Curator Patel
Venus Archives
January 28, 2118
Captain Santiago,
These log entries were anomalous at best. There were no dates attached to them, just names and location. We read through the interviews with Laura and Fred, and we still can’t figure out what happened to them.
Sincerely,
Curator Patel
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Date: ERROR
Ship: USS Arugula
Contributor(s) to the log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
It was a nice quiet day, nothing out of the ordinary. After the ordeal with the pirates, everything settled down. We swept the ship, checking for any surprises left by the pirates. I was working on one of the lower decks, and I heard a child run past me.
It was nice to see the children playing; it brought a smile to my face. That smile went away after I realized there shouldn’t be children on board. I tried to call it in, but my communicator was on the fritz.
As I followed the child, I thought I saw glimpses of trees and dirt on the ground. I rubbed my eyes. It must be the fatigue of the past several days. I’m almost done with this shift. I’ll take it easy and just eat my meal and look out onto the stars from a window.
Date: ERROR
Ship: USS Arugula
Contributor(s) to the log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
It’s peaceful, too peaceful. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the ordeal with the pirates is done and over with. We added a patch to the Prometheus software that would activate turrets if enemy ships got too close. Oh, and we upgraded the locks on the bay doors.
As I was on my way back, I received an alert about a malfunction nearby. The lights were off in a section on my deck. Well, after figuring out the source, I found a tree branch growing out of a power conduit. No, I’m not making this up. I left to cut power, so I won’t electrocute myself, but as soon as I walked away from said branch, the power came back on.
I turned around, and the branch was gone. Well, I can already see where this is going. What shenanigans are Fred and I going to get ourselves into?
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Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
I woke up to the sound of chirping, and a light breeze blew over me. I got up from my bed and I appeared to be in the middle of a small field. As I looked around, I see that I’m in a forest. I stepped onto a path and followed a sign pointing to breakfast.
The path led me to a white metal table and chairs with breakfast. I can smell the eggs, and ham, oh and the coffee, I’ll probably need some of that. I should note, along the way, I noticed plants I don’t even recognize. Spinning flowers, meadows of blue, purple, and green grass.
Even the animals looked a little different. Squirrels with two tails, three eared rabbits and a cyclops deer.
After eating my breakfast, which was delicious, I walked along a path. I came across a structure; it looks like the ruins of a house. Inside was a small girl. Her head was down, and walking slowly around in a circle.
I walked up to her and asked her what was wrong. She told me she lost her pet and can’t find it. I offered to help. She lit up and ran out of the building. She motioned me to follow her. Celeste skipped and jumped as we were walking. I turned around about five times. I can’t shake this feeling we’re being followed.
Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
I woke up in an old bed. I look around and after a few moments, I’ve regained my footing. Well, this is not the Arugula, so where am I? I’m assuming I’m in some sort of cabin. I smelled food, so I went downstairs. On the table was my breakfast, which looked like congee and fruit. Sure enough, I walked over and could see the chunks of chicken in my bowl. To the side was some fruit, salt and pepper, and a handful of gingersnaps.
As much as I appreciate this breakfast, I’m going to pass. I reach for the exit and try to open the door. It’s locked. I try again, nothing. I walked up to one of the windows and opened it. Out of nowhere, a squirrel swooped in. It took me by surprise. The squirrel shut the window and pointed at my food, then it made an eating gesture. I sigh and sit down and start eating.
After I was done, the door opened, and I rushed out of there. I had to readjust my eyes. It’s bright, and that is when I started sneezing. Great allergies. Ok, time to go back inside. I turn around and the cabin is gone.
I turned back and around and walked down the hill. Ahead of me is a dense forest. Well, if this isn’t ominous.
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Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
I’ve spent hours looking for this child’s pet. Or is it minutes? I can’t tell. We are far away from the ruins, and we are approaching a forest. Celeste, the child, was asking me a lot of questions, not leaving me time to ask questions about this place.
