Posted by Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist) in Mess Hall - Open Thread

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Mess Hall - Open Thread

Posted by Cadet Catt Beñnet (Scientist) in Mess Hall - Open Thread
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

[snip]

Catt made her way into the mess hall. She had even left her padd behind in her living space. After all her shift was over. No not over she was still a cadet and sudden drills and simulated situations had happened at any time. This was a training cruise so it was likely the same random testing would continue.
She made her way to the replicator and using a seldom seen piece of 200 year old technology fed the replicator her nutritional requirements. That the replicator still had the ability to read data carts was fascinating in itself. Starfleet didn’t usually like to call itself a military but it did maintain a stubbornly ingrained traditionalism that was a holdover from it’s past roots. It had been harder to program the data cart itself than to get the machinery to accept the older format. She smiled at her tray as the nourishment appeared. Then wrinkled her nose and sighed at the plate of what looked like what humans would feed their animal companions. Pets. They called them pets.
She knew the data on the cart was accurate. It was after all her data.
She made her way to a table and saw it was occupied by senior officers. As a Cadet she couldn’t just sit with them unless invited. But her path would take her past them. So she lifted her gaze from the plate of gloppy on her tray and nodded to them as she neared.
“Commander, Lieutenent.”, She greeted them by rank being sure to place the Senior officers greeting before that of his junior as was proper even in the more lax rules of Star Fleet. As a Caitan the introduction had to be perfect. Less than perfection in such a social situation was something a proper Caitan dreaded. But that nagging inner voice chided her. You are not a proper Caitan. She couldn’t,t help flicking her ear in annoyance at that inner reminder. So much for a perfect greeting.

Cadet, Catt Bennet. Sciences. USS Challenger.

“Would you like to join us Cadet?” Max asked looking up at Catt as she walked past. “I was just getting the chance to meet our newest Science Chief. But what are your thoughts of the Challenger during your time here?”

Cmdr. Harkness - XO

Catt swept into a seat and sat herself at a three quarters on to the table so that her tail didn’t get painfully kinked. . She set the tray down silently and smiled not showing teeth as some species saw the show of teeth as being hostile.
“Thank you sir. ” , she replied in a breathy whisper loud enough to be heard over the ambient noise.
She arranged her dishes and utensils in perfect positions the napkin folded exactly with automatic gestures that seemed almost ritualistic. All while giving the XO and the CSO her full attention.
“The Challenger sir. If I use the expression properly, has a new car smell. “.

She waited for her senior officers to begin eating before lifting a fork.

“I am rather surprised as training ships are usually older ships nearing the end of their service life. But then as one of the first in a new generation of ships the technology will differ from what the existing personnel in Starfleet are used to. Some procedures may be sufficiently changed that it’s easier to train a crew that isn’t relearning how to tie their shoes again?”,
And she took a bite of what looked like a premasticated tuna salad, stopped mid chew. Swallowed and looked at her dish as if it had slapped her in the face.,
“I am rather tempted to take that replicator to the firing range sirs. If I was an engineer I would commit ritual atonement for the sin of making such a instrument of torture.”,
And she smiled tilted her head and positioned ears and tail to indicate that she was trying to make a joke.

Cadet. Catt Bennet. Sciences. USS Challenger.

Max laughed. “Your expectations of the replicators are way to high. I’ve never met a replicator that can turn out a solid replica of a dish. But whatever they turn out, is way better then ration cubes.

