Ivan pulled out his portable Plasma Torch and repair the grill after all the fuss.
“Whoa, this is something.” Lotti was impressed.
“Of course, I modified it myself.” Ivan concentrated.
Lotti blushed just looking at Ivan at work.
“Why are you even using this old junk at all? Charcoal, wood, any organic matter is considered precious material on the Ark!” Ivan finished fixing the rack and put it back.
“Idiot!” Lotti was angered by Ivan’s inattentiveness.
“What? Maillard reaction is it?” Ivan could not comprehend. “Any electric oven can do the same job?”
Lotti put hot charcoal into the grill, then some wooden chips into a metal box with holes, and put it beside the charcoal. After she set the skewers up, she put the lid on. Not long after, fragrant of smoke and fat emerged.
“Didn’t know wood smells so good.” Ivan was surprised.
“You will understand soon enough.” Blushed Lotti uncovered the lid and gave a skewer to Ivan. “Special reward.”
“Oh, so this is the special reward…” Ivan was amused, and took a bite. Immediately, he opened his eyes wide. “This is so tasty, what flavour is this!?”
“This is the taste of time.” Lotti said with a slight pride.
“Smoke from oak is extremely complex, it is impossible to be synthesized. An oak tree needs over thirty years to grow, the memory of time is written into its body. During the years, it breathes out the oxygen we need, and stand testimony to our life. Before humanity embarked for the New World, this should be what they eat from day to day.”
“Flavour from the dark age!? You are telling me the Tier-0 are indulging in this delicacy everyday!?”
“Heh.” Lotti smiled with a smug. “By the way, natural meat are restricted to Tier-0 personnel only, you could get locked up eating it.”
“You only say it now!?” Ivan almost threw up.
“Ho ho.” Lotti put on a grin. “If you follow my orders, you will be safe.”
ns 15.158.61.48da2
