Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in CSO’s Office- Visions of Green

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Liam Madison (Chief Science Officer) in CSO’s Office- Visions of Green

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in CSO’s Office- Visions of Green
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
No matter how many times she had dismissed the notion and recognized that replicating something similar was not only not possible, but not useful, Faye’s mind kept falling back on how much she missed gardening. She missed her bed of flowers and vegetables, and having a spot that felt hers to retreat to when things were harder. Alex’s holo program of the garden on the Manhattan was filling a certain void, but she missed getting her hands into the soil and holographic soil was not the answer. It didn’t provide the same grounding and pleasure that watching plants germinate and grow provided.

With all three arboreta well established, Faye felt like an interloper. Though that perception was entirely her own and not something anyone had imposed upon her. If she had learned anything over the years, it was that her perceptions were not always reality and sometimes she needed someone to recalibrate reality for her.

So it was that the CIO found herself at the CSO’s door and pressed the chime.

~Faye Calloway, CIO

Liam had sipped his tea when he overheard the door chime ring. He pressed a button then spoke. “Come in.”

Faye stepped in in he usual duty uniform, her hair in a tidy french braid. She forced herself to take a deep breath to steady her nerves.

Upon entering, his office had underwent a bit of redecorating. A crystalized plant found its home on one side of his desk while the other held a tray of hot tea and a cup. He often kept a spare or two in case of unexpected visitors. His eyes brushed the schedule wondering if he had forgotten an appointment, only to see the slot empty. Curious, he thought.

“Greetings, Ms. Calloway. Have a seat and tell me what brings you here?”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

Calloway took a moment to survey the room, subconsciously committing the space to memory. Focusing on Liam, she opted to take a seat at the desk and folded her hands on top. “So… we don’t really know each other, so you might not know that I have a deep interest in botanical sciences. In fact, on the Manhattan I converted the large flex space on Deck Four into a multi-purpose garden space, complete with a pond, a small hill, raised garden beds for the crew, plus experimental space for the science department. Hell, my now-husband designed me a mushroom house that was able to produce a wide variety for our chef and the crew to use.”

She moved her hands and looked down, rubbing her fingertips together. “We have three arboreta on the Athena, and these spaces are no longer new and well developed. But I miss gardening. I miss having my own raised bed and sowing seeds, growing flowers and vegetables.” Faye lifted her head, though she didn’t make full eye contact with Liam. “I found the act of gardening good for my mental health, and I think I could use that again. I’m not talking about taking over anything, but I was wondering if there might be a space I could use that wouldn’t be in anyone’s way or interfering in people’s work.”

~Faye Calloway, CIO

Liam arched an eyebrow at the woman’s leap into a topic. However, he didn’t judge and merely sat there until she brought it around to the point. His fingers intertwined upon the desk once she finished. With a blank expression, he twisted to the console and brought up a quick list of possibilities.

Before he could open his mouth, someone rang in. “Excuse me for a moment.”

He pressed the button and replied. “Lieutenant Commander Madison, what’s the problem?”

=^=”Ensign Smith, here. Uh, chief, it’s Scales.=^=

“What did he do now?”

=^=”Ripped up all the plants in his enclosure. Nothing is left and he’s not happy.”=^=

Liam pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll look for someone to grow new plants for him, Madison out.”

With a deep breath, he returned to his earlier task. “There’s none currently open, but I believe one of the ensigns are leaving soon. It will take a few weeks unless....”

He took a moment to consider. It was worth asking since he had a back up option if she refused. “How well can you grow various plants? Especially for a rather particular reptile?”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

OOC: small bump to keep this up on the board. -Janice B.

OOC: Thanks!
IC:
Faye tilted her head and gazed at Liam for a moment, processing the call and the request. It wasn’t what she had had in mind at all, and yet, she was intrigued. “Huh,” she said at length. “Two questions: one, Scales is a replitle, I get that part, but what kind and how big an enclosure, and two, can I still have a space or bed or something to go stuff for myself?”

~Faye Calloway, CIO

“If I recall right, I think he’s a feathered lizard from one of the colonies. A unique species.” Liam said as he sent her PADD a small data packet with the needed information. Based on the data, the creature was an off branch of a native earth bearded dragon. However, it had feathers around the neck and tail.

“As for the small bed, if you’re willing to wait, yes. I thought this might keep you occupied until the Ensign officially left.”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci

Faye nodded. “If I have access to the soil, amendments and seeds, I can start anything. Do you have space somewhere with the correct grow lights, or will I need to construct a set-up somewhere myself?” She was fine with the latter, but it wuld inform how she went about the growing process.

~Faye Calloway, CIO

“The plot has the soil, a selection of seeds, lighting and more. It merely needs to be started. The actual work area is being emptied so you’ll need to figure out a set-up that works for you.” Liam prepared to raise from his chair. “I can take you there if you like? I also need to show you where Scales habitat is so you can transplant them in.”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci

Faye was quickly on her feet and nodded as a smile slipped onto her face. “Yes, let’s!” she said, eager to fill in the blanks on the situation so she could work out a plan. “Let’s meet Scales. Which, I assume he can eat replicated greenery now that his source is gone?”

~Faye Calloway, CIO

Liam enjoyed seeing her enthusiasm over the project. He turned and walked out into the corridor, leading the way to the labs. Upon hearing her question, he took a moment to recall.

“Yes, occasionally. His main diet is insects and once a month, a small rodent.” Liam began to explain as he made sure to keep to one side of the hallway, “We don’t waste time in replacing them when we can. Anyone that enters his zone, Scales will climb onto and extend his jaw out. Just gently run your finger along the jawline. Otherwise, he’ll start to jump from one shoulder to the other.”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci