Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Three: The Egg #14

Fox and Nara were greeted by Lannister himself at the captain's door. "Happy Thanksgiving," Lannister said by way of greeting.

"Thanks, and you," Fox returned. "No Peeta?" he commented as they went down the hall towards the main room.

"Oh, he's in quite a state. I don't think I've seen him so happy." Lannister joked. "Poor boy. Graduated from one of the finest service academies on Saras Station. And now he's stuck here with an old military captain that barely entertains."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Walsh said as he came up and gripped Fox's hand. "Happy Thanksgiving. Not celebrating with your family?"

"Umm, no. But I figured Nara and I could stop by," Fox said. Walsh and Lannister's faces were both open and guileless. Fox bit back a snort. And they grouse that the Consortium does this to them, say innocent things that show how little they truly understand Earth culture. While asking the Native American about his Thanksgiving plans.

"We gave them a turkey, they took our continent," Emma commented this morning as Fox had gotten ready to come here. She gave him a bright, false smile. "Have fun!"

"Lannister didn't do that," Fox had replied. Still, Thanksgiving had very different connotations when you'd been raised in a politically aware household on the reservation.

"It's a somewhat unique interpretation," Lannister said, pointing at the centerpiece on the table.

Fox bit back a laugh and felt a vindictive surge. The Consortium holiday of Deepaval was so close to the Hindu holiday of Diwali that it had led to speculation that the original settlers sent from the Consortium must have landed somewhere in India and forged that culture. It was less than a week away. Peeta had blended the two in a way that was artful and beautiful, but lacked a certain cultural tact. The decorative turkey had paisley feathers that made it look more like a very regal peacock, surrounded by a half dozen small oil lamps, as though it was being worshipped.

"Very unique indeed," Fox said, still trying to keep a smile off his face. "I will most certainly have to compliment him on it."

Peeta was in the kitchen, at the center of a small group of caterers, cooks and servers he'd personally hired for the day. He seemed quite in his element and as Lannister had joked, quite pleased with himself.

The servers worked the crowd, carrying trays of drinks and appetizers. Fox took a drink but waved the food away. He and Nara circulated the crowd. It was definitely a who's who of the new station. Jack, Barry, Zeta and Badu were in one corner. A slick looking man that Fox didn't know appeared at Zeta's side, putting an arm around her and talking to the others.

Kellii was surrounded by several of the stations civilian council members. "I told the captain," he was saying as they passed. "If this Thanksgiving involves food, I am happy to celebrate it." There was a smattering of laughter.

There was even a handful of people from the surface. Mostly Denver locals with a vested interest in the station. A couple members of the mayor's office were there, along with a couple of men from the local chamber of commerce.

Before long Peeta was calling them to the table. There were so many in attendance that he'd had to set up a second table. Each table was laden with food. He'd done a turkey for each table and plenty of traditional Earth dishes. He'd also made a large number of traditional Consortium dishes that he thought would pair well with the Earth food.

Lannister gave a short speech before they dug in. Fox focused on what Lannister said, on what the holiday had come to mean, rather than the history it commemorated, and found himself agreeing with the speech. Today was about having gratitude. And he had a lot to be grateful for.