60. Khan – April 2185 – 82 Eridani

Bob continues the Deltan migration toward the flint site, managing both new predators and continued gorilloid attacks. As the group travels through rougher jungle terrain, Bob reflects on his relationship with Marvin and begins establishing medical knowledge among the Deltans while grappling with long-term strategy for managing the gorilloid threat.

Bob observes a attack by leopard-analogue predators on the Deltans, noting the planet's rich and diverse ecosystem. He and Marvin discuss Bob's plan to help the Deltans for a generation before fading into legend to prevent dependency, and acknowledge that Marvin will eventually depart. Bob announces the resumption of the march to the elders, carefully framing it as information rather than an order. The group departs successfully the next morning with enhanced security measures. As they travel through increasingly tropical jungle terrain on the south side of the mountain range, Bob floats alongside Archimedes and his new companion Diana while discussing medical practices with Archimedes. The Deltans possess rudimentary medicinal knowledge using potions and poultices, and Archimedes agrees to introduce Bob to the medicine woman, though Diana expresses concern about the encounter. Before reaching the flint site, the group endures three more gorilloid attacks with relatively light casualties but heavy losses for the gorilloids. Bob proposes hunting gorilloids extensively to reduce their numbers, but Marvin suggests a more measured approach—killing only attacking gorilloids to naturally breed out aggressive behavior over time. Bob acknowledges the point and decides to assess the situation upon arrival at the site.