The Cardinal Directive: Mission Log #9

The return to Piket Rock

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>> ATTENTION: Another supervisor is attempting to make contact via this network. Answer? (Y/N) 
>> ... 
>> Confirmed. Rejected communication attempt 
>> Returning to Mission Log files 
>> ATTENTION: Supplementary file recovered 
>> ...Play before Mission Log #9? 
> Confirmed. Now playing RECOVERED SUPPLEMENTARY FILE:

The camera turns on to a view off the back of the lochsled, watching the zombie as it’s pulled along behind them. It’s stopped struggling now, much of its skin and clothes scraped off on the desert sand. If it has a face at all anymore is a fair question and one the camera cannot answer.

Hogtied and pulled along behind the sled, the zombie’s face isn’t within view. Still, its raspy groans can be heard every now and then, calling out into the darkness.

It’s not quite morning yet. The dust at the far horizon has started to turn red, but the sun itself won’t be around for some time.

The voice that comes is Solena’s.

“It’s still back there. Alive. As alive as it could be anyway.”

She swings the camera around, sitting down with her back to the rim of the sled and pointing the camera at herself. Dark bags mark the underside of her eyes. “…I don’t know how you slept through it. The noise, all night. Barely caught a wink myself. I’m not usually a light sleeper.”

Her eyes trace somewhere beyond the camera. “I wasn’t, at least. But the past few days have felt like years.”

There are some miscellaneous noises as she adjusts the camera. Oreo snores loudly in the background.

Her eyes refocus. “Anyway. You uh. You left your camera lying around. I’ve seen you watching back footage a few times — your previous Mission Logs. So… I’m hoping you find this recording eventually. Soon. But… maybe not too soon.”