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M'Ahar's Apartment — Laying the Groundwork

Posted Feb. 17, 2022, 12:19 p.m. by Civilian Mirembe M'Ahar (Director of Terraforming) (Trin S)

Posted by Civilian Brianna “Bree” O’Harra (Head of Mining Operations) in M’Ahar’s Apartment — Laying the Groundwork

Posted by Civilian Mirembe M’Ahar (Director of Terraforming) in M’Ahar’s Apartment — Laying the Groundwork

Posted by Civilian Brianna “Bree” O’Harra (Head of Mining Operations) in M’Ahar’s Apartment — Laying the Groundwork
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip!)

Mirembe set her fork aside and pressed a finger to her temple, observing through rested and attentive eyes. She considered Bree’s words and plucked from them the loudest contenders. A strong mining presence. Some semblance of order or connection. A place worthy of ‘home’. Though focused on the future of mining on Oed, Brianna echoed the sentiments of many Mirembe encountered. They wanted permanence. More than an assurance that Oed would have a breathable atmosphere and fertile soil, permanence promised time. Time to cultivate a crop or a mind. Time to get ‘some fresh air’ when the world was got on your nerves. Time to experience life on Oed without the looming question of “What is it like beyond the dome?” Time to know.

Mirembe took another bite of her steak before remarking, “We’re already ‘important enough’,” her eyes lit up, “My predecessor conducted extensive research into the planetary and atmospheric composition. Now we just need run a few tests and find a way to translate data into results.” M’Ahar cracked a deceivingly quizzical grin that betrayed her long nights sifting through Cosgrove’s records and data entries. According to her team’s work, Oed had a pulse. A strong one. Its geothermic and seismic activity presented an invaluable source of energy that made their primary goal to cultivate an atmosphere and find the magnetic source to make it stick. But these were one team’s findings. If Mirembe planned to use them, she first needed to replicate their data. “And I’ve got a few ideas on where to start.

Mirembe flicked her wrist to dismiss her nonsensical science-y rant. “What I mean to say is… there’s a chance you or your successor will get to mine in the open one day.” She gritted her teeth, masking a bashful chuckle. “But that’ll be a while. Paraterraforming though?” She made a ‘piece of cake’ gesture. “That we can do on a smaller timeline. Speaking of which,” she drummed her fingers against the table and glanced over her shoulder. “I got that design drafted. So… after dinner, we give it look? See if it’s ready to face the Governor’s—and cabinet’s—scrutiny?”

— Mirembe M’Ahar
(thread referenced: https://www.star-fleet.com/webb/node/731678)

Bri actually paused in her eating. “Mining in the open air of OED…” She laughed lightly and shook her head in disbelief. I would love to hear of it before my death, but it seems we are far off from their.”

When the woman mentioned a plan already ready for viewing and approval, Bri took another bite then widened her eyes. “Truly? Then YES by all means… Let’s get it ready for his viewing. He would love the chance to see our plans a full two weeks before he had deadlined us to come back to him.” She laughed at the idea of the Governor being set upon ahead of time by the very women he knew probably would be pressing the deadline in his mind. The idea of getting even a ‘grunt’ of acknowledgment and approval from the Governor was something Bri would be content with.

Brianna
HoM
Fire Born

“Whoa…” Mirembe half-heartedly lifted her palms, “don’t count your lucky stars just yet. They’re only drafts!” But they must’ve been more than ‘drafts’ because she lasted mere moments before leaping to her feet in an enthusiastic scramble to some obscure back room. She emerged after a series of clanks and slams with a PaDD, holo-emitter and an unmistakable pep in her step. Halting beside her chair, she stole a hesitant glance at the table then to Bree. “Uhm,” she plopped the devices on her chair, “you don’t have an abhorrence of tech at the dinner table, do you?”

— Mirembe M’Ahar, an excited (para)terraformer

Bri finished her mouthful as Mire scrambled off. After a moment of listening, she started to clear their dishes to one side of the table. By the time her hostess had come back and asked, she nodded to the empty place before her. “Never an abhorrence, dear Lady.” She laughed and helped Mire set the items down.

“Wonderful!” Mirembe flashed an innocent grin and nudged the holo-emitter into place. Stepping back, she snagged her PaDD from the chair and inputted a series of commands until a flickering blue figure began to materialise before them. A rocky, OED-esque terrain emerged with domes of diverse size and design connected by arched tubes that resembled bridges. Some contained intricate lattice structures that fragmented the dome into hundreds of tiny hexagons. Others had a smoother complexion composed of glass or transparent aluminium. Though it was too early to tell, each had a specialised function.

“So I’m guessing you have been giving this dinner thought?” She laughed lightly and said up to shuffle chairs so they could sit beside one another. “So tell me everything!” She laughed once more and handed Mire back her wine glass.

Brianna
HoM

“Just a little…” Mirembe stifled a bashful chuckle before it tarnished her confidence and gratefully accepted the wine. Everything? She quirked an eyebrow, curious whether Bree knew the Pandora’s Box she just unleashed.

