THE HODMANDOD EFFECT
EPILOGUE

Log Entrant Identifier: Lt. Austin Rooney, Security Chief

Project: Ajax Strata Prime Human Development Mission

Date: Unknown

Log Entry: Last

It has been approximately two months since the previous entry. The final battle between two Earth factions has been fought and won by the Federal States’ Guard. The Sub-Saharan League forces have been defeated on Ajax Strata Prime, but it was a hollow victory. A.S.P. has been confirmed as uninhabitable by the human species. This confirmation comes after intense

and thorough investigation, study and analysis concerning the atmosphere, environment, and the plant and animal life that has evolved here.

Equipment losses were total. The mother ship for our mission, the Astraeus was destroyed while in orbit around Ajax Strata Prime. The lander, named Elpis, was destroyed in combat by Captain Robert Brubaker in the commission of saving Federal States’ personnel lives. During the engagement of the Elpis with the enemy, all Federal States assets were lost. This loss includes the automated robotic assistants, BOB-1 and BOB-2.

The Sub-Saharan League forces were almost totally annihilated. Head count of armed combatants stands at 29. Material destroyed by Federal States forces stands at one interstellar vessel, four planetary land rovers, several personnel housings, and various and sundry weapons and ordnance. May it be noted the Sub-Saharan League soldiers fought with distinction and bravery and should be commended for the selfless sacrifice to their cause.

During the course of this mission, the Federal States casualties were high. Commendations go to Captain Robert Brubaker, Corporal Les Dustin, Ensign Nestor Riggs, Ensign Benjamin Johnson, Zoology Specialist Courtney Vickers, Laboratory Specialist Geraldo Flores, Medical Officer Stephanie Trotter, Botanical Specialist Julio Martinez, General Biologist Gregory Manheim and Mission Psychologist Herman Stocker. All of whom gave their lives performing their duties for the success of the mission.

The surviving core of the Federal States team has been joined by the Sub-Saharan League flight crew and their medical officer. Let it be noted they are not considered prisoners, but are a valuable and voluntary addition in the quest to continue the human species.

It was further discovered a specific species, named Hyacom, was physically detrimental to the health and survival of the crew. The animals dispersed parasites that were deadly to all humans and to a great number of indigenous species on the planet. The Federal States medical doctor sacrificed her time and ultimately her life in the pursuit of replaceing a treatment that would save the crew. If there were any civilization left on Earth, I would recommend she receive the highest decoration available for citizen valor and going above and beyond the call of duty.

Doctor Trotter’s treatment for the Hodmandod Parasites was found to be effective. Once the treatment was administered by Doctor Linda Connoway, all personnel were parasite free after 96 hours. There were no ill effects from the germanium infusion. It took several weeks for the Federal Guard security team to recover from their combat injuries, but I can now report that we are once again fully operational.

Commander Rogers has been promoted to captain, and has assumed command over the League flight crew. Commander Fisk has assumed the lieutenant commander role on the vessel.

It has been decided the team will now search for another possible planet for colonization. Our next target is Gamma Leporis. We leave today on this new adventure. It will take several years to arrive there, but the technology of the League vessel is far superior to that which brought our Federal States personnel to Beta Comae Berenices. With luck and a good wind at our backs, we should survive to explore another world. Perhaps, this time, it will be the one we are looking for.

Delmar Richardson was discovered to be a Sub-Saharan spy who worked diligently to destroy the Federal States team and was executed with extreme prejudice. Further, Doctor Adam Davis was discovered to be in league with Delmar Richardson. He was captured by the Federal Guard security team and detained until the only surviving interstellar ship was prepared for lift- off. At that time, Doctor Adam Davis was expelled from the vessel and marooned on Ajax Strata Prime. May God have mercy on his soul.

Without proper authorization from Command, I hereby declare the Federal States and the Sub-Saharan League nations as dissolved. From this point forward, the human species is one and unified in purpose by a firm commitment to peace and ultimate survival to the continuation of the species. I, Lieutenant Austin Rooney and Sergeant Roderick Stone will maintain the honor, dignity and commitment to Guard ways and practices. We will ensure the survival of our citizen comrades to the end of our lives, if necessary. For those who would do our charges harm we say; come and get some.

Signed:

Lieutenant Austin Rooney

Soldier for the Protection of the Human Race

THE END