We shall wear the Bathing Dress during the launch. If anything happens and we need to escape by jumping into a lake or in the sea, we shall be prepared.

>>24593613
We shall wear the Frilly Dress today.
We shall order that the radio systems be triple-checked, and a temperature recorder attached to the outside of the capsule.
Then we shall launch.

>>24593738
Are you simply trying to push the bounds of princess-appropriate behavior, or are you really this stupid?

>>24593780

Neither.

File: 1367538090160.png-(640 KB, 2196x1820, SPQ2.png)

640 KB PNG

>>24593748
You consider directing the launch in your bathing dress, but decide it would be improper and change into your Pink frilly dress after your daily swim. The control room is inside an armored blockhouse at the top of the hill anyways.

As more scientific equipment is added to the capsule, the engineers express concern that the added weight might start to effect performance. All Reliability ratings will be reduced by two, down to 16, is this acceptable?

If only the Mk4 C was ready, a larger capsule could be developed, but there is no time now.

>>24593952

It is acceptable. Orion should be warned, however, so he may be prepare to eject if something happens.

The pilots can eject, rright?

>>24593738
>>24593912

That might have made some sense earlier on, but our lower stages are pretty reliable by now! So... how about no?

>>24593992

It's acceptable -- at worst, Prince Orion gets to do a suborbital jaunt.

We should ask Maia when she thinks the next sky messenger will show up, maybe we can time the launch with it?

>>24593992
In the event the main parachute fails, the pilot can bail out and use his own parachute. However this is assuming the spacecraft has both de-orbited and survived re-entry.

>>24593952
The drop in reliability is acceptable.
We have 3 rerolls, hopefully they will not be needed, but we must get all scientific work done before the typhoon season arrives.

>>24594058

The capsule should make its way to the mainland after this one way or the other... it's earned a rest and whichever museum we donate it to is likely to be grateful.

On that note, is that any one institution Prof. Minerva wants to show favor to?

>>24594012
Maia has no idea when the next one will show up. At any rate the Typhoons are on there way, this is the end of your launch season.

The engineers manage to remove some un-nessay (you hope) components and tweak the efficiency of the engines to accommodate the extra weight.

>>24594081
The Professora studded at the Westin Academy, But hasn't kept in touch with them. She has no opinion on the matter.

>>24594186
Does Midland have a Royal Museum? If we do, it should go there.

>>24594186

Then we should let it known to major universities and museums that we'll be retiring the first Pathfinder, and if they have room for it, and we're going to start accepting interns soon? Maybe we'll get a nice bidding war going.

We're a little worried about the lack of practical application of our program so far - Jakisan's balloons are a beautiful idea, and we may coopt it - but so far it seems that people are interested. We did promise focus on mapping, though.

Is Maia a little bit more relaxed now?

>>24594232
>We're a little worried about the lack of practical application
That's why we're working on the photovoltaic and radio-reactive power cells. Without power, the cameras would stop working in the time it takes to do any kind of real mapping.

>>24594232
The Royal Museum is expecting the capsule, but a private collector in the west is offering a large sum of money for it. (5 extra RnD points for one turn)
Alternately Ms Kenaway's agency could probably learn from it.

Are there any last preparations before the launch?

>>24594320
Then the Royal Museum shall receive it.

No further preparations. Launch the rocket.

>>24594362
I agree with Indie.

>>24594320

It is time to launch.

The capsule should be donate to the museum; it is an important artifact of modern history, and belongs to the whole nation.

>>24594385

Of course, we shall write the collector and thank them kindly for their interest.

Although... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_15_postage_stamp_incident

>>24594433
Hmm. Why do i get the feeling we are going to start selling moon rocks once we reach the moon

Rolled 5, 3 - 2 = 6

The rocket is fueled and Prince Orion climbs the ladder into the capsule. "All lights stay green Princess, Ready fo launch."

The checklists on your end also "Stay green" and countdown control is handed over to you.

Five
Four
Three
Two
One
Zero...

>>24594632

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Johnson Selling moon rocks to postmasters sounds like a good idea to me.

We shall wait for Prince Orion to give the okay before we push the red button!

>>24594700

Nice dubs on the countdown!

This is probably the last "prestige" flight for a while; it's going to be mostly business for a while.

Should we offer a technology trade to Jakisan? Her balloons are interesting, and maybe she can have a leg up on the capsule.

