Olivia Dresden 3D Render, Digital Artwork by emarukk

! REPORT

Olivia Dresden

3D Render by emarukk

Verdantia Station was set up as a food production outpost near an asteroid belt orbiting a small star called 569049-A. This station was essentially a large metal structure floating in space near the interplanetary jump point. However, its location provided everything stations like this required. The asteroid belt primarily comprised frozen water and some rare minerals. The nearby star was conveniently located near all key locations around In-World, making Verdantia an essential hub. Verdantia Station was a hub for water miners and traders and a center for inner circle food production. In a time when most food was synthetic, authentic plant-based food became crucial, almost a luxury, and Verdantia was the place to cultivate it. Naturally, those who worked and resided at the station were unaware of how their raw materials were refined at other stations before reaching markets and consumers. The inhabitants of Verdantia assumed that others received their fresh food the same way they did.

The station's experimental greenhouse, which also served as a plant nursery and laboratory, buzzed with life and the soothing sounds of flowing water. Rows of vibrant greenery in the hydroponic gardens and fruit-bearing bushes in the soil beds reached up under artificial sunlight toward the ceiling. Cabinets housing exotic, now-extinct plants showcased a new era of genetic engineering that began with food production and stood there as marvels of engineering this station had created. The lush plants and warmth were comforting signs amidst the gray, rusting decay of the slowly deteriorating off-world. At Verdantia station, many concerns seemed remote, as if the bleak news came from another world. This was partly true, as the inner circle of the off-world was well-protected and distant from conflicts, just a few interplanetary jumps from the In-World and the core of Syndraka. The station's spaciousness, warmth, and abundant greenery made it unique. The inhabitants of Verdantia station were likely the most content within the Confederation of Syndraka.

Olivia glanced at the drone's camera as it hovered nearby. The small, spherical device floated using its antigravity levitation system. However, its movements were erratic, typical of a drone equipped with a low-quality antigravity engine. Olivia's eyes followed its path as it drifted, making her head spin. When the drone attempted to steady itself, its antigravity engines emitted a humorous mechanical hum that echoed through the expansive hall. Next to Olivia, Lucas paid no attention to the drone. The robot was focused on quickly getting to work with the backup batteries for the water circulation system. Olivia had a fondness for Lucas, even though the mechanical being was somewhat clumsy and straightforward, operating independently of the network through its own computational unit.

Nevertheless, Lucas had a distinct personality. Unlike synthetic servants, many robots remained in use because they were typically disconnected from wireless networks and thus protected from rogue ghost hackers serving rebellion. Ghost hands had used synthetic servants as weapons, causing a lot of panic and destruction in the first years of the war.

"Dresden, that drone won't remain stationary for you! Grab the camera and have Lucas record the video!" Hans called out impatiently from the walkway behind Olivia. He was a bit annoyed that they opted for an inexpensive video drone instead of using one of the scout drones that monitored the plantation.

"Lucas, if the drone isn't functioning properly, is it okay to smack it with a wrench, or does that break the community guidelines?" Olivia cautiously inquired of his robotic partner. She was aware that damaging a camera drone could lead to some harsh words from teachers and parents.

Lucas glanced at Olivia and Poweshell and then at the drone, which seemed to have found some extra energy to steady its power-draining engine, which buzzed with a strained hum.

"Lucas can hit," the robot responded in a voice that came through a mechanical synthesizer. Olivia had upgraded the original dreadful speaker to a much better one. These robots were built for labor, not conversation, but Lucas tried his hardest, and with the new speaker, his voice was now gentle and pleasant. "It is a pleasure to assist you, Mistress."

The drone hovered steadily, its antigravity engine whirring even more loudly as a small white ball worked to keep the camera focused on Olivia, avoiding focusing the wrench in Lucas's hands as he examined the battery. Drones had fundamental neural networks that enabled them to follow user commands. Occasionally, it seemed as if they possessed rudimentary self-preservation instincts.

Olivia inhaled deeply and began her rehearsed speech. It was intended to be presented not only in the lower schools at Verdantia Station but also across schools in other stations. Olivia felt proud to have been selected as the representative for Verdantia Station throughout the Confederation of Syndraka. It was crucial to support the Confederation during these challenging times and convey a message of hope to those who were not as fortunate as Verdantia Station.

Olivia began her speech with some initial nerves but soon found her rhythm: "Hi, I'm Olivia Dresden, speaking from Verdantia Station, a key agricultural hub among the Off-World colonies."

"Verdantia is more than just a station; it's essential for life. Here, we cultivate vegetables, beans, and even certain fruits that supply the Off-World's inner circle. Some of our produce is also sent to In-World markets. Our hydroponic greenhouses span several sectors, allowing us to grow fresh food without the need for extensive planetary farmland. Each plant is meticulously monitored, from oxygen levels to nutrient cycles, to ensure we achieve maximum efficiency and sustainability."

"Water is a precious resource; though we receive regular ice shipments from a nearby asteroid belt, we utilize a cutting-edge recycling and circulation system to conserve it. These pumps," Olivia gestures to the equipment behind her, where Hans waves at the camera, "keep everything running smoothly, supported by backup batteries in case of power failure. Without them, our crops would fail, jeopardizing our food supply."

"I've spent my entire life on Verdantia, and I aspire to visit In-World someday to see where our produce ends up. For now, my role is to help keep Verdantia operational alongside the engineers, farmers, and traders who work tirelessly to ensure no one in the colonies goes hungry."

"So the next time you enjoy a fresh meal in the Off-World, remember that Verdantia Station made it possible."

Olivia paused and sighed, feeling sad and anxious like just a schoolgirl with dreams of adventure. She longed to explore the world beyond Verdentia station and proudly serve the Confederation. Eagerly counting down the years until she could enlist, Olivia saw conscription as her ticket out. She geared up for the future by choosing all engineering courses at school, aiming to apply to the College of Mechanics rather than Agriculture. Unlike her father, who was deeply devoted to agriculture, Olivia had a passion for working with power shells, robots, and farming machines.

"Hey, sleepyhead! That was great!" Hans called out from behind, pulling Olivia from her daydream. She smiled, but before she could respond, a distant tremor shook the floor beneath her. Olivia assumed it was nothing out of the ordinary, just another routine system adjustment. However, it felt more substantial than the usual phase shift.