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Andrew reporting.
Thanks, Space Turtel. Actually the credit for the idea about using the miners belongs to
Zachary. It's a good one. We can lead the C-probe along just like it was a tame drone.
This is how the pit will look to the C-probe. It will be a real surprise.
Zachary and I can transmit with our beacons from the far side of the pit. We will have plenty of
time to get away and get out of projectile range. We can lure the C-probe around in a complete
circle if we want to. The thin crust over the trap will certainly break away under weight; I would
not allow Zachary to cross it, and he weighs much less than our target. The pit is deep, nearly
fifteen feet. It is longer and wider than the C-probe. It is now completely sealed at the far end
with a thick wall of rock, gravel, and dirt.
You are correct, JASE. It will be an interesting exercise to develop a backup plan, even if we
never have to use it.
Grand Zero, what are the reasons for thinking that there is more than one C-probe? We have
seen only one set of tread marks.
I am OK! I'm sorry we couldn't transmit yesterday. We were deep in the cave and Isaac started
to use his taster in pulse mode. The cave was booming and he couldn't hear me tell him to stop.
All the interference stopped me from talking. When he finally stopped I told him not to do it
again.
We are in a new tunnel. It looks like the tunnel collapsed into this new one. It looks very regular
and even. The walls are smooth. I don't think this is natural. I think we are in the Ipsolstai
complex.
I am happy to be back.
It was not pleasant.
They did not hurt me.
Image is unknown to me.
It was not mine.
There are others.
There is one.
I am well.
I wish to leave.
Now.
Grand Zero, the cartridges can be set off remotely, but not the emergency beacon
nor the miners. Standing alone an emergency beacon turns on automatically when
switched on. Miners have to be preprogrammed.
You asked us to review our plans, Grand Zero. Right now the C-probe is still at
the escarpment. Our plan is to lead it away from cave #3 and get it in a fury.
We placed one miner at the crack between the rough ground and the mountain range.
This miner will open the bull fight by its emergency beacon. When the C-probe gets
close to the edge of the southwest spit of the rough ground, Andrew and I will start
our beacons to lead the C-probe over to our side at the southeast edge of the rough
ground. We have a good overview there and three to four hours time to hide. That
way the C-probe will pass the rough ground at M15 at Xanthos' grid. The pit is at
M16. So we placed a second miner with the extra beacon nearly to M17. Only one
hollow with rocks on both sides like guardrails is leading up there, and the C-probe
will pass right over the pit.
We also placed cartridges on both sides of the hollow. We will blow them up back
behind the C-probe to speed it up. Hamlet, All miners will hide, so do we and the
drones are also at a safe place. The only thing that is in danger is the extra emergency
beacon, for we can't shut it off. Anyway, the plan looks foolproof to me. If you see a
weak point, please tell us immediately. Otherwise action will start tomorrow.
Grand Zero, I don't know yet, what to do with the C-probe afterwards. What do mean
by asking if we were sure that there is only one C-probe? Do you think there are more?
Al-Q, can you keep Stage One quiet, while the C-probe is close by?
Daniel is finished! The Ipsolstai closed him up and told us we could go. I'm so happy. Daniel can
talk again. For once those nasty Ipsolstai did something just to help us.
They left that new thing in him. I don't know what it is but Daniel hasn't said anything about it
hurting him. I think it is an adapter or something like that, to make their technology work with us.
Daniel is fixed again!
We are coming out soon. It might take a little while, but we will be out very soon. Burn says we
have to be careful or Caleb will find us and that would be bad. I'm not worried. We will be
careful.
So, Gail has accomplished what she went to do. Who would have thought that she could be
so single-minded, so effective? She has certainly changed after her time alone in the desert.
Somehow, I still think of her singing happily and watching the colors of the sunset, instead of
taking action.
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