The Photheus #2 biodome, affectionately known as The Greenhouse, rises from the artificial saltwater lake floor like a bioluminescent dream. Its massive dome, a masterpiece of bioengineered algae and advanced materials, shimmers with an ethereal glow penetrating the machine-made lake’s depths. A self-contained world dedicated to pushing the boundaries of botanical science and sustainable living.
From a distance, The Greenhouse appears as a collection of organic, flowing shapes. Massive and engineered coral-like structures supporting multiple levels of research facilities and living spaces. These bio-architectural marvels are constantly growing and adapting, their forms shifting imperceptibly over time as they respond to the needs of the core and the stresses of the deep-salty lake environment. Just beneath the biodome’s metallic armor is a skin—a living, breathing membrane that regulates internal pressure, filters light, and even harvests energy from the surrounding currents. Bioluminescent patterns ripple across its surface, a mesmerizing display that serves as an aesthetic wonder and sophisticated communication system.
Inside, the biodome is a tapestry of environments, each carefully crafted to simulate different planetary conditions. The central atrium houses a grand AI-powered projector, casting an artificial sky across the dome’s interior. This sky cycles through day and night, seasons, and even simulated weather patterns, all precisely calibrated to support the myriad experiments below. A mist permeates the air, a sophisticated blend of organic nanobots and photosensitive particles that not only helps regulate the day-night cycle but also delivers nutrients, collects data, and assists in pollination. This intelligent fog swirls around the many levels of The Greenhouse, creating an ever-changing landscape of light and shadow.
Rivers of crystal-clear water wind through the biodome, their currents precisely controlled to distribute nutrients and simulate various gravitational conditions. Floating islands drift along these waterways, each a self-contained experiment in cross-species hybridization or rapid evolutionary adaptation.
The research zones are a patchwork of alien landscapes. In one area, plants strain upwards under the influence of magnetically simulated high gravity. Nearby, delicate structures float in near-zero G, their tendrils exploring three-dimensional space with an otherworldly grace. Pressure chambers mimic the crushing atmosphere of gas giants, while arid zones test the limits of drought resistance.
At the heart of The Greenhouse lies the Tethys Core, a supercomputer of unparalleled processing power. Its bioengineered circuits, grown from a fusion of organic and synthetic materials, control every aspect of the dome’s environment. The Core’s tendrils extend throughout the structure, collecting data, adjusting conditions, and even communicating directly with the more advanced plant specimens.
The inhabitants of The Greenhouse move through this wonder with purpose. Researchers clad in bio-reactive suits that change color based on the wearer’s biometrics as they tend to experiment with meticulous care. Maintenance drones, their forms inspired by various plant and animal species, flit between tasks, ensuring the delicate balance of the ecosystem is maintained.
Sadie suppresses a yawn in response to the refreshing cold as the cool mist dances around as she does her routine patrol through the hydroponics bay, her favorite chipped mug of chamomile tea warming her hands through her second-skin gear, shimmering with an almost imperceptible blue hue, allow her to feel every leaf’s texture while shielding her from potential irritants. Dewdrops cling to her unruly bangs, nature’s impromptu accessory to her messy bun.
Her eyes, as deep and blue as Bonir’s long-lost oceans, sparkle behind smart glasses. She monitors augmented vitals and exposure levels. A small green icon in the corner of her vision reassures her that all readings are optimal.
“Hello, Buzz,” she murmurs to a passing robotic bee, its wings a blur as it flits from plant to plant. Her gaze follows a larger drone—not just for lighting, but a multifunctional robotic assistant. “Hey, Daisy,” she calls out, “we’ve got some heavy lifting in Section C later. Care to lend a hand?” The drone beeps an affirmative, its arms already reconfiguring for the task.
The soft whir of drones overhead bathes Sadie’s ‘greenies’ in a kaleidoscope of nurturing light, automatically adjusting spectrum and intensity based on each plant’s unique needs. Under the watchful eyes of techs, robotic arms perform their intricate ballet of pruning and harvesting. Sadie’s lips curl into a content smile; the earthy scent of growth and potential never fails to lift her spirits.
However, her joy is short-lived as she notices a change in the nutrient flow. Through her smart glasses, she sees the telltale shimmer of the specialized formula thinning out in the hydroponic channels. The augmented reality overlay confirms her fears, displaying a critical alert.
“And there goes our last batch of formula,” she sighs, her brow furrowing with concern. The once-rich, opalescent liquid now runs pale and wan through the system, its vital nutrients depleting faster than anticipated. In her mind’s eye, she can almost see the molecular structures breaking down, the carefully balanced ecosystem of her hybrid plants teetering on the edge of instability.
