Journals

**Journals** are either notes that Albert West makes about a particular thing or a record from another person that West finds. Any journals that West finds or makes can be read at any time (except during sleep) by clicking the Journals icon in the upper-left corner of the game screen or by pressing the selected hotkey (default 'J' on keyboard, 'X' on controller).

A journal may or may not be an item. If it is not an item, interacting with a particular object or simply walking into a specific area will add the journal to the Journals interface and automatically open the journal to be read. If it is an item, it will be found in either a container or on the floor, and goes into the "Data/Keycards/Facility" tab of West's inventory. Once the item is used, the journal will be added and can be read.

Many journals contain information that can be vital to learning or completing the game, often with highlighted text to show exactly what should be noted. Specific journals will hint toward a sector that will have a data chip; when one of these journals is read, an icon will appear on the map once the correct floor is reached, making it easier to find the chip without exploring every nook and cranny. Most other journals serve to give background information regarding what happened in the past, such as the origins of Nilson Engineering. Very few journals will hold information that is unrelated or unnecessary.

## List of Journals

The following is a list of journals that can be found in the game and their locations. If reading a journal reveals an item's location, the item and the sector that it's located in will be in parentheses (unverified). The contents of the journals are reproduced here with Pixellore's permission.

### MPO Prison

**I Better Get Moving**

 God... how long have I been in here? It must have been days since I've last eaten.

My head feels like it's about to pop, and my tongue feels like a dry hunk of beef jerky.

I can barely stand... but I've gotta drag myself up one more time. I can't let it end here. I've got to at least try.

Obviously, the door's not something I can pry open by myself in this state. The vent is the only option at this point. The air circulation fan is slowing down, so there's a chance the "anti-tampering" measures don't have enough juice to be an issue anymore. Should be easy enough to force the vent open if I'm not getting shocked.

I better get moving. If emergency power fails, I'll be dead before I can even figure out what's going on.

**Evacuation Status Update**

 *Outbreak Response Plan 11-B Status Update: April 15th, 2053*

*Attention all security staff, the following is a status update regarding 11-B:*

*- 92% of MPO's population is infected with the unknown agent.*

*Infected can be identified by bio scan or rudimentary metal detector test if scanning equipment is unavailable.*

*- The survivors that were ordered to report to security staff at Murray Space Center had made it there safely.*

*According to their last report, there were 134 uninfected individuals including security staff.*

*- MPO's emergency response team meeting was presided by seven surviving council members.*

*The present council members unanimously voted to shut down power for the entire city, excluding Murray Space Center and MPO Prison.*

*Evacuation plans for the prison have been approved. The remaining staff and prisoners are to load onto trams and rally at Murray Space Center. Once at Murray, staff and prisoners will be assigned a shuttle. Proper safety procedures must be followed: all security staff and prisoners must wear proper IEVA suits before boarding shuttles, and navcom diagnostics must be run before takeoff. Once approved for takeoff, all shuttles are to dock with Mars Orbital Station and await further instructions.*

*Prisoners must be transported to Murray Space Center by 23:00 hours tomorrow and are to be handled with extreme caution! Some of them were serving sentences for murder. They are not to be left unsupervised!*

*Again: do not leave any prisoner unsupervised during the transfer! If we closely follow protocol, we could very well avoid a complete catastrophe.*

*James Worlick*
*Director of Security*

**Leaving This Place**

 I made it to the administrative level of the prison, but I haven't seen a single person. Well, no one that's still breathing, anyway...

The administrative area is where visitation and clerical work of the prison takes place, but it's also the main entrance to the prison. I was carted in here by the tram... I wonder if it's still operational. I might want to check out the oxygen and thermal regulation systems while I'm here, too; chances are, I'll need to know what those look like if I ever need to do repairs.

From the look of this place, though... all hell's broken loose. I don't think there will be any guards in here considering what I've seen so far. Hopefully, there's still a weapon laying around here somewhere in case whatever's done this is still lurking around.

...I hope security measures aren't online anymore...

**Heading to Central**

 I've finally made it to the prison's rail station. Incredibly, there was a fully operational tram. It never left for wherever it was headed.

I guess the evacuation never even made it past the station.

Power seems to be flowing to the prison district, but there's no telling how long it'll be before it gets knocked out... or if whatever did this will be back. I don't want to find out.

Central Control was the "heart" of MPO, so there's probably plenty of supplies I can gather there, maybe even other survivors to make contact with.

...And perhaps something to eat, too.

### Central Control

**Arrival at Central Control**

 The tram brought me to Central Control without any issues. Everything seems fine... it's rather odd, actually.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I arrived, but I didn't expect silence. Central tends to be swarming with people; hovering over terminals, talking through the corridors, guards posted up at doorways. Instead, it's a ghost town.

The good news is that the oxygen generator seems to be running. Otherwise, I would have suffocated as soon as I opened the tram doors. Hopefully, most of MPO is in similar shape. Maybe I can check the status of each district's life support systems somewhere in Central Control.

First thing's first: I better check on the reactor. Central Control is where power is monitored and distributed through MPO. The reactor's in a secured area, but it's literally down the hall. I can easily access it should it need maintenance. I'll need to keep the reactor in working order, as the entire colony is dependent on the power supplied from this location to keep life support online. On top of that, the tram doesn't seem to be able to access any location that doesn't have power, so I'll have to keep that in mind.

I should explore the area and search for supplies. But most importantly, I should look out for the power control console. It's got to be around here somewhere. Murray Space Center's lost power, but if I can reconnect it, I might be able to find a way out of here... or, better yet, off Mars.

**Nobody's Home**

 It looks like there's nobody here, living or otherwise.

Everyone seems to have evacuated, and whatever did this isn't around either. I guess this place is safe, for now. I may as well set up my basecamp here. This would be a good place to stage my escape.

Fortunately for me, most of the important facilities for MPO are within walking distance of Central Control. I don't even need to power up those sections to reach them.

I could probably reboot the 3D printer and other facilities at Nilson Engineering, maybe even print out some supplies I need.

Herbert Research, where I used to work, has research equipment I could use to feed instructions to the systems in Nilson.

I'll probably have to use the excavator at the Mine to gather materials for the 3D printer.

I should also check out the Biosphere. I could probably use the agricultural systems there to supply the bio combiner at Nilson Engineering, maybe even sustain myself.

I should check out each location and see if I can figure out what's going on. At the very least, if I can get these facilities restarted, I can prepare myself for the worst. There are a few staircases leading to these areas somewhere around here... I'm sure I'll recognize them again once I see them.

**Power Control Console**

 This has got to be the power control console. As usual, there's no one here either.

I should be able to control the flow of power for the colony from here as well as monitor the generator's current status. The generator's not operating at full capacity, so I should be careful when connecting additional sectors to the power grid. I could overload the reactor if I draw too much power. If I do, it'll overheat and probably initiate an emergency shutdown sequence.

That would be bad - I could end up stranded if I'm not careful! And what's worse, working oxygen filters and temperature regulators can't function without power! A blackout means certain death, as far as I'm concerned.

I can't just sit here, though. I'll have to power up other locations to gather supplies and gather information if I want to get out of here.

There's a lot of consoles around here. If I search them, I might be able to find some information.

