February 6, 3288 There was no sleep today at all. — A hostage. Some mercenary. Kilaryia. Our mind swims. We try to aid, only to sleep by mistake. February 7, 3288 We speak to the yellow one of Haven, then of nausea, then of metal in the blood. They have no education, but are curious. I am happy to provide. It is a joy to tell of the mechanisms of the world. In turn, I learn of the mechanisms of their flesh. There is venom filtered from blood, either waste or true toxin. Placed in venom sacs, and injected through teeth. Inside are organs like human, suggesting genetic source. There is metal, too; intricate wires, purpose unknown but malicious. I know of flesh, but I do not know of metal. Regardless, I do what I can, and I will learn along the way. — Kilariya asked Xander to kill us. We have evidence. Xander has provided it to us, doubtful of morality. I am unsettled. Not shocked, unsettled. I never thought highly of Kilariya, but I did not expect for her to sink to this depth. 30,000. That was the price of our life. — We have told Renaize. They are outraged. None can defend this action. Kilariya is exiled. Good riddance. I am still staying off world. February 8, 3288 Abdul wishes to survey the hive with us. I need arrangement that does not put myself in danger. February 9, 3288 Election day of Renaize. Council is born anew. I win through near-landslide, 87% of vote. Still I am confused at such popularity. Are my ideas so strong that they outshine all else? I feel confidence. It is shameful Noel did not follow. The council will soon dissolve, and Renaize will be true anarchy. Today is a good day. I have done well. We deserve rest. We will enter our nest today, and enjoy true sleep for the first time in many weeks.
February 10, 3288 I learn of an attack from Kilariya, prior to exile, accompanied by Mary. Mary attempts to speak on this, only to be spoke over and distracted with Gossa’s meaningless words. Once again I am frustrated. I will distance myself again for my own sake and safety. A short vacation, to colder waters. A small colony near apex space. Occupied by floran, the cuisine is carnivorous. I feel better already. February 11, 3288 We awake to hear there is a crash on Renaize, then attack on medical bay. How? Our sleep still lives on Renaize time. For them it is past midnight, and we are too far from teleporter to assist. I cannot think about it. I cannot worry myself. We cannot do anything. It is time for relaxation. There are many there to take my place. Renaize will survive without me. — A floran here has tried to lick us. Is it our perfume? — I am quite fond of the plant-kin. They operate close to anarchy. Resources are shared, and all is communal. They enjoy flesh. In many ways, they are like our people. They even use living buildings. I dream of a living Renaize. What horror it would bring Noel! — The banquets here are delicious. Real flesh, not extracted from lab. More soul for ourselves.
February 12, 3288 Rehi and Gossa were kidnapped. This is what I learn today. Alarming. The attack was worse than I believed. They were disguised as rangers; the crash was a distraction, and false. We do not know motive. Abdul investigates. It is good to see proactivity. Mary is injured. — How long should we stay here? Is it right to stay here, as Renaize sees trouble? No, Renaize always sees trouble. To avoid departure during conflict is to never leave at all. — I wish this world were not so warm and humid. Our clothing sticks to our flesh. February 14, 3288 Rehi and Gossa are back. They do not say where they were taken, or why. We do not know how they are back. The kidnappers were spies. Disturbing. — We return now. Goodbye, plant-world. It is time to heal again.
February 15, 3288 Life returns to limited normalcy, with the inclusion of no more nest. February 16, 3288 I am concerned for the apex, Paulie. His lover is erratic, and he is vulnerable with concussion. It feels good to be working in medical bay once more. February 19, 3288 We meet another with unique body. Capable of electroreception, with skin purple as our veins. Claws as well. Interesting. February 20, 3288 Threatened by the bomber again.
