Log entry #538839
The previous solution for the recall unit is a failure. Not only did it once again remove the humans from their proper places, it also took me with it. I was forced to supervise them an entire night in the middle of the woods. It is as though this entire series of events was designed for utmost absurdity, from the moment I appeared in this world. Has something in this life of mine angered a troublesome god of mischief?
The evening itself proved harmless. Despite John's mistrust, he was little trouble. Likewise, Toby remained happy merely to be in my presence. I know not what sort of world this must be if I, or any other extrinsic being, can bring such comfort to a disenfranchised child. Unless his languor requires such extremes.
Cheonha, least of the four and now greatest of my concerns, with great desperation plead her cause to me: she wished for her mother, who remained behind in North Korea. Is this the past the Morian Koreans try so desperately to remember? Or is it that this Earth is like Starcraft to us, with some things entirely alike and others disparate to our familiar reality?
Bethany's help, stultiloquy though it was, elucidated the matter better than Cheonha's poor english and weary viscera. Of the four, Bethany is the greatest fool. She is a repository of information, and though nothing she says has any obvious application against humanity at this time, she willingly offers their history, fearing neither its use against her kind nor shame at its censurable nature. Should I persuade her to shut her mouth? Certainly not. It is welcome in my study of these creatures. I also, for my own amusement, wish to see the extent of time it takes for the child to learn the wisdom of silence. Nothing indicates that this event shall come quickly.
In the name of convenience, I have directly recorded the memory into pellucite. Studying this has allowed me to write it in our words, which I have done elsewhere. I know not how to translate her saying "comedy of errors", but if any a term is accurate concerning these matters, it is certainly that. Bethany claims on the one hand that this President Reagan of her nation brought down the Soviet Union, but upon doing so, why did the United States' intentions not turn again to the east? Had Reagan no concern for Korea? I must remember to ask her about the presidency. If her leaders are constantly re-elected, there is limit to the good they can accomplish.
Would that these foolish creatures had a Conclave of their own. But they cannot live beyond childhood, these humans. Perhaps a Conclave is out of their reach, as they cannot attain true wisdom in so short a time. It is cruelty that their gods make such fragile beings, to die out before their flower. If they cannot live longer, is it not preferable that they lack the knowledge of their mortality, as animals? Yet I am mortal, and cannot question the immortal in what they deem right.
In any case, Bethany states that North Korea is a nation led by a common tyrant. The sting of communism has passed, leaving only the poison of greed. It is apparently a land rife with starvation and a "personality cult" where a citizen is not allowed to think of their tyrant in anything but worshipful terms. Indeed, this Kim Jong Eun is claimed to be divine, though Bethany claims his father has more fanciful myths to his name. One is that he is so skilled at a game called golf that he refused to play it, and embarrass anyone else. I know not the nature of golf. It did not seem relevant at the time, but I may ask if curiosity insists.
The short of it is that North Korea is a place people wish to escape. How irresponsible it would be to involve myself in such a task! Cheonha insisted that she only wished for her mother, that she should not die alone in that place. Is this where it starts? Because I have helped Bethany, my aid is required for Cheonha's problems? Enough of that. I shall ponder these circumstances in due time.
Bethany's previous advice proved correct, though not for the reasons she stated. She claimed John's intentions to "rat" on me would be sated if I proved that I am more reasonable than he believes. This was not the case. I restored John's memories on her advice, and made the discovery that my threats were incorrectly aimed. Bethany, illusioned by her childish notions and my own actions for her sake, does not understand the extent to which I will defend this vessel and the secrets it holds. She did not, however, mention her rescue to John (she is a timid, fragile creature, reluctant to speak of such things). Thus, John failed to learn that I am reasonable.
Indeed the opposite occurred. My threats cowed him quickly. To his credit, John seems willing to die if he must, yet he crumbled at the mere mention of hurting the girls. And, due to his restored memories, he understood that this was not my preferred solution. I am certain that he finally knows that his best course of action is to remain silent. Of the four, he is perhaps the most intelligent.
Now I perceive the true natures of three of them, and only Cheonha now constitutes any kind of threat to my position. Toby I know the least, but he complicates nothing. He is content to befriend an "alien," and is indeed jealous of Bethany, the one whom I have spoken to the most. That was merely out of need. I do not seek the company of these humans. I cannot decide if speaking to them is at all preferable to my solitude aboard the Juniadros.
My longing for home has only grown in strength. I fight against this longing, knowing that returning to where I belong will not be the end of my work. I will say this of my exile, that it has allowed me the time to put my memories to paper. I shall not forget Aiur, and by the gods's grace, the descendents of our people will not also forget its former glory. I have outlined the Five Towers of Antioch, as well as the temple of Udens and its sanctuary. My memories of Aiur are not yet darkened, and to this day I see it when I close my eyes. On such things I meditate, to preserve what I have.
As to finding the means by which to return home, I am no closer than I was thirty days ago. The anomaly that delivered me has grown dark. Fortunately, the data collected earlier is somewhat understandible, and the computer still holds a vast array of astronomic research. I still remain confident that I will find a way to return to those I left behind.
The greatest comfort is energy. Despite the lapses in the recall unit, main power storage is unaffected. The solar energy collectors are fully operational, and by waiting for it to recharge, I avoid tapping into main power. I must reserve as much as possible of this fuel for the return home, assuming I can discover the means. My patience is tried to the last, but it cannot be helped. Would that I were not alone in exile. I must pray for deliverance, that the gods might rescue me by the same mysterious means that brought me to this world.
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Author's notes:
- I'm working on this story! I swear! Don't worry, next month is NaNoWriMo, so I won't be slacking then.
- "viscera" is another word that Protoss use differently. In english it refers to one's innards, particularly the abdomen, and the word "visceral" means instinctively or from one's intuition rather than intellect. As a result of the latter word, Protoss use "viscera" to mean one's emotional center/personality and its ability to communicate without words (that is, psychically transfer emotional context). Despite most humans not being psychic, we have emotional centers, so we have a viscera in the Protoss sense. We merely lack the organs capable of sending out our visceral communications.
Aldaris is saying Cheonha has a weak viscera because she was tired, and because as a non-psychic her viscera isn't disciplined enough for complex communication. Humans with good imaginations can use good mental imagery in communication and self-disciplined humans can hide their thoughts to a degree, but generally humans have to work deliberately at effective visceral power.
- Pellucite is the kind of crystal Protoss use to record memories (it in itself is a classification of khaydarin). This is an advanced psychic technique, and few people of any kind have mastered it. Note that human psychics are not capable of this, as the training for it takes longer than a human lifetime to learn - it's not so much one mental exercise so much as many mental abilities rolled into one task. It also only works with recent memories. Note that this story's canon isn't going to follow official canon 100%. Expect more on that later.