Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies
Posted by… suppressed (117) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Mika sat in her office, during a rare moment of downtime, catching up on recently published medical articles. There had been a decent amount of development in the medical world since the last time she’d had time to read.

But it was a smaller article that caught her eye: A Cure for Sepsis: Herbs. Mika had always loved herbal and survival medicine, and so reading through the article was quite interesting for her. An injection of a plant derived substance known to sometimes show improved outcomes in sepsis cases. That was so cool to her.

Intrigued and a little excited, Mika loaded the article onto a PaDD and exited her office, heading for the medical wing. Upon arriving at the right office, she knocked on the door of Doctor Fayth’s office, not wanting to interrupt, PaDD in hand.

~ Mika

Sharah was going through the latest supply requests. Star Fleet still provided a great deal of the medical supplies for the colony, but the move to more independence meant that she and Helaky were constantly having to look at what they could get where. There was a new pharmaceutical research company that had come to Oed that had met some of that need. This particular set of requests were giving her a headache and when the knock sounded Sharah muttered happily, “Oh there is a god.”

She hit the control on her desk and the door opened. She looked up, “Mika! Come in! Save me from this.”

Sharah

Mika laughed as she went into the office. “Save you? What horrors do the day have in store for you this time?” She asked as she came in, picked a spot to sit, and sat down. “I have something to show you. I think you’ll like it as much as I did.”

~ Mika, CNS

Sharah waved at the various PaDDs on her desk and sighed, “Supply requests.” She turned off her console and got up, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck. She went and sat on the couch. “Oh I am sure I will, as long as it is not another supply request.” Sharah laughed. “What is it?”

Sharah

“No supply requests,” Mika said, grinning. She opened the PaDD and set it in front of Sharah. “A plant with studies showing some improvement in sepsis cases!” She said and then let Sharah read. “Not effective enough to be any sort of use in a modern medicine environment but definitely something to add to the list of medicinal herbs!”

~ Mika, CNS

Sharah read over the article. The longer she read the more excited her expression became. “Oh yes we will have to add this. If we ha e any around I can do a chemical break down of it and add it to my program. We should check the seed stores in the science complex.”

Sharah

Mika nodded, “We should! Then we can grow it.” She took the PaDD back when Sharah was done with it. Then she grinned, a little mischievously. “Do you have time for a little break? Maybe we can go now? Or are you drowning in supply requests?”

~ Mika

It was so tempting. “Give me 45 minutes to finish this and then I have hours.” This was really exciting and Sharah wanted to look into it, but she had to finish these requests on time. “I hate administration. It gives me a headache.” Sharah stood, “Meet me out front in 45?”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “Sure.” She left Sharah’s office and for 45 minutes did her own work, getting as much done as she could to justify taking off to do this plant thing. When it was time, she went out front and waited for Sharah.

~ Mika

Forty-five minutes later, Sharah walked up beside Mika with a conspiratorial grin. “Come on, before someone needs one of us.” She headed back towards the Fleet complex and then turned down a side road that would lead to the science facilities. It was a well known route, but one she had not taken in a long time. “You know we might be able to plant some in the central courtyard at the hospital as well. As long as it’s not too finicky. It’s mostly volunteers and patients that work out there.”

Sharah

“We’ll have to see,” Mika replied. “I’m not sure how finicky it is.” She followed Sharah down the road toward the science facilities. “What else is planted in the central courtyard?”

~ Mika

“Ivy, hydrangeas, leola root, sand piper, vanisious, cactus, snake leaf, Alvera trees, andorian tuber roots, Bajoran lilacs. A little of everything.” Sharah paused for traffic before continuing on. “There was no real plan in place and it sort of went wild, got very over grown. It was forgotten about.” She grinned, “And you know me, I can’t leave plants alone.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “Of course not.” She smiled, “I think ‘a little of everything’ is the best way to do it. Especially here. The plants really add something to the courtyard, I think.” She commented.

~ Mika

“Everyone seems to enjoy it. It gives the patients some natural space to visit. I know there is Sloan Square, but sometimes it is just too busy, too overwhelming for some. Plus we can control the types of plants they are exposed to.” The facility doors opened at their approach. Sharah walked up to the desk.

Mika nodded. “That makes sense. Sloan square is really busy sometimes.”

“Dr. Fayth,” the security Lt behind the desk sounded surprised. “We haven’t seen you in awhile.”

Sharah placed her palm on the biometric scanner. “Hello Grishna. I know it has been awhile.” It had been and for good reason. She gave the Lt a smile though. “The hospital has kept me very busy.” He nodded in understanding and looked at Mika. “Grishna, this is Lt Mika, our chief counselor. She and I are headed to the seed stores.”

Mika smiled at the lieutenant politely. “Hello.”

Grishna chuckled, but Sharah could tell he was wondering if she was there to see anyone else. The Lt looked at Mika, “Lt, if you would scan in and then you two can head back.”

Mika copied what she’d seen Sharah do and placed her palm on the biometric scanner. Once she’d scanned in and been given the ‘okay’, she smiled again at the lieutenant. “Thanks.”

