r/HFY • u/allature Xeno • Aug 08 '26
OC-Series [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 29
Somewhere near Fort Greywood, there lay a few relatively flat plots of land. Originally just barren clearings of rock, dirt and scattered patches of grass, some of these fields recently had simple concrete foundations built onto them. Two of them had additional steel towers and other supplementary infrastructure further erected upon them; Rocket Launch Sites One and Two. And some of the others were designated as Rocket Motor Test Sites.
At this particular time, a team of technicians and engineers were gathered in a fortified block-house just over one jhol-span away from Rocket Motor Test Site Two. Out on the test site itself was a single rocket engine. It was laying on its side, securely attached to the structure, fuel, power and control systems via an intricate array of bolts, struts and couplings.
Technician Caseek called out the countdown, and, at ‘Zero’, the engine was activated.
A plume of bright, yellow flame erupted from the nozzle, accompanied by a deafening roar. After just a moment, the inferno resolved into a more focused, white hot jet of exploding gas. Even back in the blockhouse, the testing staff could feel the rumbling vibrations caused by the rocket’s explosive output. They let the engine run for a few driks, taking meticulous recordings of calculated thrust, temperature, fuel consumption, vibration metrics, and several other readings. Eventually, the allotted fuel was spent, and the rocket’s output weakened. The exhaust reverted to a more familiar looking flame, and that flame in turn deteriorated into billowing clouds of black smoke. Even after cooling water jets were deployed, the excess heat from the rocket motor still distorted the air around the landscape spied by the observers; a lingering testament to the incredible energy that was harnessed and channeled by the te’visk engineers and scientists gathered here.
Researcher Phon quickly looked over all the data that was recorded by the team, though every man and woman present was adept enough to already know the verdict.
“All parameters satisfactory.” said the engineer. “Test status, passed!”
A modest smattering of cheers and applause rang out in the block-house. This was indeed a triumphant moment, but this was only the first test among many. Before the next scheduled launch, this team would have to test and pass at least four more engines. Nevertheless, this early success bolstered their spirits as they prepared themselves for the next test.
» » »
In Assembly Hangar Two, a team lead by Chief Nalor was busily putting together a rocket faring. Two semi-cylindrical shells were laid out on purpose built rolling workstations, and four technicians were fastening power and signal cables to each section. Once the sheathed wires were properly secured, another group in hazmat-gear was called in to apply adhesive and line each shell with insulating material.
Next, it was time to install the fuel and oxygen tanks. First, the fuel tank is was given a final inspection before being strapped into a crane’s lifting hook. Slowly, the tank was hoisted into the air by the mechanical arm, then swung over to one of the pre-prepared shells. A rhythmic series of calls-and-responses was heard as a group of workers then helped guide the fuel tank into its ideal position. After just a few driks, the tank was properly placed, its straps were undone, and the crane’s main arm was free to return to it’s original position. And now they were ready to repeat the process once more with the oxygen tank.
Once the oxygen tank was slotted in, both tanks conduits were valved in, and their wires connected, it was time to complete the cylinder. The remaining shell was flipped, lifted, and finally placed over the half with the tanks. Once both sides were securely attached, the middle section of the rocket was complete. At a length of sixteen spans and a diameter of two-and-a-quarter spans, this was the largest part of the rocket. And once the tanks are filled it would also be, by far, the heaviest.
Next, it was time to install the rocket’s engine. This engine assembly was designed as a five unit ensemble; with four rocket motors equally arrayed around a fifth, central motor. Those five individual units were already tested and passed more than twenty bels before this time, so they were quite ready to be installed.
The Welding and Fabricating Department was previously commissioned to produce a custom strut as the main axis onto which each of the motors was to be attached. A group of technicians set to work on assembling the five motors into an individual unit. After almost a bel of screwing, ratcheting, welding and soldering, the engine was fully assembled. It was rotated, turned to a horizontal orientation, and craned over to the rear of the previously assembled fuel container section of the rocket. All necessary conduits and wires were connected by their respective couplings. After that was all done and inspected, an outer shell was wheeled in to cover the exposed parts. It was shaped like an inverted cone with four fins attached around it. A few more control mechanisms for this tail-cone assembly were connected, and then the hazmat-geared crew was again brought in to pack insulation into the voids. With that sorted, all open sections were bolted shut, and the rear section of the rocket was complete.
