9350: Phoenix and Columbia, report to the Admiral's office immediately!
It was a sunny day in White Sands, New Mexico. The winds were a bit high, blowing the fine white gypsum dust over anything foolish enough to be caught outside and that included a pair of kanmusu on the range. Phoenix and Columbia enjoyed it when the Admiral gave them leave. It didn't happen often. Usually because of Phoenix's fiery shenanigans and Columbia off doing things with NASA the pair rarely had a chance to be together. The Admiral should have known better. Two shipgirls with a fiery past coming together for Science! did not usually end well. It would turn out that today would be no exception to that rule.
On the surface it seemed pretty straight forward. The pair were to test a new rocket that the Air Force was keen to promote. Phoenix's new propellant fuel, despite the incident with Columbia, had gained supporters within the military. Phoenix was able to refine the formula but she needed a more aerodynamic rocket to strap it to. That is where Columbia came in. Despite the earlier accident, Columbia had shown interest and was happy to further the science! She took a Saturn V, removed the separate rockets and turned the shells into compartments for different stages of flight. There were three fuel tanks, a payload section where any equipment would be stored. And in the nose was a compartment where the crew would pilot the ship and live. The separation of the tanks would ensure a lack of sloshing as the rocket burned through some of its fuel, requiring less input to correct its trajectory thus making it more efficient. When it returned to earth, arms stowed inside would deploy allowing it to touch down like a Harrier.
Despite her eagerness to participate in the test, Columbia was apprehensive. "The winds are rising." She said. The rising winds were of great concern during any launch. Too high and the oscillation would tear the craft apart midflight causing debris to rain down over a wide area which potentially endangered thousands downwind.
Phoenix checked her chart. "It's still within limits." She said. She didn't say that the winds were fast approaching those limits and would likely exceed them by the time the countdown ended. For her, cancelling was not an option. She had worked hard to get the support she had and with the brass watching, she needed to deliver. She ignored Columbia's warning.
"3,2,1 and Liftoff!" The rocket ascended skyward from its makeshift pad, hastily but well built in the middle of the lakebed. Columbia was in the crowd watching it while Phoenix stood in a makeshift control room as she operated the rocket from there. Phoenix's propellant was working flawlessly thus far, delivering on its promises of improved performance as the rocket escaped the earth's gravity at twice the ascent rate as previous rockets had without burning any more fuel. The sensors on board this remotely operated flight indicated that fuel flow was actually less than what was predicted. The design was proving to be more efficient than either shipgirl anticipated. But it was all about to go horribly wrong.
As the rocket approached Max Q it was struck broadside by a powerful crosswind strong enough to shake loose several fittings that separated two of its fuel tanks. The blow was beyond what the rivets could take and they burst, fuel gushing from the holes. As it streamed down next to the hot engines it ignited, leaving a parallel trail of flame very similar to that witnessed on Challenger just before the explosion.
When Columbia saw this she immediately radioed Phoenix who understood the severity of the situation as well as her mistake. "Crap, RTLS! RTLS!" She cried, sending the commands to the rocket. She was a tad too late. The rocket immediately tried to obey but the damage had been done. The maneuver for RTLS was beyond what its strained frame could withstand and it broke apart. The remaining fuel ignited and the explosion was eerily similar to Challenger's as the nose and the payload cell of the rocket were blown clear, continuing on for a ways before rolling sideways and falling back to earth. Dust clouds indicated where the early impacts were.
There was silence for a moment before everyone began to either wonder away grumbling or get to work on the hideous task of recovering the debris for answers. Phoenix sighed and spoke into her radio. "Well at least it was unmanned." She said to Columbia. Columbia vowed to throw the cruiser into the nearest wind tunnel the next chance she got but for the moment and icy cold glare would suffice.
...
Admiral Briggs could not fume enough as he stared down the pair of shipgirls currently sitting across from him in his office. Despite how morose and subdued they looked. Both were windswept and covered in a mixture of rocket fuel and gypsum. Only Phoenix dared to meet his gaze. Columbia kept her head down and her fists were tightly clenched. She looked to be biting her lip to keep herself from crying. Briggs had a good idea what was going through her mind. The early reports indicated her rocket had oscillated then exploded in a many very similar to her sister. He pushed down his sympathy as he remembered all the phone calls he had done that morning warding off angry concerned citizens and military brass under pressure to determine what happened to their precious experiment.
"I'm waiting for an explanation." He said calmly.
"Our calibrations were off." Phoenix said.
Columbia forgot all about Challenger for the moment and shot a steely eyed glare at her companion. "Our calibrations? Our calibrations?!" She snarled. "I TOLD you the winds were too high to launch but did you listen?!"
Briggs intervened before it could get too ugly although he did make a mental note to order one of the submarines to record the pair's 'conversation' for later use! "You girls are restricted to your quarters. South Dakota will manage the lab in your absence. You may only leave your rooms to assist in the investigation and you will be under escort the whole time."
"Yes sir." "Yes sir."
"Dismissed!"
As soon as the door closed he could hear them arguing, Phoenix loudly restating her position and Columbia doing her best to remind the cruiser of the importance of safety. He decided he would lift the restrictions on Columbia sooner. The shuttle had done her best. Phoenix however needed more punishment. Briggs took out his phone book and searched until he found the right number, then dialed.
"Hornet here."
"Hornet, it's Admiral Briggs. How soon can you have a place 'prepared' for Phoenix?"
Briggs fought not to shudder at the carrier's laugh. "It'll be ready in no time Admiral."