Alone in space

The Verdant Starship log_721:
Earth was destroyed years ago, it's been almost a decade now. In that time, me and my crew have been travelling through space, looking for planets to inhabit. We have over a thousand years worth of rations, the Verdant is a massive ship, one that can hold a huge number of exactly 101 people. However, only 31 of us ever got onboard back in 2025. Now that it is 2034, there are only 27 of us left. Four of us died, one or two committed suicide because life in space is hopeless [once you get over how beautiful the stars in space are]. Jamie was lost in space, after taking an expedition outside our ship to repair the antenna [which we believed was crucial in making contact with other human starships] his cable snapped under in some freak accident, when a collection of comet sped right past him, they knocked the poor man off balance completely, sending him spinning wildly into the darkness of space, never to been seen or heard of again. We couldn't risk reaching out to save him, our numbers were already running thin. That happened roughly six or eight years ago, back when we still hoped we weren't alone in space. Unfortunately it seems Jamie's sacrifice was completely in vain, despite fixing the antenna, we received no contact with other humans whatsoever, not even echoes from the long distant past, it was just static and sometimes we convinced ourselves there were voices, but deep down we knew that was wishful thinking and our imaginations trying to cheer us up, I suppose. The fourth member of the Verdant crew died recently, he was my brother, Zack Hayter, the only reason I kept going to be honest. Zack was my older sibling, by 3 years exactly. By the time we both reached our 30's the 3 year difference didn't matter too much, but especially as kids, he was always my older mentor. We went to the same schools together, he introduced me to the older kids back then, it was so cool having friends a lot bigger and wiser than my peers. Me and Zack were far closer than best friends or even lovers, we may have been even closer than most brothers. Because me and him always played the same video games together, we attended the same music concerts, festivals and events. We did everything together, even shared the same girlfriends, some might call that a bit creepy, but we did. Zack ended his own life, just like Francis and Rebecca did, all because he saw no hope or future for humanity. "We're all fucked, brother." He said, "Forever isolated and lost in a dark vacuum of never ending stars, not a single one of them inhabitable. We're already dead." I tried to stop him, beg him to keep on going, to keep living, but he said I should join him, that maybe there was an afterlife. One better than this. I had done almost everything with Zack, but killing myself was the one and only thing I couldn't do. Not even for my own flesh and blood brother. He overdosed on sleeping pills, ending his life somewhat peacefully, falling asleep and then never waking up. I only hope he had one last final, sweet dream. Maybe of heaven or perhaps of earth.

The Verdant Starship log_722:
Life! On another planet. Finally after over a decade, we've finally found some form of civilization. I had to update the log, to my surprise nobody else has added to it since my brother died, only our pilot cared to keep flying through space, too busy to add his own thoughts to the database. His seemingly hopeless work found salvation, I only wish Zack was still alive to see it. Oh brother, you'd have been so happy. I cried so hard last night, tears of joy and loss. Joy because we finally found life and loss because I wanted to share this moment with him. Upon hearing the news, we all thought John Mason [our pilot] was pulling a fucked up joke on us, "I FOUND LIFE!" He rushed into the dining hall, "WE'RE NOT ALONE!" none of us believed it, it was unbelievable. Like a wild dream, one where you become rich and famous overnight and all your debts are suddenly erased. Like the type of dream that could only happen within your own mind, a fantasy that could never be fulfilled. Yet here John was, crying his fucking eyes out, screaming it to the roof of the starship, "WE FINALLY MADE CONTACT!" all of our jaws dropped, some of us even fainted, just like in all those old movies. My heart beat wildly, I could feel it dancing like a raver within my own chest. "Re- re- really?" I stuttered. "Yes, Jack!" John wiped the tears from his eyes, smiling brightly, eyes pink from crying. "I found a signal." He said, one calling out for help on a fat distant, remote planet. They need our help..."
"Then you better set course!" General Stan West grinned, standing to his feet and saluting John. Stan had dropped the whole leader persona years ago, accepting defeat like the rest of us, he hadn't acted like he was an Army guy in all that time, none of us did, but seeing him return to his old ways was oddly comforting, amusing and it inspired hope. "Right away, General!" John saluted back, pulling the biggest smile I've ever seen. We all raced into the cockpit of the Verdant, there was barely enough room to fit all 27 of us, but somehow we managed. "S.O.S." the voice on the radio said. We all gasped upon hearing it, this was the first voice any of us had heard [except for our own of course] in all this time. It sounded like a woman, but that was almost impossible to decipher under all that distortion and static. "We need... Help..." [static] "-ight no-" [static] "god... Hel- us-" [static]. Trying to listen was somewhat frustrating, the signal was absolutely horrendous and her voice was merely a whisper among the stars and loud disruption over the radio. "I've tracked down the signal " John said over the radio, switching it off, "it is coming from a distant pink planet-" "Pink?!" Sarah laughed over John. "We all know that's your favourite colour." He grinned, "set sail, soldier." Stan nodded, smiling hugely. "Absolutely, sir." Saluted John, "the planet is only a week's journey ahead of us." None of us could believe it, in one week's time, we'll be making new human contact. It's a dream come true. I wish you were here, Zack.

