Ensign S'jenes - Equestrian Possibilities
James hassell
((Saloon - USS Constitution-B))
S'Jenes: I suspect that is why starship design remains... iterative rather than definitive.
T'Seva: We'll never stop improving and discovering new things. There's likely a limit to warp efficiency somewhere, mind.
Kincaid: Them’s some fair points. After all we gots ourselves some Cetaceans that don’t need their own suits but the trade off is they can’t go anywhere outside their tanks. Then ya have some like folks from low G worlds with their hollow bones. They can work but unless we have whole sections of tha ship with tha gravity platin’ turned down they have ta use their crutches.
McCray: Hey now, there are certain designs that are absolutely definitive. The Constitution Refit’s one, Galaxy’s another, Ambassador’s pretty slick, an’ the new Neo-Constitutions are gorgeous too!
T'Seva: Let me guess, you have a model in your quarters...or two...or three. Jalana has a mini-Constitution drone somewhere. Georgio was flying around in it at one point while his stuff was being worked on.
Kincaid: Actually, darlin’ I think that were one of Hexa and Peta’s models. Pretty sure they got a bushel or two of them. I know I’ve seen at least ten different ones. But ta answer yer question, yeah. Got a model of tha Phoenix and tha California class.
S’Jenes: I do not currently possess a model. However, I can see the aesthetic appeal in maintaining a physical representation of a vessel.
McCray: You bet! I’ve got one of the Dawnstar. ::he grinned.:: Gonna have to get one of the Constitution now though.
T'Seva: You guys are familiar with the ship-in-a-bottle tradition from Earth? I remember from my academy days there was a shop in San Francisco that sold starships in bottles.
Elias nodded in agreement and smiled at her with another slight hat tip.
Kincaid: Yep, it’s still there I’m pretty sure. Utopia Bottlenitia.
S’Jenes: There is a measurable difference between replication and creation. One produces an object; the other preserves intent. The latter appears to carry greater... meaning.
McCray: That’d be really nice to have. Next time we’re close, I’ll have to get one. Did you get one?
T'Seva: No, and I regret it. Yes, one could replicate something like that, but replicated art is no replacement for the humanoid touch.
Kincaid: Ain’t that that truth, darlin’. Replicators are great fer makin’ what we need ta have tha time ta make art and do what we want without worry. All this talk a art is makin’ me think I need ta dust off mah craftin’ kit. Stowed it cause I didn’t reckon most folks would want dreamcatchers. And Tylana’s better at tha jewelry than I am.
S’Jenes: Elias, I personally would love to have a dreamcatcher... Not just for the aesthetic but the cultural purpose behind it.
McCray: That’s the truth. There’s just somethin’ about somethin’ that’s hand made. You can tell someone really cared enough to put effort into it.
T'Seva: There is. But there's a halfway option on Constitution models; there's a kit in the replicator patterns you can just put together. Lera was thinking of doing one.
Kincaid: Ain’t met someone who made somethin’ with their own hands that didn’t put at least a little love inta it. ::he smiled at T’Seva:: I saw those. They’d be a good starter kit ta learn how ta put tha real thing together.
S’Jenes: A hybrid approach is logical.
McCray: Response
T'Seva: My adopted kid sister.
S'jenes noticed the smile on Elias' face.
Kincaid: Don’t recall tha last time I saw her in here. Let me know if ya want some dessert ta bring back to her.
S’Jenes: Elias, that is very considerate of you.
McCray: Response
T'Seva: And sometimes she wants to be an engineer. The other times she wants to be a scientist. I'm trying to arrange a tour of the base for her.
S'jenes kicked his drink back to sip a little more.
Kincaid: Ain’t surprisin’. I ‘member when I was barely up ta mah maw’s knee that I had already said I wanted ta be a gunslinger; a rancher; a starship cap’n; a Vulcan; a tribal Chief; and a pilot. When we’re kids we want anythin’ and everythin’ cause we ain’t decided who we’re gonna be yet. So I don’t blame her.
S’Jenes: What an efficient method of exploring possibilities... good for you, Elias.
McCray: Response
T'Seva: You know...research and engineering. Maybe I should suggest she reads up on starship design and then she can design the next definitive class.
Kincaid: Ya, know darlin’. If yer keen on somethin’ like that might want ta introduce her ta Hexa and Peta. They helped build starships with tha Corps of Engineers as I recollect. And they’re always makin’ those models that follow ‘em around. Maybe they could show her how to design and build a model first?
S’Jenes: Think about it, T'Seva... It may accelerate her understanding. Observation with application, after all.
McCray: Response
T'Seva: And next time we're near sector 0, I'm getting two ships-in-a-bottle...one for me and one for her.
Kincaid: Next time we’re there I need ta visit tha ranch. I’m sure mah sister’ll be glad ta have a break from runnin’ things.
S’Jenes: That seems... equitable. One for oneself and one to encourage the development of another.
McCray/T’Seva: Response
Kincaid: Y’all’d be invited too of course. It’s not a huge place, only about a thousand acres but we got plenty of horses ta ride if yer so inclined.
S’Jenes: A thousand acres would provide a considerable range for observation. I have very limited experience with terrestrial animal husbandry, but it may prove educational.
McCray/T’Seva: Response
Kincaid: Mostly Mustangs and Arabians. But last word from mah sister we had a couple new births so we’ve also got about eight Andalusians too. Not countin’ tha quarter horses and Clydesdales. ::he thought for a moment:: Most of tha Bison have moved on, but we’ve still got a few of those too. Mah sister’s a vet so she tends ta take care of any that wander in.
S’Jenes: That is a very diverse collection. I would be very interested in observing the behavioral differences between the species.
McCray/T’Seva: Response
S'Jenes considered the description of the ranch further.
S'Jenes: I would also be interested in observing how such animals respond to unfamiliar individuals. It would provide useful data on instinct versus learned behavior.
Kincaid: Response.
S'Jenes tilted his head, as if considering an alternate angle.
S'Jenes: I suspect my presence may be...statistically irrelevant to them.
McCray: Response.
He took another measured sip of his drink before continuing.
S'Jenes: Or perhaps, highly relevant in a negative way. That would also be informative.
T'Seva: Response.
S'Jenes: I am curious, are these animals typically cooperative? or do they require negotiation?
Kincaid/McCray/T'Seva: Response.
He glanced between them without missing a beat.
S'Jenes: That is consistent with most systems. Cooperation tends to increase with understanding... though not always immediately.
Kincaid/McCray/T'Seva: Response.
S'Jenes gave a small nod.
S'Jenes: The same principle seems to apply across biology and engineering. Apply too much pressure and the system resists, too little and nothing occurs.
Kincaid/McCray/T'Seva: Response.
S'Jenes: Regardless, the invitation is much appreciated, Elias.
Kincaid/McCray/T'Seva: Response.