13. Swimming with the Fish

Howard and Bridget visit Marcus in virtual reality to learn about aquatic mannies before embarking on Bob's megastructure expedition. Marcus offers them a firsthand demonstration by taking them into dolphin mannies on Poseidon, where they swim with a native pod and observe Marcus's selective breeding program aimed at gradually increasing dolphin intelligence.

Howard and Bridget are at the Big Top city dome in December 2333, discussing Bridget's decision to join Bob's megastructure expedition. Bridget is concerned about falling behind on her Quilt biology research, but Howard believes she will choose to go. They enter virtual reality and meet Marcus in his VR space to discuss adaptation to aquatic mannies. Bridget explains they will be wearing mannies that mimic the native sophonts in the megastructure—humanoid but aquatic and intelligent beings from a technological society. Marcus, who has been living among the Poseidon dolphins for years, initially questions his relevance but agrees to demonstrate by providing them with dolphin mannies. In the water near Moody Port, Howard and Bridget learn to operate the dolphin bodies, discovering the mechanics of swim bladders, the ability to absorb oxygen both from water and air, and the smooth coordination of autonomous systems. Marcus guides them to a native pod of fifteen dolphins, who accept them with simple proto-language communications, identifying Marcus as a friend. The group engages in playful leaping and splashing with the juveniles. Marcus reveals he has been conducting a selective breeding program to increase dolphin intelligence through non-invasive means—rewarding dolphins with better communication and comprehension skills with fish treats, allowing their healthier offspring to propagate these traits. Bridget notes this amounts to uplifting. During their swim, a large leviathan passes through the area below the pod, causing the dolphins to become silent and cautious; Marcus messages Perimeter Security as the creature passes without incident. After about an hour, Bridget decides she has learned enough about the physical and social aspects of being aquatic. They return to Moody Port, dock the mannies, and pop back into Marcus's VR. Marcus confirms he has adopted dolphin uplifting as his vocation, noting that Bobs seem to gravitate toward long-term endeavors. Howard jokes about someone raising elder gods, and Bridget calls Howard "Lovecraft" as they prepare to leave.