Proteus

"Proteus may not be the most glamorous of our moons, but it's the backbone of our economy. Those bamboo forests are the lifeblood of Neptune's industry, and the men and women who choose to call Proteus home? Well, they're a special breed. We leave them be, and they leave us our pykrete and protein. Fair trade, if you ask me."   ~Sherak "Gimpy" Leviathan, Technocrat of Neptune  

Bamboo Plantation

Proteus is a vast, verdant expanse of genetically engineered bamboo, stretching across the moon's surface. This carefully cultivated landscape provides the raw materials for Neptune's pykrete construction, food, and manufacturing industries. The bamboo's rapid growth and adaptability make it an ideal crop for the moon's low-gravity environment. Harvesting occurs continuously, with synchronized waves of synthetics moving across the landscape to collect mature stalks. This efficient, automated process ensures a steady supply of resources for Neptune's thriving economy.  

Automated Farmers

Thousands of harvester synthetics tend to Proteus's bamboo forests, working tirelessly to maintain optimal crop health and yield. These advanced machines navigate the moon's low gravity with ease, precision-cutting and collecting bamboo stalks for processing. AI-driven monitoring systems detect and respond to crop stress, pests, and diseases, ensuring maximum productivity. Human overseers, stationed in orbiting control centers, supervise the synthetics and fine-tune the harvesting schedule to meet Neptune's fluctuating demands. This seamless integration of human and artificial labor has made Proteus one of the most efficient agricultural operations in the Solar System.  

Maroonies

Scattered among Proteus's bamboo forests are the enigmatic Maroonies – individuals who have chosen to abandon the comforts of Neptunian society for a harsh, isolated existence. These hermits live in makeshift habitats, often constructed from repurposed harvesting equipment and scavenged materials. Despite the challenges of low gravity and limited resources, Maroonies find solace in their solitude, cultivating personal gardens and pursuing eccentric passions. Other Neptunian citizens view Maroonies with a mix of curiosity and amusement, respecting their right to live on the fringes of society so long as they don't disrupt the vital bamboo harvest. This unofficial understanding has created a peculiar harmony between the Maroonies and the synthetics, each coexisting in their own distinct orbit.