(Master General Mott-Bailey, Imperial Battle Command, to Lord Chief Marshal Wolesley)
'Yes, that's official. I would hardly pass on a mere personal opinion to Your Excellency. The first report came in at 0222 hours today, via the redline; only an automatic repeater, to be sure-showed impossible readings over three thousand degrees Celsius. Then the confirmation came through, and it was no equipment malfunction: the damned machine did it!
'Of course, its Y-beam RX also acts as a transmitter, so all it had to do was switch a couple of connectors, and the incoming beam was retransmitted right back down the same path. Used our signal as a carrier, led it right through the scramble barriers and hit dead center, melted down the Top Secret Combined Forces Transmitter Complex like wax.
'No, no loss of life. The automatics sounded the alarm in time to use the emergency evac gear. After that, Milord, it gets too technical for me.
'But one thing is clear: High Command no longer has the option to shut down the CSR Unit. We have to live with it-somehow.'
147
From: IHC To: DCS/C
I want that damned machine outflanked at least to the extent of overriding the communications blackout with Starbird! Send a lander out beyond Jupe if you have to, but get clear of the interference field and tape whatever you can, incoming. Soonest. That means I expect the report in my hand before you eat or sleep again.
148
(Deputy Chief of Staff, Space Communications, to IHC)
'Yes, sir, the Prove message has been through decryption. That's the way it came in, in the clear as far as our best man can tell. I know it doesn't make any sense. Apparently Admiral Starbird's flipped out. After all, he's been in Deep Space for over ten years, and he's not getting any younger. That's my report, sir. I'll stand by it.'
149
(CIC/IHC to His Highness, Prince William)
'With apologies, Sir, this is what we were able to get from Admiral Starbird's command. Yes, Sir, the point of origin is definitely confirmed and is identical with the admiral's observed position.'
– without delay. I'm feeling fine, and just want to… can't imagine what we thought we were doing, intruding in Surveyed Space. Personally, I wash my hands of the affair. Pull in all probes, and look for a deep hole, no, probably better to start a crash program to dig holes. Maybe the Lord Of All will forget about us. I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect. Tell you what, I'll just get out the old deck-mop and vac these decks myself, to make plain I aspire to no personal dignities. As I said before, it may not be too late. Beware! I think maybe a nice tulip-growing contest would help burn off some of the illicit energy we've been putting into the criminal Probe program. Tell Georgie I hope he's feeling as swell as I am. Bye for now. -Jimmy
150
(from the 11:00 news, IBC)
According to a late report from the capital, court-martial proceedings against Admiral in Chief James Starbird will be initiated in absentia. No details have yet been released, but speculation is rife that the court is not unconnected with the hiatus in reports from the Deep Space fleet during recent months.
151
(Georgius Imperator to Prince William)
Willy, can our CSR unit overrule the Imperial command? Am I ruling the Terran Empire or is this machine, which I've nurtured and supported from the beginning? I'm in a quandary. The thing has ordered Ted Wolesley to halt proceedings against Jim Starbird, and to prepare to redeploy his command immediately on arrival. What does it all mean? You've seen the so-called report Star-bird filed, and the fragments Outcom has picked up since, which are worse if anything. Has Jim lost his mind? Or was he just drunk? In either case, we're in trouble. Look into this 'Lord of AH' he keeps referring to. Find out what it means. Probably just some sort of religious mania he's developed out there in trans-Oortian space. Poor fellow. But squelch the court-martial for the present. - George
152
(battalion sub-leader, Class A, to HQ Luna Command)
'I did all I know how, Colonel. Tank traps, active pitfalls, H-mines, radiation lenses, even tried feeding it false signals under GUTS classification. Yes, sir, I know that's a court-martial offense-but I had to try it! Nothing fazed it. It's gone! Headed for Farside, looks like, and far as I can see it's gonna go where it likes. Can cross the fence-line any time it likes, too, sir. I did all I could.'
153
(media report, from the palace correspondent)
After its abrupt departure from the vicinity of HQ, Luna Command, nine hours ago, the berserk machine resumed its former patrol pattern without comment until 1800 hours today, when it issued a command that all personnel be evacuated from Luna Station forthwith. No explanations of this ominous order have been offered. At present, the Council is deliberating. An announcement is expected from the palace at any moment.
