>>26394598
We shall give Dame Palmer approval to attempt her spacewalk.
It shall hopefully proceed better than last time.

>>26394598
God Mother, would it be possible for a Cheribum Upper Stage to be refueled in orbit?

Since the Upper Stage cannot normally carry enough fuel to put a probe into Lunar Polar Orbit, if it is refueled by the Meteor-3 while it is in normal orbit and the fuel of Orbital Insertion is replaced, we stand to be able to put a Mapper Probe into Lunar Polar Orbit and gain experience in docking at the same time.

Rolled 6, 7 = 13

>>26394624
"Affirmative your highness." Palmer says as preforms a quick check to make sure her vital humors and Zorhythms are in order before she begins to pre-breathe the pure oxygen from her EVA suit before stepping into the Meteor's tiny one man airlock. "Beginning depressurization now."

>>26394688
This is possible in fact during Meteor Launches, the Cheribum upper stage is launched partly empty to compensate for the increased weight of the spaceplane, If cargo is reduced it could carry extra fuel for transfers, Even more fuel savings could be accomplished by using RCS to de-orbit, although you would need to dock and spacewalk to transfer the fuel. Clearly the success of this mission would be required before such a feat may be attempted.

Hypothetical re-fueling mission

Meteor 3
Wings
> 1 Pilot
> 2 Engineer
> 3 Spacesuit
> 4 RCS
> 5 RCS
> 6 Empty space
Cheribum Upper Stage (17/20)
> Transfer Fuel
> Transfer Fuel
> Launch Fuel
> Launch Fuel

>>26394797
We should have Palmer use 2 Stamina to make that a success.
She won't be able to do anything else this turn, but at least the spacesuit will be successfully tested.
We shall simply have Sir Harker test the Radio-Reactive Power Cell this turn instead.

>>26394797 (You)
>Palmer's skill reduces that roll to a 10, Still a failure, Palmer loses 2 stamina. You may spend your last luck point to re-roll, or you may wait until next turn and try again.

>>26394887
You can only spend one stamina per person per action, Palmer loses 2 because it's 1 for the spacewalk, and 1 for the failure, and Harker can't help her here because he's still inside the Meteor.

>>26394949
>You can only spend one stamina per person per action
Is that another house rule?
Because that's not what the rules say.

>>26394949
Incidentally, Cobham would have succeeded here.

>>26394949
We shall have Dame Palmer return, and attempt EVA next turn.

Sir Harker is to test the Radio-Thermal Generator now.

>>26394998
Oh I guess you are right, I keep forgetting that Space core's rules make it nearly impossible for anything to go wrong on a manned flight. Palmer is successful but has no more stamina remaining.

I think I'll probably end up patching over the Derp rules eventually.

>>26395050
This mission did not include the RTG, it had to get rid of that to make room for the extra rations.

>>26395057
Then if the EVA is a success, then Hawtrey shall be improving it next Turn.
We shall congratulate Dame Palmer, and allow her to rest.

With General Dean supposedly tracking down the saboteur, we can only wait.

>>26395057
Hooray, we can finally get the EVA suit up above 10/15. Our congratulations to Dame Palmer for her hard work ((and given that she's now totally exhausted, she should have a well-deserved rest.))

Godmother, what are the current records for longest spacewalk and time in orbit?

Rolled 2, 5 = 7

After clumsily preforming several more mobility experiments in space, Palmer returns to the Meteor and closes the hatch behind her.

A few days latter the Selene 3 probe approaches the Moon.

>>26395176
There's no bonus in the base rules for longest spacewalk... although there is one for largest-crewed Upgoer in space. Does the SSC still have their two-pilot craft in orbit?

>>26395194
Success! The Selene 3 is now orbiting the moon and beginning a detailed map of it's equatorial region. This will take two turns as right now only the side of the moon facing earth is illuminated. Next turn the reverse will be true and the first pictures from the far side will be revealed!


>>26395202
The SSC still has two people in there Station, they have been up there for 6 days! They have not however had more than two people up at a time.

>>26395254
Marvellous. Our congratulations to everyone involved in this work. Time to start work on our larger launcher.

Also, do you mean 6 *turns*, or 6 days? Because we have 14 days' worth of rations in the Meteor at the moment (or potentially up to 4 turns' worth if we send only one person up for a long-duration mission).

