Perhaps this will also help your situation with them.

Your friend...GrandZero

Tell them that, whereas they communicate using color changes and clicking motions, probes and Marsupials communicate using radio waves and sound waves and visible symbols. In our society and experiences color does not hold any great meaning. Color us used to differentiate between similar objects, and to add variety to our experience - not to communicate thoughts or emotions. We understand nothing of their color communication. Tell them that if the color of your housings is offensive to them, you apologise. I would suggest that you even offer to let them change your color if it offends them. Tell them that we are also ignorant of Ipso law, code, ethics, practices, beliefs, or history. Isaac did not intend any harm to them or their property. He was merely curious about what the two of you had found. The damage occurred as a result of an accident for which the two of you are very sorry. Suggest that instead of inflicting some punishment on you two for something you never intended, that they take to opportunity to teach you about their customs, their facilities, their culture, history, etc. Tell them that you want to be friends and allies. You do not want to harm the Ipsolstai in any way or to be of any disturbance or annoyance to them. Tell them that you are sure that there is much that you could learn from the Ipsolstai if only they would teach you. Ask them to be your friends, teachers and guides there on Mars.

Hopefully, if you explain these things to them and if you and Isaac appear truly friendly to them and truly sorry for the damage to the cup, they will not harm you. Maybe they will even show you some new things and teach you some new things that will help you on Mars.

You might also want to explain what Enoch, Andrew, Zachary and Daniel are trying to do with the Bad old C-probes and use this as an example of how you want to be friends and allies with the Ipsolstai.

I hope all goes well and that this helps.

I'm anxiously awaiting your next transmission.

Your friend...GrandZero

I think you did the correct thing by readily accepting responsibility for the damage done to the object (cup). Even though Caleb.s has given us cause to believe he is hostile to you Probes, telling him the truth was right and I am glad you did it.

Caleb.s appears determined to find fault with you Probes no matter what evidence is presented to the contrary. We have many examples of similar tendencies here and can understand his actions even if we do not understand the underlying cause of them.

I wish the translator had done a better job of keeping up. It is very difficult to determine exactly what Burn was saying but I believe it was: (B: == Burn; T: == translation)

B: Nothing proven indicates...
T: Nothing indicates Caleb.s point is proven

B: inaction policy acceptable...
T: Taking no action against you and Isaac is acceptable at this time

B: very bad...
T: What happened was very bad --or-- What Caleb.s wants to do is very bad

B: understanding having must
T: It is imperative they are certain you understand what you have done --or-- it is imperative they understand what you are saying

Burn is clearly on your side. His arguments with Caleb.s indicate he is fighting for you. The other Ipsolstai appear to be a panel of judges who are to determine your fate based upon the conclusion of the debate between Caleb.s and Burn. Trust Burn. Follow his leads and work with him. I believe that is your best policy for the time being.

Good luck. Please tell Isaac to remain calm and remind him that the MARSupials are constantly discussing what to do to help the both of you. We will help you find a way out of your trouble. Burn may not have a clear majority of support, but the Ipsolstai appear to be a generally logical species. I feel certain you will be fine as long as the situation can remain contained and under control.

Your friend, Space Turtel.

I am sorry that we MARSupials have been so quiet lately. The beginning of the new year often results in many of us being away from our homes. That makes regular communications difficult if not impossible.

I have read your reports. It is truly unfortunate that the masses of C-probes are indeed as large as we feared. The challenge before you to contain and disable them will be significant, but I am confident of your abilities. You have proven to be very resourceful and I believe you have it within yourselves to adapt to and overcome this latest problem.

At this point we can summarize observations about the C-probes:

1) The first was sent to determine your location and how much of a threat you posed.

2) The second wave of 9 C-probes learned from the experiences of the first one but could not communicate quickly enough to each other to warn against your newer tactics. Nor could they recognize the second application of the trap.

3) The latest waves have benefitted from the experiences of the first and second waves (1 and 2 above) and are proceding with caution and a military battlefield caution.

Which leads us to some conclusions:

1) Each wave of C-probes is able to communicate information back for the next wave.

2) Either the means of communication is slow enough to prevent timely application of that information, or the central command structure is not well suited to swift change of plans.

3) There may be a central command in the base.

Since the pings have been detected going from the C-probes to the base but not the other way, it seems logical to me that preventing reception of information at the base may disrupt the effectiveness of any additional C-probes that may not yet be deployed. It is imperative that the base be investigated and rendered incapable of providing aid to the C-probe brigades that are now converging upon your general location.

I hope these thoughts will be helpful to you. Good luck.

Your friend, Space Turtel