44.Debut

Howard and Bridget test manta android bodies in Odin's atmosphere before attending a Moot gathering. Bridget makes her public debut among the Bobs, meeting Henry Roberts and discussing future plans while the Moot convenes to discuss ongoing threats from the Others.

Howard and Bridget conduct field observations using manta-shaped android bodies designed to blend with Odin's native wildlife. They observe large blimp-like creatures in the atmosphere before withdrawing to attend a Moot. Back in VR, Bridget experiences anxiety about her public appearance but Howard reassures her. Their entrance to the Moot VR space causes a momentary stir among the gathered Bobs, but Bill's opening air horn signal redirects attention. They meet Henry Roberts, a singleton Bob from the Australian probe discovered by Linus in Epsilon Indi, who explains he has no desire to replicate and is planning to sail across the oceans of every planet in human-controlled space. Bridget reveals her own ambition to catalog every species on every planet. Henry notes they may encounter each other during their respective journeys. The Moot's first agenda item concerns the Others: the harvesting of Delta Pavonis continues unabated, the Bobs have no means of stopping it, and no viable plan exists to counter the threat.