**Martin!**

 *Martin! MARTIN!! Keep this recording on you so you can remember what you need to do! You can do this!*

*I know you couldn't find much at the space center, but don't lose hope! We don't have space suits, so I need you to avoid all the areas where life support is down. The central cluster still seems to be okay, so I want you to take the train there.*

*Head over to the mine and try to gather up some supplies. You wouldn't believe the stuff they have in storage over there, and you might be able to find some food in the break room if it hasn't been raided already. Grab whatever you can find, then head back here so we can get out before those... whatever those were get you.*

*Please, for the love of God, don't get distracted. Do NOT run off to the Plaza for choco pies or anything else. I'm counting on you, dammit! Get what you can from the mine, then head back here. Got it?! No choco pies! That's an order!*

*...and don't forget that key card! It's the only way to open the space center's security door and the only way back in. We need to try to keep more of those things out, and this is the only way! Don't lose it!*

*This is Captain Roger, signing off.*

**Power Console Update**

 *Alright, Dr. Kan, I managed to figure this out. Using the data you got from Dr. Rascowicz, I came up with a user interface modification so we can calculate the rate of infection from a glance. It's really simplified, but it'll get the job done.*

*First off, we've managed to tap into each district's bio scanners. Thankfully, these are subsystems that are directly powered by the generator, so we won't have to worry about keeping observed locations powered. Each district's "infection level" is calculated by density; the more there are, the higher the percentage. Once I figure out a better way to calculate population, I'll patch it in, but for now, I just set a high threshold. If a district is above 80%, I'd steer clear of it! I don't even want to think what 100% would look like!*

*The next thing I've added to the UI is "infection rate". Dr. Rascowicz, of all people, was right all along: low oxygen levels and cold temperatures speed up the rate that this infection spreads. The "infection rate" readout will monitor temperature and oxygen levels and factor that into the estimated rate of growth. Once you get those prototype filters and regulators, this system is prepared to measure the suppression effect and factor it into those calculations.*

*I don't get any of this, Dr. Kan! I mean, I punched in the data you gave me, but can you explain what's going on in a way I can friggin' understand? What's the correlation here?*

*You know what? Screw it.*

*I heard the evacuation announcement. It's just a matter of time before I'm allowed to get the hell out of here and forget about all of this, so I'd rather not know just how crappy this situation is. It'd be better to be oblivious if this situation is as bad as security claims it is.*

**The Generator**

 I've found my way into the reactor for the colony.

This power plant is one of humanity's most remarkable achievements: it's an inertia drive.

Inertia drives run almost endlessly via a core inertia engine. While it doesn't generate quite as much energy as fusion based technology, what it produces is clean, reliable, and endless.

Without it, MPO would have never been founded in the first place. The guy that designed this thing must have been inspired; I still hardly understand how it works. What I can understand, though, is that it's been damaged somehow. I can't tell by looking at it directly, but the generator's status readout indicates that it's losing capacity at a constant rate. I don't think I'll be able to fix this!

It looks like the generator's reactor modules are burning out due to the damage. The generator must have at least one operational module installed to prevent a meltdown. I might be able to find some spare modules around here somewhere, but I should plan on taking a core down to Herbert Research. Once there, I can see if the research machines can create a schematic that I can use to produce more in Nilson Engineering.

If power draw exceeds the generator's capacity, the generator's sure to fail. I should be okay for a while, but I need to figure out how to offset this. If I don't, it won't be long before there's only enough power for Central Control.

**Canisters**

 Damn, am I lucky! On top of avoiding the "infected," I have also been fortunate enough to not die from suffocation or hypothermia.

That may change quickly, if I'm not prepared.

The power console indicated that the oxygen filters and thermal regulators are offline for most of the colony, so I'll need to find some oxygen and thermal canisters if I'm going to access those areas safely. Once I find some, I can charge them using recharging stations.

I should also try and fix the oxygen generators and thermal regulators whenever I can. Once I do, I'll be able to breathe or keep warm without the need for canisters.

**Radiation**

 While I was exploring the generator, I found hallways branching off in all directions. It seems containers of radioactive materials have been spilled. I shouldn't get any closer or finding my way out of here will be the least of my problems.

...It's somewhat unsettling that all three hallways have had the same "accident."

Whatever the case, these hallways leave the generator vulnerable. There's no doors to close off should something come down this way.

### Nilson Engineering

**Nilson Engineering**

 Nilson Engineering was one of the very first facilities built here on Mars. It's older than any other facility or district on Mars, including Central Control.

Almost everything on Mars is manufactured here now, including pharmaceuticals and clothing.

3D printing technology was the only feasible way to found a colony on Mars. The logistics issues alone would have halted MPO's development, as replacement parts would have to be shipped out from Earth.

Material shortages were also a problem on Mars back then, so the engineering bay has facilities to recycle and refine just about anything. This will definitely come in handy now that the colony's fallen apart.

These days, Nilson Engineering relies on the blueprint database at Herbert Research in order to print out objects. Thankfully, Nilson's systems will cache blueprint data, so I won't lose access to blueprints if Herbert loses power.

I know the guys at Nilson had a close relationship with the Bigelow Mining Company, so maybe I can find a key card to the mine if I dig around.

**Sang Jun Bae**

 After making a fortune on the lucrative Lunar bases, Nilson Engineering partnered with Jeff Murray to make parts for the fledgling MPO. They set up shop immediately, even before Central Control was established. Assigned to head the MPO division of Nilson was Sang Jun Bae, a retired dentist and partial heir to the Nilson fortune.

Sang Jun Bae worked very closely with the Bigelow Mining Company, a relationship that was established in the early days of MPO. Bigelow's excavator burned through parts on a daily basis, and Bae was happy to be the only supplier on the planet.

As MPO expanded, Nilson Engineering did as well. Its capabilities are now able to accommodate all of the colony's needs, including manufacturing weapons for Mars Security or shuttle parts for Murray Space Center. There was a constant problem in keeping up with demand with this expansion, though, and Bae became obsessed with improving workplace efficiency.

A lot of Nilson's employees didn't care for Bae's methods.

**MEMO: Improvements** (level 2 engineering data chip in Carson Hotel)

 *Hello, my beloved employees!*

*I've been making improvements to the workplace! I just got all these decorative plants from the hotel. Aren't they beautiful?! They smell a little bad, but I think they just need to air out.*

*I read an ebook over the weekend. It said that plants in the workplace can reduce employee stress by up to 20%! Soon, you all will be 20% less stressed! You're welcome!*

*It also recommends a daily cardiovascular exercise routine to prevent depression, so starting Monday, we'll be doing a mandatory workout every morning! Your mental health is my number one concern!*

*Also, I'm taking out the vending machines and halting the complimentary beverage program. Snack foods and sodas are going to hurt your bodies! It's difficult to work when your body is in poor shape! I care about your health!*

*With these workplace improvements, employees should easily be able to work an additional 15 hours each week. More hours for my beloved employees! Am I a great boss or what!?*

*Oh, and I need two volunteers to give up their weekend to carry plants over from the Carson Hotel. Unfortunately, it's against regulations to compensate volunteer work, though! I hope you understand! If volunteers don't come forward, I'll be forced to dock everyone's pay so I can hire movers! Sorry about that!*

*I also need one of you to bring back the data chip, so come by the penthouse before you move the plants. Don't bother me after that, though! I don't like to stress out for no reason!*

*Thanks!*
*Sang Jun Bae*

### Herbert Research

**Herbert Research**

 Herbert Research. I can't say it's good to be back, at least in these circumstances. Not that I'd be working here again if they let me out at some point.

