ISF9 Chronicles, Part 5

Past of the future, future of the past...

Chapter 3: A hard day.

"Well, those three months were quite something," Anthony said, when the Space Shuttle finally stopped on the runway. "I mean, actual first contact situation, even if with humans!" "Falkis, shut it for now," Sarah mumbled. "We'll have to explain this all over again to our superiors, when we return to the Mossdeep." "Okay, whatever, miss Born-with-camera-in-hands." Several seconds after it, the hatch in the side of the vehicle opened, the astronauts were safely removed from their seats with Psychic of the service Alakazam and put into the wheelchairs on the ground. "Don't worry, guys'n'girls, it's just a precaution," sounded voice of professor Takao Cozmo, making Sarah and Samuel slightly cringe. Of course, this man was a genius, especially for someone, who just turned 20, but at times, he was just impossible to be around. "We know," all four astronauts, along with the rest of Shuttle's crew, replied in unison. Of course, they wondered, why this mission only took astronauts down and didn't bring fresh crew... ---- "Can you secure this thing now?" "Wait… yeah, I'm securing it." Captain Vasilyev hovered near the console, monitoring feeds from the helmet cameras of cosmonauts, along with their talks, and wondered, why exactly did it have to be yesterday for the station's backup power source, the nuclear fission reactor, to get stricken with some kind of space debris and get a total coolant leak. Of course, since the reactor wasn't activated for the entire duration of its staying in the station, there wasn't any imminent radiation hazard, but they still had to return it back to Zemlino Space Center for the inspection and repairs. Right now, Lozhkin, Migulya and Panasenko were removing the reactor and loading it into the opened payload bay of the Lenticular Return Vehicle. There was some sort of a strange irony - today, the cosmonauts from both space stations were returning back to Earth. "Comrade captain, the reactor was safely removed and is now secured in the payload bay of the LRV" sounded the proud voice of Migulya in the comm. "I think we're done here. Let us all pack up and go back home!" "As a commander of this station, I give this proposal my complete approval!" announced Vasilyev to everyone. "Since we are all packed up already, I propose to fulfill it as soon as possible. To EVA team - go to station's primary airlock on the "Drum" module. I know, the LRV's backup airlock seems very nice, but we need to leave the MMUs and suits here for the next crew." "Aye-aye, comrade captain!" reported the EVA team, firing up their MMUs and flying back to the first module of this great station. Since the airlock wasn't exactly spacious, they'll have to enter one by one - mostly because the MMUs were pretty huge. Of course, was it not for the advanced materials from Imperial Science Facility 9, which allowed creation of the normobaric EVA suits - the entire crew would've had to stay on the station for a few more hours. Thankfully, when the EVA team finally got back into station and re-dressed, everyone else was ready. "So, comrades, I want to congratulate you with the successful end of the 10th expedition to the Space Lab 2, which also served as a cornerstone for our relationship with… "Nationals", I think. So, anyway, we all served very well. Glory and long live to the Empire!" "Glory and long live to the Empire!" "Since the rest of our crew returned to Earth in pods already - thank the Emperor for launching that propellant tanker! - we can now return home at leisure pace. All hands - board the LRV and prepare for return." "Aye-aye, comrade captain!" ---- "Goodbye, Space Lab 2. We will miss you and try to return soon. Just wait for us," the pilot said, looking in the return vehicle’s main window. The space station, jewel in crown of the Empire’s space program, was left by its crew and switched to full-auto mode, waiting for the next bunch of people to take the residence in it for performing even more science operations and making even more discoveries. "Proceeding as normal, four hours until touchdown." "Acknowledged," replied the captain, recollecting the events of past three months - the craziest months in his live so far. Contacts with cosmonauts from other regions of the world after the event, which was later named "The Shift"; nearly inviting them onboard the Space Lab 2 one time and only not doing this because of medic's advice; having to constantly help in writing reports to linguists back on the ground; making sure, that the space station works properly, especially before the propellant tanker gave them some more freedom in maneuvering… those months were most definitely crazy. "Comrade captain, I have a small question - why aren't the replacement