Hydroponics

Posted on Mon Mar 6th, 2023 @ 6:45pm by Crewman Finn Jones & Crewman Anouska Black & Ensign Vincent Marlow & Ensign Madelyn 'Madi' Moore & Petty Officer, 1st Class Christian Tremblay

Mission: Sojurn
Location: Hydroponics
Timeline: Day 332
1288 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Hydroponics was a mess after the ship had nearly torn itself apart but days later they at the very least had some better power now going to the large compartment to allow them to gather what they needed. He glanced at the officer who was there waiting as well as him and decided to try and make some small talk to pass the time and do what he had promised Christian he would attempt to do - talk to people who un nerved him. "Definitely going to be a few vegetables going around for a bit right sir?" Finn said brightly feeling a little bit happier with people in his space now especially as all his favourite people were going to be there and he would not be alone with Marlow. Something about the officer was negative and draining which Finn did not at all need when he was trying to rescue his work for the last year.

"Sorry, am I late!"

The blustery way Madelyn entered the bay was curbed immediately when she realised Finn wasn't alone. Blinking rapidly, immediately flustered, the nervous officer glanced towards her colleague, who counted as close enough to a friend for her to consider him an ally under current circumstances, and then dragged her gaze back to meet Marlow's. "Um. Sorry. I got here as fast as I could.”

“No one is late ma’am.” Finn assured quickly. He was relieved to see anyone who would be helpful to clear on the mess that the sudden stop had created in the hydroponic bay.

"I was in the shower when the call came through."

Oh God, Madi, shut up.

"But I'm here now. What can I do?"

“Help tidy up ma'am.” Finn advised trying to not sound flustered by so many officers.

Christian entered the bay straining slightly under the heavy rolls of power conduit that he carried. The sleeves of his uniform were rolled up and tiny beads of perspiration could be seen on his forearms. He set the conduit down on the nearest work bench and breathed out deeply as he relaxed. He looked over to the group. "Good thing for us Lieutenant Darru convinced the captain to make restoring power here top priority, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to find this power conduit," he offered as Finn approached.

”Good on Lieutenant Darru.” Finn said trying to not grin as he watched his boyfriend showing off. The conduit would defo timely make everything easier if they had the right equipment going. It would certainly take some pressure off of him watering everything. “Food is a priority afterall.”

Staying out of the discussion and a bit back, Vincent quietly brooded about him having the knowledge to restore temporary power but not getting any of the credit. Marlow knew that putting more than a band-aid on this problem was more important than any personal resentment that he may be feeling at the moment.

"Excuse me, sir." Wrestling with the brooms from the supply cupboard, Madi attempted not to jostle Marlow as he sulked. In many ways, she attempted to have no presence whatsoever, just as content to continue the clean up as she'd been asked to do. Upsetting everything currently balanced inside a mop bucket wasn't the best way to remain surreptitious and the young ensign scrambled to shove everything back in, shutting the door and leaning against it for a moment to make sure it would stick. Wincing, she mouthed 'sorry' to anyone who cared to notice and moved tentatively away with the single broom she'd managed to secure.

Marlow simply regarded the woman as she struggled to maintain balance with the items from the supply closet. Looking back to those in charge of the situation, he asked, "Where do you need me?"

“Lieutenant Darru left instructions for you to help Petty Officer Tremblay and Engineering with the conduit Sir.” Finn popped up handing over the list of things that was required in hydroponics to get it back to action and make sure nothing else was lost. “He is running late.”

Nodding, Marlow looked at the list that had been handed to him.

Having made her way towards the back, primarily because there was nobody else up that far yet to share awkward glances with, it didn't take Madelyn long to lose herself in the monotony of the work. She didn't mind menial tasks, they gave her ample opportunity to think, and escapism was some of the only recreational freedom any of them had anymore. Crouching down to inspect the pile she'd just swept, she carefully picked through any of the destroyed seedlings and tried to separate the organic matter from the other debris. Everything was likely to be shrivelled and decomposing by now but several of the species were hardy enough that replanting might do something. It was better than having no hope at all.

Christian looked over at the lone ensign as he looked at the list Finn had given him. He stepped over and cleared his throat slightly. "What shall we get started with first, sir," he asked. Being a career enlisted man, Christian would defer to the officer's instruction, even with the relaxed atmosphere of the hydroponics bay. He hadn't really worked with the man before. While they were both in the science department, Christian was not in Marlow's division. The scuttlebutt was that Ensign Marlow preferred to do things himself.

Finn looked at Marlow and offered a smile to the man. Lieutenant Darru had obviously told him nothing about leading the cleaning party but that was okay Finn was happy to prompt. “Cleaning is first. Then you guys can put in the new conduit” He said brightly. “Cannot put that in with this mess all around can we now Sir?” He added prompting the man to

Nodding, Vincent looked to Christian. Pointing out some of the downed growing containers and toppled irrigation systems, Marlow said, "Let's straighten this place out a bit." In truth, he had no idea how to replace a conduit. He was most definitely not an engineer and the odds were pretty even on him blowing up the ship as repairing the system. Rolling up his uniform's sleeves, the scientist began getting his hands dirty.

Christian nodded and followed the man's instructions as he helped helped rearrange the overturned growing containers. Several of the plants within seemed to have not faired well throughout the ordeal. As the worked he looked around at the scattered soil and various leaves on the deck. "You think any of these still have a chance, or do we need to start over," he asked Finn looking towards him.

Finn looked at the scene and shrugged. “Possibly. Not everything is easy to destroy.” He said trying to sound more hopeful that he had previously. He now had many hands helping in hydroponics so no matter what happened he did not have to face it all completely alone which was a welcome change from the first couple of months of them trying to find a way to work through the messes that losing six science personnel had caused.

"There's a couple here," Madi called out softly, not one to eavesdrop or intrude but the space was hardly that large and she'd been carefully foraging for survivors whilst the others spoke. As she'd located viable seedlings still showing some signs of life, the unassuming scientist had simply started to lay them out with roots gently elongated to settled against a strip of damp paper towel.

“A little bit of hope here.” Finn said quietly as he surveyed what Moore was saving. “And it’s your favourites Petty Officer.” He called out to the man grinning.

TRUNCATED