Curing my plant

Posted on Thu Nov 25, 2021 @ 7:17pm by Lieutenant Penny Mc Taggard

Mission: Mission 1R - Vigilance Be Our Shield
Location: Arboretum USS Hornet
Timeline: 239510.25

Commander Amanda Malloy so busy with talks between the Klingon and Gorn had been neglecting her plants. She was a bit of a green thumb, she had some exotic plants such as a Mako rook, and a Talosian singing plant. Some just required water and atmosphere to survive and thrive. She invited the new science officer Penny McTaggert down to the arboretum to check out her beauregard weeper,
which she thought was sick. Perhaps the science officer had a background in botany and could help her revive it. Besides it would give her a chancr to really get to know her.

Botany! Penny loved plants. When growing up in Glasgow in Scotland on Earth. Penny had spent many a happy afternoon helping her great aunt Monica in her vast garden. There she learnt many interesting things about plants. Like the correct soil to grow fruit plants such as strawberries. How to detect if green fly had been at the rose bushes. Even the correct moisture level for Marigolds.

Due to her busy schedule McTaggard had not had a chance to look over the Arboretum. So when the Commanders call had come. Penny was over joyed to meet them. But she kept her dog Cara behind. The Chihuahua would of loved running around silly. But she felt it might not be appropriate to bring her dog with her.

Penny’s eyes widened in delight as she entered the Arboretum. It was wonderful some many interesting plants and thankfully not all from Earth. She saw some Vulcan night vines growing over some rocks. Seeing the Commander Penny have a nod and walked over.

“ This is fantastic what a great arboretum. Plus I see you have quite a few none Earth verities.” Penny said smiling.

"I travel quite a lot and I like to collect a variety of plants. Right now though I'm having a problem with my Beauregard weeper. It's just not eating."
Amanda said. "Are you familiar with them at all?" Amanda asked.

Penny looked at the Beauregard Weeper. The pink head just poked out of its tube-like body.

“ Yes. Terrestrius manus otherwise known as the Beauregard Weeper. From the planet Zeta Reticuli A. Although it carries both male and female reproductive organs. Many people think they are female…. These plants are quite susceptible to stress. Due to their unique ability to sense danger.. When scared they duck down into the main body of the plant. Which as you can see is tube shaped.That might be why she/he is not eating. Has it had a scare lately?” Penny asked

"Do you think it could be reacting to the stress everyone is feeling on this mission?" Amanda asked.

Amanda tried to keep everything as stress free as possible especially in the arboretum. However there were times when that was impossible. Others used the arboretum as well and like Penny said these plants could sense stress. The stress levels on this ship were pretty high at the moment with the Gorn/Klingon conflict looming. Even now the ship was at Yellow alert.

"Is there anything I can do to calm it?" Amanda asked.

Penny gave the plant a gentle stroke. It raised its pink feathery head out of the tube section of its body and gave a purr. McTaggard could feel the plant shaking as she stroked it.

“ Calming music usually helps. Plus it needs to be moved to a quieter location. Also limiting the number of people who go near it is best. I can rustle up a plant feed that you just pour round it’s roots at the bottom of the tube. That should help keep it nourished. Other then a good Stoke on its head once a day. Should help.” Penny advised.

"I guess I could move it to my quarters, however I will need more light for it." Amanda said.

"What do you you use for plant food"? Amanda asked.

Penny continued to stroke the plants head as she ran a probe over it.

“ The soil of the plants home-world is rich in nutrients and unique bacteria to the planet. But these are easy to simulate with a solution of fish blood and crushed dried fungus. It cannot be replicated and smells awful. But it will do our wee friend here the power of good.” Penny said

"Then I wont be moving it to my quarters, I will have to find a quieter place to plant it here in the arboretum." Amanda said.

McTaggard looked around the arboretum.

“ That would be good for the wee plant. But it must be a suitable area with the correct soil. Let’s se…” Penny looked around.

She let her eyes wonder over the area they were in.

“ There is a slight rise over there by those rose bushes. Your plant will love that it will be able to settle quite well there.” Penny explained.

"It does seem to be a peaceful place for it doesn't it. I will plant it there away from the traffic. that should ease its stress. Officer thinking Penny!" Amanda said.

"Lets go to the club for cocktails after this." She added.

On the day Penny was excepted into Starfleet Academy. She made the decision not to drink alcohol again. She needed to keep her mind focused and not have it clouded by fermented drinks. But a glass of chilled apple juice could easily pass as a scotch. So it did not impede on her social life as a Cadet.

Well she knew non alcohol cocktails or mock-tails were available. Plus it was not a good move career wise to turn down an invitation from your commanding officer for a drink.

“ Yes please. Once we make sure our wee friend is settled of course.” Penny said

After digging a hole and lining the floor with some nutrients. Penny place the plant carefully into the hole. It then began to wiggle its body settling into the plants new home. Then she covered the surround area around the base with soil. The plant made a contented squeak.

“ There.” Mc Taggard said.

"Ah...much better, care to go with me to the officer's lounge for a drink?" Amanda asked.

Penny wiped her hands and stood up.

" Aye. The wee plant looks happy now. Give it a day and it will soon be back to normal.....yes please I could just do with a nice drink. Planting things always gives me a thirst." Penny said with a smile.

[End]