The Plant Box
Posted on Sat Apr 5th, 2025 @ 11:12am by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Sat Apr 5th, 2025 @ 12:58pm
1,650 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Garden Cube - Deck 10 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD006 1600hrs
Millie had heard tales of the Garden Cube from others, she had meant to see it during shore leave but well, a good chunk of it was well spent with Tyr. Now though she felt the need to go see it. It was before she needed to report in to work. Millie arrived, then stepped inside, her mouth dropping open in amazement. Right now, there didn't seem to be anyone there, and she walked further inside.
"Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful!" Millie turning around in a slow circle to get a good view.
Alyssa was doing her twice-daily check of the garden bay (the name kept changing in her head until she found one that stuck), when she saw someone turning around in a circle. "Hi. Can I help you?" she asked, changing direction to go over to the other woman.
Millie paused in her slow spinning and looked at the woman approaching her. "Hello, I was just admiring this. It’s better than what others have described it to me. My name's Millie Ambrose, Ensign in Engineering."
"Hello, Millie Ambrose. I'm Alyssa Maren. This is a cooperative effort of all the botanists and many of the scientists on the Pioneer. I feel that plants are important--especially in space. Commodore Malbrooke graciously gave us this cargo bay to experiment with different types of hybrid plants for use during space travel. We can't grow enough for a crew the size of this one, but it has potential for smaller ships."
"I like this a lot. And a working experiment as well. Practical, beautiful. Multi-purpose. My Aunt Flora, she would love this. She's really into botany, make that she is a botanist. I helped her out from time to time, in her gardens. Seeing this is making me feel nostalgic. And wanting me to stretch my wings and get into more science."
"Why not? There's always room for science." Alyssa grinned. "At least, I think so." She'd seen Millie around the ship, but not enough to know her. "You're stationed here, yes?"
"Yes, I am." Millie answered with great pride. "It’s been really great and life changing for me. Life changing in a good way. I don't know why it is like that for me but it is the truth."
"Yes. I've seen the Pioneer do that for people," Alyssa said, her voice softening. "It's also given other second chances." She waved a hand to the plants in the vertical garden. "You're welcome to help out in here. We have volunteers from most departments come in from time to time."
"Thank you I would love that." Millie smiling from ear to ear.. "Do you have any favorite flowers, or plants? And are there citrus bushes here?" Millie glancing back out towards the different areas.
"There are some. We have a tree with pomelo, one with three types of citrus, and a third that has different types of apples. Unfortunately, we don't have the space I would like." Alyssa grinned. "But for that we'd need a planet, so I can't complain. I'm very pleased with what we have here."
"I can actually see it in my mind’s eye. A veritable paradise. A pomelo that sounds really exotic. Does it taste good? When can it be ready to try?" Millie was intrigued as she's not heard of this sort of fruit before.
"Unfortunately, it will take some time for the fruit. Normally, it can take three years for a tree to bear fruit, but we managed to get older trees, so I don't know how long it will take. But yes, pomelo is a lovely fruit. It's programmed into the replicator, so you should try some. I can tell you that the berries are ripening and the herbs are doing well."
"I will have to try that then." Millie's eyes lighting up once more. "A veritable mini sized Garden of Paradise. Exploration time definitely. I plan on making a recording to send to my aunt as well as my parents. later on." Millie wandering over to where some of the plants were there. "I can tell that you do love plants and it shows, with how healthy they are all looking. Do you play music to them? My Aunt does that, and at times she has done some singing to them as well."
"Sometimes. Sometimes I'll play music and dance in here." Alyssa shrugged. "It's fun sometimes to dance in the artificial moonlight. Oh, and we have some pots and starters if you want to grow herbs or smaller plants in your quarters."
"Ohh that sounds wonderful. Uh do you recommend any herbs that will chase away nightmares? I have had some nightmares off and on, and I would love to find something that could or would help. Also... Dancing in moonlight? I've not experienced something like that. Tell me more please?" Millie turning from the plants she was examining to give Alyssa her full attention, her dark brown eyes eagerly waiting to hear.
Alyssa thought for a moment. "Valerian, lemon balm, and chamomile are all good. They make good teas."
Millie gave a nod. “Okay, I definitely will get some of that tea. Something that isn't replicated though. I don't think that the replicated tea has the same effect as the natural teas."
"We have a small herb garden. You're welcome to take a few leaves for your own use. As you said, fresh herbs, or ones you dry are better than replicated. We have several containers of dried herbs in the workroom."
"You do? Oh, if I could have a little bit to make some tea that would be marvelous! Also yes, as to your previous offer I would like to have some starts of plants, would brighten up the quarters. Any sort of recommendation, I am all ears." There was a sense of determination and enthusiasm coming from Millie. Her life was becoming more open to different paths, positive paths and she was loving it.
"I'll show you the herbs and the potting room. But what sort of plant depends on how much care you can give it. I have some that just take the right watering and light, and some that will need daily care."
"It will depend on how much room I have as well, but I do want some of the herbs that you had mentioned that will help combat nightmares. Which reminds me, I had better talk to Astrid if she wouldn't mind my doing so."
Alyssa led Millie to a side door where she kept the dried herbs and a table for potting plants. "Astrid?"
"Yes, my roommate. She and I were assigned together when she first arrived on the ship. And I am glad to have a roommate. It made me feel safe, able to relax. She's really nice and has a bit of a sense of humor." Millie laughed. "She's in engineering, Astrid works the Delta shift."
"She's welcome to come here and get some herbs for herself, if she wants." Alyssa showed her the rows of dried herbs, each container labeled with the name and image of the herb.
As Millie looked through the herbs, enjoying the varieties there, "You mentioned that you danced beneath the moonlit sky here. What style of dancing?" turning to look at Alyssa.
"Several, actually. Ballroom and folk, mostly, but I've been studying belly dancing for a couple of years now. Do you dance?"
"I do, but it’s not formal training, its more free style. Belly dancing that sounds fantastic and I've had some ballroom dance training. But not a whole lot. If you are taking on students I would love to learn." Millie having a pleading look in her eyes.
"I don't teach myself. Sorry. But there are holodeck programs that have instructors. And dance partners. I use them whenever I want to practice. I could alter the program for different levels and you could join me some time."
"If you don't mind directing me to those holodeck programs, I would love it. " Millie rather interested. "And thank you." she turned back and picked out some of the dried herbs for her to have some tea later on. "When I find out from Astrid about the plants I'll be coming back."
Alyssa nodded. "You're welcome to return any time. When I have some free time, I'll find those programs and send you a list." She paused. "I should warn you that it takes time to dress in the full belly dancing costume, so you should change in your quarters first, then head to the holodeck."
"Okay that sounds great!" Millie heard a beep on her PADD and she pulled the device out to look at it. "Oh! I've got to get going, almost time to get to my shift." looking from it to Alyssa.
"Thank you for the information you've given me, Alyssa, and the herbs as well." Millie tucking the little bags of herbs she had made from the herbs inside the bins. She did make certain to label them before doing so. " I do plan on coming back, with the fresh scents of the plants here, makes for a lovely place to unwind and regain focus." Millie turned back around to give a smile to Alyssa. "I hope to meet with you again at some point and time. You are a very lovely woman, and I am rather excited to delve into doing some planting and learn more about science as well."
Alyssa smiled. "Any time." She watched Millie head for the outer door, then went back to tend to the plants.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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