The Secret Garden

Posted on Wed Jan 13th, 2021 @ 7:56am by Commander Dominic Aldrich & Crewman Recruit Zeria

Mission: End of Line
Location: Botanical Grounds
1426 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Dominic's sense of peace could hardly be better. He and Zeria were slowly walking through the largest garden the station had to offer. Over the entirety of the grounds were plant species from numerous planets. The holograms had done a great job of getting them to grow together. Without his tricorder he couldn't be sure what was real and what was not, and at the moment he didn't care. What he cared about was seeing Zeria's face as she looked over all of these specimens knowing she could appreciate them all in her own, nuanced way.

Suddenly she grinned and looked at him. "I just had an interesting thought. What about putting a few plants in our quarters? I mean I know I'm around them all the time in hydroponics, but it would add a little bit of a lived in feel. Maybe a little grow light?" She seemed to be relaying this to him but it also looked as if she could have been talking to herself if not for the hand she had wrapped around his arm. "And maybe I could find a trinket here that reminded us of our time on the station?" Zeria said softly with a sigh. She certainly had enjoyed herself.

Dominic thought about their quarters. It was still rather sterile by "home" standards. Sure, it had been livened up with she had moved in, but it was still pretty bare. "Zeria, I'm sure whatever you have in mind will work out beautifully. If you see something you like, we can maybe talk to the holograms here and find out what it would take to get a sample for home." If it made her happy, he'd make it happen.

She squeezed his arm tighter. "You know," she began as if it were going to be a difficult discussion. "You're allowed to argue with me from time to time. These are your quarters too and it's your life. You don't always have to agree with me. I'm not going to up and leave you," Zeria said the last part much quieter.

Dominic stopped and looked down at her. "Dear, you have me all wrong. You see, I don't agree with you because I'm afraid you'll leave. I agree with you for two real reasons. First, I don't ever think about a lot of that type of stuff. I can be very," he paused for a moment, "utilitarian when it comes to making a home. Until you came around, I didn't really notice. Second," and a smile came to his lips, "I agree because I know you won't leave. That makes it all the easier."

"Hmm, and here I thought you might be worried I'd poison you in the middle of the night with one of the plants I picked. I guess I did have you all wrong." She smiled back. "Thanks. I do love my plants. But I have been thinking of starting a new hobby. I mean on a starship I really could do anything I wanted to do and I've never really thought about that before. On Marga things were expensive and plants offered me a way to live. But I could take up something like painting and not have to worry about that now."

"No. The only poison you have given me was the one that has tied me to you." He smiled back to her. "I think another hobby would be fun for you. I can't wait to see what you would choose." Dominic broke his gaze and pulled a blue flower from the nearest plant and placed it in her hair. "But I also won't deny that you are a painting in yourself."

As he spoke, he noticed a slight change taking place around him. It seemed that many of the plants around them were growing fast enough to be noticed. "Well, now that is intriguing."

That made her blush slightly. "Thank you," She took the flower and put it behind her ear. Dominic had really come out of his shell since they'd met. He was always a quiet, strong presence before. He had been willing to help but she used to catch him staring at her and he'd turn his head away almost embarrassed. Zeria had never minded. She had been grateful for his friendship and had occasionally daydreamed about running away with him. It actually happening had taken her completely by surprise.

"Are they holographic? I've never seen flowers grow like this." Zeria reached out to touch when it shot out a runner and cut her hand. "Ouch," she said pulling back in surprise.

Dominic took her hand and pulled her back slightly. "If they were holographic why would the safeties be off? Are you ok?"

"They just don't look real to me. But I don't know everything about botany." Zeria nodded at him, looking at her finger that now had a single prick mark that was filling up with blood. "I hope that wasn't posion," she half joked, but didn't want to alarm him. "I'm sure it's fine."

"We should probably still go visit sickbay to be sure," Dominic replied. As he turned to leave more vines began to grow in and form a wall to block their way. "I'm beginning to question these 'coincidences'." They took a few steps back and then turned to follow the path that was open.

"Coincidences?" Zeria frowned at him wondering what he meant. Her finger really wasn't that badly injured, just a prick mark but she let him direct her on anyway.

"Yes, there have been a number of odd occurrences reported in the daily logs of the senior staff of their people around the station. I am beginning to wonder if the holographic matrix and computer are functioning properly," Dominic replied.

"Hmm, that's a scary thought. A rogue computer. I have never been completely comfortable with all technology," Zeria admitted. "You scientists are always creating things that backfire," she teased Dom, nudging him with a smile on her face. She wanted to talk about their wedding but this was one more mystery that needed solved first.

Dominic barely felt the nudge. He simply replied, "Yes...." Then he saw something that at once made him push Zeria out of the way. He was hit square in the chest with a large, thorny vine as if it were a tentacle. He staggered back with a short yell before falling on his butt. "I think we need to get out of here," he said, wincing from the pain and holding a hand to his slowly bleeding chest.

"Dom!" Zeria grabbed him, putting her hand over the spot as well and heading for the door as the plants around them seemed to come to life before their eyes. "Computer end program," she called as they moved quickly. She was praying to the gods that the plant was indeed a hologram and couldn't actually fill him with some kind of poison like the pusa on Marga III.

The program didn't end. Being a running stable of the station, it ran continuously as part of the environment. The vines slowly moved towards them. Dominic reached the exit pushing Zeria in front of him. "I think we should head to the Majestic's sickbay. I'm not sure I can currently trust the medical help I'd find here." His breath was ragged and labored. He knew he had a few broken ribs if not a collapsed lung.

Zeria tapped her combadge only to have it make a dead sounding fizzle rather than it's usual cheerful chirp. "Uh yes, we'll just head for the airlock, but we can take it steady. You doing okay?" She was absolutely terrified but trying not to show it.

Dominic nodded and grunted as he staggered forward. He could collapse later. Right now, he needed to move and keep Zeria safe. "I'll be ok," he replied through gritted teeth. "The airlock isn't far."

Zeria put an arm around him to help support him. She also let him set the pace. It was a grueling journey but he did manage to make it to the airlock. She hit the button and nothing happened, at the same time, power went out in that section and the door opened just enough that she thought she could slip through. It seemed liked lsome kind of miracle in her eyes. "Come on," she urged gently. "Sickbay isn't far."

Dominic forced his body through the door with a painful yell. After catching most of his breath, he nodded and kept walking. "Let's go, cher."