I don't sleep. Or as Cliff once liked to put it, I refuse to sleep. Two things happen when I do so. Either I see her blossoming face within a cornfield, or I see her face with black wrinkled veins running up trying to cover her face. If I were lucky, I would have only one. No matter what the case they always end the same. Screaming, lights, blood, then drowning in my sweat-filled bed sheets.

I can already start feeling the sweat forming around my hands. The only other person that I can hear faintly up is someone punching a punching bag repeatedly. I don't need to know much about this family to know it must be Lavender. She's the only one here with a possible drive to do so. I bet she's imagining me as that bag while going on it like bullets firing from a gun.

Though I do wish she was a bit louder, so then maybe my mind can be annoyed by her to be distracted. Sadly, my mind starts canceling everything by pushing my worries to the forefront. It's official, I can't sleep. Can't blame me for not wanting to drown again within my head.

My mind might not want my eyes to close, but the rest of my body begs for it. The only thing good about waking up and starting this whole cycle over again is that when they open back up, it means another chance.

Another chance to make her dream come true, and another chance to make sure my Lana and many children like her can grow up in peace. Then it all pauses. If anyone's words can soothe my mind's nail-biting fear, it would be my Lincoln.

I finally pull his journal out of my jacket taking the time to feel and admire its glossy texture. I sigh once my fingers touch his letter. Opening it, I still can't believe this was something he would do.

Flipping rapidly shows pages of entries, notes of objects, and diagrams of discoveries I assume he made upon his journey. Lincoln wasn't kidding, this was his diary. I flip back to the beginning sections, figuring I would need to start near where his journey began.

May 1, 2038

This day would mark the 7th day of our campaign to drive those ghouls back from once they came. Each territory regained is progress being made. Yet unlike my three brothers in arms who fully believe in that notion, I still feel the same as if it all started yesterday. Thinking about it now, I never seem to forget that first day of The Great Terror.

It was hot, muddy, and chaotic. Nothing my father taught me prepared me for such an event. Of course, that's pretty much the way it was for all of us, wasn't it? All those years of reading books or seeing movies can't prepare your mind for all the blood and screaming, does it?

Frankly, I'm amazed that I've made it through the first day, never mind the last two months. Because incredibly, I and now my brothers Eddy, Miyamoto, and Eliberatory have emerged battle harden. Prepared to fight against whatever The Great Terror has in store for us next.

Lincoln even from the grave can still send shivers down my spine. I don't remember much of the first days of The Great Terror. Come to think of it, most of my past before then is a blur. Still reading the passage again, my head has the scene drawn upon the page in the most holding of details. I let it go even more vividly continuing further down the pages.

June 2, 2038

In the waning months of The Great Terror, most of the ground has been reclaimed from the clutches of the ghouls. That's when the idea of reformation for our democracy among the four sections of the valley started gaining fruit among the people.

However, Eliberatory insists that he takes full control of the rest of the operation, using the robot army of his likeness that has been vital to our success thus far to do so. No one opposed it. As his army seems to grow bigger and bigger each day, I'm left puzzled and warry. Even when they first showed those cold red eyes to us a few weeks ago. I couldn't get them out from the pores of my afterthought.

Everyone thought they were revolutionary. Everyone thought that those machines of crisp golden brown could be the key to ending this war. Everyone thought that these bots were Eliberatory greatest achievement. Elibertory is a brother to me. I should trust him and his machines. Yet, I'm one of the only ones who stops and wonders, if we really should. The way I see it, the more his army grows, eventually, his kind will surpass the rest of us. Then what?

While everyone celebrates, I believe I have to study him to what my eyes and body can allow. I have been watching him seize public affairs and admiration, I fear that if this keeps up, he'll make sure no one has a similar standing to him. I wish I didn't think like this but who knows, maybe that's what he intends it to be.

June 5, 2038

With now Eliberatory's army taking care of most of the fighting and reconstruction, the four governors assigned us, the Four Founders, the name that the public has so gracefully given us to uncover Covenant technology scattered across the valley.

Somehow even under our watch, objects with mysterious properties would end up missing. Even worse, people started going missing, from valuable figures of our regrown politics to the management of companies and industries. Sadly, the ones we do find were barely recognizable as their skin melted from their bodies leaving many skulls with little meat to spare. I dare not to relish such gruesome thoughts more than I had to find them each day.

I have a suspicion that not only Eliberatory is taking these objects and trinkets for himself, but he is also responsible in one way or another for these people's disappearances. I have found that these figures in some way or another have some coral to his political uprising, or at least the insistence of his robot army's expansion.

It can't be just a coincidence. The purpose of why he would do so is still unknown. However, everyone bats an eye except for me. Why would they? Why should I?

He's, my friend. My brother. He wouldn't murder. Not like this. However, I can't deny that he's readily becoming the new face of this democracy. No one would question him, and when I brought up these concerns, no one believed me except for Eddy. I can't let his red glaring eyes go past me so things can get out of hand. Something needs to be done. I just hope I have the strength to do it.

At this point, I'm shaking in my own skin. Out of excitement, fear? I can't tell. All I know is that I must keep reading on.

June 10, 2038

Today was the day to set things right. The day to finally rid ourselves of an old terror and a new one. Such a mindset that I would do anything to achieve. Only if I knew what it would really cost me.

