71.      Charlie

Bill learns that a massive Others convoy is heading to Delta Pavonis instead of the expected Gamma Pavonis target. He convenes emergency communications with Jacques, Claude, Oliver, and Mario, then holds a somber moot to assess their military readiness and strategize their limited options against the impending invasion.

Bill receives confirmation from Guppy that an Others convoy twice the size of the GL 54 convoy is heading directly to Delta Pavonis. He immediately notifies Jacques in Delta Pavonis and Claude in Gamma Pavonis. Jacques notes this possibility was discussed previously, reasoning Delta is a richer target worth the delay. Bill dismisses the idea that the Bobiverse's presence influenced the decision, as they remain undetected and insignificant to the Others. Oliver attempts levity with a Borg reference. The group discusses their weapons status: Jacques has twenty dreadnaughts with fission bombs; Claude has fifteen dreadnaughts and six fusion bombs; Oliver is too distant to assist Delta but will help defend Gamma. Bill acknowledges they need more time to crack cloaking technology. A larger moot is held the next day with a noticeably somber atmosphere. Bill solicits ideas from the assembly. Thor jokingly suggests moving the planet using Bill's asteroid mover, but Bill explains this is impractical and would freeze the inhabitants. Bill concludes they face a direct military confrontation before they are adequately prepared, with their only advantage being advance warning. Bill reviews force compositions: thirty-five dreadnaughts immediately available, rising to about sixty by the time Claude's ships arrive, versus the Others' twenty death asteroids, forty cargo vessels, and several hundred attendants. Death asteroids remain an unknown threat. Garfield surprises Bill by arguing the Others likely lack contingency plans, as they have never faced serious opposition and have never lost. He suggests the Others are overconfident.