Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Exobotany 101
Robin Hopper
((Nygean Transit Port, bordering the Eakarian Expanse, Delta Quadrant))
As the trio of Starfleet Officers stepped through the hatch that led from their docking spire to the central core of the transit hub, Robin looked around and found herself immediately marveling at the sights. She felt a little like she had the first time she’d set foot inside Starfleet Academy. The Nygean port was sleek, surprisingly spacious, and filled with an electric atmosphere generated by the many diverse people that frequented it.
What she found most interesting, though, was – for the first time in many years – being somewhere where there were no other Starfleet Officers… a space station, not entirely unlike Amity, yet governed and peopled entirely by Delta Quadrant locals! In their uniforms, the three of them stood out almost like sore thumbs. Robin just hoped nobody was feeling sore at the Federation.
At last they came to what Robin was hoping to find – a terminal with a map of the station. She waved the other two over.
Hopper: Now, according to our sources, the Voth vessel is undergoing maintenance, which means their ship would most likely be docked on one of the outer levels… ::She gestured to the layout, which showed work hangars closest to the station’s outermost sections:: …The upside to that is, we’ll have plenty to see as we make our way out of the core levels! With that in mind, see any stops of interest along the way?
The three of them began looking over the map, doing their best to make sense of the unfamiliar symbols and markings. The writing of the display appeared to be in Kathesii Standard, which Robin was beginning to familiarize herself with, but unless Scotty or Harrison had unexpectedly become linguists over the last few weeks, they were largely going to have to rely on the icons marking various locations around the map.
Blackwood: Uhh…
Reade: I’m really interested in seeing their hydroponics bay. I also would love to see if they have a cantina or bar onboard. The food must be amazing out here.
oO Now that’s a good idea! Oo Robin thought, nodding silently in agreement. The journey had been long and, while she’d been distracted with preparations on the trip, the mention of lunch did have her stomach growling slightly.
Blackwood: How about the bazaar? Might find some cool space junk.
oO Mhmm. Or some snacks! Oo
Hopper: ::Grinning:: Sounds good.
She pointed to an area marked with a symbol reminiscent of a datapad, or perhaps some sort of ancient stone tablet.
Hopper: Personally, I’m interested in visiting one of their archives. I’ve been hearing really interesting things about this Kanaisan author, Daa’aganar VII, who apparently wove a lot of what is now considered ‘science fiction’ into classical religious texts several thousand years ago as a storytelling device… Can’t think of a better way to learn more about their culture, which I understand is a little – ::waving a hand:: complicated. Anyways! Looks like your stop’s first, Scotty. Lead the way!
Robin placed a finger down on the display pointing to a little circle with a blue leaf in it. That seemed to match up with the entry in the listing Scotty had identified as the station’s hydroponics facility. He seemed surprised (perhaps he was hoping to get to lunch first as well) but it wouldn’t make sense to backtrack, so they’d just hit points of interest in order as they made their way down towards the docked Voth ship.
Reade: Oh, we are near the hydroponics bay. Do we want to take a quick peek?
She nodded and motioned for the three of them to get moving. Making their way towards the hydroponics bay, they passed by a gathering of horned Kanaisi, who fell silent as the uniformed Starfleet officers walked by. Robin smiled, and nodded to them in what she hoped would be understood as polite deference, but the lingering eyes remained on them a little longer than was comfortable…
Blackwood: :to Hopper: When you say a little complicated, you mean downright heretical, right? When it isn’t their own opinion, that is. :smirking:
Hopper: Yes well, Earth culture may be largely atheistic, Mr. Blackwood, but humanity has its own history of fanatical religiosity… not to mention many of the other worlds of the Federation. Try telling a Klingon that Sto-vo-kor isn’t real, or a Bajoran that the prophets are ‘just wormhole aliens’. These people are just trying to figure out how we fit into their universal point of view.
While the pact, as a whole, had been largely receptive to cordial relations with the Federation, Robin recalled reading an article or two about the increasing number of religious processions shutting down the Mezzanine on ‘holy days’, which had raised a few eyebrows. If Federation history was anything to go off of, an intersection of diverse faiths could prove challenging, to say the least.
