Survival Food Ration

[Timerover51]

The Logan Subsistence Company of Garda-Vilis (Vilis 0308) is proud to announce the introduction of its new line of survival ration packets. The primary component of each ration packet is four 125 gram individually wrapped bars, with each bar providing 600 calories and a balanced portion of the required vitamins and minerals required for the typical human. Included with the four bars are three powdered drink packets supplying Vitamin C in a highly palatable form when mixed with a half-liter of water, and a supplementary vitamin tablet in addition to the vitamins contained in the bars to ensure an adequate vitamin intake. The bars are composed of a mixture of chocolate, dehydrated milk powder, and grains, stabilized to tolerate elevated temperatures, and if desired, can be used to produce a chocolate drink by dissolving the bar in warm water. The four bars together supply sufficient calories to sustain the average size human for one day of moderate activity.

A multi-use bar for both humans and Vargr is similar in packaging and weight, with the primary difference being the use of powdered dried meat instead of the chocolate and additional use of animal fats in the formulation. These bars also supply 600 calories per bar, and are palatable to both humans and Vargr. The supplementary beverage packets contain both the Vitamin C fortified beverage packets and three additional packets of powdered meat broth enriched with salt for the use of the Vargr, although humans also find the broth nourishing and palatable. Two vitamin tablets are provided, one for Vargr use and one for human consumption.

A special Vargr only ration packet is available containing four 150 gram hard biscuits containing a total of 2400 calories and a balanced vitamin and mineral intake without the need of supplementary tablets or beverage packets. The four biscuits are individually wrapped in waterproof packets and may be carried easily in the pocket. This packet would not be suitable for human use, however, except in an emergency.

Logan Subsistence is in the process of testing the ration packets for use by the Droyne, and it appears that both the chocolate-based human bar and the meat-based mult-use bar are suitable for Droyne use as well, with a preference being shown for the chocolate-based bar. Further testing is proceeding, and Logan Subsistence is committed to supplying the highest quality of survival food products to the widest number of consumers for competitive prices.

The unopened chocolate-based ration weighs 600 grams in a resealable plastic container which can double as a cup and water container, and is priced at 5 Imperial Credits per survival packet. The multi-use packet and the Vargr hard biscuit packets weight 750 grams in a resealable plastic box, and costs 6 Imperial Credits per ration packet.

 

[Condottiere]

 

[Grav_Moped]

For our centauroid friends:

 

[Timerover51]

The problem with the K'kree is their size and digestive system. With an average mass of 550 kilograms/1,200 pounds, they are on par with a large horse, and based on no references to cud-chewing, have a straight pass-through digestive system. Their young are fed partially-digested food, which means they either have a secondary stomach to store such food, at least in the female, or much of the nutrient absorption taking place in the intestines. Regardless, given the mass and the vegetative material consumed, rations for the K'kree are going to be bulky and heavy. The following information comes from Wolseley's Soldier's Pocket Book for Field Service, and probably represents the minimum ration for a K'kree.

COMPRESSED FORAGE. -Forage cake––In our next wars we are certain to use compressed forage to a large extent as we have now tested its value for service in the field. That used in Natal in 1879 and 1881, and Egypt in 1882, was made up in 25lb. cakes containing 10 lbs. oats, 2 lbs. bran and 13 lbs. hay. In Egypt it was liked very much, and was most satisfactory; there is, however, likely to be loss in feeding. It was supplied in bales of 3 cakes of a gross weight of 77 lbs.

Then there is the water requirement, which, again based on the horse analogy, might run 6 to 12 gallons a day, depending on the climate and what is being done.

 

[Condottiere]

So, what does a centaur toilet look like?

I don't suppose they spend all their time on the throne, and a cubicle would drive them crazy.

 

[Xerxeskingofking]

they may just do it where they please, like most real life horses, and have robots trundling around cleaning up the mess.


or they may prefer a "roman" style open plan toilet. given their highly social nature, they may just not care who sees them defecating. Maybe they all just use one corner of a field/building/ship as the designated loo area.

 

[aramis]

Canonically, genetically engineered grassoids are used in public areas, even on ships...

