Fate of Spearkan interstellar voyage to be revealed in just 11 years
There is growing excitement within Ikonia over recent radio signals received from the direction of the Ravos star system, suggesting that the ancient Spearkan interstellar fleet may be nearing their destination.
An analysis by Ikonic astronomers in the mountains of Arcaros has concluded that an increase in radio activity indicates the final stages of the fleet's deceleration burn, heralding their arrival in the Ravos system. Ravos is a yellow dwarf star similar to Kerbol located 43 light years away. Astronomers in the 21st century detected a habitable exoplanet orbiting the star which was swiftly named Selenya after a mythical paradise from Spearkan folklore.
It is the first contact between Kerbin and the Spearkan exodus fleet dubbed 'Odyssey' in over a century. 118 years ago the majority of the Spearkan population elected to leave Kerbin in an interstellar voyage called the Selenyad. Gus Leban, the joint 4th Apex of Spearka, created the plan and its associated technologies as a part of his 'Redemption Project' which aimed to evacuate Spearka to escape the terrible state of war on Kerbin at that time.
Nothing more is known about the status of the Odyssey fleet or their destination, but we won't have to wait long to find out, according to Prof Phileas Strabo of Polecth University, Arcaros.
"The Odyssey fleet departed the Kerbin system all the way back in 2083 travelling at 0.5c, that's 50% the speed of light! Assuming their velocity has been constant whilst in the interstellar cruise phase, their expected arrival date was 2169."
"But Professor, that was 32 years ago. Why will we not hear anything until 11 years from now?" Journalist Hera Delphi reporting.
"Because my dear, the visible light and radio waves from Ravos carrying news of the Selenyad's fate will take another 43 years to reach us. At this very moment, Spearkans may be running about the surface of Selenya sowing their beastly cowardice into the very soil. Or, and this is my sincere hope, some calamity befell the Odyssey fleet and they are now a diffuse ring of detritus orbiting that wretched planet. We have just 11 years to wait until we find out!"
"I detect just a little enmity in your words, Professor Strabo. Are you not excited to find out if kerbalkind has succeeded in voyaging to another star?"
"I would say I am excited to find out if cosmic justice has been rendered. Yes this certainly represents a significant milestone in the history of kerbal science, but that is precisely why it so galls me! That band of treasonous, treacherous slugs is going to smear the very stars with their politics. Even if other kerbals someday voyage to Selenya carrying the pearls of Ikonic wisdom, that planet will already be sullied by the malaise of Old Spearka. An appalling situation."
"Some in Ikonia still hold love in their hearts for Old Spearka, what might you say to them?"
"I shan't comment on the politics of your viewership, my dear, but I will just say this. It is my scientific and credentialed opinion that the destruction of every last Spearkan deserter is an imperative for the continued cleanliness of the heavenly spheres. I weep for the stars that such a low lifeform as a Spearkan may be their first contact. Fuck them. A pox upon them and their sickly fleet. I hope the lot of them smash into the sun - and you can fucking well quote me on that."