Perhaps I misspoke. Diminished would be a better choice of words than depleted. The people of this system march on, as people are wont to do. They're resilient. So are we.

The Tranquility? There was nothing they could tell me that I don't already know.

[ In fact, Odessa would argue that she knows a great deal more than van Rijn's people, and a great deal more than she's been willing to tell. She's been helpful, certainly, but she always tries to hold on to that ace. ]

The ship's intended purpose was to help find new planets to settle. You've seen how massive she is. That's a lot of people that could be kept safe until a suitable home is found. It all seems to have gone sideways, however. For reasons unknown.