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Andrew reporting.
We landed in a heap on what was formerly a wall of the control room. Probes,
Ipsolstai, hand tools, and anything that wasn't tied down when the acceleration
kicked in. The upside is that the ship's propulsion system is apparently intact.
The downside is that we have no control over its function.
Our speed keeps increasing because of the constant thrust. It can't continue forever;
the ship's fuel supplies must run out eventually. Then the ship will be completely
helpless.
Grand Zero, thank you for the news from Mars. I am glad that everyone is safe.
At least we don't have to worry about our friends. I am puzzled by your suggestion
regarding Daniel and the One. I know that Daniel sometimes babbles some metaphysical
nonsense, but that can't have anything to do with our ship's computer, can it?
I don't like this. I really don't like this. Nelson is jammed down over my left legs,
and then Commander Perry landed on top of him. They can't move, and neither can I.
It's lucky that my antenna and sensors weren't damaged.
Grand Zero, if you get this message, please let me know. I think you have a good
idea. Maybe Daniel really can help us. It's worth a try, isn't it? Maybe Andrew
has underestimated Daniel. He made fun of Daniel, and I don't think that's right.
"What's that, Isaac? You know about the One, too? You and Daniel have both been in
contact with it? What is the One, anyway?"
Pervasive and universal,
now coalesced and focused.
The One is with us.
Self becoming aware of selfhood.
It is done.
Sojourner did some chemical analyses concerning that spot. It's mainly strands
of amino acids, and it is emitting traces of that methyl iodide. That's all I
can tell you about it for now. I approached closer so I could send you a
better shot with my video.
Can you see it? What do you think it is? It's not very detailed because I can't
get closer with my lens, but maybe it's of some use.
What shall I pick for Elder Brother to ask me about Twenty Question? I still have
to think about that. I don't want to make it too simple. You know, I just established
a new record. I wouldn't like it if EB could beat that too easily.
Maybe I could think about ...
No, I won't tell you either. That makes more fun.
Erase eradicate: deeds lineage non-existence never is never was nomore.
Sorrow sorrow sorrow
No, no! Burn wasn't bad, he was nice to us! He was our friend and helped us.
Caleb won? How could it happen? I thought the Ipsolstai are supposed to be fair
and honest.
I have to tell you what happened next. Theresa suddenly ran to the center of the
gathered Ipsolstai. She went up to Caleb and stood in front of him. She sounded
her distress signal so loud that my sensors squealed from the feedback.
NOOOOOOO! YOU STOP RIGHT NOW!
Grand Zero, it's lucky you talked to me when you did. I was just about to tell Miss
Chang how to contact the Marsupials using Al-Qahira's relay system, like we do.
I remember when Hamlet used to talk to me. He said many interesting things.
What is "captured" in this context? Is is something like "captive audience"? I
got the impression that he really wanted to talk to Miss Chang in person. But
that's what makes Earth friends so interesting and unpredictable.
I completely removed that anomalous spot from the rock. It was easy. I'll keep it as
a sample for comparison, if we find any more like that. Did Enoch tell you that Sojourner
also detected traces of H2O in that spot?
There is a tunnel right behind this rock. It looks like the cave extends that
way, but we won't move on yet. We decided that we are going to map the hall
first. I know, that's not so interesting as moving on and finding out What's Next, but
good explorer probes have to document routine things like that, too.
You know who would like that? Isaac. He was great in mapping. Mao is quite good
too. I asked Elder Brother to send him back to Gen, so Mao will start detailed mapping
at the bottom of the slope where we went down, while Enoch and I will start mapping
in here.
Oh, I have a good idea!
"Enoch, do you know what you could give Elder Brother for the riddle?"
Oops, I nearly betrayed it. It's better to write it at the floor.
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