crew already there?" asked him Grigoriy, who served as a biologist and medic aboard the station. "I don't know. Zemlino told me, that there were some hiccups with their launch vehicle, and their LRV is an experimental one, with fuel cells instead of nuclear reactor... they've decided not to rush it. Station can wait, after all, but losing cosmonauts is not an option. They were launched a few hours ago and will dock to the station tomorrow." ---- "Hello there, darling," said man in plain clothes, entering the room. If not for the reaction of the Empress, not many would've thought, that this man was, in fact, the Emperor Ivan the Second himself. "How's your bad?" "Like ****," replied Empress Svetlana in tired voice. "Trying to make negotiations through these crude translators, when we are no longer the most advanced country on the planet…" "We still kinda are, in some branches." "In some, mind it. So, trying to negotiate with what's, apparently, called "Pokemon Nation", process all the data, prevent instabilities within the Empire and so on and so on… It's so tiring. And you?" "Not much better," said Ivan, starting to undress. "Since our main advantages are more advanced arcane science, nuclear physics and space technology…" "You mean, you want to make orbital weapon platform," finished his wife. "I don't approve this idea. We aren't on exactly good terms with the Nation now and making them even worse isn't going to take us anywhere." "Not quite, my dear, not quite. Do you remember the Project Tin Can?" "Yes, and what?" "Do you remember, what is it?" "I don't. Honestly, Vanya, with so much work, I can't keep track of all of your projects." "This project, my dear, is a nuclear pulse spaceship, whose wet mass measures 4000 tons. It uses small nuclear explosion devices, constructed to create a directed wave of superhot plasma upon detonation, for propulsion." "And?" "We've finished assembling the propulsion bus of this ship today. Pusher plate, shock absorbers, plasma deflection cone, gas gun for drive bombs, magazines and so on - this was quite a challenge! Now, we only need to construct the payload part…" "Wait, actual nuclear explosion launch?! Dear, let me check your temperature…" "No no no, don't be afraid! This thing will be boosted by the NUCLEUS superheavy chemical rocket and will only engage the bomb drive at high enough altitude!" "Still, using demolition devices for propulsion… I think it's pretty crazy." "Crazy or not, it should work. By the way, some time ago, Knyazev showed me a project of turning the "Red Explorer"..." "The what?" "The nuclear pulse ship - we've named it "Red Explorer", since it's designed to explore the Fourth Planet. So, he showed me project of turning the "Red Explorer" into warship, with retro-missiles for planetary bombardment, electromagnetic rail mass accelerators, point defence and so on…" "Retro-missiles?" "Okay, let me explain this for you. Retro-missile is a type of hypothetical space-to-surface weapon, which is launched against the orbital vector and uses its engines to decelerate to slower-than-orbital velocity and fall into gravity well of targeted planet/moon, later correcting direction of fall with smaller maneuvering engines to ensure, that it'll hit the intended target area." "And what would be the true purpose of this monster? Considering, that all-out war is the latest thing we want?" "I don't know. Knyazev is an already a strange one, always seeking to turn any project into the weapon…" ---- "So, why exactly the next expedition wasn't launched?" Donnager asked in not-quite-slightly angry voice. "I'm not supposed to tell it to you… but the reason for it is Rayquaza," half-whispered Cozmo "Rayquaza? Isn't it the legend of Draconids?" "I wish it was, but, as it recently turned out, it's a completely real Sky High Pokemon, and a very territorial one at that!" "So…" "Yes, the space stations will get destroyed any moment now. The road to space is now closed by the ruler of skies." "..." Samuel clenched his fists in anger. He hoped, that the astronauts from the other station have also returned home. ---- "... Nose gear touchdown!" the pilot of the LRV happily commented. "Deploying the drag chute…" The pretty big machine, measuring 12 meters in diameter and looking somewhat like the flying saucer, deployed small fabric cupola behind itself, along with moving all control surfaces into positions for aerobraking, in order to lower the current velocity and prevent rolling off the runway. Roughly twenty-five seconds later, the chute got detached and the machine soon ground to halt. "Welcome back!" sounded from comm. "Guys - hang in there for a few more…" "Zemlino, you're not clear, repeat, you're not clear!" said the pilot, trying to find the reason for the sudden cut-out in the words of flight control