ANTHRO XX

With the discovery of this specimen better known as broccoli, and its health benefits and ability to reduce radiation sickness symptoms, word travelled fast throughout the colonies. For not long after we collected and documented the specimen, we received a holographic message from the captain of the Agro-Tech requesting all the data we had on it.

“So much for telling them about it,” I joked after reviewing the message, “seems like they’re one step ahead”.
Indeed, the Agro-Tech could cultivate the vegetable and supply the colonies with a plentiful supply, but there was more to the plant than merely its edible qualities. The molecular structure of this strain was intriguing, to be able to survive in such harsh conditions as on Earth after the nuclear wars was an act of god, but more could be benefited by further research and experimentation aboard ANTHRO.

We specialized in Biological and Medical Research and Engineering, certainly the discovery of this new strain of vegetable and its properties could lead to new opportunities!

“So, they expect us to just, hand it over? As if this specimen is out of our jurisdiction?” I pondered to Abigale who began to place the subject in a sealed container for transport.

“We have concluded our research on it, there’s nothing more to be gained here with it in our possession; the Agro-Tech is specialized in this sort of thing, they could make better use of it than we can…for the colony”. Abigale finalized

“What if...there’s more?” I suggested

“…More? Like what?”

“Look this plant survived harsh conditions non-typical of its germination, development and survival…back on Earth, Broccoli prospered in cooler temperatures, temperate climates and with the absence of a radio-isotope rich environment…clearly, this is a newly developed or rare strain, or perhaps it could be a natural selection or adaptation!” I proposed.

The arctic fox stood there in silence, looking at me with a gleam in her sparkly blue eyes. Her head was slightly tilted every so cutely with her pointed ears twitching at my words, I knew her mind was working.

“This could be an opportunity for us to discover and develop a further advanced genome of vegetables; this one survived the intense heat, what if we could develop one that could survive the extreme cold?” I pondered pointing to the monitor which Prora AE was displayed.

“It prospered in a radiation-rich environment, what if we could engineer a new variety that could prosper in the ammonia rich one back home?”

Abigale blinked, and a smile crept on her lips, I knew I had gotten her attention. And with that, I continued, “All plants and living beings on earth had a natural cycle; the ecosystem upon earth worked in collaboration, every single organism had a specific role and they all collaborated. One organisms’ by-product was another’s benefit, this plant here…” I pointed to the secured container, “produced oxygen…a compound we breathe, and guess what? It photosynthesized its energy from Carbon-Dioxide, the by-product of a living organism like us…”

“…I have seen the scholarly documentation of earth mention plants and their role in the environment and impact, Ray. But understand we can’t solely rely on just Broccoli to completely change the global atmosphere of Prora-AE, it's unfathomable how many we would have to mass produce and cultivate there to even make a small difference…but still, I understand your logic and where you’re coming from…it would be a grand leap for sure in our mission.” She said flatly.

“You’re missing my original point,” I returned the flat tone, “Clearly this single sample of broccoli survived and adapted to the harsh conditions, whose to say other plants haven’t as well? You’re right, we can’t rely solely on broccoli, but there’s the potential that other plants here on earth have survived, and we could do the same to them; research, engineer and cultivate them on Prora-AE, establishing the planet’s very first ecosystem!” I cheerfully said

“Over years they would consume the ammonia in the environment and replace it with life-sustaining oxygen so that we don’t need to wear a damn insulated hazmat suit just to survive!” I tugged at the carbon-fibre suit with my gloved paw.

“But don’t plants also need water to survive? A compound that on Prora AE freezes as hard as a rock?” She bolstered.

“Why can’t we bioengineer them so say, survive on liquid ammonia? If we can develop them to utilize ammonia gas, why can’t we figure out a way for them to utilize liquid ammonia? Hell, we have ammonia rain and an entire frigging OCEAN! You can’t tell me it’s implausible with all the advancements your colonies have had over the past three centuries!” I boldly stated.

She stifled a giggle before shaking her head, “It is certainly plausible…but the issue lies in the chain of command…the CAPTAIN of the Agro-Tech ordered we hand it over…this is above our heads, Ray…”

“We are under command of Captain Matticus, the captain aboard the ANTHRO – our ship! We are his crew, and his alone; our orders are to be issued by him, not the captain of another ship!” I protested.

“You don’t understand, we are in collaboration with all these ships under the unison authority of the EPTC, their captain’s orders are just as pertinent as the captain of our own; WE have no authority here!” she sternly stated back.

“Then I will go above THEIR heads – the captains’! Who’s the chair of the EPTC?”

“What?! You would risk your career over a simple plant?” She said shocked.

“Yes, you brought me into this for a reason – for my expertise on life on earth, as well as my fiery passion for terraforming our home into what Earth used to be! This is a great opportunity and chance for me to do so, to earn my worth, and I will do any means necessary to prove it! I believe this plant holds more value and potential than just simply as a ‘plant’ or ‘vegetable’ or its edible use – it is the key to unlocking our future!” I snarled.

I watched as her ears folded back, and eyes opened wide in submission, the look on her face was heartbreaking, but I knew this was the right thing to do, I could feel it! My aggression and attitude were a direct reflection of what I had become, an apex predator, that she could sense.

“so…you’re going to Captain Matticus, then?” she said lowly, worried.

“No…higher! Who’s the highest in command in the EPTC, Hmm? I request an audience with them!”

Abigale sighed, looking to the floor before looking back at me and placing a paw on my shoulder, “You can’t just see the chair of the EPTC, Ray…you must go up the chain of command…and that means through our Captain…Matticus…”

“The EPTC is just like a corporation – it’s not military; I can go above their heads, I will find out who is in charge and send a message directly, convince them of this issue and request that the plant remains in the possession of the ANTHRO until our research is complete and we feel we are ready to hand it over…” I said outright. “We can’t be forced to just give up something that may hold a positive impact on our goal just because someone of authority requests it!” I did my best to stay calm and collective, not let emotion or my passion hurt her feelings or make her fearful again.

“Please tell me…whom must I speak to? Who must I bring this issue to? Who’s in command in the EPTC?”
She was hesitant, I could tell that much. Fidgeting and rubbing the container concealing the specimen with her fingers. She looked at it with a sorrowful look, not knowing what to do or say. She looked back at Xavier for some sort of answer. The racoon, who looked from his computer completely silent at the two of us discussing the issue, had a blank expression on his face – he didn’t want to be in the middle of it.

“Abigale…” I said softly, reaching with my own paws to caress hers and the container held between. It was with a solemn sigh that she reluctantly gave my answer, with a blink and gentle nod she stared back into my eyes; those sapphire orbs once again dancing with brightness in the iridescent glow of the lab lights.

“Darius…” she spoke softly, “Chief Executive…Darius”.

I could feel the grip of her paws on the container loosen as if she was willingly giving it to me, trusting me in its care. A name was all she could give me, but it was enough, after-all this solo bold move was something I felt I needed to do, and should I fail, and be terminated in my involvement with the EPTC, I would not want to drag her down with me.

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Here's my submission for the  Thursday_Prompt for this week prompt. This story was inspired by the single word provided by the prompt: Chief.

took me a little while to decide the direction I wanted to go and work the word in but I figured something out ^^ Something that adds to the plot of the story and furthers it as well as applying the rank.

Hope you all enjoy this story, and I would like to sincerely thank you all who have been following along in this adventure! I truly enjoy writing this story and moving it along! It's great fun and I enjoy it every step of the way!

Until next time I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend