Chapter 6

Summary

• The protagonist accepts their impending death and decides to send findings to Earth before dying.
• They observe how their initial fear of the ship's robotic arms has turned to familiarity.
• The protagonist recalls their mission: to find out why Tau Ceti wasn't affected by Astrophage and provide solutions to Earth.
• Important questions arise concerning the ship's capability, navigation, use of fuel, data transfer to Earth, and the protagonist's qualifications for the mission.
• An issue arises with accessing specific instructional information on how to use the ship.
• The protagonist investigates the different functionalities of the ship's instruments and resolves to learn the ship's controls.
• A realization occurs that the ship is decelerating and that they must be approaching Tau Ceti.
• The Petrovascope, which detects Astrophage presence, cannot be used while the engine is active because of interference.
• Calculations are made regarding the massive energy release from the ship's engine.
• The protagonist ponders the unique environmental situation of Tau Ceti which may prevent Astrophage overgrowth.
• The navigation system reveals that there is a set trajectory with an engine cutoff in approximately five days.
• A message from the past recalls a choice between high-quality astronauts and using medically induced comas for less qualified candidates with specific genetic markers for coma resistance.
• Back in the present, the protagonist conducts a thorough examination of the lab's extensive scientific library and data-storage capabilities.
• The beetle drives are discovered as the method for sending data back to Earth.
• While exploring the ship's screens, the protagonist learns about the scientific instruments, planned EVA capabilities, and their trajectory.
• Upon engine cutoff, the protagonist panics in the sudden zero gravity but manages to acclimate.
• They proceed to explore and use the scientific equipment to observe the space around Tau Ceti.
• The protagonist finds a Petrova line, indicating the presence of Astrophage around one of Tau Ceti's planets.
• An unidentified light source approaching the ship turns out to be an asterisk-powered craft from an alien civilization.
• The protagonist is startled and awestruck to discover they are not alone in the universe.