The Whole World Was Watching
Posted 12-13-2022 at 11:37 PM by Dark Horse
By 2078, a science channel was showing daily updates of everything concerning Terranova, . The station enjoyed record ratings. There was never a shortage of material to air. Every time NASA released more pictures from the satellite or probes, a panel of scientists and celebrities were brought on to discuss the new findings. NASA engineers were brought in to discuss the technology driving the satellite and probes. Representatives from each of the three companies made semi regular appearances on the show.
Through these appearances, the world was introduced to Gwyndolyn and William Trevelyan, the owners of Trevelyan Space Travel. They would represent their company each time, while the other companies had a spokesperson to speak for them. William proved to be quite a showman. He had a knack for making grand statements that captured everyone's attention. He made three statements that were particularly important.
First, he announced that the couple would be taking the trip to Terranova. This opened even more opportunities to have the Trevelyans on camera. (The science channel was also following passengers as they trained and prepared for space flight and survival on Terranova.) And, in the eyes of the public, he appeared more courageous and confident than the leaders of the other two companies. Both struggled to give adequate reasons to why they wouldn't be on their respective ships for the inaugural flight. Eventually, members of the Addison and Stonington families became passengers. But it was the beginning of the animosity between the companies.
The second big announcement was that Trevelyan would pick the northwest landing site, no matter what pick it had. When ever the subject had come up, it was always agreed that the northwest landing site was the least attractive site of the three. There was a little dissension, but most also agreed that the southwest site was the best. The representatives from the other companies couldn't decide whether this was a bluff, or attempt to get attention or a statement from a man that didn't fully grasp the situation. His announcement became a topic for the guest panelists on subsequent shows. No one could understand the choice.
The third big announcement was that Trevelyan Space Travel had sold its full allotment of seats. Many speculated that they would sell out first. Much of the space on Trevelyan was filled by military personnel and the Trevelyan workers that would be tasked to building the Trevelyan Resort and Theme Park. But, the prevailing thought was that none of the companies would sell all of their seats until everyone knew each company's landing site. But Trevelyan had made lots of contacts in academia. He made a habit to talk to guest panelists when he was there. Soon he had sold tickets to schools all around the world, in every scientific field from astronomy to zoology.
As 2080 approached, panels (once again filled with scientists and celebrities) to discuss the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the three companies. Mock drafts were held trying to guess which landing spots would be taken by which company. Of course, Trevelyan was always the wild card. As information about the proposed launches from the moon was released, that became the focus of discussion.
2080 – Trevelyan wins lottery, they get first launch and first pick of landing sites. Stonington is second. Addison is third.
2080 – Addison pays Trevelyan for first launch spot.
2081 – Stonington complains about transaction. After a much publicized arbitration hearing, Addison gets first pick of landing spots. Trevelyan still launches first. To appease Eastonia, the U.S. government purchases unsold spaces on the ship. It wanted a stronger military presence on the new planet.
2083 – Confirmation of seed pods successful landings.
2083 – Planet named Acthon after Xavier Acthon, the worker who discovered the alternative fuel source on Mars.
2084 – Launch
2089 – Contact between Earth and ships lost!
Through these appearances, the world was introduced to Gwyndolyn and William Trevelyan, the owners of Trevelyan Space Travel. They would represent their company each time, while the other companies had a spokesperson to speak for them. William proved to be quite a showman. He had a knack for making grand statements that captured everyone's attention. He made three statements that were particularly important.
First, he announced that the couple would be taking the trip to Terranova. This opened even more opportunities to have the Trevelyans on camera. (The science channel was also following passengers as they trained and prepared for space flight and survival on Terranova.) And, in the eyes of the public, he appeared more courageous and confident than the leaders of the other two companies. Both struggled to give adequate reasons to why they wouldn't be on their respective ships for the inaugural flight. Eventually, members of the Addison and Stonington families became passengers. But it was the beginning of the animosity between the companies.
The second big announcement was that Trevelyan would pick the northwest landing site, no matter what pick it had. When ever the subject had come up, it was always agreed that the northwest landing site was the least attractive site of the three. There was a little dissension, but most also agreed that the southwest site was the best. The representatives from the other companies couldn't decide whether this was a bluff, or attempt to get attention or a statement from a man that didn't fully grasp the situation. His announcement became a topic for the guest panelists on subsequent shows. No one could understand the choice.
The third big announcement was that Trevelyan Space Travel had sold its full allotment of seats. Many speculated that they would sell out first. Much of the space on Trevelyan was filled by military personnel and the Trevelyan workers that would be tasked to building the Trevelyan Resort and Theme Park. But, the prevailing thought was that none of the companies would sell all of their seats until everyone knew each company's landing site. But Trevelyan had made lots of contacts in academia. He made a habit to talk to guest panelists when he was there. Soon he had sold tickets to schools all around the world, in every scientific field from astronomy to zoology.
As 2080 approached, panels (once again filled with scientists and celebrities) to discuss the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the three companies. Mock drafts were held trying to guess which landing spots would be taken by which company. Of course, Trevelyan was always the wild card. As information about the proposed launches from the moon was released, that became the focus of discussion.
2080 – Trevelyan wins lottery, they get first launch and first pick of landing sites. Stonington is second. Addison is third.
2080 – Addison pays Trevelyan for first launch spot.
2081 – Stonington complains about transaction. After a much publicized arbitration hearing, Addison gets first pick of landing spots. Trevelyan still launches first. To appease Eastonia, the U.S. government purchases unsold spaces on the ship. It wanted a stronger military presence on the new planet.
2083 – Confirmation of seed pods successful landings.
2083 – Planet named Acthon after Xavier Acthon, the worker who discovered the alternative fuel source on Mars.
2084 – Launch
2089 – Contact between Earth and ships lost!
