Journal Entry #7 - 11:38 AM
I slept until nearly noon today. Normally I would panic knowing that half the day is nearly gone, but today I barely have it in me to care. What's the point in worrying now? My life is on Planet Hocotate, not that accursed PNF-404. The President can do what he will with the place. I'll be having no more of it.
My wife still doesn't know about yesterday. She barely noticed that I didn't wake up with her this morning. Would she really notice so little if I was gone? Or is she hiding her worry again. It's hard to say, but today I'd rather not guess. I'm not ready to face the world yet, but I know I won't be sleeping again soon.
I need to speak with someone who will understand all this, but the only person I can think of is Louie. Judging by the silent treatment he was giving me on the way back to Hocotate, I believe he might still be mad at me, and he's never been one for conversation anyway, but I feel as though I have no one else to turn to. I certainly can't talk to the President about it.
3:30 PM
My son has been asking me to tell him about PNF-404 again, but I can't stomach the idea of telling him any more than I have. The more I say, the more enamored he becomes with the place, but after what it's done to me, the last thing I should want is to have him suffer the same fate. The disappointment in his face broke my heart, but I can't with a good conscience continue to fill his head with such idealistic images of such a savage world. He doesn't understand it, he can't possibly, and it is my chiefest hope that he never will.
5:43 PM
I've attempted to contact Louie. I'm not very optimistic about getting a response, but it's all I can do now. I have to clear my mind, and even if it is just to speak to someone who understands what I'm saying, even if he won't reply, I feel like I need this. I feel like I'm breaking apart, and worse, without reason.
I offered to treat him to a meal if he agreed to come with me. Hopefully the extra push will be enough to prompt a response from him.
10:31 PM
I got a reply sooner than expected. Lunch tomorrow at 12:00. It's strange but, I almost feel nervous.
Should I perhaps wear a tie?
Journal Entry #8 - 12:05 PM
He's late. This isn't unexpected from him, but I'm growing nervous. What happens if he doesn't show up at all?
Am I really going to worry about being stood up by Louie?
12:15 PM
He's arrived. Fifteen minutes late, but he's here. He doesn't seem angry, though he did seem a bit annoyed when I tried to start up a conversation while he was attempting to order something. This menu is a little pricier than I'd imagined. I hope my wallet isn't going to regret this.
12:42 PM
Things are going slowly. Just as before, it's almost impossible to figure out what Louie is thinking. I've told him my experiences over the past week, but I can't tell if he understands or not. Has he been feeling any of this? None of it? Come on Louie, give me something to work with here!
1:20 PM
It's been over an hour. I can't get him to respond. I've asked him how life is with his Grandmother, what he's been doing since he returned, if he'd been interviewed at all. Nothing. Not a peep. I can't remember if this is what he was like while we were on PNF-404 or not, but I know I never remembered feeling this frustrated.
This is a waste of time. I should have known it.
1:52 PM
It's been two hours.
I'd nearly given up, but I'm so glad I didn't.
I spent two hours driving around the point that I was really trying to make. I don't think I even realized I was trying to make it until I asked.
I still can't believe I did.
After two hours of small talk, batting around the subject, trying to skirt around what I was really trying to say, it all came down to the one, most important thing that I could have asked.
The reason that I needed to come here. I think we both knew it before I even asked.
I asked him if he wanted to return to PNF-404.
He said yes.
Journal Entry #9 - 5:49 AM
So much has happened I don't think I can think straight, but I'll summarize the best I can. I can't believe we are doing this, but it feels so right.
Louie and I stole off into the night after Lunch. I paid the bill, and as we walked home we discussed the possibility of returning. I told him about the off planet contractors, the president, my fears for the Pikmin. In the end the only course of action that we could come up with was something I shiver to put into writing. I pray no one finds this journal.
We are going to return to PNF-404, and we are going to do it by stealing a ship from Hocotate Freight.
As I write this I am waiting for Louie at the rendezvous point, dressed all in black. It all seems to unreal, like it could easily be just one of my nightmares, but at the same time I'm excited. In a strange, morbid way, I want to go back there. If only to ensure that those greedy money grubbing offworlders don't destroy the planet the way I fear they will. Louie and I are alone in this now. We have only each other.
5:59 AM
Louie is later than usual. Normally this wouldn't be concerning, but we don't have the time to wait around. If he doesn't come soon, I'm going myself.
6:04 AM
I'm going.
Engines are set for lift off, and there are only minutes now until launch.
I'm doing this.
I'm really doing this.
Louie didn't show up, but I'm not that surprised. He never did follow through when it came to keeping his word.
I'll always be a man of my word.
And I'm going back to PNF-404.
6:05 AM
I think I've been caught. I can hear voices. I killed the engine, but I fear its too late. They're approaching.
I think I can hear Louie's voice. I knew I couldn't trust him.
6:07 AM
They'll never take me alive.
To whoever reads this journal, allow this to serve as a warning. PNF-404 is a planet as beautiful as it is dangerous. Please do not attempt to seek it out, but if you must, know that I have done all I could to protect it.
2:15 PM
In retrospect, I always have been one to assume the worst, but today I'm actually surprised, and for once, its for the better.
Louie and the President came to call on me. Apparently the President contacted Louie this morning, but didn't manage to reach me before I arrived.
He didn't mention anything about the offworlders I'd met. I'd expected a verbal lashing, the likes of which I'd never experienced before.
Instead, sympathy.
The president was always a cold fellow, greedy, harsh, unsavory sometimes, but today, I noticed something else in him. Compassion? It's probably just my imagination.
After some talking we came to the point. Hocotate freight is in debt once again, and Louie and I are to return to PNF-404 to further pay our debts.
He won't need us to leave until another two week's time, but our departure is to be promptly then. We aren't to return until our debts are paid once again.
I shouldn't have, but I think I feel relieved, and on Louie's face I was sure I saw a hint of a smile.
In two weeks time, I will return to PNF-404 with Louie at my side. It is a return to toiling, to be sure, but a true adventurer is ever pulled towards the stars.
I think tonight, I will tell Ollie of all the adventures he didn't have a chance to hear yet, and I'm sure the next time I return, there will be even more to tell.
