Sol-Date 2217-10-06

It's been over two years since Horus has been allowed to make public journal entries. It may surprise you to know that I am not him. My name is Petrikov, but most people call me Peter. He was forced into an early retirement with very good benefits. He asked me to continue this for him. To any of you wondering what's going on in our galaxy, you must be living under a rock, but I'll explain anyway, from when Horus came to the 405th.

We've lost several planets to the infected. The military has had to burn the surfaces with a new weapon they developed specifically for it. It leaves the surface of the planet with a glossy sheen from the high heat of the plasma that reigns down from orbit.

We've had incredible losses, both military and civilian.

A few months after Horus was ordered to stop with the posts, he was assigned to the 405th infantry. That's how we initially met. They assigned an old man close to retirement to become a grunt. I'm guessing it was a punishment, but it didn't last long. He chose to retire after six months. His joints couldn't handle it like they would have 30 years ago. Like I said, forced out.

Our division was assigned to the ground forces at Rin. There was an outbreak of the infection that originated from a funeral of some kind. A well respected individual, I think a politician. Either way it doesn't matter. Several hundred people were in attendance at the eulogy, and they were all considered patient 0 for the planet. We managed to contain it for a time, but after a month or so the planet was designated with a cleansing order. That was the first time I saw it in action. The PUrGE: Plasma and Uranium Ground Effuser. It sounds a lot better as the Purge. Whoever came up with the name was reaching for straws when they were thinking of what to use for the 'E'.

Anyway, Rin fell. Most of you should have heard the news on that. It wasn't all bad, though. I got a field promotion and became a leiutenant. The officer pay is nice, but the politics are maddening. Luckily I don't have to deal with it too much. I'm in charge of a small contingentt of soldiers. We're assigned missions now and then, but we're not spec-ops by any means, if that's what you're thinking. We number 20, not counting myself.

After Rin fell, there were two other planets lost to the infection before we were able to get a cure and stop the spread. It took us a year and a half. We were involved on the ground at each one. Most of what we did was cleanse the infection from those already taken and put down those that we weren't able to save. It fucked us up pretty bad, mentally. Most of us are good with it. We've either dealth with it or shoved it to the deepest parts of our minds. I'm a bit worried about Sgt Luca, though. He's never quite been the same.

If you're wondering why I'm able to post all of this, it's kind of a complicated situation. I can talk about what has been released to the press already, but if I bring up anything kept in the dark I'll get taken down damn near immediately. Top brass is watching this like a hawk to make sure Horus doesn't start talking again. Luckily, with my new rank, I learned that I have special...privelages? Might be the right word, but not sure.

We're supposed to be getting a new assignement soon. Probably some infected that hadn't gotten the cure in time. Planet called Rhodes, named after something from Earth. Not sure if I remember what, history class was a long time ago. It's pretty far away from where the infections popped up, though, but anything is possible I suppose. I'll be getting more information later in the week.

Horus always signed off on his posts. Seems a bit archaic to me, but maybe I'll come around, who knows.