Post by Zach on Apr 4, 2013 18:46:06 GMT -5
The day had finally come, weeks ago Zach had submitted his preliminary plans for his personal spacecraft to the Capsule Corp. engineering office and today was the day the office quoted as the completion date of construction. Although ships were a hobby of Zach's when he was a child he didn't know enough about the more intricate workings of space vessels to design the craft completely on his own. Additionally the actual manufacture of a space ship was well beyond the blonde's capabilities. While carving and hardening stone with his eye beams to build the new Victory school was comparatively easy, all be it time consuming, construction of the intricate mechanisms and pressure hull of a space craft were completely outside of Zach's specialty. So knowing it was beyond him, Zach designed as much of the craft as he could, adding as many notes about the appearance, functions and capabilities as he could and then sent the incomplete project off to the advanced technology company for completion and fabrication. Although normally such a custom project was very expensive and thus prohibitive to the average citizen, Zach had saved every penny he could until he finally had enough to pay for the purchase.
Already bought and paid for, today was the day for the young man to venture to Capsule Corp. for the unveiling, test ride and finally to take the ship home. If he knew Gurin probably would have lectured him about how Zach didn't need a ship of his own or how he would cover the cost himself, but Zach wanted this for himself and for Rito, he wanted a ship he himself bought and owned himself rather then owing someone else for the ship. In this capacity Zach could use the ship when ever, where ever and for what ever reason he wanted rather then being indebted to another and in that way, obligated to use the ship for their purposes rather then his own. This extended to Gurin most pointedly. Although Zach owed the Namekian much, the green man's growing thirst for destructive combat and competition as epitomized by his super dome, was alarming even to the blonde. After piecing together some of his incomplete memories from their trip to what once was Vegeta, Zach recalled how readily the Namekian destroyed the planet, even after the blonde had settled the score. True, Gurin was fighting with Nam, but not even Zach at his most irrational would resort to destroying a planet in order to kill an opponent, at least that's what the boy hoped. It was for this reason Zach's trust in the Namekian had been shaken and his growing distaste for the green man's pet project had started in the first place and so why Zach wanted to privately own his ship. With a privately owned ship, Zach wouldn't be obligated to do as Gurin requested should Zach ever need the use of a ship, instead he could be the one in the advantageous position of being able to offer his services.
Leaving the school for a flight out to the Metropolis Island factory, Zach arrived in short order at the Capsule Corp. building in this particular province. He'd chosen this particular facility to fulfill his order as they possessed the most advanced technology available, and the best engineers in the space division. He arrived thankfully to little fanfare, only a handful of people murmuring and giggling in adulation as the blonde walked through the building's main lobby. Surrounded by men in lab coats and suits, the half clothed young man stood out quite a bit but this never bothered him. His body was the very model of perfection and modesty was something that Zach had in very short supply. The shirtless teen was greeted by a young man behind the reception desk and within minutes was shown strait through to the factory floor where his new ship was being held after final processing. The tall, pointed propulsion module stood out amongst the rest of the generally spherical vessels quite clearly. Likewise it's old, Apollo capsule shaped hull was a distinctive sight in the factory. Unlike the old lunar bound spacecraft on which it was modeled however, the Sword of Damocles was a fully interstellar capable space ship. Further unlike the more contemporary ships of it's price range, Zach had specified that rather then the option of a gravity chamber, the ship be built small and functional so as to minimize it's sensor cross section and thus avoid detection as well as have the most advanced propulsion technology available used in it's construction to greatly increase the ship's speed. The whole of these changes from the normal design resulted in a craft that could comfortably carry three passengers with a small bathroom, travel from planet to planet and do so at much greater speed then any other known craft. It's great speed would mean that Zach could travel from one location to another in about half the time it took any other fast craft of the time.
For one of the few times the teen was ever visibly happy, Zach buzzed around the ship like a giddy school boy, practically salivating as the technicians assigned to his particular project explained the workings of the ship. In spite of it's size the Damocles possessed a powerful computer capable of responding to both vocal and manual input and guiding the ship automatically. The craft's life support equipment was small enough to fit within the tiny confines intended for it. So much room was saved in the design with the use of smaller, advanced technology that a working bathroom with folding sink and toilet had been incorporated into the ship at the expense of just one passenger seat. Where as the craft might have been able to hold four, it contained seating for only three and the space that would be allocated to a fourth passenger, reserved for the lavatory facility. An additional perk of the advanced technology used was that when both the sink and toilet in the cramped bathroom were folded up, the entire room could be used as a small shower. Food was the only limiting factor in the craft's design as both air and water were infinitely recyclable and the ship could refuel in flight by gathering and compressing interstellar hydrogen.