officer. "... Guys, you don't even know, how lucky you were," finally replied the officer in flat and shaky voice. "Right now, the Space Lab 2 was destroyed by the Pokemon of Legendary power, known by hoennians as "Rayquaza", along with LRV-03. Second space station was also destroyed. The 11th expedition to the Space Lab 2… is no more." "..." all cosmonauts froze. If not for this lucky early return, mostly forced by the need to return the reactor to Earth - they all would've been dead now. And their comrades weren't so lucky... ---- "Dear, what's with you?" asked her husband the Empress. The Emperor, indeed, did not look good - he was pale in face, shaking and still staring at the screen of his portable computer. "... Nothing too bad. Wait a second," said he, getting the portable telephone out of his case and calling someone. "Knyazev? I know you knew this, you bastard! Does not matter right now. Consult the medics, I guess, Psychics with ability to predict the future aren't abundant. Anyway, your altered version of the Project Tin Can has just got my total and complete approval. Consult the ISF 5 and 9 for required equipment. Yes. Does not matter, but make sure, that it'll be able to withstand hits with Hyper Beam without getting holes - at least not at the first hit." Empress thought, that, whatever has happened, if it was enough to instantly convince her husband to turn the exploration ship, about which he dreamed for a very long time (at least as long as he was together with her), into the machine of war - it must be really bad… and yes, she saw the notification on her own computer - the notification, that the Rayquaza has just destroyed the LRV with the new expedition, measuring 12 cosmonauts total, and the Space Lab 2 along with the space station of the Pokemon Nation. Thankfully, all nuclear-powered satellites executed their contingency protocols flawlessly and moved onto graveyard orbits before this Pokemon would be able to destroy them and spill the nuclear fuel from their reactors. "... Yes. No. Of course. Yes. Goodbye," Emperor ended his phone call and turned back to his wife. "Sorry, dear…" "I know already. You know… I approve of it too. It'll help me rally the people of Soris together and lower the level of internal instabilities, as well as allow our people up here to protect themselves from attacks of this monster. So, you say, that this ship needs lots of nuclear materials?" "Yes. At first, they were needed just for the drive bombs and reactor, but now, they'll also be needed for the weapons - shells for railguns, missiles and so on. We can remake some of our already-existing demolition devices into weapons, but that won't be enough." "I understand. I think I can tailor this campaign as a sort of posthumous reverence for our cosmonauts. It'll really help us in keeping the Empire stable." "Do it, if you want to do so. But we need to get this son-of-a-Red Spirit flying, lest the road to space be closed forever for us all." "... Wait, nearly forgot - what about the political effect? Because, you know, getting something like this in orbit would be even worse, than actual weapon platforms!" "I don't know. I'm sure you can deal with this, my dear." Emperor smiled gently after saying those words. Empress hated it, because she could never resist this smile. "Besides, once everything settles down, we can use this ship as it was originally intended - for exploring the Fourth Planet! The amounts of drive bombs and supplies should be sufficient for this and replacing the landers won't be a problem at all…" Notes: ISF - Imperial Science Facility. Worldbuilding mini-note #1: Red Spirit - mystical being in the sorisian mythology, not directly linked to any of Legendaries. It's a somewhat malevolent entity, which, however, patrons those, who fight to avenge their comrades. Some sorisian warriors pray to the Red Spirit before battle to help them in the quest for revenge and, if they fall - make sure that their comrades will avenge their deaths. Worldbuilding mini-note #2: Emperor Ivan Yevgeniyevich Bazarenko the Second is a very shitty ruler (hence why his wife rules the Soris Empire - he gave his throne to her as soon as he was able to), but is an awesome constructor of pretty much anything that flies. Because of that, he spends most of his time in the Imperial Aeronautics Institute, returning to the palace only on special occasions. Worldbuilding mini-note #3: The Project Tin Can is based on the real Project Orion. Worldbuilding mini-note #4: The Rayquaza's aggression and territorial tendencies are based on its depiction in the anime. The Shift may also have something to do with it. Author's note: those three months will, eventually, get expanded upon in the small series of drabbles. Also, the next chapter will have much more action.

