It was not in complete secrecy, but neither in total public view: the launch of the Linux. Though it was quite a newsworthy fact. The launcher alone was the most powerfull ever built, capable of lifting 120-tons to LKO.
Derived from the Galahad Booster this one had a new engine cluster, massive side boosters, and a totally redesigned second stage. Two minutes into flight booster 4 showed increased temperature, but it was ejected before it really became a problem.
Once in 300×300 km orbit the systems were powered up and control was given to the Linux before the second stage deorbited itself. The UK Navy had deployed its second ship of the ShadowMage class. Where the lead ship was currently bearly holding together in orbit of Vall, this one had vast improvements. New drive design, radiation shield, compact fuel tank, in- and de-flatable heatshield but two other changes were more significant:
The first being the crew. The DD-11 Linux was not crewed by KSC but by the Navy. Crewed by lieutenant Telo Kerman, responsible for sensors, sergeant Henbles Kerman weapons, and engineering both experienced space fairing kerbals.
Ship Commander however, no other than Sean Kerman. Legendary commander of the United Kerland fleet and now promoted to the rank of Captain of the Navy’s first operational defense system.
Because that was the second large change wrt the ShadowMage. The Hikimo Mk1 explorer craft had been replaced with a far deadlier cargo. The Linux carried 2 long-range solid fuel guided torpedos, 4 medium-range ones, 8 short-range self-defense missiles, and a recon craft that could be used to gather sensor data without sending in a 120-ton destroyer.
Shorty after all systems had been qualified as ok, the engines fired up and it laid in a course for Duna. With a total of 11km/s of Delta-v, the Linux did not have to wait for the perfect window. It would make way and arrive almost at the same time as the Beale and Sirkut would return home.
Its mission was to set up a forward defense post and support the upcoming mission to return to the Krakens ship that had resulted in poor condition of Finni.
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