Today was my first official day working as a GENSEC officer at Site-66. The place is bigger than I expected. They started me off with the usual orientation, handed me a Level 1 keycard, and basically told me to learn the layout without getting lost. Easier said than done. Every hallway looks the same, every door has a different clearance level, and every few minutes there's another checkpoint reminding me that I don't have access to half the facility.

One of the first things I noticed was the D-Class personnel. I've dealt with bad people before, but seeing dozens of them behind the big reinforced glass and the doors kept opening every min. The way they acted—shouting, arguing, pacing around, trying to get attention—reminded me more of caged animals than people. Maybe that's harsh, but it's the first thought that came to mind. Some looked scared, some looked angry, and a few looked like they were just waiting for an opportunity to make someone's day worse. Either way, I'm not letting my guard down around them.

When I wasn't shadowing another officer, I spent some time walking around the parts of the facility my clearance actually allowed me to enter. Entry Zone wasn't bad. Clean, quiet, and honestly a lot more normal than I expected from a secret underground facility. I stopped by the cafeteria and decided to try the food. Surprisingly... it wasn't terrible. Definitely better than I expected from a place that houses monsters and dangerous prisoners. If there's one thing the Foundation gets right, it's making decent food.

The only thing that's already getting on my nerves is these checkpoint doors. Every time I want to go somewhere that requires a higher clearance, I have to stand there waiting for someone else to badge me through. It makes me feel like a kid asking permission every five minutes. Hopefully I earn a higher-level keycard sooner rather than later, because I can already tell that's going to get old fast.

Overall, I'd say my first day went well. Nobody tried to kill me, no containment breaches happened during my shift, and everyone I've met has been professional enough. Site-66 is definitely going to take some getting used to, but I think I can make a place for myself here. For now, I'm calling it a night. Tomorrow's another day.

Well... today escalated a lot faster than I expected.

The day started off normally with another patrol around Entry Zone and the security checkpoints. I was still stuck with my Level 1 keycard, so I spent a good portion of the morning asking other security personnel to open doors for me. Still annoying. I was hoping my first promotion would come with a better keycard, but apparently not. The good news is I was promoted to Private First Class today. It isn't a huge jump, but it's proof that somebody noticed the work I've been putting in.

The promotion didn't stay on my mind for long. Sometime during my shift, Speakers started echoing through the site. Everyone around me immediately started moving with purpose while someone shouted, "Code White!" I had no idea what that meant until another officer quickly explained that it meant the site was under attack by the Chaos Insurgency. I still don't really know who they are other than the fact that they're people you definitely don't want showing up at your front door. Before I could ask any more questions, rounds were already flying through the hallways.

I actually got shot at today. Not just by the Chaos Insurgents, but by a few D-Class personnel who somehow got their hands on weapons during all the confusion. I'll admit it—I was scared. Anyone who says they wouldn't be is lying. My heart was pounding the entire time, but I kept my head down, stayed behind cover, and only moved when I had to. Training kicked in when panic wanted to take over. Somehow, I made it through without getting hit. We managed to push the attackers back and secure the facility. I guess that's just part of being a Foundation employee. If today taught me anything, it's that every shift could be your last if you're not paying attention.

After everything settled down, I decided I needed to get out of the site for a little while. I walked into the nearby town and stopped at a local bar owned by a group called the Chicago Spirits. The place had a good atmosphere but I also saw the people who were just shooting at me and hour ago there, luckily they can't shoot and capture me in town so that is a win, I ordered their spicy crispy chicken wings. Honestly, they were some of the best wings I've ever had. The people running the place all wore matching outfits that reminded me of formal bank robbers—sharp suits, clean style, and enough attitude to make it work. It was a strange comparison, but somehow it fit. After the day I'd had, good food and a quiet evening were exactly what I needed.

Overall, today was a reminder that this job is a lot more dangerous than it looked during orientation. I survived my first Code White, earned my first promotion, and learned that not every day at Site-66 is going to be routine. Hopefully tomorrow is a little quieter... but somehow, I doubt it.

Short Journal Segment today

some demon attacked the Site and possesed 2 different people. An IA detective, and the NFT Captian. crazy day but I have a big day tomorrow

Some days around here don't feel like the Foundation at all.

