Posted by Cadet Catt Beñnet (Scientist) in Mess Hall - Open Thread

Posted by Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist) in Mess Hall - Open Thread

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Mess Hall - Open Thread
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

[snip]

Not wanting to appear rude for the effort the Caitan had made, Starr took the seat at the table freed by Catt. “Thanks… um… Sorry, I don’t think we’ve become acquainted yet” he said as he noted the kind gesture.

“So, how is everyone?” he asked, out of the cadets currently here, he knew he had been here for a couple of weeks longer than both of them. He had seen them around but not had an opportunity to introduce himself. “Oh, I’m Starr by the way” he said, addressing Bowman and Bennet simultaneously. He looked towards the XO and Counselor. “Sir, sir” he said with a nod towards each one out of respect. “So, your both science cadets” he said, motioning to the cadets’ uniforms as he said so. “A pleasure to meet you both” he said in a distinct southern British accent, and while waiting for someone else to speak, to a bite out of his chicken.

• Cadet Simon Starr, Security

Rhese finished the bite of salmon he’d been chewing as Starr spoke, and only then noticed the Sciences insignia on cadet Bennet’s uniform. His eyes widened with delight. “Oh, we’ll be working together, Bennet!” Rhese said – and though he’d probably done so somewhat louder than the Caitian would have liked, it still hadn’t been overly loud or boisterous, by human standards. He couldn’t help his enthusiasm, though. It’d be an amazing opportunity to learn more about her people – “IF she feels comfortable talking about it,” Bowman interjected to himself. He certainly would not press the issue. He turned his gaze, then, to Starr. “I’m Rhese Bowman, good to meet you.” He liked Starr’s accent, too, though still found Korczak’s more… intriguing. “I’m doing great; just got myself settled in today,” Bowman added, in response to Starr’s first query. Rhese then turned his attention back to his plate for a moment, and decided to sample the replicated vegetable medley by taking a bite.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

Catt tilted her head and looked at Cadet Starr. “Pleased to meet you Starr. I am Catt. Well it’s what I am called by those who can not pronounce my name. The danger of being adopted by a human five year old as a friend. Undignified but it fits me.”, she replied with a smile. She was fairly sure she had properly matched the informality of the introduction . There was no need of a modifier for rank or position. And she sneezed as she realised she was over thinking what humans called a simple hello. It would of signaled another Caitan that she was amused or tence. In this case a bit of both she mused.

Cadet. Catt Bennet. Sciences. USS Challenger.

“Nice to meet you Cadet,” Max said towards Starr. “We were just discussing our thoughts on replicator food. Mr. Bowman here was telling us about this cafe he had found back at the Academy that was able to turn out a pretty decent dish.”

Max pushed his own tray away from him, the one downside of being stationed on a ship, instead of on a starbase or planet. You just didn’t get as much fresh food. Not to mention something seemed off about that replicator today.

As he looked around the table he was happy to see the cadets freely talking. It seemed like half the time you got a table of junior officers who clammed up whenever a senior officer joined them.

Cmdr. Harkness - XO

Seeing the conversation continue, Korczak nonchalantly opened the insulated bag before him. Almost immediately, the aroma of fresh cooked potatoes, fruit, sausages, cabbage, and fish wafted across the table and drew more than one look form the tables around them. Equally nonchalantly, the always reserved and oft forgotten Counselor began removing small covered plates, the contents hidden in the steam inside the transparent lids. Opening one, a small cloud of steam issued forth to reveal a selection of small round pastries bulging with stuffings of various ingredients. Without looking up or paying attention to the looks, he sat out six plates and arranged them in a half-circle before him. Pointing from one to the next, he said “Potato. Sauerkraut. Salmon. Sausage. Cheese. Apple and sour cream. Perogis. Made by my mother.” and he then looked up, the small smile still present. “Replicators are near the recycler for a reason… the quality is similar. Please, everyone. Enjoy. There is much to much for me to eat alone, and they do not keep.” he said, his odd accent giving a strange but not unfriendly sound to the words.

Korczak, CNS

Rhese’s curiosity was definitely piqued now, and his nose could not help but be drawn straight to the salmon which Korczak had just revealed. “Wha.. what kind of salmon is that, if I may ask, sir?” Bowman asked, his mouth already virtually drooling. It certainly smelled wonderful! Rhese couldn’t help but be taken back to the kitchen at home – once more today – in his mind, as this was a very familiar and reminiscent scent. Bowman wondered if perhaps Korczak had only known to bring the salmon specifically because of his mentioning it earlier in the day during his psychological exam, or if it was just a delightful cosmic coincidence of some kind. “Thank you, Commander Korczak! This is very kind of you,” Bowman said, before helping himself to a sample of the salmon, a small piece of cheese, and a slice of apple.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

Catt turned her attention to the other science Cadet and cocked her head.

“Exobotany, horticulture and Soil geology. I have been working on cleaning toxins and pollutants from variable soils as a focus. We terraform extensively when setting up our colonies. But by accident or the realities of life. We also degrade and render the land unable to sustain life. Particularly in the beginning of a colony the small acreage available will be over used. Livestock also requires acreage so the system of rotating crops and livestock isn’t always viable. Resupply from off world for colonies focused on tasks other than agrarian living isn’t always dependable. But I am being impolite. I’m sure most of those here aren’t interested in dirt farming and the delicacies of micro agriculture environments.”, she said softly then took another bite of her replicated meal.

Bowman was beside himself with joy, and he made no attempt to hide it. “Outstanding!” he said softly – while clearly excited, he still did not wish to speak too loudly for either his Caitian coworker or for T’Kam. “I’m also a botanist! I’ve been wanting to work towards creating some new hybrid plant types that would be well suited for terraforming and colonization projects,” he continued excitedly. “It sounds like we could work together on our projects, if you’d like. It sounds as if they’re following along the same kind of path,” Rhese concluded, his face wearing a giant grin.

She could smell the real food the councilor produced. She very nearly broke into tears looking at it. She of course felt she was on fragile ground with the councilor. How could she explain that she couldn’t digest what he was offering. To refuse would imply an unwillingness to trust him that did not exist. Why was it her every interaction with the councilor was tainted by her experiences on Mc Henry’s colony. She couldn’t bring herself to be impolite. To potentially insult the councilor. It just wasn’t done by a proper Caitan. But there was that voice in the back of her mind again. Your not a Caitan by Caitan standards. So she did what was required of her. She hid her distress. She allowed portions to be served to her. She smiled and nodded to the conversation around her.
She interlaced bites of the Councilors offering with the medicated meal the replicator had provided. And she turned to the councilor and whispered.

“That is most kind of you to share sir.” ,

Cadet. Catt Bennet. Sciences. USS Challenger.

Rhese was still smiling from ear to ear since his discovery that Catt and he were focused on such similar projects. He took another bite of the salmon that Korczak had shared; it tasted wonderful! It almost even seemed better than the first bite, if that were even possible. “Commander Korczak, this salmon is exquisite!” Rhese said between bites, continuing to savor it as he thought about how fortunate he was to be here, at this moment. Just then, Rhese realized that he had not placed a drink order at the replicator earlier. Not wishing to rush the experience of the latest bite of salmon, he chewed normally, instead of hurriedly – which would have been his normal response in such a circumstance. Finally finishing the bite, he said: “Whoops, I just realized that I’ve forgotten to get myself a beverage. Could I get anything for anyone else while I’m up?” he inquired, as he stood.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)