We finally came across a river crossing with a bridge. On the bridge was a tall, muscular orc. He was standing upright and was wielding a spear and wearing shorts and a pair of sandals. As soon as I approached the bridge, he told me to halt. I was supposed to answer three questions.
First question: what was my quest? I thought for a second and responded by saying I needed to help Celeste find her pet. When I mentioned Celeste, his eyes grew wide and when Celeste poked out from behind me, the orc ran away.
When I asked Celeste what that was about, she shrugged and walked in front of me. I’m keeping my distance. I tried asking questions, but all she did was dance and sing.
Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
I’m walking down this dark road in the forest and every fiber of my being is telling me to turn around. But this squirrel somehow gives me encouragement by clapping or giving a thumbs up. As I was walking, I noticed something up ahead. It was several people on horseback; they look humanoid enough. And it looks like debris on the road. Ah, it’s a roadblock, no more like a toll.
I went up to the nice-looking would-be robbers. They told me who they were and blah blah blah; I wasn’t paying attention. So I had to answer three questions and they would let me pass. Well, seeing how I’m outnumbered, I’ll play along.
So for the first question: What are you doing here?
I’m trying to find my friend.
Where did you come from?
A starship, the USS Arugula
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
How long do you plan on staying?
Um, how long it takes to get my friend and find a way out of here?
I passed, and I could enter through what I’m assuming is the forest’s version of customs. I don’t know. This is getting weird, and why is this damned squirrel following me? I try to shoo it away, but Robin kept on pointing forward. Yes, I named the squirrel. Deal with it.
I have to admit, this is beautiful. For some strange reason, my allergies dissipated. Was it my breakfast, or all that tea? Robin pushed me to drink. I look around, green plants and grass for miles. The darkness was just a canopy formed from the high trees and their branches.
I look around. The leaves on the trees have shades of green or purple. I’ve seen some plants I’ve never seen, some have flowers with intricate patterns. I saw a lilac looking plant and even a giant flower on a grassy field. Oh, and the dragon approaching me in front.
The dragon snapped me back to reality. Lucky for me, there were some large rocks nearby. I hid behind them and heard its roar. As it approached, it landed near me. I peaked out. This dragon looks sickly. Actually, I could see some bones. It opened its mouth and three skeletons popped out. It ascended and flew away.
I could get around them, but they seem to look in all directions. I am sneaking through some tall grass. My plan is to go through the tall grass and then, when the skeletons are out of sight, I go back on the main road. Well, then I stepped on a twig. That drew the skeletons’ attention. So I ran I sprinted out and in the path. I stopped and turned around; they were picking up speed and could be here in seconds. I look around and found a decent sized rock.
The skeletons came up to me. The closest took a swing, but I used my rock to bash its head in. Which caused it to fall. The second one came after me. I swung around, but it took a cheap shot and grazed my leg. I picked up a sword. Wait, I don’t know how to use one, so I dropped it.
Wait, these things are just bone. As the other skeleton approached, it raised its arm to attack. I grabbed it and with the rock broke its arm and then, as it staggered, hit its rib cage with my rock. The other skeleton ran away. I threw the rock at its face and it collapsed to the ground.
Robin came out of nowhere. It seemed impressed. It motioned me to pick up a sword. I told Robin no thanks. I went to retrieve my rock and kept walking.
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Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
It’s been hours walking through here. I keep on asking Celeste questions, but she seems to dodge them. She stopped midway from one of my questions, huffed, and ran away. She ran so fast I couldn’t keep up. I kept walking ahead until I heard some music. It was coming from the ruins to the right of me. I tried to keep walking, but that flute drew me in.
As I approached the source of the music, the tune became louder and louder. It’s as if someone turned up the volume. I finally reached my destination. It’s some sort of humanoid creature, short and thin, hooves for feet. The body reminds me of an upright deer and its head, human head with short, red, and wiry hair.
