(bump for a belated tribute)
Long-Distance Call Tre Kerman, brave kerbonaut, steps off the ladder and onto the dusty orange-red soil of Duna. Letting go of the last rung, he turns to face the alien vista. Though he is not alone, he has the honor of being first to make the descent - standing, as it were, in the footsteps of greats like the legendary Jeb Kerman. He opens his mouth to say something appropriate for the occasion... and his phone rings.
"Hello?
Yeah, it's Tre.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No.
Look, I'm kind of busy right now. I'm on Duna.
Duna. Next planet out from Kerbin, the red one?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm command pilot for the First Duna Expedition. That's what I've been doing for the last two months. That's why I haven't been by to see you.
Right.
I sound funny 'cause I've got my phone up against my space helmet.
No, I can't take it off. There's no air here.
Yeah.
No... no, I can't pick up your dry-cleaning. 'Cause I'm a couple of million miles away right now. I won't be back for almost a year.
That's right.
Because that's just how transfer windows work.
No, not
power windows, transfer...
No.
Look, I'll get someone at the Space Center to take care of that for you, all right? I have to get back to the mission now.
Yes.
Yes, I promise.
I will.
Okay.
I'm hanging up now.
Goodbye, Saul."
With a sigh, he puts the phone away and looks around again, the historic moment now past.
"... I guess that's it, then."
***
Tre's writing, both humorous and dramatic, and his overall attitude were an inspiration to me during my years playing CoH. I regret that I didn't know him longer or better. I especially regret not learning until after he was gone that he had started playing
Kerbal Space Program. This personal tribute began taking shape within weeks of the announcement. It's taken six months and a couple of versions ("issues") to get all the pieces in place, to do it right, but I was determined to get it done by year's end.
And so, late yesterday (Boxing Day), in my own space program... Tre Kerman finally and officially became the first kerbal on Duna.
/e salute