NationStates Jolt Archive

"To be someone persecuted for their beliefs is nothing in this day and age. To stand up and fight back is not novel either. When you are powerful enough to silence your critics and have them willingly submit to you for your knowledge that is when you have done something truly wonderful."

-The Forty Faces of Haarvekord, Book 1 (Particle Physics), Design 5 (Compact Linear Accelerator)

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Two years had passed since Schultaria Prime reveled in the glory of Eldaimovey's spectacular reconstruction. Fueled by new challenges and new mandates, the laboratory’s environment is once again abuzz with the vigorous sounds of progress. The endless roar of delivery vehicles and defensive armored cars patrol the streets while the pristinely built steel, limestone, and glass skyscrapers keep their occupants away from most eyes. Within the limitless boundaries of the central Schultarian Plains one of the greatest monuments to Science and Technology stood; its very presence cast a shadow of hubris across the quiet grassy landscape.

Several kilometers from the noise and commotion of the laboratory city a modest, yet relatively luxurious, group of homes stood precariously amongst the backdrop of Schultaria's always present urban reality. Unlike the jungle of concrete and tar, the small subdivision was usually quite quiet and naturally pristine; matching rows of impeccably groomed lawns merged with old growth oaks that still clung to the ground in defiance of the impending urban sprawl. This group of homes, all with their own unique flare and dramatic style, were nothing unique. The residents were something else entirely.

This was not a neighborhood of families, but a block of individuals awaiting their chance to prove themselves worthy to the Schultarian people. Thousands had applied for the chance of a lifetime; thirty remained to follow their dreams to fruition. All of them knew their talents were impressive, but they were still humbled by the scars of Eldaimovey’s tragic past. Most of the final thirty had known at least one person who died in the inferno, though they put that event in a greater perspective. As each one prepared to leave for their day’s work, all of them bowed their heads to the burnt and twisted frame of the former Cosmonaut Training center less than a kilometer from the housing development and said a small prayer for those who died for the Schultarian pursuit of knowledge.

Carved into a large boulder beside the entrance to the development, a former Schultarian Cosmonaut candidate carved her thoughts for the generations following her to admire.

“Nine thousand dead so we could ascend; we shall pursue you into the heavens, and we shall prove that your efforts were not in vain. Unik faer allnea citzna, faer allnea Planetia! Schultaria Prmus gezanti innazi holvenna!”

Today was like any other for the thirty Cosmonauts in training; most of them had been following the same schedule for nearly four years. Three hours of intensive mechanical and electrical engineering classroom study followed up by another three of strenuous gyroscopic and centrifuge testing and four hours of heavy aerobics was the life they had come to embrace. Capsule flight simulation and neutral gravity training were still minimal priorities for the time being; both the Cosmonauts and government officials were still unsure that a manned space program was still economically worthwhile.

Events beyond the boundaries of Eldaimovey would finally conclude the debate. In the personal office of Central Director Elliot Schultz, the final decision would be cast. Tomar Orrow, current head of the Schultarian Space Administration and one of the very fortunate survivors of the Eldaimovey Contact Day Massacre a decade ago, was given an audience with the three primary Directors in the capital city of Schultaria Prime. Doubtful even of his own motives, Orrow uncomfortably settled into his handmade black leather chair an shuffled a few papers in an effort to bide time. His trick didn't go over well with the three leaders.

"Well Orrow, we're waiting for you sir," said Director Harlen Damien disgustedly, "I know that you've got to compose yourself, but please be quick of it."

"Harlen, that's enough!" Schultz blurted in a moment of brief rage, "Sorry about his outburst, but you have to realize that we've got to handle the daily government affairs of 1.2 billion citizens. Now, when you are ready, we'll give our fullest attention to your case, won't we?"

Elliot's enraged bloodshot glances to his subordinate Directors gave Orrow more confidence in his progress than any motivational reassurance. He had always known Elliot to be a man of clear thought but of rather violent action if he or his position was threatened in a dishonorable manner, "I see that he's at least willing to hear me through at the expense of his work. This has to count, god willing, please don't let me choke now." Propping himself up, Tomar began to outline his case.

"Now, twelve years, ten thousand lives, and four trillion merlons later, I still feel this project is worth the risk to our nation. After all, I met those who attacked us and I have a very strong feeling that they will attempt to stop us again if we try. However, our nation has already spent nearly half a trillion in space research to develop the technology to place people in orbit. If the Space Administration is granted official sanction we could have people, OUR Cosmonauts, working beyond the bonds of Earth before the year is out. After all, when we look back on the history of Eldaimovey, was it not the mandate of our research facility to pursue the promise of manned spaceflight? Our technology is present, our Cosmonauts are willing to take the risk, and it's about time that we give our people something to take pride in. Please, consider what I've said."