We probably shouldn't share rocket technology on grounds of dual use, though...

Rolled 8, 10 - 2 = 16

>>24594700
The rocket lifts off with almost no deviations from prediction. The efficiency tweaks appear to have worked perfectly. After a few minutes the main engine cuts off. "Woo! First stage finish, cuttin it louse." He discards the first stage and coasts to the apogee. "I see everything up here, spy a storm going fro west."

>>24594854
>Rolled 8, 10 - 2 = 16
Eeek!

"Thank you! YYou'll have plenty of time to enjoy the view once you're in a stable orbit!"

>>24594854
The capsule coasts to apogee, and you start to get worried when the circulation burn doesn't start, but Orion knows what he's doing and activates it manuals just in time.

"second stage wen finish. I stay in orbit now. Rotatin da craft for betta view."

He fires the attitude control thrusters to adjust the orientation of the craft.

>>24595030

Oooh, accent~

Maybe we can engage in a bit of showmanship. Have the Navy folks relay the news about the storm on an unsecured channel to anyone who may be affected and may be listening.

>>24595237
(It's a Creole not an accent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Pidgin)

Information about the storm is relayed to the navy, who begin tracking it, and Orion vanishes over the horizon.

Oh dear, when Orion appears on the other side of the world, it seems that he's used up even more RCS fuel, he barely has enough to de orbit. "Sorry Princess, I wen try to aim da antenna at da baloon, but I ran out. Still chock enough for land."

>>24595671
"Please be careful, Prince Orion. Prepare for de-orbit burn and re-entry."

Rolled 5, 2 - 2 = 5

>>24595747
"Roger princess, Beginnin da de-orbit burn now."

>>24595929
Oh, dear. That looks like a bad number.

>>24595957

We really need to get something a bit more robust than reaction control!

Rolled 8, 1 - 2 = 7

>>24595929
Orion is able to de-orbit using the last of his fuel. He should have just enough for altitude control during re-entry, but you aren't sure if he will land on target.

"This be where the radio stop working for da yher pilots." The temperature sensors on the skin of the craft start to climb up until the point where all radio contact is lost.

>>24595957
low numbers are good actually.

>>24596046
That's what the Thruster is for. Though the amount of fuel it can carry is still limited by the Payload of the Capsule.

>>24596058
Continue tracking Orion's descent.

>>24596353

(As per the rules, actually fuel exists outside of the capsule)

>>24596058

Did the radio stop again?

>>24596353
The capsule screams through the atmosphere. The radio cuts off again. You aim the radar antenna at the falling capsule and it shows up very bright on the radar. Reflecting almost all the waves.

>>24596594
>reflecting all the waves
This is fascinating.
"Professora Minerva, Colonel Smith, are you seeing this? We simply must have the universities on the mainland work on this puzzle during the typhoon season."

>>24596715

We can discount some sort of radio barrier, or Jakisan's balloons wouldn't work, and it only happens when we come down.

"Should we just accept that this will keep happening for now? Odd that we'd get radio cutoff just at a time when it's needed... is something fighting against us?"

Wonder what stories Orion will tell his people when he gets back :)

>>24596795
Orion is exclaiming something in his language as radio contact returns. He's off target by more than a hundred Kilometers. "Main chute stay open. Landing in da water."

>>24597245

Given Orion's physical prowess we're not that worried...

Given the capsule's small size, we have to wonder if an aerial recovery is possible, weather permitting. Is the Maiale Volante available, and if so, can a few sailors improvise a winch? The capsule is small enough relative to the aeroplane that it can probably be tied to a wing root without messing things up too much. It's something that should be tried should a fast extraction become necessary.

How far is this from Slkagar?

>>24597245
Send his estimated point of impact to the Navy for recovery.
Can we get some planes to fly a patrol and find him?

>>24597307
Well outside of there territorial waters. And even in the event of a landing there. he expressed confidence in his ability to evade capture.

As for ariel recovery, the Navy already deploys it's anti-submarine squadrons ahead of the fleet to locate the capsules, it will take slightly less than an hour to recover the capsule.

>>24597404
Get the original Pathfinder Capsule ready for transport while we wait for the Navy to pick up Prince Orion.
Have the RRC send the data about the radio blackout phenomenon to the Midland universities for experimentation.

While we wait, ask Professora Minerva if the Alchemists have made progress in their radio-reactive research.

