Chapter 22
11:16 PM August 30th, 2016
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andra Pradesh Region, India, Earth
Chairman Nayak had his face in his hands. All the people in the control room watched him. He did not move, his head remained buried in his hands. 5 minutes of this silence passed.
"Start designing a small shuttle. 1-2 man crews." - Chairman Nayak
"Flyable to the moon?" - Engineer
"Of course, and a cannon, able to fire without oxygen." - Chairman Nayak
"A cannon?" - Engineer
"A gun, long, launches projectiles" - Chairman Nayak
"But why would you need--" - Engineer
"The Americans are on our Moon, do you think they will leave without persuasion?" - Chairman Nayak
Chapter 23
2:02 PM November 1st, 2016
Trophy 1, Orbit of Mars
"Trophy 1 this is Earth Command Alpha, report your landing status." - PNSP Radio Operator
The man piloting Trophy 1 was a former Polish worker who helped build the ship itself. He was chosen to take the ship on its first and final voyage because he had personally worked with the wiring of the cockpit and would be able to repair anything if there was a malfunction. His name was Aaren Casterlaar. He was drafted into the PNSP workforce when it was first formed.
"This is Trophy 1 responding" - Aaren Casterlaar
"What is your landing status Trophy 1" - PNSP Radio Operator
"Beginning descent within the half of the hour" - Aaren Casterlaar
"You are clear for descent, stay in contact until landing is complete" - PNSP Radio Operator
10 minutes passed.
"Earth Command Alpha we are beginning our descent" - Aaren Casterlaar.
The nose began to dip towards the planet. The gravity slowly began to pull the ship towards the surface. The ship groaned at first but headed at the correct trajectory towards the planet.
"Everything looking okay from here Earth Command" - Aaren Casterlaar
"So is everything down here" - PNSP Radio Operator
The ship began to pick up velocity. Aaren used the underbelly thrusters to stay on the ideal trajectory. The surface came closer and closer. Trophy 1 broke through the atmosphere. Aaren agained used the thrusters to stay in control of the falling ship. Using every drop of fuel Aaren slid the ship into a small crater with only moving the soft dirt that covered the crater surface.
"Status?" -PNSP Radio Operator
"No damage, we have landed" - Aaren Casterlaar
