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[Starting Kovux personal log...]

So... it was the next day after AC's strange incident. It was getting to a point where I had to start giving such events names or details over the fact they were happening more often now. I knew I had to continue documenting these and try to figure out their pattern and reasoning. I needed to talk with him more, but at what cost? It seems any time I try to uncover anything, an event happens that simply cannot be predicted as to what will happen, until it's too late. But, I had a plan...

AC had called me over that morning, he was feeling much better and could get around just fine. After he checked out of the medical area, we walked outside to try to talk more about the vision he had last night, especially the part where we were going to die, apparently. Because... that's totally important to know about. Turns out he saw what he believed were the Ralkai completely wiping out the human species. I didn't like to hear this. I had wondered how genuine this vision was, if it meant we had to change plans or think of something else. Before I could give it more thought, he did mention later on that another vision came to him. This one made him feel... joyed, like a huge blanket of comfort just embraced him. But more importantly, it gave him hope. It was a catalyst to ensuring survival and even ascension.

So, what was this vision, exactly? Well... AC said he kept seeing a planet. It was enough so that he could easily identify it again if it was ever seen in person. He described it was like a key to everything, even himself. I was rather curious now and wondered if this planet truly did exist somewhere that we could go to. But, when all you have is a visual memory in a field of trillions of planets, we're not going on -that- fucked up of an easter egg hunt, I'm sorry.

AC assured me of something, though. He said after the vision, he looked out the window at the night sky and could see a star that seemed to separate itself from the rest. It felt right to him, like this was the place to go. I figured it was something, at least. I felt at this point, we needed to start exploring this possibility. Normally, such things as visions and what not are a little bizarre and crazy of a thing to pursue. But, after seeing the things AC has done in the past whenever he had an episode, I'm convinced this is likely not something to ignore.

What we needed was a plan. I figure we needed a ship and a crew to bring along on this expedition, but nothing too big. I figure at least four people would work. Obviously there would be AC and I. Now, we just needed at least two others. I had time to think about that, as right now I really needed to create a ship for us to use. To help save time, I decided to scrap my old ship and reuse some of the old parts from it, such as the warp drive, computer system, and so on. Really, a lot of the hardware in my present ship was good, I just needed to take that and make a bigger ship with it. Over the course of the next week, I was able to get the material and resources necessary to build a small starship that could hold up to ten people comfortably. I figure having a ship with more room than we needed would be good for possible future trips anyway.

I really do despise the Ralkai part of myself just from what they've done and what they are. But, at the same time, I was able to get this ship ready in a short period of time. I couldn't help but feel accomplished. I was feeling... useful... helpful, like I actually had purpose. That... that really made me feel in a way I don't think I ever have before.

After finishing the starship on the last night it took, I stopped a moment to go outside and look upon the stars myself. I crossed my arms and quietly looked up. Out there, was a feeling of hope, perhaps the same AC felt that night when he had that vision. Just then, something came over me. For the first time, there was a sense of responsibility I had. I felt so right, like I was actually doing good. I know I had helped these humans before with things, definitely giving them a leg up. But this night, this ship, this journey, I just... I started to cry... I felt like this was the defining point in ensuring they would be okay, that everything would be right for them, that their species would truly continue along its path of being something great. And to think, that a lot of it had to do with me. I felt like such a guardian over them, I had to make sure they would be okay. I couldn't fail them now...

As I gazed on with tears rolling down my face, I heard footsteps from behind. I quickly shook myself out of the moment, wiped my face, and peered behind to see who was coming. AC was slowly making his way to me with a smile. I couldn't help but return a smile myself. "What brings you out here?", I asked.

AC stopped just beside me and looked out at the night sky just as I had been a moment before. "The same as you, I would guess."

I looked back out into space myself as I gave a soft sigh, "Yeah... I'm just hoping this all works out."

AC looked over at me, "We all do, Kovux." He then peered over at my handy work in the shop nearby and grinned. "Did you manage to finish up? It looks like you did good from where I'm standing."

I grinned a bit and peered down slightly bashful from the comment, it was the first I heard the entire time working on the ship. "Ah... thanks. Yeah, it's... it's all finished. Just... need to get a crew together to travel with us."

AC looked back at the stars, "Yeah, I'm sure we'll work something out."

AC went on to mention more about the trip and his feelings about it. I came to realize he too was feeling a lot of what I was. It was expected, though. I mean, we're going to potentially change the game that has been laid out before us. For the longest time, this colony was nothing more than pawns. Now, I'm seeing that change. AC also mentioned that he couldn't explain why, but lately, whenever he looked out into the sky at night, he felt like a belonging, an overwhelming sense of it. It just felt like... home. At the same time though, it was exciting. This truly felt like a defining moment and I was honored to be part of it. I just hope it really was. We would know for sure in time.