You’ve misunderstood me. I know “Team” is not always evil, but, if you look at the Villain Pikachu line, there’s no non-criminal Team-affiliated Pikachu to be found. Because, technically, Aether Foundation is not considered a criminal Team, there is no Aether Pikachu.

Pikachu Villain Figures from the Pokemon Center

Equipment (mini-fic)

(Author's Note: this story was previously submitted to the villain story contest in @allhailpokemonvillains. Because the contest is over, I'm finally publishing it here.

Chronologically, it's set after "Promise" and before "Business")

- So, Levi, - started the cabinet minister in sinisterly gentle voice, - can you tell me, why there’s no VTOL gravplane on the aft landing pad of my airship?

- Well… - began his henchman.

- Twenty words or less, - taped Alva, gripping his staff harder and pointing it at the Levi.

- I’ve forgot to moor it after the scanning sweep in area, where bringing entire airship wouldn’t have been an option, so…

- Twenty, - stopped him minister. - Cherie - what’s your excuse?

- We were forced to commence emergency evasion maneuver soon after Levi's return, so, unmoored gravplane fell off the airship, - said the woman, looking at the sharp tip of the staff, which was now pointed at her. - At least it, during the fall, has collided with the Volcanion, which tried to attack us, and absorbed a decent part of its Overheat while simultaneously throwing its aim away, which is why we were able to bring the airship with barely working aft levitation engine here, back to the docks. If not for the gravplane, the ship would’ve been crashed wreck now.

-… OK, I accept this explanation, - replied minister, changing the grip position of his staff to the less threatening one. - After all, I saw the damaged parts of the airship. However, it does not change the situation, that, thanks to your doings, I’ve lost my private gravplane - not a cheap one, by the way, and almost lost my airship - a pricy one too. Had I ever told you “Now, these airship and gravplane are completely yours. Use them as you wish!”?

- No… - began Levi.

- Right, I never did such a thing. However, the gravplane is no more and airship is seriously damaged. What the time it is, when you come back with damaged equipment, no gravplane and no results?

- Third, boss, - said Cherie in exhausted voice.

- That’s right, you come back with no gravplane and no… Stop, you did come with some results this time! - suddenly cheered Alva, activating the projector, switching to the map of Azoth Kingdom's surroundings and pointing at it with his staff. - From what it looks like, Volcanion protects this specific region - even more specific, the Nebel Plateau. Each time you’ve tried to approach the Plateau, this Pokemon suddenly attacked you, as to if prevent you from ever getting a chance to perform a scanning sweep! Maybe, what it’s trying to hide is exactly what we are searching for.

- So… wait ‘till repairs are over and commence search-and-retrieval operation? But…

- No, not like that, - said cabinet minister with strange and menacing smile. - I’ll make sure airship gets some armoring this time and you… you will get the presents I was talking about for the long time already.

- MWDs? - asked Levi and Cherie at the same time.

- Yes, Mega Wave Devices, I’ve almost finished testing the final prototypes, so, in following months, you’ll get them along with Mega-able Pokemon. It’s kinda bad Hunter J has disappeared somewhere, so, I’ll have to work with either this new K girl or some smaller players at the black market… Anyway, you two are dismissed!

Alva’s henchmen has happily left his room, while the cabinet minister placed his staff away and took a tablet with a scanned images of Nikola’s design diagrams - specificially, Flying Fortress and Magearna.

“A year or so - and the kingdom will receive two rulers, which will finally guide it back to the ways of might and glory!” - thought Alva, analyzing the designs of the Soul Heart and the Fortress’ cannon’s power source’s cradle. - “And I’ll finally fulfill my promise!”

Fear (mini-fic).

A little one. He was alive for several months only, yet he already knew lots of feelings. However, only four were strong enough to actually matter.

Love

He loved his daddy very much and, from what it looks like, his daddy loved him too. Jorsey knew, that they were very different, but paid no attention to it. It was enough that his daddy loved him and he loved his daddy.

Curiosity

He was always curious, what his daddy was doing. Sometimes he was walking in the big round hall, looking at the different things, placed near the walls, and at the four huge bird-like Pokemon, suspended in some kind of energy fields, generated by the encasing metal structures. Daddy told him that, one day, he may need his help during the negotiations with the big white-and-blue one - Lugia, which he called “Waters Great Guardian”.

Happiness

He was happy when his daddy was happy. He was happy when his daddy finished another project. He was happy when daddy got something new into the collection. He was happy, when he drained all the life from passing Pelipper with a single attack, which his daddy dubbed as an “Oblivion Wing”. It felt as a right thing to do. Of course, he would never do such a thing to his daddy.

