Opening the Box Part I
Posted on Tue Nov 7th, 2023 @ 9:14pm by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Junior Grade Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Vura & Major Cornelius Tremble & Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna
Edited on on Wed Nov 8th, 2023 @ 12:45am
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Garden Cube - Deck 10 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1900 hours
Shore leave was over, the Pioneer had departed from Poseidon Station, and the cargo bay garden was thriving. The science department even harvested some fruits, vegetables, and herbs to use with some of the appetizers for the grand opening. A ship-wide announcement invited anyone who was interested to come by and have a look at the new garden paradise. Extra benches had been installed for adding seating areas and tables had been set up with appetizers, fruit, and drinks. As many of the science department and those who helped with the planting were invited to answer questions and to experience the fruits of their labors.
The various plants were planted in a grid pattern with transparent aluminum piping for irrigation between the different sections. The ropes to access the vines and climbing plants along the ceiling had been carefully hidden away to keep curious children from exploring. In addition to the irrigation system, there was also a sprinkling and misting system along the ceiling to simulate rain. This, too, had been carefully secured against would-be pranksters. It wasn't that any were expected, but Alyssa had taught university classes and didn't want to take any chances.
The four corners contained empty squares of soil for members of the crew to grow their own plants, if they wished. Two sections were set aside for children. For the grand opening, a nearby room was set up with a variety of potted plants and herbs for anyone to take back to their quarters. Now they eagerly awaited the rest of the crew to come see the new public area.
When it came to social events, or crew events, the Chief Counselor was not going to be missing. Vura strolled into the garden area and let herself stand still once she entered to close her eyes and to smell the aromas of the area and delight in them before greeting anyone.
Neil, dressed in black and tans made his way into the bay, eyeing his surroundings as his contact updated his calendar and flashed up final reminders of things he needed to finish before his day was officially over. Still and all, he needed to show up, get his third workout in for the day and see Corporal Shy. And eat something. His stomach twitched and he found a bit of open space away from the hatch and looked around.
Pioneer's crew had done a lot of work and Neil appreciated that. It was a nice space for the crew and he understood the benefits, but the marine in him wondered if, at some point they'd regret losing the space for combat stores and evac protocols. He looked the space over again and decided to just take solace in the crew enjoying themselves.
The doors slid open as Thex stepped through the doors. She'd wanted to see what the science division had done with the supplies they'd be asking for.
As soon as Jayna entered, she moved off to the side so she could get a good look at the former cargo bay while keeping out of the way. She loved forests and was curious to see how Alyssa's ideas had come to fruition.
The garden was not as wild as Jayna would have liked, but she knew that was only possible on a planet. Still, she liked how the space had been utilized and the feel of being surrounded by plants. She selected a path at random so she could explore.
Alyssa stood off to the side where she could watch people enter and see their honest reactions. This had been a work of love and she knew it wasn't to everyone's taste, but there would be enough who would appreciate this and she wanted to see those reactions.
When she saw Thex walked in, she went over to the Andorian. "Hi."
" Hello Alyssa i love what you've done with the place." Thex said her blue eyes gazing around the room.
"Thank you. It was a multi-department effort," the science officer replied. "In fact, your predecessor helped a great deal." She smiled, knowing Thex helped with some last-minute supplies. "Thank you for all that your department did to facilitate our garden."
" No problem my friend." the replied with a smile. " Just a pity we couldn't get any Andorian plants in here, but they'd be to temperature viable for them to grow."
Alyssa nodded. "Sadly, we don't have enough room for specialized climates here."
Jayna passed a flowering bush and saw Neil up ahead. She knew that with his tactical contact lens, he'd see her coming, but she remained silent as she came up beside him.
"Hrm," Neil said, without moving. He'd caught Jayna in his peripheral, but started visibly as he turned his head and grinned at her. "Well, hello there."
She knew better than to think she'd startled him, but it still made her chuckle. "Fancy meeting you here," she grinned back. it was a pleasant surprise as she knew he had a lot of catch up work to do.
"Part of the job," Neil gave her a rueful look. "But I need breaks too and I really haven't spent any time looking over the work that's been done in here." Glancing around, he said, "Honestly, gardening isn't my thing."
'Mine, either, but I like spending time in them. Forests in particular, but I'll take what I can get on a starship. I like the idea of a maze, too--although a proper one where you can actually get lost." She heard others talk of them, but she'd never had the time before. She put a hand on his arm. "You definitely do need to take some time to relax." She raised an eyebrow. "I'm free most evenings if you need any help--relaxing, that is."
Vura, done relishing the moment of all the wonderful scents looked around and saw that there were now more people around her. She wondered whether she should be flattered or offended that nobody said anything to her. She looked over at Thex and mentally shrugged. The Andorian was damaged, so that might explain something. Neil she did not know. Jayna she recognized but she did not remember speaking to her much, so the Deltan counselor walked up to the two individuals and her voice took on a sultry tone, "So what exactly do we have here?"
Neil didn't need his contacts pop up to ID the Deltan as she approached. Half turning, he said, "Hello Counselor. We haven't had the pleasure yet. I'm Pioneer's friendly neighborhood executive officer, Cornelius Tremble. I think you've met Lieutenant Mira?"
"Only casually," Jayna replied, smiling at Vura. "Hello, counselor. How was your shore leave?"
Vura grinned devilishly at the Executive Officer and flirted, "No. We definitely have not had the pleasure, yet." Her demeanor professionalized slightly as she turned to Jayna and said, "That is true. We have not met other than once and I believe that was in the lounge. As to my shoreleave, I admit that I did not have one. But, in fairness, I had just transferred here, so I was busy meeting as many people as possible and checking the mental wellbeing of numerous individuals. It seems that the ship has gone through quite a bit of stress lately," she informed the two, looking back over at Neil, as she did so.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
Lieutenant Junior Grade Thex sh'Zoarhi
Chief Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayna
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Intelligence Liaison, The Cure
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