NationStates Jolt Archive

"Inkelsor I and II, this is Launch Control. Begin pre-launch check list."

"Launch Control, this is Commander Miskyar of Inkelsor I. Beginning pre-launch check list."

"Launch Control, this is Commander Adetmay of Inkelsor II. Beginning pre-launch check list, as well."

"Roger that, Commanders. T minus 30 minutes to launch. We are on schedule."

"Launch Control, this is Inkelsor I. We have green for all systems."

"Roger that, Inkelsor I. Inkelsor II, how are you doing up there?"

"All systems are green, Launch Control. We are good to go."

"Roger that. T minues 15 minutes ot Launch."

President Siethian Starsinger stood in the control room with high hopes. He turned to the chief engineer and chuckled, sweat drops rolling down his face.

"Inkelsor I and II, you are clear to initiate plasma warm-up."

"Roger that, Launch control. Beginning plasma prep sequence." Commander Miskyar swung his hand up to the top control panel, flipping switch after switch, multiple lights and bleeps going off.

"Make that 2, Launch Control." Commander Adetmay flipped the same switches as well, the on-board computers recognizing the command for plasma preps.

Inkelsor I and II are the latest Space Shuttles, using plasma as feul. Hydrogen gas is heated up to extreme tempuratures, matching those of the Sun's core. The Inkelsor class shuttle uses plasma because the they are used for carrying large payloads into space. These two are specifically carrying the final and most important pieces of Starsinger's first massive interplanetary mothership, "The Pride of Starsinger".

"Inkelsor I and II, this is Launch Control. We read that your plasma levels are rising. You may proceed with total plasma warm-up."

Inkelsor I and II in unison. "Roger that Launch Control." The two commanders flipped on last switch, and a hum could be heard through-out the launch platforms. Small jets of exhaust shot from multiple, small ports at the rear of the shuttles.

Lars and Korbain looked at each other nervously. They were about to take off in the shuttle to see the creation of the Starsinger's biggest project, "The Pride of Starsinger". The two were delegates from the Empire of DuHaru, in an effort to strengthen the aeronautical bonds between the nations.

Although the nations shared many different viewpoints, they felt they would make a strong alliance and diplomatic meetings were common among the two nations.

The shuttle began its plasma heat-up sequence and the two started taking notes on the ship. The technology was just recently introduced to the DuHaru empire by the Starsinger and they were also assigned the task of recon. This on-site recon was agreed on by the two nations, so the crew wasn't alarmed at all. Lars stood up and started watching the computer screen. Although they had different languages, they shared a universal language which was taught to all diplomatic officials. The computer screen utilized both the secondary language and sequences of math all scientists could understand. Of course, that was only part of the computer. Beyond that, the important message were relayed in the Starsinger's language.

Lars walked around the ship, collecting data on the engine and how the ship was operated. Korbain merely sat in his seat, eager to see the new mothership.

A man walks down the hallway, speeding toward the Presidents office. There is sweat on his face and he ignores everything he passes. He hasn't much time. In his hand is a little slip of yellow paper, he bursts through the presidents door. Looking angered, the president stands up and the secret service flinches a little as they seemd to almost have reached for their firearms.

"Mr. President, I think you need to see this."

He slides the paper across the presidents desk.

***************TELEGRAM*******************

LE 004 = SS 352
STARSINGER

MR PRESIDENT

OUR FEDERAL INTELEGENCE AND INVESTIGATION AGENCY RECOVERED EVIDENCE THIS MORNING OF A TERRORIST ATTACK FORMULATING TO DISRUPT THE LAUNCH OF YOUR SPACE PROGRAM STOP
FROM WHAT WE CAN TELL THE ATTACK WILL HAPPEN JUST AS THE TWO SHUTTLES REACH ORBIT STOP
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH READING THIS A FAX SHOULD BE COMING IN NOW STOP END

DALERAN NIMOHTOR
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LLANO ESTACADO

Wiping Sweat from hs brow, the messanger stares down at the president.

"Your orders sir?"

"Give me the..."

The fax machine cut him off. A secret service agent pulled the fax from the tray and placed it gently on the president's desk.

PHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN MORISE CHAVEZ AND JOSE DOMINGO

CHAVEZ: ¿Se fijan los planes? (Are the plans set?)
DOMINGO: Sí, el partido es listo comenzar. (Yeah, the party is ready to start.)
CHAVEZ: Excelentes, no tendrán ninguna idea qué golpearlos. ¡Una vez que alcancen la órbita BAM! (Excellent, they will have no idea what hit them. Once they reach orbit BAM!)
DOMINGO:¿Cuál era ése? (What was that?)
CHAVEZ: La línea telefónica caja fuerte de isn't. (The phone line isn't safe.)
END OF PHONE CONVERSATION

The man in the gray suit, whom delivered the telegraph, looked at the president. With needing eyes he spoke.