Fortunately, they didn’t have far to go before they arrived at their destination – and, what was more, it actually appeared to have been designed with exploration in mind. There was, in fact, a path which ran into the facility between rows of glass and transparent forcefields, reminiscent of a museum. Furthermore, as they approached, a holographic Nygean shimmered into existence before them, offering a deep bow, before
Hologram: Welcome to our humble exhibition on the wondrous and abundant plant life which nourishes our community. How may I be of service?
Reade: Hello there, do you care to explain your hydroponics setup?
With another deep bow, the hologram shimmered out of existence, and a series of blinking lights along the path seemed to beckon them within. Shrugging, Robin followed the path forward. A voice emanated from unseen speakers – the same voice as that used by the holographic tour guide.
Voiced AI: Please follow the illuminated path on the floor, and the auto exhibit will explain all the relevant concepts.
Unconsciously, Robin clapped her hands together excitedly, and began grinning. She hadn’t anticipated visiting the Nygean equivalent of a bio conservatory on this space station, but it was a most welcome surprise.
Reade: This sounds interesting; ready to give it a try? :: To Robin:: How are Amity’s bays? Do we grow everything or only certain crops?
Blackwood: Is that what Secretary Siben wanted to talk to you about?
Robin spun around, walking slowly backwards along the path, while she spoke.
Hopper: ::Chuckling:: Not exactly… Though, we might find some interesting varieties here on the station that I’ll have to pass along to him. Siben’s been helping me get my FDC-backed community garden project underway…
She spun back, pausing to look at a unique organism which appeared to be part-plant, part-fungus. The thick succulent-like leaves seemed to have gills on the undersides, rippling and visibly respirating. It would have been creepy if it weren’t so fascinating!
Hopper: I have a bit of a personal interest in botany, though it’s not my major. ::Smiling, looking over her shoulder:: I grew up on a hydroponic farm, you know. So, you can bet that I have our civilian and Starfleet botanists running things pretty efficiently, considering there are two levels dedicated to plant and organic sciences.
Reade: Interesting. How much power does it draw on Amity?
The answer was hardly straightforward, fluctuating over the course of time as with any natural cycle, but fortuitously Robin had recently been reviewing their annual allocations for 2401 and the rough figures were still in her head.
Hopper: ::Tilting her head back and forth:: Well, of course, there’s plenty of variation throughout day-and-night cycles, as well as seasonal changes, but we try to cap it at about 1,000 kilowatt hours per day. Most of what we grow I wouldn’t consider ‘crops’ – though the hydroponics bay is definitely more geared towards edible vegetation.
Reade: Well, I could give you more power you know; we should have plenty to spare. You can start growing some other crops, maybe?
Robin smiled.
Hopper: That’s very sweet of you to offer, Scotty. But I think our current supply is sufficient to manage our broad spectrum lighting, hydrolytic and watering systems, atmospheric management needs, and so on… Actually, my devious plan is to start doing more growing outside the labs. ::Conspiratorially:: Don’t tell Lieutenant Richards. ::Wink:: The benefits, of course, being fresher air and ingredients for the restaurants and vendors around the station – not to mention research applications.
She laughed at herself.
Hopper: I sound like the tour guide!
Blackwood: Guys, I think the next part of the exhibit is starting.
Right he was! The flashing lights were growing in intensity, clearly trying to signal them to move along. Robin followed, blushing a little at getting carried away.
Voiced AI: These bays are where we grow the station's oxygen supply and the diverse collection of flora you see around you. All bays are carefully controlled environments.
Blackwood: Don’t suppose they give out tasters at the end, do you?
Hopper: I don’t hate the sound of that. Both of you, make a note – we need to replicate snacks on the trip home.
Reade: Response
They arrived at the next display – a large glass bubble emerging from the wall, containing a volume of briney water with an artificial current moving through it. Within, lined up on the surface, was a small collection of vibrant spherical plants which emit a blue glow as the current moved around them.
Voiced AI: These are from the aquatic planet Thalassia. They emit a bioluminescent glow that's not only aesthetically pleasing but also helps with the station's lighting.
Blackwood: I mean, they’re pretty and all, but what else do they do?
As a science officer, Robin found it hard not to speculate.