 

[Whipsnade]

In his Known Space series, Niven mentions that, before leaving the Fleet of Worlds to interact with other species, the herbivore Puppeteers have to learn to control their bowels.

 

[Condottiere]

It's funny, I had zero interest in this race, until I realized it all has to go somewhere.

But aren't they droid crazy; this may explain it.

Not a roomba, but a personal cargo robot, you could fuse both functions.

 

[epicenter00]

Wolves, like most animals on Earth, do not need Vitamin C - they can synthesize it themselves unlike humans. I'd imagine that Vargr probably don't need Vitamin C either.

I'd imagine then that if Vargr and human nutritional needs are similar enough, the manufacturer would make a survival ration that can be used by either species, with the only difference being flavor.

 

[Carlobrand]

Is that a Ration D bar?

 

[aramis]

Wolves, like most animals on Earth, do not need Vitamin C - they can synthesize it themselves unlike humans. I'd imagine that Vargr probably don't need Vitamin C either.

I'd imagine then that if Vargr and human nutritional needs are similar enough, the manufacturer would make a survival ration that can be used by either species, with the only difference being flavor.

Brains are biologically expensive; something has to give, and the question become what?

It's likely that the metabolism was slowed.. if not, then they likely need MORE food than a comparative mass wolf would, and thus more than a human.

Joint Rations likelyare set so that minimums of each's needs are met unless toxic to the other intended species. But what the multi-species rations will have will vary with the regional distribution. Human & Vargr in the Marches, Human, Newt, and Vegan in the Solomani Rim... Human, Newt and Aslan in Dark Nebula.

Also note: 20K years is enough to speciate (the "DNA Clock" indicates Polar Bears are under 20K years separate from Grizzlies... and Polars synthesize several more needed vitamins than do Grizzlies, according to the Alaska Zoo exhibit.)

While synthesis of many needed vitamins is possible, it's biologically an expensive process... so adding them in food to reduce the food needs of the Proto-vargr and deleting them from (or suppressing them in) the genome is quite likely.

Also, keep in mind the over 200,000. years between the Ancients era and the 3I... They're as removed from wolves as we are from Homo Heidelbergensis; H. Neanderthalensis, H. Denisova, and H. Floresiensis are closer in time (and both Neanderthalensis and Denisova interbred with H. Sapiens archaic to form H. Sapiens modernensis...

 

[Timerover51]

Wolves, like most animals on Earth, do not need Vitamin C - they can synthesize it themselves unlike humans. I'd imagine that Vargr probably don't need Vitamin C either.

I'd imagine then that if Vargr and human nutritional needs are similar enough, the manufacturer would make a survival ration that can be used by either species, with the only difference being flavor.

From the original post.

A multi-use bar for both humans and Vargr is similar in packaging and weight, with the primary difference being the use of powdered dried meat instead of the chocolate and additional use of animal fats in the formulation. These bars also supply 600 calories per bar, and are palatable to both humans and Vargr. The supplementary beverage packets contain both the Vitamin C fortified beverage packets and three additional packets of powdered meat broth enriched with salt for the use of the Vargr, although humans also find the broth nourishing and palatable. Two vitamin tablets are provided, one for Vargr use and one for human consumption.

This is an updated version of the "D" Ration Bar of World War 2. It is designed to keep someone alive and able to engage in moderate activity, hence the additional bar in the packet, along with the Vitamin C packets and vitamin tablet.

I have posted elsewhere ration standard for WW2 U.S. Army war dogs, with recommendations for use with the Vargr. Based on the WW2 rations, I assume that the ration for the Vargr should be at least doubled. To give a reasonable "fudge" factor, an increase of 250 per cent is warranted.

http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=36173&page=6

See Post 60

 

[kilemall]

they may just do it where they please, like most real life horses, and have robots trundling around cleaning up the mess.


or they may prefer a "roman" style open plan toilet. given their highly social nature, they may just not care who sees them defecating. Maybe they all just use one corner of a field/building/ship as the designated loo area.

Litter box?

 

[Timerover51]

Litter box?