Sadie placed the tea down while reaching for her tablet, tapping across the holographic interface to pull up charts and molecular structures. Her eyes narrow at the dwindling levels of Compound X-7, a key component in her nutrient mix. “Tethys,” she calls out, her voice tight. “How long can we stretch our remaining formula?”
The AI’s siren-like and ethereal response is prompt but not comforting. “At current consumption rates, 72 hours before critical deficiency occurs.”
Sadie winces. “Not enough time. We need options.”
She moves swiftly through the hydroponics bay, her steps purposeful. Stopping at a vibrant specimen, she gently lifts a leaf. Its surface glimmers with an otherworldly iridescence, veins pulsing with a soft, alien glow. “Look at you,” she dotes. “Half Yrenian dandelion, half Trelleskian fern, and tiny miracle.”
Her smile fades. “But without that formula...” Sadie straightens, her jaw set. “Tethys, let’s get creative. Show me what we can synthesize on-site. And... check other departments. There might be something we can repurpose.”
“Caution advised,” Tethys asserts. “Non-standard substitutions may affect experimental outcomes.”
“I know the risks,” Sadie says, her fingers already pulling up new simulations. “But these aren’t just plants, Tethys. These are Dr. Walder’s babies. Run the scenarios. Prioritize both growth and genetic stability.” As holographic models spring to life around her, Sadie rolls up her sleeves. “Alright, hang in there, little ones,” she addresses her hybrid creations. “We’ll figure this out.”
Reflexively, she scrunches her nose, pushing up her perpetually slipping glasses. The gesture, as familiar as an old friend, sweeps her rosy bangs aside. Through the lenses, a world of data blooms before her: nutrient levels pulse in soothing blues, growth rates climb in eager greens, and harvest projections sparkle in optimistic golds. An alert pops up, suggesting a micro-adjustment to the environmental controls. With two rapid blinks, she authorizes the change.
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“Tethys,” she calls out, her voice steady despite her growing anxiety. “I need simulations on alternative nutrient sources. What can we synthesize on-site to bridge the gap until our supplies arrive?”
The AI’s soothing voice responds almost immediately. “Analyzing, Sadie. Shall I prioritize growth maintenance or genetic stability?”
Sadie bites her lip, weighing the options. “Run both scenarios.”
“Understood,” Tethys obeys. “Initiating comprehensive resource assessment and cross-referencing with your experimental parameters. This may take approximately 17 minutes.”
As she waits, Sadie’s gaze drifts across the hydroponics bay. Each plant represents countless hours of work, not just from her, but from teams across multiple colonies. The pressure to maintain their viability weighs heavily on her shoulders.
The rhythmic gurgle of nutrient solutions coursing through thin connections mingles with the gentle hum of the drainage system, a techno-organic lullaby that sets Sadie’s heart at ease. She suddenly remembers her tea, and takes the last sip before a melodic chime, like wind through leaves, heralds a new message. Holographic icons materialize in her peripheral vision, a digital forest of information awaiting her attention. One icon pulses insistently—a reminder of a pending call. The smart system, ever vigilant, knows she tends to overwork. “Oh? It might be Stella!”
A handsome surfer appears in her augmented reality in a wave of glowing aqua-blue light, like cresting ocean waves gently washing over the space. The light shimmers with sunlit sparkles, giving off a warm, inviting glow. As the digital particles swirl and coalesce, there’s a hint of a soothing ocean breeze, making the atmosphere feel relaxed yet welcoming. The surfer appears with water gleaming off his virtual skin, hair, and clothes. His voice, smooth and almost ASMR-like, makes her smile. “Hey Sadie, good afternoon! It’s been a busy day, huh? Almost time to clock out.”
Sadie grins at her digital reporter and, unbeknownst to the manifestation itself, fake boyfriend. “Yes, thank you for asking. It has been quite the day.”
His voice takes on a playful tone. “Well, I’ve got something to make it even better. You know how much you love solid gossip, right? This segment is brought to you by the Emporium Press, sponsored by EvoInnovations Co., known for their advancements in biology and bioengineering.”
He winks and continues, adding his casual flair to the news: “Update from Verilia biodome #3, aka the Regenesis: there’s an ongoing investigation into what looks like a malfunction in the environmental control systems. Witnesses say something in the air is making them super sleepy. No casualties have been reported so far, so there is no need to stress. Regenesis Lead, Dr. Korr, and the StarShade Command Center are keeping everyone updated through official channels. They think it’s just some weird air mix-up, nothing major. Quarantine procedures are in place, just standard protocol, and they expect the Regenesis to be back up and running in about five hours.”
