May 1, 201x. Weather: Clear, Sunny
For Monday, I decided to see what kind of equipment I might need for an expedition to this "Many Hole'd Place." So far, all I know is that it is quite dangerous and may be a possible source of either disease or radiation. Considering the spreading nature of this (as well as Budwick's own journey into the place with little to note), I can best assume that it is some form of radiation with an effect on the local ecosystem similar to a copper ion. That means I'd best bring a radiation suit and Geiger counter as my primary tools, alongside an emergency gas mask, flare launcher, basic weaponry and tools (pistol, combat and survival knife, multitool, walking staff, metal-tipped), camping supplies, and provisions. The RV's closest possible parking spot is about seven miles off the actual site, meaning I'll need some form of transport or equipment carrying method aside from backpacking. Can't exactly purchase an ATV… Or can I? There're a few rental places near the actual spot (and barring that, I know of a few farmers who'd gladly transport me, since the dead zone is literally cutting into their fields).
Of course, since the Summer season is now starting, that means I'll be both off of work and at an advantage when applying for a new occupational term. Having gained a reputation as an amiable and steadfast worker among humans and a reputable researcher and ambassador to Gems, I can move freely and have fewer suspicious eyes upon me. However, that should also mean that I have much further to fall given my slinking, as well as the now rather… eldritch nature of my research. If I am to leave Beach City and make for the "Hole'd Place" (which, for the sake of typing shorthand shall now be called the Eastern American Dead Zone), then I will have to stay out of Beach City long enough to seem like I took a trip elsewhere. Furthermore, I will need to hide any collected data from curious Gems like the Nephrite. I'm sorry to do this to her, but this research is too important to have her spill.
May 5, 201x. Weather: Clear, Humid.
My season ends today, and renegotiation of the next season of work is not to start for another two weeks. I can act like I'm taking a short vacation before moving inland towards the Dead Zone. I picked up the necessary equipment from various stores and even had my father's old pistol registered early in my name. I disconnected the RV from the carwash, said my short goodbyes, and set off.
Having taken a stop for gas (and a much needed meal) along the way, I noted a number of cargo rail lines all pointing in the direction of the dead zone. Most notable is the fact that these all went defunct about a year ago due to the metal on these rails suddenly and repeatedly oxidizing and crumbling to dust along something called "diseased ground," at least among the public reports. Multiple companies went bankrupt attempting to manage these lines, and the rails themselves apparently now mark the border to this supposedly cursed land.
The trip to the border was uneventful. Despite it being daylight out, a purple fog seems to hang north, where this supposed Dead Zone is located. I'll be honest, I admit that I had delusions of grandeur up to this point. Now that I seem to be staring into the Underworld's very gates, I'm scared. This is (hopefully) the climax of my research. I shall truly find answers here. My laptop and notes are ready to decode any records within the land. My instruments stand ready to both collect data and save me in a pinch. I have all the equipment I need. All I need now is a ride to the inner portion.
About a week ago, I sent out a call online to local businesses asking if anyone can lend me transportation in and out of the Dead Zone. I'll be staying there for about a week before they pick me up, and the payment offered is about two hundred dollars (probably too much, but there's potential hazard pay to consider). A farmer by the name of Luka DeMayo responded, informing me that they can offer said transportation for free (lucky me, I assume) on May 8th, meaning I have three days to myself in the RV starting now.
May 7, 201x. Weather: Clear, Sunny.
I spent some time securing the RV so it wouldn't be towed or stolen while I'm in the Dead Zone. But even after all the window-barring and double-locking, I feel that maybe I'm making a huge mistake. I'm investing so much time and energy into something that, if I'm correct, is either too big for human comprehension or too insignificant to acknowledge. There is so much wrong with everything in this area. The Gems' own stories don't add up alongside the stories made by humans. It feels like I'm going to suddenly have a target painted on my back if I find some dark truth. I will suddenly draw the ire of an entire town. The connections I made will be lost, and perhaps I might even start a conflict.
I still remember the looks on many of the Gems' faces as they told me about what they did and how much it completed them. Despite their looks and odd behavioral quirks, they are just as human as us. Something in them grew a soul, a heart, and a true sense of self. Yet, here I am: a student of science out to perhaps destroy all that growth and social ingratiation all to confirm a hunch. I can always tell myself that I am doing the right thing, that no Gem should have to lie to humanity, that perhaps their secrets are their own to keep. I can think of all the times Nephrite shared in tea and chips on the boardwalk. I can perhaps think of all the working Gems that went out of their way to make small talk with the "new guy" in Beach City.
