Episode 10

Zeo Genesis Travelogues

Greetings, star-nomads! You can call me Trev. (You can also call me Trevallion Franklin-Ridgeway III, but I’d rather you didn’t). I’ve left behind my shallow executive existence to explore the Hundred Suns, to re-connect with insignificant voiders just like you. These are my travels. You’re welcome.

“Wow! A sudden, large influx of newbie listeners! My courage and charisma can prove alluring.”

“I’ve been travelling from my home of McKinley’s Landing, through Astrapelago, and am now spending time on Saienten in Pinnacle heliosphere."

"I’m on Zawashi mega-farm, at the namesake’s invite, after we got to talking at the Shrine of the Horrified on Togetherness Day."

"Here on the frontier, barn-raising is traditional after the big day, and Zawashi was keen to show me a new technique he’s testing. The eccentric fellow is ‘multi-braining’ via a headset he’s had developed, controlling all four agri-zeos raising Barn 19.”

“Thankfully he’s limited himself to just construction, though that alone, I warned, is downright dangerous—I’ve got the zeo-hours to know. What if he lost control in these busy environs?”

“The other zeos are conventionally controlled. Surprisingly, many carry old CQB-2 Labeo Quinshots. This, it transpires, is dangerous country and farmhands often have to deal with hungry gigalizards. They’re all too busy keeping onlookers and workers away from Zawashi’s worrying efforts, though, to notice the increasingly close and concerning dust cloud rising from nearby Muimoto Pass."

"I’m trying to get a farmhand’s attention, but I can’t blame them for trying to keep the crowd at—excuse me, won’t you? A little girl’s slipped by the zeos…”

“...Argh! Well, newbies, this is the kind of action you can look forward to!"

"Dust clouds? All look pretty similar whether kicked up by a pack of gigalizards or a posse of zeo banditos! ‘Banzetos’? A Stormer and two I don’t recognise just blew in like a hurricane. I’m behind a silo with Yushimini, who’s returning fire—oh funt! Stormer by Barn 6! Scratch that, was returning fire.”

“Zawashi’s right in the open, seems Z-seized. Not attracting much attention, but wait ’til they discover his name’s on the estate. Right, I’m going to get him before his construction collapses on him. Just got to avoid the barn Stormer…”

“Gods, not sure how I managed that. Mercifully, Zawashi is a waif. Hunkering down in this storehouse while Zawashi literally prays to T’Platton for help. That Stormer’s closing in and hammering the walls with shot.”

“Wait… ’Washi, did you hear that? That’s no engine growling. We might be saved by something preying, not praying! I’ll risk a peek. Gigalizards’re eating them! Prepare to run, Zawashi, here come those gigalizards!”

“Aaaahhhh! Stay zippy, star-nomads…especially you, Zawashi!”

Zawashi Farm, Mega-Farm, Wairudo County, Western Frontier, 667 standard kilometers west of Neath
Hectares: 1477.75
Primary crops grown by amount: Axl Tuber, Yatt, Crunchy Rice Apple, Common Yenf, Hardy Yenf, Strawbo’s (Mina’s Delight)
Reported gigalizards by attack frequency: Quintceratops, Harley’s One-Fang, Homosaurus, Sun-Frilled Screamer, Electrosaurus, Camouflaged Quintceratops
Major clients: Tekpaiy™ Conglomerate, Klimbor’s Foodstuffs, Utasatsu Yes!, Tengu Trans-World Supplies and Distribution