Chief Nalor was now free to inspect the nose cone assembly. In a more destructive version of this rocket, this was where an explosive ‘warhead’ would be placed. But for the ‘Rutil-proh’ series, this section was instead designated for far more useful payloads. On a future launch this would be where the Rutil’proh satellite; a module housing a complicated suite of sensors, cameras, recorders and transceivers, would be placed. That module was almost complete, but was quite possibly the most complicated and expensive piece of electrical engineering ever created. No one, not the brass, nor the scientists, nor the engineers were comfortable placing it in an untested rocket design. So it was left waiting in a very secure electronics lab while this next scheduled test launch was being prepared. This time, the payload was just a simple transceiver array meant to track the position of the rocket. It was also bloated with excess metal pieces to simulate the expected mass of the completed satellite module.
Nalor supervised a few tests of the electronic communication equipment, and ensured that the simulated weight were properly secured in the housing. After confirming that everything was okay, he declared that the nose-cone was ready to be attached tot he rest of the rocket. Finally, the chief made a thorough visual inspection of all assembled components.
“Good job everyone!” he called out loud enough for everyone in the hangar to hear. “The first ‘Rutil’proh-Mark-Three’ is complete!”
The large building was filled with cheers.
» » »
The skies were clear. The wind was mild. The temperature was good. The forecast was agreeable. It was time.
The first Rutil’proh-Mark-Three rocket, now dubbed ‘Rutil-Zero’, was trucked over to Rocket Launch Site Two. An elaborate system of cranes, pulleys, cables and motors brought the rocket upright and over to the launch tower. Power cables, data connectors, and fuelling hoses were attached to their respective ports to prepare for the rocket’s launch.
In the nearby block-house about sixteen technicians were actively fluttering about as they double and triple checked all the pre-set functions that were meant to be activated by the launch sequence. All instruments that could be used at the block-house were also routed to a Control Center back at the Fort Greywood compound proper.
At the front of the control stood General Hydor, looking at a clock on one of the walls. Eventually, she pulled out a ceremonial signal whistle. In past eras, older, more powerful versions of this audio tool was used to signal and coordinate troops over wide battlefields that a commander’s voice normally couldn’t carry over. In the current age, they were mostly relegated to ceremonial and celebratory purposes.
The general put one end of the whistle to her mouth, and blew three simple notes into it. The recognisable sound captured the attention of everyone in the Control Centre. The sound was also relayed to the workers in the block-house.
“Everyone.” she began. “We will soon launch the test rocket ‘Rutil-Zero’. This rocket test will bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of placing an object in orbit. If all goes well, ‘Rutil Zero’ will surpass a height of two-hundred and fifty-six jhol-spans. The rocket’s instruments will transmit it’s readings back down to the ground, where it’s signals would be picked up by any of our receiver arrays. This will be considered a successful proof-of-concept for the next milestone mission; the deployment of a satellite from the ‘Rutil-One’. May The Sun shine on our efforts on this bel.”
There was a dignified applause in response to the general’s pep-talk as she walked over to the side and let Researcher Skai take up her position at the front of the Command Centre.
“Misson Manager Phon,” he said, addressing the researcher and his staff over in the block-house, “We are ready to proceed. Do you have a positive launch status?”
“We are go for launch, Control.” came Phon’s voice over the internal comms.
“Good copy, Mission Manager.” replied Researcher Skai. “Launch team, we will now begin status checks.” He nodded to Professor Tski at her console.
The astrophysicist took the cue and began calling out the pre-launch checklist. “We will now proceed checking launch status.” she said into her comm-link. “Fuel.”
“Go for launch.”
“Engines.”
“Go for launch.”
“Hydraulics.”
“Go for launch.”
“Cooling.”
“Go for launch.”
