Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Fanfic / ChangelingSpaceProgramAndTheMaretian

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** Flight Surgeon Dr. [[{{Series/House}} Gingerbread House]] does the physicals for the CSP Missions 13 and 14 tourists.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** Hobble Jimenez is a riff on the "Astronaut" sequence of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Jim%C3%A9nez_(character) José Jiménez]].


Added DiffLines:

* MadeOfExplodium: In the tradition of Kerbal Space Program...
-->Everyone at the table stiffened as they heard the faint but unmistakable sound of an explosion through the administration building walls.\\
"What was that?" Cherry asked.\\
"A rupture of the liquid fuel storage tanks?" von Brawn guessed, rising from his chair.\\
"An accident in Marked Knee's lab?" George Bull suggested. "He's been working hard on his new electronic calculating engine."\\
"Electronics explode?" Chrysalis asked.\\
"This is a rocket flight center," Goddard grumbled, rising to an arthritic hover over the table. "EVERYTHING explodes."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** The Diamond Dog space program, such as it is, is named “Project [[Music/DavidBowie Stardust]]”.
*** Starting with mission 9, Occupant, as CSP Flight Director, takes to wearing white vests (referencing [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Kranz Gene Kranz]], as shown in [[Film/Apollo13 Apollo 13]]).

Added: 349

Changed: 120

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Soon after Twilight Sparkle publishes a paper explaining that the magical land of Equestria is not a flat plane covered by a bowl of stars, but actually a planet in a heliocentric star system, Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, decides that the next step in her program of conquest is to harness the power of the moon. Of course, first she needs to get there to claim it.

to:

Soon after Twilight Sparkle publishes a paper explaining that the magical land of Equestria is not a flat plane covered by a bowl of stars, but actually a planet in a heliocentric star system, Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, decides that the next step in her program of conquest is to harness the power of the moon. moon.

Of course, first she needs to get there to claim it.



* DeathGlare: When sufficiently provoked -- e.g. Presented with a space capsule made from a cardboard box or asked by a well-meaning princess to add just one more small piece of equipment to an already iffy rocket design -- Cherry Berry can produce a glare that even Chrysalis is hesitant to face.



* ExactWords: After Rainbow Dash’s Almost Bad Day, Pinkie withdraws from active work with the Equestrian Space Agency, declaring that she couldn’t set hoof at Cape Friendship again and limiting herself to preparing food. However, that doesn’t mean she can’t show up at Horseton Space Center to help out with robotic control systems.
* FailureMontage: Chapter 2 has a series of changeling flight experiments involving large slingshots, teams of drones using magic boosting a volunteer, combinations of the two, and, finally, Pinkie's party cannon. Results are many injured and disappointed drones.

to:

* ExactWords: After Rainbow Dash’s Almost Bad Day, Pinkie withdraws from active work with the Equestrian Space Agency, limiting herself to preparing food and declaring that she couldn’t set hoof at Cape Friendship again and limiting herself to preparing food.again. However, that doesn’t mean she can’t show up at Horseton Space Center to help out with robotic control systems.
* FailureMontage: Chapter 2 has a series of changeling flight experiments involving large slingshots, teams of drones using magic boosting a volunteer, combinations of the two, and, finally, Pinkie's Pinkie Pie's party cannon. Results are many injured and disappointed drones.



* TalkingToThemself: Pinkie Pie’s internal monologue in Ch 11 bifurcates into an argument/discussion.

to:

* TalkingToThemself: Pinkie Pie’s internal monologue in Ch Chapter 11 bifurcates into an argument/discussion.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* DoorStopper: Over 450,000 words.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** In ''The Maretian'', Houston’s Mission Control Center is featured during the resupply probe launches.

to:

** In ''The Maretian'', Houston’s Mission Control Center is featured during the resupply probe ''Sleipnir'' (resupply probes) and ''Phoenix'' launches.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** As preparations for the ''Hermes'' rendezvous proceed, Maj. Martinez mentions that no-failure instrumentation is something of a Holy Grail.
---->Cherry looked at Starlight. "What's a grail? And why would anyone want one full of holes?"\\
Starlight shrugged. "I'm not sure," she said. "All I know is, it has something to do with [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade naming a man after a dog]]."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