The Verdant Starship Log_758:
Wow! Since my last update, everyone has added new messages and diary entries to the database, in case you're wondering who's writing this entry, it's me, Jack Hayter, the one whose brother, Zack, died last year. Tomorrow, we finally land upon the pink planet we've nicknamed "Sara" since it is her favourite colour we all decided to name it after her during a vote over a few pints of beer and some party games. The other names we had in mind for the planet were, New Earth [which I thought was lame], Cola, Marvel and Halo, some even suggested we simply call it "Pink". Sara won by a landslide and seeing Sarah's face light up like that was so wholesome, not one of us were disappointed that the other names were scrapped. Funny thing is, the planet "Sara" likely already has a name, the other survivors there will tell us. That's if there are any left to tell their tale. I sure do hope there are, it must be an interesting story to hear.

The Verdant Starship Log_761:
We made contact today and what a glorious meeting it was, the survivors upon this pink planet we called Sara [they call it Replica, as it has a similar atmosphere to earth with purple trees and pink grass, it sounds like a fairytale, but the sky here is always black as space and the sun is merely a tiny star among many from this incredible distance]. Jacob was the first of us to breathe in Replica's air, as the survivors already on this planet don't wear space suits. General Stan West was furious with him, suspecting that our crew may not be accustomed to this atmosphere, when Jacob grinned, upon removing his helmet, he said the air here tasted like fresh fruit, sweet like strawberries or cherries. We can smell Replica through our helmets, this place smells like candy. Stan only got more cautious and furious, suggesting the tasty air may have unknown effects, that perhaps the people here aren't what they seem. He reminded everyone that the only reason we found this planet was because of a distress beacon. They were calling for help, but upon reaching here; they're all happy and peaceful as hippies high on psychedelics. Both him and John found that incredibly odd and suspicious. Seven others in our crew ignored Stan's protests however, removing their helmets to inhale the fresh, delicious air. "It's good you know!" Says Daniel, one of the men in our crew. Throughout our first visit, the people we met here were all smiling and seemingly unblinking. "We're all so very, very happy to see you all. Welcome! Welcome! To our sweet, sweet home of Replica." They all danced and cheered, some even sang. The women here twirled in beautiful dresses of light blue and yellow, there were children playing in the tall grass. The temperature here must be below freezing, yet the people seem to act like it's always sunny and never dark or as eerie as it actually appears. Maybe there is something off about Replica, maybe there isn't. We could all just be paranoid and antisocial. Yet I don't remember anyone back on earth acting so joyously, maybe everyday Friday night at the old pub or nightclub, perhaps at a birthday or new year's party, but never 24/7, not like these strange people, all dressed the same, men in white smart suits and women in pretty dresses. It all seems so perfect, too perfect. I'm keeping my helmet on, just as Stan suggested. I'm happy to report that my closest friends Sarah, John and Michael are also taking his advice. No matter how much the people of Replica try to convince us to take our helmets off, we're not going to take the chance. Part of me wants to accept the happy air and live in lala land though. It seems nice. Perhaps even peaceful.

