2. A Second Visit

Will visits Professor Steven Gilligan in the Vulcan Post-Life Arcology to discuss new discoveries about Heaven's River's megastructure. Steven presents his analysis of the topopolis design, including baffle systems, hidden infrastructure, transit networks, administrative entrances, and the extensive surveillance implications of maintaining such an environment.

Will arrives at Steven Gilligan's office in Virt to find the professor analyzing expedition data from Heaven's River. The conversation reveals several important findings about the structure's design. Steven has identified baffle systems at mountain boundaries that seal segments and control light spillover between alternating day-night sections, with significant infrastructure embedded within them. He identifies entrances to the administrative area hidden near the river shore. Most importantly, Steven explains the extensive vacuum monorail train network that winds through the topopolis in express tubes and local branches, enabling travel across the entire billion-mile structure—provided Bob can locate the correct city through a directory system. Steven also emphasizes a critical vulnerability: the massive surveillance and camera systems required to maintain the megastructure mean the expedition members have almost certainly been recorded, though they may not yet have been specifically identified or searched for. If the administration decides to actively search for the intruders, Steven warns, there is no way to remain out of camera range indefinitely. Will thanks Steven for the information and prepares to relay these findings to Bob.