He couldn't imagine eating three platefuls of food and then doing rigorous training right after. He'd need at least an hour of digesting. Vomitting up food was the least of the dangers. There were ulcers, cramps, and sluggishness and awkwardness to worry about. Being slow in battle is definitely a recipe for disaster, defeat. And yet there was Isa present, debunking all his fears about exercising too soon after a meal.<br/><br/>Kole was not pleased about the Captain dismissing his tummy-rubbing. And even more so when she taunted that the<span style="font-style: italic">enemy waits for no one, not even his cooking!</span>Which, after a while listening to Alfalfa's further words, actually made him start to think. What if... he could use his culinary skills to win over, if not conquer, enemies! Hmm! What a delicious thought!<br/><br/>But then followed further words of denigration from the Captain. Jokes about 'this is a shield' and 'remember your child drills'. These words felt like they were aimed right at him! Yes, it was true, he was one of the crew members who logged in less than half as much time training than the others, but he was a cook! Not a fighter!<span style="font-style: italic">Dargnit!</span><br/><br/>Okay, he will not wait for someone to pick him last or second last, this time. No, he will not be like the worst rugball player picked always last by any team. This time, Kole will be the chooser! Alfalfa will eat her words! And no, he will not choose his usual sparring partners, either, (Gunnar the Gunner, mostly), which only bred complacency due to the familiarity. No, this time, Kole will choose...<br/><br/>"You!" Pointing his laser-edge sword at the<span style="font-style: italic">Hrið</span>'s only alien crew member! (As far as anyone knew).<br/><br/>A<span style="font-weight: bold">Pick</span>that might prove more th<span style="font-weight: bold">a</span>n he could<span style="font-weight: bold">chew</span>.