On this day, we Founders were sent to recover Covenant artifacts from their St. John checkpoint at the eastern borders of Quadrant ll. Eliberatory believed it to be just a normal run that happened to hit the jackpot of research. What he didn't know, however, was that I and Eddy were prepared to confront him and end things once we arrived.

Keeping him in the dark at that point wasn't easy. Eliberatory becoming increasingly wary of my doings. Especially as I started storing raw carbonite to form a weapon. A blade of a black and silver crest. The only blade that could pierce through his raw carbonite shell.

After we arrived as expected a scuffle ensued. In the end, he was where I needed him to be. The blade was about to break through his heart until Miyamoto arrived sooner than expected. In his eyes at that very moment was fury and confusion as he saw me about to kill an unarmed brother who fought with us for so long. I can't even blame him for what happened next.

He rushes towards me digging his blade into my shoulder. Then damm it all. Eddy. Why didn't you run? Why didn't you hide? Not to my side, but away. Maybe then I wouldn't have seen the insides of your gurgling throat. I held you in my arms as Miyamoto yelled for my arrest. I should have died right next to you by Eliberatory's bots, only if my men didn't drag me away from your barren corpse.

The next thing I know is I awake to find my shoulder and chest stitched up, and what little men I had left telling me the events that transpired. Devastator as he now calls himself went to the governors about my actions and then presented my failed assassination attempt upon his life across the valley.

The people didn't take much longer to call for him to be put into power, so the governors did just that. I was a fool, and with that, his army spread themselves across the valley with an iron fist. My men only could stare at the desolate and disappointment that ran down my face. However, I needed to give them something, so I did.

'We're once soldiers, now will be known as fighters. I can't blame you if you won't want to fight alongside me, so you can leave now but whatever happens, I need to finish what I've started, to stop him tightening this valley with fists so cold. Who will join me and stay striding through the shadows?'

To my surprise, all of them stayed.

I didn't know that something could reach the peak of my spine so quickly. Lincoln has told the men in his unit the tale of this story, and he doesn't regret a thing. Maybe he in some ways doesn't but this story speaks a whole different Lincoln.

I wonder how much of Eddy's death he holds upon himself. I can't imagine it being any different than when I saw Cliff's bubbling throat that night. It still haunts me. I wished I had told him about that. I wish I had more time to tell him things like that.

My heart continues spelling out their names to me. Cliff, Joltxs, Buzzard, Silverback, Lun-, it can't finish out her name. They all believe differently than I do now, and that's why the signet warrior name can't be put upon my grave when I finally kick the bucket. None of them would have to fill a great founder's shadow. No one could replace Lincoln, definitely not me.

Those thoughts have me continuously slipping through more entries, notes, and diagrams. Until I stop at the final page.

April 14th, 2040

Maybe about 2 hours ago as of me writing this, I and a portion of my battalion 104th, have won a great battle over Devastator's forces. We have taken over the routes to much-needed supply runs for materials and resources.

Sadly, I would have to put my celebrations on hold for a moment as I, 76, and half of my men are making our way out towards the Solis Station near the boundaries of Quadrants ll and l. There, some will switch up with my commander and his squadron, Ragtags.

I wonder what they've been doing during the last few days to keep themselves busy. I bet the Ragtags have been complaining mostly, especially Hardcase who I know loves any chance to get to smash a bunch of bots. Then maybe Silverback is complaining about not having the nice bed he's gotten accustomed to. Maybe a bit too comfortable when Anabelle is around.

Joseph, on the other hand, I bet spent that time looking at himself with glass-like eyes. Always seeing him stare off into the sky or in a void of his own little world, I can always see a will reflecting a past, most likely a darker one that matches the color of his retinas.

Well...maybe not, but if that were the case, I can't judge. My time before the fighters was inky, to say the least. I have made countless mistakes; they all know that. However, whatever it may be when he's ready to talk about it. I'll be there to listen.

Because I not only owe Joseph my life but my internal gratitude for bringing my youngest sister back into my arms. I'm so proud of him, and I can tell he'll be the best out of all of us. He just needs to keep pushing and fighting forward. Then hopefully, start to see what everyone else can see instead of what he thinks.

Now there's a thought. After having 76 take over with the Ragtags, I'll ask Joseph to accompany me to grab the last missing piece for Lisa's project and who knows. This project Timelines Collide could be what Joseph needs to start seeing the truth within himself. Then afterward, will celebrate with drinks. That would be nice. Maybe I'll grab one when I get to Solis. Hope the Ragtags haven't gurgled them all up yet.

So, it wasn't just words, after all, Lincoln. Not words you would tell me to try and boost my spirits or for my own ego, but words you meant true deep down.

Damm it, Lincoln.

I try crying but nothing comes out as I press upon the page with my palm. I wish I could believe in me as you did, but after everything from my past to Solis, to... your death. I... I... have no words. Just actions as my back finally lays itself to rest on the couch.

With no pain from my burns or lashes, I close my eyes not before whispering a promise. I'll get the EMP devices, fix his sister's machine, and in my Lincoln's, dying words, save our valley. Now lies another promise I plan to keep. No matter the cost.