it was just sending up ballast, but lately "ballast" means "small payloads to quikly test one or two things". )

Shamelessplug: http://robots-everywhere.com/site/robots/space/

>>24310892
Then let the duel begin.

Rolled 6, 1 + 2 = 9

Both pilots bow to each other before marching to there aircraft and taking off. They take there places and fly around the perimeter of the combat zone opposite each other before the flare to start the battle is launched.

Rolled 3, 2 + 1 = 6

"I'm coming for you captain! Look out!" You hear Dame Cobham shout over the radio. She climbs high into the air before preforming a dangerous dropback turn and bearing down on Harker. Pelting his wings with paint as she catches him off guard. "I can't forgive you for what you did!"

>>24311219

We'll have to get the details later...

The two have been cold but polite at each other, so it can't be too much of a problem.

Rolled 9, 10 + 2 = 21

The first round is awarded to Cobham, and both pilots pull off and fly in opposing directions for 30 seconds. This gives them time to converse, which can be heard by the spectators. "What are you talking about Lieutenant?" "You betrayed all of us!" "I Charles Harker have never betrayed anybody."

>>24311348

Oooh! Hopefully they don't know the PA is on.

Rolled 1, 10 + 1 = 12

>>24311219
>>24311348
"You could have accepted that promotion and commanded the whole squadron, instead you ran off to try and kill yourself with that silly contraption. We don't have anything without the squadron Harker, and..." Cobham's rant is cut off by a burst of machine gun fire as Harker shoots her down. "Remember this is a Duel lieutenant, if there's something you want to tell, let the guns do the talking,

Rolled 21

>>24311541

so excited right now.

Rolled 15 + 2

>>24311541
With both pilots having scored one point, the match goes into it's final round. This time however harker does not make any attempts at evasion, and instead heads straight for Cobham. His rival does not however back-down and meets his charge like jousting lancers.

For a split second it looks like they are about to crash, however instead there is the roar of machine-gun fire as both planes turn away at the last moment. Who won?

>>24311541

That sounds like it matches what Harker does. At the same time, it's not any sort of breach of security to worry about.

Are the islanders still around? How do they feel about this?

Rolled 19

>>24311637

Oh as much as he upsets me I do hope Sir Harker won!

>>24311642
>Are the islanders still around? How do they feel about this?
I would also like to know how some of the nobles feel about tying with an "islander savage". Prince Orion made a very good showing, and if he was educated in Midland schools, would undoubtedly be a highly-ranked minister or even leading the rocketry program himself.

>>24311642
Prince Orion's entourage is ooh-ing and aww-ing along with everyone else. The Prince applauds the two pilot's performances, and Maia hides from the loud noises.

At first it looks like it was a tie, however as you look closer, the only paint on Cobham's aircraft is the dash across the wings from the second round. Harker had the kill, but didn't pull the trigger. The front of Harker's plane on the other hand is splattered with paint.

Did he throw the match?

>>24311821
Even if he did throw the match, it is only supposition. We shall discuss this in private with him afterwards.

Dame Cobham's victory is apparent for all to see; we shall congratulate her upon winning the coveted spot of becoming the first human in space, and a woman at that.

>>24311712
You haven't noticed any overt reactions yet. Although you can imagine some might not like the idea of serving with a barbarian. They just haven't shown it yet.

>>24312186

Clearly these people know something nobody else does, and we have to figure it out -- we have a secret agenda after all. *spooky music*

>>24311821

Overall? These two are excellent candidates, either way whichever goes up first is likely to do a good job.

If Sir Harker feels that he's had enough glory for a lifetime and just wants to fly into space instead of adding to his legend... why, that's quite the noble sentiment!!


( IRL Gagarin was chosen over Titov for political reasons )

Both aircraft come in to land at the airfield. From the tarmac you can hear Cohbam shouting. "Harker you bastard! This is just another one of your plans isn't it. Send me into space to get away from me! I'll drag you up with me if I have to you hea..." You can't make out the rest.

>>24312273
(What were those reasons?)

>>24312461

( Both cosmonauts did everything basically perfectly, but Gagarin was from a farm background and Titov's parents were a little better off)

>>24312461

We should proclaim that Mrs. Cohbam is the prime candidate right there, then. Maybe overhear somethng!

>>24312461
Gentlemen. We should build a capsule big enough to fit two people inside it.

>>24312698

We'll have to, but that's for later.

>>24312698
We will, but the Mk.2 Capsule we're developing can only hold 1, and if we wait for a two-person version, Merika will beat us to putting a human in space.

