There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - L1-L1
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU Galaxy, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to the season finale of Season 12 of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re wrapping up both the season and our tour of the Hyperplexity by visiting the remote space-station, L1-L1. L1-L1, like most of the galaxy’s space-stations, is named after its galactic position. This large station orbits the galactic center directly – keeping it in a fixed position within the Hyperplexity. This place is supposedly a research station, but I have no idea what they’re researching. Given the geography, I’d guess, loneliness. It’s pretty sparse out here. Well, the only way to find out is to land. Let’s head down.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off in the station’s cargo bay. My initial observations are that this is a space-station. It’s easily distinguishable by its dry, sterile air. We already knew it was a space-station coming-in, so I’m not sure I delivered any new information. I guess we’ll have to wait for my guide to get any relevant information.”
Chief: “Hey there, big man. You must be Doog. Welcome to Sakigake Station. I’m Jake Atorasu, but everyone here calls me Chief.”
Doog: “Chief, huh? Chief Engineer? Chief Scientist?”
Chief: “Nope. I’m just a pilot.”
Doog: “A Chief Pilot?”
Chief: “Nope, not even that. I’m just a regular pilot, bud.”
Doog: “That’s weird.”
Chief: “It is, man. It is.”
Doog: “Chief, huh? Chief Engineer? Chief Scientist?”
Chief: “Nope. I’m just a pilot.”
Doog: “A Chief Pilot?”
Chief: “Nope, not even that. I’m just a regular pilot, bud.”
Doog: “That’s weird.”
Chief: “It is, man. It is.”
Doog: “I was so distracted by your nickname, that I forgot to ask what you called this place.”
Chief: “I think this is called Corridor #83 or #85 or something. I’m not too sure.”
Doog: “No, not this exact place. You called the space-station something else. Like, Mahi-mahi Station or something like that.”
Chief: “Oh. My bad. Yeah, this place is called Sakigake Station.”
Doog: “I thought it was called L1-L1.”
Chief: “L1-L1 are the station’s coordinates. I mean, officially, that’s the name, but, like me, it has a nickname. Nobody calls it by its official name. We call it, Sakigake, which roughly translates to ‘pathfinder’.”
Doog: “Pathfinder?”
Chief: “Yep.”
Chief: “I think this is called Corridor #83 or #85 or something. I’m not too sure.”
Doog: “No, not this exact place. You called the space-station something else. Like, Mahi-mahi Station or something like that.”
Chief: “Oh. My bad. Yeah, this place is called Sakigake Station.”
Doog: “I thought it was called L1-L1.”
Chief: “L1-L1 are the station’s coordinates. I mean, officially, that’s the name, but, like me, it has a nickname. Nobody calls it by its official name. We call it, Sakigake, which roughly translates to ‘pathfinder’.”
Doog: “Pathfinder?”
Chief: “Yep.”
Chief: “Ha! Hilarious!”
Doog: “What?”
Chief: “Mahi-mahi Station. That’s hilarious! I finally got it!”
Doog: “It wasn’t THAT funny. Wait a minute…. I think I see what’s happening here.”
Chief: “What do you mean?”
Doog: “I’m no detective, but if we look at the clues…your delayed reaction to my joke…you thinking said joke is funny…people call you ‘Chief’. You’re high, aren’t you?”
Chief: “Perhaps a tad. Call it a perk of my job, big man.”
Doog: “I’m not sure what your job is, but how do I apply?!”
Chief: “Ha! The Pathfinder Mission is always searching for more pilots, especially funny ones. The mood can be a little somber here. You should sign up!”
Doog: “I’m not a pilot, but maybe you’re in need of a TV Host or an equally non-talented person?”
Chief: “Outside of pilots, I think we’re only looking for people that know science and stuff. It never hurts to try though.”
Doog: “I don’t science at all, but don’t count me out. I have some skills. What is this mission?”
Doog: “What?”
Chief: “Mahi-mahi Station. That’s hilarious! I finally got it!”
Doog: “It wasn’t THAT funny. Wait a minute…. I think I see what’s happening here.”
Chief: “What do you mean?”
Doog: “I’m no detective, but if we look at the clues…your delayed reaction to my joke…you thinking said joke is funny…people call you ‘Chief’. You’re high, aren’t you?”
Chief: “Perhaps a tad. Call it a perk of my job, big man.”
Doog: “I’m not sure what your job is, but how do I apply?!”
