OutBound Transmission Started on September 08, 1997
To: Zachary
From: Xanthos on September 08, 1997 at 10:53
Hi Zachary,
this is Xanthos. No reason mourn around, Zachary. You've done your best and you've been always at one of the most important positions by keeping up your diplomatic contact with the Ipsolstai. That they want to keep themselves neutral is not your fault. They simply have to learn that this had not been simply an intraspecies disagreement. This battle is more a question about the future of Mars and in that way they are involved. However, I'm sure, we will enough opportunities to state that, when we come in a closer relationship with them.

Till then ... keep up your great work ... and all of your sensors tight ... concerning the "youngster" issue I'm fairly with Ratboy ... Good Luck, great probe ... see you ... m.f.g. Xanthos

To:All Probes
From: Xanthos on September 08, 1997 at 10:41
Hi Bette, hi Andrew, hi Enoch, hi Gail, hi Daniel

this Xanthos. I transmit to all of you at the same time, as my message concerns all of you and therefore not easy to separate. -- First of all, congratulation to you all again. Fine that none of you are seriously hurt. Andrew, I'm very happy to see you free again.

As I see, Bette and Enoch have captured Iota. Is he still armed ?? Has he still ammunition ?? What's about the other EU-probes. ?? Maybe you can take Iota with you to the Fortress. Enoch, as you've fixed Gail, can you inhibit Iota to transmit to the other EU-probes ??
However, be careful and gather all forces. Andrew and Gail should be nearby. Enoch, call them over to you, so they can help to inhibit Ioata to flee. --

As far as I've interpreted Daniels transmission correctly, he has brought in the miner robots and initiated that great firework. Good Job done Daniel. Can you lead the miners to the gathering point as well.

Now, form a bulk around your prisoner. Put the miners outside for your protection. Where are the other EU-probes ?? On of you should function as scout, maybe Andrew, who is observing the other EU-probes and is looking for the safest way back to the Fortress. Try to hide in the stone field, follow ravines, be covered by landmarks.

When you reach the Fortress, use the main entrance and then seal it off by the prepared rockslide. That way Iota will not learn about the hidden passages. Arrest him in a trap tunnel.

Enoch, haven't you mentioned that you can change his frequency, so you can talk to him ?? Am I correct, that this frequency won't enable Iota to transmit to Hardon and Parker ?? Can you also impede him to transmit to the other EU-probes, so they can't detect him, though they might come close ??

Done that, I think, you should start to talk to him and to ask him if he likes to join you and if he is willing to tell you his command codes. However, since then we will have enough time to discuss the ongoing procedure.

First of all, we must take care to move our prisoner over without too much troubles ... therefore, Good Luck, little warriors, ... keep up your great spirit and all of your sensors tight ... all my thoughts are with you ... may the better win ... m.f.g. Xanthos

To: Daniel
From: Koala on September 08, 1997 at 08:15
Daniel, this is Space Turtel.

It appears your plans for the safe return of Andrew were quite effective. While I applaud your efforts, their intentions and especially their results. I do, however, want to take issue with a few finer points.

1) You acted alone.

You are a member of an important team. It is true you have been out of contact with the other Probes for most of your stay on Mars and during that time your relationship could sometimes be characterized as adversarial, but the truth is that the Probes and the MARSupials have never forgotten about you and have remained concerned for your well being. If that were not the case, would they have taken a transmitter from a drone for you? Would they have worked so hard to locate you? Would they have talked so much about how to welcome you back into the group?

To each question, the answer is, "No, they would not," if they did not want you to be a part of the team. They have wanted that and continue to do so.

That brings me to the next point...

2) You did not include the other Probes in your plans.

It is true you left a message for Andrew in RockTalk that told him to WAIT. We were able to help him understand what you said, but none of us knew why you said it.

Without knowing what you intended to do, the other Probes could not adjust their plans to coordinate with yours. The end result was massive confusion and potential danger to you, Andrew and the other Probes.

3) You did not consider Bombardier's Rule of Rescue.

"Always ensure the saftey of the rescuer(s) BEFORE that of the one to be rescued."

You certainly knew your own plans. You also knew the other Probes were not intending to use any of the minors in their rescue operation. Finally, you knew they did not know you were going to use the minors. By withholding important information like that, you placed the other Probes in greater danger than your rescue plan had to call for.

---

I want you to know we all think highly of you.

You are a very smart and resourceful individual. You have endured hardships that would have broken other Probes or MARSupials. There is a great deal to admire about you and I am sure there is much more to come.

My criticisms are not intended to make you feel bad or to suggest you are being singled out for special negative notice. That is ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. My intention here is to point out where you need to expand your work for re-integrating yourself into the Probe team. You need to work more on being a part of the team instead of a "Lone Ranger" (a person who always works alone and does good deeds).

You have proven yourself a good friend. Now you are challenged to prove yourself a good team player as well. Only then will you truly be a complete member of the Probe and MARSupial team.

Your friend, Space Turtel.

To: Zachary
From: Ratboy on September 08, 1997 at 07:23
Hello Zachary,
Please don't attach too much negative significance to Caleb referring
to you as a youngster. From his point of view, he could refer to you as an
infant. If you consider it in this way, he has actually complimented you on
your maturity.
I am 40 years old. On Earth I am considered a mature adult. Yet,
Caleb could refer to me as a youngster. Hey, think about this. If Caleb can
refer to me as a youngster and he can refer to you as a youngster then, we
are both youngsters and you have been categorized in the same maturity
group as me.
I would also like to point out that humans often use the term
youngster as a term of endearment. It's a suttle way of reminding the
youngster that a certain amount of respect should be observed for the
experience and wisdom that age brings to all of us. When you reach a
certain point in your maturity, you will expect the same respect from the
younger generation. You will also reach a point of maturity where you
admit to yourself that you still have a lot to learn. You will begin to
welcome the advice of your elders. You will also come to miss your youth
and will be flattered instead of insulted when some one calls you
youngster. You are a fine probe Zachary. You have shown maturity far
beyond your years that has earned my respect. I am proud of you,
youngster.

Your Friend,
Ratboy