MÖRKTOBER 1 - GOAT
IN WAY OF EXPLANATION - In this series of MÖRKTOBER posts I’m going to indulge in world building revolving around my home-brewed CY_BORG setting, MALTA 213X. I initially considered writing a full post detailing what this actually involves, but then I decided that letting people figure it out for themselves would be more fun. Also funnier, but to me only.
GOAT: The Malta of 213X has little need for livestock, as the massive factories of the Mrieħel district produce enough food (primarily soy, genomed shrimp, fungal mats, cloned meats, reconstructed protein) to cover the people’s dietary needs as combined with all-necessary imports from Sicily and elsewhere. As a result animal husbandry is the reserve of the idle rich paying farmer in their domes up north. However man has a constant want for animal companions, so enter an exception - Goats. While looking like regular examples of Capra hircus, these goats are actually genetically modified versions designed by North African Alliance (NAA) biotechnicians for use in disaster areas. They can withstand virtually any climate, handle life any space, and are armed with the kind of biology that can withstand massive doses of radiation and infection. Best of all is a digstive tract that allows them to devour toxic waste, never mind regular household waste. This makes for inexpensive upkeep that allows the inhabitants of a megabuilding floor to chip in and buy a couple of goats, which they can then feed garbage in return for milk they can turn into honest to goodness cheese.
A side effect of these animals’ extreme biology is they take shockingly easily to biomechanical implants. Thus so happens that a goat’s owner might decide to go for a taste of real meat by chopping a leg off and replacing it with an artificial implant. This can, and eventually will, lead to fully cyborgised goats, their owners too attached to the beast to allow it to die even after they’ve devoured most of its biology. Then again these beasts also get attached to their owners, making them surprisingly effective guardians be it in fleshy or metallic form.