Ration
Rations are a variety of processed, packaged, and preserved foods. Originally produced to supply armies with necessary food for military campaigns, various rations are also supplied with survival kits, sold to campers and explorers. Rations forgo palatability for portability and duration of edibility. Weight and cost for rations are per person-day of food.
| Hardtack | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–0 |
| Cost | Cr1 |
| Size | 0.5 liters |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
The original rations are Hardtack, consisting of ground grain flour, usually baked two or three times. Kept dry and away from pests, hardtack can be safely eaten years later. While hardtack can be eaten dry it usually soaked in water, beer, or other liquid to soften it.
| Preserves | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–5 |
| Cost | Cr6 |
| Size | 1.0 liter |
| Weight | 1.0 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Preserves are food packaged and preserved in metal cans, usually three or four for a day's ration. If the cans are kept intact, the rations remain edible even years later.
| Combat Rations | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–6 |
| Cost | Cr6 |
| Size | 2.25 liters |
| Weight | 2.25 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Combat rations consist of one or two cans of preserves, plus some dehydrated food and other types of easily carried food stuffs. Designed to provide more variety to the troops diet. Packaged in a resealable waterproof container designed for ease of packing and carrying.
| Food Bars | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–6 |
| Cost | Cr6 |
| Size | 1.5 liters |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Food bars are highly processed, nutritionally dense bars. Sealed in a flat, waterproof package, each one providing a days' worth of food. Food bars come in two types: a hard, dry, crunchy texture resembling hard tack and a soft chewy texture resembling a mealy gum.
| Tube Rations | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–7 |
| Cost | Cr8 |
| Size | 0.15 liters |
| Weight | 0.15 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Tube rations are a concentrate processed into a thick paste. Similar to the glop produced by the survival still, with an equally tasteless and bland nature. Tube rations are frequently included in medical supplies for feeding critically ill patients due to their easy digestibility and ability to feed to even the unconscious ones.
| Tablets | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foods |
| Tech Level | TL–8 |
| Cost | Cr7 |
| Size | 0.1 liters |
| Weight | 0.1 kg |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Tablet rations are like the tube rations, food concentrated into a tasteless and bland chewable tablet.
- Martin Dougherty, Neil Frier. Star Mercs (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 80.
- Douglas E. Berry. Ground Forces (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 104-105.