Terran Year 2499 Entry Number One
My exploration has now led me to the furthest edges of the War Zone. I have decided to begin keeping a log of journey, despite orders from The World to leave no traces. I have several objectives while on recon. I am to find signs of life and habitable planets, find resources that may be of use to us, and report any findings relating to Abellan and Canaanite technology.
The first place that I have stopped is a small planet called Lamp End. It's orbital beacon has it labeled as an Abellan colony, though from my observations it is that in name only. The Abellan presence seems to be minimal, merely providing protection in exchange for resources and labors.
The natives identify themselves as Sahagins. They are a non hostile and intelligent race, having themselves developed to a point only one or two stages below Terrans. With the permission of a local village, I was allowed to examine several corpses of different genders and ages. They possess semi-aquatic features, namely water resistant scales and gills. However, they seem to have adapted well to dry environments, like the mountain village I've chosen as a base of operations. (Side note: They possess internal systems similar to Terrans. This can contribute further to The World's Genesis Theory.)
It seems that the Sahagins have no desire to rebel against the Abellans. There's an on world governor from Abellas that treats the Sahagins well, and negotiates trade deals with their various union heads. My goal should be to meet up with him. It may allow me and hopefully allies to gain connections on more prominent War Zone planets. The Sahagin traders could also be helpful, as they also leave world without many questions from Abellan sentries.
I need to maintain the image of a peaceful emissary and explorer. The World was extremely clear about that to all the scouts that were sent on recon. We are not to engage in hostilities unless we are forced into that point in order to protect ourselves. I do not believe in such cruelty. The Sahagins are very peaceful and kind people. I would never hurt them.
The Abellans deserve no such mercy.
To any who find this journal, it is likely that if you're reading this, you are either an agent of The World and I am being reprimanded for keeping a personal log, I have reached old age and left the service and am sharing this with a child of some kind, or I have fallen. Should the latter be the case, I would like my name to be remembered, please. I wish it to be carved into the monument on Terra.
I am Kenshi Gallantine. I am A Fool.
--
Holt closed the journal. He could see that there were still pages with words written on them left in the journal. However, he would need to save those for another day. At some point while he was reading, Melissa had moved to read over his shoulder. They had both found themselves holding their breath as they reached the end of Kenshi Gallantine's entry, and finally let it out once Holt clapped the small book closed.
"I think," Melissa began as she reached over to try and snatch away the journal. "Your mom was right. These Fool people are dangerous."
Holt yanked the book as far away from Melissa's grasp as he could. "We don't know that," Holt said, not too sure of that fact himself. "It reads like he was speaking in code. Yeah. Fools must be some kind of secret agents for whatever this 'World' thing is."
"Holt," Melissa said. She had a worried look in her eye. One that Holt found all too familiar. It was the same one that his mother had the last night when she saw Den's tattoo. "Secret agents aren't just cool people that you read about in adventure stories or see in the film archives. It's not all talking cool and kissing pretty girls."
"What? You think Den's gonna kill me in my sleep or something? You're sounding more and more like my mom, Melissa."
"Miss Nona might be right." Melissa entered full "mom-scolding" mode then, hands on her hips and everything. "Dammit Holt. You don't know who this person is. And you just told me your dad at the very least is ex-military. If he says Den can mean trouble, he probably knows what he's talking about."
"I know he was hurt and I was the only person around that could help him. What? Should I just have left him out there in the forest to bleed to death?"
"You're so stupid." Melissa punctuated her statement with a groan before she turned around and began making her way back to her desk. Holt followed right behind her, but not before slipping Kenshi's journal into his pocket.
"Lod just isn't big enough for you," Melissa continued as they walked their way back through the stacks. "Not that I'm not much better, mind you. One day, I'm going off world and getting as far away from Lamp End as possible. But until then, I've got things to take care of. And to do them, I'd like to stay alive and peaceful."
"Life's nothing without risks," Holt said, a grin adorning his face in an effort to combat Melissa's frown. "I'm not gonna follow Den on some kind of wild adventure through the stars, if that's what your thinking. Nothing wrong with just wanting to learn more about the universe outside of Lamp End."
"What if he gets mad at those questions?" Melissa asked, pausing her march for a moment to organize the books on a table at the end of one of the aisles. "What if he kills us for asking them?"
"Look at this line again," Holt said as he whipped out the journal, pointing to a very specific statement that had burned into his head. "'The Sahagins are very peaceful and kind people. I would never hurt them.' If he is a Fool, then there's probably something in their training where he won't attack unless he finds us to be a threat."
"Are you purposely ignoring the next line?" One of her fingers pressed against the page, and Holt could see the faintest trace of her claw poking out. His father had always warned him. Be silent when a woman has her claws out. "'Abellans deserve no such mercy.' He's a soldier, Holt. At least this Kenshi fellow was. A killer, Holt. Normal people don't think like that."
"You don't know Den's like that."
"And you don't know he isn't." Melissa withdrew her hand, letting out another sigh as she returned to focusing on the work in front of her.
With an angry huff, Holt slumped into one of the nearby chairs. Melissa was always the more rational of the two, but he at least thought his friend would've taken his side when it came to the stranger he had waiting at home. Holt wondered if he should be as wary as everyone else seemed to be of Den. However, the fascination with him outweighed any fear that might have existed in his mind.
"Hey," Melissa said, finishing up her work with the stack of books and sitting down beside Holt. "Is it alright if I come over for dinner tonight?"
"Always," Holt replied. Considering he knew that all Melissa had in her little refrigerator in the attic bedroom above the library was some two step meals from the local grocery, she could definitely go for a proper homemade meal.
"And. Maybe. I can ask Den questions with you." Holt smiled, and Melissa returned it. "I figure if you trust him. I can give him a chance."
"Thank you!" Holt wrapped all four arms around Melissa and embraced her tightly in a hug. When he released her, Holt spotted some patches of her scales darkening on her cheek, getting closer to look at them with a worried look on his face. "You okay Melissa? Your face skills look a little off."
"I'm fine!" Melissa answered quickly, standing up and making her way over to her desk. "Just. Help me out so I can leave in time for dinner. Okay?" With a nod, Holt followed after her.
Despite helping her for hours, Melissa seemed to be actively avoiding eye contact with Holt all the hours that he was at the library alone with her.