No breaches. No alarms. No one screaming in comms because they woke something up they shouldn't have. Just another shift behind concrete walls and fluorescent lights that never seem to turn off.

I can't decide if those are the good days or the worst ones.

When everything gets quiet, my mind starts wandering.

It wandered to Brook today.

I don't let myself think about her much anymore. Hurts too damn much. But every once in a while something catches me off guard. Today it was a stupid song in my headphones playing in my Airpods. Couldn't even tell you the name of it. Just reminded me of summer evenings back home.

Made me think about Copper.

Our little beagle.

Brook took him when we split. I don't blame her. Truth is, Copper probably deserved the quieter life. He always did like sleeping on mama's porch more than riding around with me anyway.

I'll write about him another day.

Not today.

Today's memories aren't meant for that.

Instead, I decided I was gonna cook.

near LCZ , So after shift I threw some ribs on the Stove.

Spent half the afternoon seasoning them with whatever I could find in the kitchen. Nothing fancy. Salt, pepper, garlic, brown sugar... little bit of barbecue sauce I found hiding in the back of the fridge that somehow wasn't expired.

The smell carried through half the break room.

Didn't take long before people started wandering in asking what I was cooking.

Even some of the D-class poked their heads through the door, looking confused like they'd never smelled real food before.

For a little while...

Site-66 almost felt normal.

People laughed.

Nobody talked about anomalies.

Nobody talked about casualties.

Nobody talked about tomorrow.

after I was done eating I started thinking about Brook once everyone did there own thing

Didn't stop me from wondering whether she's happy now.

Whether Copper still waits by the front door whenever a truck drives past.

Whether she ever thinks about me.

Probably shouldn't.

Maybe it's better if she doesn't.

I hope she's got the peace I never could give her.

As for me. Tomorrow it'll be back to concrete walls, badge checks, and pretending this place doesn't slowly wear pieces off your soul. But tonight wasn't so bad. The ribs came out damn near perfect. And for a few hours Site-66 almost felt like home.

Today should've been a day I was proud of.

I was promoted to Sergeant recently. people congratulated me and said Great work. I smiled, thanked them, and wore the new rank with pride. I've worked hard since arriving at Site-66. I've survived CI raids, containment incidents, and more close calls than I'd like to count. I figured getting promoted meant people finally trusted my judgment. I thought maybe I'd have a little more responsibility... maybe even a little more respect.

I was wrong.

The more I think about it, the more I realize nobody actually listens to what I have to say. Every time I try to speak during a briefing or suggest something, someone talks over me before I can finish. Sometimes it isn't intentional, but after it happens enough times, you stop believing your words matter. I've started catching myself halfway through a sentence before just giving up because I already know someone else is going to interrupt. It's a strange feeling—having a higher rank on your chest but still feeling invisible.

Today's work crew only proved my point.

I spoke up before we brought the D-Class out. I reminded XO Hades that several of those same prisoners had opened fire on me and    SGT Alexiy Propolov not long ago. I said they shouldn't be getting another work crew until we knew they could be trusted to follow orders. I wasn't saying it because I hated them. I said it because I didn't want anyone getting hurt.

Nobody listened.

They brushed it off like I was wrong.

Not even Two minutes later, those same D-Class decided to start shooting at us.

I barely had time to react before rounds and knifes were coming our way. they managed to get everyone else behind cover and return fire until the situation was under control, but the whole time I kept thinking the same thing:

"I told them this would happen."

And the worst part?

After everything settled down, nobody even acknowledged it.

No one came over and said, "You were right."

No one admitted they should've listened.

The conversation just moved on like it never happened.

I don't expect people to agree with every decision I make. Hell, I know I'm going to be wrong sometimes. But when the things I'm warning people about keep happening, and nobody even considers what I have to say... it starts to wear on you.

I don't want recognition.

I don't need people saluting me every five seconds.

I just want to feel like my voice actually means something.

Sometimes I wonder if the rank on my uniform is only there because someone thought I deserved it on paper. Because when I'm standing in a room full of people, it doesn't feel like anyone sees a Sergeant. It feels like they see the same guy they can talk over without a second thought.

Maybe I'm taking it too personally.

Maybe tomorrow will be different.

I hope it is.

Because if I'm expected to lead people one day, someone has to be willing to listen first.

— Sgt. Connor Redmen