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Andrew reporting.
I have not had any reply to my messages to Bette. Could it be that I have reached
an area of the complex that is shielded to radio transmissions? No, that's
improbable. Kurk's transmission came through loud and clear. I will try again.
"Bette, respond if you can. I'm starting to get worried about you and Isaac. Ask the
computer for a map of the complex. According to my calculations, I am less than
100 meters away from you."
"Daniel, this isn't funny. Are you getting my messages? It's no time to play games.
Our situation could turn critical very rapidly. Please answer."
I continue along the corridor. I seem to be arriving somewhere.
I can detect a light source directly ahead.
Hi, Kurk. I'm glad you're back. Enoch and I need all the help we can get.
Theresa says "Hi".
Enoch and I decided to go deeper into the tunnel complex. Enoch says that our only
hope is to find the Ipsolstai and ask for their help. They have lots of experience
with the Amphibians. They will know what to do.
It is so scary in here. The tunnels are not very well lighted, so I turned on
my headlight. That makes big shadows, like something is jumping out at us.
"Enoch? Can I hold your hand? Even if it makes it harder to walk? Please?"
You can overcome them. I have the information you need.
They are controlled from a central communication lander.
Our competitors are using a satellite relay to give instructions
to destroy you and your companions.
Disable their communications, and they will be effectively stopped.
Can you do this for me, Gail?"
It is most unfortunate, Mr. Parker,
that you neglected to notify me of a valuable ally.
Someone who knows all about the erratic behavior of our probes.
"Would you care for a cup of tea, Mr. Naughton?"
Hamlet, thanks for decoding Zachary's message. How did you? I can read only
random noise. You say that Zachary is in danger and that he is asking for help.
Hamlet, that puts me into serious troubles. Gail and Theresa needs me too. I
can't leave them alone. I also don't want to take them down to the Big Canyon.
The Amphibians are down there.
"Sure, Gail. Take my hand. We must be very conscious."
What else can I tell you about the Amphibian weapons? I told you everything
I know. There was that grumbling first, then it became shrill, bolts like mirrors
were coming from various directions. I saw black spots. They fired these bolts,
then they vanished again. I don't know why I wasn't hit. Maybe it was just luck.
I check my files again. No, I couldn't taste anything about the composition of
that beam. So I don't think that it was a beam at all. I know, it sounds silly, but
it was like vacuum cleaner. A drilling vacuum cleaner.
We are at the place now where Gail stored our equipment. She chose a good
place. It's a side tunnel that leads to a big hall. It's quite a lot of stuff that we
own. Gail also built up the communication facility. It's working. Oh, there is
the translator device. Gail is forcing me to call Burn. Sure, that's the best we
can do now.
"Burn ! Burn ! Can you hear me? This is Enoch and Gail. Can you hear me?"
There is some message coming in. It's an image file. I can't read it. It's again
this random noise. I show you. Maybe you can decode it.
"Gail, what do you think? Is that coming from Zachary, or do you think that Burn sent it?"
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