Speaking his peace, Orrow left the vaulted, nearly palatial, expansiveness of Central Director Schultz's office to await the results of his presentation.

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Four hours passed before Tomar was permitted to enter Elliot's office. By this time, the sun had already set and the lights and busy activity of Schultaria Prime's nightlife were beginning to brighten the city below in a sea of electric orange and white rivers. The ambience within the room was subdued, the lights had been dimmed save for the lamp at the head of Central Director Schultz's desk and the noise in the room was quite reserved. Papers strewn about, the three Directors paid little heed to the mess; instead they had gathered around Elliot, huddling to cover any expression except for the occasional glances at the nervously fidgeting Orrow. Huddled, and still with their backs turned, Director Joan Covey broke the silence with a tone that rung of consolation.

"Tomar, we have considered the options very carefully, and we've come to the decision that we should go..."

Elliot turned around, presenting a rather large cigar and a glass of wine.

"You have our, and the National Assembly's, go ahead to speed up the manned space program's timetable. For twenty years we've been struggling to do this, but now is the time, OUR time! To Schultaria Prime!"

The celebrations lasted until well into five in the morning Schultarian Standard Time. By the break of dawn, the whole nation would rejoice in the news.

-HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: (Schultaria Prime, Schultaria Prime 07:35 SCT)

Available for immediate international release (TIME AAUTH 08:00 SCT)

In a stunning show of multilateral support for the Eldaimovey Research Complex, a new funding initiative of approximately 35 Billion merlons over the next six months was allocated to the Laboratory's Space Research Division for the expressed purpose of accelerating Schultaria Prime's manned space program. This new bill, passed by a 376 - 24 margin in the National Assembly, now increases the total funding for manned spaceflight at slightly over 135 Billion merlons for this fiscal year. With a total budgetary increase of 60% for this year alone, Hifex reporters inquired about the current status of the nation's space program. In a reply from the Schultarian Space Administration, we received the following answer.


"... With our experience following the tragedy of the Contact Day Massacre, we are glad that both the Government of Schultaria Prime and the wonderful citizens of this great nation finally see that it is our national mandate to finally meet our fellow nations in the stars. Though the designs for Schultarian manned spaceflight have been in testing for well over twenty five years, our best research efforts have been plagued by tragedy and constant budget cuts. The increase of funding will allow us to achieve in one year what our nation should have had in its space program ten years ago. Before this date one year from now, we hope to firmly set our manned presence for generations of Schultarians to come..."

Greetings, friend Schultaria Prime.

I wish to congratulate you on your accomplishment in building a successful star-void program. We have undertaken a massive star-void program ourselves, and we have been recieving large dividends from it.

We are more than happy to provide assistance to you, as we have built several re-usable star-void vehicles that can launch and land off runaways. We do not require booster rockets or missiles to propel our void-craft into the black void.

We are currently in the process of building our first void-station in orbit. Once it is completed, it will be able to serve as a research outpost, supply depot, and launching platform for deep star-void missions.

Your cosmonauts are more than welcome to dock at our star-void station, and I have instructed the Sharina void-travelers to aid you in any way they can.

May our two nations explore space together and fulfill our destiny amongst the stars.

Live well and prosper,
President Rand Veristek

To the Nation of Sharina


We thank you for your offering of support; as you know our nation has faced numerous violent reprisals for undertaking this research, but we will not let anything oppose our right to pursue the mysteries of the natural universe. Also, let this official discourse serve as belated congratulations to your own space program; Schultaria Prime is pleased that your nation has taken such an active interest in this area of science.

While we are thankful for your offer of support, and we would also like to inform your government that we have developed such devices for space travel as well; however, our research culture is also very deliberate and grindingly through in it's experimentation. Though we have devices which are more than capable of direct orbital flight without booster capability, our scientists and engineers would like to test our systems on a more "conventional" capsule based spacecraft.

If you wish, we invite you to see our current developments in both orbital and trans-orbital spaceflight; over 40 years of robotic exploration has provided us considerable impetus to continue further research into manned spaceflight. For the last 25 years, Schultaria Prime has invested nearly 800 billion USD into developing a series of reliable spacecraft. The extremely devastating and dark day of the Contact Day Massacre delayed our research efforts by over ten years, but we think that the time and effort that we have placed into this project will finally bear fruit by the end of this year.

