WestBlock One

Dear Reader,

If you are reading this message, our mission was successful. We have landed on WestBlock One.

Day One

Day one was great. I know they trained us for how hot it was going to be, but after being put in those freezing chambers for six years, everything feels hot. I know we’ve landed on a dessert, but it’s still going to take some getting used to. I’ve never seen red dust quite like this, when the wind picks up, it’s the only thing you can see. Once we set up camp, Marina and I were selected to be on patrol duty for the afternoon. It was super dusty. Marina put on her protective goggles, but apparently she strapped them a little too tight; she had red marks on her face the rest of the day. Dinner was freeze dried potatoes. We’ll probably be eating those for a while, at least until we can get the crops to grow.

Day Two

I know we’re all feeling jet lagged, though I’m not sure if you can still call it that. We were sleeping the whole way here. Either way, everyone seemed a little bit cranky. There was a blowout between Fredrick and Captain Fields today. Fredrick took an extra ration of breakfast this morning, and it did not end well for him. He’s been put on dung duty the rest of the week. 

Side: I guess I should start getting used to the longer days. It’s not like Earth, our new version of weeks are actually eight days, not seven. I guess that sucks even more for Fredrick. 

Day Four

Captain Fields says once we get settled we can explore a little bit more. We were given a map of the planet before our arrival, but it is so much different in person. Everything is so much bigger. I know Marina has been anxious to get out. We’ve been stationed on ship maintenance together the last two days. I think she’s getting cabin fever. I mean seriously, we’ve been stuck on this ship for years, you’d think they would let us at least let us help set up outside. 

Day Eight

First week done and what a week it’s been. The camp has been set up. Tomorrow we get to start our expedition. Luckily, I got picked for the research team. If they stuck me with Fredrick, I think I would go mad. He’s been insufferable at meal time. I think he’s still mad at Captain Fields for making him scrape dung all day, but seriously, he needs to get over himself. 

Day Twelve

I logged a beetle today. Nothing like they have back home. This particular species is purple with red legs. I imagine it will help it camouflage with the ground.  It has sixteen legs and can fly. It doesn’t have wings, instead, it rubs its legs together and the friction causes heat. The heat warms up the belly of the bug and lifts it into the air like a hot air balloon. I haven’t seen it lift more than a foot off the ground, but it’s still so cool. Because I’m the one who discovered the bug, Captain Fields is allowing me to name it. I’ve decided to call it Amelia. I hope she won’t mind that I named a bug after her. It’s a very pretty bug, I’m sure Amelia would have loved it. I miss her so much. She was the one part about leaving that was hard. I know it was for the best, leaving her to live with her aunt, but hurts all the same. I knew that if I left her, I had a shot of making a difference. Making the world a better place, as cliche as it sounds. Maybe when we’ve finished our work here, made it habitable, she’ll make it over here too. 

Day Thirteen

We have found a new plant. It looks like a daisy if daisies were four feet tall and their petals were carnivorous. The leaves near the base of the plant have sap that attract small, ground insects. The insects get stuck and are then eaten absorbed into the plant. The blue petals on top appear to attract small flying animals, and have a similar outcome. A plant that knows how to make the most of their environment.

Day Twenty-Two

Another day of research. The Amelias have slowed down and there seems to be less of them? We don’t see them flying as often or in a large swarm like we did the first few weeks. They seem to have been burrowing and chosen to walk instead of fly, though, as of now, the research is inconclusive. 

Day Twenty-Eight

Today, Marina and I were stationed on patrol together. It was a pretty uneventful day, checking off on tool lists, making sure checkpoints were still being held etc.

Side: The crops have started to grow, so hopefully we won’t be having potatoes every meal. 

Day Forty-Two

We found where the rest of the Amelias went; not burrowing like we predicted. They seemed to have found a new home in the cooling system of the ship. Removing them will take forever, they appear to have found a new incubation spot and are liking the cold. 

Day Fifty One

Those stupid beetles have chewed through the hull of the ship. Captain Fields has sent a group of us to be on the repair team. Unfortunately for me, Frederick is on the team with me. He is still so insufferable, he likes to pick fights with anyone who speaks. I’m not sure why he agreed to come on this mission if all he does is complain about every little thing. I mean, it’s not like we were conscripted, he CHOSE this, just like everyone else. 

Day Fifty Two

We finally have crops we can harvest. Something other than potatoes! We have beans and corn to add to this menu too. They are still a little firm, not quite in season, but still good.

Day Fifty Three

The Amelias have added further destruction to the ship. Many rooms have been eaten, and the engine won’t start anymore. We took what we could salvage and put it into containers at head base. Captain Fields has been stressed, trying to think of ways to rebuild, but I fear it is unsalvageable.

Day Sixty

The Amelias have discovered that we are edible too. Four people from patrol and one team leader were sent to the infirmary last night. The Amelias have taken a liking to the flesh on our arms. Hopefully we can come up with some sort of repellent soon, the research team is working overtime with samples. 

Day Sixty-Four

Most of Pod A didn’t make it. The Amelias have been hungry, it must be because of their breeding season. It appears that when they chew threw flesh, they leave venom, causing convulsions and ultimately death. No repellent has been successful as of yet, but we are “close” as medical says. Trial fourteen of the repellent has proven to reduce the amount of attacks around the joints, but flat skin, especially behind the ears has been ineffective. 

Day Sixty-Six

More than half of pods A through D have been deemed a “lost cause”. Medical will not resuscitate after three bites. They have deemed more than that number to be lethal. 

Day Seventy One

Marina was sent to medical last night. She had four Amelia bites. I begged the doctor to not deem her “lost”. I traded him two meals in exchange for more trials for Marina.

Day Seventy Three

Marina passed this morning.

Dear Reader,

If you are reading this message, our mission to WestBlock One was unsuccessful. The Amelias have taken everything. There are four of us left, me, Captain Fields, Lucas, and Fredrick. I fear we must sit and wait. Nothing is left of the ship and the camp reeks. I’m sorry we failed you, but this is it.