Log #1

As you may know, our planet, Xenothia, was host to a great war eons and eons ago. Our civilization was built on top of those ruins, and we have them to thank for the technology we use today. I'm even writing this entry inside a space vessel, repurposed as a research site. It doesn't fly, but it makes for decent real-estate. 

But have you ever wondered where those remnants of the past came from? Who did they belong to?

It's common knowledge that there was some sort of alien race that was responsible for this war. But we don't know exactly who they are.

I am beginning to write these logs because I am one step closer to finding out.

I'm a part of a research team that’s trying to find the origins of the ruins of our planet. We’re funded mainly by a government acquaintance of mine. I don't really like him. He's very arrogant and kind of a snob, but he's got the money and he is somehow willing to spend it on us.

Anyways, our team made a huge breakthrough recently. While digging up a potential dog site, we found fragments of a mural. They depicted beings with a single large eye, with a spiky sort of collar on their heads. They were shown attacking another faction. We don't know who they were, as the piece of the mural cuts off there.

The most important thing however is the text contained within. Thanks to our incredible archeology team, we were able to cross reference the language with other artifacts in our possession.

We found that these were coordinates. To where? Who knows.

My team and I will lead an expedition to find out what this location holds. Everyone on my team will be a part of this, my husband, Maverick, and I included. We've been given a space ship for transport, very similar to the defunct one I'm writing this log in.

This could be the start of something massive.

-N.H

Log #2

We’ve arrived at the coordinates. We were surprised to see there was a planet there! This is the discovery of a lifetime!

We had to find out what was inside, as we prepared to land.

Stepping outside, the land was covered with snow. I never liked the cold. It could have just been the region we landed in.

We decided to split up and look for any signs of life.

None of my teammates found anything, but as I walked, I saw a bright light in the distance.

Closing the distance, I saw that it was one of the planet’s native people. I recognized it immediately. It was the same as the people depicted in the mural we found back home! The coordinates inscribed in it were directions to go to their home planet.

I cautiously walked over. He was bloodied, crippled on the ground. He called over to me. By some coincidence, we understood each other, speaking the same language.

I asked him what he was doing here. He was an explorer. Through some accident, he was left Injured, his team left him for dead. Poor guy.

I ask him a few questions about the planet we were on, explaining that we came from another planet. He wasn't phased by that statement, I guess the people here are used to interstellar travel.

This was the planet “Solplaneto”, home to the “Shines”, the inhabitants of it. They’re an advanced civilization much like ours.

We continue our conversation, but I can tell he doesn't have much time left. Suddenly, he coughs up blood. His eyes glazed over as they slowly closed. The explorer had died.

I prepare to get up and return to my crew, when the explorer’s body shines brightly. It dissipates into yellow particles, shooting their way towards me.

I winced back at first, but found them to be strangely energizing. The lights disappeared as my body absorbed them. I felt a swell of energy.

That was strange. Is this always what happens when a Shine dies?

Before the explorer died, he mentioned the location of a nearby town. As of writing this log, we’re currently making our way towards them. Let's hope that first contact goes well.

-N.H

Log #3

We were surprised to see the Shine’s town accept us welcomingly. I would've expected a bit more friction. It's not every day that an alien race suddenly barges in like this.

We learnt more about them, who they are and what they do.

First of all, they’re technologically advanced. Very technologically advanced. They have machines and devices that we can never dream of having. It appears one goal of theirs is to innovate in that field as much as possible.

Another thing we learnt is the nature of this world’s energy. Whenever a Shine dies, they release bright Shine energy. It's a great light source, apt to its name, but it also powers a majority of the technology around them.

Lastly, we learnt that any being can harness this Shine Energy to augment their abilities in a pinch, albeit temporarily. It's a last resort, but still an important aspect of Shine energy to know about.

That's what must've been what happened yesterday with that explorer…

They ended the tour off with an offer. A partnership between both our research teams. Help them with research, and they can give a share of the Shine energy to help back home. 

After consulting with my team, and the officials back at home, we took the offer. The research done on both sides alongside the Shine power can greatly benefit both Shines and Xenothians.

I hope this partnership will last long into the future.

-N.H

Log #4

Umi… my daughter… I’ve been away for so long that I realize I’ve spent more time out of your life than in it. 

It’s true that this is important work, one that can massively improve the lives of many, many Xenothians but I miss you as well. 

I’ve focused so much on my work out here that I’ve realized you’ve lived most of your childhood without us. That isn’t right.

… Just a bit longer. I’ll be able to come home for you.

-N.H

Log #5

I've discovered something big. No, huge.

Something that could spell the end of the Xenothians as we know it.

I knew it felt suspicious. It was too easy to convince the Shines to work alongside us.

A few months after our partnership, they gave us access to their systems. They probably didn't think much of it. All of their classified documents were highly secured after all.

Not secure enough for me.

What I saw revealed what their true motivations were. They never really cared for the betterment of the universe’s denizens, like they told us.

They want to take. To assimilate. They provide their power freely, to the benefit of their victims, in exchange for knowledge. It seems at first like a symbiosis of civilizations, greatly benefiting both parties. But once they've got what they’ve wanted, they quickly turn face. They dispose of the people they've taken from, and mercilessly, brutally, kill every single one of them. Complete genocide.

All in the name of control, power, and domination over the universe.

That's what they've done to the lizard race depicted in the artifacts we found back home. The “Lizguards”, they've called them. There were schematics for a machine that processed Shine energy more efficiently. That was Lizguard engineered! How much blood was shed for just a single blueprint…?

They’ve also archived some documents that they had on the war between the two.

It wasn't a war, it was devastation. 

The Shines, with their near infinite power, were able to eradicate every single Lizguard in 8 hours. 8 HOURS. Not even a day.

And they will do the same to us.

There's a pattern.

Countless extinct civilizations.

All wiped out in the name of power.

Power?

I'll show them power.

I've decided to take action. This can change the fate of every Xenothian. I will save them. I will stop the Shines. I will make sure they NEVER operate again.

I've been developing something in secret. Hidden from the Shines, and even from my own team. A way to harness Shine energy in a different way. With the help of my cybernetics, I can gather enough energy in a short amount of time to create a singularity, and launch it right back at them, eradicating them as they've done countless civilizations before.

The Shines are hosting a national assembly tomorrow. I intended to attend with the rest of my team. Javery, the government official that helped fund the majority of my research, really wanted to come too for some reason. He has good security, we’re better off safer than sorry, I suppose. 

I will take action then.

At least twelve will be on the main stage, where I will also be present. They're all in a high enough position of power for me to reach the necessary energy levels. It should be as simple as killing each one, and absorbing their power for myself. They won't see it coming. Who would expect this from the “sweet researcher girl” they've come to expect?

God it will feel good to finally drop that farce, witnessing their life flashing before their eyes as those backstabbing bastards meet their end. Let them get a taste of their own medicine.

It's been a long time coming. Two years since I made that discovery that could spell the end of the Xenothians as we know it. Now is the perfect time to strike. 

… 

Wish me luck.

-N.H