1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
VU 17.8.0 Release Story

The roar reverberated off of the slick stone walls around me.  Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, I shivered in my armor.  It wasn’t cold here, but the sheer menace and rage in those roars puckered my ass like a prune.  For the millionth time I questioned the stupidity that led me to volunteer for this mission.  Who says, sure, I’ll go find the demonic bullmen that dare to defy deities?  I’ll go fight them and take back what’s been stolen, no problem.  An idiot, that’s who.  A pure goose-brained simpleton.  A soldier with a death wish.  A guy with something to prove.

I took two more steps down, then halted, bringing my rifle up.  I check its levels…yep, still fully charged.  Lot of good it would do.  These minotaur-like critters were 12 feet tall, weighed in around a ton, and moved like greased lightning.  What would my piddly LR-65 do?  Tickle them and warm their toes?  I sighed.  Nothing to do but press on.  Maybe they would all fall and hit their heads on sharp rocks the moment I approached, dropping a large bag of armor at my feet, and magically a portal would open and send me home to receive my heroic accolades.

I moved forward slowly for the next hour, carefully turkey peeking corners, maintaining an eye on my six, and occasionally pissing myself. Luckily the survival system in my suit kept me clean and dry, but not for lack of effort on the part of my emotional constitution.

With the slimmest margin of warning, a Moloch stepped around the corner directly in front of me and let out an ear splitting, soul rendering roar of such deep rage that my bowels immediately evacuated.  I whipped my rifle up and frantically jerked the trigger, sending hot plasma shots directly into the beast.  It howled in pain and wildly swung at me with impossible speed, its massive white fists slicing the air above me as I twisted away.  I felt my ankle pop when I went down, sending a jolt of pain up my leg  Yep…that’s sprained now.  No time to care, move!  I rolled left, avoiding the giant furry hoof that just cracked the stone where my head was, and fired a flurry of shots up at the underworld creature.  It responded by kicking me across the hallway.  Three ribs cracked, and I began to contemplate early retirement.  Very early.

My survival suit began a healing matrix, and I flung myself around the corner, pretending it was a tactical retreat.  This proved fruitless, as he bounded around the corner and slapped me like I owed him money.  I felt my jaw snap, and my orbital socket crumbled under the power of the blow.  I slid to the far wall, my legs weakly pushing to stand, to no avail.  Through a mask of blood and spit I could see him turning to charge.  My rifle was in my arms, aimed at him, and as consciousness slipped from my grasp, I pulled the trigger…

When I woke up, I could hardly breathe.  My world was white, soft, and smelled like moldy cheese wrapped in urine.  I realized that the Moloch had fallen on me, or was trying to mate with me.  You’re not my type, Moloch, get off.

My survival system had done its job, containing my bleeding, beginning the healing process on my ribs and face, and resuscitating me.  It seems as though my final shots had finally pierced the demon’s tough hide, and it fell at me in death, luckily not crushing me completely.  So I’d live for a bit more.
A glint of gold peeked from under the Moloch’s arm. I reached down and pulled free a white and gold treasure.  This is why we come here.  This is what we fight for.  This is what they stole.  I smiled in exhausted relief.  The smile faded though, as another roar bounced off the walls around me.  Another Moloch wasn’t far.  My day wasn’t done.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #108

The world is always changing. Every day you think you understand more, but the very nature of perception is, like an ancient glacier, always moving. Today something is fact, tomorrow it is simply a misunderstood assumption.

This has been my experience thus far here on Next Island. Far from any range or normalcy in my life, far from friends and families and parties, or any basic social interaction NOT with a soldier or alien….Here somehow I have found a home amidst the chaos. I have found purpose in gathering the skeins of disarray around me and weaving them into a semblance of constructive….intent, at least. Trying to find your path on a foreign planet while interacting daily with either the same exact humans or such a vastly different alien being is both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.

On a more macro note, the relationship between the peaceful denizens of both Next Island and Ancient Greece could not be more stable. The usual raids and bickering with the Resa and Stel to the west, the drake uprisings in the northeast, and the New Elysian Order’s typical arrogance notwithstanding, life is quite agreeable here. The unrelenting waves of the Gorgon and her snakey minions creates a constant job to do, with quite lovely dividends in the form of plates and armors, and there is always something new and exciting to achieve. There are rumors of powerful armor to be obtained by the drakes that hoard it, but so far we’ve not seen this at all. However, the rumors alone have sparked interest, and aggressive hunting parties have formed. Maybe soon we will have some answers.

