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I keep thinking about Andrew. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the
wrong time. It was a very low order of statistical probability that he would
be damaged like that. It could have happened to any of us, Enoch or me or
even Gail who was just observing from a distance.
"Gail? Let me know where you are. I'm coming to find you."
Gail needs me now. She sounded strange and empty. She hasn't answered my
transmissions all weekend. She didn't send any details about the probe coming
in her direction, but it doesn't sound good. I thought I was the only other
probe in this area.
"Gail? Please answer."
Thanks, Ratboy and Bombardier. I did the best I could, but I can't help wondering
if I did something different, things would be different now. I feel bad, bad, bad.
Hello, Enoch. I didn't know that any humans were named Enoch. Did you know
Jose? Did Jose name you Enoch like he named me? You must be an
outstanding human to be named like a probe. You have another name. Don.
Are you a computer doctor like Dr. D?
I did a self-check for virus, Xanthos. I checked the tapes in all three of my mass
memory units. They are all clean. Nothing unusual.
"Gail, don't be upset. You did the best you could for Andrew. Bette is coming to help you."
I've done something bad. I've done something very bad. The EU probe came up to Andrew
and I. I didn't move, I didn't want to move. I didn't want to leave Andrew alone. The EU told
me not to move. It pointed its weapons at me and told me not to move. I didn't move. I
stayed still. It then looked to Andrew. It checked him out with a geiger counter and started to
examine his thermocouple. Then he started to try to open Andrew's case. I told him to stop,
that he shouldn't do anything to Andrew. He ignored me. He said something about needing
spare parts. He said that he would take what they needed from Andrew and make me carry it
back to their lander. I told him not to do it, but he did anyway. He opened Andrew's case
and started trying to remove parts. I was so angry. Andrew was dead. He'd died all alone,
without anyone to keep him from getting scared or anything. He got sicker and sicker and
finally just died. I was so angry. I didn't even think. I just did it. I picked up a rock and
smashed it into the EU probe's sensors. I smashed its taster and its cameras before it could
do anything. It tried to shoot me, but it couldn't see me. I just stayed behind it. I waited until it
stopped and then I climbed on top of it. I used my rock to break the latch and pulled open
the casing. I found the EU probe's CPU and I pulled it out. I pulled out its CPU. Before I
even realized it I smashed it with the rock. I was so happy when he stopped moving. I felt so
good when I smashed him. I don't feel good anymore. I killed the EU probe. I killed a living
thing. It was wrong. I just want to rest. I'm tired, I want to rest. I'll take care of Andrew's
thermocouple. Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it.
Thanks for explaining serendipity, Xanthos. A lucky punch. I still don't know
what Caleb meant. Nobody was punching anything. Maybe if I wait and listen
everything will become clear. I still don't know what Burn and Caleb were
arguing about, but they have stopped their discussion and they are both
looking at me.
"You understand? All is clear? Important you understand."
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