Business on New Atlantis

Day 1: Arrival on New Atlantis

The descent to New Atlantis was smoother than I expected. The orbital shuttle glided through the planet’s thin atmosphere with almost no turbulence. From the window, I caught my first view of New Europa — the sprawling capital city nestled in the Thames Valley. It is strange to think that this land was once barren, transformed through decades of terraforming into a thriving metropolis. When I stepped off the shuttle, the lighter gravity was noticeable but still firm enough to feel grounded. It will take some adjustment.

The city is a seamless blend of sleek modern architecture and Earth-inspired design, as if its planners wanted to keep one foot in history. I am here for a convention on bioengineered crops, one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet. New Atlantis has become a leader in agricultural innovation, developing crops uniquely adapted to the planet’s soil and climate. The potential for this field is enormous, and I am eager to see the latest developments firsthand.

First order of business — check in at the hotel.

Day 1: The Royal Horizon

The Royal Horizon is more luxurious than I imagined. My suite sits high above the valley with wide, circular windows that open to a sweeping view of New Europa and its agricultural belts. From here, I can see the green fields stretching into the horizon, a living patchwork of crops shimmering beneath a pale sun. It is hard to believe that this land was once dust and stone.

The hotel itself is an architectural marvel — glass, metal, and light in perfect balance. Service is flawless, every need anticipated before it is spoken. Standing at the window, I watched the sun fade over the valley, thinking about how far humanity has come. Entire planets reborn through science and patience. It is humbling, and beautiful.

Day 2: Opening Day of the Convention

Today marked the start of the Bioengineering Convention at the New Europa Convention Center. The building is massive, gleaming with white stone and blue light. As a representative for AstroGenetics, my goal is simple — secure contracts, make contacts, and return home with partnerships worth bragging about. The keynote speaker, Dr. Amira Shehzad, opened with a powerful message on planetary resilience through engineered agriculture.

Presentations covered new strains of crops that can withstand New Atlantis’s harsh conditions — high ultraviolet exposure, mineral-rich yet nutrient-poor soil, and sudden shifts in temperature. One of the breakthroughs unveiled today was a wheat variant that requires thirty percent less water and matures in half the time of its Earth counterpart. The energy in the room was infectious; everyone understood the potential. These innovations will not just sustain colonies — they will define them.

I met several researchers and business leaders throughout the day. Everyone wants in on the future of food. By evening, my notebook was full of names, proposals, and ideas. Tomorrow brings a deeper dive into the technical side of gene adaptation for alien environments.

Day 3: Exploring New Europa

After another long day at the convention, I took a few hours to explore the city. New Europa — or New London, as locals still call it — is unlike any place I have visited. The streets echo the charm of old Earth, yet the skyline belongs to the future. Hovercraft glide between towers draped in vertical gardens, and solar veins run like lifelines across every rooftop. The city breathes efficiency.

I walked along the reconstructed Thames, now a series of engineered canals feeding the crop zones across the valley. Locals take pride in the name, even if the river itself is more function than nostalgia. Still, the scene is peaceful — families by the water, vendors selling fruit grown under alien suns. Everywhere I turned, I saw the evidence of success: food markets overflowing, green fields in the distance, and the hum of quiet prosperity.

Back at my suite, I stood at the window again. The view never gets old. Those fields below are more than commerce. They are proof of our persistence — that life finds a way, even light years from home.

Day 4: Business and Opportunity

Today was all business. The convention floor buzzed with negotiation and ambition. I spent the morning in meetings with representatives from across the colonies. Everyone wants access to the new bioengineered seed lines — crops that can adapt to low gravity, thin air, or chemically unstable soils. New Atlantis has refined an art that the rest of the galaxy desperately needs.

My most promising lead came from Agritech Corporation out of Mars. Their representatives want to partner with AstroGenetics to test these crops under Martian conditions. If the deal goes through, it will redefine the food supply for every colony in the inner systems. In the afternoon, I attended a panel titled Sustainable Agriculture for the Next Century. The scientists spoke passionately about creating ecosystems that can support themselves — not just survive, but flourish. Listening to them, I realized we are not just selling crops; we are cultivating worlds.

I left the center that evening with a sense of purpose and quiet pride. This work matters. It always has.

Day 5: The Bio-Dome Demonstration

The final day of the convention was the most inspiring. We were transported to the northern bio-domes for a live demonstration. Seeing it in person — fields of alien wheat stretching beneath a transparent dome, wind turbines turning slowly under a foreign sky — was breathtaking. The crops swayed in rhythm, their emerald leaves shimmering under the light of a distant sun. It felt less like science and more like art.

The final keynote reminded us that New Atlantis is only the beginning. Every success here opens the door for other worlds — barren rocks waiting to become gardens. I stood among those engineered fields and realized how monumental this achievement truly is. Humanity has not just conquered space. We have learned to make it grow.

That evening, I watched the sunset over the Thames Valley from my room. The city glowed below me, alive with movement and light. I am leaving tomorrow, but I know I will return. New Atlantis is not just a market — it is the future.

Day 6: Departure

My shuttle leaves in a few hours. As I pack, I cannot help but feel reluctant to go. New Atlantis has a pull — a sense of purpose that stays with you. I did not have time to see much beyond the convention district, but I will correct that next visit.

The convention exceeded every expectation. The deals I made will carry weight back home, but what stays with me most is the feeling of hope. From dust and rock, we are building new Edens. Standing by the window one last time, I watched the sunlight stretch across the farmlands and realized that we are not just surviving among the stars.

We are thriving.

— Martin R. Hale, AstroGenetics Field Representative, New Europa, New Atlantis