Chapter 26

Summary

• The protagonist is in a cell at the Baikonur launch facility, reflecting on their upcoming launch and noting the cell's dorm-like features yet secure nature.
• The launch is imminent, and a visit from a character named Stratt is expected, where they will administer an injection that will mark the protagonist’s last moments on Earth.
• Stratt enters the cell to inform the protagonist that the launch is on schedule, and they have a conversation where Stratt reveals she studied history in college.
• Stratt discusses historical patterns of human civilization's focus on food and the consequences of the Aphrophage issue on global stability, prompting an explanation that involves wars and famines.
• She explains that if nations do not work together, global conflict over resources could be even more devastating than the impact of Astrophage alone.
• The protagonist expresses a cynical attitude towards Stratt’s decisions and intentions, who in turn tries to justify her actions to the protagonist before leaving.
• Switching to a different time, the protagonist is now on their own in space, traveling to Tau Ceti and observing the effects of increasing radiation.
• They consider conducting experiments, writing papers, and examining the farming of Taumoeba, an alien microbe meant to be introduced to Venus.
• The protagonist ponders the future of Earth, the fate of their former students, and their methodology for seeding Venus with Taumoeba.
• Doubts are expressed about whether to enter a comatose state during the voyage due to risks and potential navigation errors.
• The protagonist reflects on loneliness and thoughts of a friend named Rocky, an alien entity, as well as uncertainty about the global political situation back on Earth.
• Operating the Petrovascope becomes a daily ritual, as it allows the protagonist to observe Rocky’s ship in the distance, knowing that soon they won’t be able to see it due to the redshift effect.
• Finally, there's an exploration of how the protagonist is preparing certain autonomous probes with samples of Taumoeba for potential emergency launch back to Earth and the challenges in doing so.
• In a twist, the chapter ends with the protagonist discovering that Taumoeba has escaped within the ship, indicated by the smell of dead Astrophage, their food source.