>>24597703

And greet Prince Orion with a big hug when he gets back!

His flight does prove that the human element is important, incidentally.

When the navy finds Orion, he has removed the spacesuit and caught a fish using the tools in the survival kit, which he offered to the rescue divers.

The navy has also located the storm system that Orion spotted. They estimate it will reach Tannhauser island in two turns, and suggest a temporary evacuation.

>>24597949

“Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate the storm.”

File: 1367553861342.jpg-(106 KB, 700x700, orion.jpg)

106 KB JPG

>>24597949

This guy is awesome. <3

>>24597949
>oncoming storm
Very well.
"Colonel Smith, make the necessary preparations for a temporary evacuation. Coordinate the details with Lord-Governor Savard. We expect that the facilities will be properly prepared to weather the storm."

Is that all we can do this turn? Or can we find out what the Alchemists have been cooking up?

>>24598013
The materials will be packed up and either safely stored in the basement, or taken with you during the evacuation.

Where shall you evacuate too?
>Home to Castle Gates and Fort Adler
>The SSC's ranch, just west of Merika.
>The Westrin academy of natural philosophy.
>Somewhere else?

>>24598120
We shall head to Westrin. It'd be best to achieve more scientific progress while we wait out the storms.

>>24598134

We might want to visit the Merikans for the same purpose, though... we can learn about their passive reflectors and share something about the capsule? Plus it'd be interesting to see how they are doing things in general.

>>24598120
>The Westrin academy of natural philosophy.
As nice as it would be to go home, we must take our position as Director of the RRC seriously, especially with our position as X-COM Commander.

>>24598146
But are you forgetting the Northlander infiltration via some of the Suthland city-states?
Besides, we cannot be satisfied with pure science and research; we must more aggressively research what we have.

>>24598168

That's exactly why any exchange program is best done with us going there rather than them coming here. The international situation is peaceful, and we'll be safe if we decide to jaunt over in a semi-formal manner.

Besides, we may need to sit down with Jakisan and talk privately, and that's best done in person.

>>24598194
Look at their track record, though. We need to concentrate on our own problems right now.
Such as contacting the Astrologist Cabal, getting them to back informing the King and the Prime Minister in a top secret meeting about the confirmed existence of the Foe Stars, and of preparing not only an increase to the regular budget for the RRC but also of funding X-COM in case it is required.

>>24598299

Would rather talk it out with Jakisan and Orion first. Never thrust anybody under 30 and all that.

>>24598373
Okay, that's simply stupid. Orion's already believes that the aliens are Celestial Maidens and won't entertain the idea of resisting them.
As for Jakisan, the haste and recklessness of her space program means that she'll try to contact them before any proper preparations are made.

You pack up for the trip west. However two of your void knights have a request.

Sir Harker wishes to return to his estate for the time being. His trip into space has given him some inspiration for a new aircraft. He won't give any details, but also would like to take some data on the Pathfinder capsule.

Orion and his companions do not intend to go west either, he says they will return at the end of the storm season.

>>24598408
We shall grant the request of Prince Orion.
We shall also grant Sir Harker his request, on the condition that he show us the plans for his new aircraft at the end of the storm season.

>>24598408

Any chance of a hug from Orion before he leaves? ;-;

We will not insult Sir Harker with signing a NDA, his word of honor as a knight is sufficient. Of course, we'd like dibs on whatever he comes up with!

File: 1367557948048.jpg-(116 KB, 870x681, FlyingBoat.jpg)

116 KB JPG

Rolled 7, 3 - 2 = 8

>>24598453
You hug orion, Sir Perro does not think it is appropriate and expresses his disapproval.

Soon it is time to go. You board the Maiale Volante and begin flying west. During the flight you recieve word that the Merikans have put a second Balloon into orbit.

>>24598721
Will we be able to continue our research and development?

We must also meet with Mother, and work to convince the Cabal that their secret will not be so secret any longer, and that we must prepare a response, one way or another.

>>24598753

That may be a good idea; it'll come.

File: 1367558581476.jpg-(39 KB, 482x600, 1366331641074.jpg)

39 KB JPG

>>24598753
Supporting
Also: I'm online at the same time as godmother and can contribute for once!
>pic related

>>24598753
Your operational budget is put aside for damage control. But you will be able to continue research on a more personal scale. Which is why you have came to the Westrin academy of natural philosophy.

