Chapter 30

Summary

• The protagonist finishes eating a meal and notes the time on their clock, realizing they need to hurry.
• The protagonist reflects on their initial struggle with nutrition and disease upon arrival on the planet Erid, surviving on Taumoeba microbes.
• Communication with Earth is impossible, leaving the protagonist unaware of Earth's fate following a climatic disaster.
• Despite uncertain outcomes, the protagonist remains positive and finds comfort in their status among the Eridians as a celebrated figure for saving their planet.
• The protagonist lives in the center of an Eridian "cluster," with thirty Eridians maintaining life-support, and resides near a large science center.
• The protagonist describes the Eridian method of collective decision-making called "thrum," resembling a group mind.
• The Eridians worked hard to accommodate the protagonist's dietary needs, eventually cloning his muscle tissue for consumption.
• Mentioning age and the toll Erid's gravity has taken on their body, the protagonist goes outside, where they have been arranging aesthetically pleasing rocks.
• Artificial lighting that mimics a 24-hour cycle is important to the protagonist’s mood.
• The protagonist goes to meet with an Eridian named Rocky and discusses their daily challenges and Eridian amenities accommodating human needs.
• Rocky excitedly shares news that the protagonist’s home star, Sol, has returned to full luminance, meaning the Astrophage threat is gone.
• The protagonist is emotionally moved by the news, validating the purpose of their mission.
• They ponder whether to return to Earth, now knowing it's habitable, yet acknowledging the difficult journey and their bond with the Eridians.
• The protagonist hints at a job or role they fulfill on Erid, conveying a sense of duty and purpose.
• Concerns about Earth's fate and the protagonist’s hope in humanity’s resilience surface as they continue to a large meeting space for another task.
• The protagonist teaches a class to young Eridians using an Earthlike organ keyboard, beginning with a question about the speed of light.