76.      Funeral

Bob activates his Deltan android body (Charlie) and makes his first physical appearance on Eden. After Archimedes points out flaws in the android's design—unnatural smell and perfect symmetry—Bob returns to make corrections. He then visits Camelot as an inconspicuous Deltan named Robert to observe Archimedes' family, including Diana and their descendants.

Bob powers up the Deltan android body he has meticulously constructed and exits the cargo drone onto Eden's forest surface, experiencing the environment through physical sensation for the first time. He locates Archimedes and approaches him in his new form. Archimedes immediately recognizes Bob but points out critical flaws: the android smells artificial (like drones and cold ashes), moves with jerky, unnatural motions, and has perfectly symmetrical fur patterns that no real Deltan would possess. Bob acknowledges these problems and returns to the cargo drone to make adjustments. On his second attempt, Archimedes approves of the improvements—the smell is now acceptable, the movement more natural through practice, and the simplified fur pattern is unremarkable. Archimedes assures Bob he can enter Camelot without suspicion due to the settlement's large population and constant movement between villages despite tensions with Caerleon. As they walk to Camelot, Bob reflects on his decades-long friendship with Archimedes and how the Deltan's exposure to new knowledge has deepened their bond and changed his perspective on human social structures. Arriving at Camelot, Bob observes the crowded village and wonders about Deltan population tolerance. They reach Archimedes' hexghi where Diana, Buster, and multiple generations of children are gathered. Bob is introduced as Robert, an ordinary Deltan, and Diana shows no recognition. Bob notes Diana appears old and frail while Archimedes ages more slowly, possibly due to genetic factors affecting his intelligence and lifespan. A child crashes into Bob during a game of tag; Bob's playful response relieves the tension, and Diana distributes jerky as the family settles into casual interaction.