“Lift 4 is down for maintenance today.” Sharah nodded, “Thank you, Grishna.” She waited for Mika and then headed down the right hand corridor.

Sharah

Mika followed Sharah down the corridor. “So, they keep plant seeds here? For terraforming, or…?”

~ Mika

Sharah made her way along toward a lift at the end of the hall. “That is some of it. Star Fleet sciences helped head up a lot of the environmental work before Oed was able to create and support its own terraforming department. So the seeds are part of that, but also for the farming initiatives. Originally there were 2 domes. One for the city and the second was all made into farm land. And of course they are there for whatever experiments and studies the botanists and ecologists are doing.” She pressed the call button and waited for the lift.

Sharah

Mika nodded. “And both domes were removed? So can the farm land expand outward now?” She asked curiously. When the lift arrived and the doors opened, she stepped on after Sharah.

~ Mika

“Subfloor A.” Sharah nodded, “They were. Just like the city the farm land is expanding. The problem is the soil outside the dome areas is still barren. They are having to work and heal the spil before they can grow things.” The lift stopped and Sharah stepped off and down the hall, turning left before a door. She pressed her palm to the scanner and the door unlocked.

Mika nodded. “Spread nutrients and things into the dirt.” She said as she followed Shadah down the hall and then through the door. “Then just rotate crops, like medieval farmers.”

“I imagine that is the plan.” Sharah shrugged. “There isn’t even microbacteria in the soil so there is a lot of prep work that has to be done.”

Inside were drawer upon drawer, cabinet after cabinet all filled with seeds, pods, pits, and such. “Let’s see, that was an article from Earth, right?”

Sharah

“Whoa.” There were a lot of seeds, and other things, here. A lot. Mika nodded to answer the questions. “A plant of Chinese origin, if that helps.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded and turned and headed down a row toward the back. “Earth samples are all the way back here. They are sorted by planet of origin and then by region within the cabinets. Let’s see…” She ran a finger across the labels on the doors searching for China. She pressed her palm to the lock and opened the door to the floor to ceiling cabinet. “Here we go.”

Sharah

Mika looked into the cabinet. “Are they alphabetical?” She asked as she began looking for the right one. She found it after a few moments of looking. “Here it is!”

~ Mika

“Ah!” Sharah almost clapped. She loved her pet project. “Alright let’s take one packet. The botany lab is on the main floor, attached to a green house. We can get supplies there.” Sharah waited for Mika to remove the seeds and then she locked the cabinet back and the door behind them as they left the storage room.

Sharah

Mika grinned and took out one packet, then closed the door and let Sharah lock it. Then she followed her out, holding the seed packet carefully. “Perfect. We want to be careful growing it so we don’t kill it. Then we can get seeds from a mature plant if we need more.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded and then stopped suddenly. “Oh shoot! Be right back. I forgot to fill out the log.” She jogged back to the storage room and went inside. She was back a minute later. “My mind must be elsewhere.” She pressed the button for the lift and they went back to the main floor. Sharah led the way down a hall going further into the complex. Several of officers they passed spoke to her, most mentioned how long it had been since they had seen her. Those that didn’t say, were still thinking it. It made Sharah uncomfortable. But soon they were stepping into the botany lab. The lab lead spoke to them a minute. A friendly older man who talked nonstop about his plants. He thought of them more as children and Sharah adored him. “Well doc you know where everything is, help yourself. Nice to meet you, Lt Mika.” He trundle off to his work station.

Sharah

Mika waited for Sharah to go back and do the log, then followed her into the lift and down to the ground floor. She noticed Sharah’s discomfort as several of the officers mentioned how long it had been since they’d seen her. “Has it been a while since you came here?” She asked as they walked.

Sharah nodded, eyes on the floor for a moment as they walked. She took a very deep breath, tried to let it out slowly, but it came out in a rush. “I haven’t been here since… well since Markus. This is his space, his domain. I didn’t want to intrude. It seemed for the best. I … I really don’t,” Sharah shrugged obviously feeling uncomfortable. The roundabout way she was taking to the lab indictaed as much, trying to avoid people. “The benefits of studying this plant are to great to ignore the study. And the potential benefits for the colony…”

Mika nodded. “We’ll be fast. But… You know, you can’t avoid the entire science section forever.” She said, giving Sharah a look.

Sharah forced a smile. “I know. It’s not like I have much cause to be over here anyway. The hospital keeps me busy, and even with just the Star Fleet contingent, I am swamped. It is all I can do to find time to actually see patients, much less indulge in my botany studies.” Sharah would avoid it as much as possible. It felt wrong being here. Like a street urchin sneaking into a rich house but would never belong there.

Mika seemed to like talking to the lab lead that loved all the plants. When he let them on their way she smiled at him, “You too, Lieutenant.” Then she moved on with Sharah. “So, what do we need?”

~ Mika

“Seed starter cups, soil, and water. I’ll look up the soil specifications and mix up a plant food supplement.” Sharah walked over to a lab table that had all the necessary tools and supplies on shelves and in cabinets near by. Sharah logged into the terminal and pulled up the specifications.

