Green Grow the Rushes, O
Posted on Sun Mar 29, 2026 @ 11:00pm by Ensign T'Vren & Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Ensign Matilda Cromwell
2,292 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Jubilee
Location: Arboretum
T'Vren entered the arboretum and took a deep breath. The air was not as flat as the rest of the station. It carried the smell of dirt, moisture and green things. Not as alive as the air on planet would be, but if she shut her eyes, she could pretend. Not that she would. There was no logical reason for such an activity. She was not on planet. Yet the plants here were very real. She crouched down to run her fingers along the leaf of one plant, letting its feathery fronds tickle her palm. She pushed her fingers down into the dirt, cool, damp and gritty, the familiar sensation of it working its way under her nails.
Brianthe noticed the Vulcan and paused, watching her. A slow smile spread across her face as she recognized the look on the other woman's face. She felt much the same way when she didn't have plants to work with. Before moving closer to say hello, she waited, not wanting to disrupt T'Vren's reconnection with the earth.
Vulcan ears evolved on a planet of thinner air than most home worlds. That made their ears more sensitive than most species. She easily picked up the sound of shifting feet behind her. She stood, brushing her hands across her pants to remove the dirt. "Lieutenant."
"Brianthe," the botanist corrected, smiling. "Welcome to the arboretum. You're welcome to put your hands in the dirt. I do it all the time."
"My father is a horticulturist. While not identical, it is reminiscent of home." She straightened. "I am Ensign T'Vren, Communications."
"Brianthe Oaxaca, botanist." Bri smiled. "Anyone who loves plants is welcome here." She paused a beat before asking, "Is there a specific reason you're here, or just to connect with nature?"
The Arboretum, a sanctuary, something that Matilda wished it to be. She wanted a little piece of dirt that she could just dig in and maybe call her own to plant something there, Matilda sought out Brianthe, just to get her perspective. Going to where Brianthe would be, Matilda noticed that there was someone else with Brianthe.
"Hello!" she called out before she approached the two ladies, Matilda having a smile.
Humans, T'Vren had often observed, seemed to travel in packs, so she was not startled by the appearance of another one. She eyed the yellow of the other woman's collar. Not a member of the arboretum staff. "Hello."
"Hello, Matilda," Bri said cheerfully. "What brings you back?"
"Well, if it is possible, I wanted to see if I could have a little patch of Earth or ground that I could tend to and create something of my own." putting her hands in her pockets to keep herself from putting them into pleading hands.
"Unless that might be too much to ask." the normally outgoing Matilda, was exhibiting the signs of stress and also a little bit upset.
"I find that doing gardening tends to take away stress." Matilda needed it, Ace did give her stress but she didn't need to always seek out action of the intimate kind. Matilda wanted something constructive.
The terrible thing of it was, Ace's words stung her in their last encounter and Matilda wanted to soothe her soul.
"We have some gardens that personnel can reserve for personal use," Bri said. "Or you don't want a garden, I could find you a patch somewhere that only you could tend. Or some pots in one of the workrooms, depending on what size you're looking for." She didn't normally let people work in the arboretum--except for the family gardens--but she'd make an exception for Matilda.
"I was hoping I could have a place to develop some miniature dioramas. With it, I want to utilize real plants with whimsical scenes. Adding dragons, or other sort of fantasy entities." Matilda responded shyly. "Or beautiful natural settings."
Bri thought for a moment, then nodded. "There's a workroom off the top level of the arboretum. You can use that. It will allow you to shape the space as you like." She raised an eyebrow. "Would that work for you?"
"That would be lovely, thank you." the ensign responded with a smile, it lighting up her face. "I will make certain to clear what I use with you." Matilda added.
"That would be appreciated. And if I'm on Pangaea, talk to Paula."
Humans, T'Vren thought, were easily distracted. She cleared her throat slightly, reminding them she was standing there.
Bri smiled at T'Vren. "Do you want a place to do some work or do you just want to wander around?"
Humans were also prone to assumptions. "Neither. As I stated earlier, I am the station's Communications officer. My understanding is that with the expected increase in visitors in the near future, portions of the arboretum are to be closed to the public. I am here to coordinate the effort for maximum efficiency."
Bri's smile grew. She had forgotten with Matilda's questions, but was happy to have someone to put out information. "Wonderful. For your information, the arboretum covers ten decks, divided into four levels. The bottom level, or level 1, is the recreation area. It has water parks, ball fields, climbing walls, picnic areas, and playgrounds. That level will remain open, but on a limited basis. It will be monitored and patrolled by security."
"This is level two, and is above the recreation area. This will be closed as we've put a lot of work into the gardens here and I don't want thousands of tourists destroying the plants. The level above that is the agricultural level. That will be closed to all but those who have family gardens. They will have to talk to Paula and be escorted in and out. No one will be allowed without an escort. The top level contains our that level has our environmental habitats. No one but those who work here will be allowed in."
Bri paused before continuing. "I would like the public to know that the recreational level of the arboretum will be open, but on a limited basis. All other areas will be closed to the public. Anyone who needs access to any other part will have to talk to me or Paula. Security will be patrolling all levels of the arboretum and they will be monitored. Anyone who trespasses will be arrested by security." It was harsh, but the arboretum had to be protected.
T'Vren nodded. "May I ask who Paula is? I am rather new to the station and still learning everyone."
"Paula is my assistant. She runs the arboretum when I'm on the planet."
Matilda listened to the conversation with great interest, and liked how efficient T'Vren was.
