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Andrew reporting.
It was a near thing. Although I had seen its speed before, I did not realize how fast
the C-probe would come when I screamed with my emergency beacon. I scrambled
out of sight as fast as I could. An explosion knocked me over on my side, and
gravel showered down on my casing. The next projectile would finish me for sure if
I stayed where I was. I raced away, at a right angle from the path of the oncoming
probe. Why doesn't it slow down for the rough ground? I thought I would have
more time to lead it to the hidden pit.
It was so simple last time, using the spare emergency beacon and having Zachary
working to distract the C-probe. Well, Zachary can't help me this time. He's too busy
with his laser apparatus. How could that weak beam of light possibly be effective
against these monsters?
Wait! I hear another emergency beacon! Who is it?
"Andrew! Andrew! Are you still all right?"
Andrew is in terrible danger. I can't think about the possibility of losing him.
I just can't think about that. And that's not the only problem. There's still no
transmission from Bette.
It may be that she and Isaac are in a part of the tunnel system which is shielded
with metal/non-metal, preventing her from communicating with us. That might be
the problem.. But when I think of how her last message ended suddenly, I can't
have much hope.
The Ipsolstai took her away once before. I thought she was lost forever. The reality
was horrible. They took her apart and put something inside her casing, next to her
CPU. Enoch and Zachary negotiated with the Ipsolstai. Once they realized that
we were more than dumb machines, they released her. She couldn't remember
what happened, Her sense of elapsed time was damaged.
I don't want anything to do with Ipsolstai technology, but we can use that
translator/viewer to search for her. Theresa is getting very good at using it. The
image must come from one of the beanie cams.
Yes, this is familiar. It's the track where the tram goes.
It's where Bette was playing What's Next.
Oops! There's one of those ugly beanie cams.
I'm fine-tuning the focusing method for my laser beam. It's been a little unpredictable,
but we're learning to control it. Zachary and Daniel have placed stationary prisms
in several places along the Canyon. By using a mobile lens mounted on one of the
construction drones, I can bounce the light beam and direct it where I want it, most
of the time.
"Enoch, move that prism ten feet west. That's better. Daniel, we need to make sure
the solar panels are firmly in place. Daniel? Daniel? Enoch, did you see where
Daniel went?"
Daniel has gone off some place. Just when Enoch and I could have used some help.
He's weird.
He alone can gain no victory.
Bravery is not enough.
Bold and clever, strong and fast,
Two can see the danger past.
Two can dodge and bluff and run.
Two can interact as one.
Brothers in the hunt.
"Sorry, Zachary. Andrew's in trouble. We've got to go and help him. The best
way to handle the C-probe is with the explosive charges that the miners use."
Zachary's laser project is very interesting theoretically, but Andrew needs help
right now.
"Andrew, hang on! I'm on my way to help!"
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