The next morning, we began to put up notices of our intent to the colony, seeing who would be interested and who we felt would be valuable for this mission. We had a few folks come to us later that day to interview and see if they would be a good fit. They all seemed to work well, but then Emily, the colony's lead scientist came in with interest. She made a good point that we had no scientists with us, which would come in handy to help us work sensors and analyze things. She apparently had nothing else going on as her staff were busy with tasks for a time. We accepted her to our team.

Even though AC and I were good with weapons, we could always use more people that were capable, so we had to see if anyone could fill the role of a point man if we needed it. Just as we had mentioned it to think on, Scott, the colony's lead technician, came in overhearing us. "Hey, before you consider anyone, I might have a guy who would be perfect for your cause."

AC and I looked at each other with curiosity, then glanced back over at Scott. I then asked, "Yeah? Who would that be?".

Scott told us to come by the factory as it would be best to see in person. We then headed over right away.

[Start video log NEFactoryRm4-051191503.]

AC and Kovux are seen walking into a room where Scott is waiting. He turns to them as they come in, "Hey... thanks a lot for coming. I saw your notice about looking for people and realized the timing of this couldn't be better."

"How so?" AC asked.

"Well, you may recall I was working on a project of my own some time ago."

"Wait, is this that... bodyguard you were working on for me?"

Scott smiled a bit. "Yeah, I finally managed to get him in full operation. I finished him up a couple weeks ago. I've been spending this time doing tests and making tweaks to him. But... I hope he'll serve you well. I really think he'll make a good addition to your team."

AC looked about in wonder for a moment before looking back at Scott once more. "So... where is this thing, then?"

"Ah! Right... that would help to actually show you, wouldn't it? Follow me, please."

Scott walks to a nearby door and opens it, gesturing to follow as he goes through. The other two follow shortly after, walking down a hallway to another door that Scott enters a code for on a nearby panel. The panel makes a chirp and the door opens of its own accord by sliding open. Scott walks in first to a small looking lab with various computers, hardware, and tools of sorts. AC and Kovux follow in and gaze about the room. Their attention is immediately turned to a hunched over figure near the rear wall, watching as Scott walked towards it. "Gentlemen... I present to you, Klov."

As the other two come near they stop to look over and admire what appears to be an anthropomorphic panther. It must have stood a good six feet tall with an athletic-looking build. Thick black fur covered practically every inch of its body. Scott reaches over at the figure and appears to turn it on as shortly after, the creature raises its head, opening its yellow eyes, then looked around a bit before landing its gaze on AC and Kovux for a moment, then looking over at Scott. Klov appears to actually smile as his deep and soft voice speaks. "Scott Wyre. It is good to see you again." The panther gazed back over at AC and Kovux. "This must be the ones called AC and Kovux. A pleasure to meet you both."

AC and Kovux look at each other for confirmation, both seeming a bit impressed. They both look back on at Klov as AC addresses him. "A... pleasure to meet you as well... Klov?", he asked with a tad uncertainty. Despite hearing the name not long before, his mind was focused on what he was witnessing.

"That is correct." Klov replied. "I was created to assist you in any way I can. I have been given the role as your personal bodyguard, though I am certainly capable of helping others as the situation requires."

Scott turned to the pair and smiled, "Isn't he something? This has been my first AI project in a long time. I'm really happy how well he's come out."

"Well, damn." Kovux piped in at last as he folded his arms. "I have to say you did an impressive job there."

AC grinned at Scott with amusement, "I don't think I've ever seen you this happy before."

Scott smiled and shook his head a little, "Psh! All I needed was a hobby to keep my mind off things, I suppose." He then looked back at Klov in reflection. "I have to say, I was a little on edge when I first came out here. Well... I'm sure a lot of us were. But, having been out here and seeing things go this well, it's definitely given me a chance to let my guard down a bit."

Scott then turned to look at Kovux, "Hell, I even got used to your friend by now too, AC. I wasn't sure what to think of a... well... outsider like yourself, Kovux. But, I'm glad to see our first contact with an alien race was a good one. Really, we didn't necessarily expect to encounter any intelligent life out here. Just one of those things you can't be sure of until it happens, like most things when we first decided to leave Earth."

"A lot of things were riding on chance and uncertainty that day.", AC replied. "We didn't have much of a choice. So, in the end, what did we really have to lose?"

Scott idly nodded as he glanced down in thought. "Yeah... it was pretty much either stay and probably die from the big shit storm that was on the horizon, or roll the dice and hope lady luck was with us. Man, was she kind to us that day."

