16.      Hunted

Bob discovers that a mystery predator responsible for Deltan deaths has been found near Camelot, suggesting the Deltans may not be as safe in their new settlement as previously thought. Bob teaches Archimedes jujitsu to help him succeed in mating contests, and the chapter explores the Deltans' breeding season dynamics while introducing a new threat that forces Bob and Marvin to investigate and prepare defenses.

Bob observes the Deltans during breeding season, noting that with the gorilloid threat diminished by automated busters, tensions have risen among males competing for mates. Archimedes, a bookish Deltan, initially struggles in physical contests until Bob teaches him basic jujitsu adapted to Deltan physiology. After learning these techniques, Archimedes defeats challengers and successfully mates with Diana, though she dislikes the drones. Marvin interrupts with alarming news: he has discovered the remains of a Deltan killed by the same mystery predator responsible for other Deltan deaths in the region, and this skeleton was found less than a mile from Camelot. Bob realizes he may have relocated the Deltans into the predator's territory, recalling that an elder named Axler had expressed doubts about the official explanation of why the Deltans had abandoned their original settlement. Since Axler is now dead, the truth remains unclear. Bob orders Archimedes and Moses to keep quiet about the discovery and deploys drones for perimeter surveillance while he and Marvin investigate further. The search proves difficult given the continent's vast size, and Bob discovers his buster production is critically low due to having reallocated resources to exploration drones, forcing him to halt other projects and resume manufacturing weapons.