Algae Harvesting

Description

While algae harvesting is largely automated, they need individuals with high stamina to help when the machines get stuck.

Start: Side Jobs, The House of Congo

Introduction

You have a job: Algae Harvesting, accepted at The House of Congo in the Sirius system.

Find Marble Nobelium in the Ruins, the Outer Circle.

Next NPC: Marble Nobelium (Xe/xir), Ruins, The House of Congo

  • Talk to Marble about the job.

You follow signs to Algae Farm 8 and find Marble waiting outside the entrance gates. Xe gives you a visitor pass and shows you where you’ll be working.

Marble says: Hopefully you won’t have much to do, but it’s good for someone else to be around, just in case. I’ll be keeping an eye on the sensors, monitoring levels of phosphorous, nitrogen, et cetera. Meanwhile, automated robotic arms help harvest, grind and dry up algae - just the excess, so it can be used as a nutritional supplement.

Xe points at the large, robotic arms, one of which is moving a transparent tube full of algae from one part of the farm to another. Xe shows you where blockages commonly happen, and what to do, although there are also large signs explaining the process.

  • Start your shift.

(Stamina check)

You clean a large glut of algae bloom off a filter. It takes time and hard work, but eventually it’s ready to be used again.

You wait for another two or three cycles without incident. The machines continue to hiss, flow, and pump away, with soothing rhythmic noises. You nearly doze off, until a small alarm indicates a spillage that needs attention.

  • Clean up the spilled algae.

(Stamina check)

It takes time, but you manage to clean up the whole spillage. Everything now has that strange, earthy smell of algae, but it’s not too unpleasant, as far as spillages go. It’s almost the end of your shift before Marble calls you over.

Marble says: <name>, the third moisture IR sensor is malfunctioning. While I repair it, could you move all dried algae samples from the third conveyor belt into one of the other two? Please use gloves, these are destined for human consumption.

  • Move samples to another conveyor belt.

(Stamina check)

A segment after your shift was supposed to end, Marble finishes repairing the moisture sensor. With a small cheer, xe sits down on a lab bench and motions for you to do the same.

Marble says: Thank you, <name>. This is why we need a second person – I would have had to stop the third conveyor belt and lost a third of our output during that time. I know you worked later than you wanted, so I’ll make sure you get your payment. Just… give me a few units to rest. I still have another couple of segments to go before I’m done for the day.

  • "Do you want me to help until you’re done?"
  • Give her a few units.

Few units:

Marble closes xir eyes and takes a few deep breaths, but soon uses xir CORETECHS to send you the payment.

Marble says: Here, I’ll take the visitor pass back. Sign up another time, though, will you? My day is less stressful if I’ve got someone here to help.

Congratulations!

You have completed the 'Algae Harvesting' job.

You have received 65.00 credits.

Help:

Me: Do you want me to help until you’re done?

Marble says: Would you? I’ll pay extra, we have enough in our budget for that. Even if nothing happens, it’s good to have someone just in case. Well, you’ve seen what can happen.

You sit together for a few units, then xe goes back to monitoring algae conditions. You chat while xe’s working – apparently Marble helps the bartender at the Cat’s Tooth come up with new drink ideas. Even changing the smell by adding synthetic aromatic compounds could change the flavor, and the compounds could be fabricated on xir machines.

As you’re chatting, a tube full of algae threatens to come loose!

  • Hold the tube in place!

(Stamina check)

You hold the tube, then let go just as the large, robotic arm takes it and pops it back in place. Marble lets out the breath she was holding and smiles.

Marble says: Thanks, <name>. I think we should call it a day… Juniper should be here for the night shift any unit now. Here, for all your work, and keeping me company. Maybe I’ll see you around another day?

Congratulations!

You have completed the 'Algae Harvesting' job.

You have received 80.00 credits.

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