Personal Log
Laura Styles
The away team and I are all stuck on this cursed ship. What makes matters worse, Williams is here too. We’re still unsure about what happened to the Carmack’s crew. The ship’s systems are out, but half the away team are technicians and engineers, so the Carmack should be online and we can send a distress signal in a couple of days.
Fred Williams, who is incompetent, is stepping up. I’m sure his survival instincts have kicked in, and he’s doing his best to stay alive. Funny how the fear of death can motivate people. We could lock the airlocks and doors. We established a base of operations at the bridge. Santiago ordered everyone to be armed. Lucky for us, the armories are full.
To make matters worse, I’m told there is a bar on board this vessel. Ah, this is excellent news for a recovering alcoholic craving a drink! But I remember what Santiago told me, “one day at a time,” that reminded me of my recovery group. So he’s right. I need to take this mission one day at a time.
While working on repairs, I heard thumping noises and tapping. So, now I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. I still have a bad feeling about this ship. But, damn, the ship rattled again. This storm is getting worse. We have no communication with the Arugula. I can’t help but think we are being watched by something.
Supplemental: It’s 3 in the morning. I woke up to whispers and scratching from the bulkheads. I couldn’t make out what they said. It sounds like rodents if rodents could talk. I don’t want to die here.
Personal Log
Fred Williams
Man, whatever downed the Carmack must be packing some firepower. This is supposed to be the fleet’s most advanced ship. The question remains, how did it arrive here? I got curious and checked the specs. According to these specs, the Carmack was outfitted with an experimental FTL drive. The computer didn’t allow me to access any information on the FTL drive, as it’s all classified. Santiago seemed nervous when I brought it up. He said I shouldn’t be poking my head in places I do not belong.
I want to sneak into the engine core and take a peek. After poking around on some consoles, I got some of the crew logs, specifically one of the Senior Technicians on this ship. Wow, this ship’s experimental FTL drive wasn’t ready yet. They launched prematurely. Holy crap, it’s not supposed to go this far! Someone has locked the rest of the logs, so I can’t access them. So I’ll have to work my magic.
I miss Isabella. Right now, all I want is to cuddle with her. I miss Vince. Who’s going to feed him now? Luckily, I have a picture of Isabella to help me through this.
I feel like something is watching me. It’s weird, I know, but it’s like I’m being judged or something. I don’t know. We need to find a way off this planet, fast. Santiago and some others seem on edge.
Supplemental: Whoo, doggy, I cracked the code! Hacked the system! I could get more logs. After reading them, they start out normal, but they get philosophical and downright creepy.
I copied the logs onto my personal drive. Phew, after reading them, they give me the chills. I feel like I’m reading a horror novel. So, I am attaching some of my log entries.
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The Doomed Logs of the USS Carmack
September 13, 2107
Ship: USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Henry Carson
We need more time. The FTL drives are taking longer to spin up. For three days, the FTL drives turned on and off at random. Adding more power would burn the coils until I found a solution.
It’s this new classified energy source. The reactor produces a large amount of power. But the current cables hooked up to the reactor can’t handle that much power flowing through them. So we need thicker power cables.
Unfortunately, when I brought this up with the Chief, he dismissed my suggestions. He ordered me to find a better solution.
Look, I understand that everyone on this project is under a lot of stress. The top brass are under immense pressure from the President to complete this project. But I’m going to be blunt. We require a minimum of five additional years for this to function correctly.
September 20, 2107
Ship: USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Henry Carson
The FTL computers kept on restarting whenever we added in coordinates. The Chief thought it was a hardware issue. I assisted the engineering team in rebuilding the main computer. After that didn’t work, the Chief and a couple of engineers spent hours reviewing the code. They found around fifty bugs in the system. So after fixing the code and applying several patches, we rebuilt the computer and reinstalled the FTL Operating System.
The Chief got curious and reviewed the code for other systems. After ten minutes, I had not heard so much swearing since I was in the marines. Having the lowest bidder write the code for our systems was not a bad idea.
October 29, 2107
Ship: USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Henry Carson
The FTL drive was siphoning power from multiple decks. I was supposed to figure out a solution until the Chief informed me; he was the one who caused the power drains. The President came on board today. He demanded that the captain power on the FTL drives for a photo op beforehand.
