Posted April 22, 2021, 7:18 p.m. by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Lieutenant Commander Roman Alden (Science Chief, First Officer) in Yeoman - Always Up Early
(snip)
“We’ll see if she stays there,” Roman said. The chinzilla was soon done and exited the den once more to check on the baby chinzillas. Chinzillitas, if one would. If Rand were to peer into the stump, she would see the mutilated remains of the mouse’s carcass, with little left save for bloodied, crushed bones, and a few of the innards the chinzilla apparently hadn’t been interested in eating. The chinzilla began to carry the babies, one by one, into the little stump den, settling them into it and curling into the back side of the den.
Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO
Rand noticed the mess, “At least the snake doesn’t leave left overs.” She watched as the mother carried the chinzillitas into the den and she smiled. “She seems to prefer it to being in the open.” Rand added notes to the PaDD, “So how exactly do you plan to clean that cage, or will she eat what’s left later?” She watched and the babies still seemed very young, blind and hairless. “How long did you have her before she had the babies? Do you think they can all live together after being weened or will they need their own habitats?”
“With cut, or in this case bite, resistant gloves, a spare container for her, and a very quick hand,” Roman replied. His first time trying to move the chinzilla for a cage cleaning, he’d received a nasty bite that required a short visit with Medical. “I’ve had her about four months before she had the babies, and I wasn’t aware she was pregnant until just before she went into labor. I will be watching them closely, but from their aggressive nature, compared to Earth animals, I feel fairly sure they’ll need to be separated or they’ll start fighting.” It wasn’t one of his favorite animals, though he had to admit she was cute from a distance.
“If she’s that aggressive, I am curious to know what she is prey to. I can’t imagine it is something I would want to see other than on a data tape.”
Her gaze turned back to the martin like rodent from earlier, it was sniffing around now, maybe it knew it was feeding time. “Is that one dangerous?” Rand couldn’t help it, it looked so much like a miniature version of a pet from home. She knew better than to get attached, these were lab animals, but she was still very curious about it.
Yeoman Rand“Not at all, that’s probably one of the tamest animals here. Not too different from rodents on Earth, he eats seeds and small berries. He’s a little scared of me, but he’s a hider, not a biter.” Roman explained about the little rodent. “Interestingly, I’ve had him scanned, and on the scans of his body, there’s an organ we can’t identify, which I’m unsure of its purpose,” he said. When the rodent eventually died of old age, he’d want to autopsy it and get a better look. But he wasn’t willing to kill it just for that.
~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO
She wondered if Alden rhymed on purpose. He was not nearly as stoic and taciturn as scuttlebutt said. His personnel report indicated as such of course, but Rand had not expected to be one of those people to see it. She went back to the closet and collected a bag of seeds and a bag of what looked like an assortment of small berries. “Maybe it is no longer necessary? Or outside of it’s native planet it doesn’t need it?” She handed the bags to Alden and then noted down several notes. “Does this one have a name?” She was meaning species but could have also meant a personal name.
Yeoman Rand“Atariva Mouse,” he said. He assumed species name, because the only one he had actually named was Mushu. Both of Rand’s ideas, Roman had considered, but even after noninvasive testing, he had been unable to tell which it was. Or if it did something entirely unexpected. “He’s tame enough you can play with him if you like. As long as you don’t lose him.” He said. She seemed fond of him, and the rodent always seemed bored. It seemed like a good deal for both of them.
~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO
“Maybe, eventually. But if he’s scared of you someone totally new would be terrifying.” She opened the lid carefully and then took some of the berries and placed them down like a trail so it moved closer to her hand but she maintained a several inch distance. She didn’t know if it identified by smell like Earth animals but she wanted him to get used to her scent before she tried to touch it. After several minutes she finally got it to come over and take a berry that was right next to her finger. It sniffed her, the whiskers tickling her hand and she flinched making the poor thing run and hide. She removed her hand and closed the lid. She leaned down to look at where it had hidden. “Tha e ceart gu leòr. cha robh mi airson tòiseachadh ort, fear beag.” She turned around smiling. “Anyone else to feed. Does Wyvern or Chinzilla need another mouse?”
Yeoman RandRoman watched her interact with it, intrigued. “I think if you work with him, he’d become more friendly.” The Atariva mouse could have potential as a pet if it could be tamed like one. “Both could use another. I only fed them each one to show you how it’s done,” he replied.
~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO
“I’d be happy to if I won’t be in the way. Could he be a pack animal? If he is that might explain his behavior. I took an animal husbandry course in highschool and I remember the professor saying that some animals needed a pack or a heard. On their own they would become depressed and lethargic. Often acting as if they were much older than they actually were.” She had no idea if it applied but Alden said not to be hesitant to ask or observe. She moved back to the cabinet grabbing two dead mice this time. She was curious to see how the animals reacting to a no challenging meal. The Chinzilla was easy. It was still in the den and she dropped it outside the entrance and quickly closed the lid. The snake on the other hand was already watching her. She got the impression that it was sizing her up instead of the mouse. It didn’t move but its eyes followed her. She went over to the tank picking the side farthest from its head but it uncurled and before she could open the lid it was under neath, jaw already open and, to Rand anyway it looked like it was ready to lunge at her. She positioned herself like she’d watched Alden feed the snake. She unlicked the lid and at the click, before she had the lip up the snake lunged at the lid. Rand let out a surprised but quiet yelp and pushed the lid hard to lock it and backed up, all in a very quick second. “Nope. Sorry Cmdr. I’m not brave enough to feed that one.”
Yeoman Rand
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