Sharah

Mika was quickly able to find the supplies. The lab was well organized. She picked up three seed cups, enough soil to fill all three, and some water. When she had everything, she went over to Sharah to see if she had the information from the system.

~ Mika

Sharah was studying the screen and mixing different compounds into three containers. “This will allow us enough for each seed for a month.” It took her several more minutes to get the mixtures finished. “There. So one spray every two days for the seeds and then once a day once sprouted until they reach 3 inches in height.” She read off the screen. She turned to Mika. “Alright let’s get them planted.” Sharah took a cup and some of the soil.

Sharah

Mika took a cup and set soil into it, smiling. “It’s been forever since I planted anything, especially a seed.” She commented. “One spray every two days till it sprouts and then once every day till it’s 3 inches tall, got it.” She said, repeating it to make sure she’d remember.

~ Mika

“That is what the file says.” Sharah poured soil in and then poked holes with her finger and set the seeds inside. Then she lightly covered it with dirt added enough water to be slightly moist and then sprayed the food on the soil. “I have plenty of pots and soil at home and the garden at the hospital has supplies too. So we shouldn’t need to take anything else.”

Sharah

Mika put the seeds in her pot and covered them gently with dirt, adding the water and then the food. Then she smiled at it and danced it around the table a little bit. “Okay, little seedling, let’s get you home so you can groooow in my windoooow,” she said, drawing out the words cutely, like she was talking to a baby or a pet. Then she giggled and looked at Sharah. “Right. We just needed the seeds and the food from here, other gardening supplies should be easy to get elsewhere.”

~ Mika

Sharah was quiet, her hands cupped and domed over the small cup. Her eyes were closed. She was feeling the tenor and essence of this particular seed. Getting a feel for its personality and song. She glanced up at Mika and grinned. “Let’s get them home and we can watch them grow up.” Mika’s enthusiasm went unnoticed by the lab staff, but that was because they were all the same with their plants. Sharah took the different compounds she had used and put them away, and sanitized the work area. She logged the used supplies and then logged out of the system. “Alright little ones, let’s go.”

The head Lt spoke to then before they left, informing Mika he expected her to come back regularly.

Sharah

Mika picked up her seed cup, helped Sharah clean up after them and sanitize, then followed Sharah out. When the head lieutenant mentioned coming back, Mika smiled widely, “Of course I will!” Then she looked at Sharah, and then the lieutenant again and smiled, “We both will, we love plants.”

~ Mika

Sharah was glad to see Mika in better spirits and having fun. She nodded to the Lt. “You may never get her out of here.” She led the way back towards the main entrance so they could sign out. The security Lt grinned at the little pots. “What are you growing this time, Doc?”

Sharah

Mika grinned at that. “Don’t worry, I don’t take much space,” she joked. Then she followed Sharah back out. At the security officer’s question, Mika smiled, more than happy to go on about their little project. By the time they were signed out she’d explained about the Chinese plant and the article that showed positive results in sepsis cases, and then for good measure, explained both its needs to grow and how to harvest it for use.

~ Mika

The Lt. listened attentively. He was used to the science officers going on about their work. He learned a lot by listening to them and their work was fascinating. “Sounds like something that could do the colony and hospital a lot of good. Dr Fayth it was good to see you again. Mika will we see you again, I hope?”

Sharah

“You will. Promise,” Mika said and smiled. “It might do the hospital good but the way the study’s results are… I’d use it as a supplement. It won’t do enough good without advanced medicine to back it up.” She grinned then, “I bet it’d be decent if you had nothing else though.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded, “In a pinch and in the outlying areas it would help until medical can get there. You know,” she turned to look at Mika, “it might be that we could concentrate it, and see how effective it is then. It might be more effective that way, even rival more modern medicine. That happens sometimes.” Sharah waved bye to the guard who was laughing softly as they discussed the possibilities as they left.

“We’d need a medical research and development lab,” Mika commented. “if it helps with sepsis, that’s infection that’s reached the bloodstream, it may have antibiotic qualities. Something else to look into.”

“Well there is a small lab in the complex infirmary, but it isn’t set up for that kind of study, but the hospital has the necessary facilities. Anything antibiotic is good. Natural antibiotics tend to work slower but have less side effects. Bacteria don’t tend to become resistant either. It will be awhile before we will have enough to really test that. Oh! Maybe we can request some full grown plants from Earth with the supply requests.”

Mika nodded, “That’s a good idea. I want in on the study. I know I’m not working as a doctor right now, but…” She looked at Sharah, “You know how I love herbal meds.” And survival med. It had been her favorite holodeck hobby. Running scenarios.

“Well, of course,” Sharah grinned. “This will be our study. Just like I am not working science anymore, I can still do research in botany. You know we could even look at natural remedies for stress and anxiety. The doctor I served under on Europa swore that there was a tea for every ailment. He tried several with me.” She hadn’t thought about Zarith in awhile, but she had really enjoyed working and learning under him.

“We should!” Mika smiled. “I have my fair share of teas… I just don’t go recommending them to patients. No scientific backing.”

“There are studies about it. Some are just old. We can retry them and see what modern results show.”