The captain tried in vain to explain to the President that the drives couldn’t turn on properly. However, the President not so subtly reminded the captain that he could relieve the captain. So the Chief decided the best temporary fix would be to drain power from several decks.
After the press tour, the President ordered the Captain to test the FTL engines within three days. So we are scrambling to patch up the drive and ship to survive at least two jumps. The crew said their goodbyes to families and loved ones. Some made some last-minute wills.
Supplemental: I hear voices and whispers. It happened after we turned the drive on. They didn’t sound right. I couldn’t make up what they were saying. The universal translator shut off when it tried to pick up what they were saying. Other team members also heard the voices.
Strange. Doctor Patel says it’s most likely effects by the FTL drive as it’s not adequately shielded.
Date: October 31, 2107
Ship: USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Henry Carson
What have we done? Two days after the President’s visit, we activated the drive. However, we didn’t arrive at Alpha Centauri. Instead, we arrived at some dusty planet. The Captain claimed angels visited him and told him to come here. He said they would solve everything. That was a lie.
It started with the screams. The Captain sent crew members to the medical bay for ‘augmentation’. Those who came out looked different. Two days later, the chosen, as those poor souls were called, morphed into monsters. We tried to make our last stand in the cargo bay but were too late.
I can’t help but think, what will happen to us? All of us? What have we wrought? Have we gone too far? Those creatures they aren’t benevolent. They are going to bring us to our doom. I saw visions of the pentagram and visions of horrid creatures. I don’t believe in that stuff, but what if…
Date: what is time?
Ship: The doomed voyage of the Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: A dead man
I was the last survivor. I activated the distress signal, just like they asked. They sensed another ship was within range and needed people to help fix the Carmack. I cried as I activated the distress beacon. Those creatures just laughed and walked away.
Damn, those creatures and their disfigured voices and horrid faces, something that would come out of hell. But, whatever dimension we tore through, we did something. They left me alone, but I will walk out into the sandy dunes and hope this planet takes me.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
End of Logs
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Date: November 11, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
After a few days on this ship, we’ve lost some team members. We continue to make repairs to the Carmack. Focusing on communications and engines up and running is our key priorities. Last night, I heard some laughter that didn’t sound human.
Tonight I’m going to sneak into Main Engineering. I want to peek at the fancy FTL drive. Someone sealed the doors, making it difficult for me to sneak into Main Engineering tonight. I saw Santiago open a security feed for engineering, and his face went white. He shut off his pad and locked the engine room. He’s been on edge since then.
I tried to patch up communications, but it seems something is undoing my work. After making repairs in a section, I would go to my next site. After hearing some commotion from where I was, I returned to my last job site and found a panel open and wires and parts scattered on the ground. I talked with the others. They experienced the same phenomenon. I don’t think we are getting off the Carmack.
Date: November 11, 2107
Ship: Special assignment to USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
I’m trying to get the Carmack up to full power. It looks like the ship had a bumpy landing. During its landing, the ship only sustained damage to a small section of the hull. Santiago had ordered us to repair the Carmack’s engines if we needed to leave this planet.
Whenever someone brings up engineering, Santiago shuts them down fast. In fact, he posted some guards near engineering. He insists it’s still classified, and seeing the experimental drive will compromise our mission. Well, I know that is BS. I have this feeling that our repairs aren’t going anywhere.
I’m always overruled when asking permission to tap into the FTL drive. Santiago knows something. This place is giving me the creeps. I can tell Fred is planning on sneaking into the engine room and I want to help. He’s been poring over the schematics of the ship for several hours. I’m assuming he’s trying to find a way in to the engine room. I want to know what spooked Santiago in that room.
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Date: November 12, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
Two more crew members went missing. They were working on a remote area of the vessel. They missed their check in. Security went to find them, and they came back with their communication. Our group is now half its size. We have moved our perimeter to Deck B’s rec lounge. I could tell the others weren’t willing to go on with their repairs.
I can tell things are getting tense. Already, multiple fights broke out. I saw Santiago type a message on a console. He was defensive when I asked him about it. We aren’t getting off of this ship, are we? These pointless repairs are to kill time until we get rescued or killed.
