Hod Ice

If you're heading to the rim planets, you should probably get yourself some of theat special water from Rin Station. Believe me, your guts will thank you for it
— overheard at a spaceport bar
 

A basic necessity

Ice from the planet Hod is a highly profitable resource for Rin Station, a water refining turned habitation space station. This is due to the fact that not only is water a valuable resource in space, but the water from Hod has special properties that are sought out by many space farers and settlers.   Hod is an Ice planet in the Rin system and has had a mining settlement on it for the last 50 years. Ice station supplies Rin station with all of its water requirements in the form of large hunks of ice, which are transported up to the station in specially adapted cargo transports. There it is processed and used for the station as well as sale.  

A special additive

What makes the ice of Hod so different, is the fact that some of it contains bacteria which has proven to be quite beneficial to many. The bacteria lies dormant in the ice and only becomes active once the ice has melted. If imbibed the bacteria inhabits the digestive tract of whatever living creature it finds itself in, and aids in the digestion process. This has proven to be highly useful, especially to settlers, in helping to adjust to new food sources, and being able to consume things that might otherwise be harmful.   Another quirk of the bacteria, is that it gives the ice a purplish hue, which in turn gives Hod a rather peculiar colour pattern when viewed from space. The mostly white and frozen surface of the planet is streaked through with this purple colour, giving it a marbling effect. It is said that the ice fields of Hod are a rather breath taking sight.   Even without the presence of the bacteria, the ice of Hod is still one of the main ways in which Rin Station makes it's income. The resupply of space ships and the seemingly unlimited supply of water on the space station attracts many visitors and traders.
Odor
odorless
Taste
Tasteless


Cover image: by Gerd Altmann

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!
Sep 18, 2021 18:38 by Amy Winters-Voss

Thank you for entering the Summer Camp Material Prompt! Giving you a sticker in recognition of your excellent entry for interesting and imaginative ideas! I love the idea of the beneficial bacteria specific to this ice!

Author of the Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series | Author Website
Sep 20, 2021 18:29 by Laurabones

awww, thank you so much!