"This is absolutely perfect." Zach commented, much to the elation of the technicians. "How does it handle?" he then asked, to which they explained that they had only had the propulsion system running for tests. "Oh, well then we've got to take it up for a test ride before I take it home. Who wants to tag along?"
The only technician who seemed willing to take a ride in the untried ship was a man named Styles. Climbing into the capsule shaped vessel he took a seat in the right hand, co-pilot's seat while Zach took the left hand seat. while Zach familiarized himself with the controls his passenger plugged a portable computer into the co-pilot's consol and started running tests. Sitting on a transport cradle as it was on the factory, the Sword of Damocles was wheeled out of a huge set of garage doors. Once in position outside for takeoff, Zach and his passenger reclined in their seats so as to be facing upward relative to the ground. The propulsion module powered up with a rumbling hum and once the onboard computer completed it's own checks, liftoff power was applied. Four jets of bright orange flame shot down from the long, pointed propulsion module, washing over the conical hull of the passenger cabin and lifting the whole vehicle off of the transporter. Moments after lifting off of the transporter, the three landing legs that supported the craft while at rest, retracted up against the vessel's hull and folded into their storage/travel positions. Already enjoying himself more then works could express, Zach waited for the computer to get them up to test altitude before taking the controls himself and flying the ship around in concentric circles around the perimeter of the manufacturing facility.
Once both Zach and the technician onboard with him were satisfied that the ship's hovering capabilities were operating properly, they applied additional engine power and the craft went rocketing off into the upper atmosphere. The ride into the rarified reaches of the atmosphere took no more then a minute, the intense acceleration pushing both Zach and his passenger into their seats as they climbed at ever increasing speeds. The trip up though was quick and once the craft was high enough to properly test the life support equipment, the propulsion system throttled back down to hover mode and held the craft up at the very edge of space. So high up where they that one could easily see the curvature of the Earth and the sky was now black instead of blue. Testing only took a few minutes, just long enough to establish that there were no leaks in the main hatch, that the pressure hull was holding and that the air recycler was functioning properly. That round of tests complete, the next involved the propulsion system and it's increased capacity for FTL flight.
Throttling back up, the Sword of Damocles resumed it's rocket like rise out of Earth's atmosphere and into the frictionless vacuum of space. Gliding along still under power, the ship's computer set course for their test destination, the ninth planet in the solar system, an icy little body with it's surrounding moons known in years gone by as Pluto. Several attempts had been made in the past to commit Plutocracide by reclassifying the ninth planet as a "dwarf" or asteroid or any number of rubbish designations, none of which ever stuck longer then the fad to attempt to reclassify it. Once outside of LEO, otherwise known as Low Earth Orbit, where most of Earth's shipping and commercial stations orbited, the Damocles engaged it's Faster then Light drive which consisted of a set of subspace driver coils fed by the same fusion reactor that provides plasma for the thrust nozzles. Indeed the plasma powering the coils continues to exit through the very same nozzles to continue to provide direction control while the ship accelerated into superluminal velocities.
Returning their seats to their normal, upright positions for better use of the controls, Zach and his passenger gazed out of the windows as the stars melted into streaks of light appearing to fall down from their perspective. The short cruise in FTL flight was just that, short, lasting just long enough to reach the ninth planet and check to make sure the drive system functioned properly. Again the engineers appeared to do their job very well and the drive system performed beautifully. Swinging around Pluto under sub-light power, the Damocles set course back towards Earth and once again engaged it's FTL drive for the leg home. Again only taking at best a minute, the craft dropped out of superluminal flight just outside of Earth orbit and began to reorient for atmospheric entry. This was potentially the most dangerous part of the test as although the heat shield was a tried and proven technology, this was the first time a craft of this configuration was entering the planet's atmosphere. The directional control vanes on the nose of the propulsion module completely reversed their orientation so that the air flowing up the length of the module could be used for steering and moments later the blunt heat shield at the bottom of the craft started to glow with the fiery plasma of re-entry. Still applying engine power to further decelerate, the Damocles completed it's test ride, passing every check and setting back down on the transporter cradle without incident.
Feeling like the giddy school boy he was acting like earlier, Zach was so happy with the ship's performance that he shocked his passenger by pinning him against one of the capsule's inner walls before the hatch was opened and planted a passionate smooch on him. It might have been pent up sexual frustration or simple gratitude but Zach didn't release the guy until he absolutely needed to breath. He went on to tank the rest of the technicians with a vigorous hand shake and invitations to attend the school when ever they liked at a considerable discount from the normal administrative fees. Finally once the team had been thanked and the ship's title officially handed over, the blonde re-boarded the craft and lifted off, bound for a return trip back to the Victory School where the Sword of Damocles would be stored when not in use.
