Oh no, the poor probe!

Reminds me of the scene at the beginning of "You Only Live Twice" where the Russian spacecraft gets gobbled up by Spectre's bigger spacecraft.

What I realise is so alien about the probe is it's sexlessness, consciousness without gender. I think that's why it's such a fascinating read, trying to get inside the head of something that isn't familar, to which we can't assign familiar tropes of thinking.

It's also weird how much we identify with the probe. It's quite innocent and unspoiled, even though we suspect it will break bad at any moment.

You could end the story there, a sort of "Tales of the Unexpected" twist ending. I'd prefer it if you didn't, as the story feels it's leading somewhere deeper.

Your Hampstead Heath one-man-and-his-dog musings paid off beautifully! :)