Increasing developments in the technology sharing between the Haruspex and us has resulted in some swift advances in certain areas of our mobility and on-planet transportation. The new Skyripper glider is utterly fantastic. It’s agile enough to weave through the often dense jungle areas, but open and clear enough to get an amazing view of this gorgeous landscape.

Life moves on, and we test new boundaries everyday. My outlook grows more and more positive as I find I can help those around me adjust to a new way of thinking about being so many light years from everything we were used to.

I wonder what I’ll learn tomorrow.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #95

It’s amazing! The science behind it, I’ll never understand, but oh the wonders! This world exists, this whole world, as best we can figure it, because of some anomalous refraction of reality. Some slice of mythological Ancient Earth was split off into this far reach of the universe, coalescing into a mystical land the Haruspex say refers to itself as Ancient Greece. They have centaurs! Actual, real, live centaurs! The inner child that was silenced in my heart years ago is rampantly running around asking questions, alive with curiosity and burning impatience.

It seems this land, on a darker note, is having some trouble. They’ve been plagued by a Gorgon, if what I hear is right, although how I’m writing this and not laughing is a mystery. It’s no laughing matter, I suppose. It’s very real, and a very real threat. They have asked the Haruspex for help, who have in return asked for our help. Volunteers are pouring in, as I guess there is some reward involved. A new form of armor has been located, having inherent protective properties a warrior could only dream of. Its materials respond well with the genetic material of the serpents they face there, and subsequently a process has been developed involving modifying the armor to provide outstanding levels of protection and resistance.

The locals have agreed to let us colonize, in some small way. It appears they are offering to provide land to build on in exchange for warriors, I guess. A fantastic opportunity to learn yet another new, untamed land. How I yearn to study a land formed more recently than any other in the universe! How do they think, coming from a background created by fiction? How do they learn? How do they process? All these questions, and no answers for a lowly student of the mind.

I must go, and see for myself these wondrous changes to my reality.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #94

With our newfound partnership and depth of relationship with our Haruspex neighbors comes an influx of knowledge. We are now acutely aware of how much we did NOT know. This strange planet is full of twisted realities and coincidences from old Earth that it is sometimes a scary reflection of what could be.

The most interesting part of the past few months is the Haruspex’s overwhelming dedication and interest to some land beyond the dimensional gates. They say it is some odd refracted reality of Ancient Earth, but they won’t discuss it further. Apparently this land through the gates is having some issues, and they want to consult the Loyalist government for potential assistance, or at least volunteers. That has yet to be established, though.

We have plenty of warriors with little to do, ready to achieve and battle to accomplish goals. They simply have no goals, and warriors with idle hands are a dangerous bunch. One hopes our leadership and the Haruspex can come to an arrangement when they are ready to share the details with us.

In the meantime, we continue our exploration and colonization of this lovely planet. We’ve doubled down on our infrastructure, building and completing several landing areas and central hubs, as well as an introductory beachhead for first time colonists. It’s a safe, comfortable environment for first time planeteers to receive inoculations, have a gentle introduction to the local wildlife and weather, as well as adjust to the changes in gravitational balance.

Beyond that, life continues as normal. We grow, we learn, we avoid the Demra corruption and the wild drakes and the fierce snakes.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #87

I haven’t thought about our old home in so long now, it feels like a distant sunset I once remembered as beautiful. The days here are longer, and they twist into each more and more as they pass, blending into a myriad of adventure, sunshine, danger, and paradise. This archipelagic planet is my home now, OUR home, and its wonders never cease.

The more we explore, the more we discover. Hidden serpents prowl the low waters of the northern bogs, and Myrinian warriors confuse hard-bitten soldiers with feminine wiles and sharp spears. The planet continues to balk at its volcanic changes, shifting and groaning consistently, much like our patrols through the badlands. We continue forward in a solid march towards progression’s goal in the hope that over time it will get easier to inhabit here. Sometimes it feels like a rather uphill battle; sometimes literally.