Chief: “Ha! The Pathfinder Mission is always searching for more pilots, especially funny ones. The mood can be a little somber here. You should sign up!”
Doog: “I’m not a pilot, but maybe you’re in need of a TV Host or an equally non-talented person?”
Chief: “Outside of pilots, I think we’re only looking for people that know science and stuff. It never hurts to try though.”
Doog: “I don’t science at all, but don’t count me out. I have some skills. What is this mission?”
Chief: “The Pathfinder mission seeks faster hyperspace routes through the galaxy’s Deep Core region. There are a few routes that come close, like the Corcot Run and the Deep Core Expressway, but they don’t actually cross through the galaxy’s true deep core. Finding new, shorter routes could save time and money. It might even make the Hyperplexity more accessible.”
Doog: “This requires high pilots?”
Chief: “No, regular, lowly pilots can do it too.”
Doog: “No, I mean, high on drugs.”
Chief: “Oh, ha. Yeah, I get you. No, drugs have nothing to do with it.”
Doog: “This requires high pilots?”
Chief: “No, regular, lowly pilots can do it too.”
Doog: “No, I mean, high on drugs.”
Chief: “Oh, ha. Yeah, I get you. No, drugs have nothing to do with it.”
Chief: “Some of the galaxy’s greatest scientists study collected data in an attempt to calculate shorter more direct routes through the galaxy. However, the problem lies in the data. It’s hard to get clear information from that part of the galaxy. There’s gravitational distortions, dense regions of unmapped stars, and a massive blackhole in the way.”
Doog: “This station plans on fixing that?”
Chief: “Yeah, man. I think so.”
Doog: “And drugs help?”
Chief: “Not that I know of, but testing proposed routes is extremely dangerous. Us pilots get some leeway when it comes to extracurricular activities.”
Doog: “You test the new routes?”
Chief: “Well…”
Doog: “This station plans on fixing that?”
Chief: “Yeah, man. I think so.”
Doog: “And drugs help?”
Chief: “Not that I know of, but testing proposed routes is extremely dangerous. Us pilots get some leeway when it comes to extracurricular activities.”
Doog: “You test the new routes?”
Chief: “Well…”
Chief: “…eventually. There’s plenty of steps before that though.”
Doog: “Like what? What am I looking at here?”
Chief: “This is the probe lab.”
Doog: “Probe lab? What are they probing?”
Doog: “Like what? What am I looking at here?”
Chief: “This is the probe lab.”
Doog: “Probe lab? What are they probing?”
Chief: “No, bud. We don't probe anyone. We send them out. The LIU has sent out thousands, if not millions, of drones to more accurately map the Deep Core.”
Doog: “And they haven’t found a better way across the core?”
Chief: “Don’t underestimate the core’s size and density. There’s probably twenty million stars within a parsec of the core. It’s super dense. The drones help, but they only deliver a fraction of the necessary information.”
Doog: “Why aren’t you sending more?”
Chief: “Gravity, and, uh…hyperspace are… enemies. Yeah, let’s call them that. We can’t send too many probes, because most will be ripped from Hyperspace and will be destroyed by gravity. Each round of probes gets us more information. The plan is simple; we strategically send exponential rounds of probes as information becomes more and more available.”
Doog: “So, each round is more accurate?”
Chief: “Yep. The more info we have, the more probes that survive. The more that survive…”
Doog: “The more info we have.”
Chief: “Nailed it, dude!”
Doog: “And they haven’t found a better way across the core?”
Chief: “Don’t underestimate the core’s size and density. There’s probably twenty million stars within a parsec of the core. It’s super dense. The drones help, but they only deliver a fraction of the necessary information.”
Doog: “Why aren’t you sending more?”
Chief: “Gravity, and, uh…hyperspace are… enemies. Yeah, let’s call them that. We can’t send too many probes, because most will be ripped from Hyperspace and will be destroyed by gravity. Each round of probes gets us more information. The plan is simple; we strategically send exponential rounds of probes as information becomes more and more available.”
Doog: “So, each round is more accurate?”
Chief: “Yep. The more info we have, the more probes that survive. The more that survive…”
Doog: “The more info we have.”
Chief: “Nailed it, dude!”
Chief: “The number of probes dispersed depends on this lab. It’s called the Telemetry Center. They use new data from the probes to deliver more accurate mapping info for the next round of probes. I think. I’m having trouble concentrating with these potato chips cravings.”
