A Checkout In The Woods

Posted on Wed Oct 6th, 2021 @ 7:11am by Lieutenant JG Stan More & Major Hailey Weston

Mission: Recovery
Location: The Arboretum

Hailey stepped through the big double doors to the arboretum and took a quick glance around. She'd finally gotten a chance to look over the personnel files of the newer crew to arrive, the Wellington was a large vessel and got a lot of crew reassigned here and there. The file for Lieutenant More was... A bit interesting. Nothing that truly screamed for attention, but the whole situation on the Komorkis had caught her attention and well, it never hurt to check someone out in person. It seemed like he was spending a significant amount of time here, so it was important to him, therefore it could tell her more about him.

She began to wander through the trees and artificial stream, looking around for anything that seemed out of the normal, that could give her some insight to him. She knelt by the pond and dipped a hand in, checking the temperature and nodding that it wasn't too cold or too hot, it was rather nice. A quick wipe on her pants to dry it and she brushed the dirt from the knee as she stood, continuing her random path through the place.

Finally the koi pond was completed. In the end it had been decided to leave the fountain and waterfall out. So they were using natural means to keep the algae away. After looking at the pond for a while. Stan felt maybe they should leave it as it was? But he would need to keep an eye on the water. If it started to turn green. Then the fountain or waterfall would have to be added.

Stan walked away towards a clump of newly planted rose bushes. He checked the soil for nutrients and was pleased with his findings. More noticed someone by the pond. They seemed to be paying it a lot of interest. She even put her hand in the water. Smiling his best smile he walked over to them.

“I see you were admiring the koi pond. It’s still settling down so please don’t put your hand in the water again. It upsets the balance. Sorry.” More said.

Hailey's eyes snapped to him in basically what was automatic threat search reaction, but the smile that was on her face belied that reaction, "No, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it could be harmful." She moved towards him, "Curiosity killed the cat, but sometimes it hurts others more than their own self and they just don't realize it. I don't believe we've met? Hailey Weston." She extended a hand to him.

Being a Scotsman born and bread. Stan knew the verious english accents. He recognised the London accent.

He took her hand and gave it a shake.

"Stan More. Sorry it's just the pond has just been set up. Give it a day or two and it should be ok to do that. Your accent London?" He asked.

"Aye, it is." Hailey confirmed, "Grew up in the heart of London, up until I enlisted." What she did while growing up, she didn't say Only a handful of people knew and it tended to take years for them to find out, "And while you were born in London, you're Scottish, Edinburgh accent primarily." She chuckled, "I wouldn't be able to tell, but I did my research into you, I do it for everyone, really, just so I have an idea about them."

A warning light began flashing at the back of Stan’s head. The Major had looked into his file. If that was so she would have read all the other interesting facts about him. Especially what had happened on the Komorkis.

“ Yes I was indeed born in London. But returned to Scotland a month later. Grew up in Edinburgh so technically I am a Scot born and bred. I suppose you saw the report on what happened on the Komorkis. I can assure you Major 100% that I am fully cured now. You have no real need to be concerned.” More said

"Did I say I was concerned?" Hailey asked, not denying that she had been, just that she'd stated that she'd not asked, "I'm not a psychologist in any case, just a medical professional that specializes in trauma medicine. I was a Marine Raider medic, so I got a fair spot of experience in it all. I'm fully licensed to cut you open and weld you shut again, and have done battlefield surgeries before, but not a shrink."

Stan nodded.

“Sorry Major. It’s just I get worried sometimes my past may still effect my future. How do you like the Arboretum?” Stan asked trying to change the subject.

"It looks like it's going to be a peaceful place to visit." Hailey remarked, "Always good to have a place to clear the mind after an op of any sort, even just training. Many of us have bad memories of jungles and woods and the sort, but not all of us."

Stan looked around him.

“ That is why we created this place. Somewhere for the crew to wonder through and forget their worries for a wee while. I hope your not thinking of using this place for training purposes. This plants are far to delicate to have marines stomping their size 12 boots around.” He said.

