science fiction - long

The ground gulped greedily at the proffered fluid. As each drop began its sizzling trip from pitcher to parched earth, a small girl trembled in anticipation of her own relief. Salarek was what could be called a lonely planet, desolate, even. The few hardy inhabitants quenched their desert thirst by forcing water from air to rain down in artificial showers long ago invented by generous masters.
Each dweller on Salarek had an assigned task to complete, each according to his or her ability. And each contributed. This was not a discriminatory planet. From the smallest child, imported from the outer worlds, to the busiest machine, all were employed and all useful. Of the few laws governing Salarek, because it was a loosely governed home, the greatest was work, hearkening to some ancient, unremembered concept of the Protestant work ethic, perhaps.

• Salarek: dusty planet of hard work and harsh discipline -- hardly enforced because, while loosely governed, it is strictly punished - if only by death from thirst or retaliation by one's peers. this planet is close to the star duo at the center of the planets.
  

• Ataren: industrial planet entirely run by machines and, thus, strict. machines are sentient and, in a small way, capable of feeling very religious. what doubts?
  

• Qual/Kwol: this planet is inhabited by untamed tribes of indigenous people (or are they just untamed planetarians .. australia-esque?). tribal people who cooperate with each other for survival and war. planet is heavily booby-trapped and people there hate planetarians. this planet is much like earth of old, with oceans, bodies of water, deserts, forests, plains, and TRASH.

• Planet: the home world. breeds children from people reporting from other worlds. selective breeding pairs bright with bright, low with low, and mixes. planet isn't just a breeding colony, though, it is also the hub of government and commerce. people come here for supplies and pay with resource certificates. this is a water planet.