On behalf of "chemistry challenged" MARSupials everywhere I thank you for the analysis of the content of the crates. I also salute you on the brilliant strategy of asking Bette to play a new game with the other probes called "What Happened?" If she gets into it, perhaps she will accept a compressed transmission if in fact she is in denial and doesn't have a hidden electronic/mechanical problem. If the potentially damaging changes made to probes have been limited to Daniel then we can bring Bette up to speed while concentrating our main efforts on finding a solution to the Daniel issues. Before we can help Daniel we must determine if:
1. He received the AI software enhancements that Jose sent to the other probes?
2. Are the messages asking for help coming from Daniel or from the Ipsos as they learn to communicate through him?
I believe that Daniel has been able to receive messages all along. His inability to transmit has frustrated him while keeping him from interacting and learning with the other probes. Like any deaf or mute child left to their own devices Daniel has not learned to "Play Nice" with others. If he had not received the AI software enhancements from Jose, his inability to transmit would have only prevented him from communicating. Instead of an "Off Course Drone" response of running in circles we have an intelligent sentient being railing at the forces that have conspired against him. Now, when he is finally given the ability to speak, his true personality is suppressed by the Ipsos so they can use him as a translator. Because he is an intelligent sentient being, he is using his cunning to communicate despite the barriers placed in his way. Although we haven’t yet determined where he learned "Rock Talk" or even how to speak it ourselves, it is another example of his fierce determination to be self sufficient. We owe it to Daniel to do everything we can to return him to full functionality. However, we will be hard-pressed to accomplish this goal without the cooperation of the Ipsos. The probes were never designed for any of the things we have been asking them to do. Without their Enhanced AI (E-AI?) none of this would have been possible or for that matter necessary. If the Ipsos are unaware of Daniel’s sentient status I would be very much surprised. First order of business should be to ask them if they intend to return Daniel to his former state after he has served his translation duty. If that is their intent then it is just a matter of calming Daniel’s fears until we can communicate directly with the Ipsos. If the Ipsos are hostile we may be doomed anyway and Daniel is the least of our worries. I prefer to think the Ipsos are aware of what they are doing to Daniel but don’t understand what a terrifying experience it is for him. In their society the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few, or the one, (Star Trek - The Wrath of Kahn) may be the order of the day. The concept of an individual having the right to be autonomous may be *alien* to them. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) I’m certainly beating a dead horse by now (sorry, Xanthos! Just a figure of speech!) as I’m sure everyone has got my drift. I hope we can resolve this issue during the coming week as the longer it takes, the more Daniel must suffer. We must continue to reassure him that "The Cavalry" is on the way. Once again, just my 2¢ worth. I’m sure some will disagree with part or all that I’ve said. Let’s discuss it. As the banner says, "The Probes Need You!"
Uncle Bob
Self appointed Captain - Team Lurker