Dark Matters_ Ghost Dance (Book 2) - Christie Golden [5]
She appeared humanoid enough, and beautiful at that: tall, slim, long, pale blue hair, blue eyes, opalescent blue skin. Save for her coloration, she could pass for human. But inside, things were "all wrong," as the Doctor put it. Her DNA sequencing was backward, and the very elements that comprised her seemed to be almost flip-flopped from standard humanoid development.
She stood hesitantly at the door, obviously very much aware of the interest she was generating simply by being present. Gently, Harry touched her shoulder and subtly urged her to step fully inside. Janeway was glad that Harry had taken such an interest in their guest. He was kind and humorous, and put Khala at ease.
Khala came to an abrupt stop in front of Neelix's kitchen area. She practically gaped.
"You... cook?" she said, with the faintest hint of disdain. Gingerly, as if it might explode in her hand, she reached to pick up a ripe red tomato. "You cook with plants?"
Neelix was in full regalia, from his apron to his
signature droopy chef's hat. "Indeed I do," he said, standing up to his full less-than-imposing height
Khala turned to Harry. "But you told me about the replicators, how they functioned. I just had a cup of green tea in my quarters. I've had all my meals like that That's how food is prepared, not like... like.. " She broke off, her shock and distaste warring with her desire to be polite to the people who had shown her such care.
Janeway rose and moved swiftly, hoping to nip this cultural clash in the bud. "Good morning, Khala," she said. "I can't believe it's taken Harry this long to bring you to the mess hall. He's been remiss. There's nothing like a home-cooked meal."
"Captain, I am so sorry. Clearly I'm being rude." She straightened as if preparing to undergo torture. "Of course I'd love some... some cooked plants."
Neelix's annoyance was changing to compassion. "You poor child," he said. "Do you come from a place where mere are no fresh foodstuffs?'
Immediately Janeway thought of war, of rationing. The Doctor had kept a close eye on Khala while completing his tests. It was only yesterday he had agreed to let her have free access to the ship. They hadn't had much chance to talk with her, learn about her very alien culture.
Khala blushed, her pale cheeks turning a deeper shade of blue. "Again, I apologize. On my planet, only the Culilann actually plant fruits and vegetables. They even raise living animals for slaughter. Can you imagine?"
Janeway thought of the occasional unreplicated leg of lamb she had enjoyed from time to time back on Earth. "Yes," she said, "I can imagine." She softened the words with an understanding smile and patted Khala gently on the arm. "And your people? What do they eat?"
"We are the Alilann. Many, many generations ago, we decided to embrace technology and science. The Culilann chose to forswear it. We can genetically engineer foods and supplements that are far superior in taste and nutritional value to anything that comes out of the ground."
Harry smiled a little. He reached over and with a raised eyebrow silently asked permission to borrow a knife. "Oh, please," said Neelix. Harry carefully cut the tomato into quarters and sprinkled it with a little salt.
"We grow the food in the aeroponics bay," he said. "No dirty soil there. And believe me, I think this tomato can beat a supplement for taste any day. This is how my father used to eat them-right out of the garden with just a sprinkle of salt. Try it."
He placed the quartered tomato to Khala's lips. For a second she pressed them shut tightly, then opened them and delicately took a small bite. Her eyes went wide with pleasure and her blue lips curved in a smile. Then, like a curtain