Intergalactic Summit

INTRODUCTION.


As a rookie pilot I have spent some time trying to learn the finer arts of Capsuleering.

Mostly, I fear, I have yet to grasp them.



I've also become aware of other, more nuanced aspects of Capsuleer life, previously unknown to me (and probably to most flat-liners) that seem to form a large part of the day-to-day focus of Capsuleer conversation (as was demonstrated in numerous conversations I have witnessed on the Summit), such as chats around cuisine, culture, literary interests - and of course tea.


When surrounded by Capsuleers, one may perhaps find the dialogue turn as often to food, or to wine - and of course tea , as it does to ship capabilities and political differences.


It is apparent to me now that the longevity and wealth of Capsuleers gives them cause to seek out the more esoteric pleasures: A sublime painting, a rare foodstuff, an exotic book...
And of course tea.


I have struggled a little to get involved in this, feeling somewhat outside of - and far below - these higher levels of discussion, yet I wish to participate as enthusiastically as I dare (though I am sadly no tea drinker).


Some of you have probably seen my effort in Summit and chuckled from the towers.
To those of you that instead kindly overlooked and indulged me - I thank you.

***

Emboldened by the encouragement of a new friend especially, I myself have recently forayed into cuisine, having tasted my first chicken.


It was a most unusual experience to taste what essentially had been alive, but was now dead.


Some of you might consider that a useless statement, and of little import, to which I would respond: Think of your armies. Think of your cities. Think of the bedrock of your cultures; the common people.
They most likely haven't tasted chicken either.


I feel that I can in fact offer some knowledge back to the Capsuleer community, in the hopes that it bridges a cultural gap, and provides further interest, and perhaps amusement, for you - though I hope not of the derisive kind.



TUBES.

As you are probably aware, the resources required to sustain planetary populations often force a premium price on fresh produce, and as those prices rise, mass manufacturing has become responsible for the major part of population sustenance.

It may surprise you to learn the extent of this industry practice. Many "flatliners" will never see organic produce, and essentially get their nutritional requirements from protein pastes and powders, often flavored, colored and textured differently, but all providing essentially the same daily dose of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, fiber - and sometimes even hormone supplements.


Though the packaging is as varied as the contents are not, we can give these foodstuffs the common basic term:

Tubes.

The people that ingest them: Tubers.


The lower on the social chain one finds oneself, the larger proportion of their daily sustenance will be tubed.
You will no doubt also find that the majority of the men and women serving on your ships are tubers: It is portable, inexpensive, incredibly durable, and can probably be nuked from low earth orbit without greatly reducing flavor or nutritional content therein.

I will now simply say, though it may surprise you, that I had never tasted organic produce until I became a Capsuleer - and my new better economy afforded it to me.

I am, or was, a tuber.



TUBE RECIPES:

Over the course of this thread I would like to offer up some special recipes for tubers.

In the event that you find a tuber at your dinner table (perhaps where the only other immediate item on the menu might be chicken), or whether you are stranded at the site of your downed vessel with only the lowliest of menial provisions, I hope this will be a handy reference for you.

These recipes may be enjoyed with or without tea.


Enjoy!


Shiv Mahon.

Figgy Nuggets. Solid brown awesome right from the can!


I've already mentioned it, so I'll right to it.

Figgy Nuggets are pop-once protein pills that only need water to swell and become a delicious and nutritious all-in-one fingerfood treat.

Figgies come in a plexicup, usually as a six pack or twelve pack (But I've also seen the Superbumper pack for a whopping 24 pack dose).


Kind of a hybrid between paste and powder, these brownish blobs can get quite sticky if your water content is off, but sometimes that stickiness can be just the thing!

I recommend if you're mixing it with Yummyyum that you reduce the water level to about a 1/1 ratio, and let dollops of Yummyyum regulate the consistency.

Otherwise, on their own: less water gives you a chewy treat, whilst more gives you a delicious pudding.

The taste is typically brown with a hint of yellow. Now that I've tasted chicken I can also enthusiastically say: That too!


Other thoughts:

• Don't try to mix Figgy Nuggets with Alcohol. - theres a very nasty odor when it encounters any form of ethanol, due to the plasticides it uses for texture.


• Methanol might work though.


• If you let it dry on your fingers you might need Nanite soap to remove it. -The same with your teeth: Nanite toothpaste all the way if you're having a Figgy lovefest.

I'm delighted these can be useful to you. I'm sure many Capsuleers will dismiss my little recipes as unimportant, but I hope there is value in any information that increases understanding between Capsuleers and those they serve. I imagine a fleet commander that undertook to nourish himself on the same food as his men would gain a following far more rapidly than one who dined apart for example.



I'm not sure I personally will ever enjoy the "real food" experience. I am unable to overcome a reluctance to see something on my plate that once lived and breathed.

I had in fact enjoyed sushi for a good while before it was explained to me what it consisted of - I simply thought of it as an assortment of paste products. Now the thought of sushi horrifies me.

I still like to lick the wasabi though - really it's the best part anyway - and happily this is a tube-stuff that I will be happy to put out a recipe for at a later date.

Shiv.

While I have never had much appreciation for art (especially the modern abstract arts that seem to dominate the market these days) I will admit to more than once seeking out the finest teas, especially those from the remote worlds of the Khanid Kingdom, who in my opinion, grow some of the finest oolong variants one could ever hope to encounter. By contrast when it comes to actual food, I prefer State authorized field rations like this. Such meals while not much to look at, provide a perfectly regimented dining experience with all the vital minerals and nutrients a capsuleer requires to maintain a strict level of biological hygiene.

Thank you, though I wonder how common your sentiment is among your fellow Federation compatriots.

I read the first post while sipping tea and I laughed.


They've had the chicken of the sea - the lumpfish. Deep fry it and you wouldn't know the difference between it and any chicken meat by-product.

That explains a lot about that... "thing" that I saw on a food warehousing and packing station.

You honor me!

I like to think I'm doing my bit for humanity!

Out of curiosity, what are "gender crime stats"? Have you seen a correlation between sales and sexual assaults on Couster?

I'm interested in discussing the observed effects of these foods with you further, Pilot Mahon.

A mild castration effect? Do you actually mean a reduction in masculine features or simply a lowering of aggression? As much as I support the idea of elimination of gender crime and violence in general, I'd hate to see the effects go to that extreme.