Journal Entry 215
October 1, 2023
Artifacts: 298
Repairs: 290
Kill count: 2300

I enjoy reading up on some history. My favorite time period to study was, is, the Revolutionary War. While I remember multiple points, like Charles Lee ordering a retreat and the betrayal from Benedect Arnold, I never really studied the tactics. I never even really played any war based video games, especially where you control your point of view. It wasn't doable with my ADHD.
With the whole, if I had any idea this would happen, I really, really wish I studied some tactics.

TT

PREPARATIONS

Bring the rest of the artifacts down to the lower vents.

Make large batteries for shields on alcoves. Make sure doors are locked tight behind me.

Get all the weapons stashed in the vents with eco crystals.

Use recently found air-tight containers to store food further in the vents.

Find more bottles to store water with food.

Stash more boxes even further in the vents to act as toilets. Store airtight containers with plenty of boiled moss next to each box.

Somehow drag a flipping ass cannon to a door that has a direct path, no obstacles whatsoever, to the center of the bottom floor.

And leave Nectar in the Comm center.

TT

Today's call took longer than usual. I mean, I'm about to go down to the last floor where the old breeders are. The last few levels are bigger than any other, hence why all 700 breeders, which are big like Kor, can fit down there. And it STINKS down there, my nose is blind now. "Every potential I can think of has been covered and ready."

"Good to hear Rift. Things are being prepped on our end." There are people milling about behind Dune Wolf. Looks like they're packing bags. "My monks and technicians managed to track your location West," some yelling went on causing Dune to turn and yell back, "It's by the map room!"
Turning back, I can pick up signs of exhaustion on his face, "I have a group of volunteers and a medic on standby to come get you when you get the Temple above water."

"Tell your medic that they're going to need an enclosed space for I can't stand open space anymore. This could take from a day to a month or two Dune. There are 700 giant ass breeders down there. If I stick to around seven a day, I'll be done by my original goal. I am not spending my . . ."

My ass hit the ground as the Temple started shaking, again. The breeders are pissed at me. They managed to shake the whole place at least seven times now. Seven being the magic number, I decided it was time to bring the call to an end. Perhaps for the very last time.

Using Tik Tak as support, I dragged my pained body up. "And I suppose that is the signal for me to get going. Wish me luck."

"I used to be able to keep any signs of weakness hidden, especially on phone calls. Now I'm always shaking and wheezing. No movement is smooth anymore, just jerky. My blonde hair is a solid brown clump now. Completely shearing it, along the burning of my orange prison outfit, outside the Temple will be glorious.

The worst part is the trauma left behind from that damned parasite. Though I wasn't fully awake for that short time, the body remembers. I had, still have, massive trouble swallowing anything. Even saliva. I can only spit or drool. Eating has become a challenge instead of a simple chore. On first arrival, I was 160 pounds. Before the big trauma, I dropped down to maybe 125. I could only guess that because I had no gut anymore and my waist definitely lost some inches. Now my hip bones are starting to jut out and my rib cage is becoming more a bit more pronounced than I would ever say is healthy for me. I am now falling into the underweight category. Even Tik Tak is has been losing weight for the past few months. He still has meat on his ribs, but you can tell he is not as hefty as he was when we first met.

My throat hitches if anything rubs against it and I end up fighting for my breath, the top of my shirt was torn off to help keep from potentially suffocating whenever I try to sleep. Hell, I can't even sleep for long periods anymore. First I slept too much, now I can't sleep enough. The nightmares. Nightmare from Earth weren't too bad, just creepy. But I have been waking up thrashing and covered in sweat.

"Do be careful Rift. The Mother Wind and Sand Daughter will be waiting for you."

"Can't wait to meet them. Maybe a little white bird will greet me with a sprig of green."

Upon detachment, Tabby felt heavy. This whole thing is going to be over soon. My embasic training/em is almost done. Nothing is going to top the Temple. Haven, I'm just going to sneak in, kill a few people, take the green egg, and leave, not in that order. Kor has to die in Haven, where the eco shielding keeps him weakened. If Jak, Daxter and Keira are in Haven by that time, maybe the Wastelanders would be helpful in sneaking them out. Haven doesn't deserve them. Old Samos, he can wait in prison for a bit. I might have a little mercy for him, being Keira's father and all, but the treatment and no proper warning to the boys is just absolutely unacceptable.

Entering our room, it's a simple setup. A shelf already bolted on the upper right wall. A little nightstand beneath it with a large bottle full of light eco acting as a lamp. On the left wall is a hung mirror and a bucket with some water, a few little towels and a drain next to it. The wall furthest from the door has thick clothes hung from the ceiling, with more on the floor acting as a bed the both of us. One will have to get by us if they want to sneak in and pull the lever, revealing the hallway to the eggs.

Yanking torn cloths from the nightstand, I started binding my head and hair. The 'legs' are still there, causing bloody migraines if jostled too much.

Companion?

Stepping over to the bucket to do a quick scrub and scrape my teeth, Yes?

I would wish that we perform a small ceremony. For we are about to go against the greatest battle yet.

Checking in the mirror to ensure my entire scalp is properly bound, That sounds like an idea. We should do it. How do you propose we do the ceremony?

It will consist of simply a prayer we have been raised on and painting marks on our bodies that represent memorable events.

Absolutely. Let me see if Tabby has the full version of the prayer I was raised on. And I think we should stick to simple lines on our faces. One for our first meeting, one for our big spider hunt and one for now.

Let us to this by the eggs. It will have the most impact.

It was a simple process. Months of digging around in our spare time had us grabbing random stuff that caught our eyes. Candles, a small bottle of wine, two goblets, a jar of black substance, a cross I made, and a rust-colored stone Tik Tak swore that came from Korriban. I guess the Sith world from Star Wars decided to send a little something over time and space to one of its hounds.

After lighting the candles and filling the goblets, Tik Tak used the tip of his tail to etch out two diagonal slashes from the jaw to above my eyes and one going down my forehead.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."
Using my fingers, I gave Tik Tak the same markings while the stone rested between the multiple rows of teeth.

Through passion, I gain strength
Through strength, I gain power
Through power, I gain victory
Through victory, my chains are broken

We drank the wine, Tik Tak holding his firmly between his paws, and snuffed the candles.

"Once we are out of here and well again, I am going drinking."

I will be joining you, Companion.