10.      Genocide

Howard coordinates with Colonel Butterworth and Stéphane to finalize preparations for decanting the remaining colonists at the Landing settlement on Omicron 2 Eridani. The team discusses recent raptor attacks, confirms readiness of farms, shelter, and defenses, and gives approval for the Exodus ships to begin offloading colonists. Howard also receives confirmation from Bert that the transport ships are ready to proceed.

Howard attends a conference call with Colonel Butterworth and Stéphane to review the colony's status. Two colonists have recently been killed by raptors that hid in the camp—Stéphane questions whether the raptors possess human-level intelligence, but the Colonel cites lack of language, weapons use, or structures as evidence they are merely animals. Butterworth pragmatically argues that human colonization inevitably conflicts with native species and justifies defensive measures. The group confirms readiness across multiple fronts: the fence will be completed within forty-eight hours, farms are operational with surplus production, and adequate shelter exists though some colonists will remain in barracks temporarily. Butterworth authorizes the Exodus pilots to proceed with offloading the remaining colonists. Howard later speaks with Bert, one of the transport ship pilots, who confirms excitement about the assignment and mentions Exodus-3 will arrive mid-next year. Bert jokes about his eagerness to transport people and emphasizes the challenges the colony faces managing Vulcan's dangerous ecosystem with its raptors, brontos, giant snakes, and burrowing creatures.