Day 6: This planet is quiet. While surveying a sprawling, dying forest, I came across a number of ruined structures among the treetops. There were still a few rotting, crumbling bridges spanning the spaces between the branches. Everything is brittle to the touch. Though I occasionally see animal life, it moves listlessly, picking at under-ripe fruit and dry leaves. The whole planet seems to be dying.

Day 10: I finally found a life form that is thriving here. There is a vast canyon, with sides so steep I had no choice but to spend two days assembling a hoversled from the ship’s stores just to investigate. Deep at the bottom of this canyon, I found a variety of glowing fungus that seems to be living off the rotting vegetation around it. I estimate that in a few decades it may consume–and then itself become–the entire planetary ecology.

I am eager to leave this place before the fungus claims me as well.