February 22, 3288 We are wanted, by name, by a stranger. There is threat of second war. — WE’RE LISTENING JUSTICE? WHAT HAS SHE DONE? WE DO NOT BELIEVE SHE IS HERE YOU MUST ASK THEM TO KNOW YOU MUST UNDERSTAND PRESCIENT FOR AN ANARCHY TO ENFORCE HAVEN LAW IS DANGEROUS IF SHE IS REMOVED IT MUST BE RENAIZE FULLY WILLING DECISION NOT AN ACT SUGGESTED BY HAVEN HERE? THAT IS INVASION CRIMES OF HAVEN LAW OUTSIDE OF HAVEN SOIL ARE THE DICTATORS OF ATLAS NOT CRIMINAL YOU CANNOT GAIN GOOD NAME WITH THREATS TO US YOU GAIN GOOD NAME ONLY THROUGH UPHOLDING OUR IDEALS DO YOU WANT A GOOD NAME LOVE IS A SYMPTOM NOT A GOAL I SEE THE THREAT IN YOUR WORDS DO YOU THINK US GOSSA SIT DOWN LEAVE NOW AND YOU GAMBLE LIVES AND RE ELECTION IN INVASION YOU CANNOT AVOID HARMING US RENAIZE HATES DIANA YOU KILL VICTIMS OF DIANA VOTERS SEE YOU HAVE DISGUSTED ME WE SPEAK IN PUBLIC NOW ASK NICELY GIVE EVIDENCE IF DIANA IS TRULY VILE WE VOTE TO ASSIST WE GUARD OUR TELEPORTER HAVEN CONTROLS LANES WHY CAPTURE WHAT YOU CANNOT CONTAIN EXECUTION TAKES TIME HOW DOES ONE HAVE A SECRET PUBLIC SPECTACLE WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE WHO INVESTIGATES AND HOW YOUR POLICE FORCE? MOST HERE WILL NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS YOUR LEGISLATION WOULD NEED VOTERS AGREEMENT YES BUT NOT SECRET THERE MUST BE OTHERS TO SEE THIS WE WILL GATHER OTHERS — Lesslyn, the avian, has threatened us directly with war and slaughter through her coward proxy. This cannot stand. I have coaxed from this underling a promise of peace, but I do not trust her word. So the true colours are revealed, and I act.
February 25, 3288 We have made a new friend today. Baba Ulia. She intends to preserve the way of life of her people, and brings with her artifacts of this origin. Cuisine and ceramics of great beauty. I am like her, intending to preserve my home. I envy her chance to speak in the open. February 26, 3288 We visited Haven today, to taste their alcohol. Rendera, a subsection of this world, graced with a beautiful ocean view. Like Renaize, there are structures of wood here; once alive, not always-dead such like metal and concrete. Warm and unfamiliar to the eyes. Surroundings of unsacred corpses. There we have spoken to two senators, and our eyes gazed upon more. The white one, Martinez, and the hylotl, Takeshi. They recognize us; they call us out by name. I feel alarmed to see their well-worn eyes remember us. Their curiosity in our world has genuine skin. Is it the same in the core? I have arranged meeting with Martinez. He is our choice for discussions of preventing invasion. Too, we have met our first of ‘Atlas.’ A metal construct without face or tone. Such creatures remain strange to me even now. Built with one purpose and source of joy. A single desire given form. No interference, no divergence. Alien. We spoke of war. Finally, we meet a third and fourth. A hopeful reporter and a strange novakid with interest in government. How lucky of them to encounter us, and how lucky of us to encounter them.
February 27, 3288 All the grains in the world make us sick. I long for a good stew. If this reporter is genuine in good intentions, I will like her very much. March 1, 3288 It appears Ki’a’s life expectancy is mystery.
March 2, 3288 We are recognized now. We are approached on the street, and spoken to. We are known from the news of the world. We have set eyes on a new subspecies, and spoken to them. Humans, grey of skin. No red blood, but instead cyan-green veins. We see it in the gums and tongue. Flexible antennae, thick and thin, short and long. They say they are Obsecrians. I am very pleased to know. — One of Atlas accuses us over wirings of manipulation. What twisted thoughts lead to this conclusion? Does Atlas see all charity as exploitation? — I am disgusted with Gossa. This time, sexual harassment of Mary. How much longer can I tolerate this?
