​25 February 2023

Following the recent attack on my computer, I have resolved to commit the progress of our research to writing. Whether these notes are consulted by myself in the course of preparing reports, or should this notebook come into the possession of another researcher, I extend my best wishes for perseverance and clarity of thought. Both will be required. I am not ordinarily inclined to keep a diary, yet I have found it to be an unexpectedly valuable instrument. Accordingly, and in the manner of Zara, I shall endeavour to record the principal developments and turning points in our work. I have never considered myself an accomplished writer, so I must ask the indulgence of the reader, whether that reader be another scholar or merely my future self.
The third day of quarantine yielded our first genuine breakthrough. I was, I confess, initially sceptical about imposing an information embargo and severing all contact with the outside world, yet the discipline of uninterrupted concentration, free from extraneous influences, has produced results. We have ceased diverting effort towards preventing the leakage of information – even concerning our own safety – and have instead devoted ourselves entirely to the research. Before I proceed with the details, I should record the current state of the group.

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We have been joined by two scientists, Dr Dorie Bright and Dr Robert Ponny. Unburdened by the long months of our earlier efforts, they are in good health and high spirits. Both have set to work with admirable vigour, applying themselves to the scientific aspect of the two prints that have, until now, been largely overlooked.
Major Tobias Jackson is faring the worst under quarantine. His nerves are plainly frayed, and the absence of regular duties and activities has awakened in him an inconsolable boredom. He has, by his own admission, counted the laboratory’s test tubes on at least ten occasions and appears now to be acquainting himself with the rudiments of spectral analysis, if only to keep from going mad. Physically, he seems well enough, though like all of us, he experiences spells of listlessness and fatigue. At first, I attributed this to the cumulative exhaustion we all share. I cannot recall when we last had any real holiday, but the truth, I suspect, is more complex. I shall return to this in a moment.
Lieutenant Brianna Corse has assumed the role of organiser, a task she embraces with quiet efficiency. She, too, enjoys good health and maintains a generally cheerful disposition, though she has mentioned the recurrence of migraines. When not assisting with measurements, she can usually be found immersed in novels.
I am experiencing increasing bouts of fatigue, more frequent episodes of blurred vision, and persistent headaches. It has been but three days since our confinement began, yet I already feel a keen longing for fresh air.
Zara, however, concerns me above all others. I am no longer certain she is sleeping at all. She is entirely consumed by her notes and translations. While her archival preparations and database organisation are of incalculable value to our work, I fear her endurance is close to breaking. On more than one occasion, I have thought I heard her conversing with someone, yet no one else was in the room. My earlier suspicion, that something was draining her vitality, has now been confirmed. The Book of Adam does not merely transmit, it also draws inwards. I cannot explain the phenomenon with the technical precision of Bobby or Dorie, but I am convinced the book possesses a conscious agency, and that it has chosen to feed upon the resources most readily available, ourselves. We are all affected to some degree, but Zara most of all.

Following this discovery last night, Bobby constructed a containment box designed to prevent further energy depletion. It will take time before our strength is fully restored, but we are at least moving in the right direction. He has also begun administering some form of intravenous restorative. I have refrained from inquiring into its exact composition. Many thoughts arise from this situation, but one persists above all others: could the book itself be the entity with which Zara has been conversing?
Yesterday’s revelation was not the only one. This morning’s analysis results suggest that the signal we have been detecting is not merely communicative in nature, but locational. We concentrated our efforts on tracing its origin, and only a short while ago, made another significant discovery. The signal appears fragmented into three distinct vectors. The strongest directs us towards a precise location deep within the Amazon jungle. The second projects into space; Bobby is presently analysing its frequency to determine the likely point of return. The third, the weakest, is scattered and fragmenting somewhere within the Middle East. We suspect, once again, a connection to the Garden of Gethsemane, though our previous investigation of that site proved fruitless. For now, we have deferred that line of inquiry in favour of pursuing the more definitive leads.

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Given the increasing security risks, we have decided not to share the full details of these developments with our employer. Nonetheless, I have created a secure backup of our findings, which has been dispatched to authorised recipients should I fail to make my regular reports. Our superiors have, of course, a general notion of our activities here, but for the moment, we have chosen to withhold certain particulars.
Our security and tactical unit, composed of Jackson and Bree, has commenced the organisation and planning of the expedition. I have complete confidence in their capabilities; I have conducted such preparations myself on many occasions, yet they undoubtedly possess more extensive field experience than the rest of us. As I understand it, both have served deployments in South America, and thus, the challenges of the climate and the region will be no novelty to them. I trust we will be in capable hands, though I must admit a measure of unease at the growing pile of requisition forms for weapons and supplies requiring my signature. This reminds me — I must still complete the T3589 form.