The Verdant Starship Log_766:
We're leaving! Things took a turn for the worst this evening [I presume it was evening, as it's impossible to tell the time in space, but the following took place hours before our sleep time]. The happy people of Replica invited us to what they called 'the celebration of minds and bodies' if that did not sound strange enough, we soon came to witness a sight more horrific than anything written in any horror or science fiction book. The so-called festival took place inside what appeared to be an arena made of purple wood and green metal, with a red, giant, starship sized rug across the middle, bottom floor of the arena. Upon the stairs and seats, hundreds of not thousands, including our own crew [those who removed their helmets and breathed in the sweet air] began to strip completely naked and wander down into the centre of the arena and started making out with each other, they began fucking like rabbits, all moaning orgasmic pleasure. The sight was disturbing, although even I had to admit some of the women in this population wide orgy were undeniably beautiful and sexy. Dare I say the men weren't ugly pigs either. Part of me, deep inside, this wild animal I suppose, wanted to remove my helmet, astronaut suit and breathe in the sweet air before joining in on the pleasantries. "Don't be tempted!" Stan warned the remaining twenty of us who had not removed our gear. As the orgy continued, more and more citizens of Replica joined in until naked human bodies began to pile and pile on top of each other like pink ants. Their skins began to glow too, pulsating red, purple and [of course] pink, flashing like strobe lights. The orgasmic moans turned into screams of pure joy and sexual delight; "oh yes!" They all moaned in unison, "fucking yes, oh god! Oh god! Fucking yes! Yes! We are all one!" We could even hear the voices of Daniel and Jacob from our crew; "join us!" They cried out, "become one with us, the same entity, all of us different leaves on the same, big, beautiful glorious tree of love and peace!" Suddenly this sex fest did not seem so appealing, it began to look grotesque and vile. Even from the top floor of the arena, we could see the people of Replica begin to sweat, getting wet and boiling hot, we could feel the heat through our thick white space suits. It was a wonder they didn't burn or... Melt, because that's exactly what happened next, the ever growing pile of human bodies began to merge together, looking like melted cheese, sticking and slimy; they all soon lost what made them human as their mouths and eyes joined together into some bizarre yet horrifying blanket of human skin. It ballooned like a bubble or pimple that was about to burst and everyone inside all yelled; "love together, altogether, forever!" It was terror. I found myself struck frozen in fear, petrified and unable to move, still as a statue. "JACK!" a voice boomed beside me, "JACK, WE HAVE TO GO!" I didn't know who was speaking until Stan pulled me away from the grotesque scene down below, which had formed into some fucked up, gigantic oval cocoon or egg. "LET'S GO!" He shouted, his voice somehow loud and clear even from under his helmet. His throat must have been in agony from the amount of screaming and shouting he was doing. The general was overcome with frantic terror, eyes bulging in complete disbelief and intense stress, like reliving the hardest battles of earth time wars. I hadn't seen him like this, never in the last ten years that I knew him. Come to think of it, none of us were even soldiers, we were simply lucky survivors who caught the last train leaving earth as the Martians destroyed it. We were just lucky Stan just so happened to be a military man. I looked at the other 18 of us left, we were all dumbfounded and shivering in fright, deer stuck in the headlights of a speeding truck, in this instance; it was a strange alien creature made out of a million humans. I dared to look back at the abomination, the strange oval was cracking open, revealing some unexplainable, twisted beast beneath. I almost puked in my helmet. "I know it's monstrous Jack, but that thing, whatever it is... " He shook his head, a loss for words, "we got to leave this place!" He hugged me. "Ok!" I nodded, "but what about the others?!" I shook Sarah, but she was just as lost as I was, dumbfounded by the horror. "We'll have to drag them out!" Stan barked impatiently, pulling and shoving the others away from the scene. The dinosaur sized demon roared; "JOIN US!" it had the screaming voices of all those who joined it. The thing appeared inside out, red and bleeding profusely, made of human bones and strung out gore, I could not possibly explain the shape of it to you, the form had a hundred arms and legs, all of broken shape, twisted in haphazard ways that seemed utterly random and bizarre. An uncoordinated mess of disgusting flesh, pulsing and beating, an eye sore to behold. It assaulted our senses, burnt our eyes, disturbed our minds, we could not comprehend it! "BECOME US!" It raised its limbs to attacks, that's when most of us snapped out of it, including Sarah and John, spinning and running through the arena's exit behind us alongside Stan. I wanted to go back and save Michael and the remaining six who were far too afraid to escape with us. Stan pulled me back though, "it's too late for them!" He cried, as the sight of a red limb came crashing down through the exit we just escaped from, as it pulled up, we saw those who were left behind stuck and glued to its arm. "It's great, Jack!" The upper body of Micheal reached out to us [his lower half was consumed into the monster] they all said we should surrender and join them. I didn't want to, becoming that thing seemed a fate far, far worse than any death imaginable, no matter what my old comrades exclaimed. We ran down the stairs on the exterior of the arena, racing to get back down to that hideous pink ground of planet Replica. As we fled from the arena, the red, unexplainable beast crashed through the arena walls, "WE ARE HAPPY!" it barked madly. We didn't care, I'd rather be scared and miserable! Fortunately our starship wasn't too far away. We ran and ran, running out of breath, running far past what our bodies were comfortable with. Yet our minds ignored what our biology wanted. By the time we reached the ship, most of us crashed down onto the metal floor within the interior. John and Stan had to pull themselves further into the cockpit. I could hear Stan barking orders at him breathlessly; "start... The fucking ship! Do it- do it... Now!" Soon the floor below us began to rumble and violently vibrate, the ship hovered then sped off at million miles per hour into the sky and past that into the galaxy above, escaping Replica and that hideous monster. We've never been more glad to be alone in space.