Doog: “Fight the munchies. Tell us more.”
Chief: “I guess I know some more stuff. Maybe. Hopefully.”
Doog: “Don’t let our viewers get too confident in our reporting…”
Chief: “Huh?”
Doog: “Nothing. Please, continue.”
Chief: “Alrighty. After a dozen or so rounds of probe launches, we have some early contenders for new routes. I can’t remember any at this moment…”
Doog: “Because of drug-induced memory loss?”
Chief: “No, because of the ever-increasing number of possible routes. I’m not a genius AI or something.”
Doog: “No one on this end is accusing you of that…”
Doog: “Fight the munchies. Tell us more.”
Chief: “I guess I know some more stuff. Maybe. Hopefully.”
Doog: “Don’t let our viewers get too confident in our reporting…”
Chief: “Huh?”
Doog: “Nothing. Please, continue.”
Chief: “Alrighty. After a dozen or so rounds of probe launches, we have some early contenders for new routes. I can’t remember any at this moment…”
Doog: “Because of drug-induced memory loss?”
Chief: “No, because of the ever-increasing number of possible routes. I’m not a genius AI or something.”
Doog: “No one on this end is accusing you of that…”
Chief: “Undoubtedly, given my chemically-enhanced status, but I wasn’t trying to be funny. We actually have an AI attempting to compute our more promising routes.”
Doog: “So, you do. I see that now.”
Chief: “Hey bud! How’s it computing, Anaximander?”
Doog: “So, you do. I see that now.”
Chief: “Hey bud! How’s it computing, Anaximander?”
Anaximander: “All my computation software is running at expected levels. My processors are below the predetermined temperature ranges.”
Chief: “Ha. Don’t be so literal, dude. I mean, how’s the search for routes going?”
Anaximander: “Progress is slow, but that is expected given the slow trickle of information available for analysis.”
Doog: “What does that mean?”
Chief: “Don’t ask me.”
Anaximander: “Each successive round of probes delivers more information, but, without all the information, I cannot form full routes. It is like trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces.”
Chief: “That does sound hard. It’s hard enough putting together puzzles with all the pieces.”
Doog: “Maybe for you, Chief, but I’m not judging. You’re living my dream life.”
Chief: “Ha. Don’t be so literal, dude. I mean, how’s the search for routes going?”
Anaximander: “Progress is slow, but that is expected given the slow trickle of information available for analysis.”
Doog: “What does that mean?”
Chief: “Don’t ask me.”
Anaximander: “Each successive round of probes delivers more information, but, without all the information, I cannot form full routes. It is like trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces.”
Chief: “That does sound hard. It’s hard enough putting together puzzles with all the pieces.”
Doog: “Maybe for you, Chief, but I’m not judging. You’re living my dream life.”
Doog: “So, have you made any progress at all? Is there any part of the puzzle you’ve been able to put together?”
Anaximander: “A few years ago, I discovered a new hyperspace route called the Sakigake Reroute #6. While a nice achievement, the route is longer and less efficient than both the Corcot Run and the Deep Core Expressway. It did connect a few more worlds into the galactic economy, though. It will have its uses.”
Doog: “That’s something, I guess.”
Anaximander: “I have also calculated nearly a million partial routes in the Deep Core. Some stretch a few star systems, some cross fifty systems. Finding connections between these shorter routes will yield a hyperspace route twice as effective as anything currently in existence. I am ninety-six percent certain.”
Doog: “Hey, I’m not sure if I understand everything you’re saying, but I appreciate your effort. Anything that makes galactic travel shorter and faster is alright in my book. I spend most of my life travelling.”
Anaximander: “A few years ago, I discovered a new hyperspace route called the Sakigake Reroute #6. While a nice achievement, the route is longer and less efficient than both the Corcot Run and the Deep Core Expressway. It did connect a few more worlds into the galactic economy, though. It will have its uses.”
Doog: “That’s something, I guess.”
Anaximander: “I have also calculated nearly a million partial routes in the Deep Core. Some stretch a few star systems, some cross fifty systems. Finding connections between these shorter routes will yield a hyperspace route twice as effective as anything currently in existence. I am ninety-six percent certain.”
Doog: “Hey, I’m not sure if I understand everything you’re saying, but I appreciate your effort. Anything that makes galactic travel shorter and faster is alright in my book. I spend most of my life travelling.”
