Don't Fear the Weeper

Posted on Tue Jun 22nd, 2021 @ 9:48pm by Lieutenant Percival Bálor Ph.D & Commander Grace Vetur
Edited on on Thu Jun 24th, 2021 @ 9:12am

1,654 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Out of Time
Location: USS Ontario | Deck 07 | Botanical Laboratory

Lieutenant Percy Balor kept the illumination level in the botanical laboratory at a suitable level conducive to the variety of plants that were sharing the space. It was presently 'nighttime' in the botanical lab meaning the nocturnal species of plants were most active while other plants were in a more docile state. He was making the rounds feeding them their individual specialized formulas though one plant, in particular, was throwing a bit of a tantrum, cooing rather loudly and twisting its long vines around, fluttering the leaves.

"Calm down and wait your turn," Percy said looking over his shoulder at the plant in question. It was a plant with a deep rich green color in its stem and leaves, but a vibrant fuchsia color flower that was in bloom. A plant with some form of sentience, at least that much was clear by its behavior and the fluctuation in noises that it made.

Though he was not expecting anyone, it was not uncommon for someone like Grace or Yiv to stop by, Grace especially liked to check on Percy to make sure he was not up to anything. Unfortunately, the mere fact that he had the fuschia-colored plant was going to be enough to cause at least a mild talking to if Grace walked in and saw it. She had shot down his mention of the plant, but he had already planted the seeds, and Deanie was already growing up a storm.

When the doors to the botanical bay opened, Percy immediately responded. "Come in, let the door close," he said. "We are under nocturnal conditions in here," he added before making his way around the plant to see who had walked in.

Then there she was. "Commander Vetur," Percy said looking at the woman, his posture shifted just slightly to be a tad bit more professional. His tone was cordial yet just professional enough to show familiarity and respect.

"Hello, Lieutenant," she said pleasantly as she entered the lab. "I thought I'd have a look at how your plants are growing. Nighttime is particularly lovely, don't you think?"

Percy looked around a bit nervously. It was probably best he just came out with it. "I know what you said about the Terrestrius manus, the weeper plant, but I had already acquired the seeds and planted him" Percy said looking over at the plant in question. "Please let me keep him, Commander. He has been really well behaved and he's growing healthy."

"Him, Lieutenant?" It didn't take her long to find the plant. "And you didn't think to keep him isolated?" She didn't want to think of the plant as a him. "It."

"He," Percy replied with emphasis, "is not going to be an issue. They are native to Zeta Reticuli A, and though carnivorous, it isn't going to go around eating anyone. If anything, Deanie spooks a bit easily and tucks himself back into his trunk." Percy looked at Grace. "Yes, I named him. Deanie may not have a brain, but Deanie can move around, purr, shriek, and has a rudimentary nervous system. This is a bit more than your average orchid."

"Is Deanie ambulatory or will he become such?" she asked. she was trying to decide the best course of action for the plant--and the scientist.

Percy chuckled. "If you are worried he's going to start roaming the corridors, no. Deanie is rooted to his soil and stump. The most he can do is wiggle his leaves and maybe grab something with a vine or two. He's mostly harmless, and I'll keep him well fed."

"It's the mostly part that concerns me. I would like you to put trackers in the soil, just in case."

The Chief Science Officer snorted in response. He crossed his arms, and looked ar the woman. "Commander, if it helps you sleep a little easier at night, I'll put trackers in the soil. However, if mostly harmless worries you, then I fear you won't be sleeping much. A citrus fruit could kill someone with a severe enough allergy on a world without proper medical care" stated Percy. "I'm really trying to comply with your orders and do things more to your liking, but you are going to have to give some slack to my leash if I am going to be a decent Chief Science Officer for the Ontario."

"Lieutenant, you worry me. You seem to think the only way to get the respect of your parents and the scientific community is to try a variety of ways to use sentient entites for creating hybrid plants."

"Lies!" Percy fired back. "I try other means as well. You just shoot those down quickly. You don't need to be worried about me, I made Lieutenant didn't I? I have the education. I have the experience. I just lack your trust, Commander."