{Topic concluded. Applying for the monies.
Sword of Damocles acquired. Custom space ship capable of carrying three to any planet within the same posting day as departure. Only one upgrade available: Enhanced FTL drive. Drive not currently installed, waiting on staff discussion on the topic to be concluded. Current cost of ship: 2000Z.}
Already bought and paid for, today was the day for the young man to venture to Capsule Corp. for the unveiling, test ride and finally to take the ship home. If he knew Gurin probably would have lectured him about how Zach didn't need a ship of his own or how he would cover the cost himself, but Zach wanted this for himself and for Rito, he wanted a ship he himself bought and owned himself rather then owing someone else for the ship. In this capacity Zach could use the ship when ever, where ever and for what ever reason he wanted rather then being indebted to another and in that way, obligated to use the ship for their purposes rather then his own. This extended to Gurin most pointedly. Although Zach owed the Namekian much, the green man's growing thirst for destructive combat and competition as epitomized by his super dome, was alarming even to the blonde. After piecing together some of his incomplete memories from their trip to what once was Vegeta, Zach recalled how readily the Namekian destroyed the planet, even after the blonde had settled the score. True, Gurin was fighting with Nam, but not even Zach at his most irrational would resort to destroying a planet in order to kill an opponent, at least that's what the boy hoped. It was for this reason Zach's trust in the Namekian had been shaken and his growing distaste for the green man's pet project had started in the first place and so why Zach wanted to privately own his ship. With a privately owned ship, Zach wouldn't be obligated to do as Gurin requested should Zach ever need the use of a ship, instead he could be the one in the advantageous position of being able to offer his services.
Leaving the school for a flight out to the Metropolis Island factory, Zach arrived in short order at the Capsule Corp. building in this particular province. He'd chosen this particular facility to fulfill his order as they possessed the most advanced technology available, and the best engineers in the space division. He arrived thankfully to little fanfare, only a handful of people murmuring and giggling in adulation as the blonde walked through the building's main lobby. Surrounded by men in lab coats and suits, the half clothed young man stood out quite a bit but this never bothered him. His body was the very model of perfection and modesty was something that Zach had in very short supply. The shirtless teen was greeted by a young man behind the reception desk and within minutes was shown strait through to the factory floor where his new ship was being held after final processing. The tall, pointed propulsion module stood out amongst the rest of the generally spherical vessels quite clearly. Likewise it's old, Apollo capsule shaped hull was a distinctive sight in the factory. Unlike the old lunar bound spacecraft on which it was modeled however, the Sword of Damocles was a fully interstellar capable space ship. Further unlike the more contemporary ships of it's price range, Zach had specified that rather then the option of a gravity chamber, the ship be built small and functional so as to minimize it's sensor cross section and thus avoid detection as well as have the most advanced propulsion technology available used in it's construction to greatly increase the ship's speed. The whole of these changes from the normal design resulted in a craft that could comfortably carry three passengers with a small bathroom, travel from planet to planet and do so at much greater speed then any other known craft. It's great speed would mean that Zach could travel from one location to another in about half the time it took any other fast craft of the time.
For one of the few times the teen was ever visibly happy, Zach buzzed around the ship like a giddy school boy, practically salivating as the technicians assigned to his particular project explained the workings of the ship. In spite of it's size the Damocles possessed a powerful computer capable of responding to both vocal and manual input and guiding the ship automatically. The craft's life support equipment was small enough to fit within the tiny confines intended for it. So much room was saved in the design with the use of smaller, advanced technology that a working bathroom with folding sink and toilet had been incorporated into the ship at the expense of just one passenger seat. Where as the craft might have been able to hold four, it contained seating for only three and the space that would be allocated to a fourth passenger, reserved for the lavatory facility. An additional perk of the advanced technology used was that when both the sink and toilet in the cramped bathroom were folded up, the entire room could be used as a small shower. Food was the only limiting factor in the craft's design as both air and water were infinitely recyclable and the ship could refuel in flight by gathering and compressing interstellar hydrogen.
"This is absolutely perfect." Zach commented, much to the elation of the technicians. "How does it handle?" he then asked, to which they explained that they had only had the propulsion system running for tests. "Oh, well then we've got to take it up for a test ride before I take it home. Who wants to tag along?"
