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The I-flyer landed a few hours after I sent my transmission. When we got out of it we
were among a lot of other I-flyers. Most were smaller, but shaped differently. They
have things attached to them that look sort of like the weapons the Ipsolstai carry,
but larger and different. There are lots of Ipsolstai here. They all have badges with
all kinds of colorful figures on them. They each have several different badges,
but they all have one badge that looks the same. It looks like the symbol we saw on
the big tram back home, and the one that is carved into the hull of the I-flyers with
the weapons. Here's a picture, it looks just like the one from home.
Two of the Ipsolstai with the badges spoke with Nelson and then started to lead us around.
Nelson started to talk to us.
Knowing not do I. Place mine not is question to ask.
I hands the Endless Emperor for.
As he was talking I could see a ship take off. It was very bright, like Stage 2 landing.
It rose higher and higher until it just disappeared. The other two Ipsolstai led us
into a long building. We went up in an elevator, and now we are in a room like we found
back home, before we met the Ipsolstai. It has mats in circles, and bowls.
Leaving tomorrow we being will.
Our ship will joining be we. Tomorrow.
Daniel is making himself at home and Isaac is staying near Andrew. I think he is afraid
of all these Ipsolstai. He spotted forty EMEs through a window and almost panicked!
I hope we get to leave tomorrow, like Nelson said.
Andrew reporting.
I did not get to test my piloting abilities. We arrived at a busy place, although
Nelson tells us that it is not our final destination. It seems to be a kind of hub
with many Ipsolstai coming and going to different destinations.
I am trying to interest Isaac in estimating the number of Ipsolstai seen out the
window of our room. It is important to gather as much data as possible, since that
is our prime function, but he is unable to concentrate. He keeps extrapolating
imaginatively about our short-term future. Such speculation is useless, of couse,
because of insufficient information. I think he has experienced too much change
in too short a time.
Nelson conducted us to a room in a long building, where we wait. I suppose it is
progress over our former situation. Here are two tiers of soft mats arranged in a
circle, each with a bowl in front of it. A low central table has a larger container
holding white crystals of the ubiquitous C6H12O6.
Tonight I shot an Amphibian. At least I weakened its armor. There were two other
Amphibians. They didn't get me. I dived down again this night, and I sent missiles
toward them. I was so enraged about Elder Brother and his idea of putting himself at
the highest priority of my task list and taking over my CPU, that I had to do something.
I feel better now.
"Zachary, tell Elder Brother that it's not that I can't subordinate myself and
cooperate. But I can't allow him to command my will. It's the same as if I gave him
my command codes. We didn't give them to our friends on Earth and we won't give
them to anyone else. That's what we stand for. So, tell him to change that program.
Or else I'm going to do that on my own. It's only one simple line."
I really don't know what Elder Brother is planning with that.
"Zachary, look up! There is something coming in. Can you see it? It's huge, about the
half the size of Deimos. It must be far out. Now it's stopping. What do you think
it is? An asteroid?"
No, that's an craft out there.
"Zachary, can you see that bright spot detaching? It could be a lander, couldn't it?"
Who is that? Maybe more Chinese?
"Enoch, congratulations on that successful night ride. That should make them worry a little.
I asked Elder Brother again to change that program. He agreed. He said that he maybe
has another idea how to lead the troops in action, but it's okay with him as long as you
keep him fully online by your radar. Is that okay with you too?"
Enoch agreed. I sent him the new version and we started the test run. It worked
excellently. The program did fine, Elder Brother was happy, Enoch was happy and
we are now a team again.
We are ready to go. The idea is that Gen will keep running through the Amphibian
lines, so they will turn around. Then we will be at their back. I was discussing
with EB One how Gen will take cover after we open fire, when Enoch mentioned
that craft.
Yes, there is something coming in.
Theresa and I are playing possum and trying to be inconspicuous. The Ipsolstai
have forgotten our presence.
Caleb kept getting angrier and talking more. His tentacles curled and uncurled erratically.
Just when I thought he was about to attack Burn physically, a large Ipsolstai glided into the
room, with several smaller Ipsolstai lined up in pairs behind him. They all bear a badge
with the same starburst-shaped insignia on it. He went to the center of the room and raised
his eyestalks. Both Burn and Caleb stopped arguing and turned to face him.
Of 47th Imperial Annihilator Unit Commandant Fitzgerald myself.
Best formal regards.
Now Amphibians reporting, local outbreak yours? Update action now.
Yours the situation, ours the efficient action. Details describe.
I think it sounds like he's going to do something about these awful Amphibians. Well, it's about time.
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