John continues onward.
Along the way, he notes the agriculture. Water is melted at the poles and sent through underground channels, and is supplied directly to the roots, to avoid wasteful evaporation. The crops are very regular, with no floods, droughts, winds, or birds and insects. They're very juicy, and like nothing seen on Earth. They've been selectively bred for so long that Earth plants seem dull by comparison. They even have meat from domesticated animals.
- It's...seems both Utopian and Dystopian at the same time, somehow.
- I think it's the combination of the reliability of the crops with the genetic engineering/selective breeding along with reminders of how hostile Barsoom has become to life, how only by strenuous effort does life remain possible on Barsoom.
- Also...one wonders how the plants are pollinated...maybe not all insects are gone?
- This being Barsoom, it's probably some horrifying monster that acts as a pollinator.
Apparently the war with Helium isn't popular, being seen as unjust, an attack of opportunity while the fleet was out searchign for Dejah. Dejah Thoris is widely considered to be the most beautiful of the beautiful women of Helium. The locals think she's dead, unfortunately, caught by the Warhoons, but John refuses to lose hope.
Whoops, have to run. Part 2 tomorrow.
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