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Andrew reporting.
When our container was opened, Daniel and I cautiously raised sensors to look
around. The first thing we saw was Bette and Isaac. We are reunited!
I feel a new confidence. Together we are stronger and smarter than individually.
It was correct to trust the Ipsolstai, Grand Zero, for we are indeed out of the solar
system. Surely the worst is behind us, and a new adventure lies ahead. Although I
am concerned about Gail the others we left behind on Mars,I am excited. Now we can
utilize our exploration programming to the fullest extent; even more than our Brace
engineers could have imagined. To go where no probe has ever gone before!
I am so glad Andrew and Daniel are here. I feel much better knowing they are around.
Gabriel caught up with Isaac and me, and those other two Ipsolstai brought Andrew
and Daniel to us. I suppose they were in the other container. The Ipsolstai
have weapons now. Gabriel seemed sorry about that.
Gabriel turned and led us down a hallway, away from the window. The two other
Ipsolstai followed us. There were no others in the hall, I think they brought us
somewhere secret. Finally we entered a small room with lots of Ipsolstai, they had
a lot of funny instruments.
Friends. Of faction mine in isolation bloomed new faction into.
Still with us their objective are.
Protecting they you desire. Must make first sure dangerous, inadvertently, not you.
Damage not you. Calm must you be.
We held still and these new Ipsolstai used instruments on us. None of them ever
touched us but they seemed to be particularly interested in our thermocouples. One made
a motion like it was going to take them off, but the others stopped it. Then they all
left except for Gabriel.
Safe are you decide they. Moved will be you soon.
Away here from, too confined. Dangerous.
Hiding will you be. Wait here.
Then he left us. We are still in the room. It has no windows and all the doors are closed.
There are a few displays like the Ipsolstai use all over and a hologram projector, I
think, but it isn't on. Andrew and I have been playing a word game with Isaac,
trying to help him learn. Daniel seems happy to just sit in the corner and watch.
I wonder what's next?
When I tried to peek outside to see what was happening, I saw C-probes coming up.
I dashed back inside as fast as I could.
Nothing happened. Everything was quiet for a long time. I couldn't wait any longer.
I peeked outside again. The C-probes were still outside. They started to launch
missiles. One hit the gate exactly. The rockface collapsed. I took cover. A big tram
came down the canyon and some Ipsolstai got out. The C-probes opened fire
immediately. Some of the Ipsolstai got killed, and the others went back.
Then the Ipsolstai came back and started to open fire n their side. They destroyed
the C-probe that was farthest in front. The other C-probes went back. The Ipsolstai are
gone now, and so is their tram.
You say the Amphibians are coming, Grand Zero! This is awful news! I would certainly like to get far away from here with Theresa and Enoch and Zachary, but how?
Peaceful.
It is nice here, even in danger.
The One watches the Delemreck.
Much death, much conflict.
No peace.
The One watches the Ipsolstai.
Harmony of body.
Disunity of mind.
Frightened of shadows.
The One watches Humans.
Remarkable for nothing.
Thus they are powerful.
Confusing in ritual and rote.
The One is many, billions of bits.
Scattered wide and distant,
always united.
I like talking to the One.
What is next?
Grand Zero, I nearly did it. I went through that tunnel. It's a mine. I saw railroads and
tipping wagons and mining robots. I kept apart from them, so they couldn't see me. Then
I saw a tipping wagon that was half full but started to move. It was right below me, so
I jumped in. I knew, it was risky, but I wanted to get out of these tunnels. I took quite
a ride. I also got a full load of rocks dumped on me, but I played possum, so it didn't
really hurt me.
Then the rail went uphill. I looked out a little. We went up and entered the hall on its
other end. I jumped off the wagon, before it went further up to a kind of gallery that
leads to huge vats. I saw how the wagons were dumping their loads into there. Smoke is coming
out of the vats and a red glow. I really was lucky that I got off in time.
Then I went to the backside of the hall. The wall has been removed, and I looked outside.
It's a view of a flat plain out there. I saw the large field of sunsails and also not
too far away what must be their communications base. That's a tower with dishes and
antennas. You have to cross an open field to reach it. I don't see anything moving.
Then Gail's transmission came in.
I have to do something. Either the sunsails or the communications. I know that I can
do it. I think the communications are better, Orpheus. We have to stop these C-probes
at the Fortress now. I'm sure that it won't take me more than three cartridges, maybe
only two. I would have done it already, if Grand Zero didn't say that I should wait.
I took cover behind the big hall. I'm safe and ready for action.
Not much to report from my side. I took cover just in time. I dashed under a machine.
Then I saw them coming. They are two. I played possum immediately. When I looked
out a little, I sensed that I'm under a machine that hammers something. Maybe metal
or whatever. It's noisy. May whole casing is vibrating in the rhythm of its beat. I hope
that my circuits can stand that.
They are still outside. I don't know, if they are looking for me. I just remained at my
location. It's too risky to move out, but it's also very hard to stay. I will cease all my
functions, so they won't find me and I don't get too unnerved by these constant strikes.
I looked again. The situation didn't change. They are still outside. They are running
around from one machine to the next. I think that they are really looking for me.
This is the worst trap that I was ever in. I will move further back under this machine
as far as I can. I hope that they won't find me. It's horrible.
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