But, despite the fact that the truth hurts, hiding said truth could be catastrophic. These "secrets" point to far more than just a skeleton in the closet. This pertains to millennia of historical intervention and suppression: wars on scales the likes of which humanity has never nor (hopefully) will ever see. Growing wastelands that ravage all fields of plenty. A Pestilence that is perhaps draining the Earth itself. I might feel bad for the people I've met, but their comfort is no excuse to hide such massive things from humanity.
May 8, 201x. Weather: Clear, Overcast.
DeMayo arrived at the field's edge to pick me up via tractor. He was relatively quiet, though he did note that it was good for me to be here. His harvest has slowly been swallowed up by the expanding Dead Zone, and he was hoping someone would look into it at some point. Asking what he did, he was apparently a cottage brewer. The guy grew cereal plants primarily to ship out as alcohol. He even gave me a flask on the way. When I tried to give it back, saying I couldn't accept both a ride and free product (as I am merely a researcher), he told me that I would need it if I was to head inside. According to the people living around the Dead Zone, numbing substances eventually become a requirement to those diving inside. Despite the warm climate of the area, people have supposedly emerged suffering symptoms of hypothermia and malnutrition. It's as if one's life gets sucked out of them as soon as they enter. However, such effects are not noticeable unless someone takes a prolonged stay in the area, such as myself. Given those circumstances, I was told to wear the warmest clothing possible and to hold unto a hip flask of liquor to maintain proper sensitivity. Well, I won't complain. Free alcohol will probably help me given the nature of my research. It's pretty good, too. Tastes pleasantly of apples.
DeMayo dropped me off at the edge of the Dead Zone. A thin film of fog covered the way forward, easily penetrable by sight, and yet seemingly as a physical and mental wall to my progress. There is a large clearing surrounding the fog, the ground shaded in a dark, shale-like tinge and texture. Standing at the edge, I could already feel the overwhelming sensation of heat leaving my body. Setting up camp here can't be good for my health.
I set up camp about a hundred feet out from the border, a good distance from where the shale ground starts. There has been noticeable spread over the years, but it apparently advances slowly enough that I won't be affected as long as I stay in camp. The laptop runs on a limited battery, but I have both a portable gas and solar generator for recharging. Keeping the laptop running at minimal power is a priority if I am to decode any potential Gem Glyph inside the Dead Zone. The tent is sturdy enough, though I am a bit rusty at it. Furthermore, I performed a proper cleaning upon both my pistol and knife, just in case. That aside, I'll be ready to enter the Dead Zone by tomorrow.
May 9, 201x. Weather: Clear, Unusually Cold, Humid.
I entered the Dead Zone at approximately 10 AM, having first suited up with the radiation suit, a day's worth of provisions, my weaponry, tools, staff, and Geiger counter. My first step was primarily to measure for any harmful radiation in the area. There was practically nothing, though there was a slight rise in radiation levels the further I went into the fog. It plateaued near what I assume to be the true entrance to the Dead Zone: A massive trench with high, sheer walls flanking the left and right, zigzagging in what looked to be a series of carved canyon walls. Going inside would be dangerous without first making a map.
I exited the fog at 11 AM, having concluded that I would need to write a map if I was to navigate the canyon. Returned with the necessary writing supplies, ground markers, and medicinal liquor at 2 PM.
Going straight through the canyon, approximately 300 feet in from the entrance landed me at the supposed "Many Hole'd Place" as detailed in Budwick's journal. Bringing the counter towards one of the holes in the wall near the ground made the Geiger counter run down before stopping entirely. In the space near the back of one of these holes, all forms of radiation just stop being produced. Going inside also gave me the first rush of cold rushing through my body. I needed to make a fire, eat and perhaps warm myself up with the alcohol. Resisting the urge didn't help, either. My body suddenly felt heavier, as if the meal I had only a couple hours earlier suddenly disappeared from my stomach. Those holes are dangerous, but what are they supposed to be? A portion of space that sucks away all radiation and heat from a roughly human-sized and shaped hole. All have held their shape for centuries. This can be easily explained, as many of the holes seem to be lined in a highly tempered glass. However, not all holes have this layer of glass. Some seem to simply be made of shale or sand These brittle and heavy materials should be collapsing upon the hole, but they simply don't. In fact, attempting to scatter rubble inside a hole had the debris scatter outward from it, as if being spit out. That's not even mentioning the actual concerning part of this place.
