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When we left Stage One to cross over to Kim at the Big Canyon, Mao switched
off the adapter not to give the Chinese orbiter any chance to intervene. The pings
we received from the C-probes ceased immediately. They changed to secret mode
again, but now they were ordered to stop their fire and to line up at the plain in
front of the Big Canyon to keep themselves at the disposal of Elder Brother.
According to Gail's message yesterday we badly will need every C-probe to form
a strong army against the foreign invaders, who are still fighting down the Ipsolstai.
Fifty warriors and about another hundred C-probes hopefully still fully armed with
missiles and projectile tubes should be force enough to get Gail out and to bring a
reasonable amount of assistance to come to the Ipsolstai's aid.
It's still amazing how fast our warriors cross the plains. A distance that usually takes
several days is done in less than ten hours. EB III used the time to make up his
strategy. I told him exactly how the canyons run and every detail I know.
Then he came up with his plan. A main bulk of fifty C-probes will move directly to
the Fortress to shield the retreat of Gail and Theresa. Then ten C-probes will enter
the tunnel to save our equipment. Another troop of twenty five C-probes each will
enter the side canyons next to the Fortress to guard the flanks. The remaining fifty
warriors will stand by in the Big Canyon as a reserve to bound the battle field.
That sounds quite good to me and also Enoch agreed, so introduced Gail to our plan.
We reached Kim, EB I and EB II and the Red Star Warriors, but as we got closer
we realized that no C-probes have arrived yet to line up for our planned mission.
"Kim, what's going on?"
"Sorry, no C-probes came down the Canyon. We heard a lot of battle noise and
explosions, but I didn't see any C-probes coming down. Then the noise calmed
down. It's totally quiet now. Sorry, since you shut down your antennas for our
frequency again, we also couldn't transmit any warning. We just kept waiting here."
Elder Brother is updating up his units. He is now deliberating with himself.
It doesn't look quite good that way it is. My goodness, what happened?
"Gail, are you still okay?"
I tried asking the terminal what Andrew said. I know what the One is, sort of, but I don't know
what to tell you.
Search parameters inadequate. Are you referring to:
(1) The Endless Emperor?
(2) Something else not on this list?
Well it isn't the Emperor, that is for certain. I picked 2 and ended up answering a whole bunch of
questions. After a few tries one of the Ipsolstai working with Isaac came over and started to
watch me. I think he was taking readings with a sensor of some kind while I worked. Finally the
terminal told me something and then just stopped working with me. It said:
Would you like to begin again?
I wonder if the Ipsolstai have never met the One? That's what the One says, but I'm still surprised.
I am afraid.
The One tells me.
Andrew is all right.
He is lost.
By design.
He may be found.
The same way.
Always go up.
Movement.
Within the beast.
A stirring.
In its brain.
It comes.
I retreated from the Ipsolstai control room. I put down each foot slowly and
precisely, making as little noise as possible. It is a good opportunity to continue
my investigation while their attention is on the flashing screen.
Daniel says that Up is my best choice. All right, up it is. I will look for an elevator.
I wish Daniel weren't so cryptic. All that solitude has really affected his communication.
"Bette, could it be possible that the Ipsolstai have no perception of this "One" that
Daniel keeps talking about?"
No, that's not likely. The entire idea is ridiculous. The Ipsolstai have carefully
catalogued everything they encounter, and they are meticulous record keepers.
More likely the One is some imaginary companion that Daniel made up
when he was lonely.
I have found a large room with Ipsolstai flying vehicles. If Enoch were here, he would
insist on taking one for a trial run. No, I don't think that is what Daniel means by
"go up", although the vehicles may come in handy some time.
This is better! I have entered a hexagonal hall of polished green stone. Four of
the sides have typical Ipsolstai elevators, and the one opposite has a continuation
of the corridor.
Up, up! Which one?
No C-probe in sight by now. The Big Canyon remains quiet. Something really
bad must have happened. We made up our minds. Elder Brother suggested building
a scouting troop that consists of EB II, Kim, me and ten warriors. Zachary, Mao
and EB I and III will hold their position at the plains.
When we started up the Big Canyon the ten warriors built a diamond formation, so
EB II, Kim and I were safe in its center. We advanced cautiously, but determinedly.
At first there was nothing to see. Then we met the C-probes. Broken apart, as hit by
some strong force. What could have done this to a powerful C-probe?
The C-probes are hollow shells. They are full of holes. Each hole is perfectly
spherical with smooth, bright edges. No ragged torn edges, no melted slag. Just holes.
I have never seen any damage like this before.
"Elder Brother, what do you make of this? What could have happened to them?"
"Theresa, get down!"
Theresa saw them. She had a better view than I did. She says that they had black
armor, and that their projectile tubes glowed in the front. When they fired them,
their targets got a distorted bubble area which glowed red, turning to blue-white.
Then the area disappeared. Here is Theresa's picture of them.
These look different from the jumping creatures that I saw.
Could it be that there are
two kinds of invaders? How horrible!
After a good long time had passed, we left our shelter and went back cautiously
through the tunnel. There was no sign of the Ipsolstai. But when we came to the place
where we entered their tunnel complex, it was open. A large chunk of the side wall was
missing, and we could see the stars.
Whatever they are, they are out there with Zachary and Enoch!
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