Time Stamp: Vikram Era: 6 Chaitra 1637 (March 1579)
After emerging from the sinkhole and reassuring his security detail, Siddharth couldn't shake the thought of the strange living quarters he had discovered. The underground space had an air of mystery, and he was determined to uncover its secrets. He returned to the site with renewed purpose, meticulously exploring every corner.
In one of the rooms, he found a leather-bound diary, its pages yellowed with age but still intact. "This might be the perfect sample for the system," he thought, flipping through the pages. The script looked similar to the Cyrillic text he had seen in the monorail manuals.
"System, can you scan this diary and translate it?" Siddharth asked.
[System]: "Scanning now."
As the system processed the text, Siddharth waited with bated breath. The diary seemed to contain detailed entries, and he hoped it would provide the basic vocabulary needed for translation.
[System]: "Translation complete. This diary belongs to Alberta Koch. It appears to be the first volume, starting just after a significant incident."
"Alberta Koch," Siddharth repeated, intrigued. "What does it say about this incident?"
[System]: "The diary begins with an entry dated 6th of Tamuz, 5693, according to the Hebrew calendar, which corresponds to the 30th of July, 1933. Alberta Koch was emigrating from Germany to the United States aboard the SS Westernland. During the voyage, the ship collided with two others—the USS Mercury and the SS Statendam—in a fog bank. The collision caused all three ships to start sinking."
Siddharth's eyes widened as he listened. "That's incredible. How did they end up here?"
[System]: "The diary describes a peculiar effect that occurred during the sinking. The survivors, around 3000 people, found themselves in an icy cold ship graveyard. When they woke up, they realized they had been transported to this world."
Siddharth flipped through the translated pages, captivated by Alberta's account. "What did they do after arriving?"
[System]: "According to the diary, the survivors took over a small village by force and began building the city of Bahlikiwara. Alberta details their struggles and the challenges they faced in this new world."
Siddharth read on, his mind racing with the implications. The diary was a treasure trove of information, shedding light on the origins of Bahlikiwara and the people who had built it. Alberta's entries were filled with personal anecdotes, descriptions of their efforts to establish the city, and reflections on the bizarre circumstances that had brought them here.
"This is amazing," Siddharth said, holding the diary reverently. "We need to find more of these volumes. There's so much history here, and it could help us understand the city's past and the technology they used."
[System]: "Agreed. This diary provides crucial context and basic vocabulary. With more samples like this, translating the monorail manuals will become significantly easier."
Siddharth nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's keep looking. There must be more diaries or records hidden in these tunnels."
As he continued his exploration, Siddharth couldn't help but marvel at the resilience and ingenuity of Alberta Koch and her fellow survivors. They had turned a dire situation into the foundation of a remarkable city, blending their knowledge with the resources of this new world.
The discovery of Alberta's diary was just the beginning. Siddharth was determined to uncover more of Bahlikiwara's hidden history, piecing together the puzzle of its past and reviving its lost technologies. The journey ahead was daunting, but with the system's help and the guidance of these forgotten records, he knew he was on the right path.
Some Diary Entries of Alberta Koch
6th of Tamuz, 5693 (30th July, 1933)
Today marks a turning point in my life, one that I could have never imagined. I, Alberta Koch, write these words in a state of shock and disbelief. I was emigrating to the United States from Germany aboard the SS Westernland, seeking refuge from the growing unrest and persecution. The rise of the Napi regime had made life unbearable for many of us, particularly those of Jewish heritage. The journey was supposed to be straightforward, a passage to a new life of promise and hope. But fate had other plans.
As we sailed through a dense fog bank, our ship collided with the USS Mercury and the SS Statendam, both of which had already crashed into each other. The impact was severe, and all three ships began to sink. Panic ensued, but the slow descent into the icy waters allowed many of us to survive the initial sinking.
What happened next defies all logic and reason. As the ships sank, a strange sensation enveloped us. It was as if the world itself was being pulled apart. When I regained consciousness, I found myself amidst the wreckage of ships in an unfamiliar, icy wasteland. Around 3000 of us survived, but we were no longer on Earth.
We soon discovered a small village nearby and, out of desperation, took it over by force. We needed shelter, food, and warmth. The villagers were no match for our numbers and determination. It was a harsh decision, but survival demanded it. The name of this village, as told by the locals, is Bahlikiwara.
7th of Tamuz, 5693 (31st July, 1933)
Our first night in this world was cold and uncertain, but we managed to make it through. The village was small, but it had the essentials we needed. Food was a pressing concern, but we found that the locals had a stock of preserved yak meat and mushrooms. This discovery was a relief, as it meant we could feed our large group for the time being.
We also salvaged equipment from the shipwrecks. With the tools and materials we recovered, we began creating makeshift shelters. It was hard work, but the urgency of our situation kept everyone focused. The villagers, though initially frightened and resistant, started to cooperate once they saw we meant no harm.
10th of Tamuz, 5693 (3rd August, 1933)
Today, we made significant progress in establishing our new home. Henrietta Blucher, a brilliant botanist among us, suggested we create a greenhouse to grow mushrooms. Using the ship's equipment and the knowledge we had, we managed to construct a rudimentary greenhouse. It is a small victory, but it means we can have a more sustainable food source.
The villagers have also shown us how to rear yaks, and with their help, we set up pens for the animals. This collaboration has eased some of the initial tensions, and we are slowly finding ways to coexist and work together.
The days are long and exhausting, but there is a glimmer of hope. Each small success brings us closer to creating a stable life here. This place, Bahlikiwara, is slowly becoming our refuge, a place where we can rebuild and start anew.