Mule
Characters
Main: Eden
Side: Father
Side: Mule payload robot
Plot outline
introduction
Of the main character and her father. She is being trained for her first week as a ranger by her father. Her father has been a ranger for decades and has raised her to love the outdoors.
Of the time period. It is at least 50 years in the future. Technology has continued to revolutionize modern civilization. Robots and drones are much more commonplace, as the cost of production has made them so affordable.
Of the geopolitical changes that have occurred over the last 50+ years. This book does not take place in the United States, as the united states have since been disbanded after a major civil war. While occupied with infighting, other countries attached the USA and other allies. This led to a world war, in which the production of drones and robotic tools were heavily used. Thus the manufacture of these type of robots became more and more affordable. The governments around the world occupied with World War 3, did not realize that our reliance on carbon fuels had accelerated the rate of global warming. This led to supper storms, that devastated the entire planet at a time when the world was already at war. In the end, most governments were debilitated, and those that were left in place no longer had the trust of the people. A new world order, focused on the human race instead of any individual group of people rose to take the place of the governments before the war. Any people or organizations, that rise against the new world order are immediately treated as hostiles and eradicated. After decades of war, and superstorms the dust has begun to settle, and rebellion has not been an issue for years. The world is finally at peace, under one ruling government. In this government, men and women of all races, cultures, and beliefs are equal. This government is run by multiple branches of government similar to the united states. One of the major initiatives of this new world order is to restore the planet, reversing the damage that led to the superstorms.
As a national park ranger, Eden’s father takes her with him on his route, a week-long journey through the forest that they are responsible for. During this trip, he teaches her how to use the Mule payload robot to do things that they used to have to do themselves.
The mule is AI and can talk as long as its energy cells are charged. Its primary purpose is a payload robot, to carry the human’s gear.
it has 3 energy cells, 1 for use, 1 for an emergency, and 1 for solar charging. 1 cell is in use at all times, 1 on standby at all times, and 1 is above the forest canopy and or clouds flew by a small peripheral drone equipped with solar panels. This ensures maximum solar charging capabilities at all times, however, the peripheral drone cannot fly during heavy winds. In such a case, the mule would rely on its energy cell reserves or go into stand by mode.
the mule carries the following gear for the rangers:
tent and emergency shelter gear
water ozonation (using electricity to create ozone, a gas used to disinfect water) and filtration, single-walled steel water bottles (used to boil water to disinfect water, extra gear the father insists on carrying even though it is outdated).
Heater, and ability to make a fire using a taser like lighter, possibly a ferrocerium rod (extra outdated gear from the father).
A survival knife, high carbon steel which can be used with flint to throw sparks
the spare clothes and personal items
A chainsaw used to help clear a path for the mule, and a bucksaw or ax (extra outdated gear from the father)
nav system, compass and map