"Apples and orange stuff?" Sedna asked him.

"Chlorophyll and rust, then? We get oxygen from both, right?"

Sedna rolled her eyes. Then she said, "Yes, you're right, aren't you. Why not do both? They're both going to happen anyway. So we should encourage them."

"You know what this means though, don't you? No more talk of hauling it with us. We're going to need a farm dome."

Sedna pondered for a moment. "More like a jungle dome, I think. At least to start with. Farm implies management, control. We already have that in the tubes. I'm thinking that for a surface experiment, we should get it started and then let it run wild. See what happens."

"Sure. And all we need is the dome. No need for the farm and apartment structures. Then when the first dome gets overgrown we split it up and transplant to more domes, try different mixes, whatever the first results suggest."

They were both getting excited again at the prospect.

"But no more wild ideas," he added. "If we're going to get a full size dome, we'll need a plan we can sell." 

Sedna agreed. "We'll need an expert consultant for this," she said. "And I know just who to ask."

"Who?"

"Mister Green. Time to call Mom again. She knows how to find him."

This time she put a dream request in the Q. If Mister Green was going to be part of the conversation, that was where they would have to go.

Presently Dema spoke to her in her mind. You want to talk to Mister Green?

Yes. Newt and I have decided we need a surface dome. To experiment with plants and generate oxygen. We need a good consultant to help us sell the plan. I think Mister Green is our guy.

A surface dome? Don't your tube farms give you all the oxygen you need?

Sure. They're the miracle that lets us live here. But it's a closed system, like living in a space ship that can't go anywhere. You can imagine what it's like to never physically leave home, always having to use a drone if you want to go out. 

Sedna knew what Dema's response would be, so she quickly added, Don't even think it. I did the Earth Dream with my drone, and almost never really left Coon Island. That was by choice. Here it's not a choice. It's a physical reality. I'm convinced we need to change that. But we'll need to convince the Walden Project guys. 

And you think our Green Man can help you do that. I get it. I really do. Lets go find him.

So they did. Dema went deeper into her Q dream, and Sedna followed. When they found Mister Green it wasn't clear where he was. Or if he was really anywhere. That didn't matter. He greeted them.

You want to grow a forest on Mars? Inside a dome? And you want my help? You people are amazing. In the old days local farmers who knew of me used to think that I was something special. Maybe I was, but you are the true miracle workers. A short while ago all I knew, all I thought was available to me, were my fields and forests. You've offered me the moon. And now you want my help on Mars? Of course I'll give you all the help I can. How could I not?"

Oh Mister Green! Sedna replied. That's wonderful.

Now how I can help?

Before I get into that, can I go get Newt?

Is he on Mars?

Yes he is.

Mind if I join you there?

Not at all!

Then please lead the way.

Dema said, Looks like you two are running with this. I'll sign off then. And she was gone. 

Sedna returned to Mars, and brought Newt into the dream. She said, Newt, this is Mr. Green. He's going to help with the dome plan.

Mister Green? Wow! I've heard so much about you.

And I hear you've been instrumental in bringing some of Sedna's dreams into reality. This forest dream is another one of those. 

Forest dream. Sedna echoed. My mother spoke of a forest dream she'd had on Earth. She met a forest spirit there. Possibly one like yourself. 

Quite possibly. There are many of us, as there are many forests on Earth.

Sedna replied, It's our hope that there can be many forests on Mars as well. First under domes, pumped full of Martian air and shielded from the distant Sun's potent fury. Then perhaps in the open, if they can create a more friendly atmosphere, as they did on Earth long ago.

Long ago, yes. But they retain that ability.

This is where our questions start. There are so many plants. Which ones will be best for our conditions?

Any of them. All of them. All plants will give you free oxygen, from the carbon dioxide in the air and from the iron oxide in the ground. Some are more suitable for a harsh climate, or poor soil. Yours will be contained in a dome, and protected from the solar fury. 

For a moment he paused, assessing their surroundings. But the soil here has long suffered from that fury, and is nearly barren except for the iron oxide. It would be best to start with the earliest forms, fungi, lichens, mosses, as well as bacteria that can help make the soil suitable for more complex plant life. 

He paused again. The soil in your tube farms has a rich complement of exactly what this soil needs. A little of that could make a start. 

And then? 

Plants of the tundra, that need little soil to survive, like arctic willow . Then hardy trees that need only shallow roots. Aspen and birch grow quickly and do well at high altitudes.

Wonderful!  I'll fly my drone to Earth and bring back a small dome. When we've shown what that can do I'll ask the Walden people for a big one.