On Tess 834g, which Disra Senkovi has named Damascus, probes have found complex chemistry around deep-sea vents but no confirmed life. Senkovi knows the chemistry might represent something living or pre-living, yet he has downplayed that uncertainty in reports to Yusuf Baltiel while relying on Baltiel to understand the risk. Baltiel has allowed Senkovi to proceed largely because Damascus keeps Senkovi away from Tess 834h, which Senkovi privately calls Nod.

After two decades of accelerated volcanism, Damascus is warmer, its ice is reduced, and its seas may soon support the next terraforming phase. Senkovi has been awake for six months while Han maps the ice borders and the team prepares to seed the oceans with algae. The algae should raise oxygen levels, but that will also reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide, forcing Senkovi to keep the planet’s climate in careful artificial balance.

During the waiting period, Senkovi has also advanced a private side project: a bred and modified Pacific striped octopus named Paul. Senkovi has cultivated Paul’s curiosity and begun considering ways to make the project useful to the mission, especially because Damascus will require extensive underwater work.

Baltiel contacts Senkovi from the Nod operation, where Baltiel remains cautious about direct contact with the alien biosphere. Baltiel explains that his team has tested cross-contamination risks and found no biological interaction between Earth life and Nod life, though the planet’s chemistry is still dangerous. Senkovi recognizes that Baltiel is delaying because he wants the first human descent to be done perfectly and safely.

When Paul appears on the visual feed, Baltiel discovers Senkovi has been using mission resources to breed octopuses. Senkovi argues that modified octopuses could become an underwater workforce and admits he has drawn on controversial viral research associated with Doctor Kern’s projects, though he frames it as modest acceleration rather than full uplift. Baltiel does not stop him outright but orders Senkovi to submit a proper plan before further meddling. Senkovi agrees while concealing that the work is already underway, and he realizes that both he and Baltiel are exceeding their original mandates beyond Avrana Kern’s immediate control.