The mountain ranges of the drakes are somehow co-inhabited by the N.E.O. These fierce, intelligent versions of humans are some of the least pleasant individuals to speak with, but their warlike culture and advanced sciences are more than a match for their draconic neighbors. The armor they produce is some of the best on the planet, much of it built from the very scales of the drakes they kill. We range further in the east, and what we discover there continues to surprise and amaze. I cannot write of it here, as it remains classified, but the possibilities are endless. Everything we know about interdimensional structure and subsequent travel may be wrong. Who knew such mysteries were left to be unveiled?!

What will I discover tomorrow?

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #82

It is with a happy heart that I jot these few thoughts down, albeit not without tones of trepidation throughout. Our progress moves in powerful spurts, occasionally bogged down by bureaucratic procedure or human error, but it does move forward. The construction of our proper space landing port has made the delivery of supplies and new colonists much more efficient. The new flow of labor has also led us to an increased scouting force, enabling our military stance to become far more informed than previously. Subsequently, new areas of operation have been established, resulting in the discovery of a variety of N.E.O. territories, Resa and Stel camps, and Haruspex sanctuaries. Our own natural growth we do in the least cancerous way possible, doing our utmost to not damage the natural environment, nor abuse its resources.

I cannot same the same for the planet itself. With rigorous shifting and fearsome cracking, the very core of the small yet beautiful jewel seems to desire to tear itself apart. Entire canyons have been formed, filling with rushing water from the oceans. Whatever trees we had standing in our camps have urgently thrust themselves up from the ground, causing not inconsiderable amounts of damage. Injuries have been substantial, and deaths not that uncommon in the violent outbursts our new home seems prone too. I wonder what lesson she is teaching us? The Haruspex, insofar as I have had the opportunity to converse with them, seems remarkably unconcerned about the land’s apparent discontent. They merely offer a soft smile and a shrug, benignly indicating that all is well. Their gentle nature is at odds with their firm stubbornness at sharing too much with us. I wonder how we will develop a more solid trust between us?

My recent promotion to Lieutenant First Grade has engaged my time in new areas of colonization. I am often on scouting missions, attempting via communication or distant observation to create profiles of our neighbors sharing this rock with us. I study their buildings, their armor, their movements, their language, and their general engagement. The goal is to understand and subsequently build sustainable relationships with them, but in my private notes here I will say for the Resa and Stel at least, this feels impossible. Their Demra corruption is so deep it is an inherent, chaotic evil now. They kill without even thinking of a reason to do it. This is not something rational man can coexist with. The N.E.O. are not evil, although no less difficult in their own way. This planet’s only saving grace are the mysterious, powerful, deep Haruspex, without whom the Loyalists would never have stayed alive on this planet. How can I delve into them? How can I learn their ways? How do I connect with such a foreign entity?

I must try.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #80

Well, nothing really prepares you for the trials of colonization. It’s a never-ending battle, both against the various threats that permeate the planet, and often against the very terrain itself. I’ve never climbed so many mountains, swam so many rivers, or hiked through so many passes. Exploring this utterly astounding planet is a gem of an experience, the likes of which I’ve never experienced so far. The images of Old Earth pale in comparison to Next Island’s raw beauty, with sheer cliffs and plunging waterfalls stealing your breath in majestic poise.

It’s not without its dangers, however. We mounted several expeditions since the last chance I’ve had to stop and take a note here, and they were not all successful, although we learned a great deal. A foray to the northeast resulting in consistent, dangerous conflicts with the various drakes that live there. We lost too many good soldiers beating the vicious flying snakes back. Men we cannot afford to lose before the next ship arrives. Men we can’t afford to lose at all, really. The fragility of human life becomes so crystallized and clear here. It’s a concept lost on the comfort of a warp vessel, or the security of a fully developed planet, but it’s one that is completely apparent and foremost on your thoughts here on this wild, untamed landscape. The drakes were a problem, but we also ran into some of the New Elysian Order, or N.E.O, and while being fearsome and tactically superior, they also managed to be condescendingly abrasive. I’ve never…not mattered…that much before to someone. It was interesting. It will take several more encounters with them before I can make a more thorough assessment of their culture. Needless to say, that will need to be done carefully and cautiously.

Heading west presented similar and even more dangerous issues. The Demra corruption these First Wave colonists fled to avoid is rampant in the west, having turned former loyalists into extremely aggressive desert warfare experts. The Resa roam far and wide, and we must flee their dust clouds before they can close on us, and the Stel settlements are often well hidden, and easy to stumble upon. We’ve lost more scouts in the west than anywhere else. This problem…I see no immediate solution to.