Fear

He was very afraid of the mind of the home, which, normally, was helping daddy in his doings, but hated little Yveltal with passion. He knew, that she always watched him through these things, which daddy calls “CCTV cameras”. She said to him in plain text, that, if he ever does serious damage or kills his daddy, she will make sure to completely destroy him, even if it’ll mean cessation of her existence. She was everywhere in this flying home. There was no hiding from her. There was no escaping her. The only reason he was still alive is because his daddy wanted it. She knew all of this and she still wanted him destroyed. She was not afraid to use something, which, according to what his daddy has shown him and what he heard from both daddy and her, generated incredible amounts of energy and worked on principles more basic than universe itself. The little Yveltal was very afraid of her. In fact, the main kind of nightmares he had so far was where his daddy was dead, like from the Oblivion Wing, and she was coming to take his life in revenge for her master’s death. And, unlike him or daddy, who was called “Lawrence Gelardan the Third”, she had no name, as if she had no need in it. She was everywhere. She wanted him removed from existence. He could do next to nothing about it. And he was very afraid.

I’m not sure about this, because increase of update’s speed usually means decrease in size and/or quality of chapters, and I’m 100% sure, that no one will be happy about it. If refining your chapters takes time, that’s normal, because it means better result.

@mgrgfan you say you’re almost done with Obsession? What do you think so far? Please reply as a reblog so I can respond to it directly.

Parents (mini-fic).

- Well, that’s it for today! - said cabinet minister Alva, closing the old book. - Your majesty, your homework - assemble the levi-drone and program it to avoid obstacles during the flight on determined path. Next lesson will be in two days.

- Understood, minister Alva! - happily responded prince Raleigh. The cabinet minister gave him a smile, left the prince’s room and headed for his own one, slowly drifting in his thoughts...

"Why they can’t spend more time with me?” - asked young Alva himself, slowly reading “Introduction to Arcane Science”. - “Am I less important to them, than arcane researches? Or...”

- Happy birthday, Alva! - said Ogden, giving his son a present. - Sorry for so little time, but, as you know, our salary...

- I know and I understand you, - replied boy, slowly unwrapping the package. - Wait, is it...

- Yes, it is, - proudly said Nancy. - “Young arcane researcher’s first kit”.

- But it’s so expensive... How much... What... Why...

- Alva, you’re our son, - announced both Ogden and Nancy at the same time, - and we want you to be happy. About money... It’s not that important. Again, forgive us from spending so little time with you, but...

- Thank you so much... - responded the young boy, who was on verge of crying. As he knew, this kit costed nearly thrice the dad’s salary, so, they should’ve either started saving money no less than few months ago, or overwork. From what it looked like, it was the second cause. And they did this just because they’ve wanted their son to be happy...

- Prince Raleigh, why are you crying? - gently asked cabinet minister young prince, who was silently sobbing in the far corner of the library. - If it makes you feel better, I promise, that I won’t tell it to anyone.

- Dad... I’m not sure if he still remembers that I exist, - angrily whispered boy. From what it looked like, he just couldn’t keep it in himself anymore. - Sister loves her jetbikes more than her own brother... And mom, the only one, who loved me...

Raleigh couldn’t see it, but Alva’s grip on the staff became harder. His parents may’ve spent too little time with him, when he was child, but, at least, they’ve truly loved him and wanted their son to be happy.

- My condolences, prince Raleigh, - said cabinet minister, looking at the book, which was placed on table before prince. - You’re interested in the arcane science?

- Yes, and what? - harshly replied boy, showing, that his closest relatives didn’t share this kind of interest.

- Nothing special, prince Raleigh, I’ve just wanted to say, that I’m an arcane researcher and can provide help in it to you, if you want it.

- Really? - asked Raleigh, looking at cabinet minister with hope in his eyes.

“Just how alone is he?” - asked Alva himself, while giving a smile to prince and saying:

- Of course.

- Great work, but there are some mistakes, - said Alva to Raleigh, checking his homework. For more than year now, Alva was pretty much giving free private lessons in arcane science to young prince and, from what it looked like, neither king nor Kimia cared. - Looks like we need to perfect your math first!