“I like your style!” Her razz shifted into an excited gesture that pulled up the first of many layers: infrastructure. “Our foremost concern for any paraterraforming project is infrastructure. We need something durable enough to withstand temperature and landscape fluctuations without contributing to pollution or debt. Fortunately, we have an indispensable resource at our fingertips,” she tapped the central dome that illuminated a hexagonal structure composed of apparently metal rods, “ore. We’ll collect and upcycle used or otherwise unprofitable pieces into a metal framework. If we face a shortage, we can create an alloy of ore and a simpler, more abundant metal. That’s just a backup and not a problem I think we’ll encounter.”

“Then, we’ll bring in light-absorbent aluminium oxynitride for the panels,” Mirembe zoomed out and pulled up a graphic that demonstrated the light-capturing technique that converted solar radiation into usable electricity. “Transparent aluminium will allow us to create a durable, impenetrable layer that can double as a source of energy and temperature regulation. We’ll tint the exterior with a silicon-based solution that’ll allow some light to pass through while converting electrons to DC energy, which we’ll store in one of several generators for later use. Given the temperament of Oed’s weather, it won’t be the only source of energy, but we’ll get into that later.”

Mirembe paused to give Bree a moment to absorb her words, “what do you think so far?”

— Mirembe M’Ahar

Bri had been watching, her own wine glass frozen halfway to her lips, already forgotten. “MIREEEEE…” the word fell like a half whisper between them. “This is incredible! How long have you been thinking about this?” Her hand rose up to hover over each 3D piece as if she could touch it. Her hand never lowered enough to break the illusion and she shook her head in disbelief once more. Moving to set down her glass, having never taken a sip, she turned to Mire. “Do you realize you could make EOD not just self sustaining, but actually profit producing in half the time I had figured with my own hasty plans. I hadn’t considered using less wanted ores to construct the domes and structures so we wouldn’t be dependent on the mines of profitable ore to produce enough for export as well as local use.” She was giggling and biting her lip and couldn’t stop shaking her head. “You are AMAZING!”

She took Mire’s face in her hands and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead before releasing her with a blush and wide eyes. “I’m sorry… I mean. You are amazing. But forgive my forwardness. I was merely excited. You really do have an amazing mind.” Her head started spinning with the possibilities.

Bri
HoM
Fire Born

“No…” Mirembe wrinkled her nose in a self-inflicted grimace, “it’s okay! Really… I don’t mind?” She released a rough, unwieldy chuckle and fiddled with her fingers to distract from the tell-tale red flooding her cheeks. Fortunately, IAN had it covered. He touched her temples with a bored buzz! that functioned like a ‘get a grip!’ to yank her from her self-inflicted awkwardness. Fumbling, Mirembe waved a hand at the display.

“Each… er, dome will have a distinct design reflective of its purpose and tenants, but they’ll share basic functions.” Mirembe tapped the dome to highlight its structural elements. “We’ll equip the primary structure with an atmospheric complex that connects to smaller environmental control centres in ancillary domes. Then, using a water-based system, we’ll harness excess solar energy from the matrix to power a pump that warms and cools water, releasing it as vapour. Recycling energy from the solar array should reduce needless expenditure in the future, though the water-based system may take a while to master. We’ll run a few tests to find the ‘Goldilocks zone’ before welcoming your team, but that’s a fiasco we’ll discuss later.”

“I recall telling you that a ‘one-dome’ approach was best,” Mirembe pinched the air and zoomed out until three domes materialised, “but I was wrong. We cannot ensure families and non-Mining personnel won’t be exposed to the hazards of your vocation. So, I decided to add two ancillary domes connected by sealable skybridges. The primary dome will house your central mining complex, offloading ports, and space for basic accommodations. Next to it, you’ll have an administrative dome that contains offices, training spaces, and a small repair shop.”

“Mining ops and admin are fairly straightforward. We can mix-and-match as you and your team desire, but the general contents will remain unchanged.” Mirembe continued. “Residential districts are less cut and dry. We are constructing someone’s future home, so we need to be mindful of more than basic needs and transportation. Therefore… the satellite village could have an open concept with a higher transparent aluminium to ore ribbing ratio. We’ll integrate more sophisticated environmental controls to provide a pseudo-natural weather pattern. I also thought of using ‘green’ technology to construct residential complexes, where the exteriors will shelter micro-ecosystems.” M’Ahar inputted a command that yielded an ornate, rhombus-shaped building covered in verdant foliage. “Beyond aesthetic, these buildings will assist in nutrient recycling, water and energy reuse, and provide natural air purification. We’ll also use the first floor of these buildings to house shops and markets that mirror the needs of the community. These domes aren’t very big, so constructing a lively but functional space is essential.”

“There are issues of access to medical care, education and non-mine employment; however, we can discuss these matters with the directors and see if we can, for example, integrate a satellite youth centre or clinic. Although not as time-sensitive, it’d be wise to consult those departments before we approach Governor Hyrushi. Better prepared, eh?”

— Mirembe M’Ahar
(Inspiration: Biosphere 2 & green buildings)


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