October 22, 2555.

  Kalax-501

  Mission Report UNSC Docket 13667.

  A faint and distant signal was obtained by one of the probes. It came from a desert planet identified as KALAX-501. It was a human made signal. SOS it called out frequently in 5 second intervals. Faint, but consistent.

  This was the location of an engagement between a star freighter vs a Thorg capital ship.

  I, Lieutenant Okoye, was sent with my company to investigate and possibly rescue whoever was stranded on that planet. I initially wondered why such signal was so distant and weak. Then my second in command, SGT. Miko Lee, explained it was due to how far out in the outer rim this planet was and how distant the engagement was for both star cruisers fighting. It was also noted as a hideout for space pirates. Though, they have long since been eradicated.

  We touched down on the dunes almost blinded by the glare from the white sands. We turned our helmets to log 4 polarization and trekked the 2 km to the sight. We saw two crashed ships about 10 yards apart from each other. One was a mostly intact Thorg star fighter of the Corilian model S4. The other was a UNSC Marine star fighter A-10 that was mostly damaged except for the body of the vehicle. String lights and blue crystals from the Thorg ship adorned both fighters.

  We carefully approached the crash site noting the signal came from the Thorg ship. It was PFC. Jensen who noted the rock mound and dog tags of a SGT. James Taro Williams. I set half the company to investigate around and set a perimeter. The other half was to help dig.

  We were proceeding to begin digging until a Thorg warrior stepped out of the Thorg ship wielding his blade. He was approximately 6'7". Captain rank based off his purple shoulder markings on his EXO-suit. He didn't say a word. He just stared.

  We drew our weapons on him and told him to drop the blade in his alien language. He then responded in perfect human English that surprised all of us (me included), "I won't fight."

  "You speak English," I asked stepping forward. "Explain!"

  He replied, "Yes... You heard the signal from the ship?"

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  "Yes we did. We assumed human. Not Thorg."

  "I see," he said sheathing his blade.

  He clicked a button on his neck and his helmet retracted back. He had a painful look in his thin eyes. He dropped to his knees and began to laugh hysterically.

  The company medic, Corpsman Rodriguez, told me, "He's been through a lot, sir. The medical scanner shows that he is malnourished. I suggest we show kindness. His kind value honor and conviction, sir."

  I agreed and ordered everyone to stand down and just look around. Rodriguez went to check on the Thorg's vitals. I asked two others to help out. The Thorg asked me, "What star date is it, lieutenant?"

  "Human years. It's 2555. October 22nd. How long have you been here?"

  "It's been 402 Sols. James died at 366 Sols," he said flatly. He then asked sincerely, "Is the war over?"

  "Yes. Been only one year. Both of our civilizations are working to mend the scar of the war in this galaxy."

  "Then it's been ten Earth years due to time dilation... HA," the Thorg replied laughing.

  His laughs soon turned to tears and cries of pain. I looked over at the mound and realized what had transpired. Both James and the Thorg learned to live with each other hoping for rescue. Only the Thorg remained. I was initially surprised at how long they two lasted on this desert planet. I got a detailed report from the Thorg's and James' log books about how they rationed and survived.

  Personally, I was impressed by their ingenuity and willingness to cooperate.

  We ordered an EVAC and salvage team to clean up the sight. The Thorg stood patiently in silence watching as the medical team dug up James and put him in the silver casket. The Thorg held unto a human book bag (Most likely SGT. Williams' book bag) containing a log book of letters from James and the Thorg's log book. In his other hand, was a picture of James, his wife, and newborn kid.

  I also knew that the Thorg had to have had multiple recordings leading up to the crash to his rescue on this planet. All Thorg's are thorough record keepers. The Thorg refused to leave the silver casket and insisted on riding in the same ship as it. He told me that there were a few hundred other images in his suit for record to download showing their survival. After that he said nothing and looked only at the silver casket.

  We obliged his request and once back on ship he cooperated with us still not saying a word. He held onto the book bag and picture like his life depended on it. I chose not to press him further. Everyone of my marines and I understood his plight.

  We needed to question him on circumstances and what befell James. This came down to Major Ren Komatsu from Intel to discover.

  End of Report.

  Lt. Christian Okoye. 12:32AM.