The Economy of Carbon

I managed to acquire a small carbon crystal embedded in a circular piece of gold. The gold I can understand, but I do not really comprehend the human's obsession with peculiarly shaped carbon; they themselves still possess the technology to manufacture these "diamonds" on demand.

But the tradition, in choosing one's mate, is to offer said mate such a rock. Sophie Mander, from Boot Camp, was pleased to accept mine.

I am not overly thrilled with the genetic defect in her eyesight, but she has many fine qualities that make that acceptable. She will be a fine mother for my next host.

Of course, the military are adamant that no marriages can occur - resources are stretched too thin, the labour force is too fragile, and so forth. I must convince them otherwise. A world without hope is a world where I can never be rescued, and at night my desire to be back amongst Takisians is so acute that I often awake in a cold sweat, weeping for my lost home.

May it take a thousand years, I will yet walk upon you, my beloved planet.