Hannibal

Rumours spread through the ship like fire, but at least this one was true. They'd taken on an alien no one had ever encountered before. They said she was shy, a few said she might be dangerous, but the most prevalent rumour was the food. The galley, cantina, and various stations to get a meal were all serving the most amazingly fresh and ripe and exotic plant matter. Genuine, real food, unreplicated.

Ivy was happy among the plants. The other gardeners were friendly, but she still prefered the plants. It amazed her know one else could hear their songs and stories. No one could feel what they felt. No one could control them and meet no protest.

She heard the door whisper open and peeked out from behind a gorlax bush in full bloom with hundreds of timy white flowers on it.

"Can I help you?" she asked the stranger. She sounded a bit wary, and even more protective.