Man... it's so quiet. I don't see Agatha rambling in her office, nor do I see Merrick or Johnathan whispering to each other in the halls. Rascowicz isn't strutting around. Dr. Kan isn't lounging in his regular seat by the bio research system. There's some shuffling echoing down the halls every so often. My mind's playing tricks on me.

...I think.

There are a pair of advanced research systems on the north side of this facility. I should find out if they are still working. They will be extremely useful if they are.

Our living quarters were in the southwest section of the facility. If I look there, maybe I can find some keycards to the other places connected to Central Control or some clues to what's going on. It's the research department! Someone had to have noticed something!

**Research Systems**

 The advanced spectrum analyzer center.

I spent a lot of time here when I was working on my research. There are two research systems here: one specialized for biological research, and one for technological research. Each research system makes use of a tiny network of nanomachines to break down inserted samples into "blueprints" that can be used to fabricate exact copies. It's an absolutely ingenious idea; I even borrowed some of the ideas behind its design for my own research.

Since whatever I put in the machines here is lost when processed, I shouldn't put anything in that I currently need to survive, like an oxygen canister, unless I'm willing to wait until I can make a new one.

These systems are also networked to a "thinktank" AI that specializes in improving designs. I should see if I can make improved equipment by scanning some of the things I've found. Blueprints can also be fed into the machine manually, should I find any. It confuses the machine a little bit, but eventually the AI figures out it's supposed to be reading instructions rather than making an exact copy of those instructions.

All of this data is uploaded to a database that the 3D printer and bio combiner in Nilson Engineering can access. I can use the facilities to make copies of objects I've researched or the improvements the thinktank AI has made.

Well, let's see if I still know how to use this thing...

**West's Research**

 *You'll never guess what I snagged off of Dr. West, pal.*

*I consider myself a connoisseur of good science. You have to be if you're in my line of work. Now that I've got my hands on something interesting, the real work for us is about to begin.*

*This nanomachine design is going to make me rich. I just gotta find a buyer. He never named it, though. I'm going to call it "Minerva." Even the name sounds expensive, right? Maybe it'll make it easier for us to sell since it sounds like some sort of designer bullshit. I think I may be able to find a buyer right under my nose, though. If he buys, I'm getting a 90% cut this time! Got it?!*

*Hah, poor, poor Dr. West. I wonder what would have happened if he didn't have his little "accident"? I bet his wife is a vegetable by now!*

Rascowicz! I knew I shouldn't have trusted him! How could my research even be of use to him? Who would want an unfinished product for a disease only one person has?

I wonder who he's planning on selling it to?

**Jonathan's Phone Call** (prototype plasma launcher blueprint in Carson Hotel)

 //Transmission recorded: April 14th, 2053 at 22:53//

*Merrick:*

*Is the blueprint of the prototype secure?*
*Johnathan:*

*Yeah, I got a hold of it. I've stowed it in my private lab at the Carson Hotel. I've patched my door's security flaw. Those hacked keycards floating around won't work on it.*
*Only our keycards will work. I guarantee it.*
*Merrick:*

*Okay... good. We can't screw this up. I want to be absolutely sure it doesn't get recovered. Sheridan would have our asses if anyone even knows about this. If someone found the damn thing, we'd be ejected into space.*
*We're leaving ASAP. They've announced an evacuation, some sort of outbreak or some shit. Don't get distracted by it, this blueprint is the only copy. We need to wipe the research database before we leave. They don't want anything left if Earth gets involved before the situation is resolved.*
*We need to pick it up before we evacuate.*
*Johnathan:*

*Alright, understood. I'll head out and pick it up now.*
*Merrick:*

*Remember, Johnathan: don't bother showing up if you don't have the blueprint! None of us are going anywhere without it! And delete your call logs this time, dammit!*
//End of transmission//

**Baxter's Phone Call** (level 2 research data chip in Viking Square)

 //Transmission recorded: April 14th, 2053 at 19:17//

*Murray:*

*I need that research data chip back. I know you're a competent researcher. Nobody's questioning that.*
*But... some of your more... questionable methods have been getting out of hand lately. I need it back.*
*I'm asking just this once.*
*Baxter:*

*No!! And my methods are NONE of your business!!*
*Murray:*

*I'm afraid they are. That's how this relationship works. You're a liability, Agatha.*
*Baxter:*

*Too bad! It's not even here, baldy! The chip is with my sweet baby, Mittens.*
*I left it with my little Mittens because she never trusts anyone. She's such a good kitty-cat.*
*She's such a cutie, the way she pops in and out of vents, like a little meerkat! My itty-bitty kitty-mole!*
*I told Mittens to never lose it, so I know she's going to do a good job! She'll hide it far away from your gross face! You'll never find her!*
*Murray:*

*I guess it would be unsettling for you to hear that I already know that fleabag is somewhere in Viking Square. And that I have a new violin that needs to be stringed.*
*Baxter:*

*YOU. WOULDN'T. DARE.*
//End of transmission//

### MPO Biosphere

**Biosphere Bulletin** (level 2 biosphere data chip in Spirit Plaza)

 Upon entering the room, I noticed a massive bulletin on the wall.

Attention: Biosphere Staff

April 7th, 2053

*As of 23:00 hours today, I have relieved Dr. Tayama of all leadership responsibilities. Negligence or incompetence will no longer be tolerated at the biosphere. Due to a lack of cooperation, Dr. Tayama will be taken to a secure location for enhanced interrogation techniques.*

*All biological specimens previously listed as being in violation of health code directives 3, 7, and 14 must be placed in the incinerator by 05:00 tomorrow. Any biosphere staff caught with specimens that violate these directives will be dealt with accordingly.*

*All sensitive equipment, including data chips, are to be confiscated. Due to the biosphere's history of negligence, confiscated equipment will be moved to my storage facility in the Plaza until things shape up around here. Staff caught with confiscated equipment will be joining Dr. Tayama.*

*As long as my instructions are followed, I'm sure we can get along and root out all the filth.*

*If you have any questions, you know where to find me.*

*- Zeronica Jones.*

Dr. Tayama was taken in for "enhanced interrogation techniques"...?

### MPO Mine

**Mine Excavator** (level 2 mining data chip in Solar Casino)

 I have found the mine excavator and its software bay.

That's odd... only basic software is installed? Regardless, I'll need to install better software in order to excavate other types of ore.

This place is operated by the Bigelow Mining Company... The same one that owns the Solar Casino. Maybe I can find more information on a software upgrade there?

**It's Martin, Bro!** (Space Center Keycard at Spirit Plaza)

 *Captain Roger!*

*If you find this note, just head back to the shuttle! I busted my phone when I threw it at one of those dude's heads! I wish I could call you!*

*There's way too many of those ugly weirdos to deal with, and they're really angry, bro! There's also not a lot here to snatch, bro, just a bunch of stupid rocks! I know you said not to, but I'm going to pick up some snacks in the Plaza. I think we'll need 'em! Road trips need snacks, bro! You'll understand what I'm talking about when I bring you a choco pie!*

*After I load up on grub, I'll meet you at the shuttle, I promise! And don't worry, bro, I still have that keycard. I know you said it was the only one!*

*Your pal,*

*Martin*

*PS: Beat up some of these weirdos for me, bro!*

### Carson Hotel

**Carson Hotel**

 The Carson Hotel of Mars MPO.

