Chapter Twenty-Four: Arachnophobia

Icarus and Dae continue their systematic exploration of wormhole-connected worlds, arriving at a system with an unusual civilization built by a spider-like species using organic silk cables and structures. Despite finding the spider architecture fascinating, Icarus experiences an unexpected arachnophobia and wants to leave the world quickly.

Icarus reflects on the repetitive nature of exploration despite its wonders, noting that each new world feels less novel over time. Dae observes that all explored systems have been Sol-like and habitable, suggesting intentional selection rather than chance. At the next world, drone surveys reveal an unconventional city made of giant organic silk cables strung between mountainsides with coconut-shaped nodules of varying sizes hanging from them at seemingly random intervals. SUDDAR scans reveal the cables contain carbon-fiber nanotube cores designed to mimic natural silk, and the nodules contain refined metal artifacts, confirming it is indeed a constructed city by an intelligent spider-like species. Icarus, experiencing unexpected arachnophobia despite Original Bob's lack of such fear, attributes this to replicative drift and insists on quickly completing the survey. The pair return to Hub Zero and randomly select another gate to explore, but are immediately accosted upon arrival.