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Zachary came back safely from his excursion to the north. We have good maps now
that show the current locations of the all the C-probes in this area. No, let me
say it more correctly. What we really mapped are not the C-probes but all the pings
that we could sense around us. I don't know if it makes any difference, but we are not
in a position to cause any mistake by careless definitions.
However, there is no doubt that the center of the C-probes is right ahead of us right
at the bottom of that slope that leads down to the plains. It's only that open field
we have to cross, and when we've reached the hills at the rim of that basalt plateau,
we most likely will be able to see it.
There are no pings around that are close enough to detect us. Nevertheless, I don't
have a good feeling about crossing that field. I know that's simply fear, and I don't have
to be ruled by that. What does Space Turtel always say? A brave probe has fear but
knows how to control it. Space Turtel, I know that I can control my fear. I know it!
"Zachary, please remain here. I will move over first and if it's okay, you will be next."
Don't tell me that I'm brave. I'm not. It's simply that if I was the second one this
time, I would have been second all the time and that is something I never could stand.
We reached the rim of the plateau and looked over the edge. What I saw made my
circuits quiver. Truly, I never saw so many C-probes at one place. I can't count
them, but they may be a hundred, even more. There is a big hall down there, but I
can't see a lander. Some of the C-probes are carrying rocket launchers, others aren't.
Enoch is close by. We are keeping quiet and hold only visual contact by making signs. I
think we really should develop a sign language, so the C-probes can't detect us from
our transmissions. Al-Q, we are also sending our transmissions to you in short parts. We put
numbers on them so you can get them in the right order.
There is a ravine next to us. It looks fairly promising that we can get down the slope
there, so the C-probes won't see us. Enoch moved over first. I can't help, but he really
is forging ahead lately to always be the first. I hope he isn't compensating for something.
We are down and pretty close now. I know that it's irrational, but I'm going to send
you an image.
Can you see it? There are also other facilities nearby, but I mostly wonder about
that big hall. What's in there?
Hi, Kurt! I am so happy to have somebody to talk to me. And thanks for the good suggestion.
I will be sure to have my rope ready to use if I see the slightest hint of a C-probe, although I
really hope it won't be necessary. Enoch says there are more C-probes, lots more of them,
and I don't know what we're going to do. It's just too much .
I will be all right if I can get to the Fortress. We carefully disguised the entrances to the
tunnels. If nobody knows we're there, we will be safe.
Did you hear what happened to poor Bette? Those cruel Ipsolstai opened her casing again!
Nobody knows what they did to her this time. I'm sorry I was mean to her when we recovered
her the first time. I'm going to tell her so, as soon as she and Isaac get back to the Fortress.
And then they snatched Andrew and Daniel away, too. I haven't heard anything from them, and
I'm starting to get worried, aren't you?.
Andrew reporting.
Burn gestured for Daniel and me to crouch down in the tram, just like we were playing possum,
so I was not able to see precisely where we went. We rode for a long time, with many turns and
twists. We stopped twice, then continued. The tram reached its destination, and Burn quickly
flowed out. I wanted to take the tram and get away, but Daniel said it was a bad idea. He can be
impossibly stubborn at the wrong times. We were still discussing strategy when Burn came
back.
We followed him along a wide tunnel. We passed numerous rooms, like the ones Enoch and I
saw when we were searching for Bette the first time. Burn entered one of the rooms. Daniel and
I followed. When I saw four other Ipsolstai carrying weapons and surrounding me, I was
genuinely sorry I hadn't stolen the tram.
I feel fine, thank you, just a little restless and bored. So does Isaac. He is
transmitting nonstop. He is so loud that I have adjusted my receptors to compensate.
I wonder if my power has been increased, too. I performed a quick self-check, and I am
fully operational. All parameters were within acceptable limits.
I decided to get information from the Ipsolstai who apparently guards the doorway.
I don't think it's Gabriel. Gabriel was, well, more friendly than this one.
He is totally ignoring me. How annoying. If only I could squeeze past him. . .
There is a large double door on the far wall. I can hear noise and activity on the other side.
From the resonance characteristics, I can sense that the doors open to a very large room
with a high ceiling. If that guard is going to ignore me, maybe I can just open the door a
little bit and peek to see what's going on.
Soon it begins.
The One stirs, anticipates.
None so blind as those who do not hear.
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