"I am glad that you will be at the helm of communications, makes me feel at ease. I like it that a cooler head is in that station unlike a certain operations officer who isn't so cool headed. He can be so difficult and demeaning."
Paula surely had a last name. Most humans did. T'Vren would need to look it up later. She turned to the other Ensign in yellow. Matilda, Lt. Oaxaca has called her. "I am Ensign T'Vren. I will, of course, endeavor to perform my duties in the best and most efficient manner possible."
Reaching out to shake T'Vren's hand, Matilda paused as she remembered that Vulcans do not make contact with just anyone. Drawing her hand back, she gave T'Vren a slight bow. "Ensign Matilda Cromwell, Engineering and Operations and I also endeavor to do my best as well. Not ever good to be lazy in working on tasks."
T'Vren nodded in agreement. "Laziness is a loss of opportunity. There is enough of interest in the universe to allow endless occupation."
"True. Endless opportunities as well," Brianthe added. "Ensign T'Vren, is there anything else you need from me?"
T'Vren raised one eyebrow. "As I came here to offer my assistance to you, is that not the question I should be asking?"
A quiet smile as Matilda once again watched the interaction between Bri and T'Vren. Thoughts of Ace were drifting away being replaced by anticipation of having her own workshop to be creative in. She was quite elated!
"I know the arboretum, but you know communications," Brianthe replied. "There are probably questions I don't even know I should be asking."
T’Vren considered for a moment. “There is the question of how to most efficiently communicate the restrictions, knowing that the majority of sapiens will not read any provided signage.”
Bri sighed. "Yes. A good number of them will try the door anyway. Or try to find another way inside. That's what concerns me more."
She turned to Matilda. "And that is where you could help."
"What would you like me to do?" Matilda was all ears on this one. "Whatever I can do to help keep the arboretum safe, I will do so." the redhead giving a nod to Brianthe.
"We've seen what happens when people are told they can't go somewhere," Bri began. "So, I want a way to monitor unauthorized entrance into every level of the arboretum that's independent of the station's systems."
"Well, could utilize the bumblebees, or something that can blend in with each of levels of the arboretum, or even perhaps provide a forcefield that will close it off from those who think they can just go where they want to, even when they have been told no." Matilda rubbing her chin.
"I'd rather not use the bees. They have other functions," Bri said after a pause. "Would force fields take up too much power? Too bad we couldn't have holographic leprechauns to poke an intruder and send them to the promenade." She was joking because that would likely bring more attention, but the thought made her smile.
"The forcefield can be temporary, run by an independent power source. We can monitor the generators making certain that they stay up while this event is taking place. Much like when others go on an away mission and they have a forcefield to keep the base camp safe." Matilda offering her suggestion.
"That works. We've had power losses lately, so an independent generator is appreciated. Maybe one per level?" Bri asked.
"That can be accomplished." Matilda responded. "A team can be gotten together and we can start that right away."
"Perfect." Bri grinned, happy that there would be the extra protection. "Thank you."
Looking at T'Vren, Matilda said. "What do you think about making a relay that will communicate to us what is happening with the forcefield generators? Or some sort of communication device?"
T’Vren considered. “That is possible. However, would it not be simpler to close the arboretum to all put staff for the duration of the event? They are, after all, here to see the comment, not the arboretum”
"For now, only the level with the water parks and sports fields will be open, but I may have to close those as well," Bri said. "But that does not mean there won't be people who try to break in, and if as many people come to the station as reports say, locking the doors and accesses may not be enough."
T’Vren nodded. “That is possible. I can certainly assist with a system to alert you. Though I do not understand why it is so important to view the comet from the station. If seeing the comet is ‘lucky’ as they claim, it should be equally so when viewed from a shuttle craft somewhere that is not here.”
"True, but not everyone is going to be able to park a ship or shuttle in the area. And if they come to the station, they have the entire promenade to shop and find entertainment," Bri said.
"The comet has a wide ranging course. There is no reason it must be viewed here." T'Vren considered. "Ah, it is not the comet they seek to view, but the tail, which limits the viewing to the portion of its course that carries is close to the system's star. I would understand if it were for aesthetic reasons, but I see no basis to consider basic scientific phenomenon 'lucky.'"
"True. But enough people do believe." Bri sighed In the end, the how or why didn't matter. "I'm just concerned with how many people will try to get in here and the damage they'll cause. I'll leave the rest to command."
"And always best to have safety measures set into place as well. This way the Arboretum is protected and not destroyed." Matilda looked around at the place. "I would hate for something to happen here."
"So would I." Bri looked at the other women. "Is there anything else we need to discuss?" If not, she'd like to get back to her gardens.
“I believe we have adequately addressed my concerns. I will determine what I am able to manage in terms of a security notification system and be in touch,” T’Vren told Lt. Oaxaca.
"Thank you. I feel much better about the security of the arboretum now that I've talked with you and Matilda." Bri smiled at both women.
Matilda gave a smile towards Brianthe. "You are welcome." an eager gleam could be seen in her eyes. "Okay now that we have established what needs to be done, permission to start the preparations? The sooner the better."
Bri smiled back. "Absolutely. Let me know what you come up with."
"Indeed I shall." Matilda already thinking of something that would be natural and also beneficial. maybe Ladybugs.....
A post by
Ensign Matilda Cromwell
Engineer/Operations
DS5
Paula Pendergast
Botanist
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5 & Pangaea
Ensign T'Vren
Assistant Chief of Operations, Communciations
Deep Space 5
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