Freefall 0881 - 0890 (D)
Freefall 0881
Freefall 0882
Launch
[!0.987]2003-11-28
[!1.2]Whhrrrrrt
[!1.7]BANG
[!1.5]Crunch
[!1.7]BANG
[!1.5]Crump
[!1.5]Crash
[!1.2]Tinkle tinkle
[!1.7]BANG
That was the sound of every unsecured object on this ship coming to rest against the back wall.
Cool! I'll finally
be able to see what color the carpet in my room is.
be able to see what color the carpet in my room is.
Freefall 0883
Launch
Oh, I have slipped the surly bail bondsmen of Earth
And danced the skies on pilfered silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, towards the planet's girth
Of sun-spit clouds-to do a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-free stuff that soars, I'm charmed
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I'll chase past shouting beacons loud but unarmed
Guide my craft though countless points of law.
Up, up, the long, day turning black as coal,
I'll top the windswept heights with clumsy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle stole.
And, on the silent, hurting toes I've trod,
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, to lift the wallet of God.
And danced the skies on pilfered silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, towards the planet's girth
Of sun-spit clouds-to do a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-free stuff that soars, I'm charmed
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I'll chase past shouting beacons loud but unarmed
Guide my craft though countless points of law.
Up, up, the long, day turning black as coal,
I'll top the windswept heights with clumsy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle stole.
And, on the silent, hurting toes I've trod,
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, to lift the wallet of God.
With apologies to John Gillespie Magee Jr.
Freefall 0884
Launch
The high pressure water pumps came on. Is that supposed to happen?
Yes, it's our intermediate system.
When we're too high up for air, but not high enough for the magnetic scoops to gather iron, we use water for our reaction mass.
Hmmph. With nuclear fusion and magnetic accelerator launch systems, I was expecting to fly something more advanced than a steam powered rocket ship.
Freefall 0885
Launch
We're at our maximum acceleration for this flight. Three and a half gravities. Sam, how are you holding up?
I'm doing okay. Hard to breathe, though. Like an elephant is sitting on my chest.
That's Mr. Nosy Trunk. He's good luck.
Helix, if I could move my arms, I would hurt you.
Freefall 0886
Launch
What are you doing?
Listening to the ship, learning how it sounds.
Often, it's a change in the ship's rhythm that lets you know a problem is developing.
Kind of like how the murmur of a crowd shifts before they turn on you.
Not an example I would have used, but the same general idea.
Freefall 0887
Launch
The engines have shut down! Both of them! In a heavier than air craft, not a good thing.
We're falling now. Definitely falling. No warning lights. “ Burn complete” message is showing. This might be normal. Better go through the checklist.
First step. Look at Florence. If she's not panicking, everything is probably all right.
Freefall 0888
Yes, they're in space
I'm in space. This is the first time one of my species has gone into space intentionally. I can't describe what I'm feeling right now.
And now, everything is tilting. Tilting. Okay, I can describe what I'm feeling right now.
Oh, poor Mr. Nosy Trunk is never going to be the same.
Sam! Use the bag by your console. That's what it's there for.
Freefall 0889
Yes, they're in space
Don't worry. Most people get space sick. Try looking at the back of the ship.
Yeah, yeah. You're not a sympathy puker, are you?
No. For a wolf, the sick and injured bring out an entirely different set of feelings.
Suddenly I'm feeling much better. Not ill at all.
You know, so many people tell me that, sometimes I think I should have gone into medicine instead of engineering.
Freefall 0890
Yes, they're in space
Radiators are extended. Magnetic fields are up. Cargo bay is depressurized. Opening cargo bay door.
Captain, I can handle things here if you want to clean up.
No, I'll stay until the first satellite is launched.
I got my head stuck in the toilet. I got sick when we entered space. But as long as I'm in command when we start making a profit, my reputation will be good.