"Scott had told me much of your past circumstances.", Klov interjected. "It sounds unfortunate that your species had come to such means. But, I am glad that your group has made it this far."

AC smiled over at Klov, "You're an incredible piece of work. It's almost like I'm talking to an actual, real person. Only with... fur. Probably a heart of metal, too."

Kovux looked over at AC with a smirk, "Hey, now..."

AC looked back at Kovux with a bit unease, "Oh! Uhh...present company accepted, of course."

Kovux shook his head in amusement as he smiled. Klov then tilted his head over at AC, "Actually, I don't have a heart. It's completely unnecessary."

"Great," AC went on. "Now I have a freak show following me."

"A freak show I doubt many would want to mess with." Scott replied. "Well, he's all yours. You don't have to really care for him at all, he's good at taking care of himself. Part of him is actually organic, almost like Kovux in a way. Though, he is mostly android on the inside. Basically, flesh and fur covering a metal skeleton."

"So, almost like a feline Terminator?" inquired AC.

Scott then suddenly covered his face in abhorrence, "Oh boy... yeah, we'll go with that."

Kovux sighed, "Okay, before I lose any more of my non-existent soul..."

"So, will you bring him along then, AC?" Scott asked as he uncovered his face.

"Yeah, definitely." AC replied. "I'm interested to see how he does. Probably as much as you, even."

"Good. You'll have to let me know how he does. If you run into any issues with him, just let me know."

"Sure thing." AC looks over at the black creature, "Klov? Will you join us, then?"

Klov smiled and nodded as he stepped forward, "Of course. I look forward to serving and protecting you."

[End video log NEFactoryRm4-051191503.]

From there, that's when AC, Klov, Emily, and I embarked on our journey. In the next few days, we prepared and got ready. We said our goodbyes and gathered everything we needed.

It was time.

When the day came, we assembled on the ship, awaiting take off. I remember seeing AC and Emily take a good long look at their home before we launched. I guess I can't really relate, but I suppose I understood to some degree how they were likely feeling. Even though I tend to be a pretty competent guy, I had some worry about me. This was not like anything I have ever done. Lady luck played kind to these folks once before. I just hope she was willing to a second time. Only one way to find out...

The thrusters activated and we slowly took to the air. The ground slipped away from us and quickly flashed out of view as we accelerated into the cosmos. Looking back, New Earth became a lone vibrant orb in the middle of blackness. We were well on our way.

I plotted in the coordinates for the star AC had pointed out that night. Even now, it felt strange going off a gut feeling, but it's all we had. I wanted to believe AC was right and knew what he was doing. There was something special about him that I could never quite fully grasp.

As if knowing I was thinking about him, AC slowly walked his way over to the cockpit area where I was sitting. He asked how I was doing and asked if I could do him a favor. I said sure and asked what it was. He said, "I want to see Earth again. The old one, if that's possible." I remember looking up at him and seeing what I guessed was home sickness in his eyes. I figure it certainly could be since it practically was on the way, so I didn't see why not.

I told AC there's a good chance what he'll see would not be what he'd expect. When the humans first traveled out here, their form of far travel was not immune to the effects of time dilation. So, when they came to New Earth, time accelerated significantly. My ship, and this ship also, create a bubble of subspace that allows us to move around without that time dilation, so we won't have that problem. AC understood, he just wanted to see it again and see if there was any glimmer of hope that the humans there still prospered. So, off we went.

Moment later, we arrived at the Sol system. I began to fly out towards Earth and called AC and Emily to the cockpit so they could see. The two joined up near me and peered on as we closed in on the planet. I didn't see it at first, but as I drew close to the planet, I could feel this sense of dread. I gazed back at AC and Emily and saw that very look upon their faces. I glanced back ahead as my eyes took in the sight of their old planet. There it was, every mile was completely scorched over. The thought of any life still existing on the surface was definitely out of the question.

"Oh my god..." I remember Emily whispering out. She stood there in shock of the sight of what was nothing more than the husk of a place they once knew. I found it hard to find any way to make light of this situation. I just sat there looking on as I tried to even imagine what it could be like to lose a home like that. Though it took me a bit, I managed to say the only words I could think of. The only words I think any could really say in a moment like this, "I'm sorry..."

Emily began to burst out into tears as she held onto AC's side. AC himself was a little choked up as he did his best to comfort her. "I can't believe this..." he said. "We're all we have left."

It was then I realized that this mission was more important than ever. I don't know for sure how it was going to be yet, but I could just feel it deep in my being. Doing this felt even more right than I had imagined. I -had- to succeed, we all have to.

I was going to make sure of that.

[End Kovux personal log...]