Temporary Soldier's Log
1LT C.
Entry Made on September 25, 3234
1200 hours

/Begin Entry/

Are my eyes deceiving me, or have I stepped into one of Shakespeare's works?

Today, I have been in the weirdest place I have ever seen. IN MY LIFE. We are in a place called Mercia across the sea. I'm sorry, did I walk into Hamlet? Have I waltzed into Nottingham? Where in time am I?

This place defies all logic. The technological level is lower than that of Knothole or Reoh. I seem to be standing in a Tudor-era village with a castle. It mirrors that of Castle Acorn, but something even worse happened here. Whereas in Knothole, there was a uniform English (although with a slight accent, possibly Southern, yet it was very diluted), the language here is regressed. People seem to be speaking in a Victorian-era language (i.e. speaking with things like 'ye', 'yonder', 'thee', etc.)

There was no spaceport whatsoever, so we had to land in a clearing that a very angry farmer made a point of yelling at us about. THANK GOD, there was a military outpost here. It was a Mobian sensor bunker who had access to orbital communications; they knew we were coming. They warned us about something in the city that was keeping them from getting closer. Something about a High Sheriff. Really?

The soldiers there brought us an interpreter. His name was Arthur, a native of Mercia who crossed the sea to join the military. Arthur was fluent in many languages, including English and France. Useful since this area, geographically speaking, was in the France-Anglo region.

We didn't spend long in the area. The people stared at us again. I'm starting to get tired of that. We kept to ourselves mostly. Arthur, Porthos and I didn't get farther than ten feet away from each other. I listened to some of the citizens talking. They appeared to be quite somber. If I remember my fairy tales correctly, Robin Hood had to save the people from the oppression of the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Hmm, the irony. Now, I wonder who this guy actually is. As of 1200 hours, we are at some form of tavern. I've ordered an ale. I don't usually drink, but they don't have anything else and it's a bit of a walk back to the dropship. A kid hedgehog wearing dirty robes came up to me. He asked me if I was an emissary of the Ancients.

"No. I'm just a guy working a 9 to 5 job and is in over his head."

The kid walked away a bit dumbfounded about what I just said. Hmph, serves him right. Emissary of the Ancients...

Aah, excellent Arthur. What will they need in currency?"

(ID-UKN) Shillings.

Do you have any?

(ID-UKN) You owe me.

Don't you worry, I always pay my debts. Aah... come to papa

DOOR SLAMMING

(ID-UKN) STAY YOUR HAND!

(CHRIS) Hey, what in God's name is going on here?

(ID-UKN) By order of the High Sheriff, you are under arrest, Overlander!

(ID-UKN) You will accompany us, villain, or we shall be forced to do away with you!

(CHRIS) You make a forceful argument!

GUNSHOTS

SCREAMING

(CHRIS) That was a warning shot! Back off or the next one's going through your head!

GRUNTING

(ID-UKN) HOLD HIM DOWN!

(ID-UKN) I HAVE HIM

(ID-UKN) TAKE HIS WEAPON! BRING HIM IN THE DUNGEON! WHERE ARE HIS COMPATRIOTS?

(ID-UKN) We have them, Sergeant.

(CHRIS) What have I done?

GROANING

(ID-SERGEANT) Your kind are but a danger here. Thou will be brought before the High Sheriff to be roboticized. Your vessel will be possessed.

(CHRIS) Good luck getting the security locks out. You try to start her up, that ship will go up in flames. Willing to try your luck?"

(ID-SERGEANT) You speak in riddles! Remove him!

(CHRIS) General security warning! Transmit to any UNSC vessels in the region! I need help! We're being incarcerated!

GENERAL SECURITY WARNING AWAY. MESSAGE ON REPLAY/AUTOMATIC HAIL. TRANSMITTING NOW

(ID-SERGEANT) Take the device too! Leave nothing!

/End Entry/