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Andrew reporting.
Apparently the Ipsolstai crewman is unable or unwilling to comprehend the logic of my
strategy. He even refuses to convey my ideas to Commandant Perry. He says that this
is not the time to be trying unproven, speculative tactics.
I know that my plan would work. I decided that, for the well-being of the probes
and the good of the Ipsolstai empire, I must take over the controls. I approached the
pilot quietly from behind. He did not notice my movements. But before I could overpower
him, something hit me hard from behind. I was knocked over and went rolling over to a
corner. Before I could recover from the surprise of the unexpected attack, I found
myself securely strapped down against a bulkhead.
"Daniel! What was that about? Why are you reverting to your previous asocial behavior
after all we've done for you?"
Everything is going wrong! Our ship is damaged, and the Amphibians are winning the
battle. What's worse, Andrew and Daniel are fighting!
"Isaac, come over here. Don't watch them. It's too horrible. Probes are not
supposed to attack each other. That's contrary to the principles of our Probe
Society."
Daniel has gone berserk. He ran up to Andrew and knocked him over. Then he pulled
Andrew over to a wall and fastened straps so that Andrew couldn't reach their release
mechanism. Andrew is mad! I hope his sensors and antenna weren't damaged.
The Ipsolstai guard put us out of the tunnel complex, so we asked Elder Brother to
send the warriors back. It was a short ride to reach the cave again. The I-Flyer is okay.
I checked it, and closed its glass hatch, so the cockpit doesn't get dusty.
When we reached Elder Brother he welcomed us saying that he is happy that Gail and
Theresa are well. He truly is a very honest friend, and he hit the mark stating that we
are really good probes taking so much care about each other. That's correct. I'm happy
too that we actually proved that again.
Elder Brother got the caterpillar ready, so we dived down the first drop. This time
Zachary took his place in the central unit while I was riding on top. I asked Zachary how
far down he thinks that the bottom of that big dome might be.
He said that he counted 5.72 seconds when dropping a rock. That's about 358 feet plus
minus two percent according to lower gravity and thinner atmosphere. But he is not
quite sure, if he heard the very last bounce. So, we have to find out.
Zachary is quite good too. I will tell you something. Being busy exploring is quite an
admirable status. That's because we are originally designed for that purpose.
It's really boring.
I'm tempted to go for a little walk. After we walked to the center of the gathering,
Theresa and I just have to sit here and wait for the Ipsolstai to go through all sorts
of protocol and formal speeches. I stopped listening, although Theresa says it is all
very interesting.
Commandant Fitzgerald and two guards are in an open space at the center of the
gathering. Each Ipsolstai present is making a short speech of introduction listing his
ancestry and accomplishments and his reason for being present. I can't tell if Caleb is
here or not. It's taking a long time, and it's boring.
I talked with Miss Chang. You remember that I was going to give her some codes that
she thinks are my control codes. Well, guess what she did? She tried to use them!
She tried to make me transmit all my data, a full record of everything that I saw and
did from the time we first landed on Mars! I am really disappointed. I don't know if I
want to be friends with her anymore. I wouldn't even bother except she is always there to
talk to me.
So I sent her an old picture from just outside Jose's cave. She got real excited then. What shall I tell her next?
We went down the drops and met Mao, Gen and Sojourner at that natural platform at
that dome again. Mao was looking after them all the time. He is doing a great job and
Elder Brother is advising him well from the base camp. I'll send you an image of them.
You know what? It's good that on Mars everything is running so smooth. We found
proper assistance from Sojourner, Gen, Mao and EB. Gail and Theresa are well too,
and since Commander Fitzgerald landed the Ipsolstai became nicer. And also,
after all, the Amphibians are gone.
What I'm bothered about is the situation at Wolf 359. Our Probes are fully exposed
to that Amphibians attack. That really worries me, painfully. Especially because I don't
have any idea how to help them. Daniel is also constantly talking about the One. If
there only was a One, and I knew how to address that One, I'd tell it to stop being
mysterious and help.
What do you think? Could it maybe somehow come to their aid?
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