> How large must be an entity to be alive?

The truth is there is virtually no limit. It can be tremendous in size (like the ancient dinosaurs of Earth) or miniscule (like the microscopic plankton some huge whales eat). The thing Enoch and Sojourner found could be alive.

>Could that stuff be sentient too?

I doubt that. It is too simple a structure to likely hold any intelligence. I may be wrong, but I have high confidence I am not.

I was initially concerned about your using the lasers to melt the ice. I wondered if you had considered the possibility it was only the surface that was ice and there might be liquid beneath. That would have been disastrous for you if you had fallen into such a lake. The possibility of corrosion would have been quite high.

> Koala, I think that Elder Brother is using Mao like a pet.
> Maybe that's the reason why he felt so sorry that he lost contact to Kim.

That is an interesting conclusion. You may be correct.

Have you tried melting channels away from the hole? The channels could provide a path for the melted ice to exit the hole. It will not be perfect and there will quickly be a time when you cannot make the channels be effective, but it may help at the start.

Mao's (EB's) idea to drop a cable in the molten ice was a very good one. It was fascinating to learn you had melted that far down. I would not have guessed the ice field was that deep. Now I am even more curious about it.

> No, wait a moment. That's odd.

What is odd? What is happening?

Your friend, Koala

Please don't be too hard on Theresa. She was outraged at the lies that Caleb told and wanted the Ipsolstai to understand what he really is. It was regretable if she altered her story, but not a matter worthy of condemnation.

I was relieved to learn the projectile did not permanently harm Theresa. I was also dismayed to learn that another Ipso has become harmed. The change in color must be an indication of sudden aggitation or (more likely) pain. The fluid leak is a loss of blood or other vital bodily fluids. I hope the Ispo will be OK. I also hope the other Ispos now see the truth about Caleb.

Please don't be too hard on Theresa. Her intentions were good.

Your friend, Koala

I am glad your game is going so well. Please try to remember that winning is not the only goal of a game. You must also enjoy playing it. If you make it otherwise, no one else will want to play. What I am trying to say is please do not bring up your remarkable record every time you talk about the game. Once in a while is OK, but too often can result in no one wanting to play with you.

Sojourner's image is quite interesting. You say it is moving? Are you certain it is moving and not the sample in which it is located? Could it be Brownian Motion that is making it appear to be moving? Please make more analysis.

BTW: I would be very surprised if it communicates at all, but all the more so if it used Morse Code.

Your friend, Koala

> The One is here.
> The One can help.

Can The One help the injured Ipsos? Where is The One?

> Hardware must be fixed.
> By us.

Isn't that what Isaac is trying to do? Is there more than just regaining computer control? What?

> Software must be recovered.
> By the One.

Is The One in the computer? Is that why its control is so difficult, or non-existent?

> We must help first.
> Soon.
> Time is shortening.

Why is The One so dependent upon us for help? What is it The One will do that will be of such great import to us?

Your friend, Koala

Thank you for your report about the change in the sound of the ship. Sound has an odd way of fooling us sometimes. There are many different phenomena that can produce the same sound. That is why it is so easy to be fooled into believing you hear sand cascading over the hull when it is really something else entirely.

The acceleration probably is causing distress, if not outright harm, to many of the surviving Ipsolstai. The pressure against their bodies is probably near their level of tolerance and may be causing the wounded to become worse.

I hope too that Isaac will be successful in returning the ship to good working order -- well, at least back under control.

Your friend, Koala

You sound suspicious of Daniel. I understand how difficult it is to go beyond first impressions, and Daniel certainly has not made the task easier with his odd behaviors, but your constant distrust of him is counterproductive.

Please continue to report your observations, especially when he deviates from his typical behavioral patterns, but also please try to keep from being judgemental. That is a difficult task, I do understand, but I believe you are ready for and able to do it.

I see, too, those suspicions have now expanded to include Isaac. Are you concerned that Daniel's attentions have caused Isaac to wish to emulate Daniel?

Your request to Isaac was good in that you gently reminded him of his mission and requested information. It was not a rebuke and it came across as normal conversation. That was good.

How did the sound of the engines change? Are you sure it is the engines and not sounds of stress of the ship's inner or out superstructures?

Andrew, I try hard to point out where I think you are making mistakes. I also try hard to tell you when I think you have done well. If I were keeping a tally of each (which I am not) I would have to readily state the "done well" lists far outweighs the other. You have done well, you will continue to do so, and I am glad you are my friend.

Your friend, Koala.