>>24312733
But we get to troll Harker. Isn't that worth it?

>>24312753

Technically the same capsule can hold two people for a short time, if there's an external thruster instead of using monopropellant for reentry.

(IRL, the Soviets jammed three people in a two-person Voshkod capsule by the simple expedient of sending them up without spacesuits and hoping there would be no leaks!)

>>24312753
No. That is behavior unbefitting a princess.

>>24312777

Unless we want to give them somewhere private to make out and make up. <3 They're cute, it's like something out of a romance novel!

But honestly, do this >>24311880
It's been nearly 40 minutes with no progress, and no one else really coming up with a course of action.

>>24312913

Second

>>24311880
You eventually manage to get Cobham away from Harker and up to the podium to present her with the Order of the void, first class, and a handkerchief that she will carry into orbit, and return to you once she has safely returned to earth. This ends the Tournament.

>>24312776
In such a case, the duration and mission payload would be severely limited.

Now the question remains, how shall you use the remaining champions. There will always be a need for backup pilots, support crew and Capcom officers.

Sir, Charles Harker <4 points>
>Fastest man alive, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 2, Engineering 0
Prince Orion <3 points>
>Noble Savage, Stamina 2/4, Piloting 0, Engineering 0
Dame, Elizabeth Palmer <3 points>
>Seaworthy navy pilot, Stamina 1/3, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Christopher Grenefeld <3 points>
>Intrepid civilian avator Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Jonathon Waleys <2 points>
>Heroic Army officer, Stamina 0/3, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Sir, Geoffrey Curteys <2 points>
>Humble civil servant, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Dame, Anne Lytton <2 points>
>Prideful airforce pilot, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Humphrey Gerard <2 points>
>Bellicose Navy Pilot, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Sir, Lettice Sadler <1 point>
>Cockney policeman, Stamina 0/2, Piloting 1, Engineering 0
Dame, Nicole Dunham <1 point>
>Bored Heiress, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 1
Sir, Harry Hawtrey <1 Point>
>Mad Alchemist, Stamina 0/1, Piloting 0, Engineering 2

>>24313004
True -- much like the Voshkod shot it was just something they did to say they did it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voskhod_1


Hooray! Now there should be a proper reception!

(Sorry, I'm a little derp today due to failed launch IRL)

>>24313034


Harker, Orion, Grenefeld and Palmer should definitely fly.

Sir Hawtrey should be asked if he wants to help with the research program.

The others should be thanked for their effort, but there isn't much theycan d to help directly that I can think of...

>>24313034
Obviously, Harker is going to be the backup pilot for this mission. Others can stay here, fill various support roles and participate in future missions, if they so desire.

>>24313034
We shall request that Sir Hawtrey stay on as an engineer, working in our R&D department.

Sir Waleys had been awarded a point of Valor for breaking the world record in endured G-forces, so we will request that he stay on as a backup Void Knight.

Sir Harker, Prince Orion, Dame Palmer, and Sir Grenefeld will undergo training to be part of the second wave of manned missions.

As for the others, we shall keep them on the short list for third wave Void Knights, in later missions.

>>24313034
We should ask Sir Hawtrey to help us with designing a Radio-reactive power source. This can only end well.

>>24313107

On that note, how structured are the research teams?

Too much discipline puts a big dampening on serendipity, but too little makes it easy for people to slack off and is bad for security...

With the Tournament over. It is now time for bed. You may finish development tomorrow and we will try to get back to the 1 turn per episode pace.

Here is a Calender, divided into turns of the moon, or half a lunar month, there are 24 turns in a year. Your 17th birthday is coming up, followed by the Summer Solstice Festival. You haven't heard from Ms Kenaway at all this month, but you imagine she's working on improving her rocket after her last launch, which has now completely disapeared from the radar.

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

>>24313288

That's a concern actually. Why would they launch a second satellite and not announce it? Unless it failed orbital insertion.

We should take advantage of the island's remote location to start setting up an observatory, incidentally.

>>24313288

thank you!

>>24313288
We're not going to launch the rocket on our birthday, are we? That would be bad style.

>>24313288
So we need to do as much as possible until Typhoon season.

Also we should see to political implications of savages working inside RCC and flying into space. Are there advantages in allying with natives we can reap or will we only displease nobility and parlament by it? I suspect they could give us insight into mystery of Foe Stars.

>>24311821
>Harker had the kill, but didn't pull the trigger
that motherfucker again. i don't even know what is more interesting to find out anymore, ancient aliens mystery or this guy's agenda.