-Unik faer allnea citzna ain eiser Planetia! Sharinnen un Sooltar Prmus unik faer ditzer Inazzi holvenna!
-Central Director Elliot Schultz

"... So, as you can see, the assembly of the vehicle components is proceeding quite smoothly and without major incident. I'd like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for taking time off from the National Assembly and monitoring our progress here."

Tomar bid farewell to the delegation from the capital, and tucked away in a nearby break room to catch a cup of coffee. Even though he had finally received the financial support of the national government, he knew that unless he produced clear results that he would have to face serious legal repercussions. Twelve years was a long time by any stretch of the imagination; for Orrow, they were a search for vindication.

As he slowly walked towards the main plant of the Vehicle Assembly Building, feelings of regret overcame his consciousness. Of the nine thousand three hundred who were there on that terrible day, he was the only known survivor; the only reason Tomar never collapsed from the guilt was from sheer stoic determination. Watching the progress of Schultaria Prime's newest machine, he reflected on his unusual situation.

"I will vindicate you. I will vindicate ALL of you! As god as my witness; Schultaria Prime will not be thrust into the darkness because of another's whim. If you could only see what we have done for you."

"Mr. Orrow? Are you all right sir," one of the foremen asked sympathetically.

"Yes... Yes, I'm all right. I just wanted to ask you if the vehicle is going to be completed under the current timetable. There were some concerns brought up by the assembly, and I wanted to have your assurance."

"No problem, we're ahead of schedule by about five days. We're just about ready to attach the crew module by the end of the week. Luck willing, this bird will be ready to fly by the end of the month."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Orrow left the assembly building in confidence and slightly more assured that his dream would be complete. By the end of the month, Schultaria Prime would finally be at the point where it was twelve years hence; this time, however, Tomar hoped that this event would be a time of national celebration, instead of another funeral for the Nation's most talented individuals. Walking to his office, only one thought rested in his mind.

"Time to pick a crew..."

-HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: (Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories [EARL], Schultaria Prime 21:10 SCT)

Available for immediate international release (TIME AAUTH 21:40 SCT)


Now, ten months after the manned space revitalization initiative was passed through the National Assembly, Schultaria Prime's first intrepid pioneers into the great adventure of space have finally been revealed. Harlen Damien, Co-Director of the Schultarian Central Directorate, and Tomar Orrow, Chairman of the Schultarian Space Administration, issued the candidate selections late this afternoon. Hifex was able to obtain their vital statistics for public release, courtesy of the Schultarian Space Administration.


MISSION COMMANDER: AEOIFE KERNOWA

Gender: Female
Age: 28
Birthplace: Tarannu
Education: University of Schultaria Prime - Dolec [Aeronautical Engineering: PhD]
Occupation: Colonel - Schultarian Kamor Collabrai | Air Defense Division [Flight Leader]

A natural born leader, Aeoife is the youngest commissioned officer in Schultaria Prime to have ever successfully earned the title of wing commander at age 26. This, coupled with her exceptional ability as a test pilot, has made her and indispensable member of the first corps of Schultarian Cosmonauts. In addition to her active career in the Defense Forces she's also a highly active instructor and an associate professor of aeronautics for the Schultarian Defense institute in Kerga-Nassubu.

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FLIGHT ENGINEER: CRAIG MASSER

Gender: Male
Age: 34
Birthplace: Dolec
Education: University of Schultaria Prime - Dolec [Mechanical Engineering: PhD]
Occupation: Flight Systems Officer - Schultarian Orbital Command [Technical Advisor]

Of all the Cosmonauts currently active in the Schultarian Space Administration, none have been as active in the technological development of the program as Craig. It's often joked that his expertise can turn rocks into radio sets, but his contributions to the space program (and specifically the technology behind such systems as power generation) are very prevalent.

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MISSION SPECALIST: JEN'OEH TASKER

Gender: Male
Age: 27
Birthplace: Edgen
Education: University of Schultaria Prime - Schultaria Prime [Astrophysics: PhD]
Occupation: University of Schultaria Prime - Dolec | Department of Physics [Associate Researcher ]

A highly imaginative individual constantly offering new challenges to the corps, Jen'oeh is one of the newest arrivals to the Schultarian Cosmonaut corps. However, his relative lack of experience with the Schultarian Space Administration has not been detrimental in the slightest; through his own rigorous activity schedules, he went from a relatively unknown recruit to a mission candidate in under five months.