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Bobby has decided to accompany us, convinced that his measurements will prove indispensable. Dorie will remain as our liaison with headquarters. Our planned departure is in two days’ time, contingent upon final preparations and the completion of the current analyses. The provisional itinerary dictates that we shall fly to a small mining colony town, approximately one hundred and twenty-five miles from the target location, beyond which lies an expanse of virtually impenetrable jungle. That is the nearest point to which we can reasonably travel by conventional means. From there, part of the journey will be undertaken by jeep, followed by mules, or other suitable beasts of burden, for the heavier loads. We shall need to identify a suitable clearing from which a helicopter may drop our remaining supplies and equipment. This will serve as our base camp, which we intend to establish as near to our objective as practicable. All further travel from this point will necessarily be on foot. I had hoped we might use a helicopter to reach the location, but I was informed that none were available and that we must place ourselves on a waiting list for budget reallocation. Sometimes I forget that the Organisation still functions like a corporation.
There is an air of apprehension among the team regarding the journey ahead. Jackson has assured me he will procure several additional personnel from the security division. The Organisation’s reach is considerable, yet drug cartels are not to be underestimated. Even so, I am confident we shall manage. I will conclude this entry here and endeavour to document the forthcoming stages of our expedition. For now, my immediate task is to collect the results of the final analyses and pack.

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Addendum:
The second signal line has been confirmed to comprise both locational and communicative elements, transmitted into the far reaches of space. Someone, it appears, has answered the call...

 

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28 February 2023

After an exhausting journey aboard an uncomfortable military aircraft, we at last reached the periphery of the Amazon rainforest. The sheer profusion of green is breathtaking, yet, from the air, one cannot help but notice the systematic scarring of the landscape, swathes of the rainforest burnt and levelled to accommodate industry and the illicit commerce of drug cartels. It is as though the lungs of the Earth have developed a cancer.
The thrill of the expedition is tempered by persistent unease regarding the signal, which so unambiguously identifies our planet’s coordinates. Nevertheless, Zara and I have succeeded in translating further sections of the text, which suggest that the Other Side was never solely a geographical location. We are now persuaded that it is, in fact, a portal to another world, and that Christian mythology’s more enigmatic figures may, in truth, be accounts of that world’s denizens. Their present disposition towards Earth remains unknown; for now, we shall commence a professional survey before determining our next course of action.
As to the condition of the party, aside from the inevitable effects of jet lag, our health has improved. Zara is regaining her colour and her appetite in equal measure. The Book of Adam and its companion volume remain under rigorous security, removed from their container only for essential study. Bobby has devised a form of signal jammer, mounted upon the smaller volume, to prevent the crystal from transmitting further.
I was obliged to provide the benefactor of our expedition with a full account of our activities and the results of our analyses. To my surprise, his only query was whether we required additional resources. The helicopter budget, however, remains depleted. I am uncertain whether the Organisation fully comprehends the magnitude of our discovery, and suspect this mission is propelled by motives of a more personal nature, yet such considerations remain peripheral to our work.

Four soldiers have been assigned to reinforce our original group of five. From their bearing and economy of speech, I would surmise they are drawn from a special forces unit. Since our arrival, they have been almost entirely occupied with either patrolling, resting, or assisting with the preparation of our equipment.
At first light tomorrow, we shall depart in jeeps for a farm some 25 miles distant, where our mules will be loaded with provisions and gear. Three members of the security contingent will remain in town with the helicopter crew to safeguard the remainder of our supplies. In the days following, we will advance on foot through the terrain towards a small outcrop, the nearest point to our objective. It is the sole location where the helicopter can deliver the rest of our equipment, albeit without the possibility of landing. Every crate will have to be dropped from above, along with our three guards. It will be a delicate operation, but satellite imagery indicates the existence of a small clearing where the dense canopy parts just enough to allow it. If we are able to make it larger. 
Here, we shall establish our base camp, from which we will begin the search for the true prize — the portal to the Other Side.