Catt flicked an ear and nodded to the Commander. “Actually I have been applying new algorithms to the replicators.”, she near whispered in reply “But it requires adjustment to the algorithm for each individual replicator. So while it is a improvement. It is not really practical on a larger scale. So since my own dietary needs are not typical and the standard replicator presets always argue that I am trying to poison myself. It is easier to use a data cart with my needs and permissions to avoid the conversation flagging of medical staff and senior officers that would otherwise occur. In short sir. The replicators AI is likely insulted that I have blocked it’s normal function and that it can not tell anyone I did it. Maybe the ships councilor can console the poor thing.”,
Her whisper was serious in tone but there was a glint of amused mischief in her eyes as she looked over at the replicator. “I had so get the commandant of the academy to arrange the paperwork from the office of the commander of Starfleet Medical division to set up the bypass. The precautions built into a replicator are astonishing. I nearly starved to death waiting on the beurocracy and every doctor that read the file felt a need to query why This was being done. I think are you insane has become a standard inquiry when doctors talk to me.
Illogical. Unprofessional. So I tell them. Your the doctor. YOU tell me.”, and she sort of giggled. It was at best a imperfect giggle from a throat never designed for that noise. The noise startled Catt.Mrr ” I may of spent to much time with humans at the academy. Appologies.”,

“But as for the ‘new ship smell,’ well… That is an interesting statement. The Challenger is actually a pretty old ship, seen a bunch of missions. However, you are right. You can’t train our next generation of officers on the last generation of technology. So the Challenger goes through pretty regular retrofits, trying to keep the ship up to date.”

“Time to eat!” Bowman thought to himself as he finished unpacking his personal effects in his quarters. He looked first to the replicator across the room, but then decided that this would be an excellent opportunity to visit the mess hall in hopes of meeting more of his fellow crew mates. He’d already met his department head, one or two of the medical staff and the ship’s counselor; but aside from passing random crew members in the hallways, he hadn’t spoken to anyone else. As Rhese was naturally a social person, this would be a good way to ‘kill two birds with one stone,’ as T’Kam had tried to put it earlier in the day. Rhese smiled to himself, then, as he stood and headed for the door, which hissed open and then closed behind him as he made his way through the corridors on deck six. Bowman had liked the Vulcan; he’d be an interesting person to serve with. Keeping track of the number of steps he took along the winding route through the corridors with his normal/measured stride, Rhese counted ninety-two – and then he was at the mess hall. The doors hissed open, as if right on count, as he approached. “That’s pretty good for a ship this size,” Rhese thought to himself. It would be nice to have quarters that were relatively close to such an important social center on the ship.

Upon entering the mess hall, Rhese noticed only a few more of the crew scattered here and there amongst the various tables, before seeing T’Kam and two others sitting at a larger table. One was an older man, in command red – though Rhese couldn’t see who he was or what rank he carried. Another was a Caitian female – a fellow cadet, judging from the uniform she wore. Bowman also noticed her white coloration – “Somewhat unusual for a Caitian,” he thought to himself. He’d never met a Caitian before, though he’d always wanted to – Rhese found them fascinating. Then, Bowman eyed an empty table nearby, and decided it would be where he’d chart his course. It’d give him a great opportunity to observe the others in the room.

Rhese continued on to the replicator bank. “Steamed king salmon with a side of mixed vegetables, and a piece of sourdough bread,” Bowman asked as he approached. The replicator chirped with its customary reply of acknowledgement. “Oh, and a dish of lingonberry akutaq as well, please,” Bowman hurriedly requested of the machine. He’d been feeling like a taste of home would really hit the spot, since his conversation earlier with the counselor. The replicator beeped, and then chirped its acknowledgement, and within a moment whirred to life and provided the cadet’s order. “This will be a great chance to test how well the replicators do,” Bowman thought. Picking up his tray, he turned and headed to the seating area. He made sure to pass the large table where T’Kam was sitting with the others. “Commander,” he said, greeting the older man first with the nod of his head. “That must be Commander Harkness, the first officer,” he thought to himself, before turning to face his Vulcan superior as he continued: “Lieutenant T’Kam, cadet,” he said with a similar nod to each. “Must be dinner time!” Bowman said with a friendly smile, as he continued towards the empty table he’d had his eye on.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

Catt was fairly sure she had over explained her diet. So the arrival of another Cadet was welcome. Her eyes followed that Cadet as he moved to pass by.

