DORULL STORIES - PRISONER OF THE AMULET
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Personal journal of geologist Sanomis Ti'nullaim, Ganiwarthal's exploratory mission on planet Dorull
-Entry 169-
The work on lieutenant Zharn’s
module was pleasant, and very likely a necessary change of pace. Although, it
did put a hold on my search for answers. For the truth. Anyway, Vagyr came up
with the idea to use the latest and up to date data from the reports, to create
a clear picture of the area, in which the research team in question is
currently operating.
The first problem obviously
presented itself in the form of encrypted reports. The surprising part was that
even the lieutenant had no clue about the reasons for such an obstruction. But
he assured me he would look into it. And so he did. A few days later, the
reports were unlocked, with the guarantee that the future ones will be
available for access. From what I've been told, it was all thanks to Vlaazh
Niykav, the captain of Shteint, who approved our request.
In the meantime, we decided to
link Vagyr’s module with the fairly modified topographic mapper. In its
original state, this device was able to display a holographic rendering of the
terrain. But our update included the presence of all settlements as well as the
humanoids themselves. This, in our opinion, would in many ways help in general
security of all surface missions. Although we’ll know that for sure, after the
lieutenant tests the functions in action.
-Entry 169 a (supplemental)-secured with triple encryption-
Vagyr’s enthusiasm, and all around commitment to complete this project of his, gave me an ample of opportunities to clone his module. It went unnoticed. And it opened the entry into the military database. Lieutenant is not suspecting a thing. I can’t wait to start searching through all of those files. To see what the military is hiding from the rest of us. I think I am close to finding the truth. But I must stay patient. I must be sure I won’t be detected, once I access the database.
***
As an assistant to the chief geological researcher of the Dorull exploratory mission, Sanomis Ti’nullaim was in a somewhat privileged position to choose and assign the areas and locations of interest. So it wasn’t hard to fabricate the reason for returning to the cave, that should in all actuality be marked as explored. He discarded several samples, writing them off as contaminated subjects.
They were crucial in his
exploration of this region, and as such they had to be replaced. New samples
were to be collected and logged. New report was to be written and forwarded.
Sanomis put the blame on the faulty containers, which was the common reason.
And something which Danayr Dagiyn, the chief scientist officer, wouldn’t doubt
for a moment. He even offered to send one of the laboratory technicians
instead, but Sanomis insisted it was his mistake. It was him who’d have to fix
it. He knew the mission chief wouldn’t deny him. Danayr appreciated the
commitment to the assignment more than anything else. And Sanomis was one of
the most committed scientists on Ganiwarthal.
Still, he had to wait more than a
week, before he was granted the pass to leave the safety of Shteint. The week
which he thought would never end. The week of ever growing distrust. Sanomis
had to watch his every word. Be careful not to act suspicious. By the time the
seventh day came to pass, he was sure everyone was seeing through his nervous
demeanor. The paranoia became unbearable. Which was to be expected, because for
the past seven days he knew of the real reasons for vard’s presence on this
planet.
At first, the realization left him
in dismay. But soon it made way to complete and utter sense of bewilderment.
Hundreds of questions came pilling on top of his mind at a same time. And not a
single answer appeared. He was close to losing it. How did this undertaking
even commence? Who organized it? Was this doing of some secret, criminal group?
Or perhaps their leaders, back on Pryria were behind it. Was this a usual
practice, or was this a one off? How come no one knew about this? Could it be
that all of the vards were living in a lie? In bliss. Prosperity. Blind and oblivious
to the horrors, that prathans in their names did on the far away worlds.
But vards weren’t like that.
Surely. Out of the barrage of questions, stirring the inner conflict, came out
the denial. Vards were good, open-armed, compassionate race. And this
undertaking was a complete opposite of these virtues. This came out from the
immoral, malicious minds. In no way it represented their entire kind. How was
even one vard being capable of such an evildoing?
Sanomis felt utterly stupid. And
then the irritation and outrage begin growing inside of him. He let himself get
involved in this criminal operation. This horror. He remembered his application
for this job. The short and formal conversation that followed. And the
invitation to join the expedition not even a day later. He should’ve suspected
the legality of the whole ordeal right then and there. Who would’ve given him
the spot that easy. His ego was telling, it was all due to the recommendations
he gained during his specialization. He now knew that was all a lie.
His only consolation, if he
decided to hide behind one, like a complete and utter coward, was that he
wasn't alone in believing these lies. The majority of the scientists who joined
this mission were young. Most of them only just finished the specialization.
Sanomis noticed the pattern. They were probably chosen for that specific
reason. They had no prior experience. They were thanking their lucky stars for
landing the gig in no time. Whomever organized this was counting on that and
that alone. They made sure no one would ask any questions. Because they made
sure no one would question the legitimacy of this mission.
For the first time since he
learned the truth, Sanomis felt unsure. The doubt in himself, in his own
capabilities, began growing from within. He felt the walls closing in. He felt
exposed and vulnerable. What will he, a plain, young geologist, even manage to
do really? This whole ordeal was far too big for him. What was he thinking? How
could he even help this planet? Would Ch’ybal be willing to offer her
assistance, besides her advice? What did she even knew? Sanomis had a million
different questions. Fortunately for him, and for the sake of his mind, it
wouldn’t take long before he was able to find the answers to them. He had
returned into the magical crystal’s cave.
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