White Bean Soup Survival

Posted on Tue Aug 25th, 2026 @ 3:31am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer & Cadet Junior Grade Xiran Sun

1,238 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: USS Cavalier | Mess Hall

Cavalier's Mess Hall was colder than the starship should ever feel. The power saving mode had dimmed the lights to a tired amber, and the faint whine of life-support compressors echoed like a heartbeat under strain. A handful of cadets sat wrapped in thermal blankets. Their eyes were hollow looking as some whispered in fragments that never quite reached a full conversation.

Shafin Todenhöfer moved through the room with a quiet focused precision, that of someone who had stopped panicking hours ago. In the center of the galley, was an old style induction burner that glowed faintly. It was a small miracle that had been scavenged from one of the storage bays. Over it sat a battered stockpot filled with water that Shafin had pulled from the ship’s filtration tanks.

He reached for a crate marked Non-Perishable Nutrient Supplies and pried it open. Inside, sealed containers of dried legumes, rationed flour, and mineral supplements. Ingredients meant for research, not comfort. But they would do just fine.

He poured a scoop of white beans into the pot, watching them tumble like pebbles. Beside him lay bundles of wilted greens and hydroponic herbs rescued from the Cavalier’s small botany lab. A faint smile touched his face—life growing in a dying ship.

“Are we allowed to use those?” asked Cadet Jorvik, his oceanic blue Bolian skin was dulled under the lighting.

Shafin didn’t look up to respond “Hydroponics bay lost power to one grid. Half the plants will freeze by morning. It's logical that we eat them while they’re still food.” He measured out powdered stock from a packet, added the greens, then opened a tiny container of something bright green. It was his own jar of homemade zhug, a mixture of chili, garlic, and herbs he’d grown as a study experiment in nutrition in one of the labs.

“Spice?” cadet Xiran Sun asked, disbelieving the sight.

“Yes, and medicine,” Shafin clarified, stirring. “It opens the lungs and keeps the blood warm... according to my Bubbe."

The scent began to spread earthy beans and sharp coriander cutting through the sterile air. Heads lifted. Even the environmental hum seemed to soften. Shafin had looked to see that Meghan was around now too. "Meghan, can you rummage around and see if you can find some bowls?"

"Sure." Meghan slipped into a storage room and began to look through containers until she found one with bowls. She didn't find any spoons, however, but they could drink the soup. She took it out to Shafin, then went back to find a container of mugs. That soon joined the other. "This should do for now. Do we have any other emergency rations? Surely there are nutrition bars around here somewhere?"

"We do," he said confidently. He was studying more than simply counselling, as he had dipped his Vulcanoid toes into a broader scope of medical studies including minoring in Nutrition & Health Sciences. "The problem is we weren't intended to be starship out on a deep space assignment, nor a true assignment at any duration. We have a standard supply of emergency rations in case the engines broke down or we had a malfunction with the dilithium crystals. That means enough to last a few weeks, several if we truly rationed. It would be more than enough for a Federation starship to come tow us back to civilization."

He did not need to clarify further, yet he did because how could he not. "I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Meghan. The emergency rations will get us to a point, but beyond that? We need to get innovative and self-sufficient. Digging through cargo containers, but also ensuring hydroponics and aeroponics are fully operational."

"I can check on those." Meghan ran a hand through her hair. "I was told not to bother before, but now..." Now, they just had to survive. "We may need to look for M-class planets if we can't get power and replicators working as they should."


Shafin nodded. "We will have a lot of things that weren't a priority or a concern that now are going to be a responsibility. You are right though, but it isn't may, it is a must. If not now, eventually we will need to locate a Minshara class planet or something somewhat habitable for find supplies and replenish essentials."

"Yes." Meghan didn't need to say more. "I'll see what we can find...both on the ship and in the space around us. Let me know what you and Daniel need me to do."

"I can let you know what I need you to do, Meghan. Daniel... may the prophets guide him. He may need you to find us all a few miracles." Shafin sighed. "I don't know how to get through to him. His skull seems impermeable to logic and reason."

Daniel... Would he even listen to her? She didn't know, but there was something she could do that the others could not. Hopefully. "I'll try."

Shafin took a deep breath. Daniel Weaver was a simplistic being with complex issues, too stubborn to listen and too prideful to have clarity. At least, that was Shafin's interpretation of the man. Ultimately, he barely knew Daniel. He couldn't diagnose him, and he couldn't not allow himself to fall victim to the same prejudices that people had about him because he looked like a Vulcan.

He cast his gaze upon Meghan. "If he does not start listening to either of us, Meghan, he is going to get us all killed. We cannot allow that. I don't care if he chooses Emma to be his First Officer. Finn and I will do what is necessary to keep this crew alive."

Meghan nodded. "I know. Daniel has to get out of his head and stop thinking he has to prove himself. He has what it takes to be a leader if he'll only trust himself." And not his father--or Emma. Meghan still hadn't forgotten that she'd made a play for Daniel. "I'll find all the information I can. If Daniel won't listen to us, I'll make sure you have it. I think that, without his father, he might start listening to you again."

Shafin nodded. "Us... anyone. We just need him to be more receptive to what we have to say. He needs to realize that we are in this together whether we like it or not, we have to listen to each other."

Meghan nodded. "I agree. I should run back to Astrometrics, see if I can get anything more. Then I'll come back and...we'll see what we can do."

"I understand. See if you can get anything else from Astrometrics," replied Shafin. "I'll be here sorting what I can on my end."

"I will." She smiled at Shafin. "Here's hoping." Then she headed back to Astrometrics. She'd stop by Commander Borovich's office to see if there was anything there she could use. She paused for a moment. Was it her office now? She couldn't think about that. At least she had science to focus on. And Daniel... Hopefully Daniel. She sighed. Right now, though, they all had to focus on survival.

A post by

Cadet Junior Shafin Todenhöfer
Acting Chief Counselor
USS Cavalier

Cadet Jorvik

Cadet Junior Grade Xiran Sun
Acting Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Cavalier

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Cavalier

 

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