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Comfort Food
Entrée
The replicator chimed. "One plate of sannakji, with suction cups removed and served in sesame oil sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Presented on a bed of Asian mixed greens with gochujang sauce on the side."
Although he was well aware that Korean sannajki was a chewy dish, and thus would have a texture entirely different from the tenderness of well-prepared Kelpien, Lorca grinned as he took the dish out of the replicator. He had been feeling restless and adventurous today, and his earlier interactions with Saru had, once again, reminded him just how good fresh Kelpien really was.
Conquering the replicated version of a freshly-killed octopus was a minor victory, but one that would assuage the excitement that ricocheted through him, creating excess physical and emotional energy that needed to be released quickly before he gave himself away. He'd been playing this game for a long time, and it wouldn't do for him to make a minor, avoidable mistake just when he was on the cusp of bringing the plans to fruition.
But she was here. The Michael Burnham from this universe was here, alive, and even better, she was already beginning to see things from his point of view. She had understood his need to prioritize the weaponization of the creature that had destroyed the Glenn's crew, and he had seen her cool evaluation as she watched the end of the latest disaster of a battle drill. While this Burnham might still be quoting Starfleet values left and right, he could see the real one coming through. It was only a matter of time, and indications were that they wouldn't need that much of it.
And then, once this Burnham came out to her true and full potential by his side —
The warble of the comm was the only warning he got before the hologram of Admiral Cornwell appeared before him. He made a mental note to ensure that some sort of acknowledgment subroutine was added to the incoming transmissions, so that holograms couldn't appear without warning again.
Cornwell peered at him. "I didn't realize you were eating, Captain," she began.
"Excuse the breach of protocol," he managed around a mouthful of the sannajki.
She launched into a description of the attack on Corvan II, which the Federation had foolishly allowed to become a supply choke point. In the Empire, no single source would have ever been allowed to develop more than a twenty-five percent share of critical supply production. He made the appropriate acknowledging comments, but let himself focus on the meal in front of him.
While the meat was as chewy and slimy as the description had indicated, it had a surprisingly delicate flavor that did, indeed, remind him a little of Kelpien. The mild spiciness of the sauce was a perfect complement, and the bed of greens selected from the same region of Earth added a dash of bitterness that finished the job. Truly, this was a fine dish, even if it was nothing like freshly-prepared Kelpien.
Cornwell finally came around to her point. "Yours is the only ship in the fleet with a chance of getting there on time. Is the Discovery ready to jump?"
He swallowed before straightening. "I told you we'd be ready when you called, and we are. The Discovery's made dozens of small jumps with no issues. We can make it the full distance."
"You have no doubts?" she asked.
"None," he assured her, letting confidence into his voice but being careful not to betray his rising excitement. What a perfect opportunity to expiate today's need for a victory! Truly, all the universes were oriented toward the destiny he'd discovered for himself!
Allowing himself the widest grin he'd had since he'd landed in this universe, he picked up the remains of the meal and dumped them into the recycler. Sannajki was definitely a dish for victors and great men, but right now, he needed to be one instead of just eating that way.
Besides, he'd have his freshly-prepared Kelpien soon.
Author's Note: Some dialogue in this scene is from episode 1x04, "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry," which was written by Jesse Alexander & Aron Eli Coleite, and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. Transcript obtained at chakoteya dot net.