So what I'm getting from this is that using the sphere alters the timeline so that those affected have incredible fortune and happiness, but the price is being eaten by an animal at some point.
The gambler used it as a lucky charm, but when Bradley S. Thompson (or perhaps it was CDR Fleminng?) found the object for the Foundation, it was used and it altered the lives of several Foundatio personnel for the better. For some it had them never join in the first place, others including the O5 that was killed had great success from within the Foundation.
Ultimately, changing the timeline results in losing the object itsef and forgeting it exists, causing it to eventually be rediscovered, repeating the cycle.
Am I far off?
Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this, so an enthusiastic +1