Editing Rendezvous with Rama (section)

==Plot==
An asteroid strikes Italy in 2077, prompting the creation of the [[Spaceguard]] system to track [[potentially hazardous object]]s in space. In 2131, Spaceguard detects an [[interstellar object]] entering the Solar System, designating it "31/439" before naming it [[Rama]] after the [[Hindu god]]. A space probe reveals that Rama is a perfectly smooth cylinder {{convert|50|km|mi}} long and {{convert|20|km|mi}} in diameter, indicating that it was constructed by intelligent beings.

''Endeavour'' is sent to study Rama, being the only ship close enough to do so. The crew navigates through a triple [[airlock]] system and descends one of three identical staircases. Inside Rama, they discover two plains that stretch across the interior circumference, divided by a frozen body of water they name the Cylindrical Sea. They identify several city-sized clusters of geometric structures, which they name after major cities on Earth. The United Planets follows their progress closely, and scientists are assembled to form a Rama Committee that considers theories and advises Commander Norton.

As Rama drifts closer to the sun, the Cylindrical Sea melts, the temperature shift causes a storm, and three massive lights activate on each plain to illuminate the world. Boris Rodrigo, a crewman who adheres to a space-inspired sect of Christianity, suggests that Rama is a new [[Noah's Ark]] that will change course to begin orbiting the sun. The crew floats across the Cylindrical Sea on a raft to reach an island they name New York, and a sample of the water reveals the presence of microorganisms. The structures in New York are positioned in patterns of three, without any openings, and their purpose is unidentifiable.

The crewman Jimmy Pak approaches Norton to admit that he smuggled a [[human-powered aircraft|sky-bike]] onto their ship and offers to fly it above a cliff to reach the southern plain. He flies to the other end of Rama, which is defined by a large spike several kilometers in length and surrounded by smaller spikes. Pak realizes that a static field is building around the spikes, which then emits a concussion that knocks his sky-bike out of the air and destroys it, stranding him in the southern plain. As he recovers from the crash, a crab-like creature arrives to disassemble the sky-bike and dispose of its parts. Pak is unable to determine whether the creature is biological or robotic.

Pak explores the patchwork terrain of the southern plain while he waits for rescue. He finds a single alien flower, which he takes. A rescue crew arrives on the raft, and Pak jumps from the cliff into the Cylindrical Sea so they can pull him aboard. A course change by Rama triggers a series of large waves, but Sergeant Ruby Barnes navigates them to safety. They see a damaged starfish-like creature emerge from the sea, and shark-like creatures arrive to disassemble it.

After returning to their camp, a spider-like creature with three eyes and three legs studies all of their equipment. More arrive, and one falls from a higher platform to its destruction. Ernst takes the opportunity to dissect the creature and finds that it is both biological and robotic, so they conclude that the creatures were designed by the Ramans and begin referring to them as [[biorobot|biot]]s. The government of [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], having decided that Rama is too dangerous, launches a nuclear weapon to destroy it. Rodrigo intercepts the missile and disarms it, taking advantage of the 12-minute time lag for radio communication between it and Mercury.

The crew prepares to evacuate as Rama gets too close to the sun. For their final expedition, they visit a city with a laser and cut a hole into the side of a structure. Inside they find a collection of holograms that provide details on various Raman artefacts, including a suit designed for a three-legged humanoid. As they leave, the biots return to the sea to be disassembled and the lights begin to dim. The crew boards ''Endeavour'' and leaves Rama. Rama changes course to move directly toward the sun and moves alongside it to gather energy. It then activates a [[reactionless drive|space drive]] to propel itself out of the Solar System in the direction of the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]]. After Rama leaves, a member of the Rama Committee considers that the Ramans do everything in threes.