In The Woods

There is a war going on in the woods… a war of survival… a war of dominance… a war to control limited resources.

There is only so much ground space to go around, only so much open air to allow the needed sunlight to reach the receptors.  Everyone stretches out exploratory units, competing for the best position.

“Sergeant.  How is production?  Are we getting enough UV?”

“The numbers are looking good overall, sir.  Nitrogen is registering slightly below normal.”

“Hmmm…  Send word to base command that we are seeing a drop in nitrogen and ask them to verify.”

“Yes, sir.”

Everyone turns back to their monitors while the commander continues making his way through the production control room gathering reports from various stations.  One of many control rooms located in this section, it is the one furthest from the roots and more susceptible to delivery fluctuations.

Outside the control room are scouts returning from the very ends of the new growth.  One of them, a young, newly formed recruit enters the room and snaps to attention in front of the commander.

“Reporting from sector 12AC.”

The Commander studies the young recruit standing there for a moment before responding.

“Sector 12AC, you say?”  The Commander asks as he checks the map on the wall.

“Yes, sir.”

“What is the situation out there?”

“We have stabilized our position along one of the opposing forces upper limbs and new growth is unfurling in the sunlight.  We expect to be providing UV and CO2 anytime now.”

“Any sign of resistance?”

“Not at this time, sir.”

“Very good.  Get yourself some nourishment before heading back to your unit.”

“Yes, sir.”  The young recruit says, saluting the commander before turning to leave.  The recruit’s unit has been struggling for days to extend their reach, to gain ground in the battle for survival and a short break from the action is welcomed.

Wild grape vines have reached the top of the invading plant and unfurling broad leaves they drape over the upper branches covering the thorny shrub in an effort to win the competition for sunlight, to soak up the energy needed to produce purple clusters of fruit and to restrict the growth of their mortal enemy, Buckthorn.