March 4, 3288 The one that intends to document the colony has spoken to us. They ask of music, and wish to portray us in positive light. We have directed them to Noel, and others. I hope good things come from this.
March 5, 3288 I do not understand what has happened today. We have seen another world. It began with visit to the fields known as Garlen. Dox, and her lover Naru, and Ki’a, and others. We intended to enjoy this time together, but it was interrupted by the screams. In the stone tower, a human. Limbs shredded by what must have been bullets. There was no chance of survival. Injured, then dead. And it was above them. A gate through space, the air torn apart into something else. I thought it at first to be a false image, but soon I saw this to be wrong. We have heard the stories of the Caliph’s world-tearing tricks, but here we saw no servant of his. What followed defied gravity and sense. I struggle to describe it. Great heaps of rock held up by nothing, like the black diamond above the Capital bridge. Gates to a strange hall with a strange keeper inside. Strange wares of unknown function, offered in exchange for strange coin. Clearly, this is a great work of great culture and technology. But under what alien hand? I did not understand the shopkeeper’s tongue, and for once, those around me were in equal awe. We are united in this mystery, it seems. It was all too much for me. We took the corpse and left.
March 6, 3288 Another trip to Rendera. The familiarity of the shore has become a comfort to me, despite the warmth. Here we spoke to Ki’a, then Zarta and Mir. From the avian, we have learned of something that intrigues. Under the water of this moon, the coral reefs glow so brightly as to be seen from the stars. It encircles the world in a great band of light. With joy, I learn that we can visit this place. It is called the Arco Iris. I love coral. The soul of some is already with us. The beauty of the ocean was our first sight through free eyes. It will always hold meaning for me. If Haven hosts an equal beauty, I must have it for myself. I would like to glow like a star. — There is a new worker at the medical bay, Hamid Hassan. They are alarmingly tall, and their species is a mystery to me. Still, I find I am comfortable in their presence. They know how to sign, despite blindness. This I hope to accommodate for. We will work well together.
March 7, 3288 To learn more of the reefs, I have visited a library. Like all at this golden capital, I find the books are managed by metal. We have never seen an archive so polished and glittering; its screens– it has screens, everywhere here we see screens– have memorized every letter, and excrete glowing illusions. This last feature is clever; I would have liked to see more of the third dimension back home. Scentless as it is, this place uses a great army of guides. Metal shapes that go by many names. “Robots”, “drones”, “archangels.” They are as beautiful as they are alien. I still do not know if there is any true mind behind their words. Where is the line, when there is copper instead of nerves? — - Sanctusian seizurefish - Arcobaleno — The Havenites care for their ecosystem more than most aliens. We have found a catalogue of Arco Iris. What beautiful creatures! Fish that resemble shattered metal-screens and animals that blend between the vibrant hues, as we once did. We will visit the town of Archobaleno. Residing on the coast, south of a lesser continent. The trip must be paid for, but it is well worth the price.
March 8, 3288 We have shown Hamid their new room. The feeling of accepting a new community member is a wonderful one.
March 10 3288 It is in one second we stalk through the building of Garlen. In the next, we feel it, fresh as the day of passing, a pain unmatched by Aiph’a’s loss. Raw and searing despair, and yet entirely without direction. Entirely pure. I have never felt a pain like this before. We were not able to stand under its weight. Then it was gone. The darkness passed with no trace. My socks are tear-stained. The shadow doctor had seen a glimpse of our skin, aiding us after our collapse and recovery. I do not know if she knew what she saw, but I do not care; I am too frightened. I do not know what is wrong with me. — Shoot jump pack targets in air Train citizens to hit targets Simulation training or skeet shooting Pucks in air with false overhead fire For ship ram attacks use anti air or anti ship batteries Clear forest in surrounding area to be defensible Use forest wood to reinforce trenches, produce pallisade, towers Pallisade is defensive form of fencing made of wooden spikes — I feel calmer now. A conversation with the Atlas construct, appeared once more, has soothed me. I am not fond of it, but it brings reliable advice.
