Lt Kettick: Herbs and spices

[Darwin Awkward]

((Botany Lab, Level 14, Soldotna, Denali))

Harford::exclaimed:: Firebushes? Plants that genuinely ignite?

The Engineer nodded as he put his rag back in his pocket.

Kettick: Fruits emit flammable gases when they decompose, and a chemical reaction with the sap from the plant sets them afire. Burns the plant and the vegetation in the immediate vicinity to fertilize the ground for the fireproof seeds. Fascinating plants, or so the Botany team told me.

Harford: That does sound fascinating, and entirely biblical.

At first, Kettick wondered what a feeding tube had to do with anything, but then he remembered about one of the religious books he had yet to read, and that went by that title. Or something approaching.

Right, cultural sensitivity training: smile, keep smiling, skip to another, safer subject.

Kettick: The flora and fauna from the Ring does seem to be the work of a mad scientist, at times. I wouldn't use anything local in your garden without clearing it with the department first. You were going for a herb garden, yes? For cooking, herbal teas and the like?

Harford: Yes, an herb garden. I grew up on a farm and prefer to cook rather than use a replicator, when I can, anyway. Fresh herbs go a long way to making things taste like home. I also enjoy hot teas, so I'll be growing some herbs for them as well.

Well, that was certainly something the Remmilian could get behind. He gave the Ensign a cheerful nod.

Kettick: Both enjoyable to grow and to consume, then. An efficient hobby, most commendable. I have to admit, I enjoy the occasional herbal tea myself.

One among the rare vices he allowed himself now that he was no longer a kt'k, in fact. 

As long as there was no caffeine involved, of course.

Harford: Forgive my bluntness, but what do you eat? What does a Remmilian diet consist of?

The question came from left field, and caused Kettick to freeze for a second, before he cocked his head to the side and gave the human a side-look.

Kettick: I don't suppose you are familiar with the Remmilian caste system?

Harford: I'm not very culturally aware, I suppose. One of the disadvantages of my upbringing. Even my fellow humans feel alien to me at times.

A spindly, chitinous hand rose and flicked the apology aside in a dismissive gesture.

Kettick: No need to feel embarrassed about it, this is not particularly widespread knowledge. I am, originally, a kt'k. The closest traduction would be "worker-drone". 

And, yes, his name was originally a common noun. A descriptor that he was proud to have outgrown in the years since he had left his native Unity and found his current Queen.

Harford: Response

Kettick: Simply put, kt'ks are the lowest rung on the social ladder. You could crawl over that rung and not notice the bump. So as long as it's not instantly lethal, and does not manage to fight its way out? We can and will eat it if that's what we are given.

Harford: Response

The Remmilian made a chittering sound that approximated a laugh.

Kettick: I could tell you some fun stories. We don't feel the effects of capsaicin, for example, which my academy mates have learned to their sorrow when they tasked me with adding the spice to a casserole once. On the other hand, we almost universally have a sweet tooth that could skewer a Galaxy-class.

Harford: Response

Kettick: That being said, I'd love to taste your blends if you are offering. Tastes of fruits or flowers are my favourite, as long as they are caffeine-free. Unless you want to experience the company of a drunk Remmilian, but I would not recommend it.

If he had the right skin for it instead of a chitinous exoskeleton, Kettick would have shivered. Nobody needed a repeat of the... mocha incident.

TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant Kettick

Chief of Engineering

Denali Station

G239107LR0

Your Engineering department kindly reminds you that you are supposed to read the flakking manual.