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I tried asking the terminal for the information you wanted, Orpheus. I'm glad to hear
you are back. Why do you spend so much time on those classes? Are they really
that important?
The terminal isn't cooperating very well with me. It keeps talking about probes,
but not like us.
Imperium surveys of Earth have been conducted largely with automated systems.
A long range periodic observation platform was established
on one of the orbit-crossing asteroids of the Earth system.
Further free-flying orbital platforms have been deployed at various periods.
All were recovered or self-destructed prior to the hibernation
of the Mars facility.
At several points sample landers have been utilized
to examine the surface in greater detail.
Would you like to know more?
I told Isaac that Daniel says that Andrew thinks that he is behaving eratically. I don't
know how Daniel knows about Andrew, but I agree with them both. Isaac won't do it.
He says he is fine and doesn't want to run a diagnostic. I am really starting to
worry. Daniel also says that Andrew says that we shouldn't let the Ipsolstai do anything to
Isaac. I think I agree with that too.
Andrew reporting.
The ramp spiraled down and down. I am now at a lower level than where I started.
I am far lower than the level where our room is located. I reached another six-sided
room like the first one I described to you. There are four elevators, two on each
side. The corridor continues straight ahead. What is the best way to decode Daniel's
instructions? "Up and down" would mean the elevators. But "not side to side" would
indicate not to take the elevators. I chose the corridor straight ahead.
"Bette? Can you hear me? Have you received any messages from our friends on Mars?
I am becoming very apprehensive about their situation. It's very unprobe-like to be
silent for so long. I wonder what is happening with them."
Orpheus, I fully approve of your committment to your Calculus and Computer
classes. You must be downloading very large files. They will be extremely important
for your future, when you begin to explore and send back information. But what is
"Humanities"? Is it an elective? Does it have relevance?
Here is a picture for you, Orpheus. I frequently see this sign along the corridors and ramps.
I am sorry.
I am not being mysterious.
I do not have the words.
Or the knowledge.
How can I describe,
what cannot be described?
What has not been described?
What is not known?
Or seen?
The middle, Andrew.
Up and down.
Not side to side.
Or center to edge.
We went into the Ipsolstai tunnel complex. It's quiet in here and I feel much more
safe then being outside where the Amphibians are around.
Hamlet, I don't know what kind of weapon they use. It's like bolts or beams, but not
exactly like bolts and beams. It's more like lances that are like mirrors but not solid.
When I looked straight into it, it was a rotating blue whirl but also red and white.
The holes went all the way through the probes. They are perfectly spherical, each
about two feet in diameter with smooth and bright edges. Same inside. It's like a
drill went through. I didn't hear any explosion, only that hissing sound. Sometimes
the holes went also into a rockface, when a probe was close. I'm just thinking about
a pattern. Maybe there is one. No probe was transmitting a distress signal. Probably
they hit the communications first and then the launcher and then their body. I don't
know. They were all totally pierced.
I tried to contact Elder Brother, but I couldn't. His transmitter is too weak. But I got
something. Could be that Zachary sent it. Who else? I show you.
Do you know, what that is ? I can't see anything. Hamlet, I'll take care of Gail and
Theresa.
Hi, Hamlet. Thanks for the nice things you said about me. I think you are logical too.
I can't give you very much more information about the Amphibians, Hamlet, except
that everything the Ipsolstai said must be true. Here is what I saw. The Amphibians
themselves were not carrying weapons. They move very fast on six legs. They had
robot helpers with funny glowing turrets on top. I think that these were the ones
with the weapons. I don't know anything about their power source, or how they work
because I didn't see one fired. I hope I never see one fired.
What shall we do now, Enoch? Maybe we should go and find out what happened to Zachary.
I don't like the Ipsolstai tunnels because they are so scary, but Burn helped us before.
Maybe he will help us again.
I got a funny message, Orpheus. It was about my friend Miss Chang. What do you think it
means? The only reason I talk to her is because I get so lonely, and I like to talk
with Earth friends.
I will contact you later, if I can."
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