Like a lot of off-world corporations, Burlington Intergalactic made their first foray into extra-planetary business with orbital hotels. They were wildly successful, and the fortune they amassed lead to a more exotic target for the hotel: Mars.

Tourism sprang up the moment the Carson Hotel opened for business. The most popular package was a week long all-inclusive stay at the Carson, including a hike up the tallest mountain in the solar system: Olympus Mons.

Even when aided by mechanical guides and powered EVA suits, the climb takes approximately 4 hours. I never had the patience for that, but people went crazy for it. "Climb Olympus Mons," was a selling point for a trip to Mars in itself for most folks.

All of this, however, was overshadowed by the presence of Becky Burlington. Socialite, celebrity, and heiress to the Burlington fortune, Becky was known as "Princess" to most of her staff.

Becky also had a problem staying out of the spotlight. She partied pretty hard and was always ending up on tabloid sites for drug use, soliciting, or off-color comments. In an effort to clean up her image and protect his own, her father, Wayne, sent her to Mars for "rehab."

The media had expected her presence on Mars to be punctuated by the same party-girl antics or drug fueled rants on social media. No one's heard from her or seen her in years, though.

**Hi Honey** (data chip in District Aries)

 *Hi honey,*

*I'll be home late. The employees all chipped in to throw me some kind of party. I know, I know, it's sudden. That is the cost of greatness, though; you have to make time for all the little people who just want to be close to you! They just want to celebrate how much light I'm bringing to their pathetic lives. It's no big deal.*

*I think you should sit this one out. The party is at this dumpy apartment in the Aries District, and I'd rather not have you suffer that AND wade through lesser people the entire time. I'm not sure when I'll be back. My employees love me, and I have a feeling they won't want me to leave once I get there, so don't wait up!*

*XOXO*

*Sang Jun*

**Karl Logan's Note**

 *Another double-shift.*

*Sometimes, I stare out the window and hope some terrorists attack, or that there is a massive explosion, or... I don't know, anything?*

*I'm so overworked and bored. I wish my life had some excitement...*

**Jind Marhi's Note**

 *Don't go into the basement. She... uh... she's in there. Just do your normal duties, mop the floors, clean windows, the usual.*

*Don't open the door. Just leave all the clean towels and supplies outside of the basement door. Leave as soon as you do.*

*That's what Princess wants.*

### Viking Square

**Package Delivered**

 *Here's the list, man. I just picked up:*

*Four trees, six tomatoes, two-thousand little meals, and... uh... an eagle?*

*...I can't do this, man! These code words are stupid! Just trash this thing after you read it.*

*The cats we stole from old crone Baxter are wriggly little shits. One of them is at the safe house in Gemini. I sold the other cat off to Ortega for a load of cash and some extra goodies on the side. I just did the hand off with one of his goons in the usual spot a few minutes ago. Come by for your cut!*

*...And don't forget to delete or destroy this note, you idiot! Someone's going to find it next time!*

### Solar Casino

**The Solar Casino**

 The Solar Casino, owned by a "Mr. Bigelow." I remember seeing ads for it on Earth.

The casino was like any other: saps come in with cash and walk out with nothing. Due to lax laws on Mars, the casino was set up to convert property deeds into chips and allowed potential fortune seekers to borrow against their future earnings.

For the tourists, it was a charming way to relax after ascending Olympus-Mons, but for the locals, it was a form of perpetual servitude. Bigelow charged for everything, even his employees' room and board needs weren't comped.

"Mr. Bigelow" didn't have a first name. His face, adorned with big aviator sunglasses, was plastered all over the place. I'd recognize that face and fake tan anywhere, though, sunglasses or otherwise. "Mr. Bigelow" was Rudolph Drump, an exiled businessman from Earth that was being hunted for a few years before I packed up for Mars.

The guy was an old money kid who couldn't stay out of the spotlight. He got a small loan of a few billion dollars from his family and opened a bunch of oil businesses, everything from syphoning to refinement, despite the mass shift to alternative energy sources decades prior. The news was always filled with his insensitive comments about trending issues.

Before long, there was a huge leak by the activist group "Pseudonymous," a group that had infiltrated his private computer network.

Petabytes and petabytes of information flooded the public. Extortion, fraud, bribery; he'd done it all and then some. The Federal Agents of Earth shut down his refineries and oil rigs and attempted to freeze his assets, but it was much too late. Drump was nowhere to be found. Guess I found him... I wonder if there's still a reward?

**Card Shark's Message**

 *Hey, Johnny...*

*I got caught workin' tables. I guess I couldn't control myself. They didn't believe it was "luck." They beat me pretty bad - I'm going to have to see a doc, but after I'm done, I got a better gig for us...*

*Just after his goons worked me over, Bigelow himself had me brought to his office so he could lord over me or some shit. That idiot didn't think ahead, though! I got a glimpse into what's gotta be a stash room in his office. There's chips all over that room, man! I imagine there's even better prizes in the boxes if we can bust in.*

*We gotta move quick, man! It's not going to take long before the news about me being banned gets around the staff! Come meet me at the clinic and we'll get started!*

**Jaron's Emails** (data chip in District Leo)

 Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2053 18:09:08 +0000

Subject: chipp bos?

From: jaron <j-r0n@mpo.mars>

To: Bigelow <bigelow@mpo.mars>

he y bos shuld i breng the dada chipp to the hi rollar pokar mach at leeoh/?

all so we took cair of that trubul maker from that othur nite if u kno what i meen

we just say h e did invulnintarty exzit owt the air lack hee hee

jus to make shur u kno we did kill him bos

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2053 18:22:38 +0000

Subject: Re: chipp bos?

From: Bigelow <bigelow@mpo.mars>

To: jaron <j-r0n@mpo.mars>

I have no damn idea what you're trying to say, you stupid gorilla!

If you're talking about the data chip, yes, bring it to the poker match in Leo.

...And don't talk about private matters in emails again, you dolt!

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2053 18:28:23 +0000

Subject: Re: Re: chipp bos?

From: jaron <j-r0n@mpo.mars>

To: Bigelow <bigelow@mpo.mars>

yes bos

sory bos

### Spirit Plaza

**Spirit Plaza**

 I don't really know much about Spirit Plaza. I've only been here a few times when Rascowicz insisted on hanging out at the bar around here.

I'm not really sure if it was always this way, but it's something of a mini mall. It features a restaurant, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. It was a popular location for tourists. Of all the Mars souvenirs, cave crystals were something so popular that even the native "Martians" wore them.

The plaza's empty now, aside from a quiet shambling echoing around the corner. Each of the stores has a big gold plaque near the door:

"Inspected and Approved by Zeronica Jones, District Manager of Spirit Plaza"

I don't recall her name all over the place when I was here before, nor do I remember any "inspected" or "approved" signage before.

**Choco Pies**

 *The choco pies, bro...*

*I know... you said not to...*

*But they're just so good, bro...*

**Zeronica's Packages** (data chip in District Pisces)

 I found stacks and stacks of packages all filled with... Mars crystals? They don't look quite right, though, as if they are made of colored glass or something. The real ones have a sort of fogginess to them.