Doog: “So, this place has probes, an AI, science labs, and…a gym? I don’t see how this fits.”
Chief: “Yeah, I’m not a big fan myself, bud.”
Doog: “What? I didn’t ask if you’re a fan of gyms. I’m asking why we’re in a gym on a science-station?”
Chief: “Oh, ha. Yeah. I see your point.”
Doog: “And?”
Chief: “And what?”
Doog: “WHY is there a gym here?! WHY are we in it?!”
Chief: “Oh, I see. Well, we’re getting close to the pilot quarters. There are facilities like these to keep us pilots in tiptop shape. As you can probably tell, I don’t come here often.”
Doog: “Then why did we come here today?!”
Chief: “Yeah, I’m not a big fan myself, bud.”
Doog: “What? I didn’t ask if you’re a fan of gyms. I’m asking why we’re in a gym on a science-station?”
Chief: “Oh, ha. Yeah. I see your point.”
Doog: “And?”
Chief: “And what?”
Doog: “WHY is there a gym here?! WHY are we in it?!”
Chief: “Oh, I see. Well, we’re getting close to the pilot quarters. There are facilities like these to keep us pilots in tiptop shape. As you can probably tell, I don’t come here often.”
Doog: “Then why did we come here today?!”
Chief: “Ha, I’m not sure. I spaced out. I think I was following you.”
Doog: “I was following YOU!”
Chief: “Ha, I guess its lucky we didn’t end up in an airlock.”
Doog: “For the love of the Emperor! Can we move on? It’s not fun being the sober one.”
Doog: “I was following YOU!”
Chief: “Ha, I guess its lucky we didn’t end up in an airlock.”
Doog: “For the love of the Emperor! Can we move on? It’s not fun being the sober one.”
Chief: “No worries, Doog. This part of the station is all connected. It won’t take us long to get to the bays.”
Doog: “Unless you zone-out again. Speaking of which, you’re still with us, aren’t you?”
Chief: “I’m still here. I’m totally focused. The bay is not far off now; it’s just on the other side of the centrifuge.”
Doog: “The centrifuge? Is this one of those things that tests G-forces?”
Chief: “Yep. I hate this thing. I prefer to get the spins from…”
Doog: “…ingesting drugs. Yeah, I get it. Quit rubbing it in. Why do you pilots need to be able to withstand G-forces? Don’t inertia dampeners counter G-forces?”
Chief: “Under normal circumstances, but not when travelling in the high gravitational areas of the deep core.”
Doog: “Unless you zone-out again. Speaking of which, you’re still with us, aren’t you?”
Chief: “I’m still here. I’m totally focused. The bay is not far off now; it’s just on the other side of the centrifuge.”
Doog: “The centrifuge? Is this one of those things that tests G-forces?”
Chief: “Yep. I hate this thing. I prefer to get the spins from…”
Doog: “…ingesting drugs. Yeah, I get it. Quit rubbing it in. Why do you pilots need to be able to withstand G-forces? Don’t inertia dampeners counter G-forces?”
Chief: “Under normal circumstances, but not when travelling in the high gravitational areas of the deep core.”
Doog: “You fly in the deep core?”
Chief: “I wouldn’t be a good test pilot if I didn’t.”
Doog: “You’re a test pilot?”
Chief: “Well, yeah, man. I thought that was obvious.”
Doog: “How would that be obvious? You never said anything about that.”
Chief: “You think they let normal pilots get high? I don’t think so. Only us test jockeys that risk our lives get leeway like that.”
Doog: “I didn’t know you had to risk dying to get free drugs. Maybe I’ll stay at my current job.”
Chief: “I wouldn’t be a good test pilot if I didn’t.”
Doog: “You’re a test pilot?”
Chief: “Well, yeah, man. I thought that was obvious.”
Doog: “How would that be obvious? You never said anything about that.”
Chief: “You think they let normal pilots get high? I don’t think so. Only us test jockeys that risk our lives get leeway like that.”
Doog: “I didn’t know you had to risk dying to get free drugs. Maybe I’ll stay at my current job.”
Doog: “So, what are you testing? Better ships?”
Chief: “The LIU is attacking the routing problem from two-sides. First side, find better routes – AI’s, probes, and scientists. The other side, develop better hardware – test pilots and new hyperspace technology.”
Doog: “Brute forcing your way through the core?”
