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The Ipsolstai kept us busy for a long time. When they left, I went back to the computer.
This time I tried typing "Mars".
Mars: local name for fourth planet of Yellow star approximately one point
five light-ages from Home. (SEE: Earth) No known indigenous life.
Would you like to know more?
One complex has been established by the Imperium on the planet Mars for
scientific inquiry and military intelligence. Contact was lost following
the Terrors and has only recently been re-established.
Would you like to know more?
Thanks for your command, Xanthos. It came in at the very last minute. I ignited
both cartridges. The solar stations blew up. The cartridges are strong. The solar
stations were vaporized like they were hit by one of the C-probe missiles.
Poor Lucy. I just thought about her.
The alarm turned on again. I wondered where they got the energy, but maybe
they have extra batteries for emergencies. I turned around to rush into the big hall.
But I didn't. The robot arms are still working. I kept waiting until they would cease
their function. They didn't. All machines are still running. It looks like the whole
plant isn't affected.
I took cover behind these barrels again. I don't know what to do next. It's too bad
that it didn't work the way I expected. It was so easy.
I want to be your friend, too, thixel. What a good day it has been! I have a new friend
thixel. And Miss Chang and Theresa are really getting along with each other.
If it weren't for those awful C-probes making noises and explosions at our front door,
I could almost believe that everything is going to be all right.
Miss Chang was very surprised when she saw Daniel's picture. She wanted to know the location.
I didn't know, exactly, because Daniel spent so much time roaming around on his own.
She wanted to know about the size and scale of the patterns, and was it common to see them
on Mars? I told her they looked very much like the carved glyphs that we found inside the
caves. Did you know that she had never heard of metal/not metal?
Mr.Parker, we now have more information in a week
than you and your irresolute companion were able to get in many months.
Please note that we have also gained some measure of control
over one of our so-called lost probes.
Of course that will go in my summary report."
Miss Chang has planned some fun things for us to do.
She doesn't yell when she transmits, either.
I like her.
Bette has spent most of the day working with the computer that the Ipsolstai provided.
She is persistent, but I can tell that she is frustrated, also.
I think that I know some shortcuts about using it. Space Turtel, do you remember when
you and I and Taz were playing Twenty Questions? I didn't think that twenty were enough
questions to determine the answer, but it seemed to work very well. Each question ruled
out one or several sets of objects.
"Bette? I think I can help you in your search."
You just have to be logical.
Hi Thixel, you are a new member of the MarsDawn Project, aren't you? Great to
have you around. I really need your advice. I'm still locked in that room. Thanks
for explaining TV. Now I see. It's just a monitor receiving signals and someone
is telling fictional stories that way. Just like videos. I know about videos. Bette
send some over. I found them at Stage two.
I would like to tell Gail that she shouldn't give any information to Miss Chang. But
I'm not sure if I'm not monitored, so they would find out that I'm not operating alone.
Maybe Miss Chang is cooperating with the Elder Brother. I don't know.
There are many thoughts circling in my circuits since I'm back in that room. About
the Elder Brother and everything. He is strange. I don't think that I've handled him
very well when I shouted at him. I'm sure that isn't going to be the only meeting
with him. Otherwise their next step will be to destroy me. I hope they won't.
What if he is already fed up with me? No, I shouldn't think that way. All my concern should be
to get him to his breaking point. But how to crack this nut?
I hear an explosion. Is that Enoch again? An alarm went on. I'm sure that these two
bugs will come soon. They won't kill me. They have too many questions unanswered. I won't
give them a hint, but it's a second chance. Good work, Enoch.
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