The Purple Orchid
Dec 27, 2006 23:25:04 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2006 23:25:04 GMT
Konal bumped into Dr. Brelev the following day on the Promenade.
"Are you up to visiting the hydroponics lab?... Unless you already converted your room-" Konal cracked a smile giving flavor to her dry humor.
<Brelev>
"Oh that's right, she probably will want to come too. If we run into Commander McCormick along the way, we'll invite her along- but I want to hurry because a purple orchid, native to Cardassia, is supposed to bloom today. It only blooms once every Cardassian year."
Konal moved with haste, not wanting to miss this botanical site. Brelev was interested, but less enthusiastic. She followed behind, trying to keep up with the older woman.
In the turbolift, Konal turned to Brelev. "These flowers are very rare on Cardassia. To see them bloom is even more rare. I don't think a superlative exists that can explain how hard it was to grow this orchid in a hydroponics bay."
Arriving on deck 120, Konal already knew where to go. She headed out of the turbolift, turned right, made another right, and the bay doors opened.
There were multitudes of hanging plants. Some hung in hermetically sealed bags, some were under pressurized containers. The purple orchid Konal sought was on the right side of the small room, next to an awkwardly protruding bulk head.
"This flower is very particular," Konal explained. "It requires darkness on two sides, hence the positioning against the bulk head. On Cardassia Prime, it grows at the foot of cliff sides. This regulates the temperature. At night, the flower draws heat from the cliff. During the day, it is kept safe from strong breezes by the cliff side."
Konal checked the pressure in the container. "It is modulated to be equal in atmospheric pressure to Cardassia. It is a very finicky flower." Konal gave a childish giggle, "Most living things are finicky there, now that I think about it."
Konal seemed right at home with the console, a standard botanical thermobaric regulator, only a step or two behind the latest and greatest of its kind. As she pressed buttons, visitors were arriving to witness the event about to take place.
"It seems we have some time before it will be blooming. Do you have any questions?" She smiled at the Doctor. "It doesn't seem like much, but this was pretty much my work for the last few years."
Konal sighed, "Of course my outpost was a lot larger. There were more exotic plants than even this. Some were very medicinal. If only we had more time." her eyes glazed a bit as she reminisced about the past. "It's too bad the mining consort..." Konal caught herself. " It's too bad we had to shutdown. We could have really helped Starfleet, I believe."
"Are you up to visiting the hydroponics lab?... Unless you already converted your room-" Konal cracked a smile giving flavor to her dry humor.
<Brelev>
"Oh that's right, she probably will want to come too. If we run into Commander McCormick along the way, we'll invite her along- but I want to hurry because a purple orchid, native to Cardassia, is supposed to bloom today. It only blooms once every Cardassian year."
Konal moved with haste, not wanting to miss this botanical site. Brelev was interested, but less enthusiastic. She followed behind, trying to keep up with the older woman.
In the turbolift, Konal turned to Brelev. "These flowers are very rare on Cardassia. To see them bloom is even more rare. I don't think a superlative exists that can explain how hard it was to grow this orchid in a hydroponics bay."
Arriving on deck 120, Konal already knew where to go. She headed out of the turbolift, turned right, made another right, and the bay doors opened.
There were multitudes of hanging plants. Some hung in hermetically sealed bags, some were under pressurized containers. The purple orchid Konal sought was on the right side of the small room, next to an awkwardly protruding bulk head.
"This flower is very particular," Konal explained. "It requires darkness on two sides, hence the positioning against the bulk head. On Cardassia Prime, it grows at the foot of cliff sides. This regulates the temperature. At night, the flower draws heat from the cliff. During the day, it is kept safe from strong breezes by the cliff side."
Konal checked the pressure in the container. "It is modulated to be equal in atmospheric pressure to Cardassia. It is a very finicky flower." Konal gave a childish giggle, "Most living things are finicky there, now that I think about it."
Konal seemed right at home with the console, a standard botanical thermobaric regulator, only a step or two behind the latest and greatest of its kind. As she pressed buttons, visitors were arriving to witness the event about to take place.
"It seems we have some time before it will be blooming. Do you have any questions?" She smiled at the Doctor. "It doesn't seem like much, but this was pretty much my work for the last few years."
Konal sighed, "Of course my outpost was a lot larger. There were more exotic plants than even this. Some were very medicinal. If only we had more time." her eyes glazed a bit as she reminisced about the past. "It's too bad the mining consort..." Konal caught herself. " It's too bad we had to shutdown. We could have really helped Starfleet, I believe."