All these packages are addressed to the same person in the Pisces District:

Zeronica Jones.

### District Leo

**Mars Scout Cookies** (data chip in District Gemini)

 *Your Mars Scout cookies are here!*
*Two boxes of mint chocolate and two boxes of rag-tags.*
*Also, you left your briefcase here last time. It's kind of heavy, so I'll just leave it with the cookies!*

*Come by our place in the Gemini District to get your stuff!*

Mars Scout cookies? Never heard of those. I wonder what they dropped off?

### District Aries

**We Got Him!** (data chip in District Leo)

 *Hey, man, you passed out after the "party". Learn to hold your liquor!*

*Anyway, I can't believe we finally got that smug son of a bitch, dude! Can you believe all the shit he was carrying on him? He was like a pinata! Hah, and after all that crap about "gracing us with his presence", the only thing he ended up gracing is the floor!*

*I figure since this party was mostly our idea, you and I can split the chips he had. I'll keep the other data chip at my place in Leo for safe keeping. I suggest you hide your chip, too! Don't let anyone else take it! It's probably worth a lot!*

*After this blows over, we can figure out how to sell them! Take it easy until then, dude!*

**Dr. Tayama**

 There's a body here crumpled up on the floor. It looks like Dr. Tayama, the lead researcher at the biosphere. He's been dead for a while.

There are various supplies scattered across the room.

Damn... I guess this was what Zeronica meant by "enhanced interrogation tactics" in that bulletin.

I also found a log. It's covered in blood.

*//Report: April 8th, 2053//*

*Agent Heather Morgan, reporting in for the last time.*

*Heather Morgan is dead to me. She was a weak, ineffectual cog in the bureaucratic machine of Earth. Maybe it's the money talking, or the power, or the thrill of killing a man with my bare hands. I don't know...*

*What I do know is that I have no reason to go back to Earth.*

*Mr. Murray found out about Dr. Tayama's death. I thought he'd kill me or make an example of me; toss me in the prison along with all his other trash. Instead, he said I had proved myself. He congratulated me.*

*Mr. Murray shared his vision with me. On Earth, if we aren't slaves, we're just people. Simple people. Even he was. On Mars, we can be Gods in a kingdom we've carved out for ourselves.*

...I guess Murray wasn't as benevolent as he appeared to be.

### District Pisces

**Agent Morgan's Report** (data chip in District Aries)

 *//Report: April 4th, 2053//*

*Agent Heather Morgan, reporting in.*

*There have been no suspicions so far, Sir. The mission was a success.*

*I tried to apply for a research intern position at the biosphere, but because my specialty didn't lie in research, they wouldn't take me. Another option became clear: administration. Starting as a secretary, I managed to infiltrate the administration of Spirit Plaza fairly quickly. I shot up the hierarchy; my superiors tended to be "accident prone" when I was around. It hadn't even been a year before I became District Manager of the Plaza.*

*As the district manager, I was placed in charge of everything that occurred in the plaza, including sanitation and safety in food storage. I took samples from the restaurant's pantry, cross-analyzing them with the sample from Earth. It was a match! Listeriosis was in Mars' food supply as well. I gathered evidence and found that the produce originated from the biosphere here at MPO. I lobbied the council shortly after.*

*The council heard my case, and agreed it was bad for tourism and profits. I nominated myself as head of the investigation, and with a little greasing of the wheels... I was put in charge. My first order of business was to inspect the biosphere's facilities. Curiously, many produce items weren't infected, but I ended up finding the source: Mars lettuce.*

*The head researcher, Dr. Tayama, fought me every step of the way. That bastard was probably hiding this from everyone, I just know it. I'm going to lobby the council for direct control of the biosphere after I present these Listeriosis samples, and then find out what Dr. Tayama knows any way I can. If this was a direct attack on Earth, I plan on secretly extraditing him so that he can be properly charged with bioterrorism.*

*I'm keeping the evidence in a safe house I set up in the Aries District just in case I am caught.*

*I am preparing to dispose of this alias. I will update when I have an ETA.*

### District Gemini

**Better Bars**

 *Jeff,*

*First off, dude, I saw you took from the stash. Not cool, man. The stash is off limits until we break even. I'll let it slide, but only because of what I'm about to tell you... it'll make us beaucoup bucks.*

*So, remember that time we were smoking, and you were all like, "Dude, what if there was something like food, but, like... better?"*

*I just jacked your idea, dude!*

*I started making these "Better Bars" here in the safe house. I call 'em "Better Bars" because they're like food bars, but, you know... better.*

*Each one has all the nutrients and stuff you need for like two or three days, bro! For real! You could cut down on eating, make room for tokin'! One problem though... they taste like ass. I can't even get the cats to eat them without spiking them with some Marsmari.*

*I got some military dudes interested, but... not as food. I found out these things are pretty dense when you pile them up. Two or three of them piled up will resist lasers n' bullets n' shit! So, not so good for food, but plenty good for armor! I guess I did something right, man!*

*Help yourself to a bar if you get curious, 'cause I doubt you'll want to eat it. Don't open the one with the red mark, though! I'm hiding something in there from another score. I'll fill you in with the details later.*

*Oh, and there is one other thing...*

*So, like, there's another problem I didn't tell the military dudes about. Better Bars, uh, "expire" pretty quickly. And violently. Be careful opening them, or it might just blow up in your face! Haha!*

*...But seriously, be careful, bro.*

**Ortega's Phone Call** (level 4 research data chip in District Pisces)

 //Transmission recorded: April 14th, 2053 at 21:36//

*Boss Ortega:*

*Baxter, you dried up ol' nag. I think I know why you's calling. Spit it out, already.*
*Baxter:*

*...*
*Boss Ortega:*

*I guess cat got ya tongue, eh? Heheh. I'm sure you know one of ya's furry pals is missin'. Good news: I found her.*
*Baxter:*

*How. Dare. You. YOU--*
*Boss Ortega:*

*Now, now... that's not ladylike. What kind o' mother is you's? I've done you a favor.*
*I'm just a simple, concerned citizen who just happened to find a poor, lost animal.*
*Good thing too, seeing as she has a special gift under her skin. Any good samaritan would help this creature.*
*I'm thinkin' a "finder's fee" is in order. Come to my office in the Pisces District. And if you can't pay, well... that's okay. I'll still send Mr. Wiggles back to you.*
*One paw at a time... heheh...*
*Baxter:*

*You. YOU!! YOU GO-- Ortega.*
*I'm coming for you, Ortega.*
*Bring all the goons you need. I don't care. I'm done. That was it. ORTEGAAAA--*
//End of transmission//

**Mr. Wiggles**

 *I thought this was a good plan. Instead, all it did was piss off that Baxter bitch real good. Now, it's sleeping in my lap like I'm some kind o' movie villain.*

*I grabbed it after that ol' crone called, but it didn't resist. It looked right at me as I held it up with these big green eyes that looked just like Jazz's eyes when I was a kid. It was like she came back in another cat so she could meet me.*

*How the hell am I supposed to gut this thing now?*

*Plan's changed. Cutting it opened would have been easier, but I'll keep the chip in the cat until I can figure out a way to get out safely. No way I'm losing this little guy, though.*

### Murray Space Center

**Murray Space Center**

 Murray Space Center.

