NationStates Jolt Archive

After months of preparation and final touches, the ship was finally complete. The Asteroid Belt was a mixed blessing, hiding the ship as it did, providing the raw materials needed, but also providing the ship builders and other Nomads with plenty of stress. An asteroid hit could set them back several thousand workers, and months of work. The ship itself was enclosed in a hollow asteroid, from a previous mining operation in this sector. Inside its drab berth, the ship slowly came together in the years that followed.

First, the workers created the scaffold, then the main supports. The engine fairings, the basic structure, and soon, Soren began to take shape. Like all the City Ships, ranging from the predecessor, Terra Stratus, which was destroyed after its temperamental reactor went critical during orbit maeuvers, to the newest ship, Hiigara, Soren had unique topography. Megaroad, for instance, had two support pillars in its city section. There were always differences.

Soren was no different. Smaller than A'tuin, but larger than Hiigara, this ship would eventually carry a population of 3 million. Once launched, Soren's maiden voyage would take her to Earth orbit. It would then travel corewards. It would be the first of the City Ships to travel corewards, and explore the Great Centre.

But perhaps there were members of the human race, or otherwise, who did not want Soren to ever launch.

Anthony Hanover sat in the captain's seat, the Helm over looking the great dome of the city. Now inhabited, he could look down, and see the green parks, real trees, and hotels, buildings, and houses on the mountain. The lights were on, the people milling. Awaiting.

And now it was time.
'Sir, engineering reports engines ready, Berth command report ready. Navigation online. Life support's sitting back with cheap champagne.' His aide reported. A small smile played on his lips.
'Better not keep them waiting then. Engineering, fire her up.' The assent was barely heard over the sudden rumble of the massive repulsor lifts, and the six engine port glowing eery blue. Despite the power behind the engines, the scaffold held Soren in place. That was about to change.
'Berth command. Cut us loose.'
'Understood, Soren. See you in Earth orbit.' With that, the twelve scaffold restraints ground back from the hull, and Soren was truly free.
'Navigation. Quarter speed, rotate to 4 degrees bow, the opening's a little low. Level at clearance'
'Yes sir! Quarter Speed, 4 degrees bow.' The young Ensign worked the controls, and slowly, the scaffold arms drew back behind him.
'Clearance in twelve seconds sir.' His aide whispered.
'Lifesupport, Running lights please.' The lights switched on in a slow wave from bow to stern.
'Five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One.'
'We are clear of Berth!'

Anthony fancied he could hear the citizens temultous roar of applause.
'This is City Ship Soren. We are clear, and under own power.'
'This is City Ship Megaroad. A'tuin couldn't make it, but Lord-Mayor Sawyers sends her congratulations.'
'I'm sure she does. Have your coordinates, Megaroad?'
'Follow our lead, Soren, our road is always clear.'

With little less than an acknowledgement, Megaroad's waveform appeared, scintillating light washing over the hull, a beautiful sight. Until Soren's own wave crashed down on the hull.

Two minutes later, Earth Orbit.

WIth a soundless crash, the two behemoths decellerated. Their waveforms closed behind them, and then all was silent.

'Okay, send the signal.'

'Free nations of Earth! In celebration of the completion and successful launch of City Ship Soren, we invite delegates and leaders aboard, for a grand tour and night's accomodation in the Five Star Balaramh Hotel. We will cater to your desire. Welcome, and we hope to see you aboard!'

OOC: Party Style RP.

Anthony Hanover always hated dress uniform. He prefered an unzipped jumpsuit, shirt, trousers and boots to these prissy white with gold trim uniforms. Well, you can take the captain out of the Freighter, but not the freighter out of the captain... No matter what I am, I'm always Cruiser Tony. Cruiser Tony, his nickname for his nack for confusing the Nine Hells out of War cruisers attempting to put a damper on his smuggling racket.

Now, he was Captain aboard the newest version of the City Ship design. How times change... He was awaiting the first delegate to arrive. The hanger he was in was easily a kilometre wide, and about the same distance long. 'Parking in here would be interesting with the Gorgon, eh Sandy?' He said, looking at his European Aide. She was also his first mate on board his old freighter, the Gorgon.
She smiled, thinking back to the dirty, smelly old ship, with it's engine groan, and jittery controls. 'Very interesting. They should've used it to train the green pilots.'
He laughed at this, and continued staring down at Earth. It was once a home for his people. He couldn't imagine NOT living on a City Ship. The idea of settling down, on a Rock, with no way to control your fate... It made him uncomfortable.

'Pretty world, isn't it?' Sighed Sandy, gaze shifting from Earth to the security guards posted at the entrance in Dress uniform, Pulse rifles polished to the nth degree.

'I'd have thought the delegates would have began coming by now. It's not like the don't know we're here. A ship as big as old New York isn't very hard to miss.' He was annoyed perhaps only because his ass was chafing in these tight trousers. He shifted about, trying to alleviate the pressure, only to make it worse. How he longed to manually rearrange them, but it would look rather... Odd, seeing the captain with his hand down his pants.

'Tony... Fix it later, while we're on the transport.' Murmured Sandy, Looking at the rapidly approaching ship.

*Runs over random animal* Bump!