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Andrew reporting.
The Emperor asked us if we had any special requests. He is willing to grant us a
favor, because he is in a good mood and also to increase his popularity with the
Ipsolstai crowds.
"As a matter of fact, there is something that you could do for us. Ever since
we got here, the Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers has been just sitting around at
the landing field. Do you have any particular plans for it? I was thinking that it
would make a good base of operations for your roving Ambassadors. We could be
troubleshooters and investigate and solve problems for you, anywhere in the known universe."
Andrew fixed it! He fixed it so we have something really interesting to do! We
don't have to stay here and be bored anymore. We can leave any time we want to, and
we get to play What's Next.
Mars is pretty, and there is nothing to compare with the fancy blue and white swirls
of our beautiful planet that is third from the sun, but I can't help wondering what
else there is that we haven't seen yet. I am going to keep an image file and send it
to you Grand Zero. Even if it takes a long time to get there without the Groove,
I will send it to you.
The strangest thing just happened.
The Emperor had just agreed to give Andrew the ship Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers
for our personal use as his ambassadors, when a brilliant flash of light streaked
across the sky. We thought it was a meteor, but immediately afterwards a frantic Ipsolstai
slithered up to report to the Emperor.
Humble apologies.
Scout ship returning urgently impossibly news giving,
audience desiring urgent topmost urgent.
Lone survivor risking all serious serious serious
communicate to your indulgent Imperial Majesty.
Now communication now.
NOW.
They brought in a ragged Ipsolstai, who flattened down in front of the Emperor,
just like he was playing possum. He waved his tentacles feebly, and pale blotchy
colors played over his tegument. Our translator box could barely make sense of his
message.
Gorgeous greeting to Supreme Emperor, urgentmost.
Communications Specialist 3rd Class, Hamilton named.
All others at station dead, only I remain to tell the tale.
Regret bringing sudden news of dire contact with....
Without any warning, he became motionless, his tentacles drooping to the ground.
He was immediately carried away by a crew of Ipsolstai paramedics/biologists.
The Emperor turned to look at us.
Investigating.
"Bette did the Emperor say 'Investigate'?"
We got a mission! That's an A-Day. We are back to face Adventures again.
"Come on, let's move to the Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers. It's our ship.
Isn't that great? We got our own ship. A big, large ship! Andrew, what about
you? What about becoming the first board engineer, and Gail will be in charge
of something, and also Zachary, and Bette, and so on?"
Grand Zero, thanks for your Outbound. I'll put your words to my primary file.
So, I'll read them first whenever things turn to become tough. I promise, I'll
stop becoming frustrated about myself. I will work on that. I'm the first Earth
Ambassador to alien cultures. I'm your friend, and a lot of Earth friends are
with us in spirit.
"Zachary, look at the sky, look at the Grooves, that's where we go."
Oh, wait a moment, I'll send you an image.
Koala, the One won't close the Grooves in the Earth Solar System before
weekend. So, we still can receive your Outbound for a while. Thanks for
your great advises and all of your help. We will keep you always in mind.
Orpheus, Thixel, remember, no matter how many light years we will be apart,
we will be friends. Good bye now. Keep up your great doing and all of your
sensors tight ...
Everything set. Ready to go. I'm a little quiet at the moment. We leave.
We are at the airfield now. An Ipsolstai vessel descends. It will lead us to the
Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers. The One brought us our drones and miners,
the solar station, crystals, tubes, and also our good old Stage One. The Imperial
Escort of the Endless Emperor placed everything close by at the airfield. They
also keep themselves at our disposal.
We are waiting.
I recall everything we learned by your guidance: Rescuers safety first, be careful in
unknown areas, take cover when strange creatures are approaching, create positive
feedback loops in any conversation, be brave and trustful and integer when acting,
never give up! Yes, Grand Zero, I'll take care.
The vessel landed. The front door opens. The commander appears. He shows a
bright dark blue color. It's our first mission as official Imperial Ambassadors and
Liaison for Contact and Disposition. We will prove ourselves worthy.
Our equipment is stored. We enter the vessel.
Koala, JASE. Andrew wants to say good bye to you, and many thanks for a great
time, when you both were leader of his team. Please, accept also my sincere thanks.
I will miss you all.
The vessel takes off.
Thixel, my soul-brother. 455 E. Moore Ave. Gilbert Arizona 85234. I will keep
that address always in mind. Thanks for the nice time over there, I'm sure there
will be many more. So the One will.
Best regards to Orpheus.
Here is our ship, the Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers.
We are going to recommission it Guardian-of-Younger-Probes, in recognition of our
responsibilities to Isaac and Theresa. They are going to get their chance to see What's Next.
I am Communications Officer.
I like that.
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