LtCmdr Atan T'Seva, A Thousand Acres
Jennifer R. Povey
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.
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: 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.
T'Seva: Breeds, not species, unless he has donkeys and mules as well.
McCray: 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.
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.
The horses might find the different smell of Vulcanoid blood a little disturbing to start with.
S'Jenes: I am curious, are these animals typically cooperative? or do they require negotiation?
Kincaid/McCray: Response.
T'Seva listened to the response, but did make a note that it would definitely be a good idea to start with holo horses. She couldn't hurt or annoy them. And, after all, they were pretty smart animals, by all accounts.
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/McCray: Response.
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: Response.
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.
Even as she hit puberty, Lera remained small, and her mother had been small. Ferengi tended to be short anyway.
Kincaid/McCray: Response.
T'Seva: I suppose I had better get going. And I wish I could return the invite, but my Vulcan family...
She actually made a face.
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/McCray/S'Jenes: Response
Finishing her glass, T'Seva got up. She wanted to go check on Evria and Lera...and not to get too drunk.
Chief of Tactical
USS Constitution
S238312D10