He introduced me as Net told me he trapped me here. The rules are simple; I had to play a game and win. My pick, the one I picked, was Tic Tac Toe. I was about to explain the rules, but Net interrupted and told me he already knows.
We both sat down. I was first, since I’m the guest. I place my x on the bottom right corner. Net places his o on the opposite end. I place my x in the center. Net places his o on the middle right. I look at the board; Then I see it in my mind. I can play my x on the bottom middle, he can only block the middle top or left corner. I place my x on the bottom middle.
Net snarls, and he gets up and starts jumping. He comes back and slams his o on the board. I put my winning x on the board. When I mentioned best out of three, he responded that what’s the use of best out of three if I’m dead?
Net attacked me. Luckily, there is a long sturdy stick nearby. I whacked him on the head with it. Which caused him to run away. I think I’ll keep this stick. I find my way back to the path and continue my walk.
Celeste was waiting for me down the road. She apologized for taking off and I apologized for asking too many questions. Celeste congratulated me on defending myself and for winning. She told me we were near our destination. So I followed her again.
Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
I kept walking with Robin; it seemed to keep pace. The forest narrowed. I can hear the ocean. Up ahead was a temple, or at least the ruins of one. Robin seemed to be excited and jumped around. I swear it was dancing too. We approached the temple, columns and marble scattered around the field. I stepped on to the marble floor. Up ahead was a wall and in the middle was a raised round platform with pillars in a semicircle.
Robin ran to the circle. I chased after it. As soon as I got into the circle, I froze in place. A man appeared before me. He told me I was the first to make it and congratulated me on keeping Robin safe. With a wave of his hand, he unfroze me.
I asked the man who he was. His name is Razergeth, and he is the guardian of the forest. He offered me any weapon I want; I told him I didn’t know how to use melee weapons. Besides, I prefer the rock, reliable. I held up the rock, but it dissolved. He told me to trust in the power of the forest. I found a longsword and picked it up.
As soon as I grabbed a hold of the longsword, a flood of information entered my mind. I had a sharp pain in my head and then it was gone. Something spoke behind me. I turned around and a mannequin looking creature was wielding a sword.
The mannequin came to life; I could parry its blows. How do I know to fight, and when to swing? Oh right, when I grabbed the sword, it’s as if it downloaded information into me. That would explain the sharp pain. I fell down twice; it seems I’m only given the basics.
I fought with the target dummy for a while. This was fun and a good stress relief. The dummy could parry most of my blows, and I’ll admit, I’ve staggered a few times. I stopped when Fred showed up.
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Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Junior Technician Fred Williams
Celeste kept on dancing in front of me. I tried talking again, but she put a spell on me that made me mute. So I kept walking, but without talking. I couldn’t help but notice that whenever we approached any animal, they run off. Who is this girl? Why is everyone afraid of her?
After what seemed like an eternity, Celeste started to clap and jump around. Up ahead were some ruins of a temple. She told me to follow her. I walked up to the temple. Laura was at the platform, along with a squirrel that keeps running around her. As soon as I stepped onto the platform, I froze in place. A man appeared in front of me and introduced himself as Razergeth. He said I returned the daughter of the forest to her home, and her mother was grateful.
Razergeth unfroze me. He told me Celeste was the daughter of the queen who has been watching over us. I turned around and a tall woman appeared in front of us. She thanked me for keeping her daughter safe. She did not lecture me when I apologized for letting her run off. The Queen chuckled and mentioned her daughter can be temperamental.
Laura told me to grab a weapon. I’m not a melee guy, but I found a crossbow and picked it up. As soon as I picked up the crossbow, I saw flashes of light and words. I felt as if something was being put into my brain. After several seconds, the sensation was gone, and I had to sit down.
A minute later, I got up. I grabbed a bolt and put it in the crossbow. I fired at a test dummy and then I reloaded. Wait, I know how to use a crossbow. This is so cool. I kept on practicing until Laura yelled at me.
