The Fifty-Ninth Day of Dark: 10:00 AM: LOG 0043
Over the past few days, we've yet to receive any further contact from Karkat.
The Tin Can, as Dave so affectionately calls it, has grown considerably in size. At least one hundred people have shown up to aid in the effort, and many are now camping throughout Beggar's Court. Of course, this has drawn a good deal of suspicion from local authorities. Some people have been arrested. One has been publicly killed as a so-called show of force.
Jade has volunteered her herbology skills; using available materials, she has created many sleep darts. These plant-based darts can be fired from standard hunting rifles and contain a sort of toxin, which acts quickly and reliably.
Technicians have traced the point of origin for the call to the drive.
Acting upon this information, both Kanaya and I have departed for the provided coordinates. The location ended up being somewhere within the boundaries of Regalston, on the eastern edge of the upper-middle class section of the Skaian Ring. Our mission is small, being staffed only by us, but we are equipped with ample weaponry and medical supplies. On John's advice, we also have supplies for Dave's wellbeing.
The entire planet has been strung up with large speakers, which are armored and often hung in the center of busy public spaces. They're typically black and red, though their appearance matters little. The primary function of such devices is to broadcast propaganda and messages from the king, who seems to be actively attempting to quell the rising tides of change.
As is customary, more information will be entered later.
The Fifty-Ninth Day of Dark: 1:00 PM: LOG 0044
The Imperial Penitentiary, housed in Regalston, is the highest security prison on Skaia. It's also the largest, housing approximately one hundred prisoners. The may not seem like many, but the system of scattered, smaller prisons across Skaia makes such a trivial number important. By day, guards swarm the place; by night, sentries and turrets join a smaller guard force to maintain order.
From the window of the inn, in which you and Kanaya have started living, you can see the structure's façade. Imported Old Earth marble forms the base for the structure, while gold leaf accents the window trimmings. Oak wood—a luxury of the highest sort—is also imported from Old Earth, and its sculpted, curvilinear forms flow around the steel doors.
Looking up from her laminated copy of the inn's provided yearly publication of A Traveler's Guide to Regalston, Kanaya provides you with even more information. Most of it is useless, but you're not about to turn down a chance to listen to your girlfriend's enchanting voice. "It says here that the visual style of the Imperial Penitentiary is drawn from an ancient and archaic Old Earth style known as Rococo. Despite the antiquated appearance, the inside of the prison is equipped with all the amenities of the era in which it was built, cited here to be the tenth century."
Licking one of her clawed fingers, Kanaya turns the page. Her golden-yellow eyes—with their catlike pupils—slide across the page. Then, she speaks. "The Imperial Penitentiary has been updated throughout the ages, with its most recent major renovation in 61 GR. This is known as the Derse Remodel, in honor of our Great and Honorable King. Over a period of five years, state-of-the-art sentry bots and turrets were added, as were glass-metal windows. These windows now provide tourists a safe way to observe some of the prison's most famous inmates." A hum of interest punctuates this statement.
You look up, meeting Kanaya's gaze in the process. "You have something to say?"
Nodding, Kanaya reads what you can only assume to be the next part of the excerpt. "Tours of the prison are offered for free. Daily tours run in one hour groupings, and occur between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, regardless of weather or season." She closes the book and returns it to the drawer in the bedside table. A pensive sigh escapes her as she flops against the fluffy pillows of the double bed. "It would make sense to me that Dave, at least, would be on display. Showing off the leader of a rebellion as a prisoner seem like a decent way to lower the morale of a burgeoning rebellion."
"Agreed. I propose we make a preliminary visit to the prison later tomorrow. For now, we should assess the situation." You fold your arms across your chest and stare upwards, towards a fly buzzing around a flickering overhead light. The flickering is timed, as the light is supposed to mimic the natural ambiance of a flame. It's a stupid gimmick, at least in your opinion. After a few minutes of this, you grow bored. You stand, wander over to the bed, and sit down beside Kanaya.
A yawn. Kanaya stretches her arms above her head and, in a smooth movement, tucks one of them behind you and around your shoulders.
Your immediate reaction is to withdraw. You don't have time for this, after all; you're trying to rescue your thick-skulled dimwit of a cousin. Then again, Kanaya's scent—a sort of floral aroma with no immediate and convenient description—lures you in, as it always does. You rest your head against her shoulder.
Your eyes slide closed.
Not long afterwards, you're asleep.
The Fifty-Ninth Day of Dark: 7:00 PM: LOG 0045
The crackling of the propaganda loudspeaker just outside your inn room's window wakes both you and Kanaya. It's followed by a mid-range humming noise, indicative of it powering on. After a few seconds, the standard propaganda announcer's voice begins to drone forth.
"The king would like to extend his sincerest gratitude towards cooperative citizens. An invitation is being issued to all for the event of the season! Five dissidents, from the Prospitian movement, have been arrested. They will be publicly executed tomorrow, at noon, in the Regalston prison courtyard. The event will also be televised live, on channel 5, for all to see. Thank you."
This message loops thrice, as is standard, before the speaker powers down.
You and Kanaya exchange glances.
Suddenly, you're acutely aware of the distant sounds of gunfire. You hear a faraway explosion.
He might not know it yet, but your cousin has started a political revolution, and you're going to punch him in the goddamned face. This turmoil is only going to make getting him out of prison umpteen times harder.