thethemeis: Idols
theauthoris: LiamD
[HMS Diplomacy] Log – Entry 6838 – [November 8th, 2026]
[Peace to the Homelands],
This entry marks our [twelfth and final day] of our exploration of the recently discovered inhabited planet [Hope]. But alas, it is my unhappy duty to bear the ill tidings; we are now certain that the natives of this world have no hope to offer us.
The surviving crew members (and thankfully the majority of us have fortuitously survived our stay thus far) have very little morale left. Despite the afflictions of [the Homelands] that gave us reason to journey this far and seek succour from an unknown alien race, we are all desperate to return. It was a mistake to come here. I only hope we can procure our escape unharmed by any of the inherently violent beings in our vicinity.
Yet, I suppose [I have gotten ahead of myself]. Since the death of Han on our [sixth day] (details recorded in Log Entry – 6837) we have managed to elude further encounters with the locals. A fair amount of our crew were ready to [give up there and then], but I was was stubborn in my determination to find a peaceful contingent whom would give us the aid we so badly need. There are vast amounts of lands on [Hope] (how I now despise to use that foolishly given name) and the crew has amassed many hours reading through all of the information we could find regarding each region. Finding the information in question was one of the few [blessings] we have had since arrival. On Planet [Hope] exists a rudimentary information-exchange technology from which we were able to easily extract and translate historical recordings. It is the findings of this research that has convinced me there is no safe option but to return home.
On each volume of historical records for the various subcultures on [Hope] there is a list of beings that once dwelt therein (or continue to do so in some cases). The professions and acts of these individuals vary. Many are past leaders of great nations, some are distinguished artists and others virtuosos in their chosen profession. There is only one single common thread that links all of the regions of [Hope]: War. Every list includes at least ten beings with a terrible history of violence. Be they horrific, oppressive dictators or celebrated defenders of a land they cherish, it is clear that the most noteworthy of this world are relentless [barbarians].
The title of these lists is most chilling of all. It is translated by our equipment as ‘The Hall of Aspirational Figures’. The crew have been debating whether or not this is some strange alien idiom but whatever the literal meaning may be, we are agreed on one thing. The beings in these lists are idolised in their respective regions. Enormous statues constructed from unknown elements have been erected in their honour and vast populations have sworn allegiance to them in an unsettling devotion akin to worship. We now understand that the beings of this world are endowed with an intrinsic aggression. They can bring us only ruin. I can speak for the entire crew and declare that we would rather die trying to heal our planet alone than ask assistance of this unpredictably volatile alien race.
For safety’s sake I must keep this short. Repairs of the [Diplomacy] are very close to completion and soon we shall return to [her] and leave for good. With luck this message shall accompany us on our return and I shall be able to present it in person. However, if the our chances of a successful escape are as low as I fear then I am compelled to end the entry with a final [heart-felt] wish:
[Peace to the Homelands], may our bleak present precurse a brighter future.
[HMS Diplomacy] – Da’wel
This document has been translated into English by Google Translate 9.0. Due to the detected extra-terrestrial origin of the document, some phrases could only be idiomatically estimated. Such phrases are enclosed within [square brackets].
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