21. Riker – January 2157 – Sol

Bob arrives at Epsilon Eridani and conducts a preliminary survey of the system, identifying several planets and asteroid belts. Meanwhile, Riker (another Bob instance) prepares defensive measures in anticipation of the Brazilian probe's arrival, planning to construct weapons and position a trap along the probe's expected approach path.

Bob enters Epsilon Eridani at a few percent light-speed from stellar north, deploying SUDDAR and scanning for habitable planets. Within two days he identifies the system's structure: two inner rocky planets, an inner asteroid belt, a Jovian planet, an outer asteroid belt, a Neptune-like planet in a highly elliptical orbit, and a Kuiper belt. Constrained by time to prepare before other probes arrive, he forgoes detailed exploration of the inner planets and instead directs Guppy to plot a powered orbit around the inner asteroid belt to scan for resources. In a parallel narrative, Riker acknowledges the strategic dilemma posed by the approaching Brazilian probe. He recognizes that allowing it to establish copies elsewhere would trigger an escalating conflict across multiple systems, leaving him in perpetual flight. Riker decides he must confront this threat immediately. He leverages Heaven-1's design capabilities—equipped with 3D printers, roamers, nanites, and autonomous cargo carriers—to begin constructing defenses. Riker positions a trap just inside the asteroid belt's edge along the Brazilian probe's probable approach path, banking on forcing the probe to curve northward and face at an angle during engagement. He plans to bury defensive weapons deep to avoid detection and time their launch after the Brazilian probe commits to its trajectory, accepting that he will likely absorb some missile fire. Riker acknowledges the months of delay this defensive construction will cost him in reproduction while expressing grim acceptance of his situation: "Unbelievable. I'm going to war."