It seems to me that the most defendable position for the probes and communication platform would be in one of the caves. If the communication platform can still operate just inside a cave, then Gail and Zachary should oversee its move to Andrew's cave. Andrew's cave is the best choice, because the operational elevator gives the probes access to the tunnels and if the probes are under attack by the time Enoch and Andrew leave the tunnel system, they won't have to travel through enemy territory to get to a secure position. Once the comm platform is in the cave, the drones can build walls around the mouth of the cave, or even wall it up. One of the probes (I propose Gail) can be in charge of this project. Taking charge of creating a safe place may even help her overcome her fear. In the mean time, if Gail can handle this on her own, I think Zachary should with all possible speed take a look at the third cave. If it has a working elevator as well, we will need to evaluate the urgency of exploring the tunnels from that entrance. After all, we don't want hostiles to sneak up on our probes via the tunnel system. I still hold out hope that the ETs will be our allies. The search for Daniel can wait. Whatever the ETs have done with him, the probes will not be able to rescue him or Bette if the MN's get a hold of them. Once the comm platform is secure, Zachary can resume his attempts to communicate with the ETs.
The biggest obstacle to this plan's success is the distance from the stage 2 lander to Andrew's cave. It may be too far away to be practical. This information will have to be obtained from Gail and Zachary. If so, a fallback position would be to move the comm platform to the cave nearest stage 2 or use a small dead end canyon.
I plan to inform the probes about the impending landing shortly. We're way overdue on this. I will also propose the above plan to Gail and Zachary. However, I am not officially on Gail's team, so I don't know how she'll react.
joule