The Solas Tempus Individual Meal, Ready-to-Eat Pack or IMP for short has been designed to provide proper meals to Combat and Non-Combat personnel of Solas Tempus operating in Active Operation (AO) fields such as short/long-range field patrols, special operations, peacekeeping, warfighting, and exploration. Often called MREs, Imps, or just rations.
Modules
Modules are designed to go where ever Solas Tempus personnel go. A departure from the nutrition bars which Starfleet and other entities use, these modules replace such unappetizing food bars or similar rations. Designed to be easily stored and replicated with packaging, food / beverage items, and all other components specifically designed so that they can be replicated for the lowest net energy usage possible.
Carrier Pack
The Carrier pack is essentially what contains the foodstuff and beverages of the MRE. Made of a lightweight, flexible and durable material. It is waterproofed and able to withstand rough terrain, hostile and temperate climates from blistering hot deserts to sub-zero conditions thanks to the insulating layer of the packaging keeping the items cool and dry.
Thermal-Stabilizer / Heater Gusset Pouch
Similar to the carrier pack, the pouch itself acts as a food storage pouch and a heater at the same time thanks to a built-in gel layer around it meant for heating up the food to a piping hot meal for the user to enjoy. The heating function is activated through squeezing the sides of the food which triggers the heating element. The outer layer is made of a durable insulator material so that the pouch during the heating phase won’t burn or scald the users’ hands. Plus the heating process lasts about five minutes in total so that the food inside won’t be overcooked and at the same time leaving it piping hot in the end.
TKL Bars
These do not entirely phase out the TKL bars (also called emergency rations or E-Rations). Such bars are part of a standard medical kit. Designed to have a high carlory count and incredibly nutrient-dense. While they are unappetising they still have a place as the kind of ration which can be eaten on the move or when nothing else is available or practical. This is why medical kits have a 4-pack of such bars in each kit. They contain high concentrations of everything a body needs to sustain high energy output over a long period of time. While scientifically they could be lived off of for an extended period of time, this is not recommended as a product of their high-calorie design makes them unsuitable for an extended and balanced diet. These facts spawned the creation of the more modern IMP modules discussed here.
Reception
Since its recent debut, the Solas Tempus IMPs have been a wide success in the Organizations as the armed forces and field agent of Solas Tempus. Complementing the fresh and warm meals available to them on the field and stating it was a great replacement for the Food Bars also popularly known as Food Chalks or Crayons and the unpopular tube food famously known for its tasteless sludge-like food substance.
Module Menus
A number of menus are possible, combinations are designed to both maximize flavor as well as minimize cost of production and longevity of storage. Any of the menu items for entrée (or entrée and dessert pairing) can be then paired with an item from the snack menu allowing for more variety of combinations. Beverage and accessory packages are standard with each module and contain all items listed.
Breakfast
There are 5 main entrées available in the breakfast menu.
- Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
- Sausage & Hash Browns
- Breakfast Skillet
- Ham Steak w/ Mustard Sauce
- Breakfast Sausage
Snack Menu
- Muesli Cereal Bar
- 4x Ginger Biscuits
Beverage Package
- 3-1 Instant Type XV Coffee
- Hot Cocoa
Accessory Package
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tissue Rolls
- Mint Gums
- Spork
- Peanut Butter
- Raspberry Jam
Lunch
There are 6 main entrées available in the lunch menu each with its own dessert pairing.
- Meat Sauce Pasta & Vanilla Pound Cake
- Ham & Chicken Loaf & Cinnamon Bread Roll
- Pasta & Beans & Cherry Cobbler
- Pork Ravioli Pasta & Fruit Cocktail
- Beef Stew & Custard
- Chicken Curry Rice & Chocolate Pudding
Snack Menu
- 4x Salted Crackers
- 45% Dark Chocolate Bar
- Mixed Berry Fruit Bar
- Roasted Peanuts
Beverage Package
- Fruit Punch Flavored Isotonic Drink
- 3-1 Instant Type XV Coffee
Accessory Package
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tissue Rolls
- Mint Gums
- Spork
- Jalapeno Cheese Spread
- Tabasco Sauce
Dinner / Supper
There are 6 main entrées available in the dinner menu.
- Goulash w/ Potatoes
- Moroccan Lamb w/ Rice
- Beans Bangers & Chicken Bacon
- Carbonara Fusilli Pasta
- Stewed Pork and Potatoes
- Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potatoes
Snack Menu
- Pillow Bun
- 3x Plain Biscuits
Liquid Menu
- Vegetable Beef Soup
- Chicken Cream Soup
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Ramen Soup
Beverage Package
- Hot Cocoa
- Camomile Tea
- Mint Tea
Accessory Package
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tissue Rolls
- Mint Gums
- Spork
- Sweetened Condensed Milk