Agricultural Research

The Gek chirped happily at the sight of me.

-{{ Friend! You have work for me, yes? I have served in the finest kitchens and gardens across twelve systems, in each one producing prize-winning cuisine. I grow all my own ingredients! Hire me, yes? }}-

They promised to help me grow all kinds of crops on my world; the required paperwork has already been signed, apparently.

-{{ Thank you, friend! Neither you nor your stomach shall regret it. }}-

-{{ This is a home of glass and metal, Traveller. It is in dire need of my touch. But no need to fear, for I come well equipped for such work!

Your first lesson will teach you to embrace the dirt, friend! The earth provides life in death, after all.

Take this Hydroponics Tray, and these Gutrot Flower seeds. Grow the flower, and see how fine it feels to produce life! }}-

The Farmer was already bedding in nicely. They had already given me the means to beautify my home. If I proved myself a worthy farmer with this flower, perhaps they would share more of their agricultural secrets.

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-{{ Beautiful, friend. We shall make a farmer of you yet. While I prepare a dish of fragrant wonder, another agricultural challenge awaits you!

The Frostwort is a tricky thing, friend. It flourishes where other plants fail, thrusting its roots through the ice and snow. But such a hard life is not for us! Plant one here, in your own home, and be spared the pain of winter.

It is a delicate thing to look at, for such a hardy plant. Please do enjoy it. }}-

-{{ Does the way it shimmers in the light not enchant you, friend? I have lost hours to its gentle glisten! But now, a plant of great contrast.

Your next crop will be Solar Vine, a plant that grows deep within the mantle of scorched worlds. It seeks out all heat, from the sun or the core below.

Its roots can extend to such incredible lengths that once it was believed they never ended. But do not worry, friend! Here, with our facilities, their growth shall be more manageable. }}-

-{{ You have successfully cultivated Solar Vine, yes? I can smell its heat from here, its incandescent splendour. Savour this moment, friend, for now I lead you into a more dangerous realm of botanical study..

Fungal Clusters are cultivated within toxic environments, but you have proved you can master much, yes?

Be careful as you work, friend! Clusters have been known to cause illness and hallucination if improperly handled. Extended exposure is ill-advised! }}-

-{{ You learn quickly, Traveller. Now that you have mastered some of the more dangerous flora, let us go one step further.

The Gek lost our homes, our cities, our identity in the last great war, Traveller. World upon world, bombarded by atomic strike...

All that grows on the worlds of old are warped things, deadly to the touch, screaming with the memory of what they once were. One such crop is Gamma Weed.

We shall cultivate it here. Let us leave the fighting to others, friend... we shall grow things instead!

I await the results with anticipation, Traveller! Now, please forgive me. I have not been able to sleep recently. I must get some rest... }}-

-{{ Ah... I will be able to make such fine dishes with this plant! It is a pity that you are unable to gorge on this radioactive treasure, Traveller.

We shall cultivate a crop of Gravitino Hosts. I will be happy to tell you the history of this flora, should you wish it.

My stories and theories seem to bore other Gek, friend. I suppose I am closest to the Korvax in my wish to study, but even then, those machines lack all sense of surprise, all passionate wonder.

I must confess that I frequently feel lonely... }}-

-{{ I know that sound anywhere... you carry Gravitino Balls, do you not? Ah, it is like greeting an old friend.

We have seen so much life, in frost and heat, nuclear winter and toxic wastelands... you should know by now that no world is truly barren, friend, even if there seem to be few signs of life.

Take the Echinocactus, for example. They are found on otherwise barren worlds, waiting for their moment to thrive. Just think of what they will become in this superior environment! }}-

-{{ I only have two plants left to show you. Your training is almost complete, friend... I am so proud!

I want to share something with you, something beautiful beyond compare....

Star Bulbs are grown from the rarest Star Brambles, found on lush worlds unspoilt by war or death. This is why I wanted to become a farmer, to tend to such sublimity...

I must go and speak to the Overseer. Apparently they are unhappy with my performance. Perhaps this crop will change their mind! }}-

-{{ The Star Brambles have bloomed, yes? Then only one task remains.

I - I cannot pretend to be a farmer anymore. The Overseer has made it clear. I must be as the others of my species are. I must trade, sell, accumulate.

But I will make a final meal before I leave, Traveller. The Overseer requested it: a dish made from Mordite Root, the 'death element'. Go... grow this final crop. }}-

The Gek appeared exhausted, drained by their work. But there was something else in their voice, a kind of fear in every word. Whatever the Overseer had said to them, it had shaken them to their very core.

-{{ You grew it, didn't you? The Mordite Root is done.

You have mastered so much of the botanical art, my friend! To see that others understand its virtues, well, it gives me hope. }}-

The Farmer had no more tasks for me. They told me me that their contract was at an end and that they would be returning to Gek territory.

As they discussed their leaving plans, they watched the ceiling carefully. It was unclear what they are looking at. Suddenly, they grabbed me, telling me not to trust the Overseer, that their fellow Gek may not even be a Gek at all. They seemed to suggest that their food was somehow drugged...

But this couldn't be true. I had shared meals with the Overseer, and I was fine. They would never have done anything to harm any of us. The Overseer only wanted what is best.

A moment later the Farmer stopped speaking. They assured me they were just joking, and begged me not to speak of this matter again.

They appeared to be refusing to leave, despite a lack of continued payment or directives from the Overseer.

They spent their days tending my crops, no longer proposing any tasks. They claimed they had nowhere else to go.