NationStates Jolt Archive


Its Electric!

Pablicosta
07-06-2004, 21:14
The ground arround Launch Facility 7 shook gently as the low powered eco. rocket rose from its stand.
The PA boomed through the masive speakers, to alert the whole base; "We have a succesfull lift off for GrassRoots 4, carrying energy modules 3,4 and 5. All personell return to observation stations immediatley". A cheer erupted in the observation bunker as the staff realised that the energy problem in Pablicosta could soon be over, would soon be over. As they headed back towards the main facility they watched through the reinforced glass as the rocket slowly moved up toward the atmosphere. Two of the observers, who also happened to be orbit controllers at LF7, rode their transport car through the massive facility. 18 full scale rocket launch units were stationed on the facility and Jo Krezack and Graeme Heslop were responcible for engaging and maintaning the orbit of the units which propelled themselves from this base.
"Gee, that thing has gotta be the slowest thing we ever launched!" said Jo with an air of astonishment at the slow pace of the unit. 3 minutes had passed and it was just breaking cloud cover, and the cloud was low today.
"Na" replied Graeme enthusiastically "You remember The Crawler?"
"Oh yeah! Had to intake oxygen to propell itself. Is it in orbit yet?"
"Nope." The pair laughed outloud before Graeme continued "It's over Credonia last I heard. 2 years since we launched it!"
"Damn!" Jo thought for a moment as he looked outside [i]That thing isn't steady, its tilted. No, it can't be. Just my eyes"
The rocket glowed orange as it struck the atmosphere of earth, just as Jo and Graeme arrived at the long stairs to their controll room. No windows.

As they walked, they were halted by screams of "Oh My God" and "Christ No" from the people still at a window.
"What, whats wrong!?" yelled Graeme as he ran up the stairs to the next window, "Oh my God!." His eyes were met by a fireball crackling in the sky, thundering down with smoke erupting from the craft.
"Jo! The craft just exploded!"
"Oh my...DAN!"
"Oh Shit!"
Dan was the one man pilot for the craft and now he was dead. The pair ran to the top of the next stairs and out into the open air. Graeme stopped and looked whilst Jo sprant on toward the crash site.