Dire Carp Logbook Entry

//-- TRANSCRIPTION OF FIELD RECORDINGS, PVT. H. PHILIPS. STATUS: MARKED FOR REVIEW --//


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 1, 0800 --

Alright, I've just arrived at the coordinates Sarge requested for survey. Seems to be some ramshackle approximation of a fishing village. Bustling little collection of hovels, really. Bunch of Lemurians walking around the place. Some hauling things around, some chopping up their latest catch to feed the others. Lot of them down by the water, dragging in nets packed to the brim with fish. Whatever these things are doing to catch 'em, it's working.


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 2, 0239 --

What the hell was that? I was just catching some shuteye and heard something splashing down by the water. Not like, 'fish coming around to eat' splashing... Like, 'alligator drowning a gazelle' type splashing. Loud, violent. Took a look over the ridge and saw something dart out of the water and into one of the houses in the village.

...Whew. Probably just a Lemurian getting a bath or playing or something. Dunno why it'd be doing it in the dead of night, but that's not my problem. Going the hell back to bed.


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 2, 0418 --

That... That was no Lemurian. Got woken up by more of that damned splashing and I caught a better glimpse of what was getting out of the water. At a glance, it... it looked a bit like the Lemurians, but... it had the head of a fish. Same kinda' fish the Lemurians were netting in droves. Stood on two legs, walking around when it oughtta' been flopping helpless in the shallows... The thing looked like it knew the place. I swear it saw me. Swear I could see my reflection in those giant eyes...

Okay, uh. I'm... just gonna hope that was a nightmare and get whatever sleep I can before sun-up.


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 2, 1030 --

Jeez, I overslept... Alright, status report. Looks like the fishing ain't too good today. Nets coming up nearly empty. Lemurians scratching their heads, walking around all panicked, shooting glances at each other. One of 'em's walking up to the dock. Seems that it's in charge of all the rest of them, everyone looking at every move it makes. Just made some kinda gesture with its hand and everyone froze for a sec. Now everyone's walking away with their heads bowed, somber-like. Gonna have to keep observing to see what this is all about.


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 3, 2143 --

They've built a bonfire at the shoreline. Waves are coming in rough, kissing the bottom layer of wood. Chief Lemurian's been doing this dance for hours now, while the others load up more and more kindling. Guess this is some kinda ceremony to try and catch more fish? Hope it works for them, things seemed awful dour in town when the nets were coming up empty. Waves are getting real high now. Angry, churning. Chief's getting rocked to and fro, but he just keeps dancing. Looks like we've got one of the little'un's coming to light the bonfire, got a torch and everything. 'Mean, just guessing it's one of the kids, it's smaller than the others. It's...

No. Nononooo...

Please... why's the kid climbing in..?

//-- NO MICROPHONE PICKUP DETECTED. DURATION: 4m07s812ms --

I...

Signing off for the night.


//--  TIMECODE: DAY 3, 0800 --

Nets coming up full. Whole town seems overjoyed. Me? Smell of fish is making me sick to my stomach.


//-- TRANSCRIPTIONS COMPLETE. --//