Chapter 70

Howard arrives at Omicron 2 Eridani system with the two colony ships Bert and Ernie. After confirming the system is secure and reviewing survey data, Colonel Butterworth decides the colonists will settle on Vulcan. Preparations for offloading the first wave of civilians begin immediately.

Howard enters the Omicron 2 Eridani system without encountering hostile ships and performs a quick scan to verify Milo's earlier survey results. The colony ships Bert and Ernie arrive a week or two behind him on a slower deceleration burn. Howard positions himself at the L4 point between Vulcan and Romulus and deploys a beacon, then sends exploration drones to both planets to gather additional reconnaissance data. He discovers that Milo left behind AMI units and autofactory drones that have accumulated several hundred thousand tons of refined metals in orbit, as well as a partially completed farming donut structure started by Riker a decade prior. After brief communications with Bill and Riker, Howard learns that other colony ships are already launched and en route. Bert and Ernie enter orbit without incident. In a meeting three hours later, Colonel Butterworth confirms he has chosen Vulcan as the settlement location, citing the need for a robust ecosystem to bridge the gap until the colonists can establish their own food production. He acknowledges the biocompatibility confirmation and notes the colony may be able to assist future arrivals until they achieve food self-sufficiency. Setup crews begin immediately, with construction crews printing modular residential units and AMI-controlled equipment preparing ground sites. The first wave of civilians is scheduled to wake from stasis in two days and begin shuttle transport to their new homes on Vulcan's surface.