ARK I: The Sixth Extinction

by RRomanowski

The first book of many. Based on all the Sonic the Hedgehog properties up until the Genesis wave, but with a human spin. A spaceship carrying a strange new element crash lands on Earth in 1870, and a group of scientists fight to keep it from a secret authoritarian power. But darker forces are at play, and an evil empire is on the rise. Based more in reality, and Marvel-like.

3. Entry 2

September 23, 1870

The night was unforgiving. Ghastly scenes of genocide; horrible monsters; long-cloaked figures, and gleaming knights haunted my sleep. Eventually, a cacophony of shrill voices calling out to me in Latin startled me awake. So numerous were they, it seemed futile to translate. Everything felt so vivid and real, I questioned whether I was dreaming at all, or if I had somehow traversed through a window in time. Science fiction, regardless.

To-day, an abrupt telegram from Colfax's office arrived at my station. The project will be reorganized again and moved to Washington where it will reside safely under more direct and prudent eyes. I have no objections. Holding the project closer to federal jurisdiction will ensure public safety, and stave off any panic. However, it was mighty hard to watch officials stow aboard the diamond in that eastbound steamer. They threw it into a wooden crate without any concern for its fragility. I could not bear to seat it treated in such a manner. I felt for it.

The telegram also professed my new station as Department Chief and firmly instructed me to continue my work in Washington. I still know very little about what is happening. My new residence will be provided for, but any formality between my new superiors and me has yet to be established. In a few days, I will be in Washington without any indication as to what or where I will be working. Moreover, I fear that rash decisions from some secretive committee might impede our work. I thought it best to purchase a diary—the very same one I confide these words to. It will serve as an honest, imperishable record of my impressions throughout this new employment.

Now, in these twilight hours, I sit alone in solitude, waiting and pondering the new life I will lead in Washington. It is for the best. I have no friends or family in Durham; I am leaving nothing behind. My house still groans when I walk over the floorboards. The wind still howls through the holes in the windows as if Death were trying to slip in. When I leave this sourly, inert address, I will neither look back upon nor recall fondly my time here. Perhaps it's foolish of me to think so highly of my new employment, but sometimes fate offers a new beginning. Who knows what might transpire. If the diamond holds the very essence of life then a new life is what I seek.