55. Bob – July 2166 – Delta Eridani

Bob and Marvin prepare the Deltan tribe for a month-long migration to a village site with abundant flint resources. The journey begins smoothly despite initial challenges, including a daytime gorilloid attack that kills one juvenile. As the migration progresses, other scattered Deltan groups join the caravan, swelling numbers to over five hundred. The tribe successfully crosses a treacherous mountain pass in four days and enters forested territory on the far side, where they establish a temporary camp to celebrate and rest.

Bob spends a month preparing the Deltans for migration to an abandoned village site rich in flint, a journey requiring passage through a mountainous spine with limited food availability. He teaches the tribe meat preservation techniques, which they adopt eagerly. While awaiting final preparations, Bob and Marvin construct additional busters and manage breeding complications as many Deltan females approach their due date. Archimedes continues gaining status within the tribe and shows signs of puberty. The full tribe finally departs with their belongings on travois, observed warily by gorilloids at the territory's edge. The first night proves difficult with heavy rain, prompting Bob to consider introducing tent poles to Archimedes. Bob and Marvin discuss documentation of Deltan prehistory and Marvin's potential future departure; Marvin confirms he has begun manufacturing new Bobs at the autofactory but remains uncertain about staying long-term. A daytime gorilloid raid kills one juvenile despite the Deltans' swift response and drone assistance. Rather than abandoning the migration, the Deltans conduct a burial ceremony and continue forward. Bob and Marvin implement high-altitude night surveys to locate isolated groups, successfully attracting multiple bands to join the growing caravan. The migration swells to over five hundred individuals, mostly females and juveniles. The tribe reaches the mountain pass and, after inventory of food preserves, completes the crossing in four days—faster than budgeted—enduring harsh winds at the apex. They descend into forest over three days, arriving with stored food remaining. The tribe camps for an extra day to rest and feast, confident in their ability to forage and hunt in the forested terrain ahead.