Chapter 33 Chapter 31 Hotbed

Miss Prinkle Record Well, Indira, Tim - hope the pass is complete.I still can't believe it, all those wonderful creatures - we're overdue for their radio talk, even if we don't understand it! —all destroyed in an instant in order to turn Jupiter into the sun. We now know the reason, it was to give the Ou Xing people a chance.What ruthless logic!Is wisdom really the only one?I can foresee a big verbal battle with Ted Khan on the subject - The next question is: Did the Ou Xing pass?Or will they be stuck forever in kindergarten—no, in nursery?Although 1000 years is a short period of time, there must be some progress.But according to David, the Europeans have the same virtues now as they did when they first came out of the water.There's still a foot—or a branch! —Stay in the water, maybe that's the problem.Another thing we got completely wrong, we thought they were going back to sleep in the water, it was the opposite - they went back to feed and didn't sleep until they landed!We can also infer from their structure - those branch nets, that they prey on plankton...

I asked David, "What about those huts? Isn't it an advance in technology?" Something that looks like a flying carpet and is as big as a football field... However, they show initiative, even originality, in one area.The Europeans are fascinated by metals, presumably because metals do not exist in the form of pure matter in their oceans.That's why the Qian Xuesen was stripped naked, and the same happened to the detectors that occasionally fell into their domain. What do they do with the collected copper, beryllium, and titanium?I'm afraid it won't help.The metal is all piled up in one place, and the results over the years have been considerable.They may have developed an aesthetic - I've seen worse ones at MoMA... but I have another theory - ever heard of "Airplane Cult"?In the 20th century, the few surviving primitive tribes would imitate airplanes out of bamboo, hoping to attract the large birds that soar through the skies and occasionally bring them wonderful gifts.Perhaps Ou Xing and his wife also have this idea.

As for the question you keep asking me... what is David?And he—and Ha'er, how could he become what he is now? The simplest answer is, of course, they are all imitations in the huge memory of the slate—simulations.They've been dormant most of the time; when I asked David about it, he said he'd only been "awakened" for a total of 50 years since his - er, metamorphosis 1,000 years ago - he That's what it says. I asked him if he hated having his life taken.He said: "What do I hate? My function is very good." Yes, the tone is the same as that of Ha Er!But I believe it was David - if there is any difference now.

Remember that "Swiss knife" analogy?Hamann is one of the many parts of this Swiss knife. But he is not a completely passive tool. When he is awake, he also has some autonomy, some independence—presumably also within the pre-set limitations of the master of the slate.For centuries he was regarded as some kind of intelligent probe to observe Jupiter - as you have just seen - and Ganymede and Earth.This confirms the mysterious events in Florida, including the sighting of David's former girlfriend; and the sighting of his mother's dying nurse... and the contact with Wolf God City.

This also explains other mysterious events.I asked him point-blank, "Why did I get to land on Europa? Didn't everyone else get kicked out over the centuries? I was prepared." The answer is ridiculously simple.Slate often uses David—Harman—to keep an eye on our actions.David knew exactly what happened to me when I was rescued, and even watched some media interviews of me on Earth and Langshen City.I have to say I'm kinda sad that he didn't even try to contact me!But at least he gave a warm welcome upon arrival... Tim, I have 48 hours before Peregrine can leave -- with or without me.I don't think I need to. Now that I've connected with Haman, we can keep in touch even from Wolf God City...as long as he's happy.And I'm anxious to get back to the Three as soon as possible, the Peregrine is an excellent little spaceship, but the plumbing could be improved - it's starting to smell and I'm crazy about taking a shower.

Hope to see you all soon - especially Ted Khan.Before returning to Earth, we have something to talk about. store send