//------------------------------//
// Ԁ∩ ᗡNƎ SIH⊥ 
// Story: For the Benefit of Yaks 
// by SirNotAppearingInThisFic 
//------------------------------//




Underdogs Rising: Yaks Reach Space First

Experts at the Horseshoe Bay Tracking Center confirmed today that a yak rocket launched yesterday morning did, in fact, reach an altitude of about 120,000 meters, well above the boundary between Gaia’s atmosphere and space, estimated to be 100,000 meters.  This just a week before EQSA’s spaceplane takes flight a second time, a flight that Twilight Sparkle promised will take a pony to space.  (more on p.7)











Equestrians in Spaaace!

Equestria makes history by performing what Twilight Sparkle called, “Not quite an orbit.”  Spitfire and Soarin’ became the first Wonderbolts not only to go to space, but also to circumnavigate the world in less than one day.  Experts explain that the spaceplane made it across the boundary of space, but did not have enough thrust to achieve a proper orbit.  After reentry, the spaceplane made its way from beyond western Equestria back to a safe landing at Horseshoe Bay.  (more on p.4)











The Heat is On:  UMMR Rocket Tests

Equestrian diplomats to the UMMR and several griffon information brokers confirm that the Labyrinthines launched three unmanned rockets last Monday.  While one of those launches ended in a spectacular fireball, experts from Horseshoe Bay’s R&D division say, “The Labyrinthines’ liquid-fueled engines are otherwise dangerously well-developed.”  If the Labyrnthines can work out a couple of kinks and assemble a larger rocket, Equestria might just see the UMMR steal its chance to achieve the first true orbit around Gaia.  (more on p.2)









Hey, Pinkie, I’m super grateful we have you as EQSA’s Chief Snacks Officer.  As you know, we were in that spaceplane for hours flying back and I’m so glad we had enough snacks for the whole trip.  I especially liked the little wrapped pies.

Thanks a bunch,
—Soarin’






Three months had passed since the yaks’ notable firestomping powder rocket, which had landed in Griffon territory.  Shortly thereafter, it became almost normal for the newspaper to contain updates about UMMR and Equestrian experiments and test launches.  Tensions were as high as they’d ever been between Equestrian and the UMMR, to say nothing about the fact that the yaks were working on their own program and hadn’t told anybody what they were up to.  Anybody other than Pinkie Pie, at least, whose explanations of what they were doing didn’t help, either, as any Equestrian could guess that the yaks’ plans included “bigger explosions”, “more explosions”, and “strong materials that break less with more exploding”.

In those three months, as Pinkie found out when she returned to Yakyakistan, the yaks had been quite busy.  Their Research and Development complex had grown from a couple of buildings to a large campus.  Signs posted around it stated “ONLY YAKS BEYOND THIS POINT”, a warning reinforced by the state of the campus already.  Rutherford took her to a nearby cliff ledge where she could get a good look from father away.

Rutherford pointed out a cluster of buildings and told her the smart-yaks were synthesizing new propellants in that region.  Clouds of smoke rose from those buildings, punctuated by the occasional bang of a small explosion.  Rutherford pointed to a different cluster of buildings where they were testing new materials to use in their rockets.  Those buildings also smoked and periodically exploded.

“Smart-yaks doing great job,” Rutherford concluded.

From her vantage point, Pinkie could make out that the yaks walking across the campus wore yellow and orange safety vests.  She approved of the fact that the yaks had even tried that much to improve workplace safety, even if it was a little ineffective towards the real hazards of their workplace.

As they turned away to make their way back to the village, a brief flash of light from behind illuminated the ground ahead and a split-second later, Pinkie heard an especially large bang.

Pinkie hesitated.  “Isn’t that, like, an emergency?  Or… even a bit of a problem?”

Rutherford didn’t appear phased at all.  “No problem.  That just mean smart-yaks have good news for me later.”

After that, Pinkie Pie got to sit in on a meeting Rutherford had with several of his chief officers.  She learned that the yaks had just recently attempted another launch, which she missed because she had been so busy managing the snack supplies for Horseshoe Bay.  Pinkie apologised and promised that she would make it for the next one.  Rutherford assured her that it wasn’t a big deal because, apparently, it had been a failure.

One yak reporting that, while there appeared to be no defects at fault, the explosives had simply blown apart the rocket casing.  Even the launch silo they had built for it had cracked.  “Yak-metal smart-yak team say with better gems, they make enchantment circles better for stronger yak-metal,” another yak officer reported.  “We get them crystals from deep in mountains that good.  Already have yak-magic in them, even.  Smart-yaks say new metal batch look strongest.”

“That good,” Rutherford said.  “What about new rocket design?  Rocket use explosion power better like I say it need to?”

A new yak replied, “Rocket design smart-yaks think they have way to make explosions push rocket longer, yes.  Also can hold bombs for explosions while flying.  Work together with plate to make rocket go very far this time.  Maybe to moon.  Top of rocket have liquid for explosion that last long time.  This make landing on moon easier.  Smart-yaks also tell me they have new fuel concept.  That what make big explosion earlier.  Yaks not know details yet.  Maybe new fuel available for next rocket.”

Rutherford nodded.  “That leave one problem, then.  New silo need built.  I think silo need be built deep in mountain.  That keep explosion in no matter how big explosion is.”

Pinkie tried to pay attention.  The logistics of smashing a massive hole into a big mountain certainly sounded like an exciting topic, but after spending several cumulative weeks with the yaks in the last six months alone, Pinkie had already heard plenty of smashing-related conversations, and found it a little too easy to nod off.