 

​5 March 2023

The journey to base camp took longer than anticipated, though it remained uneventful. March is usually the driest month in this region, and the conditions have so far been tolerable. The heat and humidity are paralysing at times, yet still manageable. We are all driven by a clear and unwavering sense of purpose. No serious injuries or critical threats have arisen so far. The local fauna and flora pose their expected challenges, but through strict adherence to our safety measures, we continue to progress towards our objective.
Early in the journey, we encountered a patrol belonging to the local drug lord. In truth, they were little more than boys, far too young to be carrying firearms. Jackson bribed them with a small token, and it became apparent that they feared him more than their employer. They insisted that there was nothing of value or interest in the direction of our route and therefore believed their employer would take no interest in us.
It seemed they briefly considered the possibility of holding us for ransom. However, the mention of the Organisation and its ongoing support for the region, particularly for local small and medium-sized "businesses", persuaded them otherwise. I believe they recognised the Organisation’s logo from the humanitarian aid crates that are regularly delivered to them, and they were not willing to risk the loss of such a connection. Smart boys.

It is equally possible that they understood they would not get far if they acted against us. Jackson dispatched Arian, one of our security team, to follow them discreetly and to resolve the matter if necessary. We only learned of this decision when Arian returned and reported, with characteristic brevity, that everything was in order.
We have transmitted our coordinates to the helicopter and are now waiting for its arrival. In the meantime, we are pitching tents and preparing our equipment for the next stage. I think I can hear the low, steady sound of rotor blades approaching.

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Addendum:
The helicopter brought news from home. I had feared something like this. Our signal has been received.
We are attempting to gather more details, but the information from the helicopter crew was incomplete and already several days old. None of us fully understands the situation, and perhaps we do not wish to. We have arranged a call with Dorie for the morning.
We now have all our equipment and our full complement assembled. The helicopter will deliver supplies as required. The atmosphere in camp is subdued and tense. I doubt anyone will sleep tonight, as all are waiting for Dorie’s call.
The events in question took place several days ago, but our journey made communication impossible until now. Upon arrival, we erected the communications tower, yet the hour was too late to contact home. We must wait.

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Appendix II, Morning of 6 March 2023:
They arrived.

 

14 March 2023

In the wake of the initial shock occasioned by the new information, we elected to take a day’s respite to process its implications. I attach herein a transcript of the message received from home.
The weather has begun to turn; intermittent rainfall now interrupts our routine, compelling us to take additional measures to protect the equipment. We are, however, adequately prepared. Every other day, we set out in a different direction, attempting to triangulate our target, for the signal we have is imprecise and covers a range of approximately fifteen square miles. I am attaching a record of the surveys conducted, including GPS coordinates and the results obtained.

By all reasonable measures, we have been fortunate. Thus far, we have avoided any serious illness or injury. There have been the inevitable minor afflictions - fevers, stomach ailments, sprains, abrasions, but nothing more severe. Bobby administered some form of prophylactic compound prior to our departure and continues to provide us with various supplements. The regimen appears to be effective.

During this taxing journey, we had the opportunity to meet the newest members of our little office family. First, two brothers from Kosovo, Valmir and Arian Krasniqi, who joined the army when they were barely fifteen, during the height of the conflict in their homeland. Valmir, the elder, is a man of measured words and guarded demeanour. Yet behind this reserve lies a formidable capacity for strategic thought and meticulous planning. Of all our companions, he remains to me the greatest enigma.
Arian, in contrast, is an open book. Affable, quick to offer assistance, and never shy of conversation. He flirts shamelessly with Bree, whose reaction suggests the attention is not unwelcome. His speed and agility make him an excellent scout, though I suspect his jocular manner conceals a mind of no small intelligence. Both brothers share a conspicuous vulnerability: their profound loyalty to one another. Arian cleaves to his elder brother with evident devotion, and Valmir, for all his composure, returns that bond in full measure. I cannot help but wonder, in the abstract, whether such an attachment might one day cost us dearly.
Also joining our ranks was Ethan Umber, an old acquaintance of Jackson from his previous unit. Though relatively young, he is deliberate in both thought and action, displaying a keen eye for detail. He has taken it upon himself to act as a sort of morale officer, imposing exercise routines which Bobby endures with notable reluctance. Yet these diversions are not unwelcome in the monotony of camp life. On the day of their arrival, he contrived to stretch a rope between two trees and organise a game of beach volleyball in the rain. How he came by the ball remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the exercise served its purpose: it jolted us from a state of shock and despondency.

