56. Bill - March 2167 - Epsilon Eridani

Riker discovers a hacking attempt against his systems originating from New Zealand and meets with Homer to discuss a space station farming proposal using gene-engineered kudzu. The UN assembly reacts explosively to the farming plan, but Riker pushes it through as a solution to prevent starvation. Minister Cranston then offers the FAITH enclave's food surplus in exchange for a spot on the third colony ship, and admits to espionage regarding probe technology.

Riker's systems detect a hacking attempt based on Heaven vessel design exploiting encryption vulnerabilities, with the breach blocked by his firewall. Guppy traces the packets to New Zealand. Homer proposes building space stations for agricultural production rather than habitation, using spin to create gravity and gene-engineered kudzu as a high-calorie crop with access to constant sunlight and the Svalbard seed vaults. The proposal eliminates the need for traditional life support systems by relying on plants for oxygen production. When presented to the UN assembly, the proposal generates extreme opposition from well-supplied enclaves who view it as misuse of resources, though those facing starvation support it. Riker defends the plan by asserting that saving current lives takes priority over future colony ships and notes that opponents will eventually depend on the kudzu gardens themselves. Minister Cranston then contacts Riker privately, offering to donate the FAITH enclave's food surplus in exchange for allocation on ship three, framing it as reasonable given their reduced resources after the donation. Cranston also admits that New Zealand sourced the hacking attempt, confessing that FAITH stole probe technology concepts from Australia, whose survivors fled to New Zealand after Brazil's asteroid strikes. Riker accepts both proposals after consulting Charles and Homer, who agree the arrangements are sound.