///05739.001
At 3:27 AM GMT, ORION Mission Control Managers reported a disruption in communications with OIE, LTD. Explorer Vessel OIE:5795zed (HEIMDALLR). Immediately available information indicates a celestial radiation storm as the potential cause of the disruption. Managers anticipate restoration of communications is imminent.
OIE, LTD. Explorer Vessel OIE:5795zed (HEIMDALLR) is a Purcell Class Temporal Trek craft. As the lead vessel of Project Yggdrasil, OIE:5795zed (HEIMDALLR) is charged with the Mineral Exploitation Assesment of the Deep Space asteroids 2847-dfc and 698h7-bc.
OIE:5795zed (HEIMDALLR) is crewed by Commander JS Cooper, an experienced pilot and veteran team member of the highly successful ORION expedition to the Palomar 5 Stream Deep Space Globular cluster.
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SN# 2398.c40977
Human Resources Folio
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Schematic:
PURCELL CLASS – OEI:5795zed (HEIMDALLR)
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Commander JS Cooper
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Archival Image Depository Asset #PIB76829.47.
Crew of the OPHIUCHUS
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Archival Image Depository Asset #PIB76829.32.
Commander JS Cooper
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Archival Image Depository Asset #PPLT59327.06.
Commander JS Cooper
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New York Times
Saturday, May 5
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///begin transmission…
Wait. What?!?
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///05739.004:b
///begin transmission…
Something went wrong.
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///05739.004:c
///begin transmission…
Terribly wrong.
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///05739.005:a
///begin transmission…
I have been tossed out of Cryo, out of the Heimdallr, and into…
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///05739.005:b
///begin transmission…
…Where?
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///05739.006:a
///begin transmission…
There must have been a failure of both the Cryo-Sleep systems and Temporal Drive?
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///05739.006:b
///begin transmission…
I just-
I just don’t know.
How is this at all possible?
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///05739.007
///begin transmission…
Where am I?
What happened?
My ship is nowhere to be found.
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///05739.008:a
///begin transmission…
Health monitors at 83.60%.
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///05739.008:b
///begin transmission…
It is cold here.
My breathing is somewhat labored.
I need to get my bearings.
Task #1 is to locate what may be left of the Heimdallr.
…end transmission///
///05739.009
///begin transmission…
Week 1.
I have been searching for the wreckage of the Heimdallr, to no avail.
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///05739.010:a
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 81.37%.
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///05739.010:b
///begin transmission…
This place is unlike anything I have ever experienced.
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///05739.011
///begin transmission…
Week 2.
No immediate indication of any indigenous species. No civilization. No sign of industry. No flora. No fauna.
Zero sign of the Heimdallr.
Perhaps I am indeed utterly alone.
…end transmission///
///05739.012
///begin transmission…
Week 3.
The atmosphere is incredibly clear. I can see some kind of vegetation on the horizon – must be 25 clicks between here and there.
I have enabled the System Mapper to log my movements.
…end transmission///
///05739.013
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 80.64%.
Progress is relatively slow. Sensors indicate gravity is +.48G compared to Earth.
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///05739.014
///begin transmission…
I have reached the edge of a broad valley bordered by steep rock formations.
Moving forward, cautiously.
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///begin transmission…
The vegetation is – well — downright alien.
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///05739.016
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 79.35%.
I am going to make my way to the valley edge and attempt to gain some altitude – and much needed perspective.
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///05739.017
///begin transmission…
This cliff must be 200 meters high.
I find that the Booster Assist in the System Pack is malfunctioning.
Looks like I am climbing.
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///05739.018
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 75.27%.
Breathing continues to be labored.
More than 5 Earth hours have elapsed since I departed the valley floor. Ascent was uneventful, with no major missteps.
I will rest here for a moment.
The view from here is absolutely unreal.
…end transmission///
///05739.019
///begin transmission…
I should be able to follow the plateau rim and locate a more gradual drop into the neighboring valley.
My vector is due west – tracking with the rotation of the planet – benefiting from the warmth of the “Sol” star.
…end transmission///
///05739.020
///begin transmission…
Week 4.
Health monitors: 73.35%.
All Systems Normal.
There is enough water vapor in the atmosphere to enable the Exchange System to provide me with sufficient potable water to ensure my near-term survival.
…end transmission///
///05739.021
///begin transmission…
Week 5.
A fog has rolled in. Sensors indicate chemical composition is mostly methane.
I hope the System Pack electrical system remains well insulated. I do not need an atmospheric ignition.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
So far, so good.
The fog appears to be dissipating.
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///05739.023:a
///begin transmission…
Week 6.
The first evidence of life on this planetary body.
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///begin transmission…
I truly hope I do not encounter one of these creatures up and walking around.
