Astrofarmer

Overview

Astrofarmers are people who tend to and care for space-dwelling organisms, most commonly, purnekels. Purnekels are mostly self-sufficient creatures that don't require much tending to, but they not particularly smart or aware of their surroundings, so the farmer's main job is to ensure food (that being mostly metal-heavy asteroids) is available to them, potential risks and predators are removed from the flock's vicinity and that none of the creatures have wandered from the flock. Additionally, farmers collect shed fins and new eggs laid by the purnekels and bring them back to the space station, which they can then sell for a profit.

Requirements

Astrofarmers require no formal education, though it is encouraged that they do some base-level study on the animals they care for. Just like terrestrial farming though, many families have run farms for generations, and pass their job and knowledge down to their children through informal means.

It is however, required for them to have a private-class ship licence. Most ships are AI piloted, but in order to get a licence, the pilot must learn how to manually control the ship in the event of emergency, as well as how to correctly and efficiently communicate with Airlock Security.

Pay

Every Kepek's needs, such as food, housing, power, etc are provided for under the Commonwealth, however, Astrofarmers can also earn additional money based on the goods they harvest and sell. Some standard rates are as follows:

• Purnekel Egg (Standard): 5 itep

• Purnekel Egg (Cycled): 50 veu

• Purnekel fin: 1 kip