- If we need it, I’ll do my best! - responded Raleigh whole-heartedly. As Alva has understood, he was pretty much the only friend of young prince, his closest men... and that the plans about overtaking kingdom needed to be re-written. Raleigh may never know it, but he was the one who deeply softened the cabinet minister’s heart and prevented a chain of planned political assassinations.

“When we overtake the kingdom, you will be the one, who will bring it might and prosperity, and I... I’ll help you do it,” - thought Alva, looking at young prince’s work and explaining him his mistakes.

“From what it looks like, I’m more of a parental figure to Raleigh, than the king,” - finished his chain of thoughts Alva, putting the staff aside, taking the place in the chair, pressing the “Door lock” button on the remote, opening the drawer and taking an old photo from it.

I was thinking about regular proflilactic repairs, but yeah, a single landing pad may be insufficient, though I thought about it as a part of his land base (used almost only for repairs and upgrades), and land bases aren’t cheap to maintain (although maintaining Hikokyuu itself probably costs several times more), and Jiri dislikes being on land, although he may use several of them (but then, where does he get THAT much money?). Also, if you look on moment with Articuno (Before “Time to turn up the heat”) you can see, that Flying Palace is pretty fast (as for airship THAT big), but inertia can be quite a problem.

@mgrgfan let’s talk ships. So, we both seem to be in agreement that the Hikoukyuu is for the most part fully automated. Though how it would land…you do propose an interesting idea, but that would suggest either that all landing pads are specifically built for that one ship or that there are other nearly identical ship out there.

Yeah, I’m sorry for this. And mechanical descriptions are my weakness - I enjoy them so much so I love to read them a lot, includung both fictional and real entries. I can barely hold myself from going extremely into detail when I’m writing fics, though by now I kind of managed to lower graphical description levels to optimal. By the way, thank you.

Cyrus and Cyrus

Every time I read about Cyrus from Pokemon, I think of Cyrus Temple from SRIII. Some time ago I thought about some sort of Pokemon/SR crossover, where entire “Daedalus” with Cyrus Temple onboard suddenly finds itself in the Pokemon world. “Daedalus” here has all the armor vehicles (including Temple’s unique version of “Crusader” tank, his unique version of F-69 VTOL fighter and his hoverbike ”Specter”). Because everyone on the carrier is the member of the Special Tactical Anti-Gang unit, I think, that they’ll wage war on Team Rocket and other teams pretty soon, but will they integrate into local International Police or will they remain on their own? Also, STAG have pretty advanced technology on their own, like “Viper” laser rifle, S3X “Hammer” laser spreadshot weapon (energy shotgun), “Sonic Boom” hand-held acoustic cannon (that can easily gib human in the short range and toss vehicles around, if fully charged), “Crusader” tank with plasma cannon, co-axial repeating laser and beam laser in place of a machine gun, N-Forcer MRAP vehicle with repeating laser, F-69 VTOL fighter jets with microwave laser beam cannon and homing energy blast weapon, “Condor” VTOL transport jets with repeating laser and, of course, “Daedalus” with lots of high-caliber autocannons and rocket launchers to both attack enemy and defend herself. Additionally, STAG utilises conventional projectile weapons (McManus sniper rifle, Annihilator RPG, Satchel Charges, Minigun and Kobra pistol) and Riot Shields. I can even imagine a several moments with them:

Jenny releases an Arcanine and blasts the door to the landing pad open, while screaming:

- Stop right there, Cyrus! You’re arrested for tampering with Legendaries and endangering the world!

She’s then greeted with the sight of several STAG troopers aiming their Vipers and Hammers at her and her Arcanine from the hovering Condor, while completely different Cyrus gets into his F-69 and replies:

- I think you’ve found the wrong Cyrus, dear lady, because my name is Cyrus Temple, and I’m the commander of the STAG.

Cockpit closes, F-69 takes off and flies away along with the Condor, leaving Jenny and her Arcanine going “What the hell”?