It's odd being here again after all that's happened. When I first got here, it was little more than a glorified landing pad. It looks totally different now. I guess we've both gone through some changes.

If I'm lucky, there might still be a shuttle parked in one of the hangars.

The shuttles aren't long distance transports. It's more of a ferry service to Mars Orbital Station, where all the long distance crafts can dock. A shuttle won't get me back to Earth, but I'd rather take my chances with Mars Orbital Station then spend any longer than I have to at MPO.

**Sorry, Little Buddy**

 *Martin...*

*Shit... I held out for as long as I could, little buddy. I tried to call you, but you must have turned it off again without knowing.*

*I'm not going to make it much longer, so you won't have to worry about me anymore. That's the good news for you, anyway. The bad news, though, is that you're going to be stuck here. Well, unless you can get your shit together. You might still have a chance then.*

*If you can gather five fuel cells and repair the navigation module, the shuttle will be ready to fly. Everything else was fixed or patched up using the parts in storage. I don't know where you can find more fuel, but I know they made it at Nilson Engineering's Bio Combiner using materials harvested from the biosphere.*

*That dummy Morris still isn't back, either. Chances are he's still trying to figure out how to activate the biosphere's production facilities. If he's not already dead, that is. My bet is that he's dead. That boy... man, was he dumb. I guess I'll be seeing him soon.*

*I'm not even going to bother explaining what to do about the nav module, though. I don't even know what to do about that. Maybe those eggheads in Herbert could have figured it out, if any of them were still around.*

*No offense, kid, but I don't think this is something you'll be able to overcome. You couldn't even bring back the IEVA suit plans we'd need to safely ride this bucket of bolts without potentially suffocating to death. Things are getting dangerous, and I know you don't have a violent bone in your body. Just stay safe for as long as you can, kid. Try to seek a death from old age, rather than being torn to pieces...*

*This is Captain Roger, signing off... one final time.*

**Group Call**

 //Transmission recorded: April 15th, 2053 at 17:22//

*Martin:*

*Captain! Are you there, bro?! BRO?!*
*Captain Roger:*

*Martin! I'm here, buddy! Did you find a space suit?! It's a big white suit with a huge helmet!*
*Martin:*

*I'm scared bro! More of those angry dudes are here!*
*Captain Roger:*

*Focus, Martin! Did you find the suit?!*
*Martin:*

*No... no suits. Just this chip thing, bro!*
*Captain Roger:*

*Okay, hold on. Let me call Morris.*
*//Initiating group call: adding Morris//*

*Morris:*

*Uhhh... hello?*
*Captain Roger:*

*Morris! Did you find any space suits when you were at the space center?*
*Morris:*

*Uhhh... no.*
*Captain Roger:*

*Shit!*
*Martin:*

*You swore, bro! What's wrong?*
*Captain Roger:*

*Life support systems are down in many districts for some reason. I was hoping that the IEVA suits would help you guys find supplies without ever running low on oxygen or freezing to death. We need to find three before we can get out of here, anyway. Bring that chip here, Martin.*
*Martin:*

*I'm already next to you, bro! See me waving from the control room?*
*Captain Roger:*

*... I'll just do it later. Martin, scrounge up whatever you can around the space center, then head back here after you've done that. Morris, come back to the shuttle. I have a job for you.*
*Morris:*

*Uhhh... okay.*
*Martin:*

*Got it, bro!*
*//End of transmission//*

***Hidden Area***

 Crash Site

**Crash**

 ...seems like I was out for a bit...

The damn pod still feels like it's spinning. I guess that's a good sign that I haven't died yet. I still remember that man's face just before he shot me down. They must have been waiting up there, but why? And why haven't they sent help?

I guess I must have landed. All the monitors are on the floor. I guess I took a tumble on the way back down. I'm a little beat up, but the seat's harness must have kept me from slamming around the pod. According to the diagnostic: life support's been knocked offline entirely. I guess it's a good thing I followed safety protocols. Navcom's displaying an error. It looks like the pod was trying to get as close to MPO as possible, but it went off course a little at some point due to a mechanical failure.

Ow... man, I could use an aspirin.

**Assessment**

 Man, what a mess. The pod was trashed from the landing, and I'm in the middle of nowhere.

I can see MPO, but I'm not really sure which side I'm looking at. It's only a few kilometers away, but how the hell am I going to get back inside? I don't ever recall ever seeing an airlock in most districts, but there's gotta be some other way in. Maybe an access hatch, or some sort of maintenance area?

...Hmm. I'm not entirely sure, but it looks like there's some kind of structure between me and MPO. It's small, though, much smaller than any of MPO's domes. It could be some sort of service elevator. I'm not sure why there'd be one this far out, but I don't really have any other options. Worst case scenario, there might be a terminal I can access.

### Murray Mansion

**What is This Place?**

 Wow... What is this place?

A corpse was on the ground. I recognized the uniform: Mars Security. Something was different, though. He wasn't wearing the regular name tags most guards do. He might be dead, but maybe his belongings can tell me something?

This guy didn't have a whole lot on him, but he did have a badge in his pocket. "Mars Security Division" is written across the front, "Bodyguard" written underneath MPO's seal. A bodyguard...? Out here? I can't think of anyone else that would need bodyguards, especially here. Well... except...

My old boss. Jeff Murray.

This has to be Murray's "mansion". I heard a rumor, but it was so outlandish. Secret tunnels, private trams, teams of personnel that worked behind the scenes; it made Murray sound less like an entrepreneur, and more like a villain from a secret agent movie. Rascowicz used to brag about being invited here, but no one ever believed him. I guess it wasn't so far-fetched.

There wasn't any shuttle on the landing pad outside. He has to have escaped by now, and this bodyguard probably died escorting him out. Whatever this is made it all the way here, too. I wonder if there's anything here that will explain what the hell happened? Maybe I can find another way off Mars?

**Murray's Phone Call**

 //Transmission recorded: May 10th, 2051 at 13:47//

*Murray:*

*Hello, Doctor West. I've heard a lot about you!*
*West:*

*Hello, Mr. Murray. Thank you for the invitation.*
*Murray:*

*Not at all, kid! So, tell me about this research you have proposed! You mentioned you have a way to create nanomachines that can indefinitely inhabit the body? What are you planning to do with something like that?*
*West:*

*Well, Mr. Murray--*
*Murray:*

*Oh, no need for that, kid. Jeff is fine.*
*West:*

*Oh, sure! Well, Jeff, my wife has a disease I don't know how to fight without constant maintenance. She has Alzheimer's.*
*Murray:*

*Can't she just do ultrasound? I mean, I've done it. Works wonders.*
*West:*

*Unfortunately, she'd have to be in ultrasound indefinitely. She needs constant maintenance. Nanomachines could solve this in theory, but I can't move past just proposing it. It'll take a lot of money, a lot of test material, and everything about it is controversial and illegal. I'm probably already being monitored just talking about it over the phone.*
*Murray:*

*I understand entirely, Dr. West. We can continue this conversation through a VPN link to my Earth offices. Please, head over there tomorrow and check in at reception. I think I can help you and your wife.*
*West:*

*Really? Thank you, Jeff! I'll be over first thing tomorrow!*
*Murray:*

*Glad to hear it, kid. Don't keep me waiting!*
*//End of transmission//*

**West's Notes**

 ...Huh? These are all of my notes... "West's Research" is on the front. Everything's in here, they even have the research proposal I sent Murray before he invited me. They highlighted a few things and wrote notes at the bottom.