The silver lining of our expeditions have been the Haruspex. From kind, humanoid female warriors to gentle, tree sized giants, these folk have provided respite, advice, and calm direction. Directly north of us are the deep forests and green hills that they endure in, although I’ve heard they have an established presence far to the northwest, somehow avoiding or preventing disturbance from the Resa. They have some powers or science we just cannot understand yet.

I cannot wait to delve further into the psyche and oddly deep rooted culture of this planet.

EA-Wayfarer MK4
1st Lt. Darrell Stephens, PsyD
Entry #79

I cannot adequately describe the simple exhaustion I feel. It is bone deep, and relentless. It’s as if there is simply too much life to experience, and I’ve not the fortitude to relish in its opportunities. Every day there is a new challenge, a new fight, or a new obstacle to rend my way through. I do not complain, as I very much enjoy persevering beyond these travails.

Well, the long space flight here was rather inconsequential. Waking from deep space sleep particularly after a few warpgates can be very unsettling, but otherwise standard. Its the arrival at the famed Next Island that has been so very interesting! I’ve dreamed for years of meeting some of the First Wave colonists and seeing what they have discovered, but I never could have imagined the trials they’ve gone through, or how those trials would shape these brave settlers into such diverse and complicated groups! With the funding that dropped out of the Elysian Alliance space program, these poor souls have been left essentially stranded and closed off for a long, long time, marooned on a distant world like the water travelers of old Earth. I can only imagine how terrifying this stretch of time has been for them.

I must say, they’ve done well, despite many setbacks. The planet itself seems to be in some sort of upheaval, with consistent tectonic shifting. This results in quakes, storms, avalanches, volcanoes, and a variety of natural disasters. Luckily, as the majority of the planet is still not developed, loss of structure has been minimal, but sadly, some lives have been taken by this vengeful paradise. The vicious drakes to the northeast have caused some concerns, particularly to hunting and scientific parties, but once prepared, these parties typically can fend off such nuisances.

Legends such as Dr. Shepherd and Miranda have stayed with the original mission, and are now technically the only loyal First Wavers. Over the years, many First Wave scientists, soldiers and citizens split off and disappeared into the planet, fearing that the mission was lost and that they have been abandoned. I cannot in truth say I do not understand this mindset. This place sometimes feels as if it has been abandoned by time itself. We plan to continue to bring supplies, resources and tech into this beautiful planet, and restore the faith of these loyalists that their dedication will be rewarded with what all scientists want; progress.

Economically, it would seem many of those First Wavers have survived, and even prospered, albeit not always in the most peaceful ways. Most of the hardened soldiers traveled north and settled in the mountain ranges among the winged drakes and snowy peaks. I can only guess that their solitude in that time of abandonment was some sort of coping mechanism. Sadly, many of the top military scientists went with them, depriving the remaining loyalists of a vast amount of knowledge and resources with which to carry out the mission. No one is completely sure what they are doing up there, but on occasion terrible clouds of black smoke come pouring down the valleys and bursting into the atmosphere far above!

Some of the First Wavers, the Stel, moved out to the west, far into the desert and tundra climes. After a time it would seem some settled into a somewhat farmer-like lifestyle, although with a constant eye towards potential aggression from another group of First Wavers who call themselves the Resa. The Resa are always on the move, raiding and pillaging anyone they find, even each other’s camps. The warring nature and general aggressive stance of these former colonists is yet another sign of the far reaching Demra corruption. Without a doubt, the constant skirmishes and altercations with them are a compounding factor of my exhaustion.

A small contingent of First Wave settlers silently and unobtrusively vanished one night deep into the forests, reappearing on occasion to assist the loyalists with building some structure, or to deliver some local supplies. They seem quieter…wiser. They possess some kind of advanced science or tech, and they seem to be able to communicate with the most secretive and mysterious of local inhabitants, the Haruspex. Buried deep in remote forests and tucked away in boggy jungles, the Haruspex are rumored to be ancient beyond belief, travelers from another time or dimension. They, and the First Wavers they seem to have accepted into their fold, remain the most peaceful and potentially even friendly of the factions inhabiting Next Island.

All in all, we endure. This is our new home, and we relish the challenges inherent in colonization. Duty and passion drives us forward, and there is nothing stronger in life than the desire to create a future for your race, a home for your people, and a new start for your family.