Bonus Fishbowl: An Army of One

Start thinking about prompts. With a big favorite series like this, it helps if folks look at the open storylines and think where they want to see the next steps.

>> I read an article recently that they've come up with a portable machine that can make certain drugs on demand. It looks promising, so they're actually investing in developing more advanced models of these machines. <<

The simpler the drug, the easier it is to fabricate. Some very useful drugs are simple enough for that, so yes, it's worth pursuing.

>> So where do they get their medicines? <<

They have a decent supply in storage. They probably have a small synthesizer for making some basic stuff. But most of it they would have to import, which is a challenge.

On the other hoof, there is also a secret lab which hasn't decloaked yet. That probably has a lot more capacity to make medical supplies, if they can get the raw materials.

>> I keep thinking that there must be some sort of industry they can do in outer space that can't be done planetside. <<

Z-balls, for example, and they have a market for those.

>> Something else: Does anyone have a pet or raise any sort of domestic animals?
(Guinea pigs were once raised for eating and only require some hay or grass to eat.) <<

Those are in the secret lab. I believe they have mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The latter two are excellent meat animals, and also useful for closing the loop in a farm.

That makes sense too. Really, anything which benefits from perfect spheres, perfect crystals, low-G or zero-G is easier to do in space.