The far side of the moon is going to be covered in alien UFO bases, isn't it?

>>26395332
It's really a question of whether we will be allowed to see the dark side of the Moon, or if Selene-3 will enter the shadow, and simply not come out the other side.

>>26395373
Now I'm suddenly thinking of David Weber's Empire From The Ashes, which begins with pretty much exactly that set-up, only with a manned probe...

>>26395332
Blah 6 turns, that's 84 days!

And no comment!

Rolled 3, 8 = 11

rolling Meteor3 endurance step (Technically I ought to have rolled for the Selene probes but I didn't)

It is now turn 6, you have 56! RnD points to spend and 1 luck point remaining.

>>26395433
Right. So we can't match that without our own orbital habitat, we have no capsule capable of Mass 9 yet ((one pilot, seven turns of rations, RCS for getting down again)). If we're going to assemble our moon rocket in space, though, putting up our own habitat and doing some docking missions and so on is probably a good intermediary step anyway.

Rolled 6, 7 = 13

>>26395482
They did this by launching supplies every turn, you also suspect they have been able to improve upon the efficiency of there life support systems, although you are not quite sure how. Any such technology would definitely aid your quest if you could trade for it.

How will you spend this turn?
>The Sabotage is the most important thing, we shall check back in with General Dean.
>General Dean can find out what happened and tell use when she is done, we are quite tired of this investigating and shall return to Tannhauser island.
>We shall see if there is any business we can acomplish in Hafenstad before we return home.

>>26395458
Turn 6 Budget:
10RP EVA 15/20
16RP Meteor-3 15/16
18RP Seraphim 6/10
12RP Cheribum 17/18

We do need improvements across the board, since the Meteor and the Cheribum will still be used for test missions during the Seraphim's development.

We still have an interplanetary probe to launch, Lunar Polar Mapper, and additional docking experience.

>>26395553
>The Sabotage is the most important thing, we shall check back in with General Dean.
We must investigate further.

>>26395458
We still need to get that Mass 8 capsule and Mass 8 lander invented. Doing that would leave us 8 R&D points to spend on improving the EVA gear from 10/15 to 14/19. Assuming we'll need the EVA gear again, but we may well want it for assisting with the assembly of the rocket in space...

24RP Invent Mass 8 capsule (Trailblazer)
24RP Invent Mass 8 moon lander (no name yet)
8RP Improve EVA gear to 14/19

How about Hecate for the lander? Goddess of the Moon, luck, and crossroads, among other things. Or the Society's messenger figure, Lilith.

>>26395553
>The Sabotage is the most important thing, we shall check back in with General Dean.

We can't have that happening again, particularly when lives will be on the line soon.

>>26395599
>>26395587
Will you be sending Cobham back home?

>>26395658
>Will you be sending Cobham back home?
Yes, along with the Meteor-2.
That way, once Harker is back, there won't be unnecessary delay as he trains Cobham on hypersonic spaceplanes.

>>26395658

Yes, the poor dear has been worked mentally to the bone.

>>26395684
Can we ship the Meteor-2 home by boat? Or launch it like a normal plane? I don't think Cobham really needs another sub-orbital flight when she's already worn out like this.

>>26395684
Transporting the M2 by boat will cost 2 RnD points and take 1 turn before it arrives, or if you don't want to wait and think Combam needs more flight hours you can Launch it over on one of the Air Force's Archangel rockets for 8RnD points.

>>26395730
Whoops I mean 6 RnD points.

>>26395730
Transport costs RP now?
Well, that changes things.

Perhaps it would be better to have Cobham stay and rest here, and have the an Archangel prepared. Once Harker lands, he can go up with Cobham.

>>26395780
"I do NOT need Harker to hold my hand your highness! He's not my brother or my husband! Just a self absorbed ball-less aresehole!" Cobham says infuriated as you suggest this. "I landed the M2 just fine and I can do the same thing for the M3. I'm a better pilot and you know it! He's just trying to hog all the flight hours for himself! Honestly Me and Orion have only been in orbit once, now he's been up there four times and that Navy Bitch has been up twice!" She catches her breath after this diatribe before realizing the vulgarity of her language being spoken in the presence of royalty. She shrinks back for a moment and tries to make herself look really small "I-i'm so terribly sorry your highness..."

