//------------------------------//
// Countdown 
// Story: Octavia in- A Eulogy for Hope 
// by Scriblits Talo 
//------------------------------//

Eight-Million, the block one Space Launch System (SLS), the first of its kind had launched with more than Eight-Million pounds of thrust, more than Eight-Million pounds of harmony magic used for something other than vaporizing villains, used to launch a pony into deep space.

And here Octavia found herself boarding the block 12 rocket magnitudes larger, with magnitudes more force than its block one ancestor, many magnitudes more thrust than the ships that had visited Luna on the moon over a millennia ago. The Harmony Drive was a truly powerful propulsion system.

If only she could stop her hooves from shaking in her boots. Her stomach had been turning flips for all of breakfast and through the entire eight-mile trip to the launch pad. Not queasy, but…
She looked down, the 320 ft difference from the ground and the entry catwalk on which she stood didn’t help.

But then again, the difference between her and the ground was about to come astronomical.

T 2:30:44

They strapped into the vessel and cherry flipped on the radio and dialed it to the correct configuration from the speaker the voice of flight director Roger could be heard.

“Cherry, can you verify those switches for me now?”

“Roger”

“Yes, that's my name don’t ware it out.”

“Aferm”

“...”

“..”
“What about the switches?”

“Affirmative”

“Great, lets get started”

“Okay, on the panel 8, verify float bag1,2 and 3 are vent.”

“They’re verified in vent.”

“THC good neutral and locked?”

“Neutral and locked.”

“Panel 1 verify manual attitude roll is Rate Command.”

Roll, Rate Command.

Pitch, Pitch,Acell Command?”

“Pitch Acell Command.”

“Yaw rate?”

“Yaw rate.”

“SCS TVC pitch and way auto?”

“SCS TVC pitch and way auto.”

ELS is on up?

“ELS is on up.”



The list went on.


T-2:21:59
T-2:10:35
T-2:7:59
T-2:0:55
The hatch swung shut, and the craft began to purge itself, to bring it to the proper atmosphere for launch, 60% oxygen and 40 % Nitrogen.
T-1:50:55
T-1:30:55
Cherry continued her checks as Octavia watched in awe.

T-0:61:59

T-0:25:53

So close but so far away.
Days and years  and hours of preparation, all to this moment. 

Less than 16 minutes to go.

“Harmony12   this is Horseton on VHF and S-Band. How do you read? Over”

“Horseton Harmony12 CDR. Loud and clear.”

“Aferm. Reading you the same, Cherry Out”

The checklist continued.

“MSTC, Flight.”

“GO”

“5-22 complete.”

“Affirm”

“CDR, panel 1,SCS switch, Normal.”

“Switch is normal.”

“Delta V thrust A and B are off and Guarded”

“Delta V thrust A and B are off and Guarded”

“Alpha to Alpha”

“Affirm, its Alpha”

–

“Retract swing arm 9 per the clock at T minus 5 minutes. Report on retract.”

T-60 seconds and counting

T-35

T-30

T-25

T-15 seconds to go  guidance is internal

Octavia felt the Harmony drive rumble beneath her.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
 
2

1

T-0:0:0 Lift Off!