Hopper: There are similar bioluminescent kelps that grow on Velestus. Ancient mariners used to cultivate them into clusters as a sort of natural wayfinding tool.
Reade: Response
Hopper: ::Tapping her finger against her lips:: Considering that these are essentially plankton – that is, free-floating with the currents – I wonder if they might actually be ‘seed pods’. The glow might be to attract grazers… ::Shrug:: We might have to see if we can download some star charts while we’re here – maybe Thalassia can be our next outing and we can find out firsthand!
As the illuminated path glowed insistently once more, the trio moved along once again, finding themselves at a small artificial gnoll covered in what appeared to be short wild grasses and, among them, delicate white and yellow flowers.
oO These look familiar… Oo
Voiced AI: And here is a small section of our Terran selection. Bellis perennis, colloquially referred to as the common daisy, lawn daisy, or "English" daisy, is a reference to an ethnic group of Terrans native to one of the plant's lands of origins.
Ensign Blackwood stepped closer and took in the scent of the soil and daisies.
Blackwood: Smells like home…
Hopper: I didn’t know we’d even provided these samples to the Kathesii. Hmm. They didn’t come from my department. Maybe I’ll ask Siben if the FDC gifted these. I suppose they could have been brought by a trader…
Reade: Response
Before they could discuss it much further, the peripheral lighting in the room dimmed, drawing their eyes in towards the center. There, now illuminated more brightly than before, was a demonstration of the Pact’s hydroponics technology – a closed loop system that drew in ‘used’ air and moisture from its surroundings, carried it through several chambers and devices, ‘feeding’ a variety of plants, and eventually expelling clean breathable air on the other end.
Voiced AI: And now, the main event. The auto exhibit! Feast your eyes on the marvels of hydroponics engineering.
Amongst the impressive collection of specialized equipment, each part of which was labeled, were nutrient dispensers – which seemed to utilize electrolysis in order to chemically replicate and fix nitrogen and other essential molecules, a climate control module – which actually reminded Robn of the climate control systems famously employed on Risa (though significantly scaled down), and auto-composters – breaking down waste products and converting them into useable soil for the next generation of plants to consume. It was both remarkably complex and streamlined.
Blackwood: :nudges Scotty: Try not get too excited, Lieutenant.
Reade: Response
Hopper: You know who would really love to see this? My mother, Ansyra. I might have to bring her back here, if she sticks around on Amity long enough. ::Pointing:: Scotty, what do you think, could we assemble a system like this on the outpost? Could be an interesting challenge, but I’ll bet the botany team would love it.
Reade: Response
The lights began to equalize again, with the tour now complete.
Voiced AI: Thank you for touring our facility. If you have additional questions, our holographic guide will be delighted to answer your inquiries by the exit.
Hopper: Alright, gentlemen. Take a few minutes to soak it in, then we’ll head along to the Bazaar.
As all three of them drifted around the room a bit, examining their own individual points of interest, Robin decided to take the time to get to know them a little more as well.
Hopper: What about you two? You both know I’m a ::teasing:: simple country gal who grew up on a farm. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you grow up – and, um, what do your families do?
Reade/Blackwood: Response
Hopper: Is that what inspired you to pursue a career in Starfleet?
Reade/Blackwood: Response
Nodding, happy to learn more about her crewmates, Robin noticed that the floor lights were once again becoming insistent, urging them to move along. oO Whoever had designed this exhibit must be impatient. Oo They followed the lights back to the exit, and began making their way on to the Bazaar, a few levels down.
As they stepped into a large glass elevator, along with a dozen or so other station-goers, Robin huddled up with her fellow Starfleeters.
Hopper: Now, the Kathesis Pact does engage in limited commercial exchange with the Federation already, so the same credits system you’re used to using with, say, Ferengi merchants or the Talaxian traders on Amity should work here as well… Though to be honest, I don’t spend my credits much, so I have no idea what the exchange rate is like. Guess we’ll find out.
Reade/Blackwood: Response
Hopper: Oh! And keep your eyes open, in case we happen to spot any Voth in the bazaar. Never know, maybe they enjoy perusing as much as we do.
Reade/Blackwood: Response
TBC
