2.We’ve Lost

Howard, an android, arrives at Bridget's apartment in distress with devastating news: the Bobiverse has lost their conflict with the Others, an alien civilization that will now systematically exterminate the Pav species and strip their worlds. Despite backup copies of many Bobs surviving, the loss represents a catastrophic failure with implications for nearly two hundred systems in danger.

Howard, visibly distraught, arrives unannounced at Bridget's apartment. When she notices his emotional state, he reveals that they have lost to the Pav—an intelligent alien species the Others are now poised to destroy. Many Bobs died in the conflict, though backups exist. Riker has already informed Dexter, who will relay the news to Butterworth or his successor. Howard explains that Earth and Epsilon Eridani are not immediately threatened, as the Others only know of those locations, but nearly two hundred other systems between human space and GL 877 remain vulnerable. He describes the grim fate awaiting the Pav: the Others will deploy Death Asteroids to exterminate all life on their homeworld, then systematically strip the planet and inner system of metals while collecting all organic remains. Jacques had devised a plan to save twenty thousand Pav, but billions will perish. Howard notes a moot is scheduled to determine response options. He sought Bridget out for emotional support in the wake of the catastrophe.