Mission Year 2250
All across the garden colonies, free-spirited Gaians of all ages were busily celebrating the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Foundation Festival (commonly referred to simply as "SAFF", or "Saffron Day" in honour of the great hero Fiona Saffron). In even the smallest bases and outposts, the governing officials had went to great lengths highlighting the cultural advancement and harmonious relationship with the ecosystems they had achieved in their one hundred and fifty years on Chiron. Much had transpired since Planetfall, from early events such as the cultivation of hybrid trees and taming of the Mind Worms to the development of robotic industries and the glorious purification of the gene pool, all obvious signs of Gaian superiority. Further still, the last decades alone had brought amazing refinements of the genetic engineering arts, development of global economics and - as of last year - the spectacular re-discovery of Orbital Spaceflight, thanks in no small part to the Eco Rangers operating within the Human Hive. Already plans were being drafted for the ambitious Sky Hydroponics Lab "Bean Sprout", set to become the very first orbital platform of mankind in this new world.
In light of these accomplishments, as well as the prominent position which Gaia’s Stepdaughters had assumed among the factions on Planet, most citizens did not merely expect their good fortunes to continue. They envisioned an even brighter future still, true planetary domination, with all of mankind pruned and perfected, united by love, peace, veneration of nature and complete adherence to the sacred Will of Planet.
Even the Council could not help but adopt some of this abundant optimism. The ongoing meeting in The Flowers Preach was filled with more vitality and excitement than the assembly had experienced in countless decades, stirring even the honoured ancients from their traditionally "contemplative" and "relaxed" participation. Councillor Amiga Haze, senior even to Lady Skye at his impressive age of two hundred and fifty-seven, had recently concluded a passionate statement on the marvels of the new Harmony Gardener - commonly referred to as the "super former" by the unenlightened impures. Shortly after, Archdruid Starfruit had reported on the state-sponsored "New Asceticism" movement in Gaia's High Garden, and Purity Officer Azura had followed up with a report on the settlement of the University question. At the moment, Major Windsong was going through the details of Operation "Anvil of Dawn", the latest of several military campaigns sanctioned against the Spartan Federation and their new allies, the Human Hive.
"No serious losses yet, Lady. One of our Isles of the Deep were ambushed by the Hive Navy near the Mouth of Hercules, sustaining some minor casualties. The worm colony will likely need a year or two to regain its full potential, but our amplified Empaths rallied and won the day. Admiral Starflower believes our naval superiority will remain for centuries, and I am inclined to agree, even though air power will likely diminish its role somewhat. Mainland operations will definitely see more casualties, however. The Spartans have yet to engage our Elite Eco-Warriors in battle, but it is only a matter of time before they do. As it is, our raiders are sorely outnumbered, and without reinforcements and air support, we will once again have to retreat at the loss of more than a few lives.”
"That much is to be expected" Deirdre Skye said with a slight shrug. "Their noble sacrifice is appreciated, of course" she added, almost as an afterthought. Looking no older than the day when she had first joined the crew aboard the Unity, highly sophisticated gene therapy treatments of the Gaian Biology Research Unit (and, according to vicious rumours, harvested bio-material of thousands of University citizens and Spartan prisoners) had kept the revered Prophetess of Planet in an artifical state of youth and semi-immortality, greater even than that of her Councillors. Unlike her demeanour, however, her mind had constantly evolved, and most of the naive idealism from her early Planet years had been gradually worn down with each and every ecological offense perpetuated by the other factions. While she still held dearly to the concept of a diplomatic solution, any previous illusions that her enemies would submit freely, and out of the goodness of their hearts, were long since gone.
"Lady, with all due respect, with some additional battalions and air squadrons..." Windsong began, only to end up silenced by an amused look on her faction leader's face.
"..and we could take Terra Sparta? Yes, I am aware of your opinion" Deirdre said with a small smile. "And yet, we do not need to conquer them, nor can we afford to at this stage - our forces are needed elsewhere, and any increased military production would only hamper the great project. Harassment is sufficient for now - keep them on their toes, scrap their facilities and by all means, do let them waste what minerals they can procure to mass their forces in defence. As long as their industry remains primitive and their growth is contained, they are no real threat to us. Chairman Yang, however, definitely is, and that is where we should concentrate the majority of our resources."
"Understood, Lady! Does this mean we will deploy the Garden Purifiers?" Windsong asked hopefully, visibly eager to test the controversial designs.
"Yes, Amanda" Deirdre replied, pursing her lips. "I do believe it is time. Even if only half of what our Sentinels have reported is true, the Hive Aerospace Project simply cannot be allowed to continue. If left unchecked, these "planet busters" will sunder the very face of Chiron. In this particular case, the ends really do justify the means."
"Indeed, Lady!" Amiga vigorously agreed. "Leaving Yang to fester was a grave mistake. We should have rid ourselves of that contemptuous weed many years ago, just as I always said. Still, better late than never, eh?"
"You said!?" Windsong exclaimed. "I have been the sole voice arguing for action against the Hive since my inclusion on the Council! From what I recall, *you* have been too busy enjoying their 'enlightened poetry' and 'copulation therapies' to even notice-"
"Well, let's not argue over who said what", Amiga retorted with a dismissive gesture, worthy of the best politicians on old Earth. "The main thing of importance, Major, is that we are all in agreement!"
"Quite!" Deirdre broke in, quickly changing the topic to postpone the inevitable squabbling to come. "Amanda, get in touch with Adelaide over at Eastern Command, I trust you to direct this curbing of the Hive in person."
"Yes Lady!" Windsong said, snapping to attention.
"Meanwhile" Deirdre continued, "where are we in regards to the great project?"
Purity Officer Azura stepped forward, gently tapping her temple to access the latest reports through her neural interface. "Everything is proceeding well, Lady. Children Crèches are up and running in all major population centres save for Harmony Plain and Birkenstock Base, whereas Hoadley's new forests, the kelp farms around Planetneck and our Eco-Wheat farming convoys should be more than sufficient to cover all nutrient needs. Further, this does not account for the launch of "Bean Sprout". Assuming it goes well, sky farms should provide a fair amount of sustenance as well, primarily in Gaia's Landing, Garden of Paradise and Gaia's High Garden, and more bases still when additional Aerospace Complexes are constructed."
"Thank you, Azura. I take it, then, that we are still on for M.Y. 2260?"
"Very much so, Lady" the Purity Officer replied. "Initial reforms will consume approximately forty-seven point nine per cent of the annual budget, but our reserves are strong, and the rewards will be considerable. By M.Y. 2283, the golden era will already have begun in earnest!"
"Excellent!" Deirdre said, looking very pleased at the news. In her mind, she already saw her beautiful new generation of perfects, the glorious triumphs to come and the futile, outraged responses they would induce among the remaining rival factions.