Ch 3: A Flying…Soccer Ball?

By: Danny Pic

Hey there! Ok, so this is my second story with Hitalia, and it's a bit of an already-been-done story.

Yeah, this is another "space race" fic. But instead of simply being a race into space, this one is a fanfic with a difference. I'll let you check it out for yourself.
Also, keep in mind that this was still the beginning of the space race. So, as a result, nobody really knows much about the other planets.

Sorry I haven't updated regularly; things've gotten pretty hectic. We recently got sick, and we're only now getting over it. Plus, there's been schoolwork, griping, random ideas, and cat madness. And don't even get me started on the tornadoes...

I don't own Hetalia: Axis Powers. Nor do I own Knight Rider or Verizon.
…Enjoy!

- - 2 days later - -

Russia stared intently at the blueprints on his table, Lithuania and Latvia beside him. Together, he and the three Baltic States had talked about what would be the most logical path to take dealing with this race; they had decided that the safest option was to send up an artificial moon – the very first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.

"Russia!", a voice called, grabbing everyone's attention. They saw Estonia running into the room, holding a rolled-up newspaper. "Russia," he said, holding the paper to him, "I think you should see this."

Russia unrolled the newspaper, and cringed when he saw the cover story.

"American Rocket Launch Successful: America launches rocket capable of carrying satellite."

"Dang!" Russia said, glaring at the article. "America's trying to launch before us!"
Latvia turned to the taller country. "Y-You're sure? I just thought it was an empty rocket…"
"Trust me, Latvia. I can tell it was a test launch." Russia sighed and looked back down at the blueprints for the satellite he had been working on. "I suppose Object D will have to wait," he sadly stated. "At the rate we're going with this, it'll take too long to launch."

Russia looked over the blueprints again, a hint of sadness on his face. He then took them off, and placed them in his writing desk. He returned, and proclaimed, "We need new idea. We nee –"

He paused, and then a smile crept upon his face. He left the room, and came back carrying four TV antennas and a soccer ball. Lithuania and the others gave confused glances at the items, and watched as Russia arranged the items together onto the table. He turned, and held it up. The end result was, essentially, a soccer ball with antennas duck-taped to its sides.
"Gentlemen," Russia proclaimed, "I give you… SATELLITE ONE!"

Confused, Lithuania asked, "…we're launching a soccer ball?"

"No! This is simply a model to show you what end result will look like, da? This satellite will be lighter and smaller than Object D, and so will need less power to lift up!"

Estonia stared skeptically at the soccer ball satellite. "So what exactly will it do, Russia?" he asked. "I mean, it seems silly spending millions of dollars to launch a simple ball into orbit."

"It's not a soccer ball!" Russia angrily retorted. "And I know that very well; that is why we have these." He gestured to the taped-on antennas. "These four antennae will broadcast radio frequencies to us and tell us about outer atmosphere of Earth!"

"It sounds impressive, R-Russia!" Latvia shyly replied. "What's it's name going to be?"

"I just told you, Latvia. It's 'satellite 1'."

"'Satellite 1'?" Estonia repeated.

Russia sweatdropped. "I thought it'd be better to think simpler…"

Lithuania clapped his hands together. "Very well then! 'Satellite 1' it is!"

And thus, Sputnik was born…

…

. .Trivia: 'Object D' was actually made from a recycled inter-continental missile called "R-7". It was planned to be the first satellite launched, but it proved to be too expensive to launch within the timeframe Russia's space program had. So instead, they designed Sputnik 1 (which translates as 'satellite 1') to be launched instead. 'Object D' would be launched later, as Sputnik 3.

…

- - The next day… - -

America was busy in his garage, working on modifying his new rocket design. The detachable nose worked perfectly on the first try, so all that was needed now was to perfect the design to carry things, like satellites or people.

He was interrupted when his phone began to ring. He picked it up and answered, "Hey there! This is America – Land of the free, home of the brave! Who may I say is calling?"

A Russian voice replied, "It's me, America."

America's face quickly shifted to an irritated and distrusting expression. "Oh," he coldly replied, "you. What do you want, Russia?"

"I have message for you. Turn your radio to station 175."

"Fine," America replied, and did so. He hung up, and was beginning to wonder what Russia was planning. It involved the radio, so it must be like a song or something, right? For a moment, there was static…then, suddenly, a message was heard – in a Russian accent, no less.

America paused, and didn't say anything as the message repeated. A look of uncertainty was on him; what had Russia done?
It was here that Canada walked in, and set down a newspaper. America took the paper, and opened up to the cover page. On the front page, in big, bold letters, was the title"

"Russia launches Sputnik! First "Artificial Moon" now in orbit around Earth!"

America gaped at the paper; this was impossible! How could Russia beat him into space? He was about to launch in a few days!
"We've got to get to work!" he proclaimed, and immediately set off. All the time, the radio continued to repeat Russia's haunting message….

…

"Can you hear me now?"

…

…

"Can you hear me now?"

…

…

"Can you hear me now?"

…

…

"Can you hear me now?"

…

…

…

- End of Chapter 3 -

Ok, so here's a question. How many of you could imagine Sputnik doing that? Seriously, don't you get that impression? Lol

Anyway, so that's this chapter. My applause to anyone who got my little Knight Rider reference (i.e: soccer ball?).
And again, sorry it's taking so long to update. It's getting harder to find time to type up this stuff, y'know? I'm writing down things, but it's hard to type it up.

Next chapter, things begin to get really tense between the two nations. Stay tuned!