So a hasperat sandwich is pretty much a kimchi wrap. The vegetables are different, the spice level is something like a combination of cinnamon oil and spicy peppers. It has the warmth of cinnamon and the spiciness of a jalapeno but the flavor of a water chestnut.

  The sensation of eating a hasperat sandwich is similar to a spicy veggie wrap. Lots of crunch, some complex flavor, but light and snackable. People who love crunchy spicy chips would love this. I'll have to see if I can get a crate or two of the vegetable and the recipe. That said, perhaps there is a market for crunchy spicy chips on Bajor.

  “How is the hasperat?” Chief O'Brian said after I had taken a few bites.

  I chewed and swallowed the bite I had just taken. The very diplomatically gave my opinion.

  “It's not bad, the spice profile is interesting, and my sinuses are definitely getting a clearing. It's not too much stronger than a wasabi paste though. The flavors are a bit simple for me though, I would want a fried pork sausage with it or some other fatty protein to break up the salt and spice. Perhaps a hasperat garnish on a hot dog would work. Chicago dogs have peppers, perhaps we could create a Bajor dog”

  “I'm not sure Commander Sisko would go for that, he is always saying nothing should be on a hotdog other than mustard.”

  “Oh, so he's a purist. Can't fault him for his taste, but I think a Bajor dog could be a best seller.”

  “You plan to sell hotdogs? Good luck getting them shipped out here. You'll probably have to replicate them.”

  “I have a few in cryostasis in my cart. I'll just have to make some with local meats from Bajor when I run out.”

  “You hand make hotdogs?”

  “And sausages too, not too hard really with the right tools. There was an entertainer I watched growing up who would produce videos of ridiculous sausage recipes. He put random ingredients into the meat grinder and grossed out all the children who watched him eat his culinary abominations.”

  O'Brian looked a bit puzzled and disgusted to I changed the subject.

  “Say Mr. O'Brian do you like hasperat?”

  “Not really my thing, it's good for a change of flavor. I could eat bacon sausage and eggs for every meal if my wife Keiko would let me.”

  “I've got a few dozen eggs from Earth in the cart too, come by when I'm all set up and I'll cook you a proper fried breakfast. It will even have some of those potatoes you're about to give me some alcohol to prove they exist.”

  “You're not going to accept synthahol are you?”

  “Sorry Chief, good stuff or nothing”

  We reached the Assay office and I pulled the cart out of the vault.

  The attendant was still busy, the people in the line hadn't changed much since I was here fifteen minutes ago.

  Thankfully personal vault access is something that can be done without the attendant.

  I took the cart out of the vault, opened the system storage, scrolled through a few pages until I found the bags of potatoes. I then spent a few minutes finding the bags of Yukon gold from the supplies of russet, small red, purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Ube roots. Yes the last two are technically not potatoes, but the one time I spent doing some organizing of the storage I put all the root veggies on the same page.

  I did have a few seed potato bags of each variety too. Those came from the garden shed. I wasn't lying when I said Ann grew them in the backyard.

  I had the bag of potatoes in my arms and was about to close the inventory when I accidentally went to the next page and saw my collection of potato chips.

  The hasperat didn't fill me up and put me in the mood for spicy Cheetos, so I grabbed a bag of flamin’ hot as well.

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  The cart changed the appearance of the packaging of both the potato sack and Cheeto bag to be plain and nondescript.

  I opened the now logo free, bag of potatoes and tossed one to O'Brian.

  “Ok, so you have a potato, it could be replicated or a different variety.”

  “Do whatever tests you need to do, then bring me back a bottle. I've always wanted to try Romulan ale.”

  "You know that's illegal right?"

  "In federation space perhaps, isn't this a Bajoran station? I'm sure Quark could get you a bottle for the right price." I said as I looked down at my bag of snacks. I used to hide chips like these in the back of the cupboard from Ann. She always wanted me to eat healthy.