“That sounds like fun. I hope we find something!” Mika said.

Once outside Sharah relaxed noticeably. “Okay, you want to take yours to your quarters first or back to your office? Where to?”

Sharah

Mika grinned ever so slightly as Sharah relaxed. She was really avoiding that place. “Back to my quarters. I don’t want it to get damaged or mistakenly moved out of the sunlight in my quarters.” Mika replied.

~ Mika

Sharah pointed and led the way back toward Fleet housing. They couldn’t see it for the buildings around, but it was very close by. “That sounds like a good idea. I will take the other two home, but when ready I will plant one in the garden at the hospital.”

Sharah

“Perfect. I’m going to have to make a nice garden box to transplant it to when it’s bigger. Maybe I can get a few other plants, too…” Mika said, thinking and planning in her head.

~ Mika

“There is a great little flower shop, that just opened. We can go get what you need there. I know the owner.” Sharah looked mischievous when she said it. “Plants do better with other flora around, so we will have to get you more.”

Sharah

“That’s perfect! Maybe we can stop by after work.” Mika replied, smiling again. “My quarters will be full of plants again before I know it!” She seemed a lot more like her usual self today, bubbly and smiley. “Then my little air plant will have some company, too.”

~ Mika

Sharah grinned. She was was glad to see Mika happy and more herself. Sharah had felt bad to be so excited to have her friend and mentor with her again when Mika had been so unhappy. She hoped this meant Mika was finally settling in and enjoying Oed. “So....how is Kaleesa?” They neared the entrance to housing and the line at the coffee cart was short. “I want a hot chocolate, how about you?”

Sharah

Mika was starting to settle in more and it was actually helping to have someone else new to the planet to talk to. Sharah’s question caused Mika to blush, her shyness evident. “Well… I really like her, but we’re not sure if there’s anything there long term, so we’re keeping it casual and deciding… You know, whether to keep going with it or call it quits and be friends. I’m just not sure....” And then there was that other thing… Mika was confused and really lost and Sharah would be able to feel it. She nodded, “A hot chocolate sounds great, actually.” She followed Sharah into line.

~ Mika

Sharah grinned, “Well that’s good, right? No need to rush into anything. Have fun and get to know her, and then if you are only friends that’s still good too.” Sharah knew Mika liked her, but she wasn’t sure what was causing Mika to feel lost and unsure. Sharah wasn’t sure if she was picking it up from Mika’s body language or from her telepathy, so she said nothing. She hoped if Tandra wanted to discuss it, she would say something. Sharah walked up to the cart and looked a bit lost herself. The last time she’d been here she’d run into the governor. That had started a strange relationship that she wasn’t sure what to make of. It left her feeling confused as well. “Two hot chocolates.” She paid and stepped to the side while they were made. When they were ready, Sharah grabbed both off the small counter and handed one to Mika as they walked the half block to the entrance.

Sharah

Mika nodded, “Yeah, I guess so.” She sighed as they reached the cart, “There’s just someone else that I… I think I might like? But I don’t know. And then I don’t want Kaleesa to feel like I’m… you know.” Mika shook her head, stepping aside with Sharah. When the hot chocolates came and Sharah handed Mika hers, she took a drink of it. It was really good. “So I guess I just don’t know what to do.” Mika said as they walked.

~ Mika

“Oh? Who’s that?” Sharah asked and not in a gossipy way. She understood the conflict of not knowing how you felt and what should be done. Then not wanting to hurt others in the process of figuring it out.

Sharah

“Uhm.” Mika blushed hard and hid her face a little bit. “Someone at the hospital.” She responded vaguely, not ready to give away who it was. She knew Sharah was telepathic, but she also knew Sharah would go out of her way not to hear that, if she could. She was so embarrassed. And confused. “The weird part is, it’s not…” She trailed off, building up the courage to finish her sentence.

Sharah sipped her hot chocolate while she waited for Mika to find her words. If it was someone at the hospital that meant they worked together in some way. That could be difficult. Sharah knew first hand.

“Well, it’s not a woman.” And there it was. That’s what was so confusing to her. “And so I didn’t notice my feelings at first, but then-” she cut herself off and blushed again. “I’m sorry, Sharah, I don’t want to unload everything on you, I’m just really confused right now.”

~ Mika

She paused a moment and looked at her friend. “You are not unloading, that is what friends are for, right? Or at least that’s how I imagine it.” Sharah didn’t have many real friends in her life. More now than ever though. “I think I understand how you feel. Being with Yavia is…well I never been attracted to females. Then there is Charles, and I have two significant others. It is all very confusing to me too.” Sharah started walking again. “But, life happens that way, sometimes. You are not a shallow person, Tandra. You have physical attributes you find appealing, but it is the essence of a person that makes you like them, and sometimes fall in love. And those things have no gender.” Her curls bounced as she shook her head. “I am probably not expressing myself very well.”