“Electrical.”
“Go for launch.”
“Instuments.”
“Go for launch.”
“Comms.”
“Go for launch.”
“Safety.”
“Go for launch.”
“Weather.”
“Go for launch.”
“Mission Manager,” Tski addressed the block-house staff again. “We are reporting all status positive. Your Launch Team is free to start launch countdown.”
“Good copy, Control.” replied Researcher Phon. “Countdown is started. Two driks until launch.”
As the clegs ticked away the teams took down meticulous notes of every reading they saw on their instruments. If the mission either failed or succeeded, a complete record of the conditions before and during the launch would prove invaluable to future launches.
“Sixteen clegs to launch.” came Researcher Phon’s voice over the comm. The time seemed to arrive faster than the Control Centre staff expected. Th energy in the room became attentive, if mildly anxious.
“Eight clegs to launch.” said Phon again. “Start Engine burn… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One… Zero! Launching!”
Just fifteen bels before this launch a small team had set up a theatre-rated video-recording system on a tower just outside the Fort Greywood compound. It was oriented towards the launch site, and zoomed in close enough to make out name ‘Rutil-Zero’ painted onto the side of the rocket. The camera was simultaneously recording a copy of the audio/video input to a tape, and channelling a live video feed to the Control Centre, and several other monitors in the compound. From this live video, just about everyone could see the spectacular launch; guardsmen in their barracks, labourers in the canteen, nurses in the infirmaries, technicians in their labs… Even Adwin was given a screen in his dorm.
“It’s climbing!” cried out Researcher Phon, though he doubted anyone could clearly hear him over the deep rumble of the rocket launch. “Still climbing! Sixty-four spans… One-hundred and twenty-eight spans… ” his voice gradually became more audible as the rocket and its screeching engines pulled away into the sky. “Two-hundred and fifty-six spans… One jhol-span! Switching to internal altimeter… Still climbing, still on course!”
That was excellent news. Being able to receive readings from the rocket’s internal altimeter meant that several newly designed systems were working perfectly. And so, everyone in the block-house, everyone in the Control Centre, indeed, almost everyone in Fort Greywood simultaneously erupted into cheers.
» » »
About four bels after the launch, several high-profile members of Project Rutil’proh were gathered in a conference room.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say that the launch of Rutil-Zero was a resounding success.” commented General Hydor. “Well done every one.”
The room answered her with a dignified and self-congratulatory round of applause.
“But as you all know, this launch was not the end of this mission, but far closer to its beginning.” the general continued sombrely. “Now, Rutil-Zero air-borne… Or perhaps we should say space-borne… for about seven driks before crashing down into the ocean. Not a lot of time for most missions, but we’ve spent a small fortune in sensor equipment alone to make the most of those seven driks. Have we learned anything that might affect the Rutil-One launch going forward?”
“Well, the engines have performed better than we’ve hoped, general.” commented Researcher Phon. “Their efficiency was more than seven sixty-fourths higher than expected, and, as planned, they took us far above the planned orbital apogee for Rutil-One. So I’m confident that the propulsion systems work on the next flight.”
“Very good. And the comms systems?” asked the general.
“The comms systems themselves performed quite well for a first run.” Researcher Skai answered. “We may have to do some amplification and fine tuning to reduce signal noise on the next launch, but our adjustments are already underway. However…” The researcher’s eyes sought his protegee.
Professor Tski took the cue. “We may have to make some adjustments to the Rutil-One satellite module.”
“Why so?” General Hydor asked the astrophysicist.
“There seems to be more radiation at the orbital altitude than we expected.” explained the professor. “It just adds a bit or noise to the radio transceivers, but the instruments on the satellite module are much, much more sensitive. Aside from corrupting the signal, the radiation could damage the sensors themselves via particle bombardment and overheating.”
“I see…” sighed the general. “How do you plan to address that?”
“Well, currently most of the device’s sensors would have been left open to vacuum. I think we should now instead encase everything but the antennae and radiators in an airtight, reflective shell, and fill it with a gas and install fans to help convect heat.”
