Old Mistakes

Mission Year 09.

Researchers at Ivory Tower have made our first significant research breakthrough since Planetfall. While this data on Planetary Networks unlocks many potential areas of intriguing research, a dark cloud hangs over me. Infiltrators report that, despite the brilliance and dedication of my research scientists, another faction is rumored to have completed the landmark “First breakthrough since Planetfall” a full year ahead of my department! This is most disturbing news... what mind on Planet could possibly compete with my own? That dabbler in algorithms, Aki Luttinen? Preposterous! There is no intellect on this world comparable to mine! Unless...

No. It could not be... it cannot be...

Personal Note: instruct the research and development teams assigned to synthetic vodka production to accelerate their timetables. I must steady my nerves, and the last bottle of vodka produced on Earth was the one I shared with Raymond back on the Unity. I must remain precise. Purity of focus. If I have made errors in the past, I will now correct them... by whatever means necessary.

—Academician Prokhor Zakharov, Personal Log, Encryption Level Delta-XV.