Wow that was a lot of fun to read! I have two questions:

- In regards to critters, are species capable of evolution at all? Or are they kept in more-or-less permanent stasis?

- Secondly, in "Stargazers" you mention sentient octopi and other such... minds? How does one determine what creatures are worthy of having their minds expanded, given that they seemingly can't develop larger minds on their own? Are you sorted into a "Potentially sentient" box as your species is discovered?

Thanks and I look forward to reading more!