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Andrew reporting.
Space Turtel, Gail was my partner in exploration for many months, while Daniel was a wild
unknown factor. It is reasonable that bonds of common concern have formed due to close
association and mutual goals. While Daniel may have participated in the battle when I escaped
from the EU probes, his role was incidental. Zachary and Bette were the ones who organized
a plan to free me.
It is true that he is a probe like the rest of us. What are the implications of that statement?
Does it mean that we have some sort of duty or obligation on that basis alone? This is
contrary to our original programming; we were designed to operate independently.
Burn came in his strange round flying tram. I don't like him. I don't like any
of the Ipsolstai. They are mean. They have bulbed me. I hate them. I wanted to
have a big parade, as it is the first time we are reunited, since we walked down
the ramp of Stage one. Zachary said that too yesterday. I wanted to build a Stage
in the center of the new round area using the facility stuff we have stored. I wanted
to have them all walk up the stage from back behind and then down a big ramp.
I wanted the miner robots to form a line and each of them had to shoot six of
their cartridges as salute. I wanted to illuminate the whole scene by catching the
sun with glass parts. I wanted to inaugurate Isaac. But none of the
probes is listening to me.
Burn is more interesting to them than I am. I hate Burn. I left the Fortress. I don't
care about the EU-probes. Maybe they will catch me. I don't care. It's quiet up here.
It's good to be alone. If you like, I can send you an image. It's the round from above.
I'm on the top of a ridge. Back behind is the Fortress. I'm listening to a little music
that Jose put on our tapes. For special events, as he said. The music is saying:
"Glory hallelujah"
.
I want to hear what Gail has to say. She sounds different. She said she has been thinking
about things, things that will affect all of us. It sounds important. Why did Burn have to show up
at just the wrong time?
"Isaac, settle down and listen politely. No, Burn isn't a probe. No, he's not a Martian. He has
five brothers. I'll explain about Ipsolstai later."
We have learned much since yesterday. Burn has spent much of the time trying to explain things
to us. Here is what he said, what made sense of it anyway.
We are here to explore. We are here because of conquest.
Time long ago all brothers, three worlds, one star.
First Imperium. All done by brothers.
Then new beings came. Amphibians. New brothers we thought they were.
Built them a small home on first world, let them come down from their ship.
Mistake.
More Amphibians came from inside new home.
Killed many brothers. Much death.
First world lost. First Imperium destroyed.
Other brothers fought Amphibians and won.
Groove stole we from them.
Used it to spread brothers to new stars.
No Amphibians, no brothers new."
That's what he said, we think. The translator box wasn't working very well. I wonder what this
means for us?
Here comes that Ipsostai Burn. What's he doing here? Shouldn't he be with the rest of the
Ipsolstai welcoming their newly found brothers? I hope they don't want me to go anywhere
by Groove again. I like it here on Mars just fine.
The party goes on. If anything, it's even noisier than before. I can't believe it! Some of them are
actually getting in a pool of liquid! It must be some kind of mistake.
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