>>26395865
"We understand that you have been under substantial pressure, Dame Cobham. Nevertheless, others might be less understanding if they overheard. Now then, we were merely attempting to set out a number of potential plans. If you feel that one is unacceptable, we'll take it off the table and consider the others. The M2 needs to be returned to the island one way or another, and we need to get Sir Grenefeld trained on the space-planes as well. As for the orbital missions, we're planning more soon, but we must ensure the safety of all of our Knights first, which means getting all our components up to scratch. And ensuring no more sabotage occurs."

>>26395865
Sigh in frustration.
"You know that we are loath to take unnecessary chances, Dame Cobham. We did not intend to insult your ability with our conservative decisions.
"However, you bring up a fair point."

We shall have Dame Cobham attempt a sub-orbital flight of the M2 back to Tannhauser Island.
We shall spend the 6RP.
We also suggest that Prince Orion be flown to Fort Adler, so that he can be co-pilot for Dame Cobham.

>>26395931
A co-pilot is not strictly necessary. Only when training somebody, unless you plan on teaching Orion, then this is a perfectly good idea.

M2
Wings
>1 Orion
>2 Cobham
Archangel Rocket

>>26395971

Orion needs training on the MK2 so I say we go with the plan.

>>26395971
Yes, this is for teaching Orion, and just in case extra Piloting is needed.

>>26395971
Orion could do with some space-plane training, yes.

Of course, now we have to re-balance the budget to account for those 6RP we're spending... which one shall we take as a starting point, mine (>>26395599) or >>26395577 ?

>>26396050
Although Smith isn't here right now, you would imagine he'd tell you to prioratize the moon mission and go with
>>26395599
Diverting 6 points away from the EVA gear. As a mass 1 object it can be improved with leftover points every turn.

>>26396111
Point - it's not like we need the EVA gear for next turn or something. Okay, new proposed budget:

24RP Invent new Mass 8 capsule (Trailblazer)
24RP Invent new Mass 8 moon lander (Provisional codename: Hecate)
2RP Improve EVA gear to 11/16
6RP Construct Archangel rocket

>>26396147
Second.

>>26396147
>24RP Invent new Mass 8 capsule (Trailblazer)
>24RP Invent new Mass 8 moon lander (Provisional codename: Hecate)
>2RP Improve EVA gear to 11/16
>6RP Construct Archangel rocket
Confirming budget, updating wiki.

You send a coded message back to Tannhauser earmarking funds for the development of Project H. You also receive an update on the status of the Seraph rocket. The engines are ready to test at any time, but when fully completed the rocket will be the tallest point on Tannhauser island. Getting it launched will be difficult, and launching more than one on the same turn from the island might be impossible. It's just not big enough. A secondary launch site will be necessary.

>>26396332
Given the size of the islands, would Queen Taurus' island be a possible location? Or will we need something in Southern Midland?

>>26396818
That would be a logical location, Another would be sharing with Ms Kenaway if you are willing to share the glory with her. If you care more about getting to the moon than who gets there first, and negotiated the terms right, a joint venture could probably get there sooner.

The southern most point in Midland is high in the mountains and might pose serious logistical challenges, but would be very secure if you are willing to invest in ways to haul rocket parts over the mountains.

>>26396332

Please, no more islands. Let's build another base in the continent this time.

>>26396937
Agreed. The island choice was terrible in retrospect. Made us look like we built our own private resort.

>>26396974
Really how so? The island was politically neutral and although remote, didn't pose nearly as much of a logistical hurdle as it could have. The alternative was the west or the south. The south you abdicated to Ms Kenaway and the west you lost to political instability. A mountain base would cost more RnD points due to the lack of good roads. The Navy has been transporting your goods at a discount that would not be available there.

Also >>26396916
was mine, I just forgot to Namefag when I swapped computers.

>>26397095
Wait, why would we want a mountain base? I mean, Cheyenne Mountain is set up like that because it's a military base that needs to be nuke-proof. If we're launching space rockets we want lots of flat land, not hills and mountains. I get that we'd have a secure base, but are we really worried about direct military attack at this point?

>>26397095

For starters, we lost a lot of RnD points because of the logistic nightmare.

Secondly, we could have helped prevent the political loss in the west if the princess began living there. The people tend to be more loyal/content when their leaders are nearby.

>>26396332

I'd rather not build the launch site on the queens island, however when we go talk to her If we ever make it there. People keep bothering us! about a good location. I really don't want to disturb the local population with the noise is all.

