Opening his small booklet to a bookmarked page, James took great care in how he began with his story. He decided to tell it from the beginning, as most fit in any case.
"There were attacks we knew about, Nomad activity rising in Delta. I was trying to study Azurite A6 and its properties, as you all may know... My ship was in no condition to fight, and my spirit was right there with it... I've grown weary of battle, and only find peace in knowledge, so that was my focus. Ish'tar appeared a few times for my observation, all times without any hostilities. She has never treated me with such..."
His book appeared to have notes and drawings, all with rushed writing all around. Footnotes, side-notes, and nearly anywhere they could fit. It would come to great surprise to those listening that such a powerful being would act with such peaceful intent.
"An aberration appeared before me, a woman emitting a soft violet color from her eyes and mouth. She spoke, but I could not hear her at first... but then I declared that I would listen under one condition: That I would maintain my humanity and free will. That is when I could hear her, as she gave me a choice... To find knowledge and to know the truth in the light, or to find peace in darkness, with the end of life. Then she took grasp of my head, I could almost feel her, and as she spoke once more, I fell deep in slumber..."
The Doctor paused a moment, taking a small sip of water, then sliding his booklet to the next person, revealing an in-depth portrayal of what he saw once his consciousness faded. The first few pages show a woman in a sea of white, but the following pages are darkened, with only light accents making out any picture. Page after page was filled with what seemed to be fights. None of the text was coherent with the exception of a clear script reading, "Feel no fear." As he continues his statements, his cybernetic eyes cease to glow, and James' voice becomes rather emotional and pain-filled.
"I was tested... Against all of my memories. I have been to hell, survived it, and that... Being... sent me back once more... People I loved and trusted spoke lies into my ears... Hoping I would abandon what I stood for. My resolve would not waver. I chose the path of peace in these memories, sparing all of the lives I could... and after all this, in this... vision... I was forced to sacrifice the life of my mother, proving I would not trade my path for another... The woman reappeared to me, and smiled, disappearing soon after."
Dr. Erzie seemed completely engulfed in his statements, rambling on at this point, but trying to concentrate on the reason for telling the story. Taking yet another drink, his eyes reignited. As he spoke, his tone intensified, clearly showing the anger behind his words.
"I was tested yet again by the warriors in that... void... I hid in the darkness, just trying to keep calm... Then I saw another being. Clearly strong and adept in combat, he spotted me... attacked me. His initial blow so fast and powerful I had no time to respond. He struck me, clearly aiming to wound and maim than to kill. I began to think, trying to... predict what he would do so I could prepare... I could practically hear his thoughts as whispers, making his next strikes easy to avoid. I hid once more in the shadows, but the shadows were his ally, not mine... I tried to tend to my wound, extreme pain coursed through my veins as if the blade was coated with a potent toxin... I thought I was in a good spot to recover, which is when I heard him once more... He came from the shadows with a mighty blow, his intentions unclear. I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything, so I decided to stand my ground and accept fate. As his blade came inches from my chest, it was quickly stopped, being withdrawn at the last moment. He looked at me, straight in the eyes, seeing what was left. He saluted and departed. It was then that I was forced out from the nightmare... I... then was in a darkness, nothing, I could barely think, and I couldn't feel anything... nothing but the pain in my arm..."
With the last few words, James revealed a gauze underneath his garments on his left arm, clearly sustaining physical manifestations of his vision. He grit his teeth as he peeled the cloth away to reveal a cut that looked scorched, with web-like formations of blackened blood spreading outward from the wound. Letting out his breath as he relaxed, the gauze fell to the floor. His eyes were no longer glowing, and seemed to gaze a thousand miles away, his head hanging low.
"Beyond what has been my visions, I have no other insight on this "Ish'tar." Kelly and Kole would certainly have more insight on the events that took place during my stasis, to which I am still recovering..."
After a small silence, Dr. Erzie looked up at everyone, wondering who would break the silence, then relaxed into his chair, his cane leaning close by. When everyone had viewed his journal, it returned back to him, only the later half being revealed. James removed the bookmark, placing it into a pocket, closing the book, squaring it against the edge of the table once more.