Machines. Bacteriophages. Both? I don't exactly know how to describe them, but spotting both has thoroughly freaked me the fuck out, pardon my French. A wreck of one was on the ground, showing damage as if it fell from the top of a wall. Looking up, I found another one, perfectly intact. It was a massive cylindrical vehicle mounted upon four insect-like legs. At the bottom of the cylinder was a set of five drill bits, one large bit in the center surrounding by four smaller bits forming a square. Atop the cylinder was a massive, hot pink gem that seemed to be the only light source in this god-forsaken canyon. Within the glass casing of the cylinder is a mechanism unlike anything I've ever seen. What was the use of this thing?
I exited the canyon at 5 PM, having identified, logged, and photographed my findings, including what looks to be an old warp pad. It stretched for many more miles and had a slot that went underground, but I feel like my excursion was enough for today. I feel… cold, and utterly exhausted, despite my relatively light amount of activity. DeMayo was right. This place drains all signs of life right out of you. But why here? If not for this Dead Zone, this entire valley would have been a prime agricultural development: sunny vistas with highly nutritious soil and a moderate level of precipitation.
So I think I need a day to rest at camp. That place took a lot out of me, and I was only in there for six hours. I don't think it was radiation or sickness. The symptoms I'm exhibiting are a combination of minor hypothermia, sleep deprivation, heavy muscle exhaustion and general atrophy. Perhaps a large intake of both calories and a buffer of alcohol and vitamins are then necessity for traveling in such a place. Furthermore, I'll need to test the effects of this place on something alive, but not sentient.
May 10, 201x. Weather: Clear, Cold, Humid.
I took a stalk of unripe wheat from the nearby field along with some soil. I plan to replant this just within the boundary of the Dead Zone and cultivating it. I have a timelapse camera on it already to see the Dead Zone's effects on it. If given a window larger than twelve hours before death, I think I'll be able to begin mapping the underground portion of the canyon.
Begin Timelapse Log: Effects of Dead Zone on Plant Life
9 AM: Stalk of unripe wheat planted approximately 20 feet within fog border
10 AM: Wheat shows no sign of visible change
11 AM: No sign of visible change
12 PM: No sign of visible change
1 PM: No sign of visible change
2 PM: No sign of visible change
3 PM: Stalk shows signs of contraction, common response in cold environments
4 PM: No change
5 PM: No change
6 PM: No change
7 PM: Stalk showing starting signs of wilting
8 PM: No change
9 PM: No change
First change noted at 5 AM the Next day: Stalk of Wheat disintegrated into dust, as if all the water drained from it at once. It seems that the time limit for relatively weak life forms is about 20 hours, though atrophy likely begins at around 10 hours.
End Log
Given these results, I can cut it close to around 10 hours a day, 20 given a few days' rest afterwards.
To explore the underground, I'll need multiple backup batteries, my high-powered flashlight, windups, and laptop with Nephrite's operational data. According to Peridot, I can interface with Gem technology using Nephrite's operational data. All I needed was a USB connector hooked to either an antenna or flat-ended jumper cords. Running specific commands using a .bat file, I can essentially mimic Nephrite's biometrics. Furthermore, the route into the underground is quite steep and requires a long rope for travel. Should be easy enough, though I'm probably barely fit enough for this kind of spelunking.
May 11, 201x. Weather: Clear, Cold, Humid
Don't know why I keep starting my logs with weather. The weather doesn't change around the Dead Zone, anyways. Because of the time it takes to actually write my logs by hand, I figured I should begin attaching audio files when I'm out in the field or on interview, starting with today's excursion.
Begin Audio Log: 10 AM, Dead Zone Underground Entrance 1.
Jason: Today is May 11th, 2017. Beginning excursion into the underground. Important to note that the entrance is perfectly rectangular, clearly carved by something artificial. I dropped a rope ladder into the entrance, bottoms out at around fifty feet. Once more unto the breach, I suppose. Though this is literally my first time in the breach.
[Log follows with the sound of pulled fabric and grunting for the next twenty minutes]
Jason: All portable equipment has been transferred to the underground portion. A marker has been set next to the ladder. Moving inward.
[footsteps echo in the log, a short skittering sound can be heard]
Jason: The odd, shape of the cavern moves inward for a good hundred feet. There's no sign of other corridors. The far end contains a short, hexagonal corridor and what looks to be a hand-activated clearance panel. Better get to work.
[A rustling sound can be heard]
Jason: Wondering what these cylindrical outcroppings are. They're everywhere and seem to have been containers for… something. This must be a facility of some kind.
[A brief tapping of keys can be heard]
Jason: Now, Peridot said that holding this set of flattened jumpers to the panel and running " " should allow me to activate panels like these.