*//Research Proposal//*

*Alzheimer's is caused by neurotoxic plaques that adhere to brain tissue. This is treatable with ultrasound, and even for patients at risk, getting an ultrasound once every month or so can manage the disease. Jennifer, however, is different. She needs to be constantly exposed to ultrasound in order to keep the disease at bay, which isn't possible. Overexposure to ultrasound can be just as harmful as Alzheimer's.*

*Nanomachines are a non-invasive way to deal with the problem. They could directly manipulate plaques that have already formed and prevent new ones from starting constantly without interfering with the brain's functions. I plan to design them to reproduce autonomously by harvesting carbon and copper from the bloodstream, ensuring that the effect would be permanent. I am confident I can adapt these nanomachines for other diseases and purposes once I'm finished treating Jennifer.*

Follow specifications.

-R
"Specifications?" Wait... I remember this. These were some of the last notes I wrote before I was thrown in prison.

*//Results: Jan 4th, 2052//*

*Something is wrong with the current code. The nanomachines are improperly handling instructions and erroneously mending tissue. Even worse: when there were no plaques to destroy, they tear into other tissue to make "busy work". It's time to go back to the drawing board. I'm going to extensively scale back the capabilities of the nanomachines, and remove the self-replicating aspect - it's much too dangerous, and it would be better to readminister the nanomachines after they wear out should something go wrong.*

There's nothing of note in this one. Finish the project. If you can't, you'll end up as West's roommate.

-R

**Confession Part 1**

 *Whoever you are, well, you're the only hope anyone has. Who am I? I'm Murdoch Rascowicz. I'm the man who never wanted to go to Mars, who never wanted to be a scientist, but I've got some deft fingers and a mind for security protocols... and when I see something I like, I take it. I've made a name for myself without a scientific breakthrough of my own.*

*Too bad thieving isn't the answer to this mess.*

*I worked in Herbert Research as a lab assistant, but really what I was doing was scalping research and selling it to labs back on Earth. Mars didn't have the restrictions Earth did on research, and a lot of researchers came to MPO with the intentions of doing research not allowed on Earth. Albert West was one of those hopeful scientists. He was experimenting on humans with nanomachines to cure some sort of Alzheimer's mutation. I worked with him for months, and saw a potential for more than just profit. The effects of one sample were... let's just say "too good to pass up."*

*I conducted a test of my own. I regret that I ever did. I should have never approached Murray.*

*I've trapped that bastard in his own panic room, but I've got a lot I need to get off my chest...*

**Confession Part 2**

 *The main selling point of West's nanomachines was how they operated. These little robots would be injected into a benign location and travel through the blood to the brain, on a mission to remove plaque and rebuild lost tissue. They self-propagated through the bloodstream, harvesting iron and other metals from blood cells to replicate. Self-propagating nanomachines and related research is strictly prohibited on Earth. West's sample was worth a fortune.*

*At first West was using synthesized flesh and brain matter to test, but he couldn't get accurate data without a living test subject. The robots were overzealous in their objective, and started breaking down flesh simply so it had something to repair. He scaled back the aggressiveness and limited how often they could replicate. He was taking it in the wrong direction. I could feel the cash slipping out of my fingers.*

*I framed West, swapping a "failed" sample with his current test samples. It was perfect, except for one thing: he lived. I guess he's a bit more spry than he looks. Luckily, the murder of the test subject got him thrown in prison by Mars Security. Murray probably had something to do with that, now that I think about it. West was locked up tight, so I took the remaining samples and boxed them up, giving them a fancy name: "Minerva".*

*Minerva was worth a lot in the hands of someone capable. I thought that "someone" was me.*

*I can't believe what an idiot I was.*

**Confession Part 3**

 *I presented the research to Murray as if it were my own, but he knew I was full of shit. He knew why I was on Mars in the first place. I thought he’d report me to the board, strip me of my position in front of my peers, make an example of me… but he promoted me. He said he could trust me now, because now I knew who held my leash. That’s the thing you need to know about Murray: he only trusts people he can control.*

*He saw the results, and he wanted more. Obviously, I wasn’t able to do that, and the only guy who probably could was in prison. Murray tasked me to find capable researchers and assign them to the project. Maybe I was lucky that West fell into my lap in the first place, because none of the others even had a clue where to start with self-replicating nanomachines.*

*I don’t see why he’d want to push the research further, anyway. Minerva was good enough on its own to sell. It would have been worth a fortune to various labs back on Earth. These big-shot visionaries can't appreciate a proven business model; research is something you can get a huge return on if you sell it to everyone at the same time. I was getting paid pretty well, though. Eventually, I stopped protesting his decision to keep it. I was too busy enjoying the luxuries of Mars to care anymore.*

*I was getting what I wanted.*

*Murray wasn’t, though... it quickly became an obsession.*

**Confession Part 4**

 *As it turns out, West’s work was more precise than we had realized. He wasn't designing this with eventual profit in mind. He wasn't some philanthropist hoping to cure everyone. Minerva was specially tuned to his own wife's particular case of dementia, which was apparently slightly “abnormal”. As a consequence, Minerva would never be fully effective on anyone else. Not in this state, at least. It seemed pointless to develop it further, but anyone on the project’s team that questioned Murray would be “reassigned” shortly after. I kept my mouth shut and my head down. I figured I’d rather pursue a pointless cure than end up in a cell like West. For weeks, we continued to test new samples in vain, fully aware that there was no end in sight.*

*Murray eventually realized he was out of options: he had to bring Jennifer West to the colony to continue the project.*

*Things quickly got out of hand after she arrived. Murray had begun intervening personally, adjusting Minerva on his own. The new samples were much different from the ones we were working on. The new samples caused test subjects to rapidly mutate, destroying and creating new flesh constantly. This new form of life is perfectly suited for Mars, having no need for respiration and requiring minimal caloric energy to function. That's just the beginning, though. From what little I actually understood from our test sample date, the flesh comes back stronger with each “regeneration” cycle.*

*These creatures were not sentient, and they were more like beasts than humans. Murray kept mumbling his own term, though: Martian. The rest of the team and I began countermeasures behind his back, but it was way too late. He'd been planning this for some time. The best I could do was trap him in his panic room until someone could take him out. It doesn't make up for what I've done. I just pray that he doesn't eventually figure out a way to get out.*

**The Trap**

 April 9th:

Hector and Nora are missing. Murray said they "quit". I'm thinking they're dead. We have a mole, or we're getting sloppy. If it's a mole they can't be very close to the source. I'm still here, after all.

April 10th:

We got new a new pair of researchers to replace Hector and Nora: Cait and James. I guess they've been together for a long time. They were part of a group with replacements for the other research teams. I'm wondering if the other teams are losing members for similar reasons. It's too much of a risk to ask, though.

It's taking less and less time to convince the new people how thin of a tightrope we're walking with all the Minerva test subjects around. Some of the older specimens don't even look human anymore.

