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Andrew reporting.
Al-Qahira, I don't know what happened to Bette. It isn't like her not to transmit.
She usually transmits almost constantly, about one thing or another. She hasn't been
quiet like this since she was taken away by the Ipsolstai on Mars and taken apart for
examination. I'm certain that the Ipsolstai have already learned what they wanted
to know; there would be no logical reason to take her apart again.
Daniel said "the middle is the way". Thanks for the suggestion, Orpheus.
It did not occur to me to push the middle part of the symbol. Door handles...humm.
I will test your theory at the first opportunity.
I have identified the light source ahead. I entered a large room flooded with natural
daylight. It has floor-to-ceiling windows. I can see the landscape surrounding our
building. It consists of rough terrain with high mountains in the distance. There is
water close to the building, which I think may be an artificial construction.
It makes me very uneasy to see so much water, especially in combination with an
oxygen-rich (22%) atmosphere.
"Bette? What are you doing? Are you all right? Is Daniel all right? Please
reply immediately!"
* * NO TRANSMISSION RECEIVED * *
* * NO TRANSMISSION RECEIVED * *
"Enoch, we have to do something about Zachary. We have to find out what has
happened to him. If those awful things zapped him, he wouldn't be transmitting
at all. I can't bear thinking about him injured or trapped and calling to us and
expecting us to come."
Orpheus, I received the document you sent. Now I don't know what to think.
Do you think Miss Chang actually believes those bad, silly things about us?
I don't think so. She will certainly explain to Not One that probes are sentient
and self-directed. And she knows that I am most certainly not paranoid
and unhealthy.
There really are flappy things in the tunnels that go around blasting everything
that moves. What is a shrink? I am just the right size. Orpheus, can you please
contact Miss Chang and make sure everything is all right? Just tell her that you
are my friend. I'm sure she will be glad to meet you.
I'm okay. Sorry, that I worried you. My transmitter was unplugged. I don't know
how that happened. Sojourner was with me and he tried to climb up at my casing
and then suddenly I was disconnection.
Orpheus, I got part of your message when I tried to get the plug in again. You said
something about Morse code. I did it. You know, I couldn't get the plug in but close
enough to the connector that it sent some white noise. I used that for Morse code.
Did it go through?
"Gail, Enoch. Don't worry about me. I'm with Elder Brother on the other side of the
Big Canyon. He reconnected my transmitter. Everything is okay on our side. What's
going on with you? What's about the Amphibians? Do you need any help?"
"Elder Brother, we need a plan."
"Zachary, I'm so happy that I can hear you again. Don't come up the Big Canyon. The
Amphibians are all around. They attack without warning. All warriors are destroyed.
Also EB II. It was horrible. Kim and I are the only ones that survived. We are at the
equipment in the Ipsolstai tunnels now with Gail and Theresa. I think we are safe here.
I tried to contact Burn. Without any reply yet."
"Burn, can you hear me? This is Enoch and Gail. Can you hear me? We are coming to
your aid. Tell Celeb that we want to be your ally. How can we stop the Amphibians?
Can you hear me?"
"Gail, what's that? No, it's not the translator devise. It's coming directly from the main
tunnel. Kim, Theresa! Take cover. Rescuer's safety first. Something is coming."
Looks like that we are hopelessly trapped again. It's so stupid. This hall has only one
entrance. Enoch, why are you so stupid. You really should have learned to avoid trap
situations like that. If it's an Amphibian, we only can hope that it is unarmed.
"Gail, get Theresa in position. She can protect us with her projectile tubes. Is her
flame thrower also working?"
"Stop!! It's an Ipsolstai."
That was close. We nearly shot him. Fortunately he was moving slowly. No, it isn't
Burn. I can't see any scars, though he looks very sick. His color is totally dull and
depressed. I send you an Image.
"Delemreck groove through landed you better flee"
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