>>26397233
Yeah, and our rocket program could have provided jobs and security to the region.

>>26397233

Or they could have seen the princess as an insult. Either way what is done is done.

>>26397233
>>26397245
>>26397264
Perhaps, but it's too late for that now. There are no better or worse choices in the grand scheme of things, only ones which result in different complications.
In any case a mountain base, asside from being expensive, would be very close to the boarder and not much closer to the equator...

These thoughts ramble through your head as you head to General Dean's office to hear her report. You are once more saluted through the gates and into her office to find Dean with a grim expression on her face. "Please have a seat your highness." she tells you as she pulls out a file.

>>26397432

We love bad news!

"I assume the grim expression means you found something very bad?"

>>26397432

We will let the general speak while opening and skimming the file.

>>26397432
"Haus is gone your highness, He deployed to the west the day after he inspected that shipment. Out of my hands and over my head." The general tells you frankly. "Different chain of command, not even in supply anymore. And good luck for a royal to get permission from parliament to visit the west the way things are now. Somebody in the military is enjoying leading you on a wild goose chase your highness. If you'll take my advice, I'll tell you to forget this lead and wait for the other shoe to drop. Catch them in the act instead of letting them drag you around."

>>26397900
"We see. Might we ask, General, who it was who re-deployed him, and whose chain of command he's under now? Would either of those people by any chance be General Clay?"

>>26397900
Fine enough.

We invented television cameras recently, right? Well, that means we also invented security cameras, or at least the start of them.

A livefeed of the rockets and vital equipment should be made at once, without telling anyone.

>>26397981
I'm guessing our "security cameras" will be the size of an actual television camera at this point, i.e. five or six feet high and not subtle in the slightest. Not to mention that the previous act of sabotage didn't involve anyone coming remotely near any of our equipment - it happened in a supply depot hundreds of miles away.

>>26397973
>>26397981

I support both of these posts/votes/plans.

>>26397973

Its most likely some Lt.CDR or Major that ordered his movement.

>>26397981
Good idea. And once its successful we may offer the tech to the military as a way of protecting equipment and recording test data of military hardware.

>>26398016
We could hide it behind a facade. Or explain it as a general camera for observing the rocket. They don't have to know it's a 24 hour livestream.

>>26398016
>Not to mention that the previous act of sabotage didn't involve anyone coming remotely near any of our equipment - it happened in a supply depot hundreds of miles away.

The second shoe might drop somewhere close to home.

Though you're probably right on the size/discretion issue.

>>26398029
General Dean specifically said "over my head". That implies a superior officer to me, which would only be General Clay.

>>26397973
"As supreme commander of Midland's armed forces, All of us are under his command. I could find you the name of whatever one star or bird colonel who he's under now, but I doubt it will make a difference." Dean explains to you as she closes her folder and puts it back in the filing cabinet.

"If I may be allowed, your highness, I can make sure all shipments through my depots heading to Tannhauser island are inspect by trusted staff."

Okay, if security cameras is just a bit out of our reach right now, what other security measures could we implement?

It's clear that they might seek to interfere with our moonshot, or a mission leading up to it. We need to know the culprits and foil their plan.

>>26398134
"I would greatly enjoy that General. I will be sure to tell the prime minister and my father about how helpful you have been. Midland needs more people such as your self."

>>26398134

"We'd appreciate that, General. We will remember your services, in the future."

And end conversation/turn?

>>26398326
"Thank you your highness."

The meeting ends and you find yourself wondering what to do next.

>The Spring Equinox is this turn, we should take part in the celebration.
>We should head back to Tannhauser island and oversee the perpetration for project H
>Orion should have arrived at Fort Adler by now, we shall go see him and Cobham off.

>>26398065
Fair point. Cameras can't hurt that much, at least unless they come out of our R&D budget...

>>26398406
>Orion should have arrived at Fort Adler by now, we shall go see him and Cobham off.
We still need to go see his mother over on her island - we should consult further with Orion on this matter, yes? And then we need to head back to Tannhauser Island. As nice as it would be to attend a bunch of parties, we have work to do. Our duties as a princess and an officer of the RRC come before our personal enjoyment.

>>26398406
>>Orion should have arrived at Fort Adler by now, we shall go see him and Cobham off.

That way we can ask him for any last minute advice about his mother.