The only technician who seemed willing to take a ride in the untried ship was a man named Styles. Climbing into the capsule shaped vessel he took a seat in the right hand, co-pilot's seat while Zach took the left hand seat. while Zach familiarized himself with the controls his passenger plugged a portable computer into the co-pilot's consol and started running tests. Sitting on a transport cradle as it was on the factory, the Sword of Damocles was wheeled out of a huge set of garage doors. Once in position outside for takeoff, Zach and his passenger reclined in their seats so as to be facing upward relative to the ground. The propulsion module powered up with a rumbling hum and once the onboard computer completed it's own checks, liftoff power was applied. Four jets of bright orange flame shot down from the long, pointed propulsion module, washing over the conical hull of the passenger cabin and lifting the whole vehicle off of the transporter. Moments after lifting off of the transporter, the three landing legs that supported the craft while at rest, retracted up against the vessel's hull and folded into their storage/travel positions. Already enjoying himself more then works could express, Zach waited for the computer to get them up to test altitude before taking the controls himself and flying the ship around in concentric circles around the perimeter of the manufacturing facility.
Once both Zach and the technician onboard with him were satisfied that the ship's hovering capabilities were operating properly, they applied additional engine power and the craft went rocketing off into the upper atmosphere. The ride into the rarified reaches of the atmosphere took no more then a minute, the intense acceleration pushing both Zach and his passenger into their seats as they climbed at ever increasing speeds. The trip up though was quick and once the craft was high enough to properly test the life support equipment, the propulsion system throttled back down to hover mode and held the craft up at the very edge of space. So high up where they that one could easily see the curvature of the Earth and the sky was now black instead of blue. Testing only took a few minutes, just long enough to establish that there were no leaks in the main hatch, that the pressure hull was holding and that the air recycler was functioning properly. That round of tests complete, the next involved the propulsion system and it's increased capacity for FTL flight.
Throttling back up, the Sword of Damocles resumed it's rocket like rise out of Earth's atmosphere and into the frictionless vacuum of space. Gliding along still under power, the ship's computer set course for their test destination, the ninth planet in the solar system, an icy little body with it's surrounding moons known in years gone by as Pluto. Several attempts had been made in the past to commit Plutocracide by reclassifying the ninth planet as a "dwarf" or asteroid or any number of rubbish designations, none of which ever stuck longer then the fad to attempt to reclassify it. Once outside of LEO, otherwise known as Low Earth Orbit, where most of Earth's shipping and commercial stations orbited, the Damocles engaged it's Faster then Light drive which consisted of a set of subspace driver coils fed by the same fusion reactor that provides plasma for the thrust nozzles. Indeed the plasma powering the coils continues to exit through the very same nozzles to continue to provide direction control while the ship accelerated into superluminal velocities.
Returning their seats to their normal, upright positions for better use of the controls, Zach and his passenger gazed out of the windows as the stars melted into streaks of light appearing to fall down from their perspective. The short cruise in FTL flight was just that, short, lasting just long enough to reach the ninth planet and check to make sure the drive system functioned properly. Again the engineers appeared to do their job very well and the drive system performed beautifully. Swinging around Pluto under sub-light power, the Damocles set course back towards Earth and once again engaged it's FTL drive for the leg home. Again only taking at best a minute, the craft dropped out of superluminal flight just outside of Earth orbit and began to reorient for atmospheric entry. This was potentially the most dangerous part of the test as although the heat shield was a tried and proven technology, this was the first time a craft of this configuration was entering the planet's atmosphere. The directional control vanes on the nose of the propulsion module completely reversed their orientation so that the air flowing up the length of the module could be used for steering and moments later the blunt heat shield at the bottom of the craft started to glow with the fiery plasma of re-entry. Still applying engine power to further decelerate, the Damocles completed it's test ride, passing every check and setting back down on the transporter cradle without incident.
Feeling like the giddy school boy he was acting like earlier, Zach was so happy with the ship's performance that he shocked his passenger by pinning him against one of the capsule's inner walls before the hatch was opened and planted a passionate smooch on him. It might have been pent up sexual frustration or simple gratitude but Zach didn't release the guy until he absolutely needed to breath. He went on to tank the rest of the technicians with a vigorous hand shake and invitations to attend the school when ever they liked at a considerable discount from the normal administrative fees. Finally once the team had been thanked and the ship's title officially handed over, the blonde re-boarded the craft and lifted off, bound for a return trip back to the Victory School where the Sword of Damocles would be stored when not in use.
{Topic concluded. Applying for the monies.
Sword of Damocles acquired. Custom space ship capable of carrying three to any planet within the same posting day as departure. Only one upgrade available: Enhanced FTL drive. Drive not currently installed, waiting on staff discussion on the topic to be concluded. Current cost of ship: 2000Z.}