  The bag of flamin' hot Cheetos, or as the generic bag now labeled it ‘spicy cheese corn extrusions.’ The font was Times New Roman black on a white bag. Reminded me of the no-name brand packaging from Canada.

  “Want some? It's an old earth recipe. Spicy Cheetos. I think they might do well with anyone who likes hasperat.”

  “Sure I'll try one, these don't exactly look healthy though so I'll only try a few”

  Miles O'Brian reached into the outstretched bag and grabbed a pinch of Cheetos.

  “Oh, they're not healthy at all. They got me through college though. Sprinkled a few on some instant ramen.”

  “And that was good was it?”

  “It was good enough.”

  Miles O'Brian carefully tried one of the neon red snacks. He let out a breath. "OH, those are spicy, very spicy."

  “Chief O'Brian to Ops, On the double. ” The comm badge on O'Brian's shirt called out.

  “On the way.” O'Brian said then grabbed another handful of Cheetos.

  “We will have to finish this later, these are quite good. We should have them with that Guinness you will owe me when the scans prove you've been lied to about this strain of potato”

  “ We should enjoy them with some Romulan ale, once your friend scans that potato. If you cant get that, any real alcohol will do, but I prefer something not from Earth. That green stuff Guinan keeps behind her bar at 10-forward would be fantastic.”

  —

  Miles O’Brian stepped off the turbolift into Ops. All of the other senior staff are present excluding Julian Bashir. At the center of the room is a very upset Quark.

  “Chief, sorry to interrupt your lunch, the replicators at Quarks bar have recently stopped producing anything other than Bolian fermented yak. When Rom tried to fix them the power to that section went out. Have you noticed anything odd recently?” Sisko asked.

  “ Not with the computer systems, no. Dax, could you do me a favor and scan this potato? I have a nagging suspicion about something.”

  “A potato, Miles?” Dax said as she lifted an eyebrow in mocking suspicion.

  “Just scan it, I don't really want to be right about something.”

  “Chief, tell me what you're thinking.”

  “I would really prefer to wait until Dax finishes the scan, Sir.”

  Jadzia Dax took the potato from O’Brian and set it down on the console before waving a science tricorder over it. Commander Sisko watched with arms folded and a look of concern at what significance a potato has for his chief petty officer.

  “Scans show that this is a non-replicated, living potato variety: Yukon gold.” Dax replied, not looking up from the tricorder.

  “Damn. Sir, I think it might be best if we asked Quark to leave before we talk.”

  “That's Grand Nagus Quark, where would you have me go? My bar has no power, and might I add is still missing a section of wall, something you said you would have a team on yesterday. I am bleeding profit.” Quark said as Odo pointed smugly at the turbolift.

  “Fine fine, I’ll figure something out. Perhaps people will enjoy Dabo in the dark.” Quark said as the turbolift doors closed.

  “Well Chief, what do you think is going on?” Kira Nerys, the station's Bajoran liaison and first officer said. “Are saboteurs using that root vegetable somehow?”

  “Worse, I think we may have a time traveler on board, and I owe him a bottle of Romulan Ale.”

  “Chief, Explain. Now. Dax, go ahead and run a sweep of the station for chronoton particles.” Sisko ordered.

  “It’s Mr. Egman sir, he's a nice enough fellow. Something about him just feels… off. That potato shouldn’t be possible. They went extinct about three hundred years ago. Also the bag it came from simply appeared in his hands. He tried to pretend he was grabbing them from inside the cart, but he wasn’t very good at it.”

  “ Is he a Q?” Sisko said as his right hand subconsciously formed a fist.

  “Its possible, but he doesn't act like one. It’s like he's a child getting excited about the most ordinary things. Almost like some kind of tourist. He also said something a few moments ago about the alcohol Guinan kept on the Enterprise. He might be one of her people. The El-Aurians do have a strange relationship with time.”

  “Commander, I am picking up traces of chronotons in the habitat ring. Narrowing scan, It’s in Quarks quarters” Dax called out.

  —