Voice log 24. Status update: Still on the planet. Made my way to the Sunbeam rendezvous point and saw this massive structure. Dark metal, weird designs all over it. The idea that we got shot down rather than being in an accident seemed more likely. By the time I was ready to poke around inside, Sunbeam called in, said they were readying for touchdown. This tower made a sound and turned, tilted and started to glow… I'm just glad that when it shot them, the communication went dead. I really didn't want to hear them in my dreams for the next few weeks.
Poked around in the laser tower after it powered down and the shock wore off. Scans managed to translate bits of a broadcast, seems it's a quarantine enforcement platform. Probably this weird infection I have. I have noticed a few of the local fauna have similar lesions. Found this platform at the end of a few hallways. Probably the way to turn the gun on and off. If I had to guess, I'd say it won't let me shut it down while I'm infected, so there's no turning it off.
Took me a few days to get back to base, letting me stew in my despair for a bit. Side note: Seamoths are great for travel, but they don't make comfortable beds. Spent a few hours just sat in my base, letting my mind run wild. Eventually decided to make another log entry. Figured saying it aloud might help somehow. It doesn't.
…
I'm not dying down here. I made my way, from some nobody on the edge of Alterra space, to a systems maintenance chief on the Aurora, one of the highest grade ships in Aterra's possession. I have the tools, I have the plans for a rocket. Hell, I don't even need the Neptune, I'll build a damn catapult and throw myself back home if I have to. Course, I won't make it far with that alien gun tower. But, if these aliens set up a planet wide quarantine, they were probably looking at making a cure too. A weapon like that thing needs a lot of power, I don't see any mile wide solar panels around, so it's probably using thermal energy. If I can find the thermal power plant, I can scan its logs to find out how it's distributing its energy, hopefully with labels like 'Disease cure facility with codes to the big gun' to make my life easier. There's like a dozen caverns on the seabed near the base, one of them has to lead deep enough to use heat for power.
Of course, the Seamoth won't be able to dive deep enough. Scanning wreckage I've come across has pieced together the plans for a Cyclops sub, so I'll have a ride down. I'll have to make a Prawn suit for continuing when the cavern tightens a bit. If I can make a few upgrades to the base designs I should be set for finding what I need.
Health update: Still sick with martian flu. Coughing has gone down, but I'm still itchy and I've got a few more lesions. I haven't hallucinated since the Aurora, so that's good. In terms of mental health, I'm obviously a little wrecked. Seeing my best chance at getting home blown to smithereens will do that. Luckily, it seems I'll have plenty of things to keep me occupied so I can't wallow in pity. I've also built that fish tank and set the egg from the Degassi base inside. I could see the little guy moving about inside, so he's probably gonna hatch soon. Having a pet will help keep me entertained and sane, for a while at least. Observations about said egg: The animal inside seems to have a stout body with tentacles at the base. From what I can see, it seems to have a grey colour to it and appears quite rare. Unless its mature stage is extremely different to its infant stage, I haven't seen any other members of its species. Does finding this thing mean I get to name it? Like, officially name it? Actually, do I get to name everything down here? I may need to start coming up with proper names for the locals then. Scientists back home probably won't like when I say 'Oh, that's a Peeper' or 'Those things are called Stalkers.'
Personal notes: Sunbeam's destruction was a massive blow to my sanity, but I'm a stubborn guy when I want to be. I don't care if there's a giant alien death ray or not, I'm getting home or dying trying. I'll have to think long term though. Who knows how far I'll have to swim to find a cure, if there even is one. When I head out for supplies and going into the caverns, I'll have to start scouting for real estate. Probably set up a few smaller, waypoint style set ups between the main bases, just to make the journeys safer. I don't know if that's practical, I'll have to wait and see what resources I can scrounge from around the place, but it would be nice to have a place to rest after a long day of swimming. Hopefully when the egg hatches the little guy can either keep pace with me or fend for himself while I'm gone.
On the topic of the egg, it's twitching a lot in the tank. I'm keeping an eye out to see if the fish inside starts breaking out. You know, I've never actually had a pet before. My first pet's an undiscovered alien. Wonder how many people can say that? I'm gonna need a name for the little guy, aren't I? I'll think of something. Okay, the egg's starting to bounce a bit, so I think I'm going to end it here.
Voice log 24, ended.