Ensign Kovar - A Sticky Start
Kovar
((Corridor Outside Transporter Room, USS Gorkon))
After a long journey, Kovar had finally arrived at his first assignment aboard the USS Gorkon. It seemed fortuitous that it was a time in which the starship was on a period of shore leave, which would allow him to get to know the crew, as well as familiarize himself with the Gorkon’s systems, and his duties attending to them.
Apparently, it was tradition aboard the vessel that all new crew attend a social function at the ship’s café. It seemed to Kovar that it was a simple and effective way of immediately creating familiarity and camaraderie, and as such he had accepted the invitation, along with the small talk associated with such events.
Kovar: I have a similar history as Ensign Valek, Commander. I was exposed to the principles and application of engineering at a young age due to my father’s work. However, he worked primarily in the field of starship systems, and, as for myself, I worked in energy distribution on Vulcan. Therefore, engineering is a logical place for me to apply my prior knowledge and experience, in addition to expanding my understanding.
Reynolds: Well, you'll both find plenty of people to learn from here.
Tahna: Response
Kovar: Understood, Admiral. I will endeavor to continue familiarizing myself with the ship and crew. However, concerning my current assignment. I will assume that the, ::there was a slight pause,:: Brew Continuum has selections agreeable to the Vulcan palate?
Kovar glanced toward Valek.
Valek: I believe the Commander was just informing me of such prior to your arrival, Ensign. She has informed me they have a plentiful assortment of teas that should be suitable for a Vulcan palette.
Reynolds: We grow the grasses used in zhar-kur tei ¹ aboard ship. Commander Alieth was our science chief for a while, and her father is a tea master from the Chi-ree region, so we have a few authentic blends available.
Honestly, Kovar had not anticipated this turn of events. And he…felt pleased? A ship named for a Klingon having a Vulcan tea garden seemed to him to be somewhat improbable. However, perhaps that had much more to say about himself, his biases, and his expectations. While he would never admit to feeling “homesick” as Humans would express, he did acknowledge that he found himself reflecting upon his home planet with increasing frequency.
Kovar : ::He raised his eyebrows slightly.:: Ah, yes. I am indeed currently experiencing some minor fatigue, and zhar-kur tei would be quite beneficial to alleviating it.
Tahna / Valek: Response
Reynolds: Did you discover any new food or drinks you found agreeable at the Academy?
Kovar : Yes, Admiral, quite.
At the Academy, I conducted what some of my colleagues described as a
culinary adventure. Several were unnecessarily
sweet, while others were structurally unsound. However, the Szechuan preparation
known as mapo tofu was most interesting.
I found the capsaicin concentration and the unique numbing properties of
the peppercorns to be fascinating. I
have ::he paused again and glanced at the admiral:: elected to reexamine it on
multiple occasions.
Tahna / Valek: Response
Reynolds: It's just one more balancing act, isn't it? Trying
new things while not abandoning what you grew up with. ::She smiled faintly.::
I've found plenty of new favourites over the years, but nothing ever compares
to my Dad's sticky toffee pudding.
As they continued to walk, Kovar recognized that the admiral was attempting to address
any feeling of discomfort that he might have at the unfamiliar environment that
was the Gorkon. Fortunately, for him, he
did not experience things in that way.
However, it was a logical course of action and should be reciprocated. After all, mutual respect and communication were
the building blocks of any efficiently functioning ship. If he was going to seamlessly integrate
himself into the life of the Gorkon, it would begin here.
Kovar : Admiral, a question. What is
sticky toffee pudding? I have always
found the adjective, sticky, to be a descriptor of something unpleasant. But, judging from your expression, it is
something with which you are fond. At
first glance, it would appear to be an inconsistency. Commander, is this also a dish to be found on
Bajor? I have never experienced its like
on Vulcan.
Tahna / Valek: Response
As he awaited clarification, he noticed that the number of crew present had begun to multiply. It seemed to him that the logical conclusion would be that they neared the Brew Continuum. He was certain that he would learn more about his duties and assigned quarters there.
Tahna / Valek / Reynolds: Response
Kovar: I see. Thank you all for enlightening me. ::He raised an eyebrow.:: Perhaps it is time to embark on yet another culinary adventure. Ah, it seems that we are nearing our destination.
Tahna / Valek / Reynolds: Response
¹ Zhar-kur tei: Zhar-kur tei or orange tea is a type of stimulant infusion widely consumed in Chi-ree and some zones of the Xial province in Vulcan.
Engineering Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
G240302K13