Artist's rendition of a post-contact Pav soldier by M.W.F. Baily
Overview[]
The Pav are a species described as meerkat-like, and inhabit Delta Pavonis 4 and the HIP 84051 system as of Bobiverse book 5.
They were the first and only sentients that any Bob was able to reach before falling victim to The Others, who harvested all life from the planet and all metals from the system. Prior to the destruction of their home world, Jacques was able to rescue 20,000 Pav in two colony ships. The small population that was rescued was resettled in the HIP 84051 system.
They are highly distrustful of Bobs and humanity in general, believing it possible that the destruction of their home world was at the hands of Bobs, not The Others. They are gifted spaceflight capabilities, resources, and printer technology by the Bobs. They are aggressive in the defense of their new system, and seek to expand their territory. Many factions among humans believe them to be a potential future threat.
Physiology[]
Physically they resemble meerkats. They often walk on their hind legs, but for any sort of distance they run on all fours.
Society[]
Upon discovery by Jacques, they were in a technological and societal period analogous to the state of Victorian era Europe. They had developed steam engines and coal power, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Their social structure is very similar to that of humans. Family units, however, contain many parental individuals but seem to have a limit at 8 adults, and a similar number of children. Within a family unit, the adults typically hold a variety of jobs with very little stratification of social classes. Their family culture places less emphasis on privacy, and furniture is frequently moved around the home on a daily basis. They wear clothing, but more for ornamentation than for protection or modesty. By human standards, they are considered very messy eaters, as mentioned at multiple points throughout the series. Their group dining behavior is described as "a total free-for-all" by Jacques' account.
Jacques' investigation revealed that Delta Pavonis-4 was organized into a number of nations with varying forms of government. Citizens of the particular nation Jacques examined, (presumably from which the 20,000 survivors were later taken) speak a language they call Tinozj, and call themselves Zjentfen. Their society leans towards privately-funded socialism, and is very capitalistic and money-oriented.
Contact, Evacuation and Relocation[]
Jacques first discovered the Pav in February of 2207 as part of an effort by the bobs to reach and explore promising looking star systems on the edge of The Others' territory. He spends five years frantically cataloging everything he can about their society and the life on their planet.
In February of 2217, The Others arrived at the Delta Pavonis system. With only a decade to prepare, and a significant portion of manufacturing capability going towards building defenses for the system, Jacques was only able to create two colony transport ships with capacity for 20,000 individuals.
When The Others break through the Bobs' defense, the evacuation plan is initiated. Odorless gas is released to incapacitate two towns selected for maximum genetic diversity within the same nation- Mheijrkva and Aizzilkva. Their respective populations (<10,000 each) are taken and loaded into stasis pods on the ships. The remaining space is filled with personnel from nearby military bases.
Within days, The Others sterilize Delta Pavonis-4, killing all life on the planet and between 0.5 and 1 billion Pav. They begin collecting the bodies for food. It takes them about four years to strip the Delta Pavonis system of raw materials and leave.
In 2221, a suitable world is discovered 40 light years from Earth in the HIP 84051 system, and the UN approves its use for the Pav refugees. A select six Pav are awakened from stasis aboard the transport ships as representatives of their civilization, and Bill, representing the Bobs, explains the situation to them. They decide to settle the new planet rather than return to their home after much discussion. The Pav are put back into stasis for the journey.
In 2247, the refugee ships arrive in HIP 84051. The Bobs begin construction of a colony for the Pav, which is to be completed before they are awakened from stasis.
By 2257, they are settled on the new planet. Jacques informs the Pav leader, Hazjiar, that The Others have been wiped out. He tells her that the Bobs will be stepping back, and to ask if they need anything. Their relationship with the Bobs and humanity does not improve from here.