“Oh- OH MY GOD! HOW?”

“We were able to send a team outside to construct a emergency dome pretty quickly since the alarms are a good tip off that something went south. Then we brought it up to normal pressure and opened the outer doors of the airlock so the people in the station could get in. It didn't take long to find your plants. One of the men from the recovery team saw something move, and it turned out to be the Oak tree. That is one sturdy tree you bred Ms. Wright. The tree in its current state was beyond repair, but Jay found the bit in your research about the ‘Heart’ of the tree. When the tree heard Jay mention the heart, it seemed to relax, and we took it to mean that it was fine with us taking it out. We followed your instructions about how it worked, where it was connected, and how to get it out as carefully as we could. The operation was a success and now we aren’t at square one.”

“That, that is… is just the best. I, heh, I really owe him now.”

“Actually,” The Chief says with a slight smile. “You ‘really’ owe him two things. We were able to gather information from a reliable source that states you were awake enough to sit up, promptly throw up on young Mr. Bailie, and pass out again.” What the Chief said sinks in a bit, and I can feel the color rising in my face.

“Ah... ahe... ahem. Uh, is he, uh... here right now?” I ask timidly, my voice rising with every word.

“Yes, I’m here.” Jay slides aside the curtain and leans on the wall with a big stain on the front of his jumper.

“I’m soooooooooooooooooooooo sorry about that Jay. I… I just wasn’t myself, and it was a traumatizing situation and,...” I start to ramble off. How do you apologize to someone you threw up on? You never really think about it until it happens. It also doesn’t help that the Chief, the person in charge of the entire station, and your only friend on the said station are trying not to laugh. Eventually, Jay takes pity on me.

“It’s okay Ayana," He finally says. "I know you didn’t mean to do it. Just get some sleep okay?” 

"Okay." I reply, and lean back. I’m out like a light.

A sigh comes one of the three people around the bed.

“Doc, could you give us a moment?” I ask.

“Of course, sir.” She says.

“Do you think she’ll be okay Chief?” Asks Mr. Bailie as the doctor leaves.

“Ms. Wright’s a tough one. I think she can handle it. I think that you finding the ‘Heart’ really helped keep her from losing her marbles.” I lean back. Thoughts running through my head. “That project was probably the most important on this station. I told those bureaucrats not to publicize it so much.” Mr. Bailie scratches his head.

“Yeah, they really went overboard trying to get support from the public,” He says. Pauses in though, then says, "Our work will be delayed until Ayana can make new plants from the heart. That was one lucky discovery that guy made.”

“It really was,” I agree. “Well, I need to go check on the rest of the station, see if those ships are still out there, and brief the men who went out to patrol. See why the couldn't haul their lazy butts in to their cockpits fast enough.” Mr. Bailie snaps to attention as I leave.

“Yessir, see you, sir.”

“At ease Mr. Bailie.”