51. Bill – January 2174 – Epsilon Eridani

Bob contacts Archimedes, the young Deltan, through a camouflaged drone and convinces him to convince the village elders to relocate to one of the old, better-defended settlements. After initial skepticism, Bob reveals the drone to the entire village, lending credibility to Archimedes' proposal, though the relocation decision remains contentious among the Deltans.

Bob, in communication with Marvin at Delta Eridani, decides to approach Archimedes rather than the village elders about relocating the Deltan settlement. He positions a camouflaged drone in a tree and hails Archimedes, establishing credibility by referencing his previous aid: destroying the attacking gorilloid and bringing flint. Bob proposes moving the Deltans to one of the old villages, which offer better resources and defenses. Archimedes questions why the settlement was abandoned originally, demonstrating quick thinking. After brief discussion, Archimedes agrees to approach the elders. When the elders initially dismiss Archimedes—laughing at a juvenile's proposal regardless of his status—Bob intervenes by deactivating the drone's camouflage and flying it visibly over Archimedes' head. The dramatic display silences the village and lends weight to Archimedes' words. Archimedes, with natural showmanship, refrains from acknowledging the probe directly, merely appearing smug as the entire village stares upward. Archimedes relays Bob's message: the bawbe (Bob's designation for himself) can guide and help, but the Deltans must fight their own battles. Moses, vindicated after years of dismissed stories about old villages, launches an angry rant. The elder Hoffa questions whether the bawbe will protect them from gorilloids. Arnold, standing outside the circle, supports relocation, noting the current camp's poor defensive position. The argument stretches for hours, with some Deltans clinging to familiarity and even proposing a scouting mission, which Arnold rejects, fearing the scouts would not return. Bob and Marvin observe the universal nature of political resistance to change.