Jan 2nd, 2322
Pooka Chooke gazed upward at the chilhongs. These warmly-glowing sacks, hanging in clusters from thick vines, emanated both light and heat. When they ripened, they developed a dark hue, ready to be devoured. These soft squashes held an incredibly sweet flavor-making them a delectable treat. The chilhongs' ubiquity, thriving wherever darkness enveloped, and their ability to illuminate numerous rooms in The Farm, stood as a monument to Yoon's bioengineering genius. Out of all the verdant and vibrant areas within The Farm, this cavern-abundant with green and red vegetation and carpeted in moist, mossy soil, struck a particular cord with Pooka.
The Farm, initially built to feed the colony, took a remarkable U-turn- technology had unpredictably made eating a choice. There were those who chose to eat, but as the generations progressed, the size of this group dwindled. The Immortals were an exception—they needed to eat. Many did opt for synthetic food, the busy scientists, but nothing compared to the natural produce The Farm proffered for those with more time.
An additional thousand Immortals could easily be transported from Earth and settled within the confines of The Farm. However, discussions along these lines hit a snag due to the stringent population controls embedded within Janice's unalterable core. Here was another example of the programmers' shortsightedness. In attempting to make Janice unhackable, they had also rendered her incapable of adapting to certain types of changes. Hardware designers often had disdain for software engineers and vice versa.
She had done her job too well. Her creations had evolved under Janice's watchful eye to the point where no human could comprehend their design. Her work was finished. She could now retire and enjoy her youth and vitality. If that got boring, perhaps she would become a Craterist.
Or maybe she would return to Earth. Her friends from the IPF had informed her that there were now significant pockets of safety where one could visit or even settle down. There was much to do there. Her friend Brenda had been talking about returning to Earth as well. She faced the same issue - her creations no longer needed her, and with Richard gone, the council was far less engaging.
She was adorned with lustrous black hair cascading down to her knees, framing her face with class. Her face is exquisitely oblong, with a unique charm. Plump lips accentuate her captivating smile, harmonizing with the wide, enigmatic smokey eyes that seem to hold a perpetual expression of surprise. Her eyebrows, dark and full, add a touch of intensity to her gaze.
Her physique boasts a balanced combination of femininity and strength. Her torso had a wide, graceful curve that accentuates her femininity. Her ample bust and proportional waist, joined by toned abs usually on proud display, exude confidence and vitality. Her dancer legs showcase a sculpted elegance, a testament to her dedication and grace. A deep prominent belly button adds a whimsical touch to her otherwise perfect figure.
Her skin tone has a light honey hue that complemented her features and enhances her natural radiance.
Chooke reclined, devoid of any concern about the advanced technology around her that instinctively prevented her back and attire from being sullied by the damp foliage or ground beneath her. She idly stretched her hand to pluck a handful of red berries, each one progressively savored for their sweet-tart flavor.
Reading was on her agenda post her berry feast, so she had her Halo on, even though she frequently visited this haven without it. Not too far from here lay another cavern housing a large rectangular water body, ideal for swimming. The dilemma between reading and swimming left her in a quandary. As she mulled over her options, she had Janice modify her clothing to cater to the former—the design was already swim-friendly, but the lace required substitution. Spotting a cluster of chilhongs in close proximity, she had an epiphany—this would make a gorgeous reading spot! Comfortably settling there, she manifested a book.
The tome she chose detailed the New Zealand Civil War, and was hot off the press, transmitted from Earth merely a month ago. Even in The Farm, where programmable matter was far from abundant, her book materialized rapidly from the soil beside her. She could have opted for a tablet, but the allure of paper was irresistible. This penchant for books was not too common among the newer generation of Immortals who were more inclined towards tablets or holos. Yet, Maximillian's love for books had rubbed off on her, shaping her preference.
She leaned back, as a minor gravity assist formed to make her angle against the bent tree trunk slightly more natural. Glancing at the book with anticipation, she felt fascinated by The Restructure. Having lived through most of it, though Mexico's claim to Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico had occurred before she was even aware of such things, as she was only seven years old then.
The book was divided into four sections. The first section talked about the civil war between the South and North Island of New Zealand during the beginning of The Wasting. The book then comprised an entire section of firsthand accounts of the battles, along with the trading pacts that acknowledged both countries as sovereign entities, ending the war. The third section described the taking of the northern peninsula just north of Awanui by pirates as a permanent land base. It had an extensive subsection on the kidnapping of Higgins Grainger's wife. The final section talked about the current state of the New Zealand archipelago today. The focus of her large smoky eyes narrowed as she skipped the first section and delved into the personal accounts.