Aug 7th, 2302
The colonies, maintained at 5,275 colonists, also housed an increasing number of the deceased. Each colonist had a unique name—a tradition, though not a rule, that remained unbroken, with Janice meticulously keeping track. She often assisted in the selection process for naming newborns. As more common names became scarce, newer ones took on a distinctive flavor. The choice of "Jestic," a playful take on "majestic," was a source of pride for her parents.
Every morning, Jestic's hair was perfectly arranged, the result of the colonists' ongoing, autonomous hygiene process. Foreign matter was absorbed and converted into bodily fuel as they slept, typically in the nude within temperature-regulated environments. Fully dressing could be accomplished in seconds if necessary. Casual nudity during daylight was common and unremarkable; not only was there no risk of assault with Janice's vigilant surveillance, but colonists were also nearly immune to harm and could selectively avoid feeling any unwanted pain.
Upon waking, Jestic opened her eyes and instantly accessed a high-speed brief of her 427 friends' and family's activities during her rest. Most were either still asleep or engaged in leisure—sex, study, or simUacts dominated the list. She noted that over half had awoken earlier than she had. Then came a current events digest from Janice, predictably monotonous.
Her bed dissolved beneath her as she stood up. With a mere thought, her red hair transitioned to a rebellious blue—a color favored by Farm workers. She further expressed her defiance with a fluidly rotating yin-yang tattoo on her forearm. She crafted a tan halter top, highlighting her new ink, and a pink pleated skirt to complete her look.
At 14, with just a month left of schooling before embarking on a 15-year work stint, she anticipated the camaraderie of co-workers and a change in her daily rhythm.
She directed her point of view to nearby sensors for a self-assessment and decided on a few adjustments. She extended her hair by a few inches and introduced bangs. Her skirt was lengthened, and its color altered to match her hair, now adorned with floral accents along the side. She then relocated the tattoo to her shirt as a larger, still animated pattern. To complete the look, she added smooth coral shell bangles encircling her left wrist.
Pausing to admire the bangles, Jestic found herself pondering their significance. With a moment's curiosity, vast memories unfolded. She vicariously savored the sprawling oceans, the rich intricacies of marine ecosystems, and the vibrant tapestry of coral reefs. It was an immersion so profound it was as if she had personally navigated those aquatic depths. This was the marvel of Janice's educational capacities—beyond mere books and lectures, knowledge was directly and instantaneously uploaded, offering a deeply rich understanding. But as additional information began flowing in, Jestic internally declared, "Enough," wielding an innate ability refined since infancy to stem the tide of data. Her attention was drawn back to her reflection, now viewing her adornments with newfound reverence.
Lastly, Jestic admired her face. In a society where a century of genetic engineering had normalized perfection, conventional beauty had waned in allure. The unaltered visual genetics of one's lineage had become the latest trend. Her strong Brazilian and Canadian-Asian heritage imparted her with features that lay somewhere between Chinese and Filipino, and her skin took on a slightly bronzed tone when she chose not to alter it. By the standards of the day, her face was neither plain nor strikingly attractive, rendering it uniquely captivating.
A soft alarm sounded in her ear. A situpon materialized from the floor, conforming to her presence. She settled into it and tuned her senses over to Vesta, joining her class with eagerness, ready for the immersion of learning to begin.