Ecologist's Personal Log #1: If I Can't Think Of A Way To Make A Pun Out Of "Log" I've Failed As A Treehugger

Posted on 29 Jul 2013 @ 9:20am by Ensign Natalie Chevalier

851 words; about a 4 minute read

I've been aboard the Galileo a couple of days now and I think things are actually going surprisingly smoothly. I managed to get all the administrative business out of the way without getting into too much trouble, I've met some new people and even made some friends, and I've already been given a lot of oversight for the arboretum. Really, I couldn't wish for anything more: I can't possibly foresee anything going wro- merde!

A crashing sound interrupts the recording, followed by the sound of someone hopping about and swearing in great agitation, showing an impressively pan-galactic range of profanity. After things calm down, a heavy sigh signals the resumption.

Stupid. My quarters are a mess; I'm running out of toes to stub. Maybe things could be better: Mister Kiwosk was going to help me sort some of this junk out, but he's gone now. The first friend I make on board and he leaves before I've got my head straight: I hope it wasn't the coffee!

Of course, he's not the only one. Lt. Panne is gone too. She seemed so serious, and a little troubled; but then, what do I know, I only met her the once. In any event, not many people can say they've got through two Department Heads before they've even taken their first full shift! So I'm a trailblazer if nothing else.

Lt. Cho is the new Department Head. She seems - very polite, very professional, but not exactly the most confident. Working with her will be interesting, I think, but I wonder how all the organization will work. Her assistant is a big man - a really big man - called Lt. Pendleton. Jacob. He seems nice enough, in a sort of lumbering, gentle giant way, and he showed me some pretty cool programs on the holodeck. I think we'll hang out again - maybe not so literally next time, though; if he knocks me out of another tree, I won't be held responsible...

The rest of the department are friendly. Jac and Ariadne, they're new like me. Jac is so funny, and the friendliest Romulan, or half-Romulan, or whatever, that I've ever met. Ariadne came aboard on the same shuttle: I didn't think it was possible for anyone to be less organized than me. But she's very friendly. I want to get to know her better. I've spent a little time with Victoria and Jared, too; I'm going to meet Jared for dinner, soon, though I still don't know what it means, if anything. Computer, remind me to tread carefully until I'm sure.

The computer blurts out its uniquely comforting response: "Please restate parameters". Nat tells the computer to disregard her last instruction, and continues.

The arboretum is small, but it's been well tended. I think the balance is a little off: too many Terran plants. I know we have a lot of humans on board, but there's little point having such a space if it's not going to be used to reflect true diversity. I'm planning to add a little variety, and I've asked Lt. Cho for seed samples from the survey mission. She was hesitant, at first, but maybe I can warm her up.

I'd also like to add a pond. Yes, I can exclusively reveal my big plans for the coming month: building a pond. I remember how much fun I had in our pond back home. But this one won't just be used for splashing around: I'll introduce some waterplants, maybe even conduct a small microsystem study. I have to admit, though, it's not all for scientific value. I hope I find some people to come sit beside the pond with me, too.

We're leaving the system, now. I haven't really had much to do in this mission, but there's a lot of ecological data to review - and, given the priorities, probably discard. There's nothing I can do about the resource allocations. But maybe there's something interesting to be found amidst all that genetic data; I think I'll be spending most of my time until we reach the nebula in bio-labs.

I should write to maman; it's been too long. I wonder how they're getting on down there. Business is good, I suppose; it had better be, after what they sacrificed to build that expansion. I want to hear about Oliver, though, and how he's doing at university, so I'll try not to let any of that stuff spill over. Yeah, right - like I ever manage that.

There was a slightly bitter laugh, and then silence.

I guess that's it. I'll write more soon, when I know more about this mission. But it sounds pretty routine. Yep, overall, I'd say things are going well: a nice peaceful science mission, a Galaxy class to keep us safe, and no sign of any hostile aliens. Things are looking good for little Nat- merde!

The log ends to the sound of another sharp crack and more agonised swearing.

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