Valorie couldn’t hide the slight spring in her step as she followed the group headed to the Gardens. Gareth was in the lead. He was quiet unless Dupont or Jovic had a question for him.

An elevator ride led them into the main hall that stretched across the Helianthus. It ended at a set of doors bordered in leafy engravings like the door to the bridge. The doors slid open in opposite directions, revealing the entrance to the Gardens. A pair of large thick glass doors split down the middle, bordered in more layered glass. Behind them, the doors they had passed through slid closed. Fans came on next, blowing in the direction of the glass doors.

The breeze that brushed across her skin felt as if it was pushing her forward. Valorie had not been brave enough to explore the ship alone. This would be her first visit inside. Her heart raced as it had the first time she saw the Gardens from her room. Bright greenery, alive and warm to her senses. It didn’t focus on one spot the way human life did but blanketed the room.

Gareth reached the glass door, and it slid seamlessly into the layered glass around it. Moist air washed over her in a gust that pushed against the fans. It was heavy, filled with scents that tapped memories from long before her time as a fragment. Fresh cut plant life and upturned dirt. She paused to breathe in deep, filling her lungs as she closed her eyes. When she opened them, the others had left her behind. She ran to catch up, half-closed doors jerking back open as she slipped through them.

There was a stone path leading around the Gardens. Patches of different plants lined the path, each boxed off into separate areas. Valorie paused to admire a patch with little blue flowers. The Gardens enveloped her sense of life in warm comfort. The soft sensation put her heart at ease in a way she had not experienced before. The void of life beyond this small pocket felt even emptier. If the Captain allowed her, Valorie hoped she could return and have a closer look. For now, she focused on catching up with Gareth and the inspectors.

Gareth and Dupont had stopped before the tree at the center. Dupont looked around, but he did not seem as uneasy as in the Bio room. Jovic focused on his work. He walked around the tree and along the path, muttering, and poking at his displays.

When Valorie caught up, she saw Sachi and Serge working at the roots. Serge paused to wipe his brow and stare down the intruders. He leaned on his shovel, his jaw clenched, eyes hard. Sachi was bent over one of the larger exposed roots near the base of the tree. She wrapped a green cloth around it and tied it off. Next, she reached for the canister next to her and poured water over the cloth. It expanded into a gelatinous mass that jiggled when she patted it. It gave under her fingertips, but it did not leak. Satisfied, Sachi went to grab another cloth, when she noticed her audience. She looked to Gareth with pursed lips.

“Good evening, Captain. May I be of assistance?” She asked. Her tone was professional – the same one she used to greet passengers on to the Helianthus. Gareth shook his head.

“Unless they have any questions, my goal is to stay out of your way.” He said, before looking to Dupont. “This is my biologist, Sachiko Wywick.” Gareth said. Dupont looked her over and then surveyed the tree.

“Is the dirt meant to be upturned in this manner? It seems haphazard.” Dupont asked.

“I found bacterial damage on one of the raised roots. We needed to find out how far it spread and remove the bad roots.” She said, her eyes narrowed as she spoke. Dupont listened, but there was no understanding in his eyes.

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“That sounds very serious.”

“Yes, we are trying to save him,” Sachi said, glancing at Jovic. He was walking up one side of the tree. She moved to block him. Jovic paused, surprised by her interference. “Please do not disturb him further.” She said.

“Sachi, they need to complete their search,” Gareth said. She backed down, but not without a quick frown in Gareth’s direction. He focused on Jovic instead. “I am sorry. Please, continue.” He said. Jovic glanced at Sachi again before taking a deliberate step passed her. The upturned dirt sank several inches under his foot, and he stumbled forward. With a curse, he caught his footing a moment before falling face-first into the dirt. He turned to glare at Sachi. She met his look with raised eyebrows.

“The packing is still light. We have a lot of work to do.” She explained. He nodded, his jaw tight, and moved back onto the grass. Refocusing on his scans, he started a new route around the tree, avoiding the upturned dirt. Valorie knew the truth, but Sachi’s bacterial excuse seemed plausible, too. Had she planned it out with Gareth beforehand?

“Dupont, did you have anything further?” Gareth asked, redirecting attention. Dupont looked around once more, and his shoulders sagged a little.

“I will defer any more questions until my technician has finished.” He said. Sachi nodded, bowing her head.

“Until then.” She said and returned to wrapping the roots.

They hovered in the Gardens until Jovic was satisfied with his search. He finished his route on the path facing the tree. Staring up into the branches, reflected in the glass dome. He looked down at the displays one more time, maybe hoping for something different to be there. Closing out the screens, he faced his Captain with a salute.

“Captain Dupont. I have finished verifying the anomalies.” He did not waver, but his tone lacked the confidence he started with. “I sent the record for your perusal.” He added. Dupont looked him over, none too pleased.

“I will read it over. See that the others are thorough in their reports. Report if anything is found.” Dupont said. Jovic bowed and began his trek out of the Gardens. On his own, was that a good idea? She glanced at Gareth and found he was looking to Sachi and Serge. Sachi had started working again, but Serge was fiddling with his PD. He looked up from his PD and shared a look with Gareth before Sachi interrupted.

“Enough gawking, we have a long way to go – inspection or not,” Sachi said. Serge straightened, closing out his PD, and grabbing the shovel.

“Right, sorry, Sachi. I’m on it.” He said. The conversation seemed to pass right over Dupont’s head. Although Valorie wasn’t even sure anything important had actually happened. Their banter continued, but Dupont interjected to get Gareth’s attention.

“Next I would like to meet your passenger, Allan Foster,” Dupont said.

“Right this way.” Gareth led the way out of the Gardens. Dupont was looking at his PD as they walked. He did not speak again until the elevator opened on the upper crew quarters.

“Why is there no destination listed for Mr. Foster?” Dupont asked as he followed Gareth into the hall.

“Ah, his case is a bit odd. He is interested in long term travel and is willing to pay the associated fees.” Gareth said.

“How very suspicious.”

“Speculating on his reasons would be rude. He is mild-mannered and keeps to himself. We have not had any issues so far.” Gareth led them down the hall into the guest quarters. Unlike Valorie’s room, Allan’s room faced away from the Gardens, towards the stars outside. Valorie did not remember the passenger until the door slid open, revealing him. The elderly gentleman from the waiting room. He was thin and dressed like he was ready for a business meeting except for a pair of fuzzy slippers. He had a mug with steam rising out of it in one hand, and an open display in the other. He set down the display as he spoke.

“May I help you, gentlemen?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His tone was professional, cold. When she looked deeper, she felt no aggression, only caution. He had been there when Valorie first saw the fugitives in the waiting room at the starport. Valorie felt her heart rate rise.