A breadbasket world. A whole planet solely dedicated to the production of crops for the rest of humanity. Kilometre-high racks stretch out in long lines, holding millions of planters, each designed to hold modified rice plants. Sunlight turns green as it filters through this artificial jungle and the constant drips of humidity glitter as they fall between the leaves.
There’s a quiet here that I can’t find anywhere else in the galaxy. There’s occasionally human workers on the walkways but mostly it's just the drones, spraying pesticides or taking samples.
The wind brushes through the leaves, making a shushing sound that spreads overhead and rolls over me. Water droplets ping on steel. There is no one to speak to.
Paddy Dobson
2nd April 2023