"What should we do?"

Siethian thought for a moment.

"Do not worry. We have missile defense systems as well as a heavy nation guard presence here. But just to make sure, do one last check of Inkelsor II's pad. It will be unsafe to check Inkelsor I's pad. Besides. Once the main engines are fired, any explosive will be vaporized before reaching the shuttles.

"Inkelsor I, T minus 5 minutes to launch. Plasma levels are at 100%. Begin full shuttle power up."

"Roger that, Launch Control. Powering up all systems now.........Launch Control, all systems are go."

"Inkelsor II, T minus 5 minutes to your launch. Plasma levels are at 100%. Begin full shuttle power up."

"Roger. All systems powering up........all systems are go, Launch Control."

"Inkelsor I, T minues 30 seconds to Launch. Beginning final Countdown."

"T minus 20 seconds."

"T minus 12 seconds and counting."

"10..."

"9...."

"8...."

"7....Fire secondary engines." The smaller engines ignited, launching plasma out from them, spreading small clouds of super hot gas over the launch pad.

"5...."

"4...."

"3...."

"2...."

"1....All engines go!" The main engines roared to life, huge clouds of gas engulfing the launch pad in heat. The shuttle slowly lifted out of the clouds, a bright trail of plasma following it.

"We have lift off of Inkelsor I. The shuttle has safely cleared the launch pad." The control room erupted in cheers and applause. Many shared hugs with each other as Siethian and the chief engineer shared a few tear drops.

Inkelsor I soared into the sky gloriously as the 6 extra rocket boosters gracefully fell away from the shuttle in the upper reaches of the atmosphere. 3 orbiting craft could be seen on a rendezvous path with the shuttle. If anything were to go wrong, they would retrieve the highly armored pieces of the mothership.

Korbain got up from his seat to watch the take-off from the external monitor. He'd never seen such a magnificent sight before. He sighed and returned to his seat, wondering where Lars was. He had been gone for a while and wondered if anything happened to him. He shrugged it off since it was a heavily guarded ship, and any accidents would be immediately fixed.

A few seconds after take-off, Korbain saw someone in black sunglasses and a black formal suit appear on the monitor and relay a message. It was in another language, so he couldn't read it, but he watched as the officer read the sheet and a bead of sweat grew on his forehead. He nodded and shut off the channel. He turned to Korbain and started talking loudly, since the engines were making a great deal of noise.

"Something happened to your friend, Lars. We lost his signal, although it might be the engines interfering with his tracking device. Just stay put and don't try to get up, especially during the first minute or so."

Korbain nodded and sat back in his seat. He wondered if the Inkelsor II had been boarded or something. And he wondered what happened to Lars...damn idiot shouldn't have went to do research so early.

A secret service agent walked into the Control Room and came to the cheif engineer.

"You called me, sir?"

"Ah yes. We have lost transmissions from one of the crewmembers aboard Inkelsor II. We are delaying its launch for now. I want a team of yours up there to check it out."

"Yes sir." The agent grew nervous and started sweating.

"And by the way. Could you tell Captain Korbain on Inkelsor I this?"

"Yes sir." The agent turned to a monitor and told the crew of Inkelsor I the news, then ran off.

A few minutes later a team of Secret Service agents entered Inkeslor II. The crew had been evacuated, saying that nothing had been going wrong.

They slowly made their way through the shuttle, then came upon the engine room.

"Hey guys. I'm...ugh...glad to see you." Lars was sitting on a wall, clutching his ankle. "I slipped climbing down here. I think I sprained my ankle. I'm guessing the plasma is interfering with my tracking device."

"I guess so, kid." The oldest of the agents helped Lars up, then handed him to the larger agents, who carried him out of the shuttle.

"Launch control, this is Agent Harjion. Lars has been found with a sprained ankle. Requesting a Med team."

"Roger that, Agent. A med team will be right there. Thanks for the help."

The shuttle was delayed half an hour. Lars was allowed to return, seeing as feet aren't exactly needed in space. After a quick cast was put on, the crew returned to the shuttle.

"Inkelsor II, your plasma levels are reading 100%. You are cleared to launch. T minus 1 minute."

"T minus 30 seconds."

"T minus 12 seconds and counting..."

