34. Homer – September 2158 – Sol

Bob arrives at Delta Eridani and begins surveying the star system, discovering it to be exceptionally suitable for colonization. During orbital scans of the fourth planet, he detects fires and deploys observation drones to investigate, ultimately discovering a population of intelligent, fire-using non-human beings—a major discovery that changes his plans for the system.

Bob enters the Delta Eridani system in his ship and begins systematic exploration. The system contains ten planets with an ideal habitable zone; the innermost habitable world, Delta Eridani 4, appears particularly promising. During an orbital survey, Bob notices thermal signatures consistent with fires on the night side of DE-4. After ordering the asteroid belt survey to completion, he sets up mining operations and establishes a communications station and observation drones to monitor the system. While awaiting full results, Bob designs and deploys biological analysis drones to investigate the planet's ecosystem. He observes diverse wildlife with convergent evolutionary patterns—six-legged insect analogues, mammalian creatures including a creature Bob nicknames a "hippogriff," and bird analogues. When his drones detect the heat and light sources in the forest, Bob positions them for surveillance. The observation reveals groups of bat-pig-like beings gathered around fires, clearly using fire and handling objects intentionally. Bob recognizes these beings as intelligent, non-human life—fire-users at minimum—and realizes the planet can no longer be considered a simple colonization target. He begins recording detailed observations of the creatures' behavior, noting their social grouping, apparent communication, and evidence of nursing young. When he asks Guppy about deploying roaming units for closer investigation, Guppy provides a detailed technical argument against the plan, which Bob accepts. Bob plans to send word of his discovery to Bill immediately.