(no subject)

[floranotfauna]

I've submitted the necessary yet tedious requisition forms for seeds, saplings, soils, and various fertilizers. After additional research, I added coffee, grapes, persimmon, tamarind, monk fruit, and mango to the list which contained carrots, strawberries, zucchini, and tea. Ms. Ryuuzaki, please let me know if there is anything I need to fix.

Happy to say that the tomatoes have started flowering, so the first harvest should be in about a week. I also have a variety of herbs, if anyone would like to add flavor to the algae.

Good luck to those going on the expeditions. If you see any plant life, I would greatly appreciate a sample, soil & roots intact when at all possible.

(ooc: strikes deleted)

Comments

[spaceninja144]

Will there be tomatoes left when we get back?

[floranotfauna]

Of course. It's not as though once the tomato is harvested you have to start over. The plant continues to produce. I can't determine how many right now, but there will be some.

[spaceninja144]

Ah. That's good. Looking forward to it.

[sanada_g]

One large part of the mission is collecting samples of rocks and any plants. We know how to do our job.

[floranotfauna]

I wasn't privy to your mission details, but go off, I guess I didn't think it hurts anything to specify how I'd like the specimen(s) brought back to me. Unless you're suggesting you know how to collect plants better than I do?

(ooc: strikes deleted)

[sanada_g]

The mission briefings are hardly classified. On the base intranet, you can also find the SOPs for matter retrieval. Uion and I have made some changes because of the environmental hazards but it'smostly the same. If you still have questions or suggestions you can find me in the shuttle bay.

[floranotfauna]

I'm not directly involved, so the mission briefing didn't seem necessary to read past the general scope. I've already made my suggestion and I have no questions, so you enjoy your time in the shuttle bay.

[sanada_g]

Then do not complain when your ignorance is pointed out.


And I will.

[floranotfauna]

Wait, I thought of a question. Do you know who wrote the SOP for the gathering of plant specimens? Just curious if you thought it pertinent to modify someone's expertise on the topic.

[sanada_g]

Probably some overpaid and under-qualified officer UEA officers compiled the files. I don't believe any one name is assigned. We've been adapting some of the collection mechanics to hold up against the sand and wind. We want to spend as little time outside as possible until we know the area more.

[floranotfauna]

I see. Well, thankfully Tachibana is going, so I trust he'll gather anything found the correct way.

[sanada_g]

I'm not going to kill the plants...

[floranotfauna]

You're in engineering, right? Forgive me, but I'm not exactly confident in your specimen-gathering abilities.

[sanada_g]

It's a plant that lives in a desert with sandworms. How hard can it be to keep it alive for a few days?

[floranotfauna]

Are you fucking kidding me? I was not aware you were so knowledgeable about the planet and how its flora survives. I shall leave in your capable hands.

(ooc: strikes deleted)

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

The second expedition is primarily focused on collection water samples and mapping. However, please send me instructions on how to collect flora samples and I'll give it a read.

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I'll forward the set I used for my desert study. Please let me know if you have any issues. There are specimen containment items in the agricultural department if needed.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you, Dr Yukimura. I'll talk to Sanada about it as well. If you can bring the necessary items down to engineering before we leave, I'll make sure both expedition vehicles have them.

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

Of course. How much room do you have? I don't wish to overload either vehicle.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

Assume we collect a sample a day. How much room would that take up?

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

Depends on the size of the sample, but if each group collects one, that's 28 samples in total. The bags won't take up that much room; it's the vessels that will be tricky. They'll take more room on the way back than the way there.

Let's stick to the bags for this mission. I'll bring three sizes which total the size of a deluxe towel roll. See you shortly.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

Can you bring down a vessel as well? I'll see what I can do last minute, but otherwise it'll give me something to think about for next time there's an expedition and how we can store them.

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I'll bring one of each size vessel as well.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

Oh no I have to duck out really quickly to check things. Can you just give them to Sanada and tell them they're for me from Yukimura?

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I'll put them in engineering with a note for whenever you return.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

There's not a lot of safe spaces to put things right now. Can you give them to Sanada, he's the only one in there I actually trust not to mess up my office.

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I don't exactly trust him with the vessels. How about I just wait for you?

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

You lack of faith in him is remarkable.

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I'm sure the feeling is mutual on his behalf.

Uion☆

[(Anonymous)]

Do you know how to play go, Dr Yukimura?

Re: Uion☆

[floranotfauna]

I do not.

[wildlionchef]

If we find anything, I'll make sure it's preserved the best I can. I'm hoping our expedition will bring back something useful.

[floranotfauna]

Much appreciated, Tachibana. I'll save some of the best tomatoes for you.

[wildlionchef]

That sounds amazing. I can can some, or make sauce. Thank you, Dr. Yukimura.

[floranotfauna]

They'll be cherry tomatoes, if that's alright? I wanted to test the environment first before trying anything larger, like a beefsteak or heirloom.

[wildlionchef]

That's fine, I know a recipe for a cherry tomato sauce that the kids I used to work with really liked.

[floranotfauna]

Do we have the necessary ingredients for pasta (not algae pasta)? That might be a wonderful welcome-back-from-the-mission meal the cooks could make.

[wildlionchef]

I requisitioned some, so I'm hoping it'll be here by the time I get back.

[byodoin]

It'll be nice to have some real food around here.

[floranotfauna]

Agreed. Hopefully, we're able to get the tea saplings I requested, otherwise, we'd have to wait 3 years for a decent harvest.

[byodoin]

Yeah, I'd rather not wait that long if it can be avoided.

It's too bad it takes so long to get shit out here.

[floranotfauna]

Sacrifices must be made occasionally. We'll probably have to make due with deliveries of loose tea or tea bags until we can propagate the seeds/saplings.

[byodoin]

Luckily I have a pretty good stock of tea right now. I came prepared.

[floranotfauna]

As did I. I only wish I'd thought about bringing tea starters. Alas.

[akutagawa_j]

I didn't know tomatoes had flowers! :o

[floranotfauna]

They do! Usually a small yellow one, like in this image.

[akutagawa_j]

Awe, that's cute! Kinda mopey looking though!

[floranotfauna]

Flowers take a bit to wake up in the mornings. Usually by mid-day they're in full bloom.

[akutagawa_j]

Well I like flowers! They're cheerful!