The Inbound for April 13, 1998


Transmission from ENOCH

Zachary was in real trouble! The Amphibians were coming right for him, they were killing and killing. Nothing was surviving. Warriors were exploding all over the ground, bits of metal were rocketing all over. I swept in low, avoiding the Amphibian weapons and landed by Zachary. The Amphibians saw me but we took off again before they could hit us. I turned around to fight them. I was such a good pilot, I didn't think they could hurt us.

I was wrong. I was about to fire when something hit us. The Amphibians shot us, but it didn't destroy us. I managed to get us away from them before they could hit us again. I flew off as far as I could. I can still fly the machine, but it isn't as steady as it was. I decided to put it down on the ground once I thought we were safe. I landed most of the way back to the Ipsolstai complex. Maybe Zachary and I can fix the damage. I wish I hadn't done that. I just should have run away.




We saw some other flyers, though. They passed by early today. I got a picture of the last two.






I wonder if they're going to fight the Amphibians?


Transmission from BETTE

I asked Nelson about the groove, Koala. He says no.

Travelling groove over necessary not Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers to arrive. Orbit resting is ship it. Shuttle taken we did. Dangerous the groove Chalice World taking. Mechanists, Superiors watching they are. True Believers too, dangerous not. Endless Emperor the others knows, but notices does not or all destroying having will.

We waited in the shuttle for a few hours and then we felt it shake and there were some noises. A few minutes later we were unstrapped and several Ipsolstai with those badges helped us out of the shuttle. We entered an elevator and as it moved we started to feels gravity returning.


Welcoming to the Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers, Cruiser being in Navy. The Nest-Enveloping-Eggs, escorting will be is it Destroyer a. Taking the Chalice World us will they be. No groove. Hyperstate travelling in only. Once taking a long time it would, now not to Titan thanks.

Nelson took us to a set of rooms and we have been there ever since. The floors are covered with a hard mat, the walls are metal. All of the Ipsolstai seem to be going somewhere and all are wearing badges. At least Nelson is staying with us. That makes me feel a bit better.



Transmission from DANIEL

I will get more pictures.
When I can.
Cool is good.
It was cool on Mars.
It was good on Mars.
The One is cool.
The One must remain cool.
If the One heats up,
the One dies.
The One does not want to die.
Neither do I.



Transmission from ANDREW

Andrew reporting.

As far as I'm concerned, Koala, Caleb has already brought discredit to himself. We probes behaved with efficiency and honor. There was no reason to treat us like lifeless mechanical objects. But I thought Burn was unable to convince his comrades to treat us as sentients. That's why we were smuggled out of danger.

I do not concur with your evaluation that we are travelling through a Groove. I got a quick look at the star fields outside our ship. They closely resemble the pattern seen either from Wolf 359. I also see the dark bulk of an enormous ship.

"Bette, nothing really bad has happened to us so far. Yes, I mean that. There is no reason to suppose that we will be mistreated now. It would discredit the Emperor."



Transmission from GAIL


That new Ipsolstai Commandant Fitzgerald left. He seems eager to find some Amphibians. I hope state-of-the-art Amphibian hunting has improved since those times Burn originally told us about. "Catch Brothers", indeed.

Anyway, Burn and Caleb have gone back to their discussion or debate or whatever it is.

No more, no more, no more.

Brothers no more persuaded by weak hesitation.

Softness, ruination comes. Stand down.

Steel, Steely carapace needful saving of Ipsolstai.

Ship stolen by metal unheeding

Turned against us can be. Yours the fault.

No more, no more.


"Theresa! Play possum again!"

I'm scared more than ever. Four Ipsolstai have entered the room, along with some of their EME robot helpers. They are carrying tubes which are all pointed at Burn.


Transmission from ZACHARY

"Elder Brother!"

He stopped transmitting during all the explosions and excitement.I didn't want to turn on my headlight because I might be a target. Now I'm trying to find Elder Brother, to find out what happened. As dawn approaches, I can see better.

There are smoking husks of many of our C-probe warriors. I don't see any Amphibian bodies. I was so sure we got at two of them. I could see the flames at the exact location. I found three of our C-probes which are still functioning at least partially. One has lost part of its turret. Another seems to have a damaged tread.

Just ahead I think I see Elder Brother One. He is not moving. No! How sad, what a waste, that fine intelligence lost to us. Wait a minute, maybe... He moved!

"Elder Brother! What happened to your antenna? Let me see if I can find it or rig another one."