The surfer leans, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “And here’s a little extra for you, Babe. EvoInnovations Co., is the major sponsor of this segment. They’re working overtime to ensure their tech is top-notch and keeping everything safe. No biased info here, just the facts, gorgeous.”
Sadie’s smile widens as her virtual reporter mixes report with compliments, “Oh, and one more thing. I know how much you care about your health, so I’ve customized your news feed to highlight any health-related updates, like that new line of low-sodium snacks hitting the shelves soon. After all, I want your beach body stunning and tight.”
Sadie giggles and blushes, appreciative of the personal touch. “That sounds perfect. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.”
The surfer grins back, pumping his eyebrows. “Anytime, Sadie. Have a great rest of your day, Babe. And remember: the waves are always better when you’re informed.”
As the surfer fades away, Sadie gauges the blush in her cheeks, heat matching her cup of tea.
Sadie returns to her tablet. She initiates an encrypted search, her fingers swaying over a holographic keyboard. The search bar auto-fills with a familiar query: “How to make my news avatar naked.” She bites her lip, a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment tingling her core.
The search results pop up, and she clicks on a blog titled “Customizing Your News Avatars: The Ultimate Guide.” The blog explains that while it’s possible to customize avatars extensively, including making them naked, it comes with a cost. Sadie frowns, realizing that she’d have to pay for such personalization.
“Starshit.” Undeterred, she types in a new search query: “How to make my news avatar naked for free.” The search engine hums to life, scanning through various forums and articles. Sadie’s eyes scan the results. Unfortunately for her, she’s interrupted by another inbound communication.
“Yes?” Her eyes pull away from the tablet, she waits for the avatar to materialize before her.
And there she was...
Stella materializes digitally before Sadie in a flash of sharp, electric blue light, swirling with hints of silver that command attention. The virtual particles coalesce quickly, forming a precise, confident outline of her figure. There’s a brief, powerful pulse as she fully appears, almost like an arrival trumpet in light form.
Stella wastes no time. “Did you hear the news?”
Sadie nods, her brow furrowing slightly. “About the logistic problem? Any updates on our crates? My greenies are getting anxious.”
Stella folds her arms before her stomach, “Oh, no... not yet. But! I swear we’re working tirelessly on it. I have a plan. I’m sure it will work.”
Sadie’s lips curl into a small, hopeful smile. “That’s reassuring. I trust you’ll figure it out. So, what news were you referring to?”
“It’s about the Regenesis. There’s a quarantine lockdown on the entire biodome. EvoInnovations is the only one talking about it. Doesn’t that seem off to you?”
Sadie tilts her head, considering. In truth, she was more focused on her surfer’s eyes and the glisten of the surf spray on his muscles than the information he was delivering. “Hmm, well, the Regenesis is pretty advanced. They probably have top-notch containment protocols. Remember when Zybiria 3 had that fungal outbreak? It was handled before most biodomes even knew about it.”
Stella frowns, folding her arms. “But Shimmer works there. And Sienna is there for the conference. Neither are answering any of my messages.”
Sadie’s eyebrows raise slightly, a flit of concern crossing her face. “That is a bit strange. But you know how work and conferences can be. You especially know. Shimmer’s probably knee-deep in some fascinating research, and Sienna... well, she’s probably charming her way through the entire scientific community.”
Stella steps closer, her voice lowering. “I’m not so sure. Think about it… All those brilliant minds in one place, and suddenly there’s a problem? It feels... suspicious.”
“I get why you’re worried. Really, I do. But let’s not jump to conspiracy theories, okay?” Sadie simultaneously focuses on a hot technician passing by in the background, just behind Stella’s holo. “... These aren’t the Crimson Sunder days anymore. If something’s truly wrong, station command will inform us.”
Stella nods, though a huff indicates she’s clearly unconvinced. “You’re right. I’ll dig deeper and gather some real evidence before crying wolf.”
Sadie smiles again. “That’s the smarty pants I know. And hey, while you’re at it, any chance you could use those amazing research skills of yours to track down some supplies for me while you’re overachieving? My greenies are getting hangry.”
Stella chuckles, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “I’ll see what I can do. Can’t have your green babies throwing a tantrum.”
“Thanks, Ellie. Keep me posted on both fronts, okay? And... be careful.” Sadies reaches to end the transmission.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Stella cuts in before the call ends. “Always am. Now, I’ll let you get back to your ‘research.’ Tell that hot technician I said hi.”
Sadie blushes slightly, shooing Stella away with a laugh. “Out, you menace. I’ve got important work to do!”