46. Milo – August 2165 – 82 Eridani

Bob observes Luke and Bender departing Delta Eridani for their assigned destination systems. Back at the colony, Bob and Marvin discuss the individuality emerging among the Bobs despite being copies, review the aftermath of the gorilloid attack on the Deltans, and plan Bob's next steps in guiding the colony toward the flint site.

Bob watches Luke and Bender accelerate away from Delta Eridani, each heading to different target stars (Luke to Kappa Ceti, Bender to Gamma Leporis A over 16 light-years distant). Marvin visits Bob's workspace, and they discuss the coffee simulation they share, leading to a broader conversation about how the Bobs, despite being digital copies, have developed distinct differences over time. Marvin theorizes that accumulated memories may be too complex to fully capture in backups, though Bob notes they've previously observed similar variations among earlier copies. Marvin pulls up a video feed showing the Delta Eridani colony in recovery. Over forty Deltans died in the recent gorilloid attack, with additional injuries and permanent maiming. Bob witnesses the Deltans' burial ceremony and mourning process, which he finds emotionally affecting. The colony has been cleaned up, and Archimedes salvages the remnants of the destroyed buster drone—two steel caps that prove surprisingly durable. Arnold keeps the axe he wielded during the attack and volunteers his chopping services to others. Bob has made sufficient progress in language analysis to understand Deltan conversations and plans to build a speaker-equipped exploration drone to either facilitate the Deltans' decision to return to the flint site or directly guide them there himself, accepting the role of celestial influence if necessary.