The last of the reinforcements was Ravi Dhar. At first sight, his powerful, almost predatory presence was disquieting, bringing to mind a panther poised to strike. Formerly a paratrooper in the Indian Special Forces, he turned to private contracts for the financial stability they offered, opportunities far more plentiful here than in government service. I had mistakenly assumed, based on these facts, that he came from India. However, his origins remain a mystery, and he describes himself as being a bit from everywhere. Jackson has described him as the most dangerous man he knows, particularly in close combat, and Ravi’s physical condition is unmatched among us. Yet for all this, he possesses a surprising gentleness. In the evenings, he takes his small ukulele and sings to us, his voice transporting the camp to a calmer, almost otherworldly place.
Two local men from the farm have also accompanied us. Their English is limited, and they tend to keep to themselves, tending to the animals. Yet they occasionally join our expeditions from base camp and show a polite curiosity towards our maps and instruments. In the evenings, they will often sit at the edge of the firelight, listening intently to Ravi’s songs.

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From the perspective of security, Jackson commands the expedition, with Bree as his deputy. I have observed that Valmir would perhaps prefer this role to fall to him rather than to Bree, but this inclination has thus far produced no overt conflict. I’ve noticed that Ravi doesn’t care for it much either, and the looks he gives her when issuing orders can be somewhat intimidating, yet Brianna remains unwavering, and no one has challenged her authority so far.

Our search has not yet borne fruit. We continue to press on, though the task resembles the proverbial search for a needle in a stack of needles. We remain uncertain of the precise nature of the object we seek. Zara’s most recent translation of the text prompted her to consult an old manuscript by her great-grandfather, in which she believes she has found a possible connection. It now appears that we are searching for a temple, though one unlike any we have encountered before.

 

20 March 2023

There is little of note to record. The atmosphere in camp remains heavy, though Zara’s condition has improved markedly. I confess that, at the outset, I feared this mission might claim her life; she appeared so frail that I half expected her to collapse before we even began. Fortune, at least in this regard, has favoured us.
We continue to make forays from the camp whenever the weather permits, yet no tangible results have been achieved. Should we remain empty-handed after another month, we will be compelled to withdraw and reconsider our approach to locating the site.

 

30 March 2023

We resolved to summon a helicopter and attempt aerial archaeology. While we do have satellite images of the best quality, nothing compares to experience and seeing it ourselves. It required nearly two days to reach us, and for the past forty-eight hours, it has been circling the area. The crew have identified four sites of potential interest within our vicinity, though each lies in terrain of considerable difficulty. The helicopter will continue its survey tomorrow before returning to base.
We enquired after news from home, though such information is scarce in this remote corner of the world. Our ongoing signal difficulties further limit communication with headquarters. We have been told that matters have settled somewhat following the initial alarm, though preparations continue in earnest. The alien vessels, however, remain inert.

 

2 April 2023

We have lost all contact with headquarters. The satellite link is down, and no other communication channels remain open. We cannot even summon the helicopter. The effect has been unsettling; a sense of unease hangs over the camp. When Bobby wasn’t working, he would explore the world around him in the hope of discovering a new species he could name after himself, though even he was no longer brimming with optimism. There are no more ukulele songs in the evenings.
Before the connection failed, the helicopter had identified a further three locations worthy of investigation. We shall attempt to reach them and continue our work. Dark thoughts have begun to take root, yet it seems we have little choice but to press on. If there is indeed a Creator on the Other Side, and our world stands in peril, who else is there to aid us?

 

4 April 2023

We have sighted alien vessels. For the present, they remain at a considerable distance, yet their appearances are becoming increasingly frequent. Our investigations continue, though they have yielded no tangible results. Communication with headquarters remains severed, and the satellite link has yet to be restored.

 

 

 

10 April 2023

Ethan intercepted a Mayday call on an old field radio. It was from the crew of our helicopter — they were going down.
The investigation continues without result. No communication has been re-established.

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13 April 2023

Since last night, we have been hearing them extremely close. Almost as if they are already flying directly over our heads.  We have decided, collectively, not to reveal our location. Ordinarily, this is protocol against public authorities or competitors, but this situation is different. We were forced to extinguish all fires, put out the lights, and secure the tents. The communications tower was taken down; it had proven useless. We try not to move, not to reveal ourselves. The tactical tents provide some cover, but who knows what their eyes, or whatever equipment they possess, can perceive? 
The rain is the only thing that eases my nerves. Though it may conceal enormous danger, it seems to hide us. The tension is unbearable. We do not know who they are or what they want, friend or foe. Fear is pervasive. We hear them constantly, day and night. We dare not even risk bringing Adam out. They are close again; it sounds as though they are right above us. I think

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The page ends abruptly, the story torn in two, in a forgotten notebook lying somewhere in a jungle that perhaps no one will ever set foot in again.