First Steps (Founding of the Federation) Read Online Free PDF Page B

work before!" Nick grumped.
    "Yeah,
for a mint. We don't have that kind of budget. If he can get us a
rover design that works, and costs less than a tenth of the cost of
the current planned version?" Luigi asked. Nick nodded sobered.
"That means we can send more." Luigi smiled. "More
bang for the buck."
    Nick
chuckled. "I'll have to remember that one."
    ...*...*...*...*...
    "The
first missions are going to need a flat place with a lot of features
nearby. I know Doctor Mackenzie is lobbying for the Shackleton
crater, and Bob, you're after an equator landing, but I was thinking
we land here."
    Bob
looked at the chart. "Thirty degrees longitude by thirty degrees
latitude... there's nothing there... Oh I see, flat." Bob looked
at is and tried to see what his understudy was getting at. Luigi
hadn't broken in the constant political circus. If anything he'd
truly blossomed.
    "Yes,
but look at this. If we map out the range of the rovers..."
Luigi picked up a clear piece of plastic with a yellow rim around it
and overlaid it, centering it over the landing zone. "You see?
We are within range of Olympus Mons, Valle Marines, plus this entire
section here. Most of these canyons look like water ways; we should
get a good cut of geological time there. Within the marines canyon we
should get an even better and deeper look at Martian history,"
Luigi explained.
    "Ah,"
Bob said softly. He took a look at the map, rubbing his chin.
    "It
is also in the north, so we have fewer problems with southern dust
storms, and we are not as exposed to solar radiation events as the
southern equator is," Luigi added looking at his boss.
    "You’re
going to have trouble building a base there, no hills to dig into,"
Zubrin cautioned. Mario nodded.
    "Yes,
but with a good trencher we can dig a trench, then widen and deepen
it as needed. We can take samples for the egg heads to drool over
too," he said. He grinned at Wanda who wrinkled her nose.
    "The
lack of hills will make it much easier to land the craft. If we place
beacons out around the perimeter, we can form a landing zone to make
guidance of follow on vehicles much easier," Luigi finished.
    "All
right, go with that for now. The steering committee will have to have
final approval though, but we need to get this programmed in a week,
the first launch is in five weeks," Zubrin said as he sat back
tiredly. "Damn, I can't believe we're really doing it this
fast." He shook his head. "I was never sure we could do it
in my life time," he admitted. Wanda chuckled.
    ...*...*...*...*...
    Luigi
looked over to the Senator and smiled. "Senator, it's a pleasure
to see you again, how can I help you?" He was still feeling out
the political side of things but kept a firm suave appearance up.
    The
Senator chuckled. "Well son, I was looking over your plan and I
was curious. You’re not following the Apollo model?"
Senator Kingsforth asked.
    Luigi
shook his head. "The Apollo model called for a shotgun approach
sir, we shoot the crews all over the place, they do a little science,
then return. We are following the Antarctic model."
    The
Senator looked confused. Luigi smiled. "At first the Antarctic
was explored by the shotgun approach, but then Mcmurdo base was
established. From it explorers centralized there, building a
beachhead, and infrastructure to be able to explore every inch of the
continent," the younger man explained, using his hands to help
in his description. The Senator's face cleared.
    "Biggest
bang for the buck?" he asked slyly.
    Luigi
chuckled. "Yes sir, we want to give you and the tax payers your
money's worth. We are hoping we can build a base that can support
dozens of people, and allow them to explore the planet in detail."
    The
Senator nodded. He wasn't at all sure about this, but it was
interesting. The party was behind it and the Republicans were torn or
in full retreat. "I'm still not sold on the package, but it does
sound much better than the ninety day report or some of the other
reports NASA has tried to