-->Obviously this can only mean one thing: she’s a sci-fi geek who’s read all the classic first-contact stories.

to:

-->Obviously this can only mean one thing: [[LampshadeHanging she’s a sci-fi geek who’s read all the classic first-contact stories.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* FirstContact: Yes, but there are more pressing issues immediately confronting the castaways than pondering the significance of the meeting.
* FirstContactMath: One of the first things Starlight does when trying to communicate with Mark is to stomp out numerical sequences. This leads him to conclude:
-->Obviously this can only mean one thing: she’s a sci-fi geek who’s read all the classic first-contact stories.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** During their last night before setting out for the Ares IV MAV site, the equestrians have uplifting or profound dreams. Mark, on the other hand, gets "[[Film/AttackOfTheKillerTomatoes Attack of the Killer Potatoes]]".


Added DiffLines:

* TheMultiverse: Not just CSP!Equestria and Mars. Exploration probes sent to locate the castaways find their way to several other alternate Equestrias (including Equestria Girls) and universes containing Transformers, Gundams...

Added: 262

Changed: 120

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Changeling Space Program

to:

** Changeling ''Changeling Space ProgramProgram''



** The Maretian

to:

** The Maretian''The Maretian''



* PatterSong: "Appy is Uppy" is a fairly entertaining (and catchy) way of getting across terms used when navigating in space.

to:

* PatterSong: PatterSong:
** Flim and Flam repurposed "Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000" to expound on their mobile television production studio ("Super Sailing Studio 6000").
**
"Appy is Uppy" is a fairly entertaining (and catchy) way of getting across terms used when navigating in space.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* MissionControl
** Changeling Space Program Mission Control is based on the [=NASA=] model.
** The Equestrian Space Agency had a more informal atmosphere until [=ESA=] mission 5 demonstrated why having several ponies simultaneously trying to supply information/advice is not conducive to crisis management. Subsequent missions adopted [=CSP=] procedures.
** In ''The Maretian'', Houston’s Mission Control Center is featured during the resupply probe launches.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: After Dragonfly has cocooned herself, the others ask home for help getting her out again. What follows is Chrysalis's [[spoiler:half sarcasm, half test]] prescription to wake her up again:
-->Procedure for reviving Dragonfly. Take one stick. Apply vigorously to side of cocoon while shouting the following chant: wake up you lazy drone, [[EmotionEater quit draining people in your sleep]], don’t you know [[AppealToWorseProblems larvae are starving in Mareitania?]] Repeat as needed until desired results are achieved. Over.
** When Dragonfly finally emerges, Starlight Glimmer, afraid that Dragonfly has become a [[TragicMonster ravenous monster]], attempts to apply Chrysalis's procedure. Dragonfly reacts about as you'd expect someone getting whacked on the head right after waking up to react.
** Afterwards, Spitfire keeps the stick and uses it to admonish Dragonfly for [[IAmAMonster being too angsty.]] Once Cherry Berry figures out Spitfire's mostly [[PercussiveTherapy doing it for her own relief]], and that Dragonfly is going along with the gag, she puts a stop to it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Determinator: Pretty much all the castaways. [[spoiler:Except Dragonfly, who gives up after she has her magic-starvation-induced monster breakdown. It takes two months in a cocoon followed by a scolding by Starlight Glimmer to get her back on track.]]

to:

* Determinator: {{Determinator}}: Pretty much all the castaways. [[spoiler:Except Dragonfly, who gives up after she has her magic-starvation-induced monster breakdown. It takes two months in a cocoon followed by a scolding by Starlight Glimmer to get her back on track.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* InfoDump: All three stories include information about flight, space flight, or other scientific material. In particular, Goddard the Griffon and the minotaurs of ''Changeling Space Program'', and to a lesser extent Mark Watney in ''The Maretian'', are prone to become MrExposition as required.

