Declassified is BK's deep-diving series, which explores the hidden and quiet history of the development of the Sabmadi Republic.
The Sabmadi Republic’s love of automation has always been an enigma. Even in the records of Old Earth, sociologists and economists have agreed that a highly automated society -- like what the Republic is today -- can only be brought about after decades of developing infrastructure. And yet, here it is- in a small colony placed in the middle of a jungle, thousands of lightyears away from her home planet. How did we get here? And more importantly: will it last?
News Instinct VX drones zip around the streets of Tonderay.
Unmanned Warfare
It’s no surprise that the military was one of the first widespread adopters of drone technology. Sabmadi’s first settlers famously received a large arsenal of combat drones. They proved essential in defending workers from Ziva’s predatory fauna, so it was a priority for the new colony to upgrade and improve them. Ever since then, the Republic has had an easy and popular way to contribute to the Antares Confederacy’s military: send drones instead of soldiers. It was an enviable position to be in during the Vrul War.
That isn't to say that the military-industrial complex hasn't faced its share of controversies. Recent breaches into corporate servers have raised doubts about the security of the SDF’s drone-nets. One outspoken critic was cybersecurity expert Goma Okorie, who called current security measures an "incredible farce" and "ripe for intrusion." Whether these claims are true remains to be seen.
“The SQ-07 Golem is a common sight in Sabmadi infantry squads. In a flying machine, recoil has the annoying tendency to twist rather than push. We moved the guns closer together to minimize that. The internal counterbalance systems take care of whatever’s left.” - A.J. Azbel
Little Helpers
Automation has benefited the Republic economy to an unfathomable degree. Researchers at the University of Tonderay have estimated that the usage of drones in heavy industry alone has generated the country 2 trillion SR over the course of a decade. “Nanny drones'' have helped alleviate the strain on growing families- one of the biggest contributors to Sabmadi’s population growth. Additionally, drones have taken over the most remote jobs in the oil and lumber industry, where workers have historically suffered high mortality rates due to animal attacks.
However, a growing political group known as "antiestablishmentarianists" have decried the use of autonomous labor, claiming that drones unfairly benefit the upper class by diminishing the value of lower-class labor. This idea has found new fire as the Republic takes in more immigrants from the Confederacy and beyond- a trend that has decreased the need for automated workforces. A concerted effort is being made to create more jobs in the service and culture industries: areas where drones can’t compete.
“The Hummingbird is used to pollinate earthborne crops that Zivan wildlife unfortunately couldn’t do themselves. It’s one of the rare cases where an orthoform drone is useful: the wingbeats help spread pollen and help the drone blend into nature.” - A.J. Azbel
The Automated Life
One of the biggest cultural gaps between Sabmadi and the rest of the confederation is the sheer ubiquity of our drones. Some have called this phenomenon ‘drone culture’: a mix between the gun, tech and auto culture that has been observed in other Confederate nations and on Old Earth. Popular shows like Warforged and HyPersonality have brought hotmodding (aftermarket modification of drones) to the masses, and into the clubrooms of every Sabmadi technical school. Their effect extends well beyond enthusiasts: psychologists have discovered that in many households, personalized drones fulfill the role of pets.
Unsurprisingly, wide access to drone tech has weakened law and security somewhat. Extensive efforts have been made to crack down on the installation of illegal combat modifications. One infamous event has been the death of famous actor Alaa Idris, in which a drone outfitted with military-grade weapons malfunctioned and fired through the Danjuma Hotel’s northwest wall. It has been one of the only times when the public perception of drones has been soured.
“The Instinct VX is one of the newest models to hit the personal market. Relatively light, cheap, and easy to manufacture, the production license has allegedly been sold to the SDF to develop a scouting platform.” - A.J. Azbel
Writer and futurist Sheryll Damyan had this to say about drone proliferation:
As humans, we long to live alongside creatures of a shared heritage- birds, squirrels and the like. Nothing as friendly lives on Ziva, so our resolve led us to remake our surroundings in our own image.
While the reasons behind the adoption of drones remain elusive, the consequences don’t. The national government has recently vowed to step up drone development as the Confederacy gears up for war with the Beldross Empire. For now at least, the era of drones is here to stay.
This article was submitted to BK by drone 100000.
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