"10...9...8...7...Fire secondary engines...6...5...4...3...2...1...All engines are go...we have lift off"

The larger main engines of Inkelsor II blasted into life, lifting it into the air as the lauch tower toppled away from it safely. Once again the control room erupted in cheers as the shuttle rocketted toward the heavens under a setting sun. The yellowish orange glow of the exhaust blended in with the fading light as it took Inkelsor II into the sky. Minutes after the launch, the rocket boosters detached from the main shuttle, gliding away back to Earth.

Inkelsor I was making the final adjustments to the orbit, having recently docked with one of the three escort vessels. The group was now in a high Earth orbit. The crew of the shuttle unbuckled themselves from the seats, high-fiving each other as they looked out the windows at the darkening Earth that slowly rotated under them. In about 5 hours, they would dock with Kinslay Shipyard, which housed the nearly completed "Pride of Starsinger". 6 hours after their arrival, Inkelsor II would dock with Kinslay, and the final construction would commence.

Inkelsor II slowly rotated so that its right side was facing Earth. An escort ship pulled up above them as 2 more came up on their sides. The first shuttle slowly lowered a docking tunnel, attaching to the top of Inkelsor II, directly behind the cockpit. An armed officer boarded Inkelsor with bomb finding equipment. This shuttle was carrying the most valuble piece of the mothership. It carried the Hyperspace core. Hardly anyone knew that it was on the shuttle, and not even the Inkelsor crews knew. All that was known was that the core had come into space in the last year. In fact, it came up in the last hour of the last year.

"Captain Korbain, we are approaching Kinslay Shipyard. Contact them and get docking clearance."

"Right-o Commander." Korbain sat back in his seat in the cockpit and turned a few dials."

"Shipyard Kinslay, this is Captain Korbain of Inkelsor I. We are approaching and requesting Docking Clearance." Static filled the cockpit for a moment.

"Captain Korbain, this is Leuitenant Graf of Kinslay. You are cleared to dock at Port 18. Change your course to the settings I am sending you know."

"Roger that, Leuitenant. Co-ordinates recieved. ETA is 10 minutes."

"Heard you loud and clear, Captain. We are looking forward to your arrival. Out."

"Commander, we are good to go." Korbain turned to Miskyar as he typed the new co-ordinates.

"Ok. Well...there she is. The mighty Kinslayer Shipyard." Miskyar pointed out the shipyard as it was highlighted on the HUD. Even at their range, the structure was emense. It was nearly 10 km long, over 5 km in height, and 6 in width. Lights covered the structure, and construction vessels swarmed all around. Inside the ribbed structure was the "Pride of Starsinger", which filled most of the shipyard.

Around the shipyard were many more structures, which were home to humdreds of stationary defense guns and dozens of fighter squadrons. Approaching Inkelsor I were 2 escort squadrons, which surrounded the shuttle.

"Commander Miskyar, this is Leuitenant Daltmar of the 1st Space Fighter Wing. I will be escorting you to the shipyard."

General Hastar stood by the window in his office, overlooking the construction, thanks to the built in gravity field. He was the chief engineer of the mothership project, and yet was not of the Starsinger Principality. He was from the closest ally of Starsinger, the USSI, or the United Socialist States of Ishraelma.

He actually had previously worked for two companies, one from each nation. The governments noticed how well he had done and invited him to this. And here he is now.

"General Hastar, Inkelsor I is about to arrive. They will be docking in 5 minutes."

"Ok, Captain. I will be down there soon." He took one last glance at the "Pride of Starsinger", then left the office and stepped into an elevator. Quickly, it took him to the necessary Docking Port. He stepped out of the elevator and into the observing room of the Port. Inkelsor I was just now docking.

The nose of the shuttle opened up and connected to the Port, opening its airlock doors. General Hastar walked down to the port itself, just in time to greet the crew.

"Ah, Commander Miskyar." He walked up to the commander and shook his hand. "I am General Hastar. I would like to welcome you to Kinslay Shipyard."

"Thank you, Sir. It's a pleasure to finally be here, especially with the cargo in tact, may I add." He chuckled. "Let me introduce the crew." He went down the crew of the shuttle, starting with Korbain, and making his way through the 8 other astronaughts.

"Well I am sure you are exhausted. Head up that path and you will come upon the 'Welcome Center'. There you will be shown to the crew compartments. The cargo will be removed from the shuttle shortly, but now I have that to attend to." Hastar left the docking port and took a tram to the engineering bay. There he handed out orders for the removal of Inkelsor's cargo. Immediately, construction vessels were off to gather the parts.