Chief: “In a way. More powerful hyperspace engines are able to resist the pull of gravity for much longer. If you develop an engine that’s strong enough, then you might be able to take routes that were otherwise impossible.”
Doog: “Opening up more possible routes.”
Chief: “Nailed it again, bud.”
Chief: “The LIU is attacking the routing problem from two-sides. First side, find better routes – AI’s, probes, and scientists. The other side, develop better hardware – test pilots and new hyperspace technology.”
Doog: “Brute forcing your way through the core?”
Chief: “In a way. More powerful hyperspace engines are able to resist the pull of gravity for much longer. If you develop an engine that’s strong enough, then you might be able to take routes that were otherwise impossible.”
Doog: “Opening up more possible routes.”
Chief: “Nailed it again, bud.”
Chief: “We’ve been testing this beast for the last year or so. It has some of the most powerful engines ever built into a single-seater. We call her, ‘Starblazer’, because she’s a trailblazer, but in the stars.”
Doog: “Yeah, I picked up on that one.”
Chief: “Starblazer has eight, state-of-the-art hyperspace engines. She can maintain hyperflight in some extreme gravity. She’ll stay in hyperspace a few hundred kilometers from of a type G star. Heck, she’ll skim the corona of a type M without missing a pulse.”
Doog: “That sounds good. Those letters mean something, I’m sure.”
Chief: “There is a problem though. While the engines can withstand the gravitational fields, we’re not entirely sure the hull or inertial dampeners can. The ship could break apart or the pilot could be violently crushed by excessive G’s.”
Doog: “That’s what you test? Geez, that sounds dangerous.”
Chief: “It is, bud. It is. If I didn’t have something to take the edge off, my anxiety would be through the roof.”
Doog: “Yeah, I picked up on that one.”
Chief: “Starblazer has eight, state-of-the-art hyperspace engines. She can maintain hyperflight in some extreme gravity. She’ll stay in hyperspace a few hundred kilometers from of a type G star. Heck, she’ll skim the corona of a type M without missing a pulse.”
Doog: “That sounds good. Those letters mean something, I’m sure.”
Chief: “There is a problem though. While the engines can withstand the gravitational fields, we’re not entirely sure the hull or inertial dampeners can. The ship could break apart or the pilot could be violently crushed by excessive G’s.”
Doog: “That’s what you test? Geez, that sounds dangerous.”
Chief: “It is, bud. It is. If I didn’t have something to take the edge off, my anxiety would be through the roof.”
Chief: “Each test pushes her boundaries even further. I might be the first person to navigate the deepest parts of the core, or I could die alone, light-centuries from the next lifeform. Frick, saying that out loud gave me chills. I think we need to wrap things up. Time for part four of my anti-anxiety rips.”
Doog: “I think I needs some of those too. I never imagined how scary your job could be.”
Chief: “I’d like some company, especially a funny guy like you. Meet back in the dorms after you wrap things up. I could spare a few doses.”
Doog: “I think I needs some of those too. I never imagined how scary your job could be.”
Chief: “I’d like some company, especially a funny guy like you. Meet back in the dorms after you wrap things up. I could spare a few doses.”
Doog: “Well folks, that was L1-L1, AKA Sakigake Station. This station is home to the Pathfinder Mission, a quest to find quicker routes through the dense, deep core of the galaxy. These routes have the potential to cut down on galactic travel times. The station uses a variety of methods for determining these routes – an AI, hyperspace probes, and a full science team. They are also attempting to tackle the problem from another angle – making more powerful engines. Unfortunately, brave men and women have to risk their lives to test these new engines. It’s a steep price to pay for the travel convenience of the galactic populace. At least they get rewarded with good drugs though. Speaking of good drugs, I have some more in-depth reporting to do in Chief’s dorm. See ya next season!”
Note: Test pilots with the Pathfinder Mission are supplied with several mind-altering drugs to combat the anxiety and despair associated with their jobs, including:
Note: Test pilots with the Pathfinder Mission are supplied with several mind-altering drugs to combat the anxiety and despair associated with their jobs, including:
- Awe (stimulant – increases reaction time and focus – usually used to counteract the effects of other drugs during flights)
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (depressant/stimulant – treats anxiety)
- Purplex (depressant – barbiturate-based sleeping aid and relaxant)
- AOF (opioid/narcotic – street name ‘Silly Lilly’ – hallucinogenic pain-killer)