"Didn't even cross my mind, and size 9 in my case." Hailey shrugged, "Holodecks give us a larger area to work with anyways and can simulate a far more varied set of ground conditions to work with." She smiled at him.

Stan felt relieved.

“ Well if you want help with a good holodeck training program. I know a few you may be interested in. There is a rather good Ben Lomand program set on a typical summers day in the highlands. Strong bracing winds and plenty of wet drizzle. Plus a rough crossing over the Loch. After falling in the water and having the extra weight pulling at you. A good steep climb over slippery rocks. Why it gives me a hearty appetite just thing of it.” He said.

Hailey snorted and then just started to laugh, then raised her hands to indicate that it wasn't meant with any offense, "I'll have to take the troops through it, for some fun." She agreed, "I'll admit, that's a bit rougher than we're used to, but it's not something that would bother me too much. Actually could be refreshing in some ways. Train harder than the actual fights, they say."

Stan smiled as he tapped a tree trunk.

“ Hmm....may need to check nutrient feed for this tree........sorry. I could program in some highlanders. My ancestors used to run rampant across the highlands. Picking fights with the other clans. Why I could tell you a tale of Angus McTaggard or the red monster as the English called him. That would make even the sturdiest marine feel sick in the stomach.” Stan said

Hailey smiled amusedly as her head cocked to one side a few degrees, “I’ve no doubt they’re fearsome, especially if they got into the range of their swords.” She remarked with a chuckle, “And, if I remember right, they’d be good in the bush to get in close, but…” One of her hands flashed behind her back and came out with a pistol nearly as fast as one could blink, it pointed safely away her finger remaining away from the trigger and safety catch, merely to show him the weapon and the speed with which she could being it into action, “I’d still have confidence in my chances, as well as my team’s, even if ambushed properly. And the hunters can also become the hunted.” Her eyes brightened in amusement.

Stan nodded in agreement as he ran a Tricorder over the tree trunk. He took a small sample of tree bark and rubbed it between his fingers. He then took a sniff and shook his head.

“Deffernantly nutrient deficiency might be down to Arboretum operating management computer. Yes but the highlanders faced off against the English guns and cannons ,with nothing but swords and spears. My people have always been the fiercest warriors , during the Second World War. The German forces nicknamed them the devils with skirts. My Grandfather died during the dominion war he took four Jem’Hedar with him. Yes the hunters can become the hunted. But that makes them more deadly a foe.” Stan explained

"Sorry to hear about your grandfather." Hailey said, having made the pistol disappear while he'd been talking, "War does seem to take the good ones before their time." It was a somber moment, memories of some of her closest friends falling in combat flickering through her mind, "But, that's why raising a glass to remember them by is ever an important thing."

Stan remembered every anniversary of his grandfathers passing.

“Oh yes. My grandmother would always toast a wee dram.......sorry small glass of her very strong fruit punch. On the day of his passing. She still does to this day. Lieutenant Commander Butch McTaggard. You know I still don’t know his real name. People always called him Butch. Even his Starfleet record does not reveal his real name.” Stan said.

"Oh, I know what a dram is." Hailey smiled softly, "And you might be surprised what I might be able to find out, if you'd want me to try." She shrugged slightly, "I know some people who know people who have access to all sorts of information. Call it part of my job in that regard."

Stan rubbed his hands on some plant leaves.

“Moisture content seems ok. To be honest I think I would rather not know. My family can be very superstitious even in this day and age. With me on the other side of the galaxy so to speak. The McTaggards and Mores would be waving their hands screaming doom.” He explained

"Fair enough," Hailey raised her hands to let him know that she'd be hands off about it all, "This is definitely a nice, calming place you've got here, Stan, you might find me here occasionally... Would you object to me taking just a morning jog through here every so often? Just to have the fresh smell of well.. Everything while I get a bit of exercise in the morning?"

Stan nodded.

“That’s ok. Just be a little careful around those oak trees over there. The undergrowth is a little tangled and it’s easy to trip and sprain an ankle.” He explained.

"Will do, Stan. I need to get going, however, so keep it safe, keep your eyes open and I'll catch you later." Hailey smiled.

Stan gave Hailey a wave as she left.