As you step out of the airplane, it is suddenly autumn. The climate is still more tropical than home, but it's a big change from Tannhauser island. With autumn, comes the academic season, and the academy is flush with students.

As for contacting mother. You need only to visit the embassy to arrange a secure telephone line.

What shall you do now?

>>24598927
1) Set up studies
2) Call mum
3) Study
4) ?
5) Moon-city

>>24598927

Letting our family know we've arrived safely is probably a good idea, just because we have people to do that, it doesn't make it any less proper.

We should make for the astrology department, they're likely to want to talk to us anyway!

>>24598927
We shall visit the embassy and set up a secure call with Mother.
We shall have Professora Minerva and Colonel Smith meet with the Dean and the faculty of the Academy, to begin work on cracking the mystery of the radio blackouts.

Also, no operational budget? Then we can't invent the computer, or work on any of the other projects? This will delay our progress immensely.

>>24598968
>We should make for the astrology department,
The Astrology Department is NOT the Astrologist Society; don't confuse the two.

>>24598970
You can still work on projects. Maybe I should clarrafy. You can still spend your points, but only on research and improvements, not construction. Also you may want to save money for plot expenses.

>>24599066
Gotcha.
So. Set aside X points and spend rest on various research projects. Like those automated computers, can't wait for those.
Too lazy and sleep-deprived for the maths, someone else make a budget.

File: 1367560513263.jpg-(148 KB, 640x1440, Secondhand Sidewinders.jpg)

148 KB JPG

>>24599066
>save money for plot expenses.
Well THAT'S ominous.

Budget:
Setting aside 15RP as emergency funds.
Available: 23RP
9RP Invent Machine Computer
4RP Improve Photovoltaic Power Cell 13/15
6RP Improve Thrusters 12/15
4RP Improve Radio-Reactive Power Cells 7/11

>>24599066

Clearly the thing to work on, other than a better navigation/communication artificial intelligence, is power sources.

We should plan a visit to Jakisan, too.

>>24599233
>We should plan a visit to Jakisan, too.
We will do no such thing until after the increased funding for the RRC and secret funding and support for the X-COM Project has been secured.

>>24599276

That is exactly what we should discuss with her.

A space race is a perfect cover for setting up a space defense system.

>>24599303
Not with her, but with her father, and it needs to be done between national leaders.
Also her reckless speed with which she pursued her space program will likely lead to the entire project becoming compromised.

File: 1367562271965.jpg-(6 KB, 316x254, human_computer.jpg)

6 KB JPG

>>24599233
The Professora tells you she will need 9RnD points to build a full sized radio-reaction pile for electricity generation.

Technical Sergent Jerrodine Adell of the computational staff presents you with her plans for MultiVAC. While previous automatic computers used clockwork and were clumsy and slow, she believes that a series of vaccum tubes will result in a system that is potentially faster and more flexible. She believes that if you make an array of independent systems running in parallel, you could even replicate the functions of a human brain, abet on a much greater scale. The only problem would be the geometric increase in power consumption.

On a more modest scale however, a MiniVAC could be used to serve as a lighter and more flexible guidance computer for unmanned satellites. It would be able to follow orders given in a basic scripting language.

>>24599398

Vacuum tubes? So it'd only work reliably in space? Replacing tubes on radios happens too often as it is, and even a good radio has half a dozen if that...

File: 1367562648858.png-(302 KB, 432x741, Fallout_protectron.png)

302 KB PNG

>>24599398
>replicate the functions of a human brain
>aw snap, we pic related now

>>24599398
Good.
If we are able to build a reactor to power the Tannhauser Facility, we could power a much larger MultiVAC.
Perhaps the Academy would like to donate resources to developing this technology. Ask them about it.

>>24599453

That's a while away, but a radio-reactive thermopile opens a lot of possibilities. Satellite buoys for example. Mappers.

Another advantage of vacuum tubes, is the possible ability to convert pictures to electrical signals that can be transmitted via radio or stored on magnetic tapes.

>>24599398
We shall authorize funds for both the radio-reaction pile and the multivac. Try and intern students for both projects for both grunt labor and the enriching of the student body.

Allright, it's late, and I'm running on empty. See you next Saturday afternoon.

File: 1367569771020.jpg-(90 KB, 603x1232, TUUUUUUBES.jpg)

90 KB JPG

>>24599398