Sharah

Mika looked at her and smiled. “They are.” She shrugged to what Sharah said after that, though. “Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely his personality. But it’s not.... just that. I didn’t think I was physically attracted to him… And it wouldn’t be fair to even consider going for it if I weren’t. But I, uhm…” She blushed again, “I sort of dreamt about him? And yeah, I’m… It’s definitely physical too.” Mika looked at Sharah, “You don’t have to answer this… But did you go through something like that with Yavia? Or with the whole idea of having more than one significant other?”

~ Mika

Sharah gave her a look when she said she had ‘sort of’ dreamt of this mystery man. Either she did or didn’t. But that was a different discussion. “Constantly,” Sharah answered without hesitation. “About both things. Sometimes I still do because it is very different than what I expected of my life when I was younger, and from all my previous relationships. But then when I think about it, it is only different on the surface. How I feel about them is genuine and true and no different than how I felt…well it is different because they aren’t those other people. I love them for themselves, but it all comes from my heart. And the physical attraction is a bonus.” Sharah grinned trying to lighten the mood slightly.

Sharah

Mika blushed when Sharah gave her the look over her wording of ‘sort of’. It was plainly obviously she absolutely had dreamt of her mystery man. Her answer did seem to help Mika as she nodded, “I see… I don’t know. I guess it’s just weird for me. Even when I was a teenager, I was never attracted to boys.” She shrugged. “He’s the first.”

~ Mika

“I have never been attracted to girls either. I try to think about how I feel with them rather than comparing or worrying if I have ever felt like that before. But it is very…unexpected.” Sharah paused as they entered the building and moved pass security. “I think that, whoever he is, if he can make you feel that way, despite being so different then he must be a very unique and special individual.”

Sharah

Mika thought about that for a few silent steps, then nodded. “Yeah, you could say that.” She smiled at Sharah, offering a friendly hug, but waiting to give it until Sharah accepted. “Thanks, Sharah. Still up for the gardening store after our shifts?”

~ Mika

Sharah willingly gave her a hug. “You know I support you in whatever you decide. As long as you are happy.” She grinned, flushing a little, “We have a saying, the three of us, and maybe it applies for you. Our relationship is weirdly comfortable and we like the weird.”

“I am always up for gardening!”

Sharah

Mika smiled. “I think that’s a great saying.” She let Sarah go and then smiled again. “Then let’s get back to work before the hospital burns down and then afterwards we’ll go.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded seriously. That was no joke. “Let’s get back. I’m surprised no one has missed us yet.”

Sharah

Mika grinned, “Me too.” Then she headed back up to her own office. The day was a long and busy one for Mika. Their slightly long lunch didn’t help that. When she was finally done, half an hour late, she went down to Sharah’s office and knocked.

~ Mika

Sharah recognized the feel of Mika’s presence and reached over, without lifting her head from her arms and opened the door.

Sharah

Mika smiled and stepped into the office. “Long day?” She asked as she stood in front of Sharah’s desk.

~ Mika

“Yeah,” came the muffled reply. Sharah lifted her head slowly. She had that look, the one all doctors got when there was nothing they could do for a patient except make them ‘comfortable’. “I hate days like this.” Sharah pushed her hands against the top of her desk and stood. “I’m glad it’s over. I’m going to change. Do you want to borrow something?” Sharah had a small wardrobe in her office with a very pretty floral divider screen next to it. She kept a change of clothes, uniforms and civis there. Some days it was good to leave duty behind.

Sharah

Mika was all too familiar with those kinds of days and in a way, even though those kinds of days sucked it made her miss being a doctor. Still, all she had for Sharah was sympathy. “Hmmm do you keep anything in there that would suit me?” Mika asked and grinned.

~ Mika

Sharah stepped out from behind the screen, now in a calf length sundress and pulled out a pair of jeans and a scoop neck, wide strap tank. She and Mika were roughly the same size so it was easy to share. “How’s this?”

Sharah

Mika beamed, “Perfect!” Once Sharah gave them to her, she stepped behind the screen and changed, only taking a couple minutes before she stepped out. “I can bring them in tomorrow if that’s okay.”

~ Mika

“Yeah whenever is fine.” Sharah clipped her badge to her shoulder and grabbed her bag. “Ready? It’s not too far from here. Just around the corner of the square.”

Leaf In Peace was down a side alley, between two buildings on the block, opposite the government tower. It was a wide alley, with lots of traffic and access to several shops. Sharah turned into a door on the left and the humidity hit immediately. The next apparent observation was the bright UV light that was heavily blocked by the amount of foliage over head. The shop was a veritable jungle. There was a soft breeze from the forced air that helped regulate the temperature. The shop was run by Mirral, an Orion woman.

Sharah

Mika followed Sharah through the city and into the shop-turned-jungle. Upon stepping in she immediately grinned, “This is great! Look at them, there’s so many plants in here!” When she was done being excited about how overgrown the shop was, she turned back to Sharah and smiled, “So, what are we looking for?”

~ Mika

Sharah pulled out a PaDD, “I looked it up. Lemon Balm, Lavender flower, Passion flower, Bergamot, Chamomile, and Vetiver. They all have had studies done. Some have been added to tea, topical and aromatic applications, and some can be made into capsules.”

