Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode 9: Asha-Tanga #2

"Protests continue as the Healers Council in five quadrants adopt new regulations concerning medical-incubator technology, known as 'eggs' in layman's terms," Holi, the base-ship newscaster was saying. Jack was sitting in Lannister's office, Zeta at his side, Lannister across from them, and Walsh, his aide, to Lannister's left.

He gave Zeta a cautious look as the broadcast played on. Led by a Squid man, the protestors were a mix of Squid, human, and C'thon and stood in a large court on some station deep within the Consortium. The protest was louder and angrier than Jack had yet seen from Consortium culture. It looked like it could turn into a riot very quickly.

Lannister made a noise of disapproval. He wasn't fond of protests, even when he agreed with the cause. He gave a dismissive shrug. "So they have protests too. Guess it's just human nature," He scrunched his brow. "Sentient nature? Anyway, no matter how advanced your technology, not everyone is going to agree with every decision."

"It's a difficult issue for many," Jack evaded, watching Zeta's reaction. Jack liked Lannister, but he was sure he wasn't the first to notice that the man could be clueless on certain issues.

"If a human couple can't reproduce, it's a minor, personal matter," Zeta replied. "Or a C'thon couple. Just go to a healer and they will use an egg, no?"

"But if it's a cross-species couple, human and C'thon . . ." Jack started.

"It's forbidden," Zeta snapped. "So reproduction isn't truly a right, then? Not for everyone, anyway." This was the protestors' main argument. Jack remembered a time when Zeta had insisted she didn't feel that way, that she agreed with further regulation. Her position had evolved, especially since meeting Malika, a Squid girl much like Zeta had been.

"These aren't the same eggs they use in that Asha-Tanga?" Walsh asked.

And with that, Lannister wasn't the most clueless in the room, Jack joked to himself.

"No," Lannister said. "Those are ornaments, a social custom."

"Good, because we approved a huge shipment of Asha-Tanga eggs yesterday," Walsh replied, missing that there was a political issue on debate.

Zeta sighed, met Jack's eye, and then looked away. Maybe best not to discuss this here, he read in the look. "Yes. Mandano . . . I think he's the ship's chief walker?"

Lannister nodded.

"Anyway he's also chair for the Asha-Tanga planning committee. He'll be the one to talk to about that."

"I doubt it will be a big deal," Lannister said. "More than three quarters of the population is made up of Earthsiders. And nobody on the surface celebrates this holiday."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Jack corrected. "In fact, Fox and I have been in contact for several weeks about planning. We expect a significant spike in traffic, especially the last three days of the festivals."

Both Lannister and Walsh cocked an eyebrow. The matching expression nearly made Jack laugh. "You both forget what curiosity did to the cat. Expect a lot of tourists wanting to see what this celebration is about."

"You are right," Zeta said to Lannister. "The people on the surface don't celebrate this. They don't have the history, the cultural connection. For us, it's a deep part of our culture; there is much significance to it. But it's also a time to let loose, to dance and celebrate. Likely that aspect will be what draws people."

"So my station will be crawling with partygoers," Lannister groused.

"I'm sure Fox will have it well in hand."

"And we'll be without our top diplomat," Lannister said, looking to Jack.

"Duty calls," Jack joked. "Besides, Barry owes me. He's been so busy running diplomatic errands and missions that he's barely unpacked his office after almost six months in operation. Let him stay home this once."

Zeta rubbed her hands on her legs, her face flushed. "And our first Asha-Tanga . . ."

As a couple, Jack thought.

"In a new galaxy," Zeta finished out loud. "Saras is the place to be for it too. And we've been invited as diplomatic guests. Front-row seats, as you guys say."

"We?" Lannister said.

"Representing our respective governments, of course," Jack said. "But yeah, we'll be making the journey together."

"I'm sure you guys will have a lot more fun being one of the partygoers than being one of those corralling them," Walsh joked. "Oh, and by the way," he turned to Lannister, "Iokina is having a small private party, nothing too crazy, if you have some time to spare?"

"Of course," Lannister said. "As long as it doesn't conflict with Peeta's plans. He says it's expected that the captain would hold something during Asha-Tanga, but I suspect he's just bored and wants to plan a party."

Jack stifled a chuckle. It was a running joke between Lannister and his page that the captain didn't make near enough demands on his servant's time and the man had to find ways to keep himself busy.

"No," Walsh said. "You know the man better than that. Peeta discussed it with Iokina already, to make sure."

"Yes," Zeta said. "He sent out feelers to anyone he thought might want to hold a party, weeks ago. To make sure they were all coordinated. The good news is that they are. The bad news is that none of you can make the excuse of having a conflicting party. You'll just have to go, do your duty."

Another running joke among the command staff was that most of the Americans were military men, not used to the social role that they had to play as crew of what was basically a civilian station.

The door opened down the hall, and the security chief, Fox, appeared.

"Well, we do have a conflicting party, on Saras," Jack joked. "But there are few minor matters I'd like to care of in this morning's meeting, if that's okay with you?" He directed this towards Lannister.

Lannister was already rising from his seat. "Of course, we will begin as soon as the rest of the crew arrives."

Fox had entered only moments ahead of the next person, Iokina, who winked at Walsh as she went past him. The two were practically living together, but still came and went separately from work, for the sake of professionalism. Behind her, the door opened as the next person arrived and didn't shut before the person behind them was there.

Jack turned his attention to the conference room on the other side of the hallway, mentally going through his list of things to discuss before heading out to Saras later today.