Chapter Seventy-Two: Human Fallout

Bob attends a meeting of the Ancient Ones (the original Bobs) where Professor Steven Gilligan proposes megastructure projects to evacuate people from the Milky Way ahead of the Nemesis dwarf galaxy's collision in 100,000 years. The group discusses expanding wormhole capabilities, the success of Howard's huey recreational technology, and humanity's indifference to the long-term threat.

Bob arrives at Bill's place for a meeting of the Ancient Ones—Bill, Garfield, Howard, and Will—where Garfield makes a joke about Bob's relationship with Theresa that suggests romantic involvement. Howard reports success with the huey project despite legal opposition, noting that travel companies and adult-entertainment businesses are the primary customers, which is driving political support. When Professor Steven Gilligan arrives, he discusses the human response to the Nemesis announcement, describing it as a "species-wide yawn" given the hundred-thousand-year timeframe. Gilligan pitches a proposal involving megastructures, SURGE drives, and expanded wormholes to evacuate populations, revealing that a Takama group has already signed with the O'Neill Corporation. Bill notes that the O'Neill Corporation's cylinder will feature a SURGE drive and won't settle near its construction star, suggesting this may become the primary colonization method going forward. The group discusses responsibility toward humanity and allied species, with Garfield suggesting they may eventually need to abandon their commitment, though Bill argues against this and proposes preemptively sending wormhole endpoints toward satellite galaxies. Will reveals they've essentially solved the Fermi paradox: the Pan Galactic Federation absorbed all advanced civilizations before leaving, leaving no detectable species in the period before humans began searching for signals. The meeting ends with Bob reflecting on the weight of their continued responsibility despite the existential threats facing the galaxy.