Sharah

“Okay, let’s see…” Mika said, looking around the shop. “Seeds or young plants, do you think?” She asked. She spotted a cabinet of seeds but there were so many plants she wouldn’t doubt they could find the sprouted version of the plants.

~ Mika

“Well for this particular study we want to test the effectiveness as a medical supplement not determine the conditions in which it best grows. So I would say young plants or more mature ones if they have any. Mirral carries some of everything.” Sharah glanced around and then pointed, “Herbs are over there.”

Sharah

Mika headed over to the herbs and began looking for the right ones. She was alright at identifying plants herself, but checked the tag to be sure. Soon she was carrying two small herbal plants, the bergamot and chamomile.

~ Mika

Sharah had Lemon balm and Lavender. “Just one each or should we get a few of each. That will give us more to work with, and if we only harvest from one or two at a time we’ll always have a supply.” Sharah glanced around the shelves looking for the rest. She grabbed a few Passion Flower. “Mirral?! Do you have Vetiver?”

Mika picked up a couple more of each. “A few is good, you’re right about having a supply.”

The heavier set Orion woman appeared from another aisle, “Hmmm, I’ve never heard of it, so that is probably no. Hang on.” She moved to the front of the store and the counter where she ran a search in her computer. “No, but I can order it. Do you want seeds or established plants? I can get it here in…looks like 3 weeks is the the closest supplier.

Sharah looked at Mika, “It is considered an aphrodesiac from the Indian subcontent on Earth. But a study back in 2015 and then again in 2175 found that inhaling the essential oil was as effective as Diazepam for controlling anxiety. I think it is worth studying.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “Order… 5 established plants, please. That should give us enough to keep a supply going.” She smiled at Sharah, “We are going to love this study.” Then she looked at all the plants they were carrying, six or more each. “And have lots of plants.”

~ Mika

Mirral nodded, “Done.” Sharah set the plants all on the counter, “Is there anything special for these?”

“No, these are all pretty basic, just remember to check the moisture because there is no rain on Oed, yet.”

“Will you deliver these to Lt Mika at the Fleet housing? And the same when the Vetivar arrives?” Sharah asked.

“No problem. Grrubt just left to deliver your other order Dr Fayth. I will have these brought over as soon as he returns. Is there anything else?”

Sharah

“I think that’s all for now,” Mika said, and then smiled widely, “But we might be back again later! Depends on if we think of any more herbs with medicinal qualities.” Mika gave them her fleet housing information to deliver the order to.

~ Mika

“Thank you, Mirral. See you next time.” Sharah turned for the door, her hands trailing along leaves, vines, and petals asthey exited. “Well, there should be plenty more. I only had time to search Terran herbs today.” Sharah inhaled deeply of the air. “Where to now?”

Sharah

“I want to get some of these plants set up in my quarters. Do you want to come with?” Mika asked, starting to head towards the Starfleet complex. Sharah’s comment about having only researched terran herbs cause Mika to perk up, “Oh? I hadn’t considered looking into the medicinal herbs of other planets. I should have thought of that!”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded, “Sure. Let’s get some homes set up for all those lovely babies you’re getting.” Sharah fell into step beside her. “My research included a lot of plants from around the quadrants. Bit it was Dr. Zarathustra who really helped me expand it. He had teas for everything from all over. He knew a lot about it. I have a list compiled on the medical database. My research focused on physical ailments, not emotional. We will have to do some research there.”

Sharah

“I would love to see it,” Mika said. “I was thinking physical ailments too, but I would be curious to see if there were anything with emotional effects.” Soon they were at the Starfleet complex and Mika led the way toward her quarters. “These are a great start, though.”

~ Mika

“Most of it is in the database, but I have notes about the teas at home. I will send those to you. Zarath was determined that he could find a tea blend that would at least soothe the side effects of my condition even if it didn’t do anything for the cause.” Sharah spoke with a lot of admiration and humor for the man. “Well the ones we picked have proported emotional effects. Some confirmed and some I dictated but no solid data. So we will see.”

Sharah

“Well, if it doesn’t prove itself with data, we can still use it personally,” Mika said with a shrug. “And then there will be more plants for my herbal garden!” Mika opened the door to her quarters and stepped in. “Now let’s see… Where should I set this up?”

~ Mika

Sharah glanced at her PaDD and walked over to the large glass doors to see how much sunlight there was. “I would say the Vetiver and Lemon Balm in your bedroom, near the window. They do best with indirect light. The rest do great with sunny spaces, so outside would be good.”

Sharah

Mika set the two down in her room, by the window, then went outside with the others and placed them around the balcony, where they’d get plenty of light, but also not be in the way. It didn’t look like Mika had actually been out on the balcony at all yet. “How does that look?”

~ Mika

Sharah grinned, “Much better. You have several of each plant coming. Do you want bigger planters? We can call Ops and have them bring some and soil as well. We can prep them so they are ready when the plants are.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “These will outgrow their current planters before long and I have more coming. I’m going to need bigger planters, more soil, and… I might set up a watering system, just so they don’t die if I’m really busy.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded, “Alright.” She tapped her combadge, =/\=Fayth to Lt Kelv. Are you busy?=/\=

There was a chuckle, =/\=No ma’am. You setting up another garden? Basic list? Where do you want it brought?=/\=

=/\=I am. We are setting up some specimens for medical research. Lt. Mika’s quarters.=/\=

=/\=Sure thing. I can have it all there in 20. Kelv out.=/\=

Sharah tapped her badge to close the comm, “Alright so that will be here soon and we’ll be able to get started.”