I’m convinced we are being hunted, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. We all talk about it in whispers. It’s those creatures, the ones that are in the walls, that take out our crew. I didn’t tell the others, but I saw a gray man with red scars. I saw him in a corridor I was working in. He smiled and put his fingers to his lips to keep me quiet. Then he disappeared into the dark. I ran away after that.
I think the storm is going to fade soon. This means the Arugula will send a rescue team to find us. I hope they don’t. They will meet their end here, as we all are.
Date: November 12, 2107
Ship: Marooned on the Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
We are doomed. The whispers from the walls are growing. I can hear them stalking the corridors at night. We tried to bring communications online, but it’s overridden in Main Engineering. As far as I know, no one is in Main Engineering. So, I am afraid that we are just staying busy until our demise.
Two more went missing, Hollowday and Shen, both good people. Santiago is no help, just barking orders. He knows something about this ship.
Last night I made a mistake in taking a peek outside. The storm was picking up, and I couldn’t sleep. The wind was blowing the dust around, I could see rocks flying by. In the distance, I spotted the undead. No, they weren’t undead. They looked like lost souls walking around aimlessly. I shut my window when one of them popped up in front of me.
When I went back to my bed, I heard a commotion outside. I glanced at the door. To me, it sounded like there were a couple of thumps and a cackle. I stood and walked to the door. But Martinez grabbed my shoulder and nodded no. So I went back to sleep. In the morning, we found the guards dead, throats slit.
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Date: November 13, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
Whoa, so I found Laura downing a bottle of whiskey. She first cried and told me to leave. I didn’t. I couldn’t see her like this, so I stayed. She has been sober ever since we left spacedock. I took a couple of swigs of the stuff. It stings, and I winced. Although, to be honest, I’m more of a beer drinker.
We talked for hours. Honestly, I remember a little because of the whiskey, but I remember Laura is game to storm the engine room. We have to be quiet about it. After midnight, we returned to the lounge and collapsed on a couch.
Supplemental: The hangover was terrible. Luckily for us, there was Antichol at the bar. That got rid of our hangover fast, but we had to drink two glasses of water along with that pill. After we sobered up, we both agreed to storm the engine room. It’s time to end this madness. Also, she sent me a recording of part of our conversation. In it, she admitted she blamed me for Gonzales’s death and that is why she was cold to me. She apologized once more, this time sober and with a slight hangover. I accepted. She had every right to blame me.
Date: November 13, 2107
Ship: Marooned on the USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
The only thing I remember from taking shots with Fred was our half-assed plan to enter the engine room. We ironed out some details and revised our strategy after the hangover. But I remember spilling my guts out to Fred. I told him I blamed him for Gonzalez’s death and I held a grudge against Fred. I apologized to Fred, and he accepted. After I apologized, I feel a weight being lifted off my chest.
Here’s how it’ll go down. First, I will tell Santiago we must be in deck C to restart a power junction and re-initialize the power conduits.
So, he will send Fred and me to do our repairs. All we have to do is find an access shaft to enter engineering through the tube system. It’s time to end this charade.
Supplemental: Oh crap, he sent a guard with us. I think he suspects us. Who can say? We need to overpower the guard. I’m thinking-Oh, lord, Willams just knocked him out. Time to storm the castle.
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Date: November 14, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula USS Carmack
Contributor (s) to log: Fred Williams
Holy Hamburgers. Oh, dear lord, so after sucker-punching the guard, we ran to an access shaft and entered the tubes. After crawling on our knees, we exited into engineering and holy mother of God. Instead of the FTL drive, there is a floating golden cube. Imagine a Rubik’s cube, color it gold and weird lines around it, then imagine it trying to solve itself.
We heard a voice telling us to touch it. I’m not, and Laura just looked frozen. Red energies poured out of the cube. I heard screams and laughter. We turned around and saw Santiago with his weapon drawn. Turns out he’s been working with the monsters. Laura shot him with the guard’s gun, and we booked it.
Laura led the way. We heard the creatures running after us. We rushed towards the nearest lift and head to the bridge. As soon as we reached the lift, we found out that someone had deactivated it. But Deck B was available. So we arrived at Deck B and headed to the armory. Laura told me we were going to suit up and arm ourselves.
November 14, 2107
The ship of the damned
Contributor (s) to log: Laura Styles
We are going to die. I shot Santiago, but he got up, so we ran. I can hear those creatures running toward us. We’ve reached the armory. Laura and I tried to contact other team members, but all we heard was “Join us. We are at peace. Don’t you want peace? It won’t hurt”. I turned off my communicator and advised Fred to do the same.