Added: 271

Changed: 499

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* DiplomaticImpunity: The reason Chrysalis can start a space program at all. Yes, she tried to conquer Equestria and failed, but she is absolute monarch of the changeling nation (such as it is) and thus can conduct her scheme openly under the cover of peace negotiations.

to:

* ConservationOfCompetence: Practically name-checked by Chrysalis, who refers to Occupant at one point as having "used up the competence ration for the hive today". Since the moment of competence lasted for less than ten minutes, and Chrysalis roughly estimates her subjects as numbering thirty thousand or so, [[SurroundedByIdiots this does not speak well of said subjects]].
* DiplomaticImpunity: The reason Chrysalis can start a space program at all. Yes, she tried to conquer Equestria and failed, but she is absolute monarch of the changeling nation (such as it is) and thus can conduct her scheme openly under the cover of peace negotiations.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* NoOneGetsLeftBehind: Toyed with, if not outright averted, in the case of Dragonfly. After she comes out of her cocoon, Starlight Glimmer points out that it's not about emotions or morals: the others simply won't be able to escape Mars without Dragonfly's unique abilities. (Though to be fair, emotions and morals would lead to the trope being upheld; it's just that there are more fundamental reasons for saving Dragonfly too.)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* FiveTokenBand: The reason the five crewmembers of ''Amicitas'' were chosen. Two members each of Equus's two leading space programs, plus a veteran of one of the discontinued smaller programs. One each of the three pony tribes, one changeling, and a dragon to represent the other speaking races. Twilight Sparkle chose the crew to maximize popular support rather than to pick the best-integrated team, because the mission was only expected to run five days, maximum. Fortunately for the crew, the selections worked out much better than planned, partly because the team included Equestria's most experienced space pilot, the most powerful unicorn of her generation, a more intelligent than average changeling, an elite military officer... [[AndZoidberg and Fireball]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BerserkButton: Bringing up the renegade changeling Thorax invariably upsets Queen Chrysalis, but that's ''nothing'' compared to her reaction whenever someone mentions [[NoodleIncident Kevin]]:
-->Chrysalis: '''YOU ARE FORBIDDEN FROM SPEAKING THAT NAME AGAIN IN MY REALM!! UNDERSTOOD??'''


Added DiffLines:

* UnwinnableTrainingSimulation: Although it's mentioned that Cherry Berry failed her fair share of simulator runs learning to fly the MAV, one particular run personally overseen by Major Martinez on ''Hermes'' was designed to be unwinnable... and Cherry (with Spitfire as copilot) won it anyway. The solution involved [[EmergencyCargoDump jettisoning over six hundred kilograms of materiel out the airlock]], misusing maneuvering thrusters to provide constant acceleration until the fuel ran out, then refilling them and doing it again. The ponies were about to ''[[ImprovisedMicrogravityManeuvering get out and push the spaceship]]'' when the simulation program reported a successful result[[note]]i. e. eventual rendezvous with a simulated ''Hermes''[[/note]]. And then Cherry shocks the humans on ''Hermes'' by saying she wasn't bothered because [[SeenItAll she's done all these things before in actual flight]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* Determinator: Pretty much all the castaways. [[spoiler:Except Dragonfly, who gives up after she has her magic-starvation-induced monster breakdown. It takes two months in a cocoon followed by a scolding by Starlight Glimmer to get her back on track.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** What would a stranded astronaut who is also a huge fan of superhero films name a sapling sprouted off a tree grown on another planet? [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy What do you think?]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* SlicesDicesAndMakesJulienneFries: Mark's Sol 207 log entry mentions the line in reference to the utility of unicorn magic.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** The obligatory "[[Music/ThatWasTheYearThatWas Not my department]]" from Dr. von Brawn.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Starlight begins her first stint as DM with a heavy-duty epic quest laid out at the party’s feet. Fireball immediately suggests going airship pirate instead, with everyone else quickly agreeing. Cue HeadDesk from Starlight.

Added: 187

Changed: 232

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** When Dragonfly emerges from her cocoon on Sol 287, the anonymous smart-ass(es) at [=JPL=] adding their two cents via Pathfinder chat, respond to demands that they identify themselves:

to:

---->Mark Watney: Don’t ask me how the gazebo got named Mister Darcy. I haven’t got a clue, and I was there when it happened.
*** When Dragonfly emerges from her cocoon on Sol 287, the anonymous smart-ass(es) at [=JPL=] adding their two cents via Pathfinder chat, respond to demands that they identify themselves:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** When Dragonfly emerges from her cocoon on Sol 287, the anonymous smartass(es) at JPL adding their two cents via Pathfinder chat, respond to demmands that they identify themselves:
---->'''[17:38] JPL:''' [[film/spartacus I am Spartacus]].\\

to:

