Ensign Blaine McCray - Crazy Horses [Backpost]

[JB Dunham]

((The Saloon, Deck 9, USS Constitution-B))

 

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: I know they definitely inspire me. I’ve been known to try to design, but nothing good.

 

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.

 

T'Seva: She's a good kid, most of the time, she deserves it.

 

McCray: 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.

 

T'Seva: I must confess, I have never ridden a horse. I should probably practice in the holodeck if we do this...because I would not want to make an animal that size angry by riding it badly.

 

McCray: That would be a lot of fun. I haven’t ridden in that neck of the woods in forever. 

 

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.

 

T'Seva: Breeds, not species, unless he has donkeys and mules as well.

 

McCray: I’ve spent most of my time around mustangs and quarter horses. The mustangs do amazin’ at my grandparents place on Vulcan, but they still have the Goodnight Bison herd at Charles Goodnight’s ranch south of my folks’ place. 

 

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: Animals, are just like people pardner. They have their own mind about folks. Sometimes they like ya, sometimes they don’t. They can be just as calm and as ornery as the rest of us. First Vulcan some of them ever saw startled a few, and fascinated others. Ain’t never seen anythin’ as amusin’ as a Mustang tryin’ ta nibble on Vulcan ears. 

 

S'Jenes: I suspect my presence may be...statistically irrelevant to them.

 

McCray: Horses are very intuitive too. They tie emotion to scent too, so they never forget. That’s the great thing about them.

 

S'Jenes: Or perhaps, highly relevant in a negative way. That would also be informative.

 

T'Seva: If they react poorly to you, they might to me too.

 

S'Jenes: I am curious, are these animals typically cooperative? or do they require negotiation?

 

Kincaid: Yes. Like I said, they got their own mind about things. Things they don’t know tend ta give ‘em pause ta be cautious. Like if they ain’t never seen a rabbit before they might be hard pressed ta approach them. Or if they ain’t never seen a shuttle fly overhead they might spook. But they learn. 

 

McCray: But as they’re exposed to things, they get desensitized to it and it becomes normal to them. An’ most are eager to learn as long as we don’t make learnin’ harsh.

 

S'Jenes: That is consistent with most systems. Cooperation tends to increase with understanding... though not always immediately.

 

T'Seva: Sometimes understanding can take a while.

 

Kincaid: Most times, if someone they know is present it’s easier fer them ta build trust. Since they know there’s a safe person or safe place they can scamper back to if they need. But once ya get the trust of one of them, it’s down right one of tha greatest things in tha ‘verse. When they nuzzle inta ya, or wanna play, or when they feel safe enough ta lay down on ya.  

 

McCray: I had a paint horse that was probably the most fun one that I’ve ever had. We called him Amigo. He was one of those that was always right in your hip pocket. I caught him picking wild mulberries right outta the tree once. He was one of those that absolutely only had one person.

 

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: Yep. Dealin’ with horses takes patience and calm. 

 

McCray: I’ve found that Vulcans are fairly good at it because of that patience and calm..

 

T'Seva: All a good point.

 

S'Jenes: Regardless, the invitation is much appreciated, Elias.

 

T'Seva: And here too. Would my family be included? It would be an experience for Lera. Hopefully you have some short horses.

 

Kincaid: Yer welcome, pardner. 

 

McCray: Response.

 

T'Seva: I suppose I had better get going. And I wish I could return the invite, but my Vulcan family…

 

T'Seva: Even if I had the right to invite, I would not inflict them on you, and my Bajoran family don't own land. Although if we're ever near Bajor, I have some cousins I can introduce you to.

 

Kincaid: No worries, darlin’. You gots family enough around here. 

 

McCray: If we’re ever near Vulcan, we’ll all have to take a ride through the Forge. My family has enough horses for all of us..

 

S’Jenes: Response.

 

Kincaid: Well, I reckon we’re about ta get rousted?

 

Engineer: Uh, yes, sir. ::he looked around:: Hell of a place here. But yes, we’ll need you all to leave the deck now. 

 

McCray: Closin’ time, don’t have to go home, but can’t stay here. :: he chuckled.::

 

S’Jenes: Response.

 

Kincaid: Alright, pardner. Just make sure ya’ll try not ta break anythin’ at least. A lot of this ain’t replicated. ::to S’Jenes and McCray:: Shall we pardners? 

 

McCray: Absolutely. I really appreciate the gab session. Feels good to make friends.

 

S’Jenes: Response.

 

 

Ensign Blaine McCray

TAC/SEC Officer

USS Constitution-B

C240302BM1