Right now, I’m guarding Williams as he tries to break into the armory. Who knew he had such skills? After enduring ten long minutes and three waves of creatures, we finally gained access.
I could use a drink. No, I need to keep going. One day at a time, one day at a time, one hour at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one minute at a time, one second at a time, one second at a time…
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Personal Log
Laura Styles
As soon as Fred opened the doors, we rushed in, and I grabbed what I could carry. I took a shotgun, two pistols, an assault rifle, a submachine gun, and four grenades. After arming ourselves, we shot our way to the bridge. That is where we discovered Santiago lied. The Carmack had sufficient power for takeoff. After routing some connections, we could hail the Arugula.
To my excitement, the Arugula responded to our hail. They contacted the Cherubim, the enemy of the Damned. We have to leave this ship in ten minutes, unless we want to be vaporized. So Williams and I nodded and fought our way out of the Carmack.
We fought our way out of the Carmack. After exiting the ship, we booked it to the rendezvous location. We stood on a pad which teleported us onto the bridge of the Arugula. We witnessed the Carmack being vaporized from the bridge by a beam from the Cherubim’s capital ship. The golden capital ship looked like a floating city. In the middle were high rises, and extending outward were platforms.
The Captain explained to Fred and me that the Cherubim had been fighting the Damned for millennia. They always fought between their two realms. However, Carmack’s FTL drives somehow opened a rift between our worlds. The rift originated in Carmack. The Cherubim told the Captain they would visit Earth to admonish command of their actions.
Because we were the lone survivors and saw enough action for a lifetime, the Captain gave us a week off. He said he would recommend Fred and me the Valor of Service award.
Personal Log
Fred Williams
Damn, it was hard to get off that damn ship, but it was fun! I had to use my lock-picking skills to enter the armory while Laura held off the enemy. But, of course, it was like Christmas in July as soon as we got inside the arsenal!
I wanted to get the big gun, but it was missing. However, I opted for a double-barrel shotgun, just like the one I had back on Earth. Laura was about to object until I showed off my skills when several monsters snuck in.
We shot our way through the bridge, just mowing our enemies down. Arriving at the bridge, we discovered the ship was always at full power. Santiago was a liar! We found Santiago’s log with a note; it read: listen.
According to various entries, Santiago needed the crew of the Arugula to power the cube so his masters could open a portal into our dimension. We contacted the Arugula, and the captain gave us our orders. We fought our way out until we left the Carmack.
After teleporting onto the Arugula, I saw our new friends use an incredible light beam to destroy the Carmack entirely. Laura and I talked to Earth Command and the Captain multiple times. Because of our ordeal on the Carmack, the Captain gave Laura and me a week off. The first person I saw was Isabella. We made sweet love in the shower.
The Captain could clear my record. He suggested I take a break and seethe ship’s counselor regarding my time on the Carmack. The Arugula might be recalled because of the Carmack incident. Someone leaked out the Carmack incident to the press. Because of the scandal, the president resigned and could face criminal charges. There are rumors that Laura and I might testify in Congress and the courts.
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November 21, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula
Contributor (s) to log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
The ordeal on the Carmack is over, and I’m ready to move on. I’m glad things are going back to normal. After a couple of sessions with the ship’s counselor and talking with Isabella and Laura, I think I will be ok. It will take some time to get back into the groove.
I have bad news: while on the Carmack; the crew caught Vince. They put him in stasis, and we are heading back to his planet to drop him off. Poor guy, I’m going to miss him.
Anyway, nothing to repair. However, one of my poker buddies heard a ship was following the Arugula. Unfortunately, it has been following us for several days and won’t respond to hails.
November 21, 2107
Ship: USS Arugula
Contributor (s) to log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
I refused to talk to the counselor. I told her that fighting my way out of the Carmack was my therapy. She said I was unreasonable, so I left.
Fred and I talked about what happened on the Carmack. I promised him I wouldn’t hit the sauce again. After just talking it over, it helped. We both agreed to put that ordeal behind us.
I requested more time off from the Chief, and he approved it. So I’m sparing against a robot opponent on the activity deck. Some boxing should help.