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The Ipsolstai didn't do very much with me today. They took Daniel out for a little
while and then returned him. Daniel isn't talking about what happened, but he seems
to be all right.
Isaac has been playing with a ball they left in here when they took Daniel. It can
move on its own and seems to be moving faster, and in more directions, the longer
Isaac plays with it. He used to be able to grab it easily but now he has to maneuver
it into corners before it will let him get close enough. It is an interesting game.
I might play it with him later.
Andrew and I spent some more time on the terminal today. It is just as puzzling as
always. It was not at all helpful to us. It is really quite odd. We asked it about
Earth and Mars and all over and it just tells us a little bit and stops. There
was one good thing. We tried asking it what that cup meant
back on Mars.
Would you like to know more?
I suppose that makes sense, but who is the Endless Emperor?
They are interested in me.
Good.
They will learn less than they think.
I took a walk today. They took me.
We live in a beautiful place.
The One warns:
There is more than is seen.
There is more that is unknown.
There is not what is known.
Friends may not be all that they seem.
Or enemies.
Good morning, Uncle Bob. It's nice of you to worry about us probes. Thank you.
I hope that you will help us, because Theresa and I need all the help and advice we can get.
We are ready to move out. We have loaded as much equipment as possible on the drones.
We almost got everything, except we had to leave some of the sun sails behind. And
there was no room for the crystal necklaces that Theresa made, so I have to carry
them myself. I re-attached Theresa's projectile tubes. She promised that she will fire
only if I say so.
The drones, the remaining miners, Theresa, and I have formed a convoy. Theresa and I
are point. The miners are bringing up the rear. We have moved out through a tunnel
to a side canyon to avoid the C-probes waiting at the front entrance of the Fortress.
Where should we go? Maybe up the Big Canyon? I have never been inside the Ipsolstai complex
so far, and I don't see any reason to begin now.
Miss Chang is my friend, Uncle Bob. She says she won't let that loud and vulgar Parker
and Hardon bother us any more. I hope you will be her friend, too.
The C-Probe is still in front of the tube. It didn't move. Hi, Uncle Bob. Do you
know what I will do? I will go back to the big hall and put my last cartridge right
beside the missiles. Then the whole plant will blow up, and we are rid of them.
Wait a minute. I can't do that. Zachary is still in there. What a mess. It isn't easy
to remain patient and waiting. We have to stop the C-probes. How is Zachary doing? I could
call him. No! That doesn't work either. I would be detected by that boring C-probe
standing guard in front of the tube. It is just waiting for me to make a mistake like that.
I can't talk to Gail either. How are Bette, Andrew, and Daniel doing? I also couldn't
check their files at the communication facilities. It's awfully boring in here. It just
looks like that this C-probe has more patience than I do.
Okay, let's play a game. What is it? It runs on treads and has missiles mounted.
Do you know? Yes, I know that's much too an easy riddle. What else? Okay, I'll
count to a trillion and have a look if it is still out there.
It is still out there.
Andrew reporting.
JASE, my friend! I thought we were too far away to get a transmission from you.
It's good to be in contact again. The atmosphere where we are compares very closely
to that of Earth. There are very slightly lower concentrations of helium and
neon and nitrogen and marginally more argon than Earth has. Otherwise, it is surprisingly
similar. Of course, I refer to the atmosphere in the room where we are staying.
I have no direct data on the atmosphere outside the window.
Bette and Isaac and I have solved the problem with the moving ball. It became
necessary for all three of us to maneuver it into a corner. Then Isaac picked it up
quite easily. He was very pleased. Now it doesn't move at all.
Uncle Bob, it is always good to hear from a new Earth friend. But I have to
disagree with your statement that we no longer want to find out "What's Next".
We were designed to explore. That is our primary function. However, recent events have
precipitously prevented much initiative in this area. We have cooperated with the
Ipsolstai so far, but now it is time for action. We must leave this room at the first
opportunity, since you require more data.
The door seems to be locked.
I'm back in that room again. I need to clear my mind. The Elder Brother didn't sound
so bad this time. But what are my targets? I have to stop the C-probes. That's on top
of the priority list. The only one who can stop them is the Elder Brother. So, Enoch should
stop blowing up things. That doesn't work. We have to negotiate.
Hi, Uncle Bob. I got your message in time. I think I know what an Uncle is and I think
that I'm something like an Uncle too, since Bette is in charge of Isaac. Uncle Zachary.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
I also think that the Elder Brother is lonely. The way it looks to me, he doesn't have
a good relationship to Mao and Kim either. Al-Q told me that he sent a Star Trek movie
to Stage Two and that I can function as a relay. That's quite a good way to show
him my good will and a powerful point to start negotiations.
Cooperating with the Chinese? Sounds strange. I don't trust them. What about that CORPS
that they started? They are destroying innocent probes and killing Ipsolstai and launching
missiles. No! I don't like to form an alliance with such a disgusting bunch of deceitful cowards.
Maybe with the Elder Brother. But not with them.
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