It was time for us to go. The queen again thanked us for the time spent and helped her daughter and pet. She gave us a gift. For Laura, the Queen gave her a knife with inscriptions. The Queen gave me a golden acorn on a necklace. We both thanked the Queen.
With a wave of her hand, the Queen transported me back to the bed in the forest. I got into my bed and I heard some singing. The voices were angelic, and with each passing second, I was getting tired. I turned my head toward the noise and saw it was Celeste and the Queen singing to me. Within seconds, I was fast asleep.
Date: ERROR
Ship: redacted
Contributor(s) to the log: Senior Technician Laura Styles
So Fred and I were being tested and given a mini vacation.
To be honest, she was right. This little adventure was fun, no matter how brief it was. Once Fred got unstuck, we introduced our respective companions. The Queen appeared behind us; she let Fred and I know she was watching the both of us. The Queen was about ten feet tall, with white, glowing hair. Her face had some owl like features, but otherwise, she could pass off as human. Her voice felt calming and reassuring.
While Fred was busy with his toy, I asked the Queen about the forest. The Arugula somehow passed through her domain. She and Celeste sensed that Fred and I needed rest, so she transported us to the forest. I asked her about the dragons and our trials. The Queen told us they were enemies of the forest but reassured us we were safe in her presence.
It was our time to go, and after gently telling Fred we needed to go, the Queen gave us some gifts. I received a ceremonial knife with runes on it from the Queen. For Fred, the Queen gave him a golden acorn with runes etched on it.
I found myself teleported back into the bedroom of the cabin. On the nightstand was tea, smelled like chamomile. The squirrel spoke and thanked me; he likes the name Robin. We said our goodbyes, and I got into bed. Robin sang a beautiful melody with his soft and deep voice. I was fast asleep.
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Personal Log
Fred Williams
I woke up in my pod. Next to me were some medical personnel and security. Laura and I were told we disappeared from our pod. I told them everything that happened to me. They confirmed with the ship’s sensors we passed by an asteroid with an obelisk attached. The obelisk followed the Arugula and once it caught up; it released an energy beam.
Laura and I were told we were gone for an hour, but it felt like an entire day. We were told to take it easy, but Laura and I felt refreshed. However, we had to endure some medical and psychological tests before returning to duty. After they were done testing us, I went back to the pod and saw a small box. I opened it; it was the acorn!
I put on the necklace; in the mirror, I saw it glow. I could hear trees rustling and water moving. Birds chirping, and the giggling of a girl, Celeste. Then the acorn stopped glowing. I could make out a glowing inscription. It read: Thank you from the Queen of the Forest, may this bring you peace when you truly need it.
This has been a strange adventure. I’m allowed to put it in my log. After writing out my report and going through multiple interviews, it’s time for me to go back into the pod. It should be smooth sailing from here on out.
Personal Log
Laura Styles
Alright, I’ll admit, I needed this brief trip; it was nice to touch real ground and breathe in fresh air. Not processed and recycled air, but fresh, energizing air. I find myself more relaxed and refreshed. It was nice to have a change of scenery, and something more peaceful. To be honest, I contemplated on asking if I could stay in the forest, but I knew it wouldn’t work out.
When I woke, I didn’t want to punch someone this time. In fact, I woke up from my cryopod with a smile and renewed vigor. Doctor Henson ordered tests on me. After an hour of confirming who I was, I went and talked to Fred. He reminded me of the gifts each of us received.
I went to my locker, and sure enough, the dagger was in there. I am going to keep the dagger in my locker for now. When I get a chance, I’ll sneak it out, possibly when we reach Earth.
I was told what happened. A comet with an obelisk on it chased the Arugula. It caught up, scanned the ship, and transported Fred and me from our pods. Then it trailed the Arugula. The Arugula scanned the structure. The science officer determined the object was not from this galaxy. Its runes and metallic composition are not anything in the known galaxy.
Well, I have some time to kill. I think I’ll download a book on my personal pad. Possibly fantasy.