Rhese turned back to the empty table he’d been making a beeline for, and set his tray down. He then began to pull out the chair in order to sit.

“Would you like to join us Cadet?” Max asked speaking up. “Cadet Bennet was telling us about how she missed having good food.”

Cmdr. Harkness - XO

At this, Bowman turned to face the others. “Thank you, Commander!” he said, before turning back to the empty table to push the chair back in and retrieve his tray. He brought it with him over to an empty seat at the larger table – though not the one next to Cadet Bennet’s tail, as he did not want to risk encroaching on her personal space. Rhese lightly set his tray onto the table, before softly plopping himself into the chair he’d selected. “The food? I haven’t had a chance to sample anything before now,” Rhese admitted. “Though I did find that even the replicators at the Academy seemed to have some very… unique… ideas on how a salmon should taste,” Bowman admitted. He’d actually made it a point to sample the salmon from several different replicators, in order to find his favorite – though indeed, replicated salmon could in no way compare to the real thing. “The closest approximation I could find was over at Club 602. While it could never compare to the real deal, it was able to craft a fairly convincing resemblance,” Rhese volunteered. Many (though certainly not all) of the people who had spent any time at the Academy knew of Club 602 – it had become something of a phenomenon as far as hang-outs or ‘local dives’ were concerned. Rhese looked to the others at the table to see if anyone else had been familiar with the venue, before taking his first bite of the salmon on his plate.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

Catt was releaved more that she might avoid becoming the center of attention.

“Catt Bennet. “, She introduced herself omitting the usual honorific since as a cadet they were peers.

Cadet. Catt Bennet. Sciences. USS Challenger

Bowman nodded to the Caitian cadet and spoke softly, in an almost hushed tone: “Pleasure to meet you, cadet Bennet! I’m Rhese Bowman, science section,” he said. He then took his first bite of the salmon. It tasted… acceptable, if he was being forgiving. “Hmm,” he thought as he continued to chew, “I’m going to have to take a look at the replicator profile and see if I can make some adjustments to the programming.“

Korczak entered the Lounge carrying a small black insulated bag. Dressed in civilian clothes, he looked even more forgettable than normal. Looking around for a place to sit, he spied the Commander and a few Cadets seated and talking. Making his way over to the large table, he looked at the assembly and said “Pardon. But it seems that there is a shortage of seats. Would anyone mind if I join?” he asked politely. He especially made a point of looking at Cadet Bennet as he spoke, as he did not wish to make her uncomfortable. He knew their session had not gone as smoothly as it could have, but the reviews he had received from the new CSO seemed to indicate she was settling in now.

Korczak, CNS

Bowman looked up to the man after he’d spoken, having immediately recognized the unusual accent(s), and he then began to hurriedly chew and finish his bite of the salmon by swallowing, before saying “I certainly don’t.” Rhese had enjoyed his talk with the Counselor earlier in the day, and had found him an interesting man. He looked to the others at the table before looking around to the other, mostly empty tables in the room, and then wondered if the man had been making a joke.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

Simon thought to himself that it had been some time since he had actually visted the mess hall to eat, his time on patrol often made him eat on the job. It was good to get some free time, and he was surprised at how busy the mess hall was on this day. It had been also been a while and he noticed some new faces among the group.

He recognized the counselor that he had visited a couple of weeks ago, and he had briefly met the XO when he was first assigned. Though now Nijix was now assigned as the chief, he wasn’t that surprised that he hadn’t seen the Commander more recently.

He walked over to the replicator and asked for “Chicken thighs, skinned with potatoes, leeks, carrots and onions.” As the tray materialized in front of him, he took the meal and headed over to the rest of the group.

“Room for one more? When large crowds start gathering, something almost always happens.” Starr said, adding in the statement more jokingly than the question.

• Cadet Simon Starr, Security