One

Archival edicts reveal the Carryx reallocating exploratory assets and prioritizing species and tools likely to yield new intelligence, with humans elevated among useful moieties. Humanity’s remnant—fewer than four thousand taken from Anjiin—now lives in a dedicated habitat: more accommodating to human needs yet reshaped by Carryx design.

Dafyd, de facto voice of the Carryx to humans, balances requests and demands while mourning missing and dead comrades. He seeks a missing lab report before meeting the keeper-librarian and finds Tonner’s team disrupted by carryover losses and senior recruits resistant to direction. Brun showcases advanced alien equipment, but Tonner condemns the upheaval and lack of continuity, outlining urgent needs: doubling hydroponic capacity, adapting silicate microfarms, and lengthy training for protein translation.

Dafyd proceeds to Ekur-Tkalal’s office under the watch of a Sinen clerk. Ekur-Tkalal declares only two human efforts matter: making one animal species nourishing to others and imaging via gravimetric lensing. All other activities must cease. Reports must be submitted in proper archival form, and the Sinen will instruct Dafyd.

Ekur-Tkalal adds that the Sovran has found the human moiety useful and anticipates assignments across thousands of worlds. Because the current population is inadequate, humans must breed locally to sustain and expand their numbers; a moiety that cannot sustain itself will be culled. Dafyd acknowledges the demand, notes human developmental needs, and accepts the mandate, recognizing the lethal stakes if they fail.