February 27, 3289 I think we have gold. A half of a solid statue. It and pixels were costly to carry back home. I do not know where it came from, or why. We found it amidst chaos at the lovely Vena Cava. We took it home with the strength some others lack. It weighed a great amount. I do not think it belonged to anybody, not anymore. I do not know what to do with it. The desire is to sell it, but how? Who buys so much gold all at once? The beauty of the statue is ruined. It was cut in half by one weaker than us, only able to carry that portion. We need to find a metalworker. Its purity and total value must be appraised, and we wish to keep a portion of the gold as jewelry. What a fortune we have come across! I wish to have something to remember this day of new wealth.
June 4, 3289 We have procrastinated on selling the gold, on finding the metal-worker, and on enacting revenge on the one who took our life away from us. All vital actions, and yet delayed. They are within our grasp– why do I feel no joy from their closeness? Why do I hesitate to find the metal-worker? Why do I hesitate to find revenge? All we do is work and drink. How do we break away?
June 26, 3289 A so-called human, first speaking down to us over not knowing words of the Common tongue, hassled us to know our species. This one had uncanniness in the neck and its movements, but it was also small and stuttering and shivering like a sick rat. So, we showed them our true form with a scream. They shot us, and we deserve this wound. But they also screamed and ran away with flailing limbs, which was almost worth the screaming pain. If we are to live in a fixed-body hell where we are hunted for our body and soul, we mind as well have some fun with the more timid ones. What is curious to me is what we were shot with. Not a bullet but a rod of bone, carefully grown. This one may not be truly human after all. There could be great irony to their fear. We will inspect the bone tomorrow, at the medical bay. Right now, we need meat and painkillers.
September 10, 3289 It is with joy that we have smelled a new commune on the wind. The human people of Marzanna, and their green leafed planet. It is strange that they hold hatred for certain words and ideology, but this is the product of history. This, I can understand well. I hope for cooperation with this other. Renaize and this one provide mutual support. Perhaps in time, they will learn to dissolve the militia. The largest local healer— strong of resolve and friendly, spitting in the face of invader. This, I admire, but I do not trust the flying soldiers. I feel curiosity towards an other, one draped in white fabric with red eye of glass. This one spoke a great clicking language we did not understand, and yet sounds similar to homeworld-speak. They showed us coin, and sand, and so we learned this one lives underground. What manner of world do they hail from? I wish to know more. NOTE TO SELF purchase anti electricity grenade
September 18, 3289 We replenished a broken human today; one whose skin unzipped at the attack of one of our kin. One who flaunts the body for all to see, rather than hiding as we do. We have taken ourselves to be wary of these ones; for they may be believers in Ascension; the human, dying, called them words that suggest this, but we have taken no action against this kin, as it seemed the human had struck them first. Peace smiled upon us in the Corrino bar, and we persuaded them to exit without ending life. The body was repaired in their unconsciousness. They had lost much fluid from the veins, and so we have tested our internal false blood. It seems to be a success, although we will visit later to know this for certain. With great curiosity, we discovered the bones underneath to be metal. What a curious idea! I wonder about this human, and I wonder about ourselves. It would be simple for us to follow this strange example. What is a steel knife but a great metal tooth? Would it be wise to protect our mind with a metal skull? No matter. The purpose is that we have saved another life. The world needs this kindness. — I yearn for other kin. There are others, on Kreas and even Renaize, but it is not enough. Some may have vile thoughts in the mind, and others are infected-born, different from I. Perhaps it is time for us to bring more friendships to life. Would our kin enjoy a bar-group? A small club? A support group?
September 19, 3289 Progress on the new blood goes well. The red protein seems to work, but do the cells? We hope for this new creation to function well. We will test it on small animals next. It seems the one we saved hates our kind. We find ourselves, shamefully, regretting their repair. We should not. It seems they have begun with great false impressions. We will correct them in time– they may not be beyond saving.
