13.      Investigating the Others

Howard manages the orbital farm operations and welcomes the arrival of Exodus-3 with colony leader Sam. He then mediates conflicts between the three competing colony factions (USE, FAITH, and Spitsbergen) and discusses ecological challenges with Colonel Butterworth, including an invasive native vine that poses agricultural difficulties.

Howard oversees the spin-up of Farm-3 while monitoring for signs of VEHEMENT sabotage, working with Guppy to coordinate drone operations and prepare the third farm donut for the incoming third colony ship. Exodus-3 arrives at the L4 point without incident, and Howard joins Sam in his Victorian-themed VR environment to welcome him and discuss colony preparations. Sam mentions the need for caution on Romulus due to its fragile recovering ecosystem. Back at Vulcan, political tensions escalate quickly between the three colony leaders—President Valter (USE), Minister Cranston (FAITH), and Colonel Butterworth (Spitsbergen)—over resource allocation and colony autonomy. Howard intervenes decisively, threatening to withdraw support and reminding them of their lack of moral authority given their involvement in Earth's wars. He brokersagreements for livestock trading and artificial womb operations. Later, Butterworth discusses an invasive native vine that resists consumption by native herbivores but poses significant ecological management challenges. Howard reflects that no compatible alien diseases have yet emerged, though he acknowledges the inevitable complications of colonizing an alien world.