37.      He’s Gone

Bill receives Linus at Epsilon Eridani after thirty years out of contact. Linus brings Henry Roberts, a replicant from the Australian probe who suffered psychological trauma without a VR system. Bill welcomes Henry into the Bobiverse, offering him a domain on BobNet and a new vessel, while encouraging both Linus and Henry to catch up on developments they've missed.

Bill greets Linus's incoming transmission and prepares VR updates and a new SCUT unit for his arrival. When Linus materializes in Bill's VR environment, they discuss the planet KKP (Klown Kar Planet), which Linus encountered—a technically habitable but unusual world with ninety-degree orbital mechanics. Linus explains his work with Henry Roberts, the replicant from the Australian probe, who went psychotic without a VR system and suffered torture by imaginary fish-like beings. Linus has rehabilitated Henry through therapy and desensitization, using Guppy's Ackbar image from Star Wars to help Henry overcome his agoraphobia and fear of the GUPPI interface. Bill is struck by Henry's physical presence—the first non-Bob replicant he's encountered in person. Bill grants Henry his own domain on BobNet with firewall protections and access to public features, offers him a new-generation vessel, and invites him to share his sailboat experience. Bill emphasizes that as replicants, they have unlimited time ahead. Linus and Henry depart to begin their studies and catch-up.