[A buzz can be heard, followed by a whir of surrounding machinery]
Jason: It works! Now, what was the purpose of this facility? The glyph translator says this place is called "Prime Kindergarten, Facet Five." What's that supposed to mean? Doesn't look like an educational facility, though… I remember that "Kindergarten" roughly translates to "child garden." Judging by many of these early logs, Gems were supposedly formed here before bursting out of the ground. Doesn't seem a big deal, unless… Is that why this place is dead in the first place? The written logs describe a process called "shaling." I assume that's what turned the Dead Zone into a hunk of shale in the first place. The problem is that the initial plans and photos show that the Dead Zone was much smaller back when this place was first constructed. Of course, that should be obvious. The reason I learned of this facility in the first place is that the Zone is growing beyond its original boundaries. Primary product… Quartz. Amethysts and Rose Quartzes. There was one back in Beach City. Surely she knows more. Though, thinking about it… It's probably best that I hide whatever information I have. Wait, what's…
[A nasally female voice can be heard on a speaker]
Jason: Peridot… What is she doing here? What's this about a cluster? Those containers must have been those experiments she was talking about. But then… What did these hold?
[Jason can be heard muttering to himself as a skittering noise grows into a set of lumbering thuds followed by a pained groan]
Jason: Cryptids… That's what she was examining… Holy shit they're a lot more terrifying up close. Hello? Can you hear me? Who are you?
[The groan transitions into a roaring shriek, the cryptid can be heard charging]
Jason: Welp, worth a shot.
[Four gunshots can be heard, followed by a rush of air and the sound of a gem hitting the floor]
Jason: Never thought I'd have to use this, and, honestly, I'm not sure this beats clay pigeons. Hostile entity found and incapacitated. Seems to be a cryptid.
End Audio Log
That excursion didn't take as long as I thought. Though I have a lot of questions about these logs, as well as this "Cluster." I brought the cryptid's gem with me, though it'll have to be kept under heavily compressed storage to prevent reforming. I vacuumed a plastic bag in a lockbox to hold it, but I'm keeping my gun close in case it reforms. I need to head back as soon as possible, but DeMayo's not showing up for four more days. For now, I should get some rest and see about getting that warp pad working. The Gem transportation network should provide for myself a greater geographic range for research.
May 12, 201x. Weather: Clear, Cold, Humid
I ventured out to the Dead Zone's warp pad with the jumpers. Peridot left me a .bat file for utilizing these pads a while ago, though I wasn't sure if it would work, as the pad seems quite old. Given the format of the code in the file, The pad will take me to a location marked by number. Given the log files from the underground facility, there are approximately 14 warpable locations, barring the ones at Beach City and Little Homeschool. There were originally 15, though one was apparently recently destroyed. Furthermore, there is a structure outside of Earth that is warpable by local pads: a central command base on the Moon.
The varying warp locations led me to varying buildings and ruins outlined in Budwick's journal, though the Warp Bends still hit just as bad. Returned to camp at the end of the day. Good to know the pad still works, and I can now use it discretely.
May 14, 201x. Weather: Clear, Cold, Humid
Spent the day surveying the canyon again. Nothing new to note, though I did find one oddity among the holes in the wall. There is one that is approximately half the size of the others, about the size of a human adolescent. Given that this facility is supposedly the only source of quartz-based Gems, I can assume that Beach City's amethyst came from here.
8 PM. Heard a noise in the canyon, suited up and went back. There can't be anything alive in that canyon unless it was another cryptid, though I think I found something much worse. The amethyst is here, or at least visited. Saw her enter the warp pad and leave, presumably back to Beach City. I don't think it's safe to stick around here for a long time.
May 15, 201x. Weather: Clear, Cold, Humid
Took another survey of the place before DeMayo arrived. Found a few scraps of Gem technology, though none were usable. DeMayo arrived at 2 PM, asked about what I thought the problem might be. I'm frankly afraid to answer it, as even I'm not entirely sure. The Gem injector schematics picked up from the Dead Zone should help, at least by the time I get access to a sustainable power source for glyph translation.
Arrived at the RV about an hour later, just as I left it. Apparently, DeMayo stationed a few of his guard dogs around it as a courtesy. Even gave me a bottle of whiskey as thanks for the investigation. Should head back to Beach City as soon as possible. The lockbox has been shaking, and I need someone to bubble the thing.
Then again, that's another problem. If I show up with a cryptid Gem in my possession, people will know where I've been. It would be disadvantageous to offer it up and difficult to keep in my possession for any prolonged length of time. I'll just decide on the way back. The RV needs both a recharge and a refill of gas.