Armory. Reed putters around with his TOR-pee-dos -- and you know, I wasn't even going for a potty joke that time. I was just making fun of how he pronounces the word, but looky there! Quantum enters, and Reed tells him of the security protocol he wants to introduce to the ship because he thinks the crew can do better when they meet hostile species. "And you have a proposal?" Quantum asks. "I've been thinking of a ship-wide emergency alert -- something a bit more comprehensive than 'Battle Stations.' We're taking far too long to react to potential threats. With a single word from you or an impact to the hull, the plating could be polarized, weapons brought online, critical systems secured," Reed elaborates. Quantum appreciates his concern, but reminds him they're not a warship. "Well, that's obvious, sir," Reed says a bit snittily. He hands over his proposal and elaborates all the ways they did bad when encountering hostiles one through sixteen. Quantum takes a look while Reed fidgets impatiently. "Run this by the senior officers. Get some feedback, and we'll talk again," Quantum suggests. What "senior officers" -- does he mean Trip? Reed accepts this, and Quantum goes to leave, but turns back to say, "And Malcolm, don't call it 'Battle Stations,' think of something less aggressive." Reed puzzles over the meaning of "less aggressive."

Mess Hall. Like any good chef, Hoshi walks around the crew and inquires how they're enjoying her dish. It seems well received. Trip and Reed sit together and obsessive-compulse over their work. "Condition Red?" Reed asks. "Well, now he's just taking names right off his lipsticks!" Mathra points out. Trip grunts. "What about 'Condition Red' for the new security protocol?" Reed elaborates. Trip wonders why he just doesn't call it "Security Protocol," but Reed doesn't think that's "very dynamic." "Do you think a cup holder is too much?" Trip asks. Once Reed understands what Trip is talking about, he chuckles derisively, "Just what the Captain needs in a crisis -- a place to rest his beverage." Snark it up! Trip defensively explains that the chair will have lots of other functions as well, like accessing tactical info from the armory.