Second Entry

March 14th, 2027

With the drones sent ahead of time to build the entire station before we ever set foot on the planet, there’s little to do on these first days. Medical check-ups with Doctor Ngwenya to make sure no adverse effects from the induced sleep remained while the rest of us got comfortable with our own work stations. Mine got placed with a window overlooking the entrance to the ruins, which had been dug out by the many automated drones who ahead assembled everything for us.

Looking at the window, the idea I was at last so close to my decades long objective made my heart experience palpitations never seen before. I would lie in bed, tossing around in a troubled sleep, wondering what sort of inhuman glyphs and stories our precursors could tell us. Well, the constant noise from the oxigenerators at work did not help with my lack of sleep either, but I am quite sure the anxiety has most of the blame. [6]

My quarters had been placed just besides the one habited by Dr. Nakamura, our residential geologist (or rock connoisseur, by his own definition) and one of the mechanics, Diego Souza, a young man who could use some restraint in his enthusiasm and a better polish to his vocabulary. Both have been very agreeable company so far and I am delighted to be among such gifted company.

His mother will never know. [7]

I also spoke at length with my family, back on Earth. With the tremendous distance between the two cosmic giants, one-way communications are the only possible form of contact. But still, hearing their voices has the same calming effect on my heart as I’m sure mine does to theirs.

Except when they want to mention Maria.

I try to avoid the subject in a polite manner at first, but mother insists I should send word to her. Even with my overt display of distaste for the matter, she continues to voice her “strong opinion” that she was family. I opt for the strategic approach of ignoring her.

This subject has been dead for years at this point, no sense in opening old scars at this point. We are both adults who have made their choices, so what’s there to be said? [8]

To cleanse my palate of such talks, I spend my time preparing my research materials or with the rest of the team. Some I have known for several years, like Riikka and Michael. A few others I knew by reputation, but most I had first direct contact during the joint training for the expedition.

Riikka has been an absolute joy to share moments with. Her work on the field of archeology has always been an inspiration, with her focus on ancient civilizations. No one seemed a better fit to help uncover the secrets of a species gone long before we existed as sentient beings. And if anything, her smile shall prove to be a ray of golden sunlight amidst the endless scarlet abode we found ourselves in.

March 15th, 2027

Today would have been the last day of our preparations for going into the city proper, if not for the incident. Most uncomfortable in nature, it left the station filled with a tense atmosphere, one that could prove fatal so early in our stay. And it all began with the screaming.

Nurse Zheng, our residential nurse, had been responsible for them. Such fear were contained into her voice that my heart kept beating for some time after we had all arrived at the medical room. Pallid like a polished skull, she pointed at the window while trying to make words come out in a concise manner.

Once her nerves had recovered a smidge, she explained what had happened, refusing to look in the direction of the glass. Nurse Zheng claimed to have been organizing our medical supplies on the shelves when she felt an “ominous, sick feeling” at the back of her neck. Upon turning around, she saw a silhouette looking into the room.

From the window showing the outside, where no living being should survive. [9]

We all tried explaining to the poor woman it could have been impossible for such an event to happen. None of us could go outside during the first few days, according to protocol, and no registered exits had been made on the exits. Surely, she must have been tired and her mind played tricks on her. Yet, she repeated with a firm, decisive voice that hadn’t been the case. So strong was her conviction that a group of drones were sent out to investigate the surrounding area.

No tracks on the orange sand to be seen, neither around the window closest the medical bay nor anywhere we could find. Four of Ozan’s machines scoured the region in search of whatever could have been the cause of such a disturbance, yet nothing could be found. The idea she had imagined the whole thing seemed stronger by the minute, despite her insistence.

Then, Nakamura made a comment. About how “women always make everything so dramatic”. He thought it would sound like a joke. Nurse Zheng didn’t think the same. That led to an exalted retort from the poor woman, saying she would be fine and for him to “go back to do what you do best, whatever that might be”. I’m sure that if we hadn’t stood between the two, they might have come to actual blows. [10]

Dr. Nawaz spoke to both in private, trying to Appease the humors before we set out to the field tomorrow. I hope she succeeds at his, for it could compromise the whole operation if such anger is allowed to fester just a day after we arrive.

I look outside my own window, pondering. After some time, I decide to bring the shutter down on it. It never hurts to be on the safe side of things and I don’t need my own mind playing tricks on me.

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[6] Just as in the other two cases, signs of anxiety and restlessness upon getting close to one of the Monoliths. At this point it is hard to pinpoint if this is indeed the case for the specimen or just a natural process. Must look for more of the usual signs.

[7] This note has been scribbled with erratic, childish writing. Possibly a sign of the mental deterioration during a mental breakdown. Must be on the lookout for the new ones.

[8] It is curious how the specimen poses questions on what is supposed to be his own personal records, with the idea that none would read them. Is this what they called “Rhetoric Question”? I wonder if I used the proper principles for it just now.

[9] Our studies found no traces of non-human genetic material on site, suggests this might be another way the Ixlyth use to manipulate their victims.

[10] This is another evidence on the subtle manipulation undergone by those that come closer to the ruins. To have it beginning so soon upon arrival goes against all other occurrences we uncovered so far. This could be a special case, unlike the other two so far. I shall hasten my efforts in the translation.

Everything in this document has been fully translated from their original language into High Zatoreny.