Rendezvous with Rama

Jimmy deduces that the south pole of Rama is one of its motor components. He’s still in midair when the spikes return to a dormant state. The electric field simultaneously dissipates.

Jimmy reports that he’ll try to call Hub Control after he reaches the ground. Though he tries to show bravery for his crewmates, he feels some remorse knowing that Dragonfly will never fly again. He strategically crashes Dragonfly across a flat plain.

When Jimmy regains consciousness, he’s surprised to find a large creature that resembles a crab consuming the remains of Dragonfly. The creature doesn’t notice him, allowing Jimmy to watch it from afar. The creature isn’t actually eating Dragonfly but is systematically deconstructing it with claws. It stores pieces of Dragonfly on its back.

Jimmy shows Hub Control footage of the crab before it finishes demolishing Dragonfly. As the crab scans the area for leftover metal, Jimmy realizes that it’s a robot fitted with mechanical tools. All its parts simply remind him of animal design.

Jimmy follows the crab to see what it will do with Dragonfly’s parts, which include his water and emergency rations. Once he gets close enough, Jimmy retrieves his rations from the crab. They reach one of three large craters on the southern continent, designated “Copernicus.