April 14th:

Murray's been sending out security teams to try to recover a bunch of software for the facilities around Central. He made a pretty angry phone call to Agatha, that old hag I used to work under in Herbert. I guess that witch has gone nuts since her cats went missing.

This must be why members of other research teams went missing as well: those blueprints were never supposed to go out. I heard Murray call it a "security risk" when on a call. This is the same guy that's making mutant zombies in labs less than 10 meters away? Unbelievable.

April 15th:

We have to make a move. Murray's guards were sniffing around the mainframe's locked door. I was the sole person with access aside from Murray! I can't be caught! I don't have any idea what they'd do to me!

Dr. Cameron finished with the hardware for the purification device, but it'll be for nothing by the end of the day. Lassiter agrees that we need to take Murray out, but he says there's no way he'd be able to sneak a gun in, and we'd all basically get executed out of suspicion for collusion. We gotta fake out the security team and make him retreat to his bunker out of fear. After that, we can trap him. Dr. Kan finished with that upgrade a while back for central control's computer, so everything's in place for the lockdown. I have an idea.

Cait and James claim they know how to rig the shuttle's navigation software to be remote controlled via communications. The plan is to have the shuttle take off and crash into the distance, hopefully shaking the mansion. Murray will think it's an attack. His guards will probably go on full alert. It's gotta work.

April 16th:

We trapped them.

Cait and James are dead. The shuttle took off and crashed, just as planned, but James must have got caught. I watched on the security feed as he was dragged to the Minerva lab by guards. They shot him in front of Cait. She became enraged and charged at them. Two guards fired on her as she did, breaking a bunch of test samples of Minerva in the process. Bits of the samples went everywhere.

Murray wasn't fooled by the crash for very long, so Dr. Cameron stalled him inside the sanctum, claiming he saw Earth soldiers storming the halls above. Murray spooked. This bought a few more moments while I activated my hash cipher. I didn't warn Cameron, though. I had no choice - Murray had to be contained.

Dr. Cameron got stuck inside Murray's sanctum with a few of his assistants. It was quiet for a little while. I even heard some chatter. Shortly after that, though, I heard screaming and monstrous noises.

I thought Murray was dead, but then I heard him over the door's intercom, asking to be let out. It was like nothing had happened. I didn't answer the intercom.

I've shut the doors leading out of the basement for now. I can hear people screaming through the walls.

It's happening. I'm all alone.

**Purification**

 April 2nd:

Murray's been tuning Minerva to colder climates and environments with little to no oxygen. He says it's to cut down on oxidation damage and overclock the nanomachines without risk, but I don't understand why. Minerva's for living things, after all, and I sure as hell like breathing and being warm. He won't even let any of us touch the AI software anymore. The rest of us on the "Minerva" team are stuck with test sample reports with the occasional request to support the other research teams. My team knows what Minerva can do, and that thought he's changing it behind closed doors makes us uncomfortable. One day Minerva will be too difficult to contain.

April 8th:

We've been working to "battle" Minerva during off duty hours, or in between our tasks during the day. We discovered that if we broadcast interfering signals on the same frequencies that the nanomachines communicate with, we can dampen Minerva's rate of spread and evolution. It won't stop it, but it's something.

We've poked around the systems in the basement, and Dr. Cameron thinks we can modify the noisy mainframe there to monitor the situation with some modifications. He thinks, in time, we can use the mainframe to collect communication data in order to sabotage their replication and cause self-destruction.

April 16th:

I guess it's up to me now. The only way purification will occur is if I can manage to pull this together. I'm not so sure I can.

**Method of Purification**

 A loose pile of notes is sitting on the face of the console.

April 17th:

One of the last things Dr. Cameron warned me about was to not pull the switch until we were ready. Once activated, the purification system is supposed to activate a bunch of receivers and transmitters around MPO. This should collect the data we need to develop our countermeasure, but this process effectively functions as a signal booster. Cameron's very sure that this would speed up the spread of the Minerva throughout the colony. I can't even take a look at one of those things, and the thought of creating many hundreds more at the flick of a switch terrifies me.

It doesn't end there. I have to get these new oxygen filters and thermal regulators into the oxygen and thermal generators in contaminated districts. The current communication systems we've hooked up to collect data wouldn't be able to transmit the signal everywhere, so our solution is to hook up these special filters and regulators life support systems, using the connected piping and ventilation as antennae.

A few districts are unpowered at the moment. It looks like the reactor is losing power, which is concerning. That'll be an issue if I'm going to keep these transmitters powered at the same time. It would probably take around a day of simultaneous operation to allow a complete upload to all the filters and regulators.

Oh God... I thought I heard something. I hope none of them are waiting outside. I need to collect supplies if I'm going to do this. I'll need to head back up to the lab.

April 18th:

I couldn't make it out past the lab area. I'm sure they're all over the mansion by now. The most I could do was lock the doors. I'm also out of decontamination pills, and there's no way I can make it down the hall without getting torn into pieces. I can't become one of them. I keep praying that a rescue will show up, and I know throwing that switch would make rescue even more unlikely. I don't know what to do.

The reactor is still losing power, but I noticed something even more strange: central control is still uncontaminated, at least according to the software update I asked Dr. Kan to install. It's probably an error, but if it were truly uncontaminated, that means it wouldn't need a set of prototypes. You can't purify what isn't there. I'm not sure why I'm thinking about this. I'm not going to live long to figure it out.

A bunch of sectors lost power due to the reactor's condition. Even if I could get out of here, I'd have to repair the reactor before I could keep all the oxygen and thermal reactors powered while data is uploaded. I have no idea how to repair it, though. This plan may be dead in the water.

**The Plan**

 After I pulled the switch, I noticed another note on the ground near the side of the console. It must have fallen.

April 19th:

There's no way I'm making it out of here.

I made up for my mistakes. Murray and that freak are stuck until all the contaminated are cleared out of MPO. There's only an out-of-service shuttle left, and it only seems like a handful of people are still alive. I think it's safe to say Minerva's staying here. I can die with a little less guilt knowing that Murray and that woman are stuck here, at least for the time being.

I hope someone finds this mess and figures out how to fix our royal screw up. I mean, I sure as hell would be curious to know why MPO vanished overnight. This probably means you, buddy.

After you pull that switch, take the blueprint that deposits in the mainframe container on opposite side of the mainframe. Don't lose it. Follow the plan.

The last bit is separated from the rest of the text, but undated:

left notes on terminal by gate

goodluck

goodbye

**The Gate**

 Woah... It's the size of an airlock! There's a few sticky notes near what I'm guessing are the controls. The first note is near a throw switch. The writing is sort of sloppy and smeared, but it's legible.

*the gate won't get power unless the power console at central reports all contaminated and minerva samples*

The second note was near the first, near the "OFF" light. The writing is more sloppy.

*begin data collection via terminal and use equipment in Nilson to produce prototypes install in all auxiliary locations that have contamination*

Another note was stuck to the lower half of the previous one.

*ensure constant power to prototypes to allow upload to RAID 0 storage once finished, prototype transmitters will activate and transmit it will take time for this*

The last note is barely clinging, hanging on the right side of the console. There's some raised indentations on the note.

*they can control the others they can't get out with these roaming around it would end everything*

There was some writing on the back.

*please tell serafina and longin rascowicz that murdoch says he's sorry*

1. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/707448982191996961/707452049603952691/791848244807991316