LtCmdr Kettick: An intriguing notion

[Darwin Awkward]

(( Beach, Bokitu City, Bolarus IX ))

Kettick: Somehow, the idea that cats could evolve to emit radiation, as a means of defense or a hunting strategy, sounds entirely possible in this universe of ours. I am not quite sure if this is supposed to fill me with awe or existential exhaustion.

That got a snort from the Chief Science Officer.

Lim: It’s not actually emitting radiation. Ray cats were a suggested genetic modification to cats that would have them glow in the presence of radiation.

The Remmilian shrugged.

Kettick: "Yes" is a valid answer.

Somebody, or possibly multiple somebodies high enough the scientific food chain, had thought of that modification to begin with and actually considered that it was a good idea. When tricorders and other types of radiation counters already existed.
So, "yes", awe at the infinite creativity of sapients and soul-deep exhaustion at their lack of basic common sense could very well coexist.

Stapledon:  What about radioresistance?

Lim: I imagine it’s possible to gain such a trait, though the process to get there would be rather painful and potentially deadly given radiation’s effects on most genetic material.

Kettick: Or require controlling the reproduction of an extensive number of individuals so you could selectively breed the trait into a subset of the species from a handful of random mutations.

Kettick was no biologist. On the other hand, Remmil IV becoming a Federation member had led to a period of intense and honest scrutiny of their past as a species, and not all chapters were pretty by any definition of the word.

Stapledon:  Oh, that's interesting.  Would it affect their other internal organs?

Lim: ::She shrugged:: It would depend on how the mutation affected them.

The Chief-engineer nodded, recognising patters that he knew from his day job.

Kettick: Same as non-meatware engineering, I suppose? Either you shield your system against damage, or you make sure it repairs damage as quickly as it is caused... or you pile up redundancies until it can tank the damage without significant loss of function.

Remmilian workers relied heavily on the third approach, with a smattering of the first here and there. The drawback being that they did not heal too well on their own, just carried on until the damage accumulated too much.

Stapledon:  Did that make for some interesting microbiomes?

Lim: Probably depends on what you’d consider interesting. Is that area of study common in your homeworld?

The insectoid remained inexpressive, a task he was rather uniquely suited for.

Kettick: It has been a topic of interest for quite a long time, I reckon.

Stapledon:  Well...  ::She thought for a moment::  There were some studies on telepathy on my world..  I think the bigger research fields ended up being sociological.  It wasn't just the uh..  Religions...  ::She decided it'd be best to gloss over the AILigion project for now ::  Klingons, Betazoids, and Humans were all very common species on New Cyprus.  It made for very cool emergent social dynamics...  I had a few Klingon friends.

Lim: ::Musing::  We moved around so much that I didn’t have many long term friends outside of my siblings and cousins. I did have a few go to playmates when my parents were actually on campus but we were more friends of circumstance rather than friends friends if you know what I mean.

The Remmilian changed position on his towel to let the sun warm another section of his chitin. He did not risk sunburn and would not tan, but the feeling of warmth was nice nonetheless.

Kettick: Not quite. Aren't all friendships born of circumstance?

Lim/Stapledon: Response

Kettick: I see. That... honestly represents my whole understanding of friendships up to that point. 

:: He cocked his head sideways, seemingly deep in thought :: Interesting. I would hear more, if you don't mind.

Lim/Stapledon: Response 

Kettick: I have had a number of shipmates or academy mates whose company I appreciated, including at some pleasant social events off-duty, and I believe the feeling was mutual. I would be glad to cross paths again. But we do not exactly keep in touch. 

Lim/Stapledon: Response  

He shrugged.

Kettick: I suppose you could say as a member of an essentially eusocial species, I think more in terms of community. The correct word in the Remmilian language is... [Unity]? ;; He clicke dhis mandibles in mild irritation :: The universal translator does not render it too well. 

Tags/TBC

--

Lieutenant-Commander Kettick

Chief of Engineering

USS Eagle-A

G239107LR0

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