Sharah

Mika smiled. “How many gardens have you set up? Sounds like he knows you pretty well. Do you want some tea while we wait? I’ve got black, decaf black, or a couple of herbal blends.”

~ Mika

Sharah laughed, “A lot. When I first got to Oed, working with the plants really helped me adjust to the noise. I ended up helping a lot of people when they saw my work. Kelv helped me a lot. Decaf black would be great.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “There’s just something relaxing about a room full of plants.” She commented as she put the kettle on and pulled out one of the tea bags. “Do you like anything in your tea?”

~ Mika

“There really is. You know my dad is an agricultural specialist, so we were always around them, but it wasn’t until my trip to Vulcan that I really noticed them.” She paused and considered, “Umm, usually cocoa powder,” Sharah smirked. Chocolate could be added to just anout anything as far as she was concerned, “but sugar works fine.” She found a seat and rubbed the back of her neck. “Do you ever stop carrying the tension in your shoulders and neck? Probably better than in my stomach and get an ulcer.”

Sharah

Mika chuckled as she pulled out the sugar. She didn’t have cocoa powder. “No, it’s always there as far as I’m concerned. I’m lucky I haven’t given myself an ulcer or something.” She said, pouring the water and steeping the bag in the hot water.

~ Mika

Sharah nodded. Really she had known the answer. It was a consequence of caring so much. It was that thick skin they talked about at the Academy, but Sharah knew the best doctors never formed it. They just hid it well. “How are things going in your dept. Two new therapists, has it helped the work load at all?”

Sharah

Pouring some sugar into both cups of tea, Mika nodded. “Commander Korczak and Lieutenant Iven are both really helping and excellent resources, too. We’re still very, very busy but it’s much more manageable than before.” She handed Sharah one of the cups of tea and then sat down. “They’re both way more experienced than I am as counselors.”

~ Mika

Sharah sighed, ” I am in the same boat. All the other doctors are way more experienced than me. Granted half aren’t Star Fleet but still. I feel so inadequate.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “We have non fleet personnel too. They only handle civilian cases, but all of them are also older and more experienced than me. It’s… A little overwhelming.”

~ Mika

Sharah walked over and took her tea and sipped it. “It is. And everyone wants consultations and approvals from me. I just don’t have the experience.” Sharah sighed. “I know I’m a good doctor. I wouldn’t have graduated otherwise, but I know Cpt Asam would never have sent me here if it wasn’t for Markus.”

Sharah

Mika nodded, “It’s the same in counselling. I’m glad they trust me to consult on things but… I honestly just feel like they know better than I do.” She looked at Sharah. “Yeah… I was sent somewhere else between then and now. Another ship.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded. “You’ve had so much experience. I know you hate having moved around so much, but you have really seen a lot.” It wasn’t so long ago that Sharah regretted coming to Oed. She had wished to be anywhere but there. She hated Rende for sending her here simply because Markus was her favorite. She had been dangerously close to giving it all up. Now she had Yavia and Charles. Her life was so much different than anything she had ever hoped for. “For all that though, I am learning a lot from the others.”

Sharah

Mika smiled and shook her head. “Maybe I have, but all that I’ve seen doesn’t seem to help me that much here. You move around too much, and no one knows who you are, what you can do. Because you never get a chance to show anyone.” She said with a shrug. Then she nodded, “I am too, definitely.”

~ Mika

Sharah reached out and squeezed her arm. “I feel like that too. Like none of my experience helped me at all. But slowly I am finding that, at least with patients, it did. The location has changed, but the process of caring for them is still fundamentally the same. The rest, well, this is a good place to make a name for ourselves, right?” Sharah hoped, for all of them.

A moment later Mika’s chime sounded.

Sharah

Mika smiled at her, though it seemed a tad forced. “Let’s hope.” Then she stood to answer the door. “Our supplies are here!” She announced, that happier tone returning to her voice. She opened the door all the way and started taking the things they’d ordered from the person delivering them.

~ Mika

Kelv waved from the doorway. “Hey Dr Fayth. I got everything. If you need anything else, just let me know.” He offered the PaDD to Mika to sign for the materials. “Do you need any help moving things?”

Sharah

Mika signed the PaDD. “Maybe the bigger things, we could use a hand.” She said, smiling. “It’s just going out to the balcony.” She was taking the smaller, lighter things first and moving them towards the balcony.

~ Mika

Kelv eagerly stepped in and grabbed some of the heavier bags of soil and carried them out to the balcony. “That jacantha root you saved for me, is blooming Dr. Fayth. You should come see it.”

“Next chance I get, I will try to stop by.” She smiled and quickly went to pick up the tote with the water supply system to hide her embarrassment.

