Ensign Imril - Engineering a Meal Break
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Chris Taylor
Jan 28, 2025, 2:53:56 AM1/28/25
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((Main Engineering, Deck 15 - USS Artemis))
Knzapp: Yeah, I'm just a technician. No real specialty.
Salkath: ::disbelief evident in his voice:: That does not seem likely. You are a commissioned officer that graduated from Starfleet Academy. You must have specialized to complete your training.
Imril and Gazki both looked to the Bolian expectantly. Gazki’s mandibles shuddered in a way that Imril had not yet learned to interpret.
The Bolian stamped his feet and turned a darker shade of turquoise.
Knzapp: Look! My people are commonly service workers! I come from a glorious line of bartenders. I have a great aunt and seventeen cousins who are fantastic waitstaff at prestigious restaurants throughout the quadrant. I wanted a similarly notable service job. I... I thought I was joining Starfleet to be a janitor.
Salkath: ::drolly:: Was that before or after you studied and passed several advanced theoretical and practical engineering classes?
Knzapp: ::sullenly:: I THOUGHT the prerequisites to clean a Starfleet vessel or base were especially intense. By the time I realized what was happening, I was on a cadet cruise.
Gazki: Gazki was made ::pronounced clicking:: very aware ::pronounced clicking ends:: of what to expect from a four-year commitment to Starfleet Academy prior to applying. Both in obligation and reward.
Salkath: Well, I must admit that when Ensign Knzapp can be motivated to contribute, he is an intelligent and skilled engineer. It is the motivation part that is a challenge. Still, if your story is true, Mr Knzapp, then it was a fortuitous four year mistake.
Knzapp: ::affronted:: TRUE?! What are you implying, sir? I would NEVER!
Salkath: We could always consult Dr Sadar for her opinion if you are always completely honest about your numerous trips to sickbay. Especially the visits that see you leave your shift halfway through...
The righteous indignation in the Bolian bled right away.
Knzapp: Yes. Aherm. Well, let's not get off topic, right? Imril, Gazki, weren't you saying you needed help with your projects? We should get started on that! Now!
Imril had to work to keep a smirk off of their face. Gazki looked to be even less than impressed with the Bolian than when the meeting started, though.
Gazki: Perhaps if Knzapp could specialize in sitting and reading? In order to determine the specific fabrication methodology or methods used in constructing the magnetic coils, suspect non-Federation designs must be reviewed and prioritized for further study. The related databases could be perused from a comfortable suite in Medbay, if necessary.
Imril: .oO(Ouch!)Oo.
Imril: Like I said, I have some coding to muddle out before I get to the practical design work. And then I will be looking for specialized help. Specifically, I’ll want to pass my coordination program through someone at Computer Ops for a double-check. Of course, that does have to be put on hold until everyone gets back.
Salkath: Agreed. We are on shore leave. There is no need to feel compelled to work on anything immediately. Please, get out and explore the station, we are on a reduced duty roster so there is plenty of time. Before we adjourn, was there anything else we should discuss?
Gazki: Gazki is not aware of anything else which needs to be spoken of before resumption of regular duty cycles. ::to Salkath:: Gazki appreciates the time Salkath has devoted to clarifying intentions.
No offense was meant by Gazki referring to their superior officer by name without stating his rank as well, Imril had learned. It was just how a Xindi-Insectiod said ‘you’. Not long ago, Gazki had explained why most of their people didn’t use personal pronouns; Insectoids grew up in hatcheries full of dozens to hundreds of young tended to by teams of caretakers. So many younglings crying out “I, I, I, me, me, me!’ at once would only breed confusion, thus they were trained early in firmly distinguishing themselves. And their rapidly-developing minds, while quick to grasp new knowledge, were just as quick to harden into habit. Even where grammar was concerned.
Imril was about to similarly bow out of further discussion, when a sudden inspiration struck.
Imril: ::To Salkath:: This might be a crazy thought, but what about taking your heuristic recipe idea and appling a sort of ‘simulated artistry’ to the process? Would it be possible to program the replicator AI to run through a fast-tracked simulation of the actual cooking process, and calculate the impact on flavor and chemical composition, before producing a food item? I’m thinking something along the lines of a pre-programmed chef, loaded up with all of the personal and cultural databases you mentioned, ‘building’ the meal as a recipe which is then executed as a program. Maybe even using specific tools or surfaces; a steel wok vs a seasoned iron skillet, for example.
Imril: It might take a few extra micro-seconds between ordering a meal and seeing it replicated, but there could be a notable difference in the finished product. And if there were multiple ‘cooks’ that could be swapped out between replications, it could also help solve the problem of replicated food tasting ‘samey’ to most people. Because randomizable factors in texture and such would be introduced that would more easily fool the tongue.
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
Imril: Well, it was just a spur-of-the-moment idea.
Gazki: Gazki strongly prefers real meat in any case. ::Another twitched antenna:: Gazki is hungry for tribbles. Would now be an acceptable time to adjourn?
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
Breaking for a meal was starting to sound pretty good, actually.
Imril: I’ve heard about a place on the station called Burger Nagus. I can’t remember from whom. Is it any good? I don’t think I’ve had any decent Ferengi food since the last time I was on Deep Space Nine.