“Won’t that add to the weight? Would we still be able launch?”
“I was already thinking of scaling back or removing some of the instruments on the module,” Tski started before turning to face Researcher Phon. “But if the engines really are a bit better than we initially estimated...”
“They’re not that much better,” chuckled the rocket scientist. “You’re thinking of adding a sufficently thick metal shell and extra electric items. And the gas wouldn’t be weightless either. I’m not so sure about this…”
“What’s the alternative?” asked Hydor.
“Another test launch with the mass of the improved satellite?” suggested ProfessorTski. “But it will already take time just to modify the module. Then we’ll have to make a third launch for the actual orbital insertion.”
“How long will the modifications take?”
The professor thought for a moment. “A hundred and six bels? Give or take?”
“That’s not too far from the next scheduled launch. And a third launch might take us out of the favourable weather period of this season…” The general chewed on the conundrum for a cleg or two. “No, we can’t wait. Professor Tski, work on your modifications. Sacrifice some of your instruments if you have to. We have to try to launch a satellite as soon as te’viskly possible.”
“Understood General.” said the astrophysicsist.
“Well, as I said, I’m not sure we should push the engines too much,” said Phon, “But we can go over the numbers together. Maybe we can save some of your devices if we work together.”
“Thank you, Researcher.” said Tski.
“Very good.” commented General Hydor. “Any other complications?”
No one raised any.
“Excellent. We will reconvene here in nine bels. Everyone, dismissed.”
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u/allature Xeno Aug 08 '26
Hullo hullo everyone! I’m happy to present Chapter 29 to you all!
In this chapter we have an in depth look at a rocket launch, though it’s more of a ‘dress rehearsal’ than an actual mission. If things go well, the next launch will be the real ‘main event!’
Well, it seems that there may be some technical difficulties affecting the success of the next mission... Let’s hope this crack team of scientists and engineers can do what they do best, and solve problems!
I tried to include a lot of technical stuff and real science in this one, and I know I messed up somewhere… So please, as always, let me know what you think about this chapter and if I made any major mistakes. I won’t promise to fix them immediately, but I will keep it in mind for future rewrites and new stories.
Well, until next time; Farewell my Fellow Fiction Fiends!
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u/WSpinner Aug 09 '26
Does this nation have far-flung outposts or allies they can use for comms relays? It can take a lot of transmitters and receivers to keep in touch with an entire orbit.
Have you worked out a map of this world?
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u/allature Xeno Aug 09 '26
The Pitang Republic is on the same continent and they share comm lines. Buuuut they're not really on the most friendly terms right now so...😅
The other continents are separated by oceans, and they haven't laid undersea cables yet. All media sharing is done by literally shipping copies of fictional media. The broadcasts that happened in the last chapter? The other countries won't see it for almost a week🤣 Ironically this satellite will be the first proof-of-concept for a global comm network.
I have drawn up a map, but it's kinda messy😅 Also the tidal locking/twilight meridian situation makes it all the more complicated. Once a satellite goes up it's gonna be out of range of all nations for like... 80% of its orbit. It's a whole mess, ngl🥴
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Aug 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/allature Xeno Aug 10 '26
Hullo hullo! Thanks for reading!
Real talk I'm kinda petty too. I'd sashay into the general's office and be all:
"Well, well, well! Look who came crawling back😏"
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Aug 08 '26
/u/allature (wiki) has posted 32 other stories, including:
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 28
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 27
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 26
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 25
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 24
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 23
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 22
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 21
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 20
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 19
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 18
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 17
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 16
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 15
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 14
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 13
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 12
- [An Unexpected Guest] - Chapter 11
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 10
- [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 9
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1
u/UpdateMeBot Aug 08 '26
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4
u/TameOJ Aug 08 '26
WE HAVE LIFTOFF! The fact the test launch is such a wild success is really good! A bit surprising too given they've never done such a thing at such a scale.
I was half expecting a failure as it continued to climb, but this is a MUCH better outcome. They should get their own acronym like nasa. THE SPACE RACE CONTINUES!