Journal of Makael Mohindir, Research Scientist, West African University.
July 4th 2035
The skies above the holy throne were alight this ancient Independence Day with a different kind of firework. A strange astrological phenomena was seen in the skies from all around the glorious globe of Terra as a massive meteor broke through the skies and crashed into the deserts of Africa. Nearly missing a scientific research station, the meteorite seemed to bury itself hundreds of feet below the surface.
July 5th 2035
Zulu sector science team was dispatched to the impact crater of the meteorite, the only sign of which was pulled from satellite imagery of the planetary entry. Oddly enough the ground (composed of sand and loose rock) seemed almost undisturbed. The research team began setting up excavating equipment and began mapping the sight only a few hours ago.
July 6th 2035
Strange seismic activity has been observed at the site and work crews continue feverishly to dig and remove loose sand and earth. We must proceed with caution as the tremors could collapse the site if we are unwary. Personnel safety has been increased and shifts have been doubled.
July 7th 2035
Judging by impact calculations, we should reach the meteorite by the end of the day today. The work crew is apprehensive as the earthquakes have increased and several of the laborers that have been working in the “pit” are reporting strange symptoms ranging from hacking coughs to rashes. We even have a report of a fatality due to a scorpion sting. The victim in question has been moved to the medical bunker until the dig is complete. The fatality was later examined and found to have no symptoms of a scorpion sting. The wound itself seems to be secreting a strange puss and large cancerous scabs seem to be covering the body. The odd thing is, the hardening growth seems to spread, consuming the body even after death. The cadaver was placed under quarantine pending an investigation.
July 8th 2035
It is very strange but latest ultra sounds have indicated the meteorite is several meters below previously calculated depths… and moving. As if this had not upset workers enough, more cases of sickness seem to be passing through the labor camp. On a more unsettling note the body that was placed in the medical bunker has mysteriously vanished. I have sent word to the nearest barracks for a request for a security detail.
July 9th 2035
We finally cleared enough debris and earth away from the meteorite to expose it’s outer shell. Upon inspection, the meteorite is roughly 50 meters long and 20 meters broad. We’ll have to uncover it fully to gain a depth measurement. Whatever caused the meteorite to submerge itself continually has ceased. The tremors have also seem to have let up. That will make excavating a bit easier. Upon inspection, the meteorite seems to be covered in a strange shell like covering. It appears smooth to the touch and it’s jet black like a beetle’s shell. A core sample will be take tomorrow, as medical duty has taken up an increased portion of work time.
Unfortunately disease seems to be running rife throughout the labor camp. Several workers have come down with crippling fevers and at least 5 more fatalities have been counted. We still have not recovered the missing body but the security detail requested has arrived. It is a squad of 10 troopers led by a Sergeant Roland Kincaid. It seems he’s the brother of Barry Kincaid, the Sergeant that went into space with the Ragnarok Regiment.
July 10th 2035
It’s unbelievable! The meteorite is hollow! It’s as if it had a liquid center it began voiding upon impact. The surrounding rocks are covered in this strange mucous like substance. Uncovering the shell of the meteor has also led to another discovery. A strange network of tunnels beneath the impact site has been found. It’s unknown how deep they go but an expeditionary crew will assembled from the few healthy workers still remaining. We will use the remainder of the day to prepare while the guards arm themselves. It’s even more unsettling to find that more cadavers have disappeared from the medical tent. The guard has sent out regular patrols around the perimeter and turned up no signs of our laborers.
July 11th 2035
The tunnel mapping goes well but there seems to be no preset pattern to their structure. They weren’t carved by waterways or geological formation. Any creature on Terra has also been ruled out, citing the size of the tunnel diameter as being far too large. We continued on through the winding maze of tunnel work, actually finding a few articles of clothing from the missing cadavers. Could some creature such as a lion gotten into the dig and dragged the bodies into the cave network. The guard unit will go ahead of us to ensure security. We later found a strange antechamber covered in the chitin like substance that composed the meteor. We need to come back with more equipment before we can investigate the chamber further.
July 12th 2035
It’s horrible! The entrance to the dig site erupted at dawn this morning, pouring out strange creatures. They looked like a combination of a beetle and a slug, secreting the mucous like substance. They possessed the jaws of a leech or lamprey and somehow had the means to propel themselves through the air, leaping at the laborers en masse and devouring several of them almost instantly. In the horror of it all, half the guard unit was cut down, overwhelmed and devoured by the hideous creatures. Worse yet, the missing workers were found among them, walking as if alive again. They were covered in the chitin shell and they had enough communication ability to scream at the science crew as they assaulted us. They wielded clubs and makeshift weaponry and moved as if in a zombie like trance. The remnants of the guard managed to take us to the Madagascar military facility where we were placed under immediate quarantine.
July 13th 2035
The facility has lost communication to several of the outlying cities around the dig site. There almost seems to be a blackout zone where no radar or scan signal can penetrate. We can only assume that the presence of the creatures hinders signal relaying somehow. The African council under the Emperor of Terra is in total confusion at the outbreak and they’ve done all they could to mobilize a military strike.
July 14th 2035
Nothing seems to be working. Anything electronic jams and the creatures have proven themselves resilient to small arms fire and explosive shrapnel. It seems plasma has a powerful effect on them but such weapons are in short supply. It seems the entire continental force of Africa has been overrun just under 24 hours. The creatures move through underground tunnels and they’ve seemed changed and adapted to our topography. The creatures have evolved long pincer like arms that help them move quickly and tear through metal and earth with ease. They also have a viscous hunger and a malign intelligence that seems to form a pack mentality. The army of zombies always seems to wash over an area first. Slow and expendable. It’s only a matter of time before we are overrun.
July 15th 2035
In answer to this invasion, terrorists all over holy Terra are storming forward and causing upheaval. Major Russian military installations are being overtaken by the supposedly disbanded Iron Guard. What’s more, a masked figure claiming to be the deceased Alexi Barkov has taken responsibility for the group! Even the holy throne of Terra has come under siege. The Emperor’s office was attacked by a terrorist named Narek Devoos. Citing betrayal from a puppet government, the terrorist stormed the palace and captured the royal family. His armor unit made short work of the military guard dispatched to liberate the palace. He apparently disconnected the emperor from his power source and moved his base of operations to the heights of the Statue of Liberty, taking the power core with him. The maniac has effectively frozen the United States Continent cold as the invasion spreads.
July 16th
Is this the end to the empire already? Have we united behind a single banner just to be swallowed up by a superior predator? Humanity has gone underground , too stubborn to turn belly up and die. The land in the creature’s wake has been reduced to waste and there seems nothing but doom on the horizon. There’s little reason to continue this journey. May the Emperor’s spirit look down upon us with sympathy.
Ziruas Community Member 
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