Date: May 1st, 2132
Day 148 - Third Rotation
I know I shouldn't write this here. This is my official personal journal. This gets sent to HQ for audit. But I need to document what happened and I don't know where else to put it.
I can't keep this in my head alone.
I couldn't sleep last night. Another insomnia episode. Lay in bed until 0330 staring at the ceiling. The thumping rhythm in my head. 47 seconds. Over and over.
I got up. Walked out of my quarters. Didn't know where I was going until I was already there.
The vault.
Patient G-0217 was still standing in front of the door. Eight hours. Nine hours. However long it's been since yesterday morning. Just standing there.
I don't know why I did it.
I walked up to him. Stood next to him. Looked at the vault door.
"Jonah," I said. "Jonah from Dublin, right?"
No response. Just staring at the door.
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I pulled out my ID lanyard. Held it up so he could see it.
"I've got clearance," I said. "This can open the door. You want to look inside?"
He nodded. Once. Single deliberate nod.
I was creeped out but I swiped the card anyway. The door unlocked. Opened.
Jonah walked straight inside. Didn't hesitate. Didn't look around.
He went directly to the storage unit. The one that came up from Earth with the cargo shipment. The one we used for temporary containment before the main unit was built.
He opened it. Climbed inside. Lay down.
And then he started speaking.
Not the repetitive phrases. Not "awakening" over and over. Different words. Full sentences. Still Aramaic but faster, more complex.
I ran.
Straight to Mr. Tuah's quarters. Woke him up. Dragged him to the vault.
We stood outside the storage unit. Jonah lying inside it. Eyes closed. Speaking continuously in ancient Aramaic.
Tuah listened. His face went pale.
He translated for me.
"I am Azrael, and I demand my vessel."
"I am Azrael and you will kneel to me."
"The heavens will notice that their creation abducted one of their protectors."
And then the last one. The one that made my blood freeze.
"Every one of you will pay."
I don't know what I've done.
I don't know what Jonah has become.
I don't know what's in that cargo container out there with Patel and the crew.
But I know I'm terrified.
[Entry ends]