During the next weeks, a lot of people in the world discuss this strange event adt start making theories, what in the Reverse World is the STAG, when suddenly giant airborne aircraft carrier with the STAG logo flies over a Veilstone City and deploys F-69’s along with Condors, they immideately fly to the Galactic Veilstone Building and drop a lot of STAG troopers, which then breaks in the building and make a short run of Team Galactic. After the end of the mission, elite STAG trooperd drags a badly beaten up Cyrus and his survived henchmen, when Temple flies of the carrier on his Specter VTOL jetbike and greets shocked police officers, who were thinking, what to do with that giant airship and how to deal with the jets. Temple then says:

- And that is why we are called Special Tactical Anti-Gang unit. Sorry, ladys, you’ve really dissapointed me, but you might still be not that hopeless and we may teach you, how to uphold police’s name and how to make gangsters tremble from the very name of yours. I think, it’ll better for the “Daedalus” to stay here for several days.

- What is the “Daedalus”? - asks one of the Jennys.

- Ain’t she’s a beauty? - replies Temple and gestures to the hovering carrier, leaving everyone shocked.

Scene ends. Article for the Dex:

“Team STAG.

While they simply call themselves STAG (from “Special Tactical Anti-Gang unit”), most of people in the world considers them as another criminal team, which is completely wrong. While not officially linked with the International Police, STAG acts like law-enforcment organisation and even supported by governments, but it’s methods are very different to those of the International Police. While International Police mostly relies on individual approach and it’s kind reputation, STAG prefers to act by force and to implant awe in the criminals minds. The most shocking part in the STAG’s methods is that than they prefer to use firearms (although they do use Pokemon, but on a small scale), and they aren’t limited to the stun guns! STAG troopers prefer to use energy-based weaponry, such as high-power electrical stun gun, “Viper” laser rifle, S3X “Hammer” energy shotgun and “Sonic Boom” hand-held acoustic cannon, and the last three of them are more than capable to kill. Same can be said about their vehicles - all of them have very potent weaponry, which was designed to ensure maximal available destruction. Their base is the giant airborne aircraft carrier under the name “Daedalus”, which also serves as their most powerful combat asset - this airship can easily wreak havok on the entire city! There are some rumors that STAG is, actually, from another world, but no STAG member had ever commented that.“

@blackjackgabbiani, what do you think about this madness?

I think that this spherical section may be backup reactor room or something like this.

I want to know what all the underground sections are.

Okay then... how about we look at the lesser-known USA-first achievements, then?

First superheavy launch vehicle that worked and didn't blow up (Saturn V). 

First reusable piloted spacecraft and the first spaceplane (X-15).

First pilot-controlled space flight (Freedom 7)

First orbital human space mission that landed with pilot still in spacecraft and thus the first complete human spaceflight by FAI definitions (Friendship 7)

First rendezvous and docking in orbit (Gemini 8 - Agena Target Vehicle)

First successful orbit of different planets (Pioneer 10 mission).

First solar orbit (Pioneer 5).

First and second and third interstellar craft (Voyager 1, Voyager 2, New Horizons).

First manned maneuvering unit (Gemini 4)

First multi person multi spacecraft mission in space (Gemini 6).

First orbital vector adjustment to pinpoint precision (Gemini 6)   

First spy satellite (Corona KH-1)

First successful recovery of film from an orbiting satellite (KH-1 film return bucket)

First aerial recovery of an object returning from Earth orbit (KH-1 film return bucket)

First pinpoint landing on the Moon (Surveyor 1).

First manned orbit of the Moon (Apollo 8).

First human-crewed spaceflight to, and orbit of, another celestial object: the Moon (Apollo 11)

First rover on Mars (Sojourner)

First spacecraft to orbit Mars (Mariner 9).

First reusable orbital-class spaceplane (Space Shuttle).

First solar powered satellite (Vanguard-1)

First communications satellite (Echo 1, Telstar)

First weather satellite (TIROS)

First satellite in a polar orbit (Discoverer 1)

First geosynchronous satellite (Syncom 2)

First satellite navigation system (Transit)

First Mars flyby (Mariner 4)

First human spaceflight that escaped Earth's influence (Apollo 8)

First X-ray orbital observatory (the Einstein Observatory)

First Jupiter flyby (Pioneer 10)

First Mercury Flyby (Mariner 10)

the space race may be the funniest point in history period and i'll stand by that. the US is like "yes whoever gets into space first will prove once and for all that our economic model is superior and that we are, in general, the superior country of superior and smarter people." then the soviets just went and did it and the US freaked out and needed to cover their ass so were like "WE MEAN THE MOON, WE MEAN THE FIRST TO LAND ON THE MOON."