Chapter 16

Summary

• Rocky adjusts to Earth's gravity, which he considers low compared to his home planet Erid's gravity.
• Rocky informs the protagonist that he will create a space for himself with xenonite, in various sections of the ship including the sleep room and control room, for environmental compatibility.
• Rocky has the materials to make xenonite in the dormitory and expects the construction to take four to five days.
• The protagonist expresses urgency to complete their mission due to Earth's rapidly deteriorating condition, with a contrast to Erid's more gradual decline.
• Rocky offers to share his extra Astrophage fuel with the protagonist, enabling a potential return trip to Earth.
• The protagonist is emotionally overwhelmed upon realizing that he might not have to die on the mission after all.
• The chapter then shifts to an Earth setting with a description of the arrival of the prime and backup crews for the Hail Mary spacecraft.
• Stratt, the mission director, discusses the selection criteria and challenges of assembling the Hail Mary's crews, including issues of gender, nationality, and relationships aboard the craft.
• The protagonist is introduced to the crew and learns that he will be responsible for training them, despite feeling they are more qualified than he is.
• It's revealed that the protagonist has a marker for coma resistance, which he was previously unaware of, a trait shared by the selected crew.
• Back on the spaceship with Rocky, the protagonist reflects he could still die despite having enough fuel for the return journey, due to the risks of long-term space travel.
• The Hail Mary is set to head to Tau Ceti e, a planet in the Petrova line, rich with Astrophage, which will help with their research.
• Rocky names Tau Ceti e "Adrian" after his mate back home, expressing uncertainty about their current relationship due to his long absence.
• The protagonist observes Rocky's eating process, which he finds quite alien and less than aesthetic, learning more about Eridian biology.
• Rocky falls into a deep sleep following his meal, during which the protagonist plans to document his observations on the Eridian's eating habits.