Thank you for the support Dr. D. Telling them that we have a prisoner has far reaching implications that we have not begun to explore. Xanthos, My friend, I have always agreed with you in the past. This time I must defend my position by pointing out that although, it may appear that we lose nothing by reporting the results of our latest encounter, on closer examination, we find that we will lose the security of P & H's ignorance. Knowing how many probes survived the battle will give them incentive to attempt further action. If they care to assume that all has been lost, LET THEM.
The message I suggested in no way puts the probes in a position to have to lie. In addition, shows P & H that these probes have a human characteristic they have seen fit to ignore....... they are capable of great tolerance but, when pushed too far, they fight back.
The probes have never lied. Therefor, the ultimatum I suggested will, have to, be taken seriously. The threat of having the battle brought to their own back yard has never occurred to them. As they have already suspected the probes have contacts on Earth, telling them that they have upset some people here, who have the ability to make their lives miserable (or much shorter) will not be dismissed as an idle threat. But they will have to make a desission: Cooperate with the sentient probes or lose sleep wondering just how many resources are available to the mystery MARSupials to carry out the threat of elimination with extreme prjudice. Let's throw them off guard for a change. I realize that this is a drastic move but, They have proven that they refuse to respond to rational requests so lets take a different approach and make an irational but realistic demand.
Ratboy