Port Algec
Launch Tower ||| Command Tower
Tyr Fin, Everin Skye, Gabriel Seth, Deryk Orgs
||| George Eltz, Dr. Charles Edwards, Dr. AmayaYashia
The elevator carrying everyone came to a sudden halt at the top, and the wire gate holding them back was lifted out of the way. Helped off of the lift the personnel on this level did final checks on the equipment for all, replacing filters and batteries where necessary.
"It's funny how much of this all fits together. Even across time they keep to some standards." Tyr wiped off a bit of oil left on the rim of his helmet while his suit's battery was replaced with a fresh one after a weak response.
"You're all clear, good luck." The prep team packed up their gear while guiding everyone into the entrance to the rocket, before closing the hatch and rolling onto the elevator to depart. Inside the large open space were the four mobile weapons, the Flag orbit package, Moebius Zero, Bolinoak and Nobusshi separated by the cross shaped catwalk the crew was walking along. Tyr took a few moments to look at the suits from their vantage point while the regular crew proceeded along to the top of the rocket for launch.
"Alright each of you to your suits. No movement until after we break atmo and reach orbit." After clarifying with the other pilots Tyr followed the outstretched ramp towards his cockpit and climbed in, sliding into the suit unlike the others.
The same procedures happened in the other four rockets, checking of the EVA suits and loading. The two watching over Sagi made sure to load him into his dagger, reiterating the importance of non movement.
"Any kind of wrong movement and you kill us all, no great epiphanies." After closing the door they proceeded to strap into their own cockpits. Once all the pilots were secured inside their mobile weapons the crews above began to communicate with the tower for final checks and confirmation. Then it was only a short wait until the optimal launch window. When it came to, a new siren began to blare along with a warning.
"All personnel clear the launch platform. T-minus one minute til launch." After nearly a dozen previous messages this last call was it, and the count down began, each crew member preparing themselves for the rumble.
"We stand here today thanks to our ancestors, our forefathers and kin.
On the ashes of the ruined past we will stand tall and rebuild this world.
Against all odds and against all enemies we shall push on, united as one.
Our enemies will know our ferocity and our allies will know our power.
Against this barren world we shall forge ourselves into the annals of history.
From this soil we touch the stars once more and rekindle the conquest of space."
The great speech of Edward Beloth from the formation of the Empire was recalled as a tradition by the veterans of space flight, the open comm channel resounding as each repeated the lines. The final line was created at the launch of the first rocket by then Legate George Eltz. Sound on the base vanished as beneath the rockets burst an explosion, increasing in force as more mixture was propelled out. The deafening roar took over the natural sound of the ocean waves and birds as the metal structures rose up from the ground in concert.
The shaking inside the rockets was immense, and those accustomed to it held themselves together while those still familiarizing themselves with it held on tight like it was the first time they sat in a rocket. The ascent was slow, each rocket trudging along while the shaking began to stabilize relatively. As the rockets reached up through the mesosphere and into the thermosphere people could finally unclench their teeth.
"We're through the most of it, once we reach orbit prepare to separate from the rocket." At this point the radio interference was minimum, and the distance between the rockets was clear enough for Tyr's transmission to get through to everyone.
Inside the command tower everyone was reciting checks as the numbers came flying in, ensuring everything was on track and any adjustments corrected immediately. George Eltz was entranced as always, tracking the first tube as it ascended from the ground. The older doctor glanced between the general and the rockets while letting out a sigh and speaking to the other.
"So it begins again. Dear Amaya, tell me what the worst medical situation you have attended to in your career? I know you were before the collapse, although it is still the same cruel world when it comes to space we will always be fixing up the survivors. The first casualties were on our first manned trip. I remember helping the poor girl who lived through that. We may be drawn back to space and yet we will bring up war with us." As he said this, the doctor's eyes bore into the general as the memories of that night came back to him.
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