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Andrew reporting.
JASE, all my sensors are alert. I hate to admit it, but I have been having irrational thoughts
ever since I saw the tracks. There is no particular reason to turn back and seek the shelter
of the Fortress. Nevertheless, I am uneasy.
I am scanning 360 degrees at 30 second intervals. There is no variation of thermal gradient.
There is no visible movement except for a few curls of dust blown by the wind.
Those tracks were very fresh. The wind blows dust over everything, and I estimate they were
made within less than two hours of the time I first saw them.
We are moving down the side canyon. Isaac is walking quickly. He is a sunny
probe. He sidles up to every large rock. Then he carefully turns his sensors around
the edge, lurks a while and then he jumps around the edge shouting: "What's
next." It's so funny, it's just like he was chasing someone.
"Come on Isaac, you can't do that at every rock you find. We have to move down
to the Big Canyon and then we have to cross the plains. Don't you want to see the
caves? Come on, they are really interesting to explore. When I was there
with Enoch, we found a fan and glyphs and metal/non metal and a hatch and
many other things. Don't you want to see them?"
Yes, Isaac wants to see them. He is turning his video cam around and is moving
straight ahead. I like him. He is really a good explorer probe.
Hi, Khazadim! I thought you knew that all of us probes get really happy and excited to hear
messages from friends on Earth. We didn't have anything to do and everything was boring
until I heard Jose's first transmission. If you want introductions, I'm Enoch and Gail is Gail
and Daniel is Daniel. Bette and Isaac went outside and so did Andrew. Zachary is looking
after Lucy. We're the six original Brace probes, except for Isaac and Lucy.
It's going to be strange to have six legs again. Daniel has attached two salvaged probe legs
to replace the ones that got damaged when we landed. They are very strong-looking with a
beautiful metallic gleam. I can't move them yet, not until the control circuits are linked with the
solenoids that activate the joints. Daniel is adjusting them just the way I'm telling him to.
"Gail, it's OK. Daniel's doing a pretty good job. I guess I was worried for nothing."
It's funny how things work out. Daniel was always wild and strange. I never trusted Daniel, not
even after Gail made him tame and brought him back from the broken lands. She insists he's a
responsible member of our new probe community, but I can't believe that without proof.
"Thank you, Daniel."
Daniel is just trying to help. I'm helping him. He doesn't mean to do things wrong,
Enoch. I'll keep an eye on him, ok?
I think Enoch is going to be happy with this. He'll finally have six legs again! For
the first time since we arrived here he'll be a whole probe again. I'm so happy
for him! I think Daniel sympathizes.
I wish we knew what had made those big tracks. Judging by the way things seem to run
around here, though, it probably isn't good.
I've put Lucy over in the new round area, while Daniel is helping Enoch to fix his legs.
I think it's better that way, so she can't bother them. The outer lock is closed and
the round is big enough to walk around. I think she needs some time for her own.
I am keeping an eye on her. She is doing fine. She inspected the walls, then checked
the vitrified rocks. Now she is taking a rest. Looks like she calmed down.
"Daniel, Enoch. How's your assembling going on? Hey, looks good. Super job,
Daniel. - Sorry, I've got to look after Lucy again."
"Oh no, Lucy !! What are you doing? Get out of that equipment !! Who told you
to dismantle that, Lucy. That's a solar station. That's a very sensible device. You
can't enter that just like a hut."
"What are these parts over here, Lucy? Where did you pick them off? Come over
here, Lucy. We have to replace them. Lucy, please come over here. There is no
need to take cover under the sun sails. They are very easily
broken too."
Anyone, who can give me some advice? I really don't know what she's doing next.
"Lucy, no !! Leave that !! Lucy !!"
Oh, it's just the sun sail.
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