2: The Gauntlet

I've landed near the power-transmission unit -- unfortunately, it's very small and contains no power-generating equipment. It appears to be a simple relay, retransmitting power received from another station. I'm working on locating the source of the incoming beam, but it will probably take a little time. While I'm working, you need to do several things. First, destroy the relay's circuits. I've landed as close to it as possible. It should be at the edge of the cliff just to the north. Second, it seems that power is also being beamed from the relay to a second nearby base. Scout out the area for this base and destroy as much of it as you can. If I'm correct, there will be a small receiver somewhere near the base. Most likely, that will be the only clue as to the base's location. Third, destroy all aliens in the area. I've detected something large to the southwest of here, so be careful. I've unpacked a few heavier weapons this time. I'm also providing some higher-energy shield recharge canisters. It's a drain to my system, but I'm able to tap into the energy beam. I have not figured out a very efficient way of pulling power out of the beam -- I'm still working on figuring out the technology involved, as it is not a simple electromagnetic beam. So I can't get much additional power that way. Every little bit helps, though.

LOG ENTRY 827 : 10.12.2142 I hate these damn materialistic fools! First terraforming efforts are initiated on Mars. Now I hear Interplanetary Mining Conglomerate plans to begin strip-mining the Moon, and the United Planets government plans to seed Venus with genetically-altered carbon-fixing bacteria. There will be nothing left of our solar system's original beauty once these idiots finish chewing it up! The common man does not realize what is being done to the space he lives in. If he did, he surely wouldn't allow it. Thank God for the CPS! If not for us, the solar system would be raped and left for dead, and only then would the common man mourn what was lost! But he doesn't have any concept of this -- he just wants more, more, MORE -- and so he doesn't understand us. Well, children don't always understand what their parents say and do. In their ignorance, they question the wisdom of those who know best. If the common man interferes with our purpose, he will be punished just as will the child who talks back. I've got to get back to work. The Leopard will be angry if this base is not completed on time. If I don't get the auto-digger back online soon, I'm going to fall behind schedule. Besides, I want some living quarters completed so I can get some company out here! I feel so horrible, gouging these holes in the sacred sands of Mars. But, I think that I've finally come to fully accept that it is necessary. We must be the first to establish a significant human presence here. If others get a foothold first, we will have greater difficulty dislodging them. As it is, there's an alarming number of automated terraforming machines roving about the Martian surface. Enough. I have so many thoughts rattling around in my head, I could write well into the night. But the work must be done. The Leopard is sending an inspector out in two weeks to see what's delaying this project. Damn these cheap machines he sent me! If only the movement had more money to spend.