*** When Dragonfly emerges from her cocoon on Sol 287, the anonymous smartass(es) smart-ass(es) at JPL [=JPL=] adding their two cents via Pathfinder chat, respond to demmands demands that they identify themselves:
---->'''[17:38] JPL:''' [[film/spartacus [[Film/{{Spartacus}} I am Spartacus]].\\



'''[17:40] JPL:''' [[film/Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian I am Brian and so is my wife]].

to:

'''[17:40] JPL:''' [[film/Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian [[Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian I am Brian and so is my wife]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** When Dragonfly emerges from her cocoon on Sol 287, the anonymous smartass(es) at JPL adding their two cents via Pathfinder chat, respond to demmands that they identify themselves:
---->'''[17:38] JPL:''' [[film/spartacus I am Spartacus]].\\
'''[17:39] JPL:''' I am Spartacus.\\
'''[17:39] JPL:''' [[RuleOfThree I am Spartacus]].\\
'''[17:39] JPL:''' [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy I am Groot]].\\
'''[17:40] JPL:''' [[film/Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian I am Brian and so is my wife]].

Added: 367

Changed: 25

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** [=CSP=]

to:

** [=CSP=]Changeling Space Program


Added DiffLines:

*** Starlight names the charmed gazebo in their first D&D campaign “[[Literature/PrideAndPrejudice Mister Darcy]]”.


Added DiffLines:

* OffTheRails: Once Mark and co. start playing D&D, we get a few incidents of this kind.
** Mark sets up an encounter with a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_and_the_Dread_Gazebo Dread Gazebo]]. Starlight’s cleric Charms it and adds it to the party.

Added: 36

Changed: 2

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* DeadlyEuphemism: "Have a Bad Day."



** Goodard the Griffon: Robert Goddard (rocketry)

to:

** Goodard Goddard the Griffon: Robert Goddard (rocketry)

Added: 1692

Removed: 318

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ShoutOut:
** [=CSP=]
*** Twilight is inspired during a [=CSP=] delegation tour of Cape Friendship.
---->And then Twilight Sparkle had an Idea.\\
An awful idea.\\
[[Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas Twilight Sparkle had a WONDERFUL awful idea.]]
*** Chrysalis exerts her royal prerogative by declaring "[[Series/WKRPInCincinnati Booger!]]" over the ship-to-ground comm.
*** Pinkie reassures everypony that the robotic probe she helped design wouldn't pose any problems.
---->You don’t need to worry about Probey-Dobey going haywire and destroying all Equestria unless you see [[Film/TheTerminator weird robot ponies with Hosstrian accents trying to kill the ancestors of the future resistance.]]
** The Maretian
*** While researching possible spells for sealing the cave farm, Sunburst looks at [[Music/PinkFloyd Flois du Rose]]’s ''Dark Side of the Wall''.
*** During the trip to Schiaparelli, Dragonfly reports that the RTG is 'saying', "Good night, mortals, good work, [[Film/ThePrincessBride I'll probably kill you in the morning.]]"



* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Many of the scientific and technical experts Chrysalis recruits are based on pioneers in rocketry, mathematics, and electronics. A few other pioneers and notable space-related celebrties make an appearance as part of competing programs or tourists.
** Goodard the Griffon: Robert Goddard (rocketry)
** Warner von Brawn: Wernher von Braun (rocketry)
** George Bull: George Boole (mathematics, particularly digital logic)
** Lord George Cowley: Sir George Cayley (aeronautics)
** Marked Knee: Guglielmo Marconi (radio)
** Popov the Yak: Alexander Stepanovich Popov (radio)
** Lord Garriott de Gryphon: Richard Garriott (space tourist)



* ShoutOut: Chrysalis exerts her royal prerogative by declaring "[[Series/WKRPInCincinnati Booger!]]" over the ship-to-ground comm.



* ShoutOut: During the trip to Schiaparelli, Dragonfly reports that the RTG is 'saying', "Good night, mortals, good work, [[Film/ThePrincessBride I'll probably kill you in the morning.]]"

Top