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///begin transmission…
Week 7.
As I crossed this grove, the flowering heads of the vegetation seemed to make way for me – perhaps an involuntary self-protective response?
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///begin transmission…
Week 8.
Health monitors: 72.32%.
Sensors indicate external temperature is rising.
It is starting to get warm in here.
I am resting more frequently.
…end transmission///
///05739.026
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 71.56%.
Much of the surrounding rock bears signs of past volcanic activity. Judging from the continued temperature increase, perhaps more recent volcanic activity?
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///05739.027
///begin transmission…
The ground is almost buoyant beneath my feet.
Suddenly, a fissure opened up as I stepped forward!
I think it is time to move on.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 9.
The sheer variety of landscapes remind me of Earth.
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///05739.029
///begin transmission…
Still no sign of intelligent society – just abundant natural flora.
I need to rest.
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///05739.030
///begin transmission…
Week 10.
The first indication of intelligent life!
A finely machined, convex crystalline surface. Lens-like.
Why is it here?
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 11.
Health monitors: 68.79%.
The terrain is spongy and loamy. As my stamina is continuing to degrade, progress is as good as can be expected.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 12.
A further sign of an advanced indigenous population.
Some kind of structure – perhaps a platform.
Its purpose escapes me.
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///begin transmission…
Another indication of an intelligent presence.
This appears more technological than the “lens” I stumbled upon a few weeks back.
I wonder if “they” are still here?
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///05739.034
///begin transmission…
Architecture!
Again, purpose not immediately clear.
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///05739.035
///begin transmission…
Wow.
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///begin transmission…
Week 13.
Interesting!
An orb shape in the middle of “nowhere”.
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///begin transmission…
Week 16.
There has been a disruption in Log Recordings due to a short in the neighboring Heat Exchange.
Repairs have been made and I do not anticipate any further issues.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 17.
Another spheroid.
I am trying to make sense of these structures.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 18.
The System Mapper has been recording and continuously mapping data points for weeks now.
I expect a relatively concise picture of the environment once that data is compiled.
…end transmission///
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///begin transmission…
Week 19.
The second of these tube-like structures I have found.
Are they part of some kind of a communications installation? An energy grid?
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///05739.041
///begin transmission…
There are so many unanswered questions.
I have requested the System Assist to map these structures and report any findings.
…end transmission///
///05739.042
///begin transmission…
Week 20.
Health monitors: 66.59%.
I feel like my progress has slowed considerably. I attribute this to the increased gravity here.
Direction is north-easterly.
…end transmission///
///05739.043
///begin transmission…
Week 21.
Tube-like structure #3!
The System Assist reports a pattern emerging regarding the placement of these structures within the environment.
…end transmission///
///05739.044
///begin transmission…
Week 22.
Health monitors: 65.44%.
Continued evidence of an intelligent species. It appears that “they” have been gone for a long time.
…end transmission///
///05739.045
///begin transmission…
Number four!
System Assist reports these structures are located at specific intervals within the landscape.
Data is being crunched. I should have some answers soon.
…end transmission///
///05739.046:a
///begin transmission…
Ah! Here it is!!
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///05739.046:b
///begin transmission…
System Assist Mapping Report in progress…
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///05739.047:a
///begin transmission…
The coordinates supplied by the System Assist bring me to this location.
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///05739.047:b
///begin transmission…
This looks promising…
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///05739.047:c
///begin transmission…
OK…Here we go.
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///05739.048
///begin transmission…
I have been walking for one Earth hour.
The narrow entry has gradually opened into a massive slot canyon.
Beautiful.
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///05739.049
///begin transmission…
Sensors indicate I am 3 kilometers beneath the surface.
This must be some kind of bio-luminescence?
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///begin transmission…
Three Earth hours have elapsed.
A massive chasm opens before me.
This may be the end of the line.
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///begin transmission…
As if aware of my presence, a “light bridge” has materialized – connecting to the far side.
Proceeding with caution.
…end transmission///
///05739.051
///begin transmission…
4.5 Earth hours have elapsed.
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///05739.052
///begin transmission…
The roughly hewn passage is giving way to something more finely engineered.
What is that ahead?
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///begin transmission…
Well, what do we have here?
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///05739.053:b
///begin transmission…
The door is opening – automatically.
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///05739.053:c
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 63.78%.
This must be the place.
…end transmission///
///05739.054
///begin transmission…
Finally.
I am ready.
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///05739.055
///begin transmission…
Health monitors: 58.23%.
…end transmission///
///05739.056
///begin transmission…
Home at last.
…end transmission///
///05739.057
New York Times
Thursday, October 12th
///05739.058
Colonel JS Cooper, Retired
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XXxxx 