NationStates Jolt Archive


FTL: Finally, a new era for Wazzu???

Wazzu
29-12-2003, 09:10
Alpha/Beta/Proxima Centauri System

http://members.cox.net/davage/images/Grendel.jpg

Captain North stood aboard the bridge of the SS Grendel overshadowed by a line of Admirals, CEOs, Politicians, and various other people in Wazzu high-society. He didn't show it, but he was nervous. Just taking a ship out this far, even if through Sunset's jumpgates, was worrysome enough. But to have the brass, pocketbook, and bureaucracy watching over ones shoulder on an event like this.... The Captain shuttered. There can't possibly be any worse position then this.



Sol System, accelerating outbound towards Centauri

There can't possibly be any worse place then this thought Lieutenant Austin, sitting solo in this gunboat sized ship. Here I am about to try an absolutely new form of superluminal travel, and no one knows for sure if it will work. But hey, the bonus is big, right? And at least I get to fly this baby.

The WStS Samson was a marvel of technology even by Wazzu TSCI standards. Centuries of research had gone into trying to make a new form of FTL...it had been a very uncorporate matter of pride that had sucked up trillians of beggars and who knew how many man-hours? And all there was to show for it was this one, little ship. But what a beautiful ship.

Light alternately glimmered off or was absorbed into her in a most spectacular fashon...and though he couldn't see it from his side, those seeing him off were oohing and aahhing at the "gravitic" modeling on their screens. But more then just an engineering marvel or a pilots fancy, the ship was truely a work of art. No holds had been barred.

Yes, thats why I chose to fly her. Who wouldn't?

But now she was well beyond prying eyes and moving fast, very fast. Relativistic velocities were required to overcome the local star's gravity well...and to arrive at a star system in any real time. She boosts so smooth. And then the time came...a small beeping in the cockpit, 3, 2, 1, transition.

Fields formed, warped. The bottom dropped out of the universe. Lt. Austin screamed in mental anguish.



Alpha/Beta/Proxima Centauri System

http://members.cox.net/davage/images/Samson.jpg

The Samson burst out from seemingly nowhere dangerously close to it's target mass. The small, airless planetoid was showered, harmlessly, in the FTL Drives wash, and the ship sped by, ignoring calls.

------

It was some time before the Grendel could move in and capture the still quickly moving ship. The Samson was docked, her navigator removed and given emergency aid...what could be given. Debate soon followed.

"A success, we have made our own!"

"A failure! Our nav has been driven insane!"

"Can it be fixed? Can it be salvaged? Can Lieutenant Austin?"

The beautiful little ship was taken back to Wazzu, undamaged. Much study would have to be done, but the first step had finally been taken.
Wazzu
30-12-2003, 05:56
"Lieutenant, can you hear me?" a voice rang out. Austin picked up his head and looked out. A bearded man in white sat comfortably behind a table inside the bright padded room. Austin unfolded himself, crawled over, and sat.

"Austin?" the man asked, "what happened to you out there."

The world went dark as Austin curled up his body and buried his head. He wimpered for a few moments before a touch on the shoulder and a reassuring voice interupted him.

"You didn't scream this time, much better. It would help you heal if you told me."

Austin trembled and worked his mouth. No sound came out. The bearded man dropped to his knee, a warm hand found its way to Austin's back...safety. He found he was able to manage a few words.

"The sky fell." he said. "It fell." He did feel better. The floodgates opened, both in tears and voice. "The world disappeared, the universe was so empty, I could feel it."

"Were fine." the older man said. "Look we are both still here, the world is still here."

"But you don't understand. I could feel it! Really, I could!"

"I know you think you could, but you can't feel that."

"I did! I really really did! Don't you believe me? I DID!" Austin ran-crawled back to his corner, curled up and wept. The touch came again, Austin screamed, and it went away.

------

"How is he Dr. Fantis?"

"Healing, but it will take time."

"Do you think he really felt something?"

