STF

Peace Offerings

Posted May 7, 2021, 2:23 p.m. by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Scientist, Medical Researcher) (Jennifer Ward)

Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Solomon Kane (Medical Research & Development) in Peace Offerings

Posted by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Scientist, Medical Researcher) in Peace Offerings

Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Solomon Kane (Medical Research & Development) in Peace Offerings

(snip)

The steaks arrived then and he nodded and said “Oh, and one more please. Just the steak. Cut it up into small pieces, please. Thanks.” and he looked back at Alexis. He squeezed her hand once, held it for a moment, and then let go. “Well, this’ll do the trick.” he said as he looked at their meal.

Kane

She glanced down at Frigga petting her softly. Frigga laid back down seemingly oblivious to the food. When he let go of her hand she pulled it back quickly and focused on the food. She refrained from critiquing it. It looked good and smelled good. She cut the steak, and it of course it was cooked exactly how it was ordered. “Can you tell the difference between replicated food and real food?”
Bonner

“Spend a good part of your life eating scraps and you’ll be lucky to tell the difference between food at all.” and he chuckled. “But yeah, I can. Real food varies every time you have it. Even if its you favorite dish at your favorite restaurant and you eat it all the time. Replicated food always tastes exactly the same. No variation, no deviation… same thing each and every time. Thats why I don’t eat the same thing twice in the same week. Dont know how long I’ll be here, so I dont want to get bored with anything. What about you? Can you tell the difference?”

Kane

“I can. There are variations not just in the way it’s cooked, in the ratio of seasonings, in the way it’s prepped, but fundamentally. When food is grown it absorbs the nutrients created in the soil. And that is basic to all locations, but the percentages and natural composition are subtly different. It affects the texture, flavor, appearance, even scent. The nutritional value changes to based on all that. A replicator provides something that is perfectly composed but lacks that essence of life. It all carries up the chain, making meat, real meat, healthier. I think we’ve lost something being in the stars. We forget that humans are part of the web. We are designed to participate in the process. Ecosystems are altered and changed by our lack of participation and then we try to control those systems artificially and that creates more problems.” She took a bite of the bread chewing slowly. “The bread is real. Surprising though because most people don’t take the time to wait for bread to be made. Too much instant gratification.”
Bonner

With a grin he said “Nothing wrong with a bit of gratification from time to time.” and he went back to his food for a minute. “So of all the places you have been, whats your favorite? And whats your favorite color? And favorite food? And why do you think you spent so long before agreeing to go on a date with me?” and he grinned at the last question.

Kane

Alexis had other questions and comments on the tip of her tongue stopped short by his questions. She smiled slightly, as he turned the tables on her. She was quiet contemplating, eating, but mostly pushing the food around while she thought. “Catia. Catians are a very intriguing species and are curious. They welcome differing opinions and are not easily offended. I had the opportunity to work with their doctors several years ago. A significant part of the population is born with heart defects. But even outside of the hospital the people were curious and informative. The landscape is beautiful and the way they build their cities is unique. Green. The most unhealthy concoction that a doctor should never be caught eating, a Monte Cristo. I love to cook it from scratch. Because I don’t want to be the common denominator again.” The asparagus was real, and for a ship’s kitchen, grilled wonderfully, not burnt and not still raw.
Bonner

Kane paused. The last answer was certainly curious. But he had to push on, so he did. “What do you mean, you don’t want to be the common denominator again? And do you like the hot or cold better… like beach or snow? And have you had any dealings with Deltans? Their cities are amazing, too. And will you make a Monte Cristo for me sometime? And is the food good? And did you know that I hate asking questions of people but somehow I really dig asking you questions… and answering them. Go figure.”

Kane

“I like snow, the cold, better to visit. Probably because I grew up near San Francisco and saw the beach and the heat all the time. But I don’t like being in the cold for more than a few days. Not used to it I guess. I met several Deltans when I did a residency at Star Fleet Medical. I’ve never been to their home world. Yes I’ll make it for you. Dinner is very good. I’m sorry if I asked too many questions.” She’d totally skipped over his first question, on purpose. She didn’t really want to answer it. She was quiet long enough to make him think she wouldn’t answer. When she does speak it’s very soft and though she’s looking at him she’s not quite meeting his gaze. “I ask too many questions, I analyze everything, I respond too late to innuendo, I make connections between topics that people find strange and weird, my mind goes in 10 different directions, I’m paying attention, but to them I don’t appear to be,” and Alexis just shrugs, but it’s a self-judgmental motion. “So there is no second date. When the pattern repeats…” she held her hands palms up in front of her as if to say ‘and there you have it.’
Bonner

Kane looked at her, his green eyes narrowed and his gaze intense as he leaned forward. “But Alexis…” and he paused and reached out and took her hand again…

He surprised her, taking her hand, but it created a pleasant sensation up her arm. Her fingers curled around his and she smiled. She liked the way he said her name, there was no irritation when he said it.

“We already have our second date, right? Observation Deck? Seven o’clock? Night after tomorrow? So that pattern is done. Chuck it in the bin.” and he gave her hand a squeeze. “Besides… I think I’ve done a pretty good job of distracting you. And I’m gonna keep trying.” His eyes stayed locked on her and he kept her hand even as he leaned back. “So what else you want to know?”

Kane

She met his gaze and smiled. “Okay, Solomon. I’ll be there if you are.” It wasn’t a question or a challenge, just confirming his words. For whatever reason she believed he wouldn’t back out. “I think I’d like that.” She paid attention to people, but no one ever distracted her, and she realized he was right. Normally she’d be running computations and scenarios in the back of her head. She hadn’t since he asked her to pay attention to him and let him try. “What’s your favorite food? How did you get away from the syndicate? If you can tell me. Why did you learn Mandarin?”
Bonner


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