Litter boxes require cleaning, and that might be a bit interesting given the castes of k'cree society. Cleaning the latrine as a disciplinary measure might not be an option. Also, their life support is going to have to handle methane build-up and an interesting range of odors. Remember, each K'kree is going to generate about 25 to 30 pounds of "road apples" every day. Then you do have the issue of urine waste as well, and that will be measured in gallons per day.

 

[aramis]

Litter boxes require cleaning, and that might be a bit interesting given the castes of k'cree society. Cleaning the latrine as a disciplinary measure might not be an option. Also, their life support is going to have to handle methane build-up and an interesting range of odors. Remember, each K'kree is going to generate about 25 to 30 pounds of "road apples" every day. Then you do have the issue of urine waste as well, and that will be measured in gallons per day.

Only if their digestion is as inefficient as a horse or cow. Neither is a good model for digestive extraction efficiency.

Further, terran grasses are amongst the least digestible plants around. We use them because their seeds concentrate their nutritive value and make them readily stored... but they are poor fodder even for horses. Horses and ruminants eat them because little else does...

Many herbivores require far less volume for mass moved... but are adapted for better fare than cereal crops.

 

[Enoki]

Litter boxes require cleaning, and that might be a bit interesting given the castes of k'cree society. Cleaning the latrine as a disciplinary measure might not be an option. Also, their life support is going to have to handle methane build-up and an interesting range of odors. Remember, each K'kree is going to generate about 25 to 30 pounds of "road apples" every day. Then you do have the issue of urine waste as well, and that will be measured in gallons per day.

Well, the urine problem wouldn't be that big an issue. That could be processed through filtration to give water for reuse and the rest turned into a solid that doesn't take up too much volume.
If the K'kree had open vegetation aboard ships maybe the manure could be used as fertilizer? That or incinerate it for energy then dump the ash overboard.
Methane might be collected and burned off to give CO2 for plants and energy for some ship's system or another...

 

[Whipsnade]

If the K'kree had open vegetation aboard ships maybe the manure could be used as fertilizer?

K'Kree ships have been sufficiently described since CT's AM:2. A MT product provided more details and even a deckplan.

Ships are flattened spheres resembling the classic flying saucer. There is little or no compartmentalization. Most of the interior is living space - the 6,000 dTon merchant hauls less than 50 dTons of cargo - with synthetic grass, a domed holographic "sky", and holographic images on the sides. The few important areas like the bridge are partitioned from the rest of the "paddock" by curtains, vegetation, transparent dividers, and the like. MT shows the dome's central support pillar disguised as a tree.

As for there being a latrine or litter box, the entire living space is the latrine. All excreted waste is removed and processed by the synthetic "grass" and the machinery beneath. Methane is as much of a concern as carbon dioxide and just as easily handled. Odors are also of little concern because the K'Kree prefer them. In the MT description, a human scientist travelling aboard a K'Kree merchant talks about having the wear a filter mask occasionally.

Regarding the amount of waste an individual K'Kree produces, they're not horses or cows any more than Vargr are dogs or Aslan are cats. Body size alone means they'll produce more than humans, but assuming their digestive systems works like a horse's or that their foodstuffs resemble Terran fodder and grains is simplistic.

 

[flykiller]

the 6,000 dTon merchant hauls less than 50 dTons of cargo - with synthetic grass, a domed holographic "sky", and holographic images on the sides ... MT shows the dome's central support pillar disguised as a tree.

so why do they go into space at all?

dunno ... seems kind of artificial, like saying humans require an arboreal setting. so the k'kree are intelligent cattle, rather than sophonts based on herbivores?

 

[Grav_Moped]

so why do they go into space at all?

To get to the other side.

I'd expect that most don't. One might posit that the only ones that engage in space travel are those who are clinically agoraphobic (relative to their race, of course; to us they're still claustrophobic to a disabling degree).

If their biology allows it, I'd think they'd mainly travel by Low Passage in suitably modified Low Berths so they wouldn't have to directly experience the confinement of space travel.

(Note: I haven't read much of the canon regarding them, so this might already be the case.)