Jonas! If you dont hurry it up your dinner will be bone cold!
A young man of about 14 years sighed slightly and ran a hand through his short brunette hair. Alright Ma, just give me a minute, okay? He called back, keeping a tight leash on the irritation leaking through his tone.
He turned back to the monitor sitting in front of him, cracking his knuckles as he did so. His eyes gazed at the screen expectantly, almost willing the poor AI to solve the problem in front of him on its own.
No such luck.
Jonas What are you doing, anyways? A voice came up behind him again. Was that a minute?
Trying to work out the irrigation procedure bugs. Dome 4 has been down on quota, looks like the hydration distribution system was all out of whack, watering some areas and not others. Jonas looked halfway back to his mother before returning his attention to the computer and continuing. So, Im trying to figure out whats exactly the problem. So far it looks like in area 2-C theres a-
He stopped short as his mother gave him a look. What?"
She exhaled and closed her eyes patiently. You dont have to be worrying about this stuff, kiddo. The semester just ended and youre already busying yourself with numbers and algorithms. She opened her eyes and gazed up at him. This is your fathers problem, not yours. I know youre capable, thats not the question, but really. Wouldnt you rather be doing I dont know, something more fun?
Jonas gave the woman a glance after a moment and brought his hand to his forehead. So, whats for dinner?
The slick metal corridor ran on in front of Jonas. The Freeport was a melting pot of every sort of person one could fathom. Transport crewmen, mining guild escort pilots who Jonas always thought looked a little scruffier than the rest Corsairs bringing their battered hulks of hardware back from raids and ambushes, even the occasional lone pilot with no real affiliations, hoping to purchase some high-end Zoner tech. It was an interesting place to live, if not a touch distracting.
He glanced to his right as he leisurely made his way through the hall, taking in the brilliant scenery visible through the long, crystal clear wall of transparisteel running along the whole stretch of the corridor. Bright yellows and greens lit up the system around the Freeport, clouds of pungent debris littered with microscopic organisms seeable in the not-so-far distance. The people from Samura had been studying them for as long as he could remember, Jonas mused idly. At least the otherwise useless spoils of their pursuits could be put to work in the domes. The strange little creatures had a knack of helping crops grow just a little better.
The pack slung over his shoulder slipped a little and he heaved it further up onto his back. His last thought brought him back to the task at hand. With mobile computer system along for the ride, he was all ready to introduce his new protocols into the hydration systems AI. With a little luck, it would work like a charm, and some other dome could take the problem spotlight on Freeport 9. The slick metal gate leading out to bio-dome 4 finally appeared before Jonas and, after quickly punching in the necessary pass-code, slid open silently.
A wave of aromas washed into Jonas nose as he stepped into the dome. If a inanimate bio-dome could be vain, this was the vainest of them all. The massive enclosure was normally covered with lush green grass, a botanical nursery of an impressive variety of flowers and greenery, and even a fruit tree here and there. While the other domes were built to supply their caretakers and others food supplies, this one was there to keep people sane. No matter how advanced the society of Sirius may have grown, and may have ever grown, flowers and beauty never died. Keeping that fact alive was something the Zoners thought they should pursue, so bio-dome 4 was designated to fill that position.
Unfortunately, it wasnt looking too well. From what he read, Jonas was only aware of area 2-C, apart from minor issue, having the hydration problem. What he saw in front of him said otherwise. The normally radiant green grass had changed to a dusty, dry tan. The nursery sections usually supporting the multicolored species of flowers and greenery had become crusty and parched, leaving a faded assortment of fragile, dull stalks and leaves. Petals covered the ground beneath, creating a soggy, rotting pool of humid mulch, thanks to the filtered natural sunlight pouring in from above.
Looks like Im just in time Jonas murmured to himself with a touch of sarcasm.
The damage was severe, but he was confident enough that it could be reversed by means of the new protocols. The automated system was an impressive one as it was, with routine replacer systems that checked if the plant was dead, and swapped it out with a healthy counterpart, or just planted a new seed altogether. That one obviously wasnt functioning either.
Okay, Jonas sat down cross-legged on a small metal platform near the entrance that housed the computer systems necessary for inputting commands and maintenance, as he was about to. He slung his backpack to floor next to him and pulled out the portable computer system from within. First off Ill need to run a general systems diagnostic then-
Well this place is a dump. A voice suddenly broke through the silence, You alwaysh tlk to yourshelf like thish? It finished, sounding a bit muffled.
Jonas head jerked up towards the origin of the dialogue, startled. What the? He managed to blurt out.
Hm? The figure prodded, taking another bite of some kind of fruit in its hand.
He couldnt make out a very good visual of the person who was slouched casually atop a harvesting machine - only its slender silhouette against the gleaming canopy of the dome. H-Hey, what are you doing in here? This is a restricted area you know? He choked out, adrenaline pumping as he tried to muster up the most authoritative tone he could manage.
It cocked its head slightly to one side and shrugged. Maybe ya shouldnt leave the door open then, eh?
I didnt leave the-! He whipped his head towards the entrance.
The stranger laughed- or giggled, in amusement. It was obviously a female. Dont worry, just yanking your chain. I let myself in after you. Dont worry, She repeated. Its not your fault.
Jonas shook his head, a little confused. Well, whatever. Youre not supposed to be in here. He informed again with a little more clarity this time.
Well youre no fun! Her shoulders seemed to sag in mock dejection. She hopped down off the machine, tossing the fruit aside. That thing tasted like cardboard Whats the deal with this place?
The systems that keep up the wildlife are messed up. Things arent getting the water they need and- Hey, why am I talking to you? Youre supposed to get out of here!
The girl gave him a look, a cross between a pout and a glare, as she made her way closer to him. She didnt look any more than 14 or 15 years old, Jonas decided. Her hair shone a blazing crimson red in the filtered sunlight, though it seemed a bit dull for some reason. Her skin was light, with some sort of school uniform covering it. The edges of her sleeves and skirt seemed dingy, at best, with the white tone of the whole outfit tinted a slight tan.
Oh come now, youre just a kid. How can you tell me to leave, hm? She stood akimbo, 3 or 4 feet ahead of him.
Jonas brow furled at her sudden attitude. Just a kid? How about yourself? What are you doing here anyways? He mirrored her challenging pose, wondering for the life of him what this girls story was.
She shrugged and turned around, gazing out at the sky above. Pretty, aint it?
Wha-! Dont change the subject, you!
You? Now now, thats not my name. Its Draya. Whats yours?
Jonas opened his mouth to say something, closed it again, sighing as he brought a hand to his head in exasperation. Jonas Its Jonas.
She smiled nicely, tilting her head cheerily to one side. Jonas, thats a nice name! So, whatcha doing here anyways?
Im trying to fix some systems that have been acting up. He said quickly. Look, you really arent supposed to be in here. Do you have a place you can go now? He tried the best he could to be nice, but if someone caught him in here with someone else someone not authorized he could get his privileges revoked. This girl really needed to leave.
Fine fine. I know when Im not wanted. She nodded, strolling casually towards the exit. Sorry, kay? Ill see you later maybe?
Jonas shook his head in bewilderment of the strange encounter. Sure, maybe. See you later.
With that, she was gone, and Jonas was finally alone to get done what needed to be. His mind couldnt help but wander, thinking about Draya, was it? She was an odd one; even aboard Freeport 9.
Alright, that should do it. He announced to no one in particular, slamming shut the open control panel casing.