Sincerely, Jennifer x

Personal Log – Grace Robinson – 16th April 2027

I missed my log yesterday, because I just didn’t know what to say. 

Something isn’t right here. I’m trying to figure it out but my head is a mess. 

I don’t know but I think I might be in trouble. I’m probably making it worse by recording this, but it will help me get it all straight in my head. 

It all started with the party. 

Doctor Judy had just got back from being outside. It was quite weird actually, she had been working on some data for hours, and then she suddenly got into her diving gear and headed out to the water without a word. 

As she left, Liv grabbed her arm and tried to stop her, but Doctor Judy just brushed her off and carried on. We all got on with our work, until she burst back in with a relieved sigh and a big smile, calling us all to the dining area for celebrations.

The dining area looked great, and we had lots of food and drinks ready for everyone but the mood didn’t really lift. Everyone was still half asleep and miserable. 

Liv seemed really down. I tried talking to her but she just wouldn’t respond. She stared daggers at Doctor Judy the whole night, so perhaps they’ve fallen out? 

Most of the food was alright, apart from this weird stew thing. It was a bit grim, truth be told. Really lumpy, very salty and far too spicy. I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but it was not Liv’s best work. Everyone seemed to hate it, apart from Doctor Judy, who was also the only one who seemed to be enjoying themselves. Well, Beatrice did as well, but then again, Beatrice is programmed to have a positive attitude at all times, bless her. 

At first, I thought it was that people were worried about Rick, which made no sense, because he was out of the medical bay. I didn’t want to pry, but I needed answers. 

I asked Doctor Shannon if she was enjoying the party and she burst into tears. She grabbed onto me, weeping and wailing, her whole body shaking as if grief had claimed each one of her bones. I couldn’t speak, staring back at her as she gripped my shoulders hard and howled. Doctor Judy leapt to her feet and pulled us apart, while Beatrice checked me over for any injuries. 

I was fine, obviously, but as Beatrice gave me the once over, Doctor Shannon’s eyes never left me. Doctor Judy was pulling her away, whispering into her ear, but Doctor Shannon kept me locked in her sights, spluttering a few, confusing words as she was pulled from the room. 

“He shouldn’t be dead! She’s a lying, selfish cow!”

I just asked if she was enjoying the party, so I’m not sure what triggered the outburst, but it was triggered and now I can’t stop thinking about it. 

Am I the lying, selfish cow? 

Or does she mean someone else? 

Maybe she really is unwell, like everyone is saying. It’s not good though, is it, an unwell doctor. The only medical doctor we technically have. 

Beatrice has taken over the medical bay while Doctor Shannon has a few days of bed rest, and while the current nursebot model is pretty good, it can’t quite replace a doctor just yet, so hopefully Doctor Shannon will be on the mend soon. 

The thing is… I don’t think she is unwell. I think she’s in a bad way, sure, but I don’t think it’s medical. I think she knows something. I think something is really wrong and she knows. It’s tearing her up. She tried to tell me but she couldn’t… 

What is it? 

And if I find out what it is, will I suddenly disappear for “bed rest” too? 

Listen, this will sound silly, but I still haven’t seen Rick since he was in medical. They said he was better, but he hasn’t been at any meal times. He wasn’t at the party. He hasn’t been in the common room, and I went to his quarters to check on him but it was empty. 

I don’t just mean that he wasn’t there, I mean that all of his things were gone. It was like he’d never been there. All his pictures of his husband and kids were gone, and all of his clothes. It was just empty. 

I thought I might ask Doctor Judy but every time I see her, she’s busy with something. 

Instead, I’m just thinking it all over now and driving myself mad. 

It is pretty weird, isn’t it? That rich people, who are notoriously stingy would fork over billions to build this place, with enough cash leftover to pay someone like me so much, all in the name of finding some ancient dinosaur shark thing. 

We haven’t seen a bloody thing since we’ve been down here, but there’s no pressure on us from our wealthy benefactors to make sure that they get their money’s worth… 

I don’t know. Pardon the pun, but something seems… fishy. 

I should go and help Liv with lunch though. Maybe everything will make more sense on a full stomach.