"Peter F. Hamilton - A Night's Dawn Companion - The Confederation Handbook" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Peter F)

from the maw digestive mechanism and organs; there are several distinct duct
networks, each supplying a specialist fluid. Inward from the mitosis layer is the
equally elaborate environment-support layer, which maintains the internal
atmosphere, distributing oxygen, nitrogen, and water, which come from dedicated
organs in the endcap. There are several reservoirs of each element, spaced at regular
intervals throughout the shell. This layer also contains carbon dioxide filters to back
up the vegetation in the cavern, while subsidiary filters eliminate any build-up of
poisonous or toxic gas, and help purify the water.

Above the environmental layer is a tough sandwich layer where polyp encases the
neural strata. The millions of homogenized thought routines which make up the
habitat consciousness reside in the neural strata, which is affinity-capable. All
biological aspects of the habitat are regulated from here, including autonomic
functions; it also acts as an overall controller for the servitors.

Above the neural strata, a thick inner layer of polyp is contoured to produce a
landscape for the central chamber. In the sections which break through the soil,
providing imitation rock, paths, parkland structures, etc., the polyp is overlaid with
sensitive cells giving the personality a comprehensive view of the interior. The polyp
surfaces of the starscrapers are also suffused with sensitive cells.

Soil is spread over the internal layer, to a depth of several meters, supporting
standard plant growth. There is a gentle gradient of 50m between the two ends of the
chamber, with the lower finishing in a large circumfluous lake. Water is taken from
the lake and pumped back to the higher end via channels lined with peristaltic
muscles; it is released into the head of all the streams as well as being injected
directly into the deep soil layers, allowing a constant circulation and irrigation across
the chamber.


Starscrapers
Starscrapers are tower-like accommodation sections, up to 500m long, which
protrude from the central section of the habitat, forming an equatorial band. There are
windows on every level, giving spectacular views over the gas giants and their moon
systems, and these are all fitted with irises which close during radiation storms.
Essentially they are vertical towns, containing every civic amenity from individual
apartments to theaters, with shops, bars, and offices included. Most Edenists live
inside a habitatтАЩs starscraper, given that there are few other internal structures;
Edenists like to keep the chamber parkland unspoiled. The main exceptions to this
rule are the habitats in orbit around Saturn, which have no starscrapers because of the
higher particle density that makes them susceptible to damage (Saturn habitats have
much thicker external shell layers).

All starscraper apartments are provided with food-synthesis organs, providing a
steady if monotonous diet of fruit juice and paste-like protein-rich hydrocarbons of
various flavors. Secretion teats are provided in every apartment wall. Human
excrement is carried away through a digestive tract, and reprocessed in organ clusters
at the base of the tower, while harmful toxins are vented through porous sections of
the shell. The food organs are not widely used, since Edenists favor cooking food
(there is no butcheryтАФmeat is grown in clone vats), and import a great many