Leap of Lunacy

I have now been sworn in as the (woefully unqualified) medical officer of the Sara Militant, with Asterion presiding. The fact that he agreed to do so was an unexpected act of "bureaucracy" (read: following a code) on his part, though I am relieved either way. However, Damocles and Epimetheus decided to concoct the single worst operation that I have ever seen in my life; the honour of second-worst goes to me, naturally. I never thought I would be surpassed in bad ideas after the 'Hercules' Incident, but here we are: after presenting fragmentary, hazy, and circumstantial information after a trip to the Uniform-Concord of Noble Avatar, Epimetheus suggested we travel to the House of Certain Death and No Return housing the Meteorite Fragment. As expected, my calls for restraint in the matter were deemed irrelevant. They proceeded, and I followed: I even got the opportunity to do some day-shopping. Note for threat and risk assessment: Epimetheus is a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR. But for what reason? I have a thousand theories, but none of them will ever be falsified if he and Damocles never return.
 
This operation, an utter leap of lunacy, was rejectable on five objective points, and sixteen subjective ones. In the spirit of professionalism, the latter will be excluded. 1) The excursion was directed towards the extradimensional plane of the afterlife. 2) They possessed little reliable information about local terrain, expected resistance, and knowledge in general. They even borrowed a book on the matter; how much information they managed to retain from it is unknown. Not enough to warrant the fulfilment of this disaster. 3) No method of exfiltration, or even expecting to leave in the first place. 4) Not communicating what the observers (me and Asterion) would do in worst-case scenarios. 5) They packed light. Sure, Damocles has his oranges, but conventional sources of nourishment may be useful to have on hand should anything happen. A Cornucopia is great, but relying on one thing for survival is injudicious. Redundancy is paramount. After this amateurish forgery of competent behaviour had been carried out, I was left with Asterion. We waited for two days, with no sign of their return. We played cards, looked for dinosaurs, and spoke about the steps ahead; I lost five copper ducats in total. Hard school of the sea once again proving its worth in very measurable terms.
 
I may have divulged more than necessary to Asterion. Without the Sword of Damocles invisibly looming over me, I talked more freely than usual. This may turn out to be conducive to the retrieval, as he exhibited clear signs of heavy suspicion buried under a grain of curiosity, which should make it all but assured that Asterion willingly goes along with this expedition to the so-called Sea of Silent Demise. The reality is far more horrifying for people who distrust authority, codes of conduct, and signing forms!
 
Asterion and I are returning to Noble Avatar in the morning and staying there for a week. For what it is worth, I hope the black pit that swallowed Damocles and Epimetheus spits them out a month wiser. Whilst there is life, there is hope.
 
Quote of the day: GAZE FOR LONG INTO AN ABYSS, THE ABYSS ALSO GAZES INTO YOU. And if you jump into an abyss, you have jumped into an abyss. Hope that you can bounce back, or perish in eternal regret for your deleterious decision-making.