Mackenzie smiled involuntarily as she watched Niki splash around with the children in the pond. The cat tried to climb onto their heads, the kids laughed and moved to make her fall into the water again. The kitten enjoyed splashing and playing, swimming and diving quite skillfully.
While both women watched Niki's games, Mac listened as Isa told her the secret of the strange lighting in the biodomes. Isa was surprised by the double function that the tinted glass had, given that it not only protected from the radiation of nearby stars, but was also capable of giving the impression of an atmospheric blue sky if the light hit it directly, or allowing one to see the stars and space if it didn't receive said light. Basically she could even force a day-night cycle, if desired.
The neurologist couldn't help but be saddened to hear what had happened to the biodome maintenance worker, and remember how dangerous it could be to operate outside to make repairs. "I'm very sorry, and I hope he recovers soon." She felt a shudder as she remembered the last accident they had experienced at Faith Haven, and the poor workers who were victims of it. "I already imagined that working on biodome maintenance in hostile environments is always dangerous, not just in Pygar. And as we said at Faith Haven, after that horrible moment we experienced during your visit, in a way it's something that is within the norm. They're dangerous jobs that must be done so that the rest of the people in the community can continue living and benefiting." Mac shook her head. "However, as a person who is dedicated to saving lives... it's always very hard for me to lose people in such routine jobs. I always think there should be a way to prevent these accidents."
Wilson watched as Saito's gaze grew sad when talking about the injured worker, and decided to change the subject. She knew firsthand how hard it was to see someone almost die, and probably even more so in an environment as familiar and close-knit as the Healing Heart seemed to be. The neurologist pointed towards the crop fields of the biodome. "Let's go over there, I would like to take a look at how you manage agriculture here."
As they walked along the paths next to the canals, and crossed some bridges over them, they entered the farming area. As Mac had already imagined, those picturesque canals weren't only decorative or for leisure, but were used by farmers to irrigate the fields. Some of them were working on the ground, with their straw hats on their heads as they supervised their harvesting robots, and they raised their heads when they saw them around. Isabella waved back to one of them who waved from one of the bridges in the distance.
As they walked through the fields, Saito explained the type of food that the Healing Heart produced in the biodomes, and also the system the ship had to manage the working relationship with the farmers. Wilson considered that the deal MFE had with the agricultural workers was quite beneficial for them, because they could keep a part of the harvest in addition to receiving their salary. It was a bit like the Church did with the colonists, whom it fed and housed for free in exchange for their work, but also paid them a salary.
Mac stopped and she approached a greenhouse, inside which she saw some irrigated fruits. "It's a slight different way of farming than ours." She turned to the psychologist. "In Faith Haven, the biodome assigned to agriculture work is highly mechanized and is focused to the intensive cultivation of certain vegetables. It's also entirely dedicated to that purpose, not a place for walking or enjoyment. Anyway, our objectives are also different, because you aren't trying to achieve total self-sufficiency as us, the ship don't need it." Mac approached one of the greenhouses, and observed at some strawberry plants. "You couldn't see it when we were there, but we sacrificed a lot of variety to achieve better results focusing on vegetables that can provide the best nutritional level and that also don't require too much care. Of course that greatly affects the diversity of what one can eat, and that's why the food that the Church guarantees free to the settlers is..." She smiled indulgently. "...well, a little boring."
Mac turned to Saito again and shrugged. "But nevertheless, with our system everyone can meet their food needs, while also being self-sufficient in doing so. Besides, in order to acquire other tastier or more exotic foods, we've the private market and private restaurants, which import products from outside the planet. Of course this products are more expensive, but this way anyone can stay well-fed constantly and free on a daily basis, and allow themselves a little joy on special days, paying it with their salaries." Mac waved her hand, as if dismissing everything she had said before. "But, don't get me wrong. I understand that the situation of Faith Haven and Healing Heart are completely different. I think both are examples of how two communities in inhospitable environments have been able to find a system to feed their members." The neurologist opened her arms, encompassing the fields around her with a gesture. "And, honestly, what you've achieved here is wonderful. How have you managed to combine a recreational and leisure environment with cultivation... This is a tremendously welcoming place. It reminds me so much of Gran Canaria..."
Mac followed Isabella towards one of the bridges that crossed the canals, and they both sat on a bench that was placed on a hanging platform, secured to the side of the bridge. While Isa ate some strawberries and berries she had bought from one of the greenhouses' farmer, the neurologist enjoyed the small cool breeze that rose from the canal under her legs. From that slightly elevated platform she had a fairly wide view of the biodome, and she was distracted for a while watching people passing by on the paths, bathers cooling off in the canal, and even some people riding in boats. That landscape was so beautiful and realistic that it was hard to think that right now they were really on a ship in the middle of the void of Omicron Theta. Only the lattice of metal beams that gave integrity to the glass of the biodome brought her back to reality, when she looked towards the sky.
Suddenly, Wilson noticed something small moving at her feet. She looked over there and saw how a small six-feet purple fox had approached them and was sitting on her hind legs staring at them. Isabella seemed to know who it was and called her by her name, Lucille. While the psychologist offered some berries to the animal, Mac realized that one of its middle legs was amputated at the joint. Saito soon explained to her that it was a Gaian animal rescued from the times of the Gallic occupation. Mac understood that the six-legged body structure and purple color were probably characteristics that were repeated in animals from Planet Gaia.
Wilson soon noticed that Lucille was watching her carefully while she ate the berries that Saito was giving her, and she turned to the psychologist. "It's a beauty. Poor thing, thank to Deux these animals have an extra pair of legs. I wonder what would happen to her." She took a few berries from Isabella's handful and offered one to the fox. Lucille immediately approached her and ate from the hand, without any fear, looking at her with tremendously expressive eyes. Then she gave a little yelp and sat down again, asking for more. "Wow, you really like berries, huh?" Mackenzie laughed happily, as she caressed the top of the fox's head, offering her more fruit. "You're a greedy lady, Lucille, but it doesn't matter, you can eat them all."
Wilson finished the handful of berries, and watched as the fox hovered around her, until she jumped onto the bench. There she lay on her back, next to the neurologist, offering the belly. Mac simled again and began scratching the animal's belly, while turned to Isabella, surprised. "She's so sweet, but it surprises me a little. Well, I guess she's very used to humans, living here in the biodome. But is a wild animal, right? I mean, she's not domesticated and it's the first time she sees me. You seem to know her well, is it normal for her to be so... affectionate with me?"
