Journal 12

  I was rescued after all.

  I guess Golo was watching out for me. There is more to add to this log book. I will make this my last log entry.

  I am amazed the humans allowed me to keep James' and I's log books. When I was recused, I was in shock it was humans. However, I sensed kindness in the one that talked to me. I could tell years had passed due to how advanced their armor and weapons had become. Still slug-throwers, but at least two of them had laser rifles. Still not as advanced as my weaponry.

  Leaving that desert planet felt as if a part of me was forever lost. I was no longer a brave and feared captain. I was only a lone, hungry, scared Thorg. Nothing more. I believe I cried knowing what had happened. It was a mix of joy, sadness, and existential loss all at once. I had so many questions with no answers. My guilt and shame overwhelmed my joy of being rescued.

  How has life changed? Will I be remembered as a survivor or a traitor? What will become of James' remains?

  I do not know.

  I am now sitting inside of a private room on a human ship called the "Equinox." I was told we were to be headed to Mars for me to be transferred back to my kind. An ambassador was waiting for me, so I was told. I did not care. I wanted to fulfill James' promise. I was to return these log books and pictures to his family.

  I don't know how long I was in the ship. The lights never changed. They remained on at all times. I slept a few hours and still wandered about my cell. It wasn't until three heavily armed humans with shotguns came by and asked me to follow. I obliged bringing my stuff with me. I was taken to a white room with a silver table and two chairs. In one of them was a human female with short white hair slicked-back, violet eyes, and a faint scar on her left cheek. She wore a black uniform and was casually sipping a cup of tea (Ginseng I believe it was called). There was an air of intimidation to her that made me weary.

  One of the guards took my bag and the log books. I shoved him against the wall by his gullet grabbing the one photo of James and his family from the human guard's hand. I was on the verge of ripping out his esophagus until I felt two guns against my spine and neck.

  The human female said coldly to the human guards, "Let him go and stand down... Everyone."

  She looked at me and gave nod. I obliged.

  There was something about her that forced me to listen with reverence. I took the bag and picture form the guard and stared at him with annoyance. The human female made a motion with her hand and the one human guard I nearly killed walked out of the room. I clicked the helmet to be off my head so that I can clearly look at this human female. She had no expression on her face. She was as cold and emotionless as a pillar of ice. Yet the only thing of intrigue on her is that I noticed kindness in her eyes despite her emotionless demeanor. Reminded me of the elite guards back on Set.

  She asked, "What is your name?"

  I stared at her with no response. I wanted to understand her intentions.

  "No matter... Before we are to transfer you back to your kind. My kind must know one thing about you... Are you trustworthy?"

  "What kind of question is that?"

  "Need to know if you are willing to cooperate with us. You're from a unit of Thorgs known for their tenacity and honor. That combined has led to multiple incidents of your kind killing interrogators and other human soldiers guarding them. You see my point?"

  "I am trustworthy... This war is over."

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  "How do you know?"

  "I was told by the one human in charge when I was picked up from Kalax-501."

  "Hmm," she smiled with slyness. I could not get a read on her. Was she upset or wanting something else?

  She asked, "Why do you care so much about that one picture? It's not your family."

  "..."

  "We thoroughly read each log book and to be quite honest. We also put a microchip to copy any and all recordings from your EXO-Suit."

  Upon hearing this I felt around my head and felt a tiny hole in my armor.

  "Clever... Your deductions?"

  "I am pleasantly surprised by your actions and words. They go against all of your Tenets and creed. You held onto that picture like your life depended on it."

  "Then you know why."

  "Sigh," she grunted finishing her cup. "I too have lost a lot in this war... You have as well. I read the after action report by the rescuing team and they noted a lot of care you put with James' body... I commend you for that."

  She stuck out her hand in friendly manner. I was surprised and beyond confused. It had been a very long time since I did this. I looked at her seeing warmth in her face and care in her eyes. I slowly stuck out my hand and said, "Ga'Roch... Name is Ga'Roch. Gar for short."

  "Ren. Name is Ren Komatsu. Nice to meet you. I just want to know how you two managed to survive on that planet."

  "All of it?"

  "I like a good story. I can trade a few of mine for yours."

  "Okay," I said. "He was... My friend. My only friend... We crash landed on..."

  I explained the perilous ordeal we both took. How long it had been and how painful everything was. The beauty of nature and the philosophical discussions about life, religion, and the war. I talked about how we both longed for family and loved ones and how bot of us managed to cry in despair.

  In the end, she didn't say much of anything. She listened intently and nodded her head. I saw a tear well up, but she swiftly forced it back. I was then surprised by the last thing she told me.

  Ren said, "You said it was Sol 366 when James passed away."

  "Yes."

  "We picked up his signal the morning of his death. He sent a message back reading... One sec,"she replied. She took out a paper from her brief case and read, "His message said... 'Thank you. There will be a Thorg named Gar by the ships. I will be buried. He protected me. Protect him at all costs. He is friendly. Do not shoot. Let him go back home to his Cora'... Did he not tell you this?"

  I sat there dumbstruck with tears in my eyes. I didn't respond. Ren put her stuff down and stood up. She walked over to my side and asked to look at the picture of James and his family. She smiled and gave me a very quick side hug. She fixed her uniform and changed her demeanor once again to being cold.

  She said, "That is all... I will ensure you have better quarters from here on. You are a guest now. No longer a POW. I will ensure James' wishes for you to deliver the log books and picture are done accordingly. His family will meet at the Mars UNSC Portal Transport Depot."

  "Okay. Thank you."

  "Good day."

  That night I never slept in such a comfortable human bed before. The shower was small, but the feeling of warm water was something I truly missed the most. I felt as if the sand was still one me in every skin cell on me. My EXO-suit was washed and polished. The view of the galaxies was nice. The food, though not appealing to the eye, was a welcome change from blue steak jerky and filtered ground water. It was nice to eat something warm and fresh. However, a lingering thought echoed in my mind...

  How am I to explain what happened when I deliver the log books?

  The anxiety and excitement for this day is momentous. Yet...

  I sense a deep anguish in me will forever be changed as a result. I may not be certain of anything, but...

  I have decided to write a personal letter to the family.

  That is what I shall do.

  This will be my last log entry. I am willing to face my discharge and expulsion from the Thoga'Rach council for my failure to uphold the Tenets. All I want is to tell the family what I experienced and learned, but most of all is how James changed my life for the better.

  Goodbye.