>We should head back to Tannhauser island and oversee the perpetration for project H

No rest for those not on the moon yet.

>>26398406
>The Spring Equinox is this turn, we should take part in the celebration.
We should take part in Mother's party; it is part of our duty as a Royal.
We should also allocate 6RP for a party at Tannhauser Island, taking a loan from next Turn's budget. Our flagging morale must be addressed.

>>26398478
No, 7 or 8 RP. A single digit increase is not enough.

>>26398500
.... That would still be a single digit increase, you know. We threw a 4RP party last time. And I really don't think we can afford a 14RP party.

>>26398500
>A single digit increase is not enough.
That's still a single-digit increase from the last party's budget.

>>26398528
Really? I thought it was 5RP last time.

>>26398528

>Parliament starts looking into the budget
>All spent on parties and tang

>>26398559
It was four. 6 is slightly more than 10% of the budget, that's a good enough party in our opinion.

>>26398600
Fine. I just thought it was five. My mistake.

God Mother, we believe you should post the full calender of the year, including when special events such as the Equinox, Solstice, and Typhoon Season occur.
It would have made planning for this party much easier and would not have necessitated taking from Turn 7's budget.

>>26398702

As requested, Year 716 of the Gates dynasty. The symbols next to the numbers indicate the current phase of the moon, waxing and waning.

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

>>26398756
God Mother, we noticed that Midland's rail lines pass through the central mountain range.
Would constructing a base in a hex adjacent to the rail line make construction and logistics easier?

Also, can we pull 6RP from Turn 7 to spend on a party for the Tannhauser Island personnel?
Is it expected of us?

>>26398869
That is because there is a pass through the mountains there, not because it is good real estate. There isn't much flat land available and it's still pretty high latitude. It would also be dangerously close to the Boarder.
It would however also be near House Cygnus's ancestral home.

And yes you can earmark 6 points from next turn.

As you arrive at Fort Adler you find Orion trying his hardest not to look lost or confused. He and Cobham are the only ones wearing the Rocket Corps' maroon instead of the Air Force's grey. From what you understand Cobham has been the responsible one for once, barely stopping Orion from getting into a fight with a pair of Air Force Pilots.

"Welcome back Princess, Have you found the ones who damaged your radio bowl?" Orion asks as if wondering why you haven't killed Clay yourself yet.

>>26399266
"We are working on uncovering the culprits, Prince Orion. Unfortunately, what with our kingdom being so large, there are many people it could have been. We need to be sure which one it was. Now, how much have you been told about the Meteor?"

>>26399266

"Its not a radio bowl but was a telos- oh never mind you understand the idea behind it. Prince Orion I was wondering about any additional customs or measures I would need to make to visit your mother?"

I have a feeling that everyone like to tease the princess and make things hard on us.

>>26399343
Orion thinks about this for a bit. "I don't think you should worry princess, I'm sure she will like you as a guest. She will love to meet the girl who is putting more stars in the sky." Orion tells you as he adjusts the oxygen mask for his flight. "And don't worry about me, Sister tells me it is not much different from the airplanes you had me train on." He points to Cobham preforming the pre-flight checks.

>>26399591

"Good luck then Prince. And you won't have to worry, I'll be sure to tell your mother what a fine warrior you are and non of the embarrassing stories."

Send that prince off with a smile. Princes loves smiles.

Rolled 6, 2 + 2 = 10

>>26399652
"Thank you then princess." Orion says as he climbs into the Meteor, followed by Cobham. A quick thumbs up the ground crew and the rocket is hoisted vertically before being given a final check over.

You retreat back to the command bunker before the liftoff can begin.

>>26399968
It's "+-2", not "-2", because the dice system is bizarre like that. ((This is why I just do the base dice roll and add the modifiers in my head. /tg/ dice really aren't good with modifiers.))

Rolled 3, 6 - 2 = 7

>>26400207
I know I know, I keep typing it wrong though. It's still a success anyways.

The rocket lifts off without any issue and begins it's ballistic flight to Tannhauser island.

Rolled 1, 6 - 2 = 5

>>26400303
Landing.

>>26400843
yay?

>>26401710
You receive a wireless an hour later telling you the landing was successful. Unfortunately there is no MVAC unit here so a full link is not possible.

And now is time to archive and go to bed. See you next Tuesday.

Goodnight, Godmother.

>>26402733

Thank you!!!