"Hell if I know. The meds say there is nothing physically wrong with him, not even his brain. I guess the question is that if he felt something, did he interpret it right? Marshal, it looks almost like a psychic attack, almost. I want permission to begin treatment in that area."

"Granted. Do whatever you need to doc. That man has got to get better."
Santa Barbara
30-12-2003, 18:50
(OOC)I've seen it all. Melkor undone by a couple random special forces guys (and the obligatory Tolkien gods)... the cardboard avenger researching FTL travel...I think I even saw Siri shrug off as meaningless a massive elven persecution the other day...
30-12-2003, 18:54
farrrrt oop sorry cap'm
Sketch
30-12-2003, 19:16
A true sign that the times are indeed changing. Soon......soon.....
imported_Eniqcir
30-12-2003, 20:08
*scared*
*worried*
*Yarg! Steeling my ideas telepathically, you are!*
Wazzu
02-01-2004, 06:08
(OOC)I've seen it all. Melkor undone by a couple random special forces guys (and the obligatory Tolkien gods)... the cardboard avenger researching FTL travel...I think I even saw Siri shrug off as meaningless a massive elven persecution the other day...

OOC: I resent that! I have always said only that Wazzu wasn't ready for FTL (and that it out to be more complicated and expensive then a toaster oven). I have also always said that I accept it in NS, and I challenge you to find a post of mine where I say otherwise!

*scared*
*worried*
*Yarg! Steeling my ideas telepathically, you are!*

OOC: MUAAAAAAAHAHAaa*cough*COUGH*HACK*cough*choke* "Errr," *hehem* "Steeling? Noooo. No stolen doccuments here. Look! A telepath!" *runs away*


******IC******

"You've made a lot of progress over the last couple years, are you sure you want to do this Lieutenant." Dr. Smire asked.

"Yes." Lt. Austin looked very confident, very sure.

"Then you have some visitors."

Both men turned to look as the door opened. Two children came running in. "Daddy daddy!" they screamed.

The look so much older. How can I have missed so much of their lives. Will I miss much more? The hug hit, hard, firm. Dare I miss much more?

The hug ended, and his daughter pulled back a little, looking sad. "Do you really have to do it?"

"Don't go daddy!" her younger brother yelled, and hugged him again. Austin held him tight.

"When I was your age, your grandfather taught me something very important. We have to face our fears. Jenna, look at me. Remember, we have to face our fears. I have to do this, I will come back."

******
******

Lt. Austins hands were shaking as he got into his modified inertial-suit...the doctor pricked his forearm and got the vein the first time. "Lieutenant, remember, you'll be asleep the for the entire jump. Your ready for this." The Lt just nodded.

Deep in thought, it was as if he missed the entire walk to the docked SS Samson. She looks so beautiful, so terrible. Will I survive our second date, or will she drive me mad? Lt. Austin climed through the airlock and into her heart. He shook as she enveloped him. Could this really be our future?

******
******

"Jump comming up at 0.95, sleep agent in 10, 9, 8," I must face my fears. Austin's left hand reached for the cathider in his right forarm. "7, 6," He gripped it hard. Jenna, David. "5, 4" My father, or my children? "3, 2," [/i]My father is dead, theirs is not[/i] He released his grip. "1, injecting." Numbness spread from his arm, through his body, and overtook him.

The ship jumped.

Austin dreamed.
Santa Barbara
02-01-2004, 17:54
(OOC)I've seen it all. Melkor undone by a couple random special forces guys (and the obligatory Tolkien gods)... the cardboard avenger researching FTL travel...I think I even saw Siri shrug off as meaningless a massive elven persecution the other day...

OOC: I resent that! I have always said only that Wazzu wasn't ready for FTL (and that it out to be more complicated and expensive then a toaster oven). I have also always said that I accept it in NS, and I challenge you to find a post of mine where I say otherwise!

Blah! Well, everyone knows that only cardboard has the material properties required to withstand FTL speeds. :P