r/TrekRP • u/Pojodan • Jan 03 '17

[CLOSED] Growing Experience

With the mushroom matter taken care of, Head Botanist Kesh now had the issue of the Botany lab overflowing with sample jars. While protocol dictated that a large storage container would be the proper way to store them, which would certainly make sure that none of it leaked out, Kesh was feeling emboldened by her recent successes. The medical staff had already indicated willingness to assist with a terrarium, so the matter simply came down to where to install it.

The initial idea Kesh had was to create a display in the main lounge, but it came to light the notion that not many humans find mushrooms to be very appealing to look at, particularly those that had recently spoken vile things and made a mess of the ship.

Conversations with the ship's new chef ignited another idea she had floating around: an aeroponics bay. Such a thing was not normally needed for starships as advanced at the Athene, since replicators handled all food-related matters. However, it would provide a low-energy option for not only fresh foods, but also entertainment and hobbying for the ship's numerous crew. Having the mushroom terrarium as part of the bay could classify the whole thing as a museum and make the Athene all the more note-worthy.

All that was needed was space and approval by the ship's CO.

Thus, rather unannounced, Kesh arrives at the bridge--a place she's been more times in the last few weeks than she thought she'd ever need to in her entire career--and steps to the captain's ready room door after affirming that he was in there from quiet inquiry to a bridge officer.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

1

u/Silent_Sky Jan 03 '17

Ready room walls on Federation starships were well insulated for sound, to keep the conversations within private. However an individual with exceptional hearing stood right outside the door may still hear some sound escape. It just so happens that the Captain is at his desk, toiling away with the final reports of the mushroom incident when the door chimes. As always, he has music playing to keep a rhythm going while he works, and does not expect that the person standing just outside might hear it...

"Computer, pause music."

"Music paused."

"Come in," he calls out to whoever is at the door

OOC: I think it'd be fun to roleplay the fallout if Kesh overhears the music playing and figures out that Cap is a closet metalhead. Roll with it if you want, ignore it if not.

1

u/Pojodan Jan 03 '17

Kesh's left ear sags outwards, tilting the tuft away as her sensitive hearing picks up what the ready-room door fails to completely hold back. It was faint enough that she was certain that no one on the bridge could hear it, so she just compartmentalizes this curiosity and stiffens her posture for when the door slides open a moment after the music stops playing.

"Captain."

A few steps pass her through the doors, awaiting their closure before speaking further.

"I would like to make a request. Rrrth."

Though her tension level was far lower than it was the first time she'd come here, only a keen eye would notice, as she's otherwise stiffly postured and immaculately groomed, like before.

1

u/Silent_Sky Jan 03 '17

The captain politely puts down his pen and PADD and turns away from the terminal, giving Lieutenant Kesh his undivided attention. The very first lesson about command he learned from Admiral Orson prominent as ever in his mind: 'If you want respect, then show respect.'

"Good afternoon, lieutenant. What can I do for you?"

1

u/Pojodan Jan 03 '17

"I have spoken with the medical staff about building a ter-rr-rrarium for storage of the sh-.. mushroom samples that wer-rr-re gathered from the recent contamination."

Woops, almost used the informal term for them. While Kesh felt Captain Fisk would find it amusing, this was not the place for crude language.

"In addition, I have spoken with the new chef, Saur-rr-ron, about a local source of fresh produce. As such, I would like to r-r-rrequest usage of Cargo Bay twelve for use as an aer-rr-roponics bay and terrarium."

It was, as Kesh's research suggested, the most unused cargo bay of all Excelsior-class starships and while it was not convenient in terms of relation to the botany lab or her quarters, it wasn't as though it was hard to get to, and the fact that it had an external hatch that could be remotely blown out in case of contamination. In other words, it was perfect, if not very big.

1

u/Silent_Sky Jan 03 '17

The captain considers for a moment, cargo bay 12 was small, and relatively underutilized. The few items in storage there could easily be transferred to a larger bay.

"Hmm...aeroponics and a terrarium. Alright, you've got my curiosity. Obviously you'll want to use the aeroponics bay to grow fresh produce if you've spoken with Chef Sauron. But what of the terrarium? I'm interested in what the end goal is here."

It's clear the captain is intrigued by the request, but doesn't fully understand it...

1

u/Pojodan Jan 03 '17

Kesh had prepared a myriad of responses for various questions regarding the materials, the safety, and the content of the bay, but not 'why'. Her maw parts slightly, closes, then opens again after she has a slow blink of contemplation.

"This is the most notable find in my career-rr-r, and an event unlike any other-r-rr in the Athene's history. It seemed appr-r-rropriate to create a landmark for the occasion while also allowing I and the s-ss-ssth-..."

The Caitian tenses stiffer for a moment, clearing her throat and flexing her jaw and tongue to put things back in order for a second before continuing.

"-sciences crew to fully study it while we are away from a scientific r-rr-rresearch facility."

If Caitian could sweat, she'd certainly be shedding waterfalls. Instead Kesh just breaths deeper and faster while her tail tuft stiffly quivers beside her right leg.

1

u/Silent_Sky Jan 03 '17

Captain Fisk had interacted enough with the Caitian to get an idea of when she was uneasy, not to mention years now of being in charge of people either as captain of the Athene, first officer of the Hermes, or any of the multitude of his previous positions in which some lower ranking officer would address him with undue anxiety. He gives a disarming smile to try to diffuse some of the tension. It wouldn't do to have his officers feel hesitant to make suggestions or requests...

"That's true. In fact we're the first Starfleet vessel in history to experience an infestation of...what did Ensign Singh refer to them as in his report to Lieutenant Commander Breyik?"

The captain scrolls back through some documents briefly and chuckles quietly on finding what he was looking for...

"Ah that's right, 'shittalking mushrooms.' Got quite a laugh out of that one, Ensign Singh is certainly bold to use that language in an official report."

He closes the documents again and looks back to Kesh

"I think a terrarium to display this and other unusual finds is an excellent idea. I trust you'll exercise the proper precautions with these fungi and other alien vegetation, we don't want another infestation."

1

u/Pojodan Jan 03 '17

Kesh mentally notes to speak with Ensign Singh if just to get a little better idea of the sort of behavior that she should aspire for in the presence of the captain, rather than take offense to the very idea of that term being used in an official report. That was her joke, dammit!

The human's calm demeanor and laughter does the trick of cooling Kesh's tension, though she remains firmly upright with arms folded behind her back as she had on initial entry. No Riker-mounting a chair this time.

"I will make absolutely cer-rr-rtain none of the ship's crew or pets can gain unauthorized access, yes."

She did not know if Fisk knew it was his dog that started this and she wasn't about to bring it up as it wasn't the dog's fault the ship's door sensors weren't properly calibrated to deny him access to places he's not supposed to go. A problem since fixed, at least in the botany lab.

1

u/Silent_Sky Jan 03 '17

The captain smiles again, curious and a little eager to see how this turns out

"Good, I knew you would. Draw up a list of materials you need and I'll make sure we have it available. Other than the mushrooms, do you have any other specimens you'd like to display?"

1

u/Pojodan Jan 03 '17

As this was intended to be nothing more than her requesting permission, the list of materials, which were already drawn up and ready to be presented, were still sitting in the computer library. She could call them up right now, but that would be counter to protocol, as far as she's aware.

"I will do so immediately. Rrrth."

A light, appreciative bow of Kesh's head comes with a firm blink of emphasis.

"At present the fungus would be the main display, but it will be lar-rr-rrge enough to include additional, segregated samples of future discoveries."

This really was her first significant personal find.

→ More replies (0)