“Let me get that,” Kelv took it, “That’s heavy. I don’t mind.” Sharah thanked him quietly and grabbed a stack of pots. With everything outside, the Ops officer looked around. “You ladies need any help setting any of this up?” His tone carried more than a little bit of hopefulness.

Sharah

Picking up on Sharah’s discomfort, Mika smiled and shook her head. “Nope! That’s the fun part. All for us to do.” She said, ushering Kelv towards the door. “Thanks for helping us move it!” She added.

~ Mika

He laughed a little, “I suppose that’s true, Lt. Glad I could help. Have a good evening.” He looked back over his shoulder and waved, “Bye, Dr Fayth.”

Sharah nodded, “Thanks Kelv.” When the door shut Sharah looked at Tandra, a little lost, “Thanks.”

Sharah

Mika smiled at her, “Don’t worry about it. He was getting a little overwhelming anyway.” She moved back toward the balcony, “Want to help set these up?”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded. “He is actually a really nice person, but I’ve run out of ways to dissuade him. I…” She sighed, “It makes me uncomfortable because I can feel his disappointment. I’m really not interested though. He’s not pushy or inappropriate… I’m… I’m just weird.” Sharah went out onto the balcony. “Do you want any of them mounted? It’s easier to do now than after they are full.”

Sharah

Mika shook her head. “You are not weird. If you’ve already said no, he should stop asking. It doesn’t matter how nicely he asks, it’s still pushy because you already said no.” She followed her out to the balcony. “I don’t know… What do you think would look better?”

~ Mika

“That’s the thing. He hasn’t asked. He hasn’t worked up the nerve. I don’t mean to know, Tandra, but I do. I can feel it and hear his thoughts. I don’t want to hear it, but I can’t stop it either.” Sharah sighed as she sat on the floor of the balcony and started removing items from totes. “Well mounted the excess water will drain out on its own. Potted you will need water plated and have to empty them by hand regularly, even with the irrigation system.”

Sharah

“Oh.” Mika mentally facepalmed. “Maybe you could.... No, I don’t know. I’m sorry, Sharah. That sounds difficult.” She said as she sat down to help take things out of the totes. “Let’s mount them then. I don’t expect them to have to run themselves, but better be prepared than kill all the plants.”

~ Mika

Sharah shrugged, “It is what it is.” There was relief, there was help, but she wasn’t ready to share about it just yet. “So the irrigation system is very intuitive. You can set up each line to respond differently all from one main unit. It can also send you data, so you can adjust it even away.” Sharah dug out the mounting brackets and began to attach them to the different pots. Then she would pass them to Mika to attach to the railings.

Sharah

Mika planned out where she was going to put them and got everything ready. Once Sharah started handing things to her, she started attaching them to the railings. “Perfect. That way I can take care of them even when I’m really busy.” She smiled at Sharah. “Thanks for helping with all this.”

~ Mika

Sharah grinned, “I love this. Really I should thank you for letting me help.” Sharah cracked open another tote and began pulling out tubing and more fasteners. She stood up and began to place and fasten the tubing along the railing and into the planters. “There is a reservoir in the tote. Hooks up to the water supply and will mix plant food before pumping it through.” Sharah hummed quietly while she worked.

Sharah

“That’s great!” Mika said. She finished fastening the planters and started setting up the reservoir. She hooked it to the water supply and then attached it to the tubing Sharah was setting up. “That should be ready. How are the tubes looking?”

~ Mika

“Just about there. I need another section to reach this last pot over here.” Sharah had run a separate tubing for each and secured them along the railings so they wouldn’t be in the way. Safety first and all that. “Then we just need to make sure we remember which tube is comnected to which port on the reservoir. That way they get the right amount of water and food.” She ran the last bit of tubing and capped the end off. “Once we add soil into the pots it will look better. The tubes allow the water to seep into the soil so they do best if we put some soil down, lay the tube and then put more over it.”

Sharah

“I haven’t set the ports on the reservoir yet so we can plant everything and then set it to the right about of water and food.” Mika said. She moved a bag of soil closer, “Let’s fill the pots partway with soil, so they’re ready for the plants, then decide which plant should go where.”

~ Mika

“Sounds good.” Sharah dug her hands into the bag of soil, foregoing the scoop and just used her hands. She loved the feel if the soil between her fingers. “You are in a really great spot here. Plenty of indirect light. Which is good because all we have is bright sunny days and lots of high wind.”

Sharah

Mika smiled. “It would be nice to see some real weather. Sun and a little wind is boring.” She used the scoop to scoop the soil into the planters. “You’re right though, this way I can grow things that need partial light or I have spaces that’ll get full light.” Once she’d partly filled some pots, she started taking the plants and placing them in front of planters.

~ Mika

As Sharah finished her pots and dusted her hands off. “My understanding was that inside the dome they created weather. But until more vegetation and water forms, the ecosystem can’t make weather. I’m not really sure how long that will take, but the terraforming department is ambitious.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “It’ll probably be a while. I think a good portion of the surface will have to be terraformed before that’ll happen on its own.” She finished setting out the plants and stepped back to look. “There. How do you think that’ll look?”

~ Mika