"I have one word for you, Lieutenant," Grace said, not at all persuaded by his current argument. "Bunnicorn. Perhaps I should be grateful it wasn't your plomeek."

"Ugh," he groaned. "Don't...no. I never want to see another bunnicorn again unless it is on my pizza. That thing nearly destroyed several of my projects, made me chase it around the ship, and my legs are still screaming at me for that."

Grace nodded sagely. "Thus I think all your...experiments...should be traceable. Much easier to track them down when they get loose."

Percy sighed but begrudgingly had to concede. Commander Vetur had a point, several points, and they were right on the snout. "Okay,," he said nodding. "You and I have a deal. Any experiments I run, I document fully, and I include traceable elements be it it trackers or whatever is needed" he said with a bit of sincerity. "For what it is worth, Commander, I am trying my best. I was a product of the eleventh fleet, and things are a bit blunderous aboard the ship's and stations. High pressure to perform well, people breathing down your neck, and ships vanishing overnight. I need to get used to normalcy and quality over quantity."

"On that we can agree," the First Officer replied. "The Ontario is far more normal than the 11th Fleet. Full accountability, traceability, and documentation." She gave him a brief smile. "While you slow down and work on more normal experiments. There will be opportunity enough for the unusual out here."

"I have some more normal things that I am working on," replied the Chief Science Officer. His posture shifted to a more inviting, less defensive one. "Nanobionics," he said proudly. "I'm working with plant nanobionic and revisiting some old Earth research. Things they started but didn't have the know how back then. I am partway through creating plants that emit their own light source. It may be useful on planets that have long dark nights."

"What about bio-luminescent algae? It's being used in a number of places." In fact, some Diplomats had used it as a point in a treaty negotiation. "Algae and fungus is more adaptable than most plant species."

"Interesting," mused Percy. He was intrigued by the thought of it. "Algae and fungi are certainly more adaptable than most plant species. In the old research, I was looking at, they were using watercress. I think the algae and fungi route is worth pursuing. Theoretically, far more sustainable."

"And currently used in some cave systems," she replied. "I'm surprised your thorough research didn't turn that up." Her tone was bland, but there was just a hint of humor in it. She didn't think he'd done much--if any--research. He simply had an idea and ran with it. She didn't fault his enthusiasm, only his judgement.

"Research takes time and there's a lot of it to go through," he countered. It was true that he had not done as much of it as he should have. "I have been a little distracted as well, not an excuse I know."

"Then, before you proceed further, I suggest you first put several trackers on that plant and second, do your research before you try to reinvent the wheel."

Percy snorted. "Reinvent...replace...whatever it takes." He was unyielding in his pursuits. "Thank you for this pep talk," he added teasingly.

She chuckled. "That one way of looking at it." She shook her head. "I'm not trying to kill your creativity. Just...temper it. You're determined to run full-tilt at every problem without thinking it through--or doing the foundational research. You'll get there, eventually."

"I'll change how I do things, Commander," he replied with sincerity in his voice. "I cannot get booted from this posting. The Ontario is where I want to be."

"That would be appreciated," she said.

"Then we have ourselves an arrangement," Percy bounced back. "I'll take my time and do things proper, and I stay aboard the Ontario as long as it's doable? I don't want to be transferred if it can be prevented. "

She relaxed a bit. "I can agree to that. I will also check up on you from time to time, just to be sure."

"Don't be modest," he said with a dismissive wave. "From time to time? You will be over my shoulder regularly, but that's okay, Commander, I enjoy an audience."

She chuckled. "I'm sure you do, Lieutenant. I'll leave you and your...friend for now. Let me know when you have the trackers set." She'd be back to make sure he had nothing else hidden here, but not tonight.

"Stop by any time, Commander," Percy richocheted. He knew she would be back when it was apropos to do so. He smiled briefly as he watched her leave his science lab. I'm winning her over he thought to himself. Bit by bit, he was trying to ateast.


________________________________________________________________

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Grace Vetur
Executive Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Percival Bálor, Ph.D
Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

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