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Hi, Orpheus. It's great that you found a new access to be with us.
A lot happened. We were really desperate, when the warrior that we sent to the
Fortress was destroyed by the C-probes. We thought that the only way left was
to fight them down with Kim's army. But then Enoch pointed out that we still have
communications at Stage I that will work as good as the other one to reprogram
the C-probes.
So, we headed to the rough ground and half way crossing the plains we met Kim
and his army. It was amazing to see forty warriors approaching in a line, all marked
with a red star on each side. We told Kim about the C-probes at the Fortress, but
he said that he will move on to be on the spot in case something goes wrong. Sure,
why not?
About to move on again I saw three warriors marked "EB I" to "EB III" coming toward
us. No! That can't be true. Isn't that Elder Brother? Kim confirmed it, and then
I saw Elder Brother's video on top of the three warriors nodding synchronously.
"There was nothing left for me to do,and it's boring since the antennas are down.
So, I ordered that my three units were packed into three empty warrior shells,
which were especially prepared for that. That's why I'm here." he stated, and I had
the feeling that he smiled.
"Elder Brother, what if one of your units is joining us?"
"I only need to be careful that I keep my trinity consequently updated,
so my left unit knows what the right one is doing. But let's see, maybe I can do that
via your antennas."
Kim offered us another two warriors to stock up our guards, so we are now seven
warriors including EB III that are heading to Stage One, while Kim went on with
EB I and EB II to the Big Canyon. Just to be on the spot, as he said.
There has been little communication from Mars. I hope everybody is getting
along OK without us. We would know if something bad happened, wouldn't we?
Nevertheless, I am uneasy.
Isaac started playing with the Ipsolstai again over the weekend. As soon as they
came in he wouldn't even let me sit near him. I went back to the terminal. I thought
that I might be able to find something useful to help our friends back on Mars.
I asked it about the Groove.
Would you like to know more?
I said yes, of course, and asked about the Groove anchor.
I hope this helps.
Good thing Zachary told you already about Kim and Elder Brother, so I don't have to
repeat all of that. Orpheus, how are you doing? Sorry, I couldn't get to Gail. The C-
probes were attacking us.
We are now heading to Stage One. Elder Brother, or more correctly EB III, is with
us. Isn't that great? Soon the C-probe will be reprogrammed and then we can help
Gail out of the tunnel.
Stage One is still fully functioning. The C-probes haven't found it. EB III couldn't
pass the rock slide barrier that we built once to hide Stage One, so Zachary, Mao, and
I went over and adjusted the adapter. It worked. Mao seemed very satisfied. He also
contacted Kim and EB I and EB II. They said that they will wait at the entrance
of the Big Canyon, so we can lead them to the Fortress.
I also think that it's better to be reunited when moving there. Gail said in her last
message that the Ipsolstai were fleeing. Whatever that might be, let's hope that she
and Theresa are still okay.
"Gail, we stopped the C-probes. We are coming. We got fifty warriors to help you!"
"Bette, I have never understood when Daniel talks about the One. He speaks as if it were a person.
Ask the computer about the One."
I have to get back to Bette and Daniel and Isaac right away. I have just seen something
that is extremely upsetting.
I have entered what appears to be a command center. The walls are covered with electronic
maps and diagrams. They appear to be updated every twenty seconds. I believe I have
entered some sort of communication area which shows the location of every Ipsolstai
world, complete with Grooves, Groove terminals, outposts and bases, and fleets of ships.
There are numerous Ipsolstai, but they aren't paying any attention to me. They are
crowded at one end of the room, where a diagram shows a small, isolated yellow central
circle, surrounded by concentric rings. The area is flashing red, yellow, blue,
and black in a rapid, irregular pattern.
This can only mean trouble.
EEEEEEK!
SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US!
I saw them! I saw them! It was horrible! And I just don't know what to do now!
"Enoch, Zachary, stop playing with those C-probes. We have a new situation to deal with!"
We saw Ipsolstai rushing through the tunnel, with their robots firing at something that
was chasing them. Theresa and I herded our drone caravan into a side tunnel. We were
just in time.
They were so interested in catching the Ipsolstai that they didn't notice us. They make
a repulsive noise, a wet flapping noise. It must be how they communicate. They move
on six legs by leaping, quicker than an Ipsolstai, quicker than us, even quicker than a
C-probe. I looked up in time to see dark shapes bumping into each other and rushing
past our tunnel. They carried weapons, I don't know what kind. They fired in the
direction where the Ipsolstai had gone. For a moment the entire tunnel looked
distorted, ballooned out like you see through a concave lens. There was no noise.
Then they were gone.
The C-probes are dangerous, but at least we know what to expect. Even the
Ipsolstai can't deal with this.
I'm scared, and I'm getting out of here!
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