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
TAG/TBC
-----------------
Ensign Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12
Knzapp: Yeah, I'm just a technician. No real specialty.
Salkath: ::disbelief evident in his voice:: That does not seem likely. You are a commissioned officer that graduated from Starfleet Academy. You must have specialized to complete your training.
Imril and Gazki both looked to the Bolian expectantly. Gazki’s mandibles shuddered in a way that Imril had not yet learned to interpret.
The Bolian stamped his feet and turned a darker shade of turquoise.
Knzapp: Look! My people are commonly service workers! I come from a glorious line of bartenders. I have a great aunt and seventeen cousins who are fantastic waitstaff at prestigious restaurants throughout the quadrant. I wanted a similarly notable service job. I... I thought I was joining Starfleet to be a janitor.
Salkath: ::drolly:: Was that before or after you studied and passed several advanced theoretical and practical engineering classes?
Knzapp: ::sullenly:: I THOUGHT the prerequisites to clean a Starfleet vessel or base were especially intense. By the time I realized what was happening, I was on a cadet cruise.
Gazki: Gazki was made ::pronounced clicking:: very aware ::pronounced clicking ends:: of what to expect from a four-year commitment to Starfleet Academy prior to applying. Both in obligation and reward.
Salkath: Well, I must admit that when Ensign Knzapp can be motivated to contribute, he is an intelligent and skilled engineer. It is the motivation part that is a challenge. Still, if your story is true, Mr Knzapp, then it was a fortuitous four year mistake.
Knzapp: ::affronted:: TRUE?! What are you implying, sir? I would NEVER!
Salkath: We could always consult Dr Sadar for her opinion if you are always completely honest about your numerous trips to sickbay. Especially the visits that see you leave your shift halfway through...
The righteous indignation in the Bolian bled right away.
Knzapp: Yes. Aherm. Well, let's not get off topic, right? Imril, Gazki, weren't you saying you needed help with your projects? We should get started on that! Now!
Imril had to work to keep a smirk off of their face. Gazki looked to be even less than impressed with the Bolian than when the meeting started, though.
Gazki: Perhaps if Knzapp could specialize in sitting and reading? In order to determine the specific fabrication methodology or methods used in constructing the magnetic coils, suspect non-Federation designs must be reviewed and prioritized for further study. The related databases could be perused from a comfortable suite in Medbay, if necessary.
Imril: .oO(Ouch!)Oo.
Imril: Like I said, I have some coding to muddle out before I get to the practical design work. And then I will be looking for specialized help. Specifically, I’ll want to pass my coordination program through someone at Computer Ops for a double-check. Of course, that does have to be put on hold until everyone gets back.
Salkath: Agreed. We are on shore leave. There is no need to feel compelled to work on anything immediately. Please, get out and explore the station, we are on a reduced duty roster so there is plenty of time. Before we adjourn, was there anything else we should discuss?
Gazki: Gazki is not aware of anything else which needs to be spoken of before resumption of regular duty cycles. ::to Salkath:: Gazki appreciates the time Salkath has devoted to clarifying intentions.
No offense was meant by Gazki referring to their superior officer by name without stating his rank as well, Imril had learned. It was just how a Xindi-Insectiod said ‘you’. Not long ago, Gazki had explained why most of their people didn’t use personal pronouns; Insectoids grew up in hatcheries full of dozens to hundreds of young tended to by teams of caretakers. So many younglings crying out “I, I, I, me, me, me!’ at once would only breed confusion, thus they were trained early in firmly distinguishing themselves. And their rapidly-developing minds, while quick to grasp new knowledge, were just as quick to harden into habit. Even where grammar was concerned.
Imril was about to similarly bow out of further discussion, when a sudden inspiration struck.
Imril: ::To Salkath:: This might be a crazy thought, but what about taking your heuristic recipe idea and appling a sort of ‘simulated artistry’ to the process? Would it be possible to program the replicator AI to run through a fast-tracked simulation of the actual cooking process, and calculate the impact on flavor and chemical composition, before producing a food item? I’m thinking something along the lines of a pre-programmed chef, loaded up with all of the personal and cultural databases you mentioned, ‘building’ the meal as a recipe which is then executed as a program. Maybe even using specific tools or surfaces; a steel wok vs a seasoned iron skillet, for example.
Imril: It might take a few extra micro-seconds between ordering a meal and seeing it replicated, but there could be a notable difference in the finished product. And if there were multiple ‘cooks’ that could be swapped out between replications, it could also help solve the problem of replicated food tasting ‘samey’ to most people. Because randomizable factors in texture and such would be introduced that would more easily fool the tongue.
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
Imril: Well, it was just a spur-of-the-moment idea.
Gazki: Gazki strongly prefers real meat in any case. ::Another twitched antenna:: Gazki is hungry for tribbles. Would now be an acceptable time to adjourn?
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
Breaking for a meal was starting to sound pretty good, actually.
Imril: I’ve heard about a place on the station called Burger Nagus. I can’t remember from whom. Is it any good? I don’t think I’ve had any decent Ferengi food since the last time I was on Deep Space Nine.
Salkath/ Kznapp: response
TAG/TBC
-----------------
Ensign Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12
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