NationStates Jolt Archive

"Mr. Lenin, Alexis Trotsky of the PHSA has important news for you, would you like me to transfer the call?"
"Yes, put her through." the president replied.

"Comrade, the Earth Finder I mission has been successful, an Earth-like planet has been discovered in our own solar system." Ms. Trotsky proclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

Lenin replied, "Can I have some more information?"

"Yes, certainly. The Earth Finder I had been sent out in a solar orbit for over two years. Two months ago they reported that they had found something of interest and were launching probes to investigate. The probes revealed that the planet's atmosphere was very similar to our own, it was slightly richer in oxygen. The planet was notably warmer then earth, however completely habitable. The planet, climate-wise, resembles earth around 150 million years ago.

So far the probes reveal no signs of intellegent life, however the planet is thickly covered in plant life all over. The Earth Finder I crew is very interested in exploring the planet in more detail. Also are we allowed to announce this finding?"

"Yes, certainly. I will personally announce it this evening. Please prepare a presentation for me to give."

"It will be done."

...

three hours later, 6:30PM

Mr. Lenin appeared on HNN dressed informally. There were numerous satellite photos as well as models and computer renditions of the planet behind him.

"Citizens of Haaregradia, the Earth Finder I mission has been a success. Three hours ago I was informed that a new planet has been discovered in our solar system. It is located almost half-way around the sun from us, and has remained undiscovered until now.

There is life on this planet, which is so-far being refered to as Isis, after the Egyptian goddess. We have yet to discover intellegent life on this planet. Like the great explorers of the past we exist at the dawn of a new era. A second mission, involving the Earth Finder II has been planned. This mission will involve the landing of the beginings of a scientific outpost to examine and chart the planet further.

Probes launched and orbiting the planet have put together this preliminary map of Isis' surface. What you see now are the first glimpses of a new world, behold."

http://home.ripway.com/2004-2/68292/isis.jpg

The map showed for about a minute before the news cameras shifted back to the regular news. The newscasters sat there slackjawed after the announcement, trying to regain their composure. This was the biggest news item they had ever heard. All of a sudden minor things, like an An-225 airliner crashing and killing 800 people seemed not to matter.

Preparations for the Earth Finder II mission were underway almost immediately. From the time the planet's discovery was announced to the world(one hour after announcing it's discovery to the nation) to the launch of the EF2 were the two most hectic weeks in Haaregradian history.

The EF2 took off with a mixture of biologists, geologists and many other scientists, all prepared and chosen almost a year in advance. It raced towards Isis and the EF1 at top speed, it's High-Velocity Ion Engines working their best to make the redezvous in under a month.

We would like to send a research team to the planet, if it's not too much to ask. The Emperor is certain that this planet holds new and untapped resources which we could always use, if we paid the right price.

The team would consist of geologists and other scientists, along with a small Marine security detail due to the relative unexplored-ness of this planet.

If this proposal is accepted, we can set course almost immediately for your planet.

We would like to send a research team to the planet, if it's not too much to ask. The Emperor is certain that this planet holds new and untapped resources which we could always use, if we paid the right price.

The team would consist of geologists and other scientists, along with a small Marine security detail due to the relative unexplored-ness of this planet.

If this proposal is accepted, we can set course almost immediately for your planet.

Yes, do they have their own ship or will they be a part of the Earth Finder III mission?

The Earth Finder III is carrying additional equipment as well as twelve Special Forces troops and more scientists.

The Earth Finder I and II are in orbit over the planet. When EF3 arrives the landing party will navigate the EF1 to the surface of the planet.

Cav and Hattia have expressed interest in participating in this mission and we hope for their assistance.

Beth Gellert, like many other nations surely did, found itself fascinated with the Haaregradian discovery. The Final Senate provided little contention to the suggestion that The People's Commonwealth ought to become somehow involved in the planet's future, but the exact degree of that involvement was unsurprisingly a source of fierce debate.

EF2 had already begun its voyage by the time the Consular Service expressed an official Beth Gellen interest in the Soviet programme. Though The Commonwealth hadn't the technology to confidently launch its own manned missions to another planet, even an inhabitable one within the Sol system, it did have minds many thought would be capable of catching-on, and its near hundred trillion dollar economy certainly had room for increased space exploration allocation. After all, there was a two trillion dollar reserve not yet earmarked for anything else.

If Soviet Haaregrad had the capacity to send men to this planet, BG had the economic muscle to expand on said capacity, and to make colonisation a possibility. Surely the Soviets would be glad of friendly socialist neighbours in light of a probable land-rush, wouldn't they?

It seemed a prospect worth conveying to Haaregrad.

Beth Gellert, like many other nations surely did, found itself fascinated with the Haaregradian discovery. The Final Senate provided little contention to the suggestion that The People's Commonwealth ought to become somehow involved in the planet's future, but the exact degree of that involvement was unsurprisingly a source of fierce debate.

EF2 had already begun its voyage by the time the Consular Service expressed an official Beth Gellen interest in the Soviet programme. Though The Commonwealth hadn't the technology to confidently launch its own manned missions to another planet, even an inhabitable one within the Sol system, it did have minds many thought would be capable of catching-on, and its near hundred trillion dollar economy certainly had room for increased space exploration allocation. After all, there was a two trillion dollar reserve not yet earmarked for anything else.

If Soviet Haaregrad had the capacity to send men to this planet, BG had the economic muscle to expand on said capacity, and to make colonisation a possibility. Surely the Soviets would be glad of friendly socialist neighbours in light of a probable land-rush, wouldn't they?

It seemed a prospect worth conveying to Haaregrad.

We would certainly be open to the idea of neighbors on this planet. How ever we feel colonization should be delayed until we can be certain that human habitation will not disturb the planet's ecosystem.

We have our own ships and should arrive (tomorrow).

Indeed, general opinion in The Commonwealth, as expressed by Consul Chivo -though not without some opposition- is that the "new" planet comes first, and terran politics a close second.

All three Earth Finders are in position with the EF1 preparing for entry.

The Earth Finder I is in position to enter the Isis atmosphere.

The Earth Finder I pilot text messaged back to earth, "We're in a stable orbit, requesting permission to begin entry."

Twelve long minutes passed until the reply was recieved, "Good luck, your nation is behind you. Commence entry."

The Earth Finder I slowly entered the planets atmosphere, the craft responding much like it did during practise runs on earth. Inside were substantial supplies of scientific gear as well as foodstuffs and the beginings of a habitation. The craft raced through the thick, cloudy atmosphere under no power until reaching 35 000 feet. At this altitude the jet engines were started and the craft continued to the designated landing zone.

http://home.ripway.com/2004-2/68292/eftouchdown.jpg
The Earth Finder I closing for a landing.

The airbrakes deployed and the engine's thrust was reversed. The Earth Finder gradually slowed until it began loosing lift. At this point the replusors were turned on and the craft settled in for a slow, soft landing.

The ship sent a second text message:

We have landed successfully, it's beautiful down here. Just plain gorgeous.

Included in the message was a first glimpse of the planet, as captured by the ship's nose camera. Something for the people back home to see and appreciate.

http://www.sttff.net/pictures/ValleyOfTheMoon.jpg

We thank SH for allowing us to send teams to the planet. Mostly Geologists, Botanists, Biologists and a few guards will be sent. They will arrive in some of our new shuttles.

The landing crew spent the first night inside the EF1, glancing out the windows at the towering trees, easily dwarfing the trees on earth. All around the craft were strange plants, most of which dwarfed anything even similar back home. Alien beasts could be heard for kilometers in ever direction.

For a few minutes head scientist Sarah Lipinski left the ship and snapped pictures, never straying from within 20 feet of the ships. Then she returned and joined the crew.

This was a stranger reality then any dream the crew had experianced, but for now dreams were what mattered as they fell asleep. They had lots of work to do tommorow.

OOC: All ships should land close together for this mission, in order to keep their impact to a minimum.

ooc: are you allowing fantasy characters to come into play? I would like to bring in Tokram Firescales.

Character Stats:(2nd character in list)

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2816901#2816901

**By the time of this thread, he has completed the quest mentioned...

Tokram would be willing to travel as security/ transportation detail while on the new planet. His appearance might spook some of the others from the original Earth, but they should be able to warm up to him in time. Tokram will be here as a reporter/observer of the new planet for his nation Tarlachia.

ooc: are you allowing fantasy characters to come into play? I would like to bring in Tokram Firescales.

Character Stats:(2nd character in list)

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2816901#2816901

**By the time of this thread, he has completed the quest mentioned...

Tokram would be willing to travel as security/ transportation detail while on the new planet. His appearance might spook some of the others from the original Earth, but they should be able to warm up to him in time. Tokram will be here as a reporter/observer of the new planet for his nation Tarlachia.

OOC: No sorry. I'm really strict about ignoring fantasy stuff. Thanks for the interest though.

OOC: Does that include proud, near-future tech bipedal aliens? I've been wondering where to put them, but I realise it'd probably be a bit much of an intrusion to have us live on this planet. Just..if you happen to be looking for a native population for one RP opportunity or another, do consider the philosophical Parmisian people! (Ahem, if not, excuse the spam, and just consider it an encouragement/tag, and keep it up!)

ooc: are you allowing fantasy characters to come into play? I would like to bring in Tokram Firescales.

Character Stats:(2nd character in list)

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2816901#2816901

**By the time of this thread, he has completed the quest mentioned...

Tokram would be willing to travel as security/ transportation detail while on the new planet. His appearance might spook some of the others from the original Earth, but they should be able to warm up to him in time. Tokram will be here as a reporter/observer of the new planet for his nation Tarlachia.

OOC: No sorry. I'm really strict about ignoring fantasy stuff. Thanks for the interest though.

OOC: :cry: Bummer...oh well...I'll keep a TAG on this anyway for reading enjoyment!

The shuttles left from Earth and arrived in three week's time.

After the Haaregradians were contacted and the landing site coordinates transmitted, three small shuttlecraft left the ship's landing bay. It was night at the site and the shuttles landed somewhat close to the Haaregradians, but not close enough to wake them.

The men and women stepped outside of the shuttles, weapons drawn. There weren't any wild animals present and so the teams set up their camp. They'd meet with the Haaregradians in the morning.

The battlecruiser Midnight entered the system and set a course for the planet that Soviet Haaregrad had discovered. It was another few minutes until the Midnight arrived at the planet. The captain of the ship ordered an orbit to be taken, and the teams readied their shuttles.

After the Haaregradians were contacted and the landing site coordinates transmitted, three small shuttlecraft left the ship's landing bay. It was night at the site and the shuttles landed somewhat close to the Haaregradians, but not close enough to wake them.

The men and women stepped outside of the shuttles, weapons drawn. There weren't any wild animals present and so the teams set up their camp. They'd meet with the Haaregradians in the morning.

OOC: Welcome to the planet, I had to edit my post so I'd have the first person on the planet though. :P

[OOC: Wait...how can you have such technology in 2020? If the date does not matter, as it doesn't seem to, why include it in the topic?]

[OOC: Wait...how can you have such technology in 2020? If the date does not matter, as it doesn't seem to, why include it in the topic?]

The original goal was to keep away people who are way more advanced then I in space, little did I know Cav had gotten that far into space tech...

Cav, can you please remove the reference to the battlecruiser to keep this at least semi-plausible, just send the shuttles from earth, let them take 3 weeks...

Pwease. :(

OOC: Gotta change my previous post.

The 3 shuttles arrived in the system and approched the planet quickly. Commander Ilya Haton Zaitsev sent out a message...

[code:1:03da5b8ba9]
Greetings from Hattia, we request landing coordinates preferable nearby to lessen the effects of our landing.
[/code:1:03da5b8ba9]

OOC: Apologized and edited.

The EF3 transmits coordinates to all shuttles intending on landing. The landing zone is a small clearing in the forest. The EF1 overshot by 3 meters and is on the very edge, right near the forest. The clearing is about half a square kilometer. As long as all ships langing can VTOL there should be enough space.

taggith

The shuttles sped to the planet and down into the atmosphere.

23 minutes later

The shuttle's heat shields worked well, they prevented any damage to the shuttle. "LZ in site, Explorer 1 lands first, then 2, then 3."

The shuttles touch down in that order and open their hatches...

http://picserver.org/view_image.php/4Z23VH5A17Y2

A string of solar satellites is all that keeps communications running smoothly from earth. EF2 is going to land tommorow, EF3 will remain in orbit to act as our communications hub.

The group split up in the morning, with an armed force heading into the woods. The others would stay behind with a smaller Marine group to guard the scientists.

"Team Alpha, this is Team Bravo. We are delving deeper into the forest and should reach the Haaregradians in a few minutes. No sign of any trouble. You can meet us over there."

"Roger that. We'll leave right now."

The scientists rolled a few ATVs out of the shuttles. The lead team walked the distance, so the entire group should meet just before getting to the Haaregradian camp.

***************
"There it is," Carol Garrison told the others as they finally cleared the trees. She was Cav's foremost expert in foreign planets, but she spent most of her time as the new Minister of Education. It was tough to juggle the jobs sometimes, but she loved both very much.

The group walked ahead to the camp, finally relaxing and lowering their weapons. They approached the nearest Haaregradian they could find.

Garrison stepped up. "Good morning! I'm Dr. Carol Garrison. I and my fellow scientists are here from Cav to study this new planet you've found. Who do we talk to?"

Hu Jianzhui turned to the Cavian and said, "I am Colonel Hu Jianzhui of the Pan-Haaregradian Armed Forces, Frontal Air Command, I'm the Captian of the Earth Finder I. I'm currently scouting for water and photographing the terrain. Would you like me to take you back to the rest of the team?" Hu had a rather heavy Chinese accent when he defected, but he was easy enough to understand, two years in Special Forces school taught him how to disguise it quite well when he needed to.

Hu called his partner over and they crawled into the seats of their speeder car with Dr. Garrison. Hu turned the throttle on and raced towards the camp.

Back at the camp the first parts of the mobile research lab were being assembled. The radio antenna was already towering 100 feet above the camp, allowing much improved communications with the EF3. Just an hour ago the EF2 had landed, bringing additional supplies.

All ready the team was seeing great diversity in flora and fauna. Tremendous roars had been heard in earlier and the team was interested in finding the source.

Commander Zaitsev strode down the ramp out of the shuttle. He was greeted by the site of the huge trees, Zaitsev had grown up in the great forests nearby Haton and he loved forests dearly. "Start putting up the shelters, I am sure you people don't want to spend another night in those shuttles. Marines form a perimeter!" Zaitsev looked around the clearing and sighted the other groups. He walked over and tapped the head scientist, Nikolai Gorshkov on the shoulder. "Nikolai, I believe we should go greet our comrades." Gorshkov nodded and followed Zaitsev off towards the other groups while the engineers began constructing the shelters.

Progress moved quickly and within very little time the beginings of shelters and labs sprung up. For the most part the animals of the planet seemed to keep their distance.

Other then a few small rodent like animals there was little animal life they had seen up close. The crew were very interested in the towering four foot tall Fly Agaric looking plants. These were huge red and white toadstools, although it had yet to be determined what they actually were.

Botanists and geologists continued to collect samples while Marines and Special Forces milled around and explored, often scouting for things of interest for the scientists to look for.

This mission would be short due to the amount of food available, however it was obvious that gardens could easily be setup, in sealed rooms of course. The next mission would use additional unmanned vehicles to act like mules, carrying large amounts of supplies without requiring additional support.

The next mission, already being planned, would be much longer.

Zaitsev and Gorshkov arrived at the other camp. Zaitsev approached the nearest person and tapped him on the shoulder, "Excuse me, where is the commader of this mission at now?"

Sarah Lipinski turned towards him, "I'm in charge of the experiments and Colonel Hu Jianzhui is the Captain of the first ship to land. Who do you need to speak to?"

OOC: This RP has been declared dead.

However, the results of this landing are as follows:

A permanent base has been setup for conducting experiments.
A communications system with earth has been setup, allowing the base to communicate with earth.
A biodome has been built to enable scientists to grow their own food and hemp for fuel, making the base closer to self-sufficient.
Plans are under way to make a sky elevator to enable materials to be transfered more quickly from surface to space.

The colony of about 80 has been called New Haaregradia.

More developments to come.