Irrigation, shelving, and big pots!

Posted on Wed Sep 6th, 2017 @ 5:20am by

Mission: Mission 4 - Combustion
Location: Operations
Timeline: MD 5
1238 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Braden was looking for Operations now, he had come to the conclusion he could use Operations to help lay the irrigation piping and the rest of the needs of the garden. When he saw Quang he closed the distance "Mister Tran might I have a word with you?" Braden closed to a polite distance "Can you spare someone to help with a project in the ship's garden?"

Quang was fairly satisfied. He had been looking for an area within what had been called the operations area to set aside as an office. After the fire he definitely wanted to not place it directly with the cargo bay. Best not to tempt fate or karma, whichever was more accurate.

He had found the office within the Ops area but nearby the cargo bay. Location, location, location. Using the small portable anti grav units he had methodically moved a salvaged desk to the office, and supplied the office with various pieces of office equipment. He had finished it off with two three office chairs. Not bad for salvaged and re purposed items of cargo.

Something, Van Tran thought, only someone from someplace like Ho Chi Minh City would be used to doing.

He sat in the chair and heard a voice. The voice belonged to someone approaching him. He recognized the other newcomer. it was the new chief science officer.

The Vietnamese gestured in a friendly manner toward the man. "Come on it, Mr. MacCloud. Make yourself comfortable. And it's Van Tran, not Tran. How can I help you with this garden you mentioned?"

Braden nodded as he checked a crate to be sure it would hole his weight and sat on the edge of it. "Sorry Mister Van Tran," He smiled in apology. "I could use some help getting shelving and rails for hanging plants. I also have irrigation piping to place. The idea is.." he handed over the PADD showing the bare walls and his see through overlay of the area sectioned off. Planita's section was left alone, but the rest was section into five sections with large potted dwarf fruit trees dotting the pathways. Each wall section was slightly different to take advantage of the space available. Some had shelves of small pots, some had hanging planters. "As you can see it is an aggressive change but will maximize space and dramatically increase production. I could use some help? If you can spare a couple people. It will be more then a day or two of work. I would even welcome volunteers for four hour shifts."

Van Tran listened carefully with an air of calculation. "Makes sense. I like the idea of it. Any chance of some oranges or tangerines? it's been a long time since I've one of those. As to sharing people, I'm afraid I'm it. But I'm more than willing to share my time. it's a good plan."

He paused and then continued. "And you don't have to sit on a crate. I brought in three office chairs for a reason. Feel free to use one. Now then, what sort of schedule do you have in mind?"

Braden saw the chairs and sat in one of those. "Dwarf trees will all be fruit bearing and tangerines are two of the trees I bought. We have peaches as well. One wall I would like to be vines for grapes and assorted berrys. So anyone who helps will have first pick at the produce we grow." Braden smiled "I think a couple tangerines a day might be possible?" Braden thought a moment "I can work around your schedule a bit, You tell me which fours hours and which days and I will be there. How is that?"

"Works for me," answered Quang. "As to scheduled times and days, I can get back to you today. Right now I need to itemize and catalogue our inventory. And try to meet with our captain about updating the cargo bay. The Mary Rose might be old, but it doesn't mean we can't update her."

He paused and then continued. "I'm pretty sure I can find what you asked for. What I can't we can repurpose I'm sure. So we should be able to set up what you've got in mind. I should be able to get back to you today about that as well. When would you be available later on today?"

"Today would be great. No worries about getting anything, I bought everything we need from pots to sealant for the irrigation piping. It is all stored in a corner in the garden. So I just need the expertise and extra hands." Braden shrugged "seeing the condition of the ship I did not want to take it for granted the supplies could be available. Don't get me wrong I like the ship but the resources are limited here."

"You're a cautious and thorough man. Always a good thing," answered Van Tran.

He then asked, "Have you spoken to the chief engineer and the captain about space allocation? If you haven't let me know and I'll be happy to go with you. Get it all settled quickly."

Braden nodded "not the Captain as we will use the space we already have this will just be more efficient usage. I have a meeting with the enigneer to install the power amp so we will not be using any more power then we are presently. With the added benefit of fresher air from the increased greenery. I see no reason we can not install the fixtures needed as we wait for the amp to be hooked up though?"

Quang wagged his finger in response to the suggestion. "Only one problem with installing the fixtures, I'm not an electrician or engineer of any kind. I'd be happy to help, but you'd be better off getting someone seconded from engineering to assist on that. I'm a quartermaster and supply specialist."

Braden was confused, "we don't need an engineer to install the planter wall mounts or irrigation piping? I could do that without an engineer. The only thing we need the engineer for is the power. The power is not needed to do the rest of the work. Pumps and lighting and all that can be installed after, or during if we get the help sooner." Braden thought a moment "in fact the lighting might be better done after so we can better adjust it?" He shrugged "See you later then VanTran, we have a lot of work to do. Say have you met Planita? She will be part of the project as well."

"Okay then," answered the quartermaster. "As long as you have the knowledge, I have two hands, a brain, and can provide assistance. When do you need me? And more than happy to work with this Planita as well. Glad to have her on board. Too much work, not enough staff yet. Haven't met her though. Busy down here. What's her job?"

"She is in Science, she was tending the gardens, I barely met her myself. As to meeting I would guess tomorrow after duty hours as we discussed? Say 1800hrs till 2200hrs?" Braden was just glad to have some help at this point.

Quang nodded in agreement. It was an equitable arrangement. "Sure. No problem. I'll be here. See you tomorrow evening."

OFF:

Braden MacCloud
Chief Science
S.S. Mary Rose

Quang Van Tran
Quartermaster
S.S. Mary Rose