The Plant Tripwire Gambit

Posted on Sun Sep 7th, 2025 @ 1:45pm by Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Zuriñe Aritza M.D. & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: Conference Room 2
984 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

Doctor Zuriñe smoothly guided the Sir-soss'im enclosure down the hallway of the ship to the turbolift; receiving a multitude of stares as she did. The Sir-soss'im cluster constantly shifting about towards one crew member or another, contained behind the transparent aluminum terrarium, that also had a force ten forcefield around it. Her precious cluster of three Sir-soss'im were extremely dangerous carnivorous plants, ones capable of killing and devouring an adult Vulcan. In order to ease the plants agitation she hit the feed button on the consul and a Valit materialized in the terrarium along with a small, perhaps three teaspoon full, drops of a thick viscous liquid. Vulcan blood. The three Sir-soss'im immediately flung out tendrils that enwrapped the Valit, while the other branches of the plant began to absorb the droplets. The Sir-soss'im began to settle just as the doors to conference room 2.

Gary headed to conference room 2 after telling the others to meet there so they could discuss a possible way of seeing the Zynari. He arrived a few seconds after Dr. Zurine. As he entered, he saw the the plants in the transparent aluminum terrarium and Zurine standing close to it as if standing guard. "Doctor." He greeted her pleasantly, "What have we here?" His tone curious.

"They are extremely dangerous plants, Captain," said N'vok. "But under these circumstances, they are potentially useful. But I will let Doctor Zurine explain as she made the discovery."

Gary looked back at the plants and Zurine. "Fair enough Mr. N'vok. Doctor, wait until the others arrive to tell what you have discovered. Don't want you retelling the story multiple times. Saves time to just tell it once." He added.

Zuriñe looked to Captain Taylor, “Should we adjourn to our duty stations, or stay put?” she inquired. Zuriñe was not as bothered with slipstream travel as other’s tended to be; all things were in the Goddesses hands.

"Good question. We'll wait another minute for the others to show up. If they don't then go to your duty station." Gary answered evenly.

Zuriñe nodded her acknowledgement to Captain Taylor. She then made one last check on the Sir-soss'im and their transparent aluminum terrarium. She made sure the enclosure lid was firm and the portable force field was active. Satisfied she took a seat next to it.


["All off duty personnel please return to your cabins. All Civilians please return to your cabins. All Duty Personnel, prepare for engagement of the slipstream drive."]

The seconds dragged by and it soon became apparent that no one else was going to arrive for the briefing not with the ship getting ready to enter slipstream. "Doctor." Gary addressed Zurine, "It appears no one else will be coming to this briefing and we will have to reschedule it. However can you give me some insight so I may give the Commodore a heads up on what you have discovered."

Zuriñe again nodded and replied “Certainly Captain. As I was attending to my plants in my private conservatory I noticed the plants sway as if a breeze, which I also experienced, seemed to be occurring; even though none was occurring. The breeze was like a gentle summer sway. I then noticed what appeared to be ghostly hands running across the tops of the plants, which seemed to agitate them, especially Sir-soss'im. These plants are carnivorous and come from the planet Vulcan, and in Vulcan’s past were known to overwhelm and eat an unwary Vulcan. I deduce that they are sensitive to high mental activity. Anyway I digress; the Sir-soss'im did not take kindly to the ghostly hands and seemed to put holes in them, like biting the hands. I distinctly remember hearing a voice say ‘Ouch’ and soon after the hands disappeared, as well as the breeze sensation. I again deduce that plant life are sensitive to Zynar presence.” She paused to gauge if the captain was following what she said. “I then notified Lieutenant N’vok about what I had observed. He then came up with the idea of perhaps use the sensors on the ship to be applied to all the plants on board to help track our guest.” With that she finished and waited for further orders or comments.

As Zurine finished Gary nodded, "I see. Thank you for a very concise and straight forward explanation. I will be sure to pass this all on to the Commodore and I am sure she will have questions of her own. This good be a huge help in us being able to track the Zynari and know when they are present especially if the two of you can apply the sensors to the plants. For now however go ahead and return your plants to your quarters and then report to your duty station."

"Do you need any help transporting your plants, Doctor?" asks N'vok.

Zuriñe looked at Lieutenant N'vok and smiled. "Thank you for the offer Lieutenant but I have them under control. Besides I know how much these plants trigger the average Vulcan." She then got up nodded to both officers and stated "If you will excuse me I need to get them back to my quarters, and as the Captain stated, then to my duty station. Medical may require me." Zuriñe then turned and left, pushing the Sir-soss'im in their transparent aluminum terrarium out the door.

Gary watched Zurine leave with her carnivorous Vulcan plants before turning to N'vok, "Once we exit from slipstream we'll have another meeting with you, Dr. Zurine the Commodore and myself and